About the Bank Street School for Children Parents Association
The Parents Association provides a bridge between the parent body of the Bank Street School for Children and the Administration of the School. Specifically, the Parents Association:
The Parents Association recognizes that parents play an integral role in the school community. There are many varied ways for Bank Street parents to actively participate in their children’s education by fostering a spirit of inclusion, partnership, affinity, and cooperation through volunteerism and community building.
Building Community
Bank Street offers many opportunities throughout the year for parents to join in family and community events. The School and the Parents Association invite and encourage parents to attend:
Volunteer Opportunities
There is a significant need for parent volunteers to plan and assist in crucial fundraising and community-building events at the School. All parents are expected to donate some of their time to the School each year. There are many opportunities—large and small—for parents to lend a hand and meet their obligation to help. Parents interested in volunteering may begin the process by filling out our online Volunteer Information Form.
Affinity Groups
Affinity Groups bring together people whose identity- based perspectives are sometimes misunderstood or under-represented. Affinity groups provide spaces to share common experiences and identify ways in which members can be better represented in the culture of the School. Interested parents are invited to participate in the following affinity groups:
The Parents Association provides a bridge between the parent body of the Bank Street School for Children and the Administration of the School. Specifically, the Parents Association:
- Promotes parents’ involvement in their children’s education
- Considers, proposes, and provides feedback to the Administration of the School with respect to programs, activities, and the resolution of issues and concerns
- Sponsors events and activities that benefit the School
- Promotes and encourages parent participation and volunteerism
- Supports and advances the fundraising activities within the School
- Actively embraces, supports, and engages our diverse school community
The Parents Association recognizes that parents play an integral role in the school community. There are many varied ways for Bank Street parents to actively participate in their children’s education by fostering a spirit of inclusion, partnership, affinity, and cooperation through volunteerism and community building.
Building Community
Bank Street offers many opportunities throughout the year for parents to join in family and community events. The School and the Parents Association invite and encourage parents to attend:
- The Fall Fair
- The Annual Auction & Benefit
- Classroom Potluck Breakfasts
- Parent Potluck Dinners
- Winterfest, Recitals, and Plays
- Sporting Events
- Movie Nights
Volunteer Opportunities
There is a significant need for parent volunteers to plan and assist in crucial fundraising and community-building events at the School. All parents are expected to donate some of their time to the School each year. There are many opportunities—large and small—for parents to lend a hand and meet their obligation to help. Parents interested in volunteering may begin the process by filling out our online Volunteer Information Form.
- The Parents Association Executive Board
- Class Parents
- The Fall Fair Committee
- The Auction & Benefit Committee
- The Talent Show
- The Green Action Task Force
- The Parenting Education Committee
- Parent Tour Guides
- The Development Committee
- The School Photo Committee
- The Merchandise Committee
Affinity Groups
Affinity Groups bring together people whose identity- based perspectives are sometimes misunderstood or under-represented. Affinity groups provide spaces to share common experiences and identify ways in which members can be better represented in the culture of the School. Interested parents are invited to participate in the following affinity groups:
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, & Allies Parenting Group (LGBTQA)—The LGBTQA group represents the spectrum of sexual orientation and gender identity in the Bank Street community. Objectives include supporting one another and children, identifying mutual concerns and interests and determining how best to pursue them, and increasing visibility of the LGBTQ community.
- Parents of Children of Color (POCOC)—Parents of Children of Color is a coalition of parents whose goals are to identify common experiences and concerns and share solutions that enable them and their children to navigate more effectively experiences around racial identity, both in and out of school. POCOC meets monthly and sponsors regular programming for the entire school community.
- Touched by Adoption Parent Group (TBA)—The Touched by Adoption parent group is a coalition of Bank Street families formed through adoption, and it provides social support for all community members who are touched by adoption. The group advocates for members of our community on issues related to adoption, and it provides programming on those issues, as it helps increase teachers’ understanding of adoption and how the various curricula can reflect and support adopted children.
- The Learning Diversity Support Group—Provides a safe, positive place to give and receive support, and to receive and share resources. The members of the group have children at Bank Street receiving extra support such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, social skills classes, psychological support, and other support services. Some members have children who are at special needs schools in the city.
- White Anti-Racist Affinity Group--The White Antiracist Affinity Group is a place for white parents to discuss and explore their experiences as white people living in a racist society. The group seeks to learn about and examine white culture and privilege to help white parents cultivate and affirm their anti-racist identities.