Parents and Alumni Community: Parents Association

Some of the events and organizations described below are cancelled or taking on a different form for the 2020/21 school year. Contact efipparentsassociation@gmail.com to find out more.

 

The role of the Parents' Association is to support the mission of the school and to promote a spirit of community.

All parents are encouraged to attend the Parents’ Association meetings which are, for the most part, working meetings. Dates are included in our yearly school calendar. These meetings take place at the school in English with French translation, if needed. You are also highly encouraged to participate in the Parents' Association committees and activities which are described below.

The Parents' Association officers, the President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary, are responsible for the association’s organization. The President and the Vice-President are ex-officio members of our board of trustees.

Click here to complete a reimbursement form for Parents Association related spending.

Welcoming Committee

This committee helps us welcome our new families to the school community by pairing new families with returning families during the summer. This eases the integration of our new families into the school community each year.

Fall Picnic

Typically, two parents coordinate this event, which is scheduled in September. This event facilitates social interaction within our school community and the integration of our new families and staff members in the fall.

French Resource Center Support Committee

We always need a lot of help on this committee, which meets on a regular basis to work on card cataloguing, covering books and putting them in circulation. Please contact the school if you wish to work on this committee.

Halloween Fair

In celebration of this holiday, the Parents' Association organizes an afternoon of activities for families and friends of the French International School of Philadelphia. It is a carnival atmosphere with games, crafts, prizes, and food—fun for the whole family. Children wear their costumes and you can help by setting up, cleaning up, or manning an activity for an hour or two.

Annual Giving Campaign Committee

Every French International School family is asked each year to make a voluntary contribution to the Annual Giving Campaign which supports the operation of the school. Tuition payments do not cover the full cost of educating a student at the French International School of Philadelphia. Your tax-deductible contribution is, therefore, vital. Even a small gift is very important if we are to reach our goal of 100% participation among the families at the school. Outside foundations and corporations look carefully at the commitment of the school families when considering a donation. Please help in any way that you can when you are called by a parent volunteer.

Martin Luther King Day of Service Committee

On the third Monday in January, the French International School’s children participate with their teachers and more than 100 volunteering parents in community service projects. All activities take place at the French International School and end at noon. Projects vary yearly but typically include cooking for the homeless; making gifts for wheelchair-bound individuals; preparing “snack packs” for the families of critically ill children at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia; preparing dried soup mix for poor families; making bird houses; preparing backpacks for children at a Haitian orphanage; and using microscopes to check local water samples.

Soiree Committee

Our Wine Tasting and Silent Auction is the main fund-raising event organized by the Parents' Association, which benefits our educational program and draws interest from outside the school.

The Wine Tasting and the Silent Auction require the participation of all parents in one form or another. Your help is needed to secure items for the silent auction, to design, produce, and mail invitations, to handle public relations, and to plan and execute the event.

Parents’ Coffees

The coffees are organized by parent volunteers at the school after morning drop off. The dates are announced in the Wednesday Note. If you are interested in helping, please contact one of the Parents’ Association officers.

Croissants Sales

Every Friday at dismissal time, parents can buy croissants and other treats at the Lower School or have them delivered through their children.

GAPs

The Parents’ Association supports the charity "Grands as Parents" by providing used clothing throughout the year, turkeys for Thanksgiving and holiday gifts through the Giving Tree. We need volunteers to help collect and deliver clothes and Thanksgiving items.

Art Goes to School (AGTS)

Art Goes to School is a volunteer program in the local school district, which aims to bring art appreciation and education to children through a portfolio of famous artwork which is presented to the children in class by parent volunteers. Educational sessions for volunteers are held in the fall and in the spring. Volunteers teach classes PK4 through grade eight using selected posters. We are looking for volunteers to participate in this program, which is very valuable both for the children and the volunteers.

Teachers’ Appreciation Lunch

On Parent/Teacher Conference day, a buffet lunch is provided at the Lower and Upper School by the parents as a way of thanking the teachers and staff for their dedication to our children.

Used Book Sales

French and English books, magazines, etc... are sold on Parent/Teacher Conference days.

Parents’ Night Out

An evening or two of fun planned for the children while their parents can enjoy a night out. Money raised will support the Martin Luther King day of service.

Giving Tree  

In December, parents are invited to support the charities GAPs, National Fatherhood Initiative, and Backpacks for Haiti. A tree with tags attached is displayed in the hall indicating which items are wished for, generally baby and children's gifts and school supplies.