Auction Atkinson’s annual auction is the PTA’s largest fundraiser and an adult-only event. Auction items are donated by local businesses and by members of the Atkinson community. The auction features both silent and live auctions. We need lots of volunteers to help execute this fundraiser.
Basketball Atkinson Basketball (mixed teams of 3-5th graders) needs coaches, assistants, and referees.
Book Fair The book fair is held in November around parent/teacher conference time. Volunteers are needed to set up, take down and work at the book fair. The hours vary depending on the fair hours and the conference schedule.
Book Room We need volunteers to re-shelve bagged sets of books, which teachers have returned during the week. Once a month or so, volunteers change out the hallway posters. Several times a year, volunteers sort through the donated books on the shelves in the cafeteria. Many of these books are given to Goodwill, while others are patched, wiped off, and organized on the shelves.
Carnival Every classroom is involved in this spring/early summer celebration. Volunteers plan this event and help set up, run, and clean up after traditional carnival games in the gym. Volunteers also run a marketplace in the cafeteria, as well as bingo and a bake walk. This is a Friday evening event.
Chinook Book Volunteers are needed to set up tables and to sell the books (resource guide and coupon book) at Atkinson and at various locations throughout Portland. This fundraiser specifically supports the Outdoor Learning Gardens.
Field Day Held in the spring. Generally 10-12 stations of activities and games will be set up outside the school. Parent volunteers will be responsible for at least one station.
5th Grade Parent Coordinator We need a parent volunteer to coordinate the events that are particular to the 5th grade year, including the End of the Year Party, 5th grade field trip, and 5th grade Plant Sale.
Gift Wrap This fundraiser usually starts within the first two weeks of school and lasts for two weeks. Volunteers help sort the gift wrap catalogues according to classroom and give them out at a student assembly. They also deliver publicity information to teachers and set up the display case. During the two-week sale volunteers send out reminders to students, pick names for prize drawings and deliver the prices. At the end of the sale, volunteers collect and process the orders.
Grandparents/Special Friends Day On this day in October, grandparents and special friends are invited to visit Atkinson. They go to the child’s class to observe or join in an activity and proceed to the cafeteria for refreshments and a performance by some of the children.
Greeting Cards We are looking for a graphic designer from earlier grades, who can continue the tradition of producing cards made by Atkinson students. We also need volunteers to help sell the cards.
Ice Cream Social(September)The ice cream social is an early evening event held at the beginning of the school year to welcome new and returning families. Volunteers are needed to plan this event for next year, including the purchase and scooping of ice cream and the organization of information booths.
K-2 and 3-5 Talent Shows Volunteers coordinate this event and help students during the rehearsals and show.
Library Helper/Reader Volunteers will read to classes in the library or to their own child’s class. Volunteers are also needed to process books, including putting durable covers on books, typing spine labels, affixing stamps and other labels to books.
Lunar New Year We celebrate the Lunar New Year with an evening of fabulous Asian food, games, arts and crafts, music, and children’s performances. A group of volunteers are needed.
Outdoor Learning Gardens Join the Outdoor Learning Garden (OLG) Committee. Help coordinate with teachers and staff to create outdoor learning opportunities and to maintain the gardens. Training will be provided. We also need help finding and writing grants to support the current and future needs of the OLG.
Outreach Committee Atkinson families are multicultural and speak a variety of languages. This committee is an important link between the PTA and families from different cultures. The goal of the committee is to help families get involved in the Atkinson community and to identify the needs of students, parents, and teachers. The committee meets monthly, in the evening. La Posada, an important Mexican pre-Christmas tradition which we celebrate with games and activities for students and their families, as well as great food, is organized by the Outreach Committee. Volunteers help set up, run, and clean-up after the activities.
PTA Clothes Closet The PTA helps run a clothes closet at Marshall High School. It provides donated clothes, new socks and underwear to families. On two days during the school year, Atkinson is responsible for helping people choose items at the center. The first time this year is September 8th from 9:30am-1:30pm.
RIF (Reading is Fundamental) Distribution Volunteers are needed to help make bookmarks and posters and to help set-up before school until 9.00am. Volunteers are then needed to distribute the books in shifts throughout the day.
Run for the ArtsEvery spring Atkinson kids collect pledges for a jog-a-thon held at Franklin High School’s track. Volunteers are needed to organize students, mark off cards indicating laps run, pass out popsicles and cheer for the runners.
Running Club In previous years, there has been a Friday Recess Running Club. To further increase participation and opportunities to exercise, many teachers have adopted the running club as a class activity. Please check with your child’s teacher to see how you can help facilitate a class running club.
Safer Routes to School We need volunteers to help 2nd and 3rd grade students practice crossing the streets safely and to teach 4th and 5th graders about bike safety.
Staff Appreciation Week The first and second grade classes are responsible for arranging this week of Staff Appreciation Celebrations, usually in May. The room reps in those classes will generally plan how to celebrate Atkinson’s teachers and staff, but more parent volunteers are needed to help provide food and assist during lunch recess. Past events include luncheons, daily treats, musical performances, appreciation gifts and messages.
Walk and Bike to School (Fridays) Volunteers are needed for the following: Set up (8:10-8:25am), welcome students (2-3 people to sign in kids and hand out stickers), raffle tickets help (8:25-8:50am) and take down (8:50-9:00am)
Winter Sing-Along Occurs in December. A volunteer committee of many people with varied responsibilities is needed, including people in charge of decorations and food.
Year Book A volunteer is needed to coordinate this effort. We need to contact the company, take and collect photos, paste up the photos, and finally, sell the year books.