What is the Jarrow Parent Association and why is it important?
The JPA is a volunteer organization comprised of parents like you who collaborate with teachers, staff, and students to enrich our community through social and educational events, classroom support, philanthropy, teacher appreciation and parent education. Parent involvement provides opportunities for parents to get to know one another and develop close friendships, allows parents to gain a better understanding of Jarrow’s mission and educational philosophy, supports our teachers and their classrooms, and creates opportunities to have a direct impact on the way Jarrow’s community grows and deepens within our school and in the greater Boulder community, which inevitably enriches their child’s experience as well as the school as a whole.
The decision to get involved is what makes things like Earth Action Day, the Beginning of the School Year Picnic/Potluck, the Book Fair, the Great Jack-o-Lantern Event, and feeding families in our community through the Thanksgiving Box Project possible. Whether you’re able to commit an hour or wish to become a JPA Lead, our expectation is that parents dedicate the time they are able to positively impact their school.
JPA Volunteer Opportunities
There are many ways to participate! JPA volunteer opportunities are broken down into different categories; please see the descriptions below. Contact jpa@jarrow.org to let us know how you would like to get involved!
Teacher LOVE!
Teacher LOVE! Love your teacher(s)? There are many ways to express your Teacher LOVE through teacher appreciation breakfasts, lunches and snacks, holiday gift cards, Valentine’s Day gratitude, and Teacher Appreciation Day messages. Volunteering with the Teacher LOVE Committee will ensure you have a direct impact on making your teacher feel treasured!
Parent Ambassadors
Become a Jarrow Ambassador and welcome new families into the school community by making introductions to existing families, helping new families become aware of events wherein they can meet other parents, learn more about the school, and be a source of information when questions arise. Please contact Shannon at shannon.marth@jarrow.org for more information.
Philanthropy
Philanthropy Jarrow believes in teaching our children the importance of giving back to our community. Through volunteering with the Philanthropy Committee, parents partner with the Upper Elementary Philanthropy Committee and the school to share resources and support multiple organizations. Current programs include feeding Boulder families through the Thanksgiving Box Project, providing toys for children through the Share-a-Gift Program, keeping children and adults warm through the Coat Drive, contributing bikes to children and adults through the Bike Drive, and supporting hundreds of children gain resources through Trick-or-Treat with Unicef. Please contact Shannon at shannon.marth@jarrow.org to learn more.
Events
Jarrow Mostessori holds some wonderful traditions throughout the year that bring our community together to celebrate, learn, and connect. These events are greatly supported by parent volunteers. The events below highlight some of our parents’ favorites:
Beginning of the School Year Picnic/Potluck
It’s so wonderful to begin the school year with an all-school gathering on our beautiful campus to reconnect with returning families and begin introducing our new families into our community! Although details change year to year, this is an important time to come together and celebrate all of the children, teachers, parents and staff who make Jarrow the wonderful school it is!
Great Jack-o-Lantern Gathering & Toddler/Primary Halloween Party
All are invited to bring their decorated Jack-o-lanterns to display on classroom tables dispersed throughout campus! Supported by the Upper Elementary Events Committee, creativity is celebrated as each pumpkin is given an honorary tag. While Elementary children partake in Hallaween parties in their classrooms, Toddler and Primary families are invited to celebrate Halloween by dressing up in costumes, enjoying healthy snacks, playing and mingling and partaking in the finale Halloween Parade.
Book Fair
A fairly new tradition, Jarrow partners with local bookstores to offer books to our community during the school’s week of ‘Celebration of Reading”. Children enjoy visiting authors, read-a-thons, creative writing, visiting staff and parents who do read-alouds, and more. A percentage of sales goes directly back to Jarrow. It’s a win-win for all and we so appreciate the many volunteers it takes to carry out the event!
Concert
The concert is a fabulous celebration of our students’ hard work in their music classes led by Anna Englander, Jarrow’s talented music teacher. The concert is a very special time when parents, teachers and staff are able to witness and honor the fruits of our children’s practice and efforts in the arts, as well as a great opportunity for them to gain experience being on stage and performing. Although Toddlers do not perform, we hope that the whole school comes out for this event!
Earth Action Day
One of our community’s favorites, Earth Action Day is a celebration of the Earth, Jarrow style! Led by Jarrow’s Environmental Ed. teacher, Amy Ransom, and in partnership with CU and Wild Bear Nature Center, our community comes together to learn topics such as reducing waste, permaculture, local ecology and biology, vermiculture and more while engaging in fun, hands-on activities led by professionals and parent volunteers. There’s something for everyone and it is always a guaranteed good time.
The Annual Gala
The Gala is Jarrow’s largest fundraising event of the year. With so many opportunities to help and a great crew of volunteers, the Gala committee is a wonderful way to give back to the school while having a fun time party planning! Contact shannon.marth@jarrow.org for more information about gala volunteer opportunities!