Volunteering at Westtown

"I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks." - William Shakespeare.

Volunteers play a fundamental role at Westtown School and enable the school to offer a wealth of activities and events for the enrichment and enjoyment of the entire school community -- and, in many cases, for the community-at-large.  Every volunteer opportunity at Westtown ultimately benefits the students, the faculty, and/or the entire Westtown community. This is true whether the activity directly supports a student, helps a school department, or supports a special community building or fund-raising event.

We know from experience that volunteering can sometimes seem a thankless task. But Westtown School is truly grateful for all its volunteers. So "thanks, and thanks." Without volunteers the school would not be able be able to accomplish nearly as much as it does.

There are many ways to get involved, and Westtown School greatly values any amount of time you can donate -- whether you have a lot or a little bit of time to donate, whether you can help at school or from home, and whether you can help during the day, in the evening, or on weekends.  Please take the time to review this summary of some of the volunteer opportunities at Westtown. If you want to be involved, we can make it so! 

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Carol Trask, Special Events & Volunteer Manager, at 610-399-7916 or carol.trask@westtown.edu. 

Also -- check out Volunteer Times, our new volunteer newsletter designed to keep you up-to-date on volunteer opportunities throughout the school year. Check your email box for future issues. (Don't have email? Contact Carol Trask at 610-399-7916 to receive hard copies of each issue; electronic copies will also be posted regularly on this website). 

Thank you for your interest!

Coordinate Volunteers

• Do you enjoy meeting new people? Carol Trask, the Special Events and Volunteer Manager, is looking for 1-2 volunteers from each division plus 1-2 alumni to help identify other volunteers as needed during the school year for specific activities or events. If interested, please contact Carol at 610-399-7916 or carol.trask@westtown.edu. You will have Carol's undying gratitude!
  
  

Support Students

Parent Council

• Each division has an active parent council. For more information, please contact the appropriate division's office.

Host Family Program: This program offers a few ways to get involved --

• Act as a host family to an international boarding student or a non-local U.S.-based boarding student. Host families are not required to invite their students over for sleepovers, but we do suggest you invite your student to dinner once a trimester, attend an athletic event once a trimester, remember his/her birthday, email his/her parents once a trimester, and help your student feel cherished and loved! You will be supported along the way with an orientation in the Fall, a packet that will provide you with all the resources you will need, formal events where you and your student can mingle, and the promise of continued support to ensure that the experience is a mutually gratifying one.  For more information about the Host Family Program, please click here. 
  
  
• Support the international host family program by assisting Margaret Hudgings, the coordinator, with clerical tasks and events such as the annual Halloween party and Sushi & Sweets. For more information, contact Margaret directly at margaret.hudgings@westtown.edu or 610-399-7821.
  
  
• Support the U.S.-based program by helping Marion Henderson, the coordinator, match families with students, correspond with host families, and plan host family/student events. For more information, contact Marion directly at marionhendersonHFP@yahoo.com or 484-467-5925.
  

Senior Projects

• Provide an opportunity for one or more seniors to volunteer at your business or in a program with which you are involved for a 2 week period in February/March as part of their "senior project" requirement. Westtown students are hard workers and fast learners! If interested, Steve Compton, the Senior Projects Coordinator, will contact you with more information, or you can reach Steve directly at 610-399-7722 or steve.compton@westtown.edu.

Help a School Department

Admissions Office: There are a variety of ways to support Admissions and we are eager to expand our roster of volunteers. Please call 610-399-7900 or email admissions@westtown.edu.

• Welcome visitors to Open Houses: answer questions and share your Westtown experience with prospective families. Admissions appreciates assistance for about 45 minutes. Open House dates are October 11, 2010; November 13, 2010; December 12, 2010; January 16, 2011; February 21, 2011; and April 18, 2011.
  
  
• Call prospective families: help families learn more about Westtown through your experience. Admissions provides the contact information and guidance.
  
  
• Staff a School Fair: represent Westtown at a school fair in your area at which students considering an independent school learn more about various schools. This may be in concert with an Admissions staff member or solo. Materials and guidance provided.
  
  
• Host an Event for Prospective Families: entertain families considering Westtown at your home to enable them to meet other Westtown families and staff.

Archives

• The Archives Department welcomes volunteers to help with organization and use of the school's historical collection which includes photographs, manuscripts, textiles, paintings, and furniture.  The Archives are open during the school day and volunteers are welcome on a regular or occasional basis.

Athletic Department

• If you were at any home games (or Friends Schools League tournaments) at Westtown during the 2008-09 school year, then you could not miss the refreshment stands and carts which were the hard work of just a few parents.  Join in and help the Parents' Councils' Sports Boosters sell refreshments at home games.  Proceeds benefit the Athletics Department.

Food Service Volunteer

• Our chef, Ernie Schoch, is often in need of volunteers to assist with food service during major events on campus. One such time is March 18, 19, and 20, 2010 when the Chester County Historical Society will hold their annual Antiques Show in the Athletic Center.  Another time is on Grandparents' Day (April 15, 2010), when the Upper School hosts 2 sit-down lunches for grandparents and all three divisions host morning receptions.  Volunteer opportunities for other events/occasions may also become available.

Alumni Weekend, May 13-15, 2011

• Assist the Alumni Office with preparations. Some of this work can be done at home.
• Help on Alumni Day (Saturday, May 8, 2010) with registration, hospitality, and children's activities.

Seventh Annual Golf Outing, Monday, May 23, 2011:  Our Annual Golf Outings benefit financial aid. Planning for the 7th Annual Outing is underway, and there are many ways to get involved, even if you are not a golfer.

• Join the planning committee.
• Solicit sponsors and/or donations for the silent and live auction at the Outing.
• Help with registration, prizes, and the auction at the Outing 

Second Annual Westtown School Garden Tour, June 4-5, 2011

• Join us in our planning stages as we prepare invitations, plan food & beverage options, etc
• Offer your garden for the tour 
• Help prepare bag lunches sold to registered attendees.  Lunches will be prepared the morning of the tour at Westtown School; volunteers will receive free admission to the gardens.
• Volunteer the day of the tour to greet guests at the various gardens and/or hand out bag lunches (at Westtown).  We will provide training and tours of the gardens to all volunteers before the event.  Please consider working a 2 hour shift at one of the gardens in exchange for free admission to all the gardens.

Parent Councils

Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School each have active parent councils.  For more information about volunteering for parent council activities, please contact the appropriate division's office or click here to link to the main Parent Councils page.