Our West Parent Organization, WPO, is actively involved in school affairs and provides many volunteer opportunities throughout the school year.  All parents of West children are considered members of our WPO and are welcome at our school to volunteer in many capacities throughout the year.  Below are listed many of the various opportunities for parents to volunteer and be involved at West School.  Your interest and help throughout the year are greatly appreciated. 

If you are interested in serving on any of these committees, please contact the executive board.  Information is included on the WPO Executive Board page. 

W.P.O. NEWS 

MARKET DAY

Help us reach our goal of $39,000 to win a $250 Barnes and Noble gift card for our school!!! Orders need to be to the school no later than Wednesday, February 4th; Internet orders due by noon Thursday, February 5th.  Pick up will be on Monday, February 9th between 3:30-4:30 pm.

FAMILY FUN FAIR

West's Fun Fair is held each spring.  Watch for information concerning volunteer opportunities after the first of the new year.

SPIRIT WEAR

Make sure to get your orders in for spirit wear when you receive order forms throughout the school year.  Please notice that the order forms are now visible on this website.  Go West Wildcats!!!

BOX TOPS

Keep collecting your box tops and Campbell's Soup Labels.  Send them to school with your children.  Encourage family members and neighbors 

"COUNT ME IN"

PROGRAMS & EVENTS 2009 - 2010

WAYS & MEANS

BOOK FAIR

September         1-2 hour shifts during school hours; week of sale

Volunteers are needed to help with our Scholastic Book Fair.  This event offers students, parents and teachers an opportunity to purchase books for themselves or as gifts.  Through your book purchases our school received free books for our Learning Center (library) and our Birthday Book Program.  Volunteers are needed to help students and adults make purchases.  Help is also needed for the set-up and cleanup of this event as well as assistance during the Teacher Preview days.

FALL FUNDRAISER

September        1 or 2 days approximately 2-3 hours

Volunteers are needed to help collect Fundraiser Order Forms from students participating in the W.P.O.'s largest money making event.  Volunteers may also be asked to count money, tally order forms and help with the distribution of orders once they arrive.

MARKET DAY

September-June 1st Monday of each month, 1:00-4:30 pm.

Market Day is a program that allows parents to preorder food products with a percentage of the sales going to West.  Volunteers are needed to help unload the truck on the day of the delivery as well as prepackage the orders for parent pick-up.

PLANT SALES

November & May    1 day in November & 2's days in May, 1 hour shift

WPO sponsors a poinsettia sale in November.  Volunteers are needed to help sort the prepaid orders for pick-up.  In May, WPO sponsors a Mother's Day flower sale.  Volunteers are needed to help assist students who wish to purchase flowers for their mom or other loved ones.

SPIRIT WEAR

September, November & March         time commitment varies

WPO offers students an opportunity to purchase sweatshirts, T-shirts, shorts and sweatpants with the West Wildcat logo.  This is a great way for students to show their school spirit!  Volunteers are needed to help collect the prepaid order forms, tally orders and distribute the orders.

H.A.N.D.S (Help And Nurture Developmental Skills)

Late September - May

Volunteers will assist students in kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade with activities that will help strengthen their fine motor skills.  This may include cutting, playing with beads or play dough as well as working on their writing skills.

MATH MENTORS

Late September-May

Volunteers will play math-based games with students in 1st & 2nd grade.  These games will help students strengthen their math skills and give them added confidence and self-esteem.

PUBLISHING CENTER

October-May

Volunteers are needed to assist students authors publish the books they have written.  Volunteers help our young authors create a dedication page and assist them in creating a cover for their books.  Volunteers will also be asked to type and bind books.

READING INCENTIVE PROGRAM

January-March

This program is designed to motivate students to read. Students in grades K-5 can earn various incentives for reading each night.  Small weekly prizes may be earned and students who participate in the full 4-week program can earn Kane County Cougar tickets and or/or Great American tickets.  Volunteers are asked to record and tabulate "minutes read" for students in each classroom.  Volunteers may also be asked to assist in passing out weekly incentive prizes.

ROOM PARENTS

September-May

Room parents are asked to coordinate 3 classroom parties throughout the year.  Room parents are also asked to assist with special projects throughout the year and chaperone school field trips.  A HEAD ROOM PARENT is also necessary to help oversee the coordination and implementation of the various tasks mentioned above.  The Head Room Parent will be required to start the Calling Tree for their classroom.

T.A.P (Teacher Assistance Program)

September-May

Volunteers will be asked to assist teachers with projects that could otherwise divert their time away from the classroom.  This could include making copies, laminating, collating, cutting, counting & tracing.

WEE DELIVER (School Post Office) 

Volunteers will be asked to provide supervision of the 3rd & 4th grade students who will be working in for the West Elementary School Post Office.  Volunteers will be asking to assist in the "Job Application" process as well. More detailed information will come home with all 3rd & 4th grade students.

ELF WORKSHOP & HOLIDAY SHOP

December     1st Saturday in December, 1 hour shift

The Elf Work Shop & Holiday Shop are fun ways for children to do their holiday shopping. During the Elf Work Shop children purchase craft kits to make during the workshop.  Volunteers are needed to assist the children with their crafts.  Children and parents are also invited to  purchase "store bought" gifts from our Holiday Shop.  These gifts are priced for a child's budget.  Volunteers are needed to help children with their purchases as well as assist in the set up and clean up of the event.

FIELD DAY

June                1-2 hour shift during the day

W.P.O., along with the Encore Team (gym, art, music & health teachers), put together a day of fun to help our students unwind after a long school year of hard work!  Outside activities along with a hotdog lunch, served by our Principals, make this a day that is enjoyed by all!  Volunteers are needed to help run the games and pass out ice cream treats.

FUN FAIR

March            1 hour shift

The West Fun Fair features games, prizes, food, & wonderful raffle baskets.  Volunteers are needed to help with the organization of the event.  Committees usually begin meeting to plan this event in January.  Volunteers are also needed the day of the event to help with the games, concessions, ticket sales and set-up/clean-up.  Lots of volunteers are needed for lots of fun!

ICE CREAM SOCIAL

May             1/2 hour shift during Open House

The W.P.O sponsors an Ice Cream Social for students and their families during our Open House.  The Open House allows our students to show their families all the wonderful things they have learned throughout the year.  The Ice Cream Social is held in the Multi-Purpose Room.  Free ice cream! What a great way to celebrate your child's accomplishments and visit with other West families.  Volunteers are needed to oversee the 5th grade students helpers who will be distributing the ice cream that evening.

STAFF APPRECIATION

August, November, May          commitment varies

The W.P.O. appreciates how hard all of our staff works throughout the school year, so as a way of saying "Thank You", we host 3 separate events.  A Welcome Back Breakfast is held in late August, a brunch in November and a week long appreciation filled with daily goodies and concluding with a luncheon is held in early May.  Volunteers are needed to help set up/clean up and serve food during these events.