Parents Association (PA)

What We Do

The Parents Association plays a vital role in The Dwight School's to foster relationships between parents, teachers, and students through volunteer work, fundraising, education, safety patrol, and special events. Through close association with faculty, parents add a crucial dimension to the School. And by getting involved with the PA, parents have the opportunity to meet other parents, impact Dwight School life, and become vital members of the Dwight School community.

Your membership dues of $100.00 a year per student are essential to pay for the following parent-run activities and initiatives:

  • Faculty & Staff Holiday Gift Fund, which accounts for our largest outlay of money
  • Faculty Grant Awards
  • Excellence in Teaching Award
  • Student Leadership Award
  • Unsung Hero Award
  • Senior Class Gift
  • Bentley House Thanksgiving Day Turkey Basket Event
  • Faculty & Staff Valentine's Day Breakfast
  • End of Year Class Parties
  • Dwight Yearbook ad
  • Production of PA Brochure and Stationery

Parent volunteers are essential to ensuring that the Dwight experience is the best that it can be for students, parents and faculty alike. We look forward to all parents in every grade volunteering their time and participating in at least one of the many PA or School sponsored events that require assistance. These volunteer opportunities are intended to enrich the learning experience and facilitate communication among students, teachers, and parents. We are convinced that students are more enthusiastic about learning when they know that their parents are involved in school life.

The PA encourages you to get involved in one of the following parent volunteer opportunities:

  • PARENT DINNER RECEPTIONS — These events bring our school community together in a more social setting. We ask volunteer parents to open their homes for an evening in the fall to host simple buffet dinners or cocktail receptions for their class. (September-November)
  • SCHOOL UNIFORM SALE DAY — Parents are asked to donate their children's outgrown and gently used uniforms so that they may be re-sold to Dwight families at a very nominal charge. We also seek volunteers to staff this event (September). All proceeds benefit the PTC.
  • PHOTOGRAPHY DAY — This is an annual event in September during which every child in the school is photographed for the yearbook and for keepsake photos for parents. Volunteers are needed to assist teachers, photographers, and children. (September)
  • SALLY FOSTER GIFT WRAP FUNDRAISER — Students sell giftwrap, related accessories, and gift items to raise money for the PA. The School earns 50% of the cost of every item sold. Parents are needed to assist with promoting the fundraiser throughout the fall and organizing and facilitating giftwrap pick-up in November. We offer Sally Foster items online with home delivery as well. (November)
  • BENTLEY HOUSE THANKSGIVING BASKET EVENT - Each November, Bentley House parents and students gather to prepare a Thanksgiving Dinner for families who are not able to afford a special holiday meal. Parents help students to create the baskets and supply a snack for the basket workers. (November)
  • BOOK FAIR — The Book Fair is an important school wide event that enables us to raise money, provide books for our library and classrooms, and buy gifts for family and friends. Volunteers are needed to set up, staff the checkout, collect payment and pack up after the event. (December)
  • SPIRIT DAY — Spirit Day is a Dwight community tradition in which the PA and the School work together to plan and staff various activities for alumni and current Dwight families. (February)
  • FACULTY VALENTINE’S DAY BREAKFAST — On Valentine’s Day, PA provides teachers with a special buffet breakfast to thank them for their hard work. Parents help by donating food and helping to set up and serve the meal. (February)
  • BOOK BUYBACK DAY — At the end of each school year, our book supplier comes to the campus to collect used books. Parents are needed to help organize the event and assist students and workers in the buyback process. (June)
  • THE DWIGHT SCHOOL FOUNDATION’S ANNUAL FUND COMMITTEE — Parents and administrators collaborate to raise funds for The Foundation and create initiatives to generate financial support for Dwight's long-range strategic plan. (Year round)
  • THE DWIGHT SCHOOL FOUNDATION’S INTERNATIONAL GALA AND AUCTION COMMITTEE — The International Gala and Auction is the School’s annual fundraising event. The money that is raised enables Dwight to offer student scholarships, International Baccalaureate teacher training, and faculty grants. This committee works with the School’s Development Office on all aspects of the Gala and Auction including invitations, solicitations, promoting ticket sales, food and beverage, entertainment, and all logistical arrangements. The committee meets bi-monthly from early fall through April. (Year round)
  • SAFETY PATROL SUBSTITUTES — Although one parent of every Dwight student is expected to participate in the after-school Safety Patrol, there are sometimes unforeseen circumstances (e.g.: illness) when a parent cannot report on the scheduled date or find a substitute. Volunteers are needed to act as substitutes on these rare occasions. (Year round)
  • SCHOOL EVENT CHAPERONES — Parents are needed at various times throughout the year to chaperone School events (e.g.: the winter and spring concerts). (Year round)
  • PA PROJECTS AND MAILINGS — Volunteers are needed to work on various PA projects and help with occasional mailings. (Year round)
PA Logo
Dwight School