Did you know that it takes 60 volunteer hours per student per year to keep Covington on its path to success? Covington needs your help to ensure that it can continue delivering the world-class education and enrichment that we all want for our children. There are plenty of volunteer opportunities from leading one of our larger school events, to being on campus during school hours, to helping from home and more. Any questions about volunteering? Please contact Christine Mishoulam, VP of Non-Fundraising.
PTA Volunteer Opportunities
The Auction is Covington’s biggest fundraising event – and a lot of fun for parents! Held during the spring, 2-3 parents are needed to co-chair the event with planning starting as early as fall. Additional committee members are needed to plan the event, contact vendors, donors, and corporate sponsors, decorate, set up, close up, and help administer the event on the day of.
Covington hosts a week long book fair annually in late fall. The fair primarily takes place during school hours, but also one night during the week for a special family event. This committee plans and runs the entire fair including coordinating with teachers, communicating with parents, working with the librarian, managing volunteers at the fair and running special events throughout the book fair week. Additional volunteers needed throughout the week will be recruited closer to the event.
This coordinator is responsible for communications from the PTA to all parents.
This coordinator helps foster school spirit by providing students and parents with Covington logo wear including t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, masks, and more. They are in charge of managing inventory, helping with sales, and developing new products as needed. Covington Spirit Wear is sold at various school events and online.
This coordinator is responsible for maintaining emergency shed supplies, assisting during emergency drills, and overseeing the classroom emergency prep volunteers.
This coordinator helps to keep the PTA closet, the Multi kitchen, and the Lost and Found neat and organized. Stop by after drop-off, before pick-up, or during school hours to check in and help tidy up these areas.
Field Day is a morning of fun and outdoor games for students and teachers held the last Friday before the last day of school. This committee will work with the Principal to organize and coordinate the event including managing volunteers, set up, and clean up. Additional volunteers needed on the day of Field Day will be recruited closer to the event.
This coordinator organizes Covington's holiday gift drive for the Giving Tree, a local community service organization. This includes promoting event at school, organizing gift tags, collecting gift donations, transporting gifts back to the Giving Tree warehouse, and coordinating additional volunteers for possible gift sorting on site.
Assistance is needed to help the food staff with distribution of hot lunch daily at the start of lunch time including handing out food, checking student cards and managing lines. Volunteers can commit to one or multiple days per week.
The Junior Olympics (JO) is a district-wide event held on a Saturday in April for the 4th, 5th and 6th graders. This committee works with the larger district planning committee throughout the year, supports the Covington P.E. teachers on training during P.E. time, records time trials for relay teams, orders school t-shirts, enters students' event selections, coordinates parent relay coaches, and manages all JO communication to staff and the Covington community. Additional volunteers needed on the day of JO will be recruited closer to the event.
This coordinator oversees use of the kiln for art projects on campus.
The coordinator inputs PTA and school event announcements into the computerized marquee system.
This committee is a resource for new families throughout the school year on school practices, activities, events, etc. They will also serve as the Covington representative at district wide new family initiative meetings, and help to coordinate volunteers for incoming Kinder playdates in the spring/summer.
The Los Altos Pet Parade is a beloved community event taking place annually during the spring in downtown Los Altos. Covington has historically participated in this parade. This coordinator publicizes the event to the Covington community, encourages participation, and makes sure banners, balloons, etc. are at the gathering site.
Project Cornerstone is a program designed to empower young people, parents and school staff to improve school climate and generate ways to keep children happy and safe. The Project Cornerstone chairs will coordinate the activities of classroom Project Cornerstone volunteers.
This chair is responsible for recruiting parents and teachers to join the Covington PTA.
Covington works with Starting Arts, a local youth theater/dance program, to run the annual spring musical featuring students in 4th, 5th, and 6th grades. This committee works with the Starting Arts director to provide logistical support as needed such as communication, rehearsal times, cast t-shirts, show programs and promotion of the musical prior to opening night. No theater experience needed, the Starting Arts staff will run all rehearsals, provide costumes/music/lights, etc.
This committee is comprised of parents of sixth graders and helps to coordinate fundraising activities for the grade (e.g., bake sales at school events) and work with students and the principal to select and purchase a class gift to Covington. This committee also coordinates any additional sixth grade only events/projects including end-of-year party and additional memorial pages in the yearbook.
This coordinator helps to manage Covington's social media presence including Facebook (both private group and public facing page), Instagram, and Twitter. They primarily serve as moderator/owner for "Covington Voices" the private Covington Facebook group including vouching and accepting new members, posting PTA communications and moderating ongoing discussions.
This is a fun, family friendly social taking place outdoors in the spring (no fundraising planning needed). There will be food, games, activities, and more for all Covington families to enjoy together. This committee will start planning in the winter and organize all events, activities, food, etc.
This committee honors Covington teachers and staff with monthly appreciation meals and/or activities. Additionally, they host a dinner for staff during Open House (spring) and coordinate week-long activities for Staff Appreciation Week (spring).
STEM Lab is open on various days throughout the week during lunch recess. Volunteers help to supervise as students explore and work in the STEM Lab.
This committee will help assist weekly in any classroom prep teachers may need including making copies, collating packets, cutting, etc. Any projects needed will be left in the teacher workroom by a designated day to be completed on that day. Work load will vary each week.
One of the primary fundraisers of the school year, the Walkathon brings the whole Covington community together for a fun-filled day of walking and fundraising. This committee coordinates sponsors, music, food, t-shirts, lap cards, incentives, water, and first aid. Additional volunteers needed on the day of will be recruited closer to the event.