HWPA Events & Volunteer Opportunities

Annually Sponsored Events

The following events (listed alphabetically) are sponsored annually by the HWPA and need lots of volunteers. You may contact any of the committee chairs by consulting the Redbook, or by clicking here (login required).

Committee Description 
 Volunteer Information

Annual Event

 
The Annual Event is the HWPA's biggest fund-raising effort. It provides a great opportunity for parents to join together for cocktails, wonderful food, a benefit concert and fund raising. A live auction, featuring fabulous items, is an exciting part of the event as well. Check the website for details as we plan this exciting event, which will be held on April 17, 2010.  Event Chairs: Namhee Han Gilhuly, Diana Lands Nathanson
    
Event help is needed for the following: Invitations, Decorations, Registration/Ticket Sales, Live Auction, Reception, Treasury, and more.

Auction/Party Book

 
This year, in addition to our successful Online Auction, the HWPA is putting the "fun" into "FUNdraising" with the first annual Harvard-Westlake Party Book! We will build and support our community while we party together: Join us at a "Classic" like Tom Hudnut's book club or Cinema  Studies and Chinese Cooking with Ted Walch and Ed Hu. Help organize, host or participate in a fine wine auction, multi cultural club dinners, roving dinners, ethnic cuisine pot lucks, sports viewing, sports playing, game   playing, explore neighborhoods then lunch, scavenger hunts, chef's tables, recipe and resource exchanges, tea parties, art tours, art history lectures, pjs and psychics, dream up your own event... Organize a party for parents in your child's grade level or open it to everyone! Host with friends, sponsor several, or just be a guest! We will raise money for our school with every new friendship we make and every old one we renew. What a great way to support our HW community!

Auction/Party Book Chairs: Sharon Cicero, Cynthia Hirschhorn, Beth Kleid, Cindy Spitz

Volunteers are needed for Solicitation, Publicity, Computer Input and as Party Hosts.

Faculty/Staff Appreciation Days

 
This committee sponsors events to honor our dedicated faculty, administration, and staff by providing beautifully prepared and served meals by HWPA families.

Parents are invited to participate in cooking, providing restaurant or store bought dishes, making a monetary contribution, or serving.  Please contact them to be included in their monthly mailing to better honor our wonderful teachers and staff.

This year's dates for F/SADays are: Sept 25, Oct 30, Dec 11, Feb 19, March 19, and May 21
Middle School Chairs: Shelly Aronson, Mitra Best, Leslie Kautz, Ellen Sugerman, Shirley Wang

Upper School Chairs
: Mary Aalto, Julie Blackwell, Zina Block, Andrea Breslin-Jaffe, Wilma Chung, Susie Goren

Grad Night

Grad Night celebrates the culmination of senior year for the graduates of the Class of 2010. It is an all-night event held the day of graduation and includes an evening of dinner, dancing, entertainment, breakfast, and transportation to all venues. The details of the event are kept completely under the chairpersons’ hats and the elements of surprise are revealed one by one to participating seniors as the evening unfolds.

It is a meticulously planned and stunning event congratulating each year’s graduating class. We would love to have any interested Upper School parents (you don't have to be the parent of a senior) help us plan and execute this wonderful send off for the Class of 2010. Please contact one of the chairs and become involved!

Grad Night is June 11
Grad Night Chairs: Sue Li and Maggie Minenko

Grade Level Parent Parties

Grade Level Parent Parties are designed to provide an opportunity for parents to meet each other and chat with faculty, the administration and each other. Parent Representatives from each grade level organize these informal class get-togethers complete with food, beverages, and lively conversation. These are wonderful events not to be missed!

Look for your e-vite in your email inbox (be sure to check your spam box, too). Please be sure to fill out all response boxes in the "Reply Here" section of the e-vite. We would appreciate a speedy reply to facilitate the planning of each party.

Party dates thus far are:
8th Grade – Wednesday, November 18, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
9th Grade – Saturday, October 24, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
10th Grade – Thursday, October 22, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
11th Grade – Tuesday, November 10, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
12th Grade – Saturday, October 10, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Grade Representatives

7th Grade:
Susan Ward Berger, Eve Gerber, Sheryl Sokoloff, Afsaneh Yousefzadeh
8th Grade:
Susan Carr, Julie Goldsmith, Randi Woythaler
9th Grade: Cindy Frischling, Liz Lim, Mindy Rothstein Mann
10th Grade: Lynne Brookman, Anne Haley Brown, Leigh Strauss
11th Grade: Jory Goldman, Julie Platt, Karen Saywitz, Romanoff
12th Grade:
Denise Barta, Dalia Moghavem, Diane Neubauer

Homecoming

Homecoming is a wonderful day when you can come cheer our teams to victory and enjoy a celebration filled with rides, games, food, and fun. The day provides families, students, alumni, faculty, administration, and staff an occasion for camaraderie, school spirit, pride, and nostalgia. There is something for everyone in the Harvard-Westlake community as we kick of each new school year at Homecoming.

The date for Homecoming is October 3.

Click here to visit the Homecoming page.
Homecoming Chairs: Missy Calvert, Tricia Elattrache, Laney Price

Homecoming offers a myriad of volunteer opportunities from the many food booths to the bakery to the rides and games.

Parent Programs

Two Program Vice Presidents are responsible for developing programs for the enjoyment and enlightenment of the Parents' Association membership. These programs include, but are not limited to, the two Parent Association General Meetings, Christmas Convocation and Hannukah Celebration. Program Vice Presidents: Richard Green, Marilyn O'Toole

Christmas Event Chair: Katie Holthouse

Hanukkah Event Chairs: Amber Denker, Abbee Goldstein

Senior Boys and Senior Girls Luncheons

The annual luncheons are among the most memorable events of the year for both parents and their seniors. Held concurrently, these afternoons provide an opportunity to reminisce years gone by and indulge dreams of the future. If you would like to help plan one of these wonderful occasions, the chairs would love your ideas, input and help.

The Senior Boys' and Senior Girls' Luncheons are both on May 8.
Senior Boys' Event Chairs: Janna Healy, Wende Mate, Celeste Plueger

Senior Girls' Event Chairs: Cece Feiler, Wendy Fleming, Joni Marine, Vicki Nussbaum, Toni Reamer
The following events (listed alphabetically) are sponsored annually by the HWPA and need lots of volunteers. You may contact any of the committee chairs by consulting the Redbook, or by clicking here (login required).

Committee Description 
 Volunteer Information

Annual Event

 
The Annual Event is the HWPA's biggest fund-raising effort. It provides a great opportunity for parents to join together for cocktails, wonderful food, a benefit concert and fund raising. A live auction, featuring fabulous items, is an exciting part of the event as well. Check the website for details as we plan this exciting event, which will be held on April 17, 2010.  Event Chairs: Namhee Han Gilhuly, Diana Lands Nathanson
    
Event help is needed for the following: Invitations, Decorations, Registration/Ticket Sales, Live Auction, Reception, Treasury, and more.

Auction/Party Book

 
This year, in addition to our successful Online Auction, the HWPA is putting the "fun" into "FUNdraising" with the first annual Harvard-Westlake Party Book! We will build and support our community while we party together: Join us at a "Classic" like Tom Hudnut's book club or Cinema  Studies and Chinese Cooking with Ted Walch and Ed Hu. Help organize, host or participate in a fine wine auction, multi cultural club dinners, roving dinners, ethnic cuisine pot lucks, sports viewing, sports playing, game   playing, explore neighborhoods then lunch, scavenger hunts, chef's tables, recipe and resource exchanges, tea parties, art tours, art history lectures, pjs and psychics, dream up your own event... Organize a party for parents in your child's grade level or open it to everyone! Host with friends, sponsor several, or just be a guest! We will raise money for our school with every new friendship we make and every old one we renew. What a great way to support our HW community!

Auction/Party Book Chairs: Sharon Cicero, Cynthia Hirschhorn, Beth Kleid, Cindy Spitz

Volunteers are needed for Solicitation, Publicity, Computer Input and as Party Hosts.

Faculty/Staff Appreciation Days

 
This committee sponsors events to honor our dedicated faculty, administration, and staff by providing beautifully prepared and served meals by HWPA families.

Parents are invited to participate in cooking, providing restaurant or store bought dishes, making a monetary contribution, or serving.  Please contact them to be included in their monthly mailing to better honor our wonderful teachers and staff.

This year's dates for F/SADays are: Sept 25, Oct 30, Dec 11, Feb 19, March 19, and May 21
Middle School Chairs: Shelly Aronson, Mitra Best, Leslie Kautz, Ellen Sugerman, Shirley Wang

Upper School Chairs
: Mary Aalto, Julie Blackwell, Zina Block, Andrea Breslin-Jaffe, Wilma Chung, Susie Goren

Grad Night

Grad Night celebrates the culmination of senior year for the graduates of the Class of 2010. It is an all-night event held the day of graduation and includes an evening of dinner, dancing, entertainment, breakfast, and transportation to all venues. The details of the event are kept completely under the chairpersons’ hats and the elements of surprise are revealed one by one to participating seniors as the evening unfolds.

It is a meticulously planned and stunning event congratulating each year’s graduating class. We would love to have any interested Upper School parents (you don't have to be the parent of a senior) help us plan and execute this wonderful send off for the Class of 2010. Please contact one of the chairs and become involved!

Grad Night is June 11
Grad Night Chairs: Sue Li and Maggie Minenko

Grade Level Parent Parties

Grade Level Parent Parties are designed to provide an opportunity for parents to meet each other and chat with faculty, the administration and each other. Parent Representatives from each grade level organize these informal class get-togethers complete with food, beverages, and lively conversation. These are wonderful events not to be missed!

Look for your e-vite in your email inbox (be sure to check your spam box, too). Please be sure to fill out all response boxes in the "Reply Here" section of the e-vite. We would appreciate a speedy reply to facilitate the planning of each party.

Party dates thus far are:
8th Grade – Wednesday, November 18, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
9th Grade – Saturday, October 24, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
10th Grade – Thursday, October 22, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
11th Grade – Tuesday, November 10, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
12th Grade – Saturday, October 10, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Grade Representatives

7th Grade:
Susan Ward Berger, Eve Gerber, Sheryl Sokoloff, Afsaneh Yousefzadeh
8th Grade:
Susan Carr, Julie Goldsmith, Randi Woythaler
9th Grade: Cindy Frischling, Liz Lim, Mindy Rothstein Mann
10th Grade: Lynne Brookman, Anne Haley Brown, Leigh Strauss
11th Grade: Jory Goldman, Julie Platt, Karen Saywitz, Romanoff
12th Grade:
Denise Barta, Dalia Moghavem, Diane Neubauer

Homecoming

Homecoming is a wonderful day when you can come cheer our teams to victory and enjoy a celebration filled with rides, games, food, and fun. The day provides families, students, alumni, faculty, administration, and staff an occasion for camaraderie, school spirit, pride, and nostalgia. There is something for everyone in the Harvard-Westlake community as we kick of each new school year at Homecoming.

The date for Homecoming is October 3.

Click here to visit the Homecoming page.
Homecoming Chairs: Missy Calvert, Tricia Elattrache, Laney Price

Homecoming offers a myriad of volunteer opportunities from the many food booths to the bakery to the rides and games.

Parent Programs

Two Program Vice Presidents are responsible for developing programs for the enjoyment and enlightenment of the Parents' Association membership. These programs include, but are not limited to, the two Parent Association General Meetings, Christmas Convocation and Hannukah Celebration. Program Vice Presidents: Richard Green, Marilyn O'Toole

Christmas Event Chair: Katie Holthouse

Hanukkah Event Chairs: Amber Denker, Abbee Goldstein

Senior Boys and Senior Girls Luncheons

The annual luncheons are among the most memorable events of the year for both parents and their seniors. Held concurrently, these afternoons provide an opportunity to reminisce years gone by and indulge dreams of the future. If you would like to help plan one of these wonderful occasions, the chairs would love your ideas, input and help.

The Senior Boys' and Senior Girls' Luncheons are both on May 8.
Senior Boys' Event Chairs: Janna Healy, Wende Mate, Celeste Plueger

Senior Girls' Event Chairs: Cece Feiler, Wendy Fleming, Joni Marine, Vicki Nussbaum, Toni Reamer

Other HWPA Activities

The Parents' Association supports the school with many activities in addition to the events listed above. We welcome your participation in these as well!You may contact any of the committee chairs by consulting the Redbook, or by clicking here.

Blood Drive - Assist and/or donate blood at the Upper School two times during the school year.
Chairs: Lisa Cohen, Jean Kaplan

Book Store - Help with counter sales and customer service. This is a popular volunteer position, so assignments are made on first come/first serve basis.
Upper School Chair: Sharon Haims
Middle School Chairs: Tamra Loeb, Robert Vigman

Community Service - Help organize and volunteer for Operation Gratitude on November 14, and Big Sunday Weekend on May 1-2.
Chairs: Pier Merone Getzoff, Jacqueline Liebman-Gentile, Janet Loeb


Historians - Take photos at HWPA and various school events for the website, the annual HWPA collage (on display in the Seaver reception area at the US) and school archives.
Historians: Kathy Gura, Francisca Kusumanegara, Ann Oliver, Anne Sisteron, Lori Sunkin, Nancy Sunkin
 

Hospitality - Donate refreshments for parents' association meetings.
General Meeting Chairs: Susan Coon, Aya Goldberg
Parents' Association Meeting Chairs: Susi Gaylord, Erica Lehman-Aaron, Kathryn Strom

Interfaith Activities - Help with set-up, refreshments, and decorations.
Chanukah Event Chairs: Amber Denker, Abbee Goldstein
Christmas Event Chairs: Katie Holthouse

Library - Help with library duties and the book fairs.
Upper School Chair: Mollie Milligan
Middle School Chair: Karen Leichenger

Newsletter - Edit the monthly HWPA newsletter and assist in its production and distribution.
Chair: Katy Pentakota

Performing Arts Hospitality - Assist in providing refreshments for intermission at Middle and Upper School performances.
Upper School Coordinators: Florie Bunzel, Rosalyn Daniels, Linda Engel, Natalie Lum Freedman, Cindy Katz, Wendy Levin, Laurie Petok, Evette Richardson, Natalie Seo, Dani Staahl, Laurie Strassman, Tania Tavangarian, Barbara Zipperman
Middle School Coordinators: Nasreen Babu-Khan, Janet Batchler, Deborah Davis, Susan Giesberg, LoisGrace Gold, Linda Hariton, Jennifer Kaplan, Pamela Leinbach, Helen Levin, Alicia Levitt, Silvia Malamud, Lisa Ward

Redbook - Assist in the organization, publication and distribution of the Redbook.
Chairs: Andrea de Castro, Marci Poster, Cindy Persky

Telephone Trees - Parents are needed to make emergency calls in case of any emergencies.
Chairs: Sandra Kossacoff, Nina Oberfeld, Lynn Thomas, Lili Zucker

Used Books - Help with the buy-back sale of used textbooks in June.
Chairs: Josephine Wibawa (Upper School), Elisabet Fleischman (Middle School)

Volunteer Coordinators - Assist in the organization of volunteers among committees and activities.
Chairs: Genise Reiter, Catia Sternini

Website - Edit, design and maintain the web pages specific to the HWPA.
Chair: Mala Mathur
The Parents' Association supports the school with many activities in addition to the events listed above. We welcome your participation in these as well!You may contact any of the committee chairs by consulting the Redbook, or by clicking here.

Blood Drive - Assist and/or donate blood at the Upper School two times during the school year.
Chairs: Lisa Cohen, Jean Kaplan

Book Store - Help with counter sales and customer service. This is a popular volunteer position, so assignments are made on first come/first serve basis.
Upper School Chair: Sharon Haims
Middle School Chairs: Tamra Loeb, Robert Vigman

Community Service - Help organize and volunteer for Operation Gratitude on November 14, and Big Sunday Weekend on May 1-2.
Chairs: Pier Merone Getzoff, Jacqueline Liebman-Gentile, Janet Loeb


Historians - Take photos at HWPA and various school events for the website, the annual HWPA collage (on display in the Seaver reception area at the US) and school archives.
Historians: Kathy Gura, Francisca Kusumanegara, Ann Oliver, Anne Sisteron, Lori Sunkin, Nancy Sunkin
 

Hospitality - Donate refreshments for parents' association meetings.
General Meeting Chairs: Susan Coon, Aya Goldberg
Parents' Association Meeting Chairs: Susi Gaylord, Erica Lehman-Aaron, Kathryn Strom

Interfaith Activities - Help with set-up, refreshments, and decorations.
Chanukah Event Chairs: Amber Denker, Abbee Goldstein
Christmas Event Chairs: Katie Holthouse

Library - Help with library duties and the book fairs.
Upper School Chair: Mollie Milligan
Middle School Chair: Karen Leichenger

Newsletter - Edit the monthly HWPA newsletter and assist in its production and distribution.
Chair: Katy Pentakota

Performing Arts Hospitality - Assist in providing refreshments for intermission at Middle and Upper School performances.
Upper School Coordinators: Florie Bunzel, Rosalyn Daniels, Linda Engel, Natalie Lum Freedman, Cindy Katz, Wendy Levin, Laurie Petok, Evette Richardson, Natalie Seo, Dani Staahl, Laurie Strassman, Tania Tavangarian, Barbara Zipperman
Middle School Coordinators: Nasreen Babu-Khan, Janet Batchler, Deborah Davis, Susan Giesberg, LoisGrace Gold, Linda Hariton, Jennifer Kaplan, Pamela Leinbach, Helen Levin, Alicia Levitt, Silvia Malamud, Lisa Ward

Redbook - Assist in the organization, publication and distribution of the Redbook.
Chairs: Andrea de Castro, Marci Poster, Cindy Persky

Telephone Trees - Parents are needed to make emergency calls in case of any emergencies.
Chairs: Sandra Kossacoff, Nina Oberfeld, Lynn Thomas, Lili Zucker

Used Books - Help with the buy-back sale of used textbooks in June.
Chairs: Josephine Wibawa (Upper School), Elisabet Fleischman (Middle School)

Volunteer Coordinators - Assist in the organization of volunteers among committees and activities.
Chairs: Genise Reiter, Catia Sternini

Website - Edit, design and maintain the web pages specific to the HWPA.
Chair: Mala Mathur

Please send all Email additions, changes and corrections to

Send all other web site comments, suggestions, submissions, and requests for assistance to Mala Mathur at

Visit the Parent Website Tour for a quick tutorial on using the site.

HWPA Events











 
HWPA Events











 

Volunteer...

There are so many wonderful ways to be involved. If you would like to serve on a committee, or perhaps chair one, we would love to have you! You can read all about the committees on this page, and if you see something that interests you, please contact Genise Reiter or Catia Sternini.

You must log in to access the dropdown menu of Volunteer Forms below,
including the General Volunteer Form and forms for Homecoming, Homecoming Bakery, and 12th Grade Parent Volunteers.
There are so many wonderful ways to be involved. If you would like to serve on a committee, or perhaps chair one, we would love to have you! You can read all about the committees on this page, and if you see something that interests you, please contact Genise Reiter or Catia Sternini.

You must log in to access the dropdown menu of Volunteer Forms below,
including the General Volunteer Form and forms for Homecoming, Homecoming Bakery, and 12th Grade Parent Volunteers.

Reimbursement & Requisition Vouchers

Volunteers may click below to obtain downloadable PDFs of the following forms for reimbursement and/or requisition, to be filled out and returned to the appropriate person.
If you would like detailed instructions about the voucher procedure, please click here.
Volunteers may click below to obtain downloadable PDFs of the following forms for reimbursement and/or requisition, to be filled out and returned to the appropriate person.
If you would like detailed instructions about the voucher procedure, please click here.

Donate...

Support Faculty Enrichment!

Help HW's wonderful faculty, staff and administration! Donations may be made to the HWPA Faculty Development Fund which supports grants for faculty betterment and faculty development. Send your check to the Office of Advancement payable to HWPA Faculty Development Endowment Fund. Donations may be specified as in honor of specific individuals, if desired. Contact Wendie St. Jean, HWPA Allocations Chair, for additional information.

Library Book Donations Wanted

Giving to the Harvard-Westlake Library helps to build and maintain the Library's collection while assisting us in keeping it current and relevant to the school's curriculum. It also is a thoughtful and convenient way to honor a student, teacher, coach or dean. A personalized bookplate will be placed inside the book's front cover and notification of your gift will be sent to your honoree. Contact the Library Chairs or click here for the Library Donation Form.

Support Faculty Enrichment!

Help HW's wonderful faculty, staff and administration! Donations may be made to the HWPA Faculty Development Fund which supports grants for faculty betterment and faculty development. Send your check to the Office of Advancement payable to HWPA Faculty Development Endowment Fund. Donations may be specified as in honor of specific individuals, if desired. Contact Wendie St. Jean, HWPA Allocations Chair, for additional information.

Library Book Donations Wanted

Giving to the Harvard-Westlake Library helps to build and maintain the Library's collection while assisting us in keeping it current and relevant to the school's curriculum. It also is a thoughtful and convenient way to honor a student, teacher, coach or dean. A personalized bookplate will be placed inside the book's front cover and notification of your gift will be sent to your honoree. Contact the Library Chairs or click here for the Library Donation Form.

2009-2010 Save the Dates!

Mark your calendars! All Parents are welcome at all HWPA meetings and events. Please join us!


HWPA General Meetings - September 22, April 28
Monthly Parents' Association Meetings -  November 17 (morning meeting), February 3, March 10, June 8
Blood Drive - November 5, April 23
Community Service Days - (Operation Gratitude) November 14, (Big Sunday Weekend) May 1 & 2
Interfaith Holiday Programs - (Hanukkah) December 9, (Christmas) December 13
Annual Event - April 17
Senior Boys' and Senior Girls' Events - May 8
Grad Night - June 11


HWPA Links

Please note that most of these links are only accessible if you have logged in.

HWPA Rosters

Fall 2009 General Meeting:

 

Student Store Volunteer Schedules:

  • Upper School - schedule will be emailed to volunteers
  • Middle School -  Monthly schedules through June are available here