Volunteering is a great way to get to know other parents and find out what's going on in and around the school. There are many opportunities, some with minimal time commitments and some that can be done from home. Please look through the list to find something that matches your interests and abilities. Also browse the Student Life section of the website; many of these activities are volunteer-led.
Children of the World International Festival
Cookbook Committee
Educational Enrichment Committee
Fundraisers
Grant Writing
Homeroom Representatives
Lunch Duty
Magazine Sale
Monthly Envelopes
Newsletter Committee
Parent Teacher Guild (PTG)
School Board
School Gardens
Student Activities
Technology Committee
Children of the World International Festival
The third Children of the World International Festival was held on April 18, 2009 at the Hunt Armory in Shadyside (located at 324 Emerson Street, across from the school). This fun-filled family event is sponsored by Sacred Heart School in partnership with the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh. The every-other-year event is successful through the behind-the-scenes efforts of many volunteers.
Area businesses and organizations also play a part in this event by hosting educational displays and through sponsorships, donations and advertising. For more information, please call 412-441-1582.
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Cookbook Committee
The Heart of Pittsburgh Cookbook and The Heart of Pittsburgh Cookbook II are for sale from the SHES Parent Teacher Guild. These award-winning cookbooks have been a hit both inside and outside Sacred Heart. Purchased individually, each book costs $17.95 (plus tax). Gift baskets and discount packages are available, please see order form for details.
To order, send a completed order form to school, email karen.raffensperger@comcast.net, or contact the school office.
The PTG Cookbook Committee’s purpose is to sell both volumes of the Heart of Pittsburgh Cookbooks. This is done through a concerted effort of small tasks including representing the books at retail outlet tasting events, preparing recipes for tasting events, maintaining correspondence with retail outlets via phone and email, and processing book orders and deliveries. New ideas for marketing are always welcome. Meetings are held monthly, but attendance is not mandatory. Committee members participate on an as needed/as available basis left to their discretion. Call the school office for chairperson contact information.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette articles about the cookbooks:
"School's cookbook flavored with heart and soul"
"Nibbles"
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Educational Enrichment Committee
The Educational Enrichment Committee’s goal is to implement activities outside of the school curriculum that will enrich the educational and social experiences for Sacred Heart students and their families. The Art Attack program, summer camps and the Chess Club are examples of activities started by the Committee. It also plans activities for Catholic Schools Week. New members are welcome. Call the school office for chairperson contact information.
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Fundraisers
Volunteers are always needed for the school's ongoing efforts. These include Market Day food sales, PTG cookbook committee, Giant Eagle gift card sales at mass, the Children of the World International Festival, the annual magazine sale, the Scholastic book fair, and the Sarris Easter candy sale.
The school also earns money from a variety of easy programs and collections that cost nothing to participants. For instance, shopping at Giant Eagle, Target and Office Depot can raise money for Sacred Heart. Finally, collections of old cell phones, used inkjet and laser toner cartridges, and General Mills and Campbell’s labels go on all year long.
For more information on individual programs, check the Fundraisers section of the website.
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Grant Writing
The school has begun applying for various national and local grants. We are actively seeking parents to help us. If you have experience writing or awarding grants, or just have a great idea for a project or grant that we could apply for, we’d love to hear from you. Please call the school office if you’d like to help.
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Homeroom Representatives
One parent per classroom is asked to volunteer to help teachers by communicating with other parents about class activities such as parties and field trips, and assisting with planning. Homeroom reps also provide information to the newsletter. Call the school office for chairperson contact information.
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Lunch Duty
Each family is scheduled five times a year to help in the cafeteria and on the playground. Parents who cannot serve can pay $75 to cover the cost of hiring substitutes, or can work as contact persons, making reminder phone calls and scheduling substitutes. Parents serving more than the required five times per year receive compensation. Forms sent home at year’s end allow parents to request specific dates or days of the week. Schedules are sent home every other month. Check in is at 11:00 a.m. Call the school office for chairperson contact information.
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Magazine Sale
The magazine sale and renewal drive is a fundraiser held every September. The proceeds from the drive are invested in the Endowment Fund. The yearly interest from this fund is used to provide scholarships for families with financial need. Volunteers are needed to tabulate orders and other tasks. Call the school office for chairperson contact information.
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Monthly Envelopes
Once a month, volunteers are needed for an hour or two just after school starts to help fill and distribute the monthly envelopes sent home with students. The coordinator sends out an e-mail a few days prior to the day and volunteers let her know if they’ll be available or not. To sign up, please contact the office.
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Newsletter Committee
The Newsletter Committee publishes the Sacred Heart Beat, a monthly newsletter that covers PTG activities, school news, and topics of interest to parents and teachers. Call the school office for chairperson contact information.
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Parent Teacher Guild (PTG)
PTG activities are directed by a Board whose members are elected by school-wide parent voting. In addition to the president and other officers, two parents each from Levels K-2, 3-5 and 6-8 are elected to represent parents in their level, and to assist with PTG activities. Call the school office for contact information.
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School Board
The School Board offers parent viewpoints and expertise in an advisory capacity to Sister Lynn and Father Grecco. Its members include parents, representatives from the PTG, the Athletic Association, the Technology committee, and the faculty.
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School Gardens
Volunteers are always needed to plant and maintain the gardens around the school. Help is needed throughout the year. If you are interested, please contact a PTG officer or the school office.
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Student Activities
The success of many of our student activities depends on the help and guidance of parent volunteers. Opportunities range from coaching a team to leading Junior Great Book discussions to serving food at the Catholic Schools week brunch. Please browse the many activities under the Student Life heading for ideas about where you could help.
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Technology Committee
The Technology Committee examines the school’s needs, both in the Library/Technology Center, the website, and elsewhere. New members are always welcome. Call the school office for chairperson contact information.
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