Let's Work Together!

Home and School (HSA) is an organization of parents whose primary goal is to further enhance their child's education through involvement, bringing together the parents and the educators. Every Linden parent is a member of the HSA! During the school year, the HSA sponsors many activities and events--all run by parent volunteers. We've put together the committee listings on this page so that all parents know what we do and can find opportunities that are convenient and appealing to get involved in. Please consider signing up for one or more events. The Linden HSA depends on parents to encourage volunteering their time, talents, ideas, experience, and energy. The rewards are great and it is a terrific way to meet people in the school community. Remember, the HSA adds valuable activities to our children's education and we need all of you to make it happen.

 

Author Day  

Each year, the HSA works closely with the LAS Library Specialist to select a notable children’s book author to visit the school for a day and give age-appropriate presentations to each grade level. Signed books are sold in advance to help offset the cost of the author’s visit. Committee is responsible for coordinating with the Library Specialist, arranging the chosen author’s visit to the school, coordinating classroom visits, book sales, and announcements.

Spring | One-day event

 

Book Fair

Parent volunteers run a fundraising “book shop” for students twice a year. Committee is responsible for working directly with the chosen organization offering Book Fair materials to plan, manage, and promote the event. Additional responsibilities include: coordinating delivery of materials, organizing volunteers to set-up/break-down and to staff the book fair during classroom and/or after school visits, and handling sales reports and tracking.

Fall, Spring | Multiple-day event

 

Community Service

This committee organizes service projects and activities to connect to and support our local and global communities. Some initiatives have included costume drives, food drives, and writing letters to elderly people. Committee is responsible for identifying, coordinating, and promoting community service events throughout the year.

Ongoing | Multiple events 

 

Discovery Program

Discovery is an afterschool enrichment program and a major fundraiser fo the Linden HSA. The program runs 8-10 weeks sessions three times a year and offers classes in subject ranging from STEM, arts, athletics, theater, and much more. Committee plans schedule or classes, manages online registration of classes, selects vendors, oversees vendor contract agreement and fees, on-site coordination and staffing, instructor payments and material reimbursements, instructor background, handles parent, instructor, vendor communications to run the program, observes classes, assesses current and future sessions. 

Fall, Winter, Spring | Three sessions

 

Enrichment Assemblies

The HSA sponsors 4-5 in-school assembly events for Linden students to experience diverse cultural, artistic, theatrical, scientific, musical, educational, and just plain fun performances during the school day for all grade levels. These programs enhance the school curriculum and introduce unique learning experiences for children to participate in without leaving school grounds. Committee previews, coordinates performance calendar, books programs and contracts with vendors, and handles day-of logistics for all enrichment assemblies. Works closely with the Executive Board for program approval by school principal.

Ongoing | Multiple events 

 

Fundraising

This Committee is responsible for managing, promoting and tracking special fundraising campaigns that earn valuable money for the HSA and for identifying new fundraising opportunities and programs. Current fundraising campaigns include Box Tops for Education, Charleston Holiday Wrap, Mabel’s Labels and Minted.  

Ongoing 

 

International Day

Happening every other year, at the same time as Intergenerational Day, 1st and 2nd graders are invited to create displays honoring their heritage. Student work is showcased during an evening fair attended by all Linden families that celebrates cultures around the globe. The Committee is responsible for planning the event, organizing volunteers to help pass out tri-fold boards, as well as set up and break down the event.

Spring | One-day event

 

Learning Garden

Linden Avenue has a beautiful Learning Garden on the front left side of the school. This committee organizes volunteers to maintain and cultivate the garden throughout the year, solicits donations to fund garden projects and upgrades, and leads garden related activities for Linden families. In addition, this team assists the Social Committee in planning Harvest Fest activities and hosts an Earth Day event. 

Fall, Spring | Ongoing

 

Library

This committee works closely with the school library specialist to manage class visits to the library. Responsibilities include organizing and training volunteers to help students select and check out books, and shelve returns. This is a great way to be a part of your child’s school day.

Fall, Winter, Spring | Ongoing

 

Lunch Days

The HSA coordinates the ordering of various lunch options for students from local restaurant vendors. An order form is sent out at the beginning of the year to sign up for these special lunch days. The Committee is responsible for planning the lunch menu, working with vendors, managing lunch orders, placing weekly orders and organizing volunteers to serve the lunches. 

Fall, Winter, Spring | Ongoing

 

Movie Nights

This ALL NEW committee will plan two family movie night fundraising events outdoors. Families are encouraged to bring blankets, pillows and join their friends for an age appropriate movie shown outdoors at Freeman Gardens. Committee selects the movie, date, and handles promotion, coordination and concessions for this fun event.

Fall, Spring | Two events

 

Mum & Crumb

This annual fundraiser, held in October, is a sale of potted Fall flowers and decor, as well as delicious homemade baked goods. An order form is sent home and flower pick up is at Linden on a dedicated day. Committee is responsible for sourcing, ordering and delivery of flowers and decor from a local garden center, scheduling sale and pick-up dates, promoting the sale, organizing volunteers for pickup, and soliciting homemade baked good donations. 

Fall | One-day event

 

New Parent

This Committee is focused on welcoming new parents and families to the Linden community by organizing playground play dates before school begins, hosting a New Parent Orientation and Reception at the beginning of the school year, and being a resource available to assist new families in their early weeks at LAS. Additional responsibilities include updating the New Parent Dashboard and New Parent Guide, and assisting at the Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten Orientation event held in the spring.

Fall, Spring | Multiple events

 

Playground

This committee is dedicated toward specific fundraising efforts toward playground equipment replacement, with the goal of raising $75,000 over several years. The co-chairs would work with the Executive Board to organize fundraising campaigns. The HSA will seed the fund with some existing money in its account and money from the 2024 Spring Fling will be allocated toward the playground fund. This committee will involve a team of parents who will work together towards the goal of a multi-stage renovation of Linden's playground.

Ongoing

 

Science Fair

First and second graders have the option to participate in our annual Science Fair. Students apply the Scientific Method to answer a question through independent research. The results of each student's research is presented to other students, teachers, and parents in a school-wide science fair where student's efforts are displayed. Families are invited to attend an evening session of the fair. Committees organize Science Fair sign up; promote student participation, procure and distribute swag for participating students, setup the projects in the MPR, decorate, coordinate activities during the evening event, and recruit volunteers to assist with setup and breakdown. 

Spring | One-day event

 

Second Grade Promotion (2GP)

As our second graders move up, headed for Ridgewood Avenue School, they are sent off with a ceremony and several celebratory events in May and June. This Committee hosts fundraisers throughout the year to cover the costs of 2GP events and gifts, plans all 2GP events, and designs a beautifully crafted yearbook to be gifted to all 2nd graders.  

Fall, Winter, Spring | Multiple Events

 

Hospitality

Coordinate refreshments for school events throughout the year, such as HSA meetings/events as needed, Grandparent's Day, and staff appreciation occasions. The committee should consist of volunteers willing to supply refreshments for these events as needed throughout the year. Requires one chairperson for a year-long commitment.

Fall, Winter, Spring | Multiple events

 

Adult Socials

These are adult-only events that encourage parent community bonding an dserve as an opportunity to raise funds for worthy Linden causes. They are planned with the HSA board, but chairs are encouraged to try new activities and propose new experiences. Committee recruits volunteers, decides on party theme, selects dates/locations and books venue for events. Works with HSA board on cost of the event and ticket sales, promotes event with flyers and other communication. Typically there are two school-wide adult socials per year (fall and spring).   

Fall, Spring | Multiple events

 

Spirit Wear

This Committee sells our branded Linden Lions gear at various events throughout the school year, as well as on school property in the form of pop-up sales. Responsibilities include managing Spirit Wear inventory, restocking items, sourcing and ordering new merchandise and designs, scheduling Spirit Wear sales in conjunction with school events, organizing and training volunteers to work the Spirit Wear Store, collecting payments for merchandise, and reporting sales and inventory.  

Fall, Winter, Spring | Ongoing

 

Spring Fling

Spring Fling is the major fundraiser for the HSA, happening bi-annually on school grounds. Parent volunteers coordinate this entire event, which includes selecting a theme, soliciting local vendors for sponsorship and prizes/donation, ticket sales and distribution. Two co-chairs will lead a large team of Spring Fling sub-committees and work closely with the Executive Board to coordinate this fun community wide event. Planning will begin in the fall for the event which takes place in May. Sub-committees include: Food, Games & Attractions, Class Gift Baskets, Silent Auction, Cake Walk, Ticket Sales & Raffle, Logo Design, and Decorations. 

Spring | One-day event

 

Staff Appreciation

This committee finds opportunities to show the LAS teachers and staff how grateful we are to them throughout the year. Responsibilities include hosting a welcome back breakfast, stocking the teacher’s lounge, planning events and treats during National Education Week in November and Teacher Appreciation Week in May, and coordinating gifts for other staff holidays such as Custodians Day, School Nurse Day, Secretary Day. Additional responsibilities include organizing and delivering Valentine’s Day baskets for crossing guards and other staff. 

Fall, Winter, Spring | Multiple events

 

STEAM Committee

This committee coordinates special events to engage and excite students around STEAM-related topics (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics). Responsible for planning activities, preparing materials, and organizing volunteers for Maker Day, held in the spring during the school day. Additional responsibilities include maintaining adequate materials in the school’s Makerspace (located in the MPR) and assisting the Enrichment Assemblies Committee identify programming for the Hour of Code event in December.

Winter, Spring | Multiple events

 

Student Photos

This committee coordinates student and class photos on Picture Day once a year. Responsibilities include distributing order information to parents, scheduling individual and class photos, scheduling retakes, organizing volunteers to assist on Picture Day, managing communications with vendors, and delivering photo orders.

Fall | Multiple-day event