Committee Descriptions
Art Goes To School - This is an HSA/ISC activity for all elementary schools in which a portfolio of selected artworks is shared by parents with their school's students. Parent volunteers from all schools attend training sessions to learn about the artwork and what should be covered in the presentations. Parent volunteers run sessions with groups of classes at their school.
Artist/Scholar in Residence - The HSA sponsors a professional artist (from any discipline) for a month's residency in the school. This program enriches classroom learning by involving the students and staff and sometimes leads to the contribution of artwork to the school itself. Projects have produced the fabric murals in the library as well as the bottle cap mosaic wall in the lobby by the auditorium.
Assemblies - The HSA arranges and pays for several school assemblies during the school year. Chairperson works with the principal and HSA presidents to review assembly proposals sent to the HSA each year and select assembly vendors and dates.
Book Fair - The HSA arranges an annual book fair with Scholastic Books. Chairpeople arrange the fair with Scholastic according to dates set by the principal. Chairpeople also advertise for volunteers, coordinate scheduling of classes and volunteer, arrange for cash boxes with the HSA treasurer, make and track sales, and restock/reorder as needed throughout the fair.
Book Fair Pizza/Ice Cream Social - This event kicks off the Book Fair. Committee chair solicits donations, makes any needed purchases, and organizes volunteers to set up and clean up the event.
Box Tops for Education - Oversee collection of Box Tops for Education coupons and submit them to Box Tops program as fundraiser.
Breakfast Buddies - An early morning event for Merion Students and their family by grade level, featuring breakfast snacks and coffee, juice and milk.
Classroom Assistant Coordinator - The coordinator solicits volunteers from each classroom and establishes a network of Classroom Assistants who are primary liaisons for teachers throughout the year.
Classroom Enrichment - Each year the HSA provides classroom teachers with Classroom Enrichment Funds to be used at the teacher's discretion for the benefit of the classroom. For example, funds may be used for classroom supplies, for a special event, or for book purchases.
Community Service - The committee organizes several events and charitable drives throughout the year. Past Projects have included: growing vegetable plants from seeds to donate to local food pantries, raising money to purchase native language books for Afghan children, an art supply drive for children at CHOP, and raising money in response to natural disasters.
Copying - The Copy Team has weekly copy responsibilities for the HSA portion of the Thursday envelope. Every Wednesday, the designated copy team member picks up the red copy folder in the Merion School office, which includes copy counts and instructions as well as the week's copying.
CSE and Gifted Support - The Committee for Special Education is a parent volunteer group within the Lower Merion School District that represents families of both special education and gifted children. The CSE meets several times throughout the school year, often bringing in guest speakers of interest to a wide audience.
Earth Day -
eScrip - Families who are signed up for eScrip earn money for the school every time they shop at Pathmark.
Fall Picnic - This is a back to school picnic for all Merion families. Typically dinners are pre-ordered and pre-paid, and families pick up their dinners to eat at the school on picnic night.
Fifth Grade Activities - The Fifth Grade has many special activities that require organization and fundraising, such as the Pumpkin Sale, Pretzel Sales, Yearbook, T-Shirts, Class Photo, Class Picnic, Fifth Grade Play, and Fifth Grade Promotion and Reception.
Fifth Grade Reception - This reception is for fifth graders and their famiies celbrating the moving up ceremonies to middle school. Typically fourth grade parents volunteer to help with this.
First Grade Lunch/Recess - First graders are new to the process of lunch in the cafeteria and recess, so we help them a bit by inviting parent volunteers to help with lunch purchases and learning what to do at recess
Fitness -
Giant Store Program - Indirect Fundraiser/ Application has been submitted to Giant, more information pending.
Human Relations Reps - This is the principal's committee of parents from each grade level. Parents are assigned for each grade, and move up a grade each year.
International Night - The first ever International Night at Merion was held on June 5, 2012. Merion families representing over 24 countries displayed their traditional foods, art & craft, dress and music in a colorful event that filled the halls of Merion. Despite the busy time of the year, nearly 300 people attended the event.
Inter-School Council (ISC) - The Inter-School Council is a committee formed by representatives of each of the 10 schools within Lower Merion School District. The ISC meets monthly as a general group. ISC presidents meetings are also held monthly.
ISC Art Show - helps with the Inter-School Council Art Show at Main Line Art Center which is held once a year. Art is chosen from each school by the school art teachers and is submitted to the show.
Lower Merion Scholarship Fund - The Lower Merion Scholarship Fund is a township fund created by donations from the schools and other township residents. The fund awards scholarships to deserving graduates of Lower Merion and Harriton High Schools based on financial need and academic scholarship.
Lost and Found - Items with missing owners are brought to the cafeteria for lost and found. Parents should routinely search the lost and box for items they've lost. Chairperson should keep the lost and found area organized, and send out periodic reminder fliers and notices in the FYI to parents.
MLK Day -
Merion Buddies - Sign up to be a buddy to one of our new families. Each buddy will serve as a go-to person to ease the transition for a family who is new to the community (and possibly PA or the US) and may have questions about day-to-day life. It's a great way to meet and welcome your new neighbors!
Merion Directory - Each October a directory is published for the school that includes all essential information for Merion families - HSA names and chairpeople, basic details about school calendar and events, class lists and contact names, staff names and contact info.
Merion Merchandise - The chairperson is responsible for pricing and ordering Merion sportswear, keeping inventory, and setting up Merion Merchandise tables and selling at HSA events including the fall picnic and spring fair.
Nutrition Committee - Lower Merion School District has a School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) which meets regularly to review cafeteria offerings and other topics relating to the health and nutritional well-being of students.
Parent Social - Organize a fun social event to bring parents together. Held yearly at the Merion Tribute House, tickets are priced to break even, with silent auction and raffle items proceeds to be used for the HSA budget.
Plant Sale - Spring plant sale for annuals and perennials held for all Merion families before Mother's Day each year as an HSA fundraiser.
Recess Equipment - The HSA donates playground balls, sidewalk chalk, jump ropes, quiet games and other recess toys each year.
School Board Observer - Twice per month on Monday nights, the Lower Merion School Board meets at the LMHS Library at 8pm. Reps should attend school board meetings at least once per month and bring news and information back to the HSA to keep parents informed of what is going on at the district level
Spanish Festival - Each spring the FLES teacher holds a Spanish Festival for grades 2 - 5. Parents are needed to bake, provide food, and chop citrus.
Spring Fair - This fun fair includes games, food and beverage, raffle baskets, a bake sale, DJ, and lots of fun for kids and families. The main committee chairs plan the event, the layout on the grounds, and solicit volunteers.
Staff Appreciation Dinner - An early dinner held during November Conferences for teachers and staff members to thank them.
Staff Appreciation Lunch - A luncheon held during February on a half day for teachers and staff members to thank them for all they do for Merion School.
Target Store Program - Use your Target Visa or Target Card, and a percentage of the amount of each purchase you make goes back to our school in the form of a cash donation from Target once a year.
Website - Help keep this website continuously updated!
Artist/Scholar in Residence - The HSA sponsors a professional artist (from any discipline) for a month's residency in the school. This program enriches classroom learning by involving the students and staff and sometimes leads to the contribution of artwork to the school itself. Projects have produced the fabric murals in the library as well as the bottle cap mosaic wall in the lobby by the auditorium.
Assemblies - The HSA arranges and pays for several school assemblies during the school year. Chairperson works with the principal and HSA presidents to review assembly proposals sent to the HSA each year and select assembly vendors and dates.
Book Fair - The HSA arranges an annual book fair with Scholastic Books. Chairpeople arrange the fair with Scholastic according to dates set by the principal. Chairpeople also advertise for volunteers, coordinate scheduling of classes and volunteer, arrange for cash boxes with the HSA treasurer, make and track sales, and restock/reorder as needed throughout the fair.
Book Fair Pizza/Ice Cream Social - This event kicks off the Book Fair. Committee chair solicits donations, makes any needed purchases, and organizes volunteers to set up and clean up the event.
Box Tops for Education - Oversee collection of Box Tops for Education coupons and submit them to Box Tops program as fundraiser.
Breakfast Buddies - An early morning event for Merion Students and their family by grade level, featuring breakfast snacks and coffee, juice and milk.
Classroom Assistant Coordinator - The coordinator solicits volunteers from each classroom and establishes a network of Classroom Assistants who are primary liaisons for teachers throughout the year.
Classroom Enrichment - Each year the HSA provides classroom teachers with Classroom Enrichment Funds to be used at the teacher's discretion for the benefit of the classroom. For example, funds may be used for classroom supplies, for a special event, or for book purchases.
Community Service - The committee organizes several events and charitable drives throughout the year. Past Projects have included: growing vegetable plants from seeds to donate to local food pantries, raising money to purchase native language books for Afghan children, an art supply drive for children at CHOP, and raising money in response to natural disasters.
Copying - The Copy Team has weekly copy responsibilities for the HSA portion of the Thursday envelope. Every Wednesday, the designated copy team member picks up the red copy folder in the Merion School office, which includes copy counts and instructions as well as the week's copying.
CSE and Gifted Support - The Committee for Special Education is a parent volunteer group within the Lower Merion School District that represents families of both special education and gifted children. The CSE meets several times throughout the school year, often bringing in guest speakers of interest to a wide audience.
Earth Day -
eScrip - Families who are signed up for eScrip earn money for the school every time they shop at Pathmark.
Fall Picnic - This is a back to school picnic for all Merion families. Typically dinners are pre-ordered and pre-paid, and families pick up their dinners to eat at the school on picnic night.
Fifth Grade Activities - The Fifth Grade has many special activities that require organization and fundraising, such as the Pumpkin Sale, Pretzel Sales, Yearbook, T-Shirts, Class Photo, Class Picnic, Fifth Grade Play, and Fifth Grade Promotion and Reception.
Fifth Grade Reception - This reception is for fifth graders and their famiies celbrating the moving up ceremonies to middle school. Typically fourth grade parents volunteer to help with this.
First Grade Lunch/Recess - First graders are new to the process of lunch in the cafeteria and recess, so we help them a bit by inviting parent volunteers to help with lunch purchases and learning what to do at recess
Fitness -
Giant Store Program - Indirect Fundraiser/ Application has been submitted to Giant, more information pending.
Human Relations Reps - This is the principal's committee of parents from each grade level. Parents are assigned for each grade, and move up a grade each year.
International Night - The first ever International Night at Merion was held on June 5, 2012. Merion families representing over 24 countries displayed their traditional foods, art & craft, dress and music in a colorful event that filled the halls of Merion. Despite the busy time of the year, nearly 300 people attended the event.
Inter-School Council (ISC) - The Inter-School Council is a committee formed by representatives of each of the 10 schools within Lower Merion School District. The ISC meets monthly as a general group. ISC presidents meetings are also held monthly.
ISC Art Show - helps with the Inter-School Council Art Show at Main Line Art Center which is held once a year. Art is chosen from each school by the school art teachers and is submitted to the show.
Lower Merion Scholarship Fund - The Lower Merion Scholarship Fund is a township fund created by donations from the schools and other township residents. The fund awards scholarships to deserving graduates of Lower Merion and Harriton High Schools based on financial need and academic scholarship.
Lost and Found - Items with missing owners are brought to the cafeteria for lost and found. Parents should routinely search the lost and box for items they've lost. Chairperson should keep the lost and found area organized, and send out periodic reminder fliers and notices in the FYI to parents.
MLK Day -
Merion Buddies - Sign up to be a buddy to one of our new families. Each buddy will serve as a go-to person to ease the transition for a family who is new to the community (and possibly PA or the US) and may have questions about day-to-day life. It's a great way to meet and welcome your new neighbors!
Merion Directory - Each October a directory is published for the school that includes all essential information for Merion families - HSA names and chairpeople, basic details about school calendar and events, class lists and contact names, staff names and contact info.
Merion Merchandise - The chairperson is responsible for pricing and ordering Merion sportswear, keeping inventory, and setting up Merion Merchandise tables and selling at HSA events including the fall picnic and spring fair.
Nutrition Committee - Lower Merion School District has a School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) which meets regularly to review cafeteria offerings and other topics relating to the health and nutritional well-being of students.
Parent Social - Organize a fun social event to bring parents together. Held yearly at the Merion Tribute House, tickets are priced to break even, with silent auction and raffle items proceeds to be used for the HSA budget.
Plant Sale - Spring plant sale for annuals and perennials held for all Merion families before Mother's Day each year as an HSA fundraiser.
Recess Equipment - The HSA donates playground balls, sidewalk chalk, jump ropes, quiet games and other recess toys each year.
School Board Observer - Twice per month on Monday nights, the Lower Merion School Board meets at the LMHS Library at 8pm. Reps should attend school board meetings at least once per month and bring news and information back to the HSA to keep parents informed of what is going on at the district level
Spanish Festival - Each spring the FLES teacher holds a Spanish Festival for grades 2 - 5. Parents are needed to bake, provide food, and chop citrus.
Spring Fair - This fun fair includes games, food and beverage, raffle baskets, a bake sale, DJ, and lots of fun for kids and families. The main committee chairs plan the event, the layout on the grounds, and solicit volunteers.
Staff Appreciation Dinner - An early dinner held during November Conferences for teachers and staff members to thank them.
Staff Appreciation Lunch - A luncheon held during February on a half day for teachers and staff members to thank them for all they do for Merion School.
Target Store Program - Use your Target Visa or Target Card, and a percentage of the amount of each purchase you make goes back to our school in the form of a cash donation from Target once a year.
Website - Help keep this website continuously updated!
