The Home and School Association makes the events your children know and love possible
The Cinnaminson High School Home and School Association is a parent-teacher organization that relies on the generosity of volunteers. Without the Home and School Association, Cinnaminson High School would be lacking activities and programs the students know and love.
The association plans and coordinates everything from senior scholarships to Project Graduation — the celebration held on graduation night that aims to keep graduating seniors away from drugs and alcohol and out of harm’s way.
Home and School Association treasurer Barbara Wright-Napier says every parent can be, and is, a member of the Home and School Association, whether they come to meetings.
“Cinnaminson is so great. Everybody participates and supports in some way. If they don’t come to meetings, they might buy tickets to an event,” Wright-Napier said.
She said the Home and School Association’s Oct. 24 meeting was the biggest turnout it has had in years.
“It’s neat to see the new freshman parents that are coming out to get involved — it’s a really supportive community that way,” Wright-Napier said.
While Wright-Napier handles most of the association’s funds as treasurer, she also loves to plan events. Most recently, she planned the association’s second Sip and Paint party that will be held on Nov. 6. The party will include raffles, door prizes and a tombola. Registration for the event is closed, and Wright-Napier says she expects a great turnout. The last Sip and Paint Party drew more than 100 participants who came to enjoy snacks, painting and each other’s company.
The association’s next big project is a New York City bus trip to see the musical “Cats.” The trip doesn’t take place until April 1, but the association has already started planning the event as the first deposit deadline is Dec. 15.
This will be the Home and School Association’s third organized bus trip. The first trip took approximately 50 people and the second trip took more than 150, so Wright-Napier expects the third to be extremely successful. Since the association gets group rates for the tickets, attendees can get discounted tickets while still supporting the Home and School Association. The $103 price for mezzanine seating and $133 price for orchestra seating includes the ticket as well as round-trip transportation in a fully-equipped motor coach. Attendees will also enjoy five hours of free time in New York City.
The Home and School Association has multiple subcommittees. One subcommittee is the Project Graduation committee, which holds its own fundraisers throughout the year.
The association also has a Jane Weilenbeck Committee that provides gifts for needy families within the Cinnaminson community each holiday season and is named after a former teacher who had a passion for giving.
The Scholarship Committee sells Acme and ShopRite gift cards to raise money for a senior scholarship fund. Graduating seniors are encouraged to submit an essay on an assigned topic to apply for the scholarship, which can be worth anywhere from $5,000 to $8,000. Wright-Napier says applicants do not need to have plans to attend a four-year college or university to apply.
The association also raises money for teacher grants. Teachers are often using a lot of out-of-pocket money to buy supplies, and teacher grants assist with that. Many of the Home and School Association’s fundraisers are sponsored by local businesses and independent salespeople who donate items.
Wright-Napier encourages parents to come to meetings and consider running for an officer position as the organization will be losing four board members next year. She praises the association as a great way to make a difference in your child’s education and a way to have your voice be heard.
“In our organization, no matter what role you are in, you have a voice. Nobody outranks anybody else,” Wright-Napier said. “Anybody can come to our meetings and offer a suggestion. We’re open to that — we’re open to new ideas.”
The Home and School Association’s next meeting will be held on Nov. 28 at 7 p.m. in the Cinnaminson High School library. For more information, visit www.cinnaminson.com/chs and click “Home and Scool,” or contact Wright-Napier at [email protected]. To purchase tickets to “Cats,” check out the Cinnaminson High School Home and School Association Facebook page.
