The Bedford Middle School Parents Association (MSPA) is wrapping up its activities for the current school year and is in search of volunteers for the 2023-2024 school year.
The group invites any parent or caregiver with a student at John Glenn Middle School to become involved and is looking for volunteers to serve on the MSPA board in co-president, co-vice president, hospitality, fundraising, and METCO representative roles.
Lisa Kaushik served as MSPA co-vice president along with Sheila Mehta-Green for the 2022-2023 school year. Kaushik will maintain the role for the next academic year, said, “You are already a member of the MSPA if you have a child at JGMS.” She encourages anyone with a student at JGMS to get involved and give an hour or more throughout the school year.
Holly Munsie, co-president during the 2022-2023 year and returning to the role in the fall, said for board members, “The time commitment is only a few hours a month – two hours for meetings and however much time you want to dedicate to helping with activities beyond that.” General volunteers can make donations, help with set up and clean up of events, or take on some of the tasks one can do in their own home and schedule.
Munsie said, “The work of the MSPA is important because it’s a chance for parents/caregivers and the school administration to collaborate and work together on ideas to make the school a better place.”
Kaushik said, “Volunteers are important because they provide a voice from the community to JGMS.”
Volunteers on the MSPA board meet with JGMS Principal Jonathon Hartunian once a month to discuss what events and programs are coming up and how the MSPA can best support the events, whether by collecting donations or coordinating volunteers. Hartunian said, “I have a great appreciation for the MSPA and all they do for our students and staff. I look forward to our continued collaboration and support of the great work at JGMS.”
Kaushik reported this was a positive school year for MSPA – the absence of any pandemic restrictions allowed freedom in organizing activities. The group’s Annual Meeting report showed they raised close to $20,000 via appeals throughout the year, dine and donate events at Chipotle, Flatbread, and Pepper’s Grille, bake sales, and a spirit wear sale.
The contributions raised were put back into the JGMS by providing each student with an agenda, funding half of the administrative and supplies costs of Homework Club, helping to organize and facilitate student dances, supplying a Field Trip Scholarship fund, a bevy of events supporting teachers, donating supplies for the eighth grade Washington D.C. trip, supporting the Moving On event happening later this week (including tee shirts, decorations, activities, food, and a METCO dinner) and more.
“We wouldn’t be able to do these events without volunteers,” Kaushik explained.
To find out more information about MSPA and volunteer roles check out their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BedfordMSPA/, email [email protected], or sign up for the group’s weekly (during the academic year) newsletter.
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