Giving time, love, and joy: The CHS Family Association

 

Giving to CHS comes in many forms: donations, service projects, time. 

 

No group exemplifies the ideal of donating time more than the CHS Family Association.

 

The FA is responsible for hosting the school’s most beloved traditions, like Carnival and Festival of Lights. The FA steps in when new parents are welcomed into the fold of the CHS community, and the association organizes playdates and hangouts for each division of the school. 

 

This dedicated group of volunteers shows its commitment and gratitude in many ways. From monthly surprises of food and treats for staff, like breakfast and Valentine's treats, to a day of in-house massages during staff professional development days, the FA leans into our core values of kindness and belonging.

 

“Having been involved with the Family Association for five years, I've witnessed firsthand the transformative power of community involvement. Being part of the FA is not just about supporting the school; it's about fostering a sense of belonging, building lasting relationships, and creating a vibrant, inclusive environment for our families,” said Co-Chair Nina Selvaggio. 

 

The association also strives to expand the feeling of team spirit among families through efforts like pop-up merchandise shops at in-person events, where families can purchase apparel or branded school items. 

 

The FA-sponsored Carnival rivals a state fair or music festival, with rides, games and magic shows. For the past three years, the FA has coordinated a book fair in conjunction with Hummingbird Books, an independent bookstore at The Street. Families love donating books toward teacher wish lists as they complete their holiday shopping at a local bookstore.

 

The holiday season also coincides with the FA’s annual Festival of Lights, an event celebrating the CHS community’s cultural diversity. From a Beginner student singing while his father plays guitar, to a father-daughter reenactment of Anansi folklore and an array of student dancers performing folk and Bollywood dances, each year’s Festival of Lights has it all. 

 

While events like family ice skating at Warrior Ice Arena and a school-wide spring picnic are remarkable for the community they build at CHS, the Family Association also helps to grow connections to our wider communities through school-wide service efforts. During the fall, through the FA’s ongoing work with the Newton Food Pantry, CHS families regularly donate hundreds of pounds of food for hungry families in our community. In the spring, students supported School on Wheels and raised donations of school supplies for unhoused children in our community. 

 

Students, staff, and the wider community all owe a debt of gratitude to the Family Association, for all the time and love they give back to CHS and the wider world.