FAQ

Your questions answered!

FAQs

  • Volunteer in the classroom or for community events. All of the needs for the school are listed on Help at Schools

    Here are some helpful breakdowns

    Example 1: 

    30 minutes — Picking up trash at Autumn Social

    4 hours — Creating an item to sell at the Winter Festival Marketplace

    1 hour — Procuring a donation for Winter Festival Marketplace

    30 minutes — Manning the checkout at Winter Festival Marketplace 

    1 hour — Helping your kid’s class with a project in the Spring

    2 hours — Teaching knitting in the classroom

    30 minutes — Serving snow cones at Spring Carnival

    1 hour — Picking up flowers and creating crowns at May Day

    Example 2:

    3 hours — Attending relevant Ed Council meetings as Winter Festival Lead

    17 hours — Creating decorations and setting them up Winter Festival, coordinating volunteers and activities, creating sign up slots, including Talent Show

    Example 3:

    20 hours — Use your Product Manager, UX/UI designer or content writer skills to keep friendsofbcsis.org updated throughout the year.

  • This is the money that pays for special and necessary things at BCSIS.

    Arts programing

    Resources & supplies

    Teachers and

    Specialists.

    Please consider making your tax deductible contribution of $325 per student to assist with making BCSIS great for both you and your children. If you have any questions please contact your class rep or Merry Todd for more information.

  • This is our Parent + Teacher Organization. We meet on the third Wednesday of each month in the Studio at BCSIS, all parents are welcome to attend at any point and there is childcare available in the North Kindergarten Room.

  • We are a parent-driven 501x3 organization dedicated to community building and fundraising to provide a distinctive and enriching educational experience for our children.

  • Help at Schools houses our school Directory as well as our volunteer positions. You will need to opt in to use this. Check your email for a message from “nobody@bvsd.helpatschools.com” with the subject line: “BCSIS Elementary: Directory Opt-In”

    User instructions here

How do I use help at Schools?

Help at Schools houses our school Directory as well as our volunteer positions. You will need to opt in to use this. Check your email for a message from “nobody@bvsd.helpatschools.com” with the subject line: “BCSIS Elementary: Directory Opt-In”

User instructions here

How can parents help make BCSIS special?

20 hours per parent

Join our vibrant community in creating unforgettable moments, from beloved traditions like the Winter Festival to fun events like Bike/Walk to School Day. We need just 20 hours of your time annually to keep these experiences alive. Together, let's foster togetherness, celebrate learning, and make a lasting impact!

$325 per student

It takes more than just the funding from tax dollars to make our special curriculum happen. An annual contribution from parents goes a long way to support our teachers, enhance our classroom learning environments, provide funding for paras and specialists, and so much more. And your donation is tax deductible!

What are the different community events?

Autumn Social

In early fall, we gather for a fun, family-oriented event with music, food, and apples, celebrating community and fostering friendships, organized by the Community Building Committee.

Spiral Garden

This ticketed, parent-organized off-campus event guides children through a silent spiral journey with story, song, and harp music, where they find a crystal reflecting light to take into the world.

Community Evenings

Held once in the Fall and once in the Spring, these meetings are an opportunity to gather around a topic at school. The Fall meeting is usually educational for parents, with childcare. Spring is usually family-wide.

Lantern Walk

In early November, K-3 graders celebrate this magical festival by making lanterns and walking together through the darkness, lighting the way with their handmade creations as they honor art, music, and the changing seasons.

Spring Carnival

The community celebrates the coming of spring with food, music, crafts, and flowers.

FUNraisers

Host a FUNraiser to bring parents together, raise funds for our school, and support our programs—whether it's a pottery night, square dance, or hike followed by brunch. Your involvement helps foster connections and supports our educational goals. More info here.

Winter Festival

For this cherished fundraiser, volunteers turn the school into a festive wonderland where the community gathers to enjoy a meal, shop for handmade goods, and watch a student talent show.

May Day

This heartwarming event honors the age-old tradition of May Day celebrations with flower crowns and international dances.