WOLFTRAP VOLUNTEERING
Make an impact for our kids!
Wonderful Wolfie Shoutouts
Use this link to shout out a Wolftrap Volunteer.
We'll highlight them here, in the Connection and Facebook group (as time permits).
Get involved today:
Are you interested in Volunteering? There are so many ways to volunteer with the Wolftrap Elementary PTA! Whether you have a large or small amount of time, we welcome your support. We have so many opportunities that include various levels of time commitments and a wide range of skillsets. Plus, we are a fun bunch and volunteering is a great way to meet new people and get involved with the Wolftrap community!
Contact board@wolftrappta.org with questions.
Volunteer Requirements
All volunteers must have a Photo ID/License to register when coming to the school. Unfortunately, younger children may not come to the school for volunteer engagements.
PTA SPONSORED PROGRAMS
Wolftrap Elementary School is BUSY! We have a lot of activities throughout the school year, and
sometimes it can be overwhelming to know when all of them are happening, and even WHAT the
event entails.
AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES (BAROODY CAMPS)
Looking for some great enrichment programs for your student directly after school? Baroody camps is sponsored by the PTA and brings a fun curriculum for kids of all ages. From fencing classes, to cooking, basketball, glass fusing, drawing and so much more, there are options for any activity your child might be interested learning. No need to worry about bussing, these classes are held at WES and run for an hour after school dismissal. Signups happen in the fall, winter and early spring for each session.
ARTIST IN THE MAKING (AIM)
Artist in the Making (AIM) brings parents into each classroom during the school day to introduce students to the work of various artists. Each 1-hour session starts with a very short lesson about an artist, followed by an art activity related to the artist’s work. No artistic skills or prior experience needed! This is a fantastic volunteer opportunity that brings parents into the classroom.
BIKE-TO-SCHOOL
Grab your bike, meet at the designated location, and bike to school with all of your friends. This event is typically held in the spring when the weather is warm. It looks like a parade of bikes as we take a 10-minute ride from a meeting place in Liberty Tree that ends at Wolftrap.
BOOK FAIR
You remember when that catalogue came home when you were a kid! WES book fair is always a hit. Normally held in the fall, the book fair runs for four days and kiddos can shop with their parents.
BOOKS AND BACKPACK DRIVE
This committee collects new or gently used K-6 grade level books and backpacks to be delivered to neighboring schools in need.
COMMUNICATIONS - CONNECTIONS WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
This newsletter is sent out once a week and encompasses all the PTA activities in the works at Wolftrap.
CULTURAL ARTS ASSEMBLIES
The Cultural Arts Committee brings the arts and sciences into Wolftrap, giving all students an opportunity to experience various mediums covering music, dance, art and science.
DINING FOR DOLLARS
Held every month, this fundraiser is an easy way to take your family out to dinner and earn money for WES. The committee partners with a local restaurant and all WES families are encouraged to eat at that restaurant on the allotted day. A percentage of each dollar spent is given directly back to the PTA to help sponsor events and activities through the school year.
EDISON EXPO
This event offers all students K-6 an opportunity to showcase a project in Science, Technology, Engineering, Architecture, or Math. Students can work alone or with a partner on an experiment or invention or share their passions with their peers in an informational display.
EQUITY/DEI (DIVERSITY / EQUALITY & INCLUSION)
The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Committee strives to increase engagement of all families in PTA activities, expose students to new programs that emphasize the diversity of the school population, and/or help ensure events are accessible, equitable, and inclusive to all parents and students. In addition the end of each meeting ends with an open discussion and serves as a safe space for parents to share their current diversity challenges and seek advice from like-minded parents.
FACULTY VOLLEYBALL GAME
Come support our faculty as they play a friendly matchup volleyball game against Louise Archer Elementary School. Held on a Friday evening in the spring, WES cheers on our staff.
FAMILY SCIENCE NIGHT
Join your teachers and school community as you explore experiments provided by the Children’s Science Center Lab, interact with STEM educators and ignite children’s natural curiosity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Young children are natural scientists, rationally making observations, testing hypotheses, analyzing data and reaching conclusions.
FINANCE / AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Finance/ Audit Committee is a committee independent of the current Wolftrap PTA Board. The Committee is responsible for reviewing all financial aspects of our PTA revenue and expenses as well as materials related to board governance (e.g. meeting agendas/minutes, budgets, etc.) The Committee submits an Annual Financial Review Form to the Virginia PTA.
MILITARY APPRECIATION COMMITTEE
The Virginia Purple Star Designation is awarded to military-friendly schools that have demonstrated a major commitment to students and families connected to our nation’s military, and WES is one of these Schools. This committee plans the following events throughout the school year to help support our military families!
- MILITARY ICE CREAM SOCIAL - Held the first few weeks of school, our military ice cream social is a way for incoming military families to meet with the school administration and other military families to help build community ties and ease the transition for military kiddos.
- MILITARY PLAY DATE - Held right before school starts, this military family play date is for military families (new and old) to meet up at the playground behind the school and meet with other military families.
- MEMORIAL DAY EVENT - In commemoration of Memorial Day, our school's scouting organizations will be conducting a flag ceremony prior to the start of school, as we pay tribute to the brave men and women who have given their lives while serving in the military.
- MILITARY CHILD DAY (WEAR PURPLE) - Purple Up Day is observed every year on (or around) April 15. It was selected in April, the month of the Military Child. The holiday is a great opportunity to honor and appreciate military families and their children for the sacrifices they make and the challenges they overcome. Show your support and wear purple on Purple Up Day!
- VETERAN'S DAY EVENT - The Veteran's Day Assembly is a school-sponsored, student-led event that celebrates and honors the veterans of our Armed Forces and Foreign Service. In every grade, students contribute posters of family members or friends who have served or are currently serving. These are displayed in the cafeteria during the month of November, creating a Wall of Valor to acknowledge the veterans in our school community and to show their appreciation for their service.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
The Nominating Committee (3 members) considers possibilities for PTA Board candidates and prepares and presents a statement to the PTA General Assembly at the meeting prior to Spring elections.
ORIGINAL WORKS
Our school teams up with Original Works to offer an art-based fundraising program. This is an opportunity to purchase a variety of products featuring you child’s own artwork. The resulting products are a great way to capture your child’s creativity and share it with family and friends. They also make great holiday gifts! Funds raised are used to support both our school art department as well as the PTA.
PAWS FOR APPLAUSE
Each year in the Wolftrap Yearbook, sixth grade parents are able to submit a short message to their student(s). The message should be 2-3 sentences, with a 300-character limit to ensure space for all. A Google form to submit this info will be sent out to 6th grade parents in early January.
PIZZA BINGO
Come to this fun event to spend an evening with the WES community, play a few rousing games of BINGO and eat pizza and sweet treats. There are prizes aplenty and everyone is a winner. :)
REFLECTIONS
The Reflections program helps students with both art appreciation and helps boost their confidence in their own artistic abilities. Each year over 300,000 students in pre-K through 12th grade create original works of art based on a given theme. This 50+ year old program helps them explore their own thoughts, feelings and ideas, develop artistic literacy, increase confidence and find a love for learning that will help them become more successful in school and life.
ROOM PARENT COORDINATOR
Room Parent volunteers are a vital part of the Wolftrap Community by serving as a resource for teachers when they need volunteers and/or classroom supplies. They organize class parties and special curriculum days such as the Bug Bash in 2nd grade and the Renaissance Faire in 5th grade. They also usually order shirts for each grade at the start of the year. Anyone can be a room parent and there are opportunities to help both during the school day as well as outside of normal school hours. Room Parents are organized by the Room Parent Coordinators who host a Room Parent training session at the start of each school year.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES (SPROUT BOXES)
Save time and money on back-to-school supplies and support your school community with Sprout School Supply Kits. Supply boxes will be delivered to your student's classroom before Open House.
SKATE NIGHT
This fun night at the rink is a great way for your student to spend time with their friends. WES rents out the entire rink and part of the proceeds go directly to the PTA. There is dancing, skating, and a sixth-grade sendoff skate!
SPIRIT WEAR
Do you love showing off your school support? The Spirit Wear committee is responsible for fulfilling that display of support. They work with local vendors to create, choose, and organize spirit wear.
TALENT SHOW
Calling all performers, this is a great opportunity for students to showcase their talents! This event is typically held at one of the local high schools and any student can sign up to perform.
TEACHER APPRECIATION
This committee supports our teachers and staff throughout the school year. Once a month, PTA provides a snack or light lunch, and the teacher appreciate committee makes sure the food is ordered and delivered. The Teacher Appreciation Committee also is in charge of teacher appreciation week in May. We shower our teachers and staff with food, gifts, and lots of love. Volunteers are always appreciated to help bring in and set up the teachers lounge with food.
TEACHER WORKROOM SUPPORT
The teacher workroom support helps maintain the teacher's lounge and organizes a group of volunteers to help out the teachers where and when needed. Making photocopies tends to be the biggest lift, among other ways to support.
WALKING WEDNESDAYS
Held every Wednesday morning during school (rain or shine) kids can walk to school with their friends and family. Students can sign their name on the large poster board, and whichever grade level has the most participant at the end of the month is awarded the coveted golden shoe! Coffee is always served for adults walking their kiddos to school.
WATCH D.O.G.S (DADS OF GREAT STUDENTS)
This is a program designed to bring fathers and father figures into the school classrooms and hallways across the country, creating millions of hours of “in school” volunteer time and having a tremendously positive impact on the educational process. There are 2 primary goals of the WATCH D.O.G.S. program: to provide positive male role models for the students, demonstrating by their presence that education is important and to provide extra sets of eyes and ears to enhance school security and minimize bullying.
WEBMASTER
Webmaster ensures that our website reflects the most up-to-date information from committee chairs.
Webmaster also maintains the PTA Directory, which catalogs contact information by classroom and is accessible to all active PTA members.
WELCOME COMMITTEE
The welcome committee becomes the first face of WES to all new families, typically rising K and 1st, but also others who join the WES community at any time. There are typically 3 summer playdates scheduled, a welcome coffee, among other events to make all new families feel welcome in our community.
- SUMMER PLAY DATES (JUNE, JULY & AUGUST) - This annual event for parents to meet their student's teachers and learn more about classroom expectations and procedures. The PTA will have tables to show the different events sponsored throughout the year and sign-ups to help volunteer!
- WOLFTRAP UNDER THE STARS (WTUTS) - Held a few weeks after school begins, this event is for everyone at WES. We host a meet and greet behind the school at the playground and on the field.
WINTER TEACHER REFRESH
Our teachers do so much for our children! This annual event, held in January, allows the PTA to give back to our teachers by helping teachers restock their classrooms with much needed school supplies.
WORLD HERITAGE NIGHT
Ready to travel around the globe! World Heritage night is back at WES by popular demand. Come show off your heritage and sign up for a booth at this amazing event. We have families from all over the globe and this night is for you to show Wolftrap interesting facts about your country, delicious culinary dishes, or cultural dances.
YEARBOOK
The PTA leads the creation of the annual school yearbook. Unlike other Committees that are entirely run and paid for by the PTA, the school owns certain parts of the Yearbook process, setting up the professional student photos taken at the school and facilitating Yearbook sales through MySchoolBucks. We collect pictures from parents and teachers throughout the school year with the goal that every child has at least one picture in addition to their portrait. To make this happen we need everyone's help so please send your full resolution pictures to yearbook@wolftrappta.org throughout the year. Pictures stop being accepted towards the end of February/early March.
5K AND FUN RUN
Our biggest fundraiser of the year, the 5K and Fun Run is a blast for runners and non-runners alike. Held in the spring, we bring the Wolftrap families together for a fun filled morning of exercise and camaraderie. More than just a run, there are multiple volunteer needs across three committees: Race, Event, and Fundraising. Race committees coordinate race-specific items, e.g. race route, permits, timing services, shirts & medals. Event committee coordinates non-race activities such as food, Fun Zone, Cake Walk, and raffle. Fundraising secures sponsorships and coordinates a silent auction. Look for a signup for weekend of activities, such as registration, race monitors, aid stations, refreshments, and a host of other race logistics.
GRADE LEVEL YEARLY PROGRAMS
Each year, our grade levels plan exciting events that align with the grade level curriculum and
provide opportunities for students to showcase their learning. These events involve the entire
grade and may also require parent volunteers for the activities. Grade levels will communicate with
families directly and work closely with the PTA to staff any volunteer needs.
CURRICULUM-BASED EVENTS:
Grade-specific culminating activities that support classroom learning.
- KINDERGARTEN: FALL & SPRING PARTY - A fall celebration, highlighting the science and social studies curriculum. This also includes a visit to a local farm.
- 1ST GRADE: “BA-DA BING ITS SPRING” - A play in the spring to celebrate spring, particularly the animals, plants and weather events that characterize the science curriculum.
- 2ND GRADE: BUG BASH - A "Bug Bash" to explore the fascinating world of insects and support the science curriculum
- 3RD GRADE: ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS DAY - "Ancient Civilizations Day" to delve into the past history of civilizations from the Social Studies curriculum.
- 4TH GRADE: VIRGINIA HISTORY DAY - A day to celebrate the state heritage and the focus on Virginia studies in the fourth grade curriculum. 4th grade also attends the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center. This trip is organized by FCPS for all 4th graders across the division.
- 5TH GRADE: RENAISSANCE FAIRE - Experience a time of great artistic and intellectual achievement, from the world studies curriculum in fifth grade.
- 6TH GRADE: PROMOTION - Sixth graders typically participate in an end of year play and their promotion ceremony to mark the milestone of ending elementary school!
WINTER HOLIDAY PARTY
A festive celebration to mark the end of the year before winter break. These gatherings are typically run exclusively by parent volunteers, collaborating with grade level teachers.
END-OF-THE-YEAR CELEBRATION
A fun-filled event to commemorate students' achievements and start the summer!
SCHOOL SPONSORED PROGRAMS
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT
This annual event for parents to meet their student's teachers and learn more about classroom expectations and procedures. K-2 will meet in individual classrooms and 3-6 will meet as a grade level in designated locations. Each group will present the content two times for families with multiple children. Slide shows will be shared after the event. The PTA will have tables to show the different events sponsored throughout the year and sign ups to help volunteer!
COFFEE & KLEENEX
Typically scheduled the first day of school for kindergarten families. Stop by after dropping off to hear about kindergarten procedures and ask questions.
GET2GREEN
FCPS Get2Green is the environmental stewardship program for Fairfax County Public Schools.
Use this website as a resource to engage in environmental stewardship projects at your school, incorporate sustainability in the classroom, find your school's energy and recycling data, and learn more about green initiatives in FCPS.
MADISON PYRAMID ART SHOW
Come see little artists in the making. A child’s artwork from each class is picked to be displayed at the Madison Art Show Event. The art teachers display the artwork at our pyramid high school, James Madison High School.
OPEN HOUSE AND VOLUNTEER FAIR
This annual event is held the week before school starts and is a time for parents and students to meet teachers and drop off school supplies. This is an informal event where families can drop in and out, as desired. The PTA will have tables to show the different events sponsored throughout the year and signups to help volunteer!
PAW PRINTS
This is the weekly newsletter sent by the Wolftrap administration. You must sign up for this newsletter through the FCPS News you Choose. In that system, you can elect to join other organizations within FCPS that send out newsletters.
WALK IN MY SHOES
This amazing program provides schools with activities and training to foster inclusion among students. Each grade level participates in activities to enhance understanding of differing abilities. In grades 3- 6, parents will be asked to help staff stations during the event. This year, activities will be scheduled in mid-October, and sign-ups will be sent in September.
COMMUNITY SPONSORED PROGRAMS
GIRLS ON THE RUN
Girls on the Run has fun, evidence-based programs that inspire participants to recognize their inner strength, increase their level of physical activity, imagine their possibilities, and confidently stand up for themselves and others. Girls on the Run inspires individuals of all abilities to discover, build, and grow their self-confidence. Together, they experience a sense of belonging and connection as a team. Volunteer coaches facilitate lessons that blend physical activity with life skill development, including managing emotions, fostering friendships, and expressing empathy. At the end of the season, the team completes a Community Impact Project and a 5K together, which provides a tangible sense of accomplishment and sets a confident mindset into motion. Register at www.gotrnova.org
CUB SCOUTS AND SCOUTING AMERICA
Cub Scouts welcomes all boys and girls from grades K-5. Pack 1116 is the local Pack for Wolftrap Elementary students. We meet in the Wolftrap Elementary cafeteria once or twice a month to work on badges and hold bigger events throughout the year like camping, hiking, Pinewood Derby races, picnics, community service, and much more! Scouting America welcomes all boys and girls and starts at the end of 5th grade (around February/March). There are several troops to choose from in the Vienna area. Contact Cubmaster Jason Morrow for more information and how to join Cub Scouts and Scouting America. Contact info:
Cubmaster Jason Morrow
(202) 413-2260
BROWNIES AND GIRL SCOUTS
Girl Scouts welcomes all girls from kindergarten through 6th grade. Troops are typically formed by grade level, but sometimes multi-grade troops will form as well. Girl Scouts tackle many different things, from leadership to outdoor skills, all while having fun and forming bonds with troop mates. Troops meet with varying frequency and days; it is troop and troop leader dependent. Troops often meet at school, as well as our local Girl Scout camp, Camp Crowell, in Oakton. Girl Scouts earn badges, learn new skills, and participate in service projects, plus camping, cookie sales, and much more!
As girls progress in Girl Scouts, they have the opportunity to work with younger troops to hone their leadership skills and help the next generation of Girl Scouts. There are several Girl Scout troops in the Vienna area, providing a welcoming community for all girls. Wolftrap is part of Service Unit 50-4, which encompasses four other elementary schools. Older Scouts also have the opportunity to tackle international travel! The next international Girl Scout trip is to Belize in June 2026. Scouts will participate in cultural exchanges, learn new outdoor skills, and more! For more information on how to join Girl Scouts or find a troop that fits your interests, please contact the Service Unit Managers for 50-4 at 504serviceunitmanager@gmail.com.
