Ways to Volunteer
Opportunities for parents to become involved at GFS are varied and plentiful. You will find many options to help with every facet of community life. Please indicate your areas of interest on the Volunteer Interest Form.
- Parent Association
- Parent Association Volunteer Opportunities
- Community Life and Inclusion
- Division Opportunites
- Admission Office Volunteer Opportunities
- Fund For Garrison Forest
- Around Campus
Parent Association
Parent Association
The purpose of the Garrison Forest School Parent Association is to enhance the sense of community shared among the parents, students, administration, faculty, alumnae and trustees; to enrich both the environment and the programs of the School; to facilitate and enhance communication among all constituencies; and to assist all constituencies in their efforts to advance and support the mission of the School.
The Parent Association Executive Committee
Brenda Lee, President
Courtney Gotlin, Past President
Jenna Millman, Vice President
The Parent Association supports division representatives and their grade teams in the planning of division social gatherings. Parent Association meetings are held in September and January. For a calendar of events, visit gfs.org/panews. For a full roster of parent volunteers for the 2022-23 school year, see below.
PA Volunteers | |
Grizzly Gear Liaison | Ashley Ingraham '95 |
Grizzly Gear Assistant | Danielle Brown |
Sunshine Liaison | Susie Brinkley |
Faculty & Staff Appreciation Liaison | Natalie Bissonnette |
Faculty & Staff Appreciation Assistant | Leslie Wald |
Residential Hospitality Liaison | Michelle Massie |
Community Life & Inclusion Liaison |
Kristen Hill Brown '07 |
Parent Association Volunteer Opportunities
All School Tailgates – Fall/Winter/Spring
- Coordinate food vendors
- Event set up/clean up
- Order spirit items
- Promote to GFS community
- Recruit event volunteers
Multicultural Potluck - Fall
- Coordinate event with the Director of Community Life and Inclusion, Carolyn Lewis
- Recruit event volunteers
- Promote event to community
Faculty and Staff Appreciation – Fall/Winter/Spring
- Assist in the planning of appreciation activities throughout the year
- Help with end of year Faculty and Staff Appreciation luncheon
Book Discussions
- Identify topic/book for discussion
- Promote to GFS community
- Facilitate discussion
Baltimore Hunger Project Service Event
- Work with staff at BHP to secure food items and transport to GFS
- Recruit volunteer families to assemble
- Deliver food packages to Baltimore Hunger Project
For more information about the Baltimore Hunger Project, visit baltimorehungerproject.org
Grizzly Gear
Grizzly Gear sells gently worn GFS uniforms and accessories at a discounted price. Located on the ground floor of Meadowood dormitory, this volunteer-run store holds hours throughout the school year and by appointment. Grizzly Gear also supports school events including Orientation, Spring Fling and Newly Accepted Student Visit Days. Proceeds go to the Parent Association and donations are accepted throughout the year.
- Sort incoming donations
- Re-stock items
- Assist families with sizing and selection
- Record sales and manage money for deposit
Residential Hospitality
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Volunteers plan activities or identify items to purchase that support or enhance the experience of our boarding students.
Community Life and Inclusion
This committee will work closely with Faculty/Staff Liaison Carolyn Lewis, Director of Community Life and Inclusion, and Parent Liaisons to partner in the planning of a wide-range of cultural events and activities that celebrate our diverse community. This would include events that have taken place in the past including the Multicultural Potluck, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration, as well as honoring and celebrating cultural and religious holidays throughout the year.
Community Life and Inclusion Liaison |
Kristen Hill Brown '07 |
Division Opportunites
Division Representative
- Oversee grade teams
- Work with Division Head to facilitate parent engagement
- Coordinate division events
Grade Team
- Help teachers with class activities
- Promote parent engagement in division events
- Assist in planning of events
2022 -23 | Division Representatives & Grade Teams |
Upper School Division Representative | LaToya Howell |
9th Grade | TBD |
10th Grade | TBD |
11th Grade | TBD |
12th Grade | TBD |
Middle School Division Representative | Terri First |
Middle School Assistant Representative | Dana Roman |
6th Grade Class Parent | Robyn Murphy |
7th Grade Class Parent | Dana Roman |
8th Grade Class Parent | Terri First |
Lower School Division Representative |
Danielle Cook |
Lower School |
Kelly March |
Kindergarten | Breanna Lee Kelly March |
1st Grade | Nikki McGuire-Wells |
2nd Grade | TBD |
3rd Grade |
Jennifer Miller |
4th Grade |
TBD |
5th Grade |
Shaun Taylor |
Preschool Liaison |
Kelly March |
Admission Office Volunteer Opportunities
Admission Parent Volunteers
- Meet and greet prospective families during their visit to campus and admission events, such as open houses
- Be a resource to prospective families through phone calls and emails
- Be a resource on our webpage to prospective families
- Host or help coordinate an admissions event in your area
- Spread the word about your daughter's experience in your network
Fund For Garrison Forest
Grade Fund Agents
- Encourage parent support of the Fund for Garrison Forest
- Participate in phonathons
Parent Fund Agents | |
Quentin Cook | Three Year Olds |
TBD | Pre-K |
TBD | Kindergarten |
Eric Kelland | First |
David Cameron | Second |
Dave Brown | Third |
TBD | Fourth |
Stephon Benford | Fifth |
Katie and Sam Santarelli | Sixth |
Matt Gotlin | Seventh |
Dak Kothari | Seventh |
Peter Burstein | Eighth |
TBD | Ninth |
TBD | Ninth |
Greg Talbott | Tenth |
Victor Marshall | Eleventh |
Kim Mears | Eleventh |
Sam Millman* | Eleventh |
Jeff Miller | Twelfth |
Kent Strosnider | Twelfth |
* Parent Fund Chair
Around Campus
School Store
- Assist with all aspects of School Store operations, including customer service, point-of-sale, inventory, etc.
- Volunteers needed Monday-Thursday between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
- Two-hour commitment is preferred
Lower School Library
- Shelve books and process new books
- Manage the collection and assist with other task
Host Family for a Boarding Student
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Host a student for dinners, weekends and/or school vacations