Parents' Association
Harbor Country Day's thriving Parents' Association (PA) reflects the deep commitment of Harbor's parents to their children's education, and to the philosophy that education is a shared enterprise of home and school.
The PA is dedicated to promoting a sense of community, facilitating communication between Harbor and its families, and raising funds for programs and events that enrich and enhance school life.
The PA consists of various project committees, each taking on a responsibility that may last from a few months to the entire year. The chairs of each of these committees serve on a coordinating committee, which meets monthly.
Some examples of current/past project PA committees:
Harbor Closet
The Harbor Closet is located on the 3rd Floor. The Harbor Closet is where we keep the gently used uniforms our kids have out grown and can be used by someone else. Parents send in these uniforms throughout the year and they are kept on the third floor. Similarly, the Harbor Closet is open to all throughout the year, to take what you might be able to use. Please come by and see if your child can make use of the uniform for next year.
Trunk or Treat
All students (Nursery – Grade 8), their families and friends are invited to come in costumes and share a safe and frightfully fun-filled time Trick or Treating out on the field at Harbor! The field at Harbor Country Day School will be turned into a safe “neighborhood” of treat-filled car trunks for our little goblins and their friends to enjoy. Evening entertainment will also include an hour captivating show in the gym while the adults prepare their trunks for the trick or treaters, and story-telling by Mrs. Netter to end the evening festivities.
Pictures coming soon…
Gingerbread Extravaganza
All students take part in making a delicious edible Gingerbread House. We typically obtain the Gingerbread materials from a local bakery, who in turn constructs the houses for us prior to decorating. All grades with the exception of Pre Kindergarten , are invited to an after school event to decorate the gingerbread houses. Pre Kindergarten usually decorates the Gingerbread houses in their classrooms .
Book Fair
Every year the Harbor hosts a Book Fair to encourage and embrace the love of reading with our children. The Parents’ Association coordinates this event, with support from assigned grades who collaborate their efforts to run the event. Each year’s Book Fair has been a themed event, encompassed around reading. It has been hosted in the gym. Each of the grades had a scheduled time that they would come down to the gym and look through the vast amount of books available for them to purchase. They were given a permission slip indicating what their spending limit is for purchasing books. The children were also given the opportunity to purchase books either for the school, and or their respective classrooms picking from each Teacher’s Wish List of their desired books. It was usually for 3 days, as well as a night event. During the 3 days local authors come to talk to the children, visit their classrooms and read stories. They also bring their books that they have written for book signing. At the night event there is entertainment for the children, as well as local authors as guests. This year’s event will be hosted at Barnes and Noble.
Innisbrook (Approximate Cost varies based on individual purchases)
This is one of our fundraising events that is run in the fall. We sell different types of wrapping paper, ribbon, and an assortment of different gifts. This is a great time to stock up on some not only beautiful, but quality products just in time for the holidays.
Flower Power
This fall fundraiser always brings a smile to everyone’s face. It seems to always get everyone’s mind thinking Spring. If you are wild about flowers, then this is one will get you down and dirty. A huge selection of different flowers and bulbs that will definitely get you ready for the spring. So as you plan out what you need to beautify your landscaping, don’t forget to keep Harbor’s landscape in mind to add that some color to Harbor’s grounds.
Harbor’s Celebrities
This event will brings tears to your eyes, and put a smile on your face. This event is the perfect forum for all of our children to bring out the best in them. It enables them to feel and be a Superstar. Are you the next Fashionista? Or the next rockstar ? No matter what your special talent is, show everyone what you’ve got. No matter what your special talent that you’d like to perform, there’s a place for you. The children put together a short performance (typically around 3 minutes in length) for all of the Harbor community to see. In the past we have had fashion models, dance routines, karate exhibitions, singing, musical instruments, acting, and so many more. A great afternoon for family and friends. This event is typically held off Harbor grounds.
Family Sports Night (Approximately $15.00 per person)
An evening of family fun challenges & healthy competition with heart pounding activities for all ages to enjoy. All are invited to come and bring their best game. Nursery through 8th grade students, siblings, parents, Harbor Faculty and Staff. This event is usually held off the Harbor grounds at a sports facility. There is food and refreshments served. Everyone attending receives an authentic signature t-shirt commemorating their participation in the games.
Super Raffle
Our Super Raffle is a lottery. Everyone, no matter whether they are part of the Harbor School Community or not, have the chance to win one of the Grand Prizes. In the past we had Grand Prizes like $10,000 in cash or Free Tuition for the next school year. All prizes are subject to applicable taxes. The winner for the Super Raffle is drawn at our Spring Benefit gala. Anyone who purchases Super Raffle tickets does not need to be present to win.
Spring Benefit
This is the Parents’ Association largest annual fundraising event. The Harbor Scholarship Super Raffle proceeds will enhance diversity and attract top scholars by funding tuition assistance and merit scholarships . During the festivities, we have a Fund A Grant auction. The Fund A Grant auction is where all attendees make contributions to fund different projects for the school. We have raised funds for IPAD’s for the students to use, additional Smartboards for our Specials, as well as much needed Professional Development. The ability to fund new technology for our school, keeps our school ahead of the curve, and educates are children, keeping us current with where education is headed. The funding for Professional Development allows our teachers the ability to keep current with where education is headed, providing for the best education possible for our children. Casino Gambling. Whether you’re the best of the best or the novice who’s always wanted to try. You’ll be able to try your luck at games like black jack, roulette, or craps. There’s also dancing, a delicious buffet, and premium open bar!!! If you thought the Grammy’s had a lot of mingling, then you haven’t been to Harbor’s Spring Benefit. The Pièce de résistance…You have the chance to win one or many of the incredible auction items that we have. There are works of art that students from different grades created themselves. We have had different auction items in the past to entice you to take that chance. Things like…What about a chance to be Head of School for the day??? You know it crossed your mind. So you say you’re more of the fun in the sun or beach goer! How about a chance to win Disney Tickets for 4 or a relaxing week in the Canary Islands off the Coast of Spain. Still not your cup of TEE?? Try out 5 spectacular Golf Courses in sunny Florida, not just for you but for 4 at each course. We also had offered the chance to win $10,000 or free tuition for next year. All donations above the market value for auction items are tax deductible.
Specific dates for this year's events are listed on the Calendar and News pages.
For additional information on Harbor's Parents' Association or PA committees, please contact Stephen Hussey, Parents' Association Coordinator by email at stephen.hussey@hotmail.com.
