GFA Parents’ Association Policies
GREEN POLICY -- A GREENER GREENS FARMS
There are small ways we can have a meaningful impact on our school and environment. By conserving, recycling, reusing, and reducing waste we can share GFA’s leadership toward a sustainable future for our children and communities.
GUIDELINES:
COMMUNICATION
o Electronic Communication preferred. No printed material distributed in meetings. If printed material is necessary, please limit the number of copies.
o Meeting Agendas: email only. Avoid printing hard copies.
o No postage/mailed material. (Any exceptions must be approved in advance by PA co-presidents.) This saves hard-earned PA dollars.
o Signs and Posters: When possible create reusable signs. (Dates can be changed).
NO SINGLE-SERVING PLASTIC WATER BOTTLES
The PA wants to avoid single-serving, disposable water bottles. We support drinking and enjoying Westport’s tap water! The cafeteria has large water dispensers for use at your events. The waste created by bottled water goes far beyond the plastic container. The PA discourages buying small water bottles or having them provided for any GFA events.
REDUCE FOOD WASTE
We have discontinued serving food for most PA meetings. While we aim to be hospitable in every sense, we have noticed a distinct lack of interest in eating anything at the meetings. Please be mindful of potential food waste before automatically providing refreshments.
THANK YOU toThe Book Fair and Playhouse Committees which both ran events without ever printing a flyer in 2009/2010.
We encourage your ideas in moving toward a Greener PA.
GFA PEANUT/NUT POLICY
GFA is a Peanut/Nut aware school. In order to make our school a safe environment for all students, staff and visitors, Greens Farms Academy asks all students, parents and staff (teaching, administrative and custodial) to make every effort not to bring into the school any product that contains peanuts and/or nuts. This includes peanuts, walnuts, cashews, almonds and all other tree nuts. Please read all food labels carefully. Accidents happen when foods labeled “may contain” or “traces of” are brought to school. GFA has a number of students with food allergies, and some students, when exposed to certain foods, can develop a reaction known as anaphylaxis. It is also important to note that there may be students with undiagnosed food allergies who experience their first allergic reaction at school. Our goal is to prevent life-threatening allergic reactions, and awareness is the key. In order to safeguard all students, peanuts, nuts and nut products should not be brought on campus to any sporting events, clubs and after school activities, bake sales or events where students will be present. We appreciate your help to make the school safe for every student.
E-MAIL DISTRIBUTION POLICY
*E-Mails may only be used for Parents’ Association related information.
*E-Mails may not be used to communicate parent opinion or commentary.
*Distribution lists should be created so that E-Mail addresses are not
accessible; that is, they should be done by a blind copy—BCC.
*The subject field should read GFA Parents’ Association information or
GFA 6th Grade Information, etc.
*The school maintains parents’ E-Mail addresses for official GFA business
and cannot share E-Mail addresses with outside individuals for any
reason and addresses may not be used for commercial purposes.
GFA PARENTS' ASSOCIATION HOSPITALITY POLICY
The Parents Association spends much of the year raising money to augment the school and student’s lives in a variety of ways. We strive to be thoughtful and strategic in our fundraising endeavors and these values must translate into how we allocate monies earned.
· General Meetings: The Parents Association will provide limited refreshments at General PA Meetings. (to be determined by Co-Presidents in concert with the Executive Board)
· Executive Board Mini Meetings: No refreshments provided. No reimbursements.
· Committee Meetings: No refreshments provided. No reimbursements.
We will consider exceptions on a case-by-case basis in advance of an event.
FALL CLASS COFFEES
The policy and customary layout is included in the cross-over packet. GFA (not the PA) pays for Flik to provide a basic coffee/tea set-up ($35). (Form to order set up is in forms packet). Additionally, the GFA business office will reimburse any class parent up to $20 for additional food expense incurred for the class coffee.