Watershed Parent Association (WPA)

The Watershed Parent Association ensures that parents have opportunities to be an integral part of the Watershed community. The WPA facilitates community among Watershed families, strengthens the partnership between the parent community and the school, and supports the school through fundraising, staff appreciation efforts, outreach, and events.

Membership

All parents/guardians are considered members of the Watershed Parent Association. There is no membership fee. The WPA is led by two Co-Chairs. Other WPA leadership opportunities include Parent Leaders, Committee Leaders, and Parent Ambassadors. The roles and responsibilities of WPA leadership positions are as follows:

Co-Chairs

The WPA Co-Chairs facilitate smooth planning and execution of WPA activities, set the tone of the group, meet monthly with the Director of Development & Communications, and establish WPA goals and the annual calendar in collaboration with the Director of Development & Communications.

Parent Leaders and Committee Chairs

Each grade level at Watershed has at least one Parent Leader. The Parent Leaders provide valuable support to the Watershed community throughout the school year and act as the primary communicators to parents in their grade level about WPA activities, events, and projects. 

Additionally, Committee Chairs help plan and execute the following:

• Social/Community: WPA sponsored parent events including monthly coffees, hikes, happy hours and more.

• Fundraising: WPA fundraising* initiatives including the grocery card program, local retail and restaurant ‘shop/dine for Watershed’ nights. *note: WPA fundraising supports WPA teacher appreciation initiatives, parent education programs, and other WPA efforts.

• Teacher Support: WPA driven appreciation efforts to support teachers throughout the year, including breakfast or lunch, family casseroles, drink of choice and end of year gifts.

• Education Series: WPA funded speaking engagements on various topics.

Parent Ambassadors

Parent Ambassadors support the Assistant Head for Enrollment Management with Watershed’s outreach, recruitment, and retention efforts. Parent Ambassadors are a select group of parents who are excited to share the value of a Watershed education with prospective families and external audiences. Parent Ambassadors help with and support the following:

• Meet regularly with the Assistant Head for Enrollment Management to receive information and updates about what is happening at Watershed.  

• Prospective parent connection and outreach.

  • Being available by phone or email for questions, sharing your student’s experience, and discussing the unique aspects of Watershed’s program and community.  

• Help plan and attend the New Family Event in July. 

• Call all new parents in September/October of each year to check-in and offer support. 

• Attend virtual and in-person Open Houses.

• Attend external school fairs and other outreach/recruitment events as needed. 

WPA Events

Ongoing

WPA Retail Partners Program - Learn more about these easy WPA fundraising initiatives that are no additional cost to you!

First Friday Coffees - Meet outside under the east awning at Watershed for coffee and conversation on the first Friday of every month. Coffees will moved into the gym during inclement weather. 8:15-9:15am

Check the parent Google Calendar and FridgeNotes for upcoming events

Past 2022-23 Events Included

WPA Fall Happy Hour at RayBack, Food Truck Community Dinner & Fundraiser, EverEve Shopping Fundraiser, Parent Education Series speakers: Tracy Markle, MA, LPC and Savanah Weatherington, MA, Healthy Development and Well-Being in the Digital Age, and monthly WPA Coffees!

2023-2024 Watershed Parent Association Leadership

Co-Chairs

Kari Wheeler P’22, ‘25

Jean Bouchard P’25

Class Leaders

6th Grade- Leader needed! 7th Grade- Leader needed! 8th Grade- Michael Behar P’28

9th Grade- Leader needed! 10th Grade- Kyra Shields P’26 11th Grade- Heidi Milne P’25

12th Grade- Keren Dor P’21, ‘23

Committee Chairs

Social/Community Committee- Michael Behar P’28

Fundraising- Chair needed!

Educator Support- Deborah Denny P’24, ‘26 & Anna Ura P’27

Education Series- Heidi Milne P’25