Family Committees

SWS has a long tradition of active family committees that provide support and assistance so that school staff can focus first on teaching and learning.

Below are our family-led committees. To sign up for a committee, please see our SWS Committee Signup Survey. To connect with a committee chair, find them on FreshSchools or email swslsat@gmail.com

To learn more about what our Family Committees are up to this year, watch our January 30 All-Committee meeting here.

Recruitment Committee

Chair: Dani Gaines [opening for co-chair]

The Recruitment Committee prepare and plan three or four SWS Open Houses annually. The committee sets the dates and times; advertises all the open houses; prepares all information for the Open Houses (including brochures, FAQs, sign-in sheets, name tags, and slide shows); and coordinates refreshments. Members serve as volunteers and tour guides during Open Houses and represent the school during the Capitol Hill school information night and the citywide school information fair.

Outreach & Advocacy Committee

Chairs: [opening for chairs]

The Outreach & Advocacy Committee works to develop and maintain relationships with the community, including local organizations, civic leaders, neighbors, and friends of the school, and advocates on behalf of the school to provide our community’s perspective on district-wide issues like school accountability measures.

IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Antiracism) Committee

Chairs: Jennifer Hicks & Tina Suliman

The IDEA Committee engages families in discussions and actions focused on inclusion, equity, diversity, and antiracism, and aligns with work being done by faculty and staff.

Health and Wellness Committee

Chair: Liz Puloka [opening for co-chair]

The Health and Wellness Committee works with the school to help promote and organize programs related to the well-being of our students. This committee has organized activities such as Bike to School Day, and on-going work with programs such as FoodPrints, and DC Safe Routes.

Fundraising Committee

Auction Chairs: Esther Leibfarth, Liz Puloka

The Fundraising Committee is comprised of subcommittees that lead fundraising efforts on behalf of Friends of SWS. In order to provide the unique, high-quality, Reggio-Emilia-inspired education that SWS pioneered as a D.C. Public School, parents and the community must raise considerable funds to support the needs of the program. The anticipated 2022-2023 school year fundraisers include: Fall Campaign, Grant Writing, and the Spring Parent Prom & Auction event

Environment Committee

Chairs: [opening for co-chairs]

The Environment Committee aims to make the inside and outside of the school a beautiful environment that supports Reggio Emilia education. Members of this committee organize workdays to complete small and big projects to improve our school environment.

Community-Building Committee

Chairs: Jaime Arora & Sarran Jabbie

The Community-Building Committee creates opportunities for SWS community to get to know each other and celebrate our school through events such as the Staff Welcome Back Breakfast, Back to School Picnic, Parent Coffees, Teacher Appreciation Week, and Buddy Families. The committee also coordinates childcare at school events.

Communications Committee

Chair: Molly Wagoner [opening for co-chair]

This committee is charged with keeping SWS families and the community informed via email updates, SWS website, FreshSchools, social media, and other outreach. Committee members assist in creation of content, editing work, signage assistance, and website support.