Family involvement is an essential part of life at Whatcom Hills Waldorf School
Every family is invited to share their gifts with the school, whether through hands-on work in classrooms and around campus or through input on governance, support for fundraising and events, or behind the scenes expertise. WHWS depends on the generous support of our parents and caregivers, and each family is asked to contribute 40+ hours a year — a commitment that keeps tuition costs down, lightens the load for our hardworking teachers and staff, and strengthens the vibrant community that makes our school so special.
Ways to Contribute
Whether you prefer chaperoning a backpacking trip, stewarding our historic campus grounds, volunteering for events, or lending your expertise on a committee or behind the scenes, there is a place for you!
Classroom support (class projects, food preparation, cultural celebrations, seasonal decorating and cleaning, reading groups, etc)
Festivals (preparation and staffing)
Chaperoning field trips
Parent Council or Board of Trustees service
Campus maintenance
Baking, sewing, or crafting from home
Web and visual design, marketing, photography, and IT support
Event planning
Fundraising
and more!
About Parent Council
The Parent Council is composed of two parent representatives from each class. Its purpose is to inspire, inform, and organize the parent community and to enrich the school's social life through communication and involvement. The Parent Council is an essential voice in the school, representing the needs of families to the Board and the Collegium, and providing communication among all three groups. The PC’s central mandate is to coordinate and promote the festival life of the school, but it also supports teachers and families in organizing social events and projects, and class representatives help coordinate volunteers for classroom needs and school-wide initiatives.
“I have truly enjoyed every volunteer experience and appreciate the opportunity to connect with other parents and get to know the kids.”
Parents In Partnership
Why Volunteer?
Become part of the fabric of school life. In a Waldorf community, parents aren't just supporters from the sidelines—they help carry the rhythm of the school year, from festival preparations to the everyday upkeep of the classroom and campus.
Deepen your understanding of the Waldorf approach. Volunteering lets you share in your child's world and gain a deeper sense of the school's rhythms, pedagogy, and ethos. School becomes not just your child's experience, but your family's.
Grow alongside your class community. Raising children takes a village—volunteering connects you with your class teacher and other parents, and creates lasting friendships for you and your child.
Offer your gifts. Every family brings something unique—craft, care, expertise. Our school community thrives when people contribute in the ways that feel most natural to them.
“[Our] events are what create community; they are an opportunity to work with other parents, and create memories for generations. It’s the parents and caregivers in our community who work together to make the magic happen for all of us. These are the traditions that anchor our hearts in place, and connect us to each other.
Years from now, we’ll be saying, “Remember when we built Gnome Village? It was so magical!”; or, “Remember when we made 360 tiny felt balls in kindergarten for our auction project? We laughed so hard!”; or, “Remember that time we chaperoned 22 squirrelly third graders at Plough Days and it was so windy we almost landed in Kansas? “Yup, me too!” Those were the days life-long friendships were forged and we built our community together.”