MESSAGE from the QMS Parents’ Association
Story appeared in the 2017 issue of QMS Connections Magazine.
BY KIRSTY GRANT (‘85), CHAIR
It Takes a Village…
PAC Page Alana Smith and Kirsty Grant PAC Jingle Bell Jog
The 2016-2017 Queen Margaret’s School year has been an active one for both students and the Parents’ Association with new, fun activities added to our calendar.
Each September, the PA hosts a welcome Wine and Cheese Social following the Junior School Parent Information Evening. This event gives parents the opportunity to network with QMS faculty and staff, the PA Executive and other parents in an informal and inviting atmosphere.
In October the Parents’ Association hosted one of its most popular Dinner & Movie Nights to date. It was a packed house for the showing of Open Season, Scared Silly. We are grateful to the parents who participated by baking for the concession stand, assisting with set-up and tear-down, and the positive energy of the attending families.
A QMS tradition that the PA continues to manage each year is the QMS Christmas Bazaar. The Bazaar brings together parents and students from all grades of the School, as well as members of our OOMA. The Bazaar is our largest annual fundraiser and continues to be well attended by our families, alumni and the local community.
A new campus event this winter was an adult Paint Night sponsored by parent, Board of Governor member and local artist, Nancy Wilson. Guests brought brushes to canvas during an evening full of laughter, colour and creativity. Each attendee left with a beautiful oil canvas version of Kees Van Dongen’s The Corn Poppy, created in the company of new friends.
Our first ever Family Fun Night was an outstanding success. Guests enjoyed a delicious dinner and exciting games and family-friendly activities, including an inflatable obstacle course, in the gym. This event was an entertaining social mixer for both parents and children and we have plans to host a similar night of fun in 2017-2018.
Parent volunteers coordinated a multitude of additional fundraisers and community spirit events this year including poinsettia, wreath, hanging basket, and garden bulb orders; an Easter Egg-stravaganza, and the annual PA end-of-year barbeque. The BBQ was an exciting day for parents and students to meet new families to QMS, and renew friendships for the upcoming school year.
One of the PA year-round services is the Unicycler Shop, where parents can shop for gently used uniform items, with profits shared between the PA and the consignor. We are very fortunate to have two dedicated parents who operate this shop and other volunteers who step forward to assist at busier times of the year.
All monies from PA fundraisers are donated back to QMS to purchase items on the School’s “Wish List.” This list is diverse and we do our best to spread funds across all age groups. The QMS PA is very proud to have successfully raised over $33,000 this year. This money enabled the School to purchase EV3 Lego Mindstorm robotics, a new Fine Arts Hall scrim, science and athletics equipment, gardening supplies, upgrade campus wireless access points and paid for engaging visits by authors. Our aim is to enhance learning opportunities for children in every grade at QMS.
On behalf of the QMS PA, I sincerely thank our School community for generously supporting our events.
