Question 1

What is Williston Families as Partners?

Accepted Answer

Williston Families as Partners (WFAP) is families, teachers, and community members partnering to accomplish agreed-upon goals through strong parent, family, and community involvement.  The Families as Partners Advisory Council provides a forum to contribute to discussions and decisions about school programs and policies.

Question 2

Who serves on the Families as Partners Advisory Council?

Accepted Answer

The Families as Partners Advisory Council (FAPAC) is comprised of Families as Partners Representatives from each House, a School Board member, teacher representatives from the Upper and Lower Houses and Related Arts, Administration, and Student Services.

Question 3

How can I get involved?

Accepted Answer

You can get involved; it's easy.  As a parent and community member, you already belong to Families as Partners!  Now you can become a Families as Partners Representative for your child’s House, you can help with the fundraising efforts being promoted through Families as Partners, or you can contribute financially, or through the donation of materials and supplies needed for the various events and fundraisers.

Question 4

How often does Families as Partners meet?

Accepted Answer

The FAPAC meets monthly, throughout the school year, to share updates and address topics pertaining to student activities.

Question 5

How does Families as Partners work?

Accepted Answer

At the start of the school year, each House identifies one or more parents to represent them. This "WFAP Rep" attends the monthly meetings of the WFAP Advisory Council (or takes turns with their co-reps for the House). Items discussed at these meetings are then communicated to families via e-mail and The School Bell. The Council meetings are a relaxed gathering of parents and school staff and are open to all - you do not need to be a Representative to attend.

Question 6

How is fundraising handled?

Accepted Answer

Families as Partners raises funds for Williston schools through the Williston Annual Fund and through various community fundraising events like a Craft Fair, Book Fair, Lucky U raffle, and Big Basket Raffle.  The funds are pooled, and pay for all field trips, team-building trips, educational grants, grants for Student Services and Related Arts, school gardens, and other needs not covered by the school budget.  Upper Houses also host targeted house fundraisers to raise money to support their optional end-of-year overnight trips.

Question 7

Who can be in Families as Partners?

Accepted Answer

Everyone involved in the education of Williston students is automatically a member of Williston Families as Partners.  That means that parents, guardians, grandparents, teachers, administrators, and school staff are all part of Families as Partners.  Not all of these people will be part of the Advisory Council, yet they are a valuable piece of the educational puzzle.

Question 8

What will Families as Partners spend the Annual Fund money on?

Accepted Answer

The Annual Fund money will be pooled with funds from the other WFAP fundraising events—the Craft Fair, Book Sale, Lucky U, and Big Basket Raffle—to pay for all field trips, team-building trips, teaching grants, grants for Student Services and Related Arts, school gardens, graduation, and other needs not covered by the school budget.

Question 9

Can a family donate more or less than the suggested amount per student?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and all donations are tax deductible.  We recognize, however, that the suggested amount per student may be a hardship for some families, and we are happy to accept whatever a family can donate.  We will mail letters recognizing your donation in December for tax reporting. If you choose to donate online, you will automatically receive tax reporting documentation.

Question 10

What happens if I don't donate?

Accepted Answer

Families as Partners will still ensure that all field trips are paid for each year—they are an important part of the educational experience. If we don’t meet our fundraising goals, WFAP will likely need to eliminate teaching grants, Student Services  and Related Arts grants, and support for other school needs this year.

Question 11

What are teaching grants?

Accepted Answer

WFAP awards educational grants each year to teachers for things like iPads, document cameras, headphones, new books, musical instruments, PE equipment, and other resources that enrich our students’ educational experience but are not included in the school budget.  With successful fundraising campaigns and events, we are hoping to continue along this same course.

Question 12

How will 5-8 houses pay for end-of-year overnight trips?

Accepted Answer

Parent support and targeted house fundraisers—just as they have in the past.

Question 13

Is the Williston Schools Annual Fund a typical fundraising model?

Accepted Answer

Walter Nardelli told us that 20 years ago, a district for which he was working asked for $25 from each family.  In California, one community asks for $640 a year from families to support programs their school budget doesn’t.  So we think our per student suggested amount seems reasonable and is put to good use on behalf of our students.

Question 14

Can houses fundraise for a non-profit organization?

Accepted Answer

Yes.  This is a terrific way to show children how to give back to their communities.

Question 15

Question 16