International School of Texas
2024-2025 Volunteer Overview
Tu 8/13: 9:0011:00 AM
IST kicks off the new school year with a big party where we welcome back returning families, introduce our new students, and sort them into their houses! This event also provides informational tables for various activities, clubs, athletics, and volunteer opportunities throughout the year. Most of the organization of this event is coordinated by the school's administration, but volunteer support is needed on the day of the event for setup and takedown.
Parent Social F 9/6, 6:008:00 PM
Sa 9/28: 10:00A-1:00P
Early in the year, IST hosts a kid-free social for parents to spend an evening together, share good food and drinks, catch up with old friends, and make new ones. Particular attention is paid to welcoming new parents and providing a chance for them to make connections with our school community. Volunteers support in communication, menu selection, venue coordination, and any decoration/activites.
Everything is bigger in Texas, and IST is no exception! Just as the state fair is kicking off in Texas, we celebrate our Texas traditions, culture, and spirit at our annual fair. Featuring a chili cook-off, a large spread of food, live music, and plenty of activities for the whole family, this is an event you don't want to miss! Volunteer Coordinators invest substantial time in preparing for this event, with latitude in designing the event's structure, activities, and supporting volunteers.
Deputy Coordinator 1 Year
&
Tu 10/1: 10:00
A - 12:00P
As part of our efforts to connect with the local community and build awareness of our new location, IST will host the local chambers of commerce and other local businesses and leaders for a public Grand Opening of our new campus. Tours and information will be available about our curriculum, programs, and enrollment. Volunteers support in preparing and beautifying the campus as well as refreshments, SWAG, print materials, experiences, tours, etc.
Deputy Coordinator 1 Year Lead / 1 Year Advisor
Food Coordinator Event only
Activities Coordinator Event only
Setup / Takedown Event only
Deputy Coordinator Event only
Director of Development & Community Engagement
Director of Development & Community Engagement
Setup / Takedown Event only
Trailblazer Experience: Open House
F 11/1: TBD Middle and Upper School Students are invited to our Halloween Dance! Themed activities and a costume competition accompany great music and dancing! Volunteers coordinate event logistics such as the DJ, decorations, chaperones, and communication about the event in advance. Student Council members may be part of the planning committee in support of student buy-in and excitement.
Su 11/10: 1:303:30 PM
The best way to understand how special it is to get an IST education? Come and experience it for yourself. This event presents cultivated experiences for prospective families and students to get a first-hand taste of life at IST. This is the flagship admissions event for the year and plays a vital role in our annual admissions recruitment. Volunteers help beautify and prepare campus, coordinate refreshments, SWAG, and materials. They also recruit parent and student ambassadors to support the event itself.
Deputy Coordinator 1 Year Lead / 1 Year Advisor
Decorations & Refreshments
Coordinator Event only
Chaperone Coordinator Event only
Head of Secondary
Book Fair
Festival
F 11/22: 2:005:30 PM
Autumn is a time of celebration and preparation: a time to be grateful for all that we have received over the year: our literal and figurative harvest. We celebrate this with a harvest-themed potluck dinner that celebrates the various traditions and cultures within our community. Harvest themed activities compliment this autumnal festival. Volunteer Coordinators invest substantial time in preparing for this event, with latitude in designing the event's structure, activities, and supporting volunteers.
Volunteer Coordinator 1 Year Lead / 1 Year Advisor
Director of Admissions
Parent Ambassadors Event only
Deputy Coordinator 1 Year Lead / 1 Year Advisor
Food Coordinator Event only
Activities Coordinator Event only
Setup / Takedown Event only
Director of Development & Community Engagement
M-F 12/2-6: Before + After School
Trailblazers love reading! There's nothing like the scent and feel of cracking open a new book and going on a literary adventure! The annual book fair is a celebration of the joys of reading and provides opportunities to support teacher libraries and the school's library collection. The fair runs before and after school for one week. Volunteers coordinate with the book vendor (eg. Scholastic) and the school liaison to cultivate book offerings, plan and implement decorations and display, and coordinate checkout table volunteers.
Deputy Coordinator 1 Year Lead / 1 Year Advisor
Dean of Teaching & Learning
Checkout Table Event only
M-F 12/9-13: After Sunset
Designed as the school's winter fundraising event and open to the general public, the World of Lights is a trail of beautifully decorated stations with themes from around the world that winds through the school's wooded property. Each grade level selects a country or region from the world and is responsible for creating a stunning light display that delights passersby as they weave their way through a World of Lights! Wintery & warm refreshments are served and donations are collected as visitors arrive for an evening walk along our trails. Volunteers ensure classes have all the materials needed, support with marketing and communication to the community, and coordinate staffing of the donation booth in the evenings over the course of a week.
IST Day of Service F 1/17: TBD Service is one of IST's core values, and we gather together to serve our community in the spirit of Martin Luther King. Held in place of a normal school day, our entire student and faculty community invite our parents to join us in serving others. Volunteers invest substantial time in evaluting potential options/partners for service, transportation and logistical issues, communication, and lead the service projects on the day itself.
Deputy Coordinator 1 Year Lead / 1 Year Advisor
Director of Development & Community Engagement
Donation Booth Event only
Deputy Coordinator 1 Year Lead / 1 Year Advisor MYP Projects & Programs Coordinator
Sa 2/1: 11:00
AM - 2:00 PM
This year, Spirit Week has a new international flavor and will culminate in our International Festival! Our campus will transfrom into a global exhibit with activities, presentations, experiences, and most importantly, an international potluck that takes our taste buds on a journey around the world! The Saturday event is separate from the activities taking place during Spirit Week but is aligned with its theme and content. Volunteer Coordinators invest substantial time in preparing for this event, with latitude in designing the event's structure, activities, and supporting volunteers.
Deputy Coordinator 1 Year Lead / 1 Year Advisor
Food Coordinator Event only
Activities Coordinator Event only
Setup / Takedown Event only
Director of Development & Community Engagement
Th 2/13: 7:009:00PM
Middle and Upper School Students are invited to our Valentine's Dance! Themed activities accompany great music and dancing! Volunteers coordinate event logistics such as the DJ, decorations, chaperones, and communication about the event in advance. Student Council members may be part of the planning committee in support of student buy-in and excitement.
Deputy Coordinator 1 Year Lead / 1 Year Advisor
Decorations & Refreshments
Coordinator Event only
Chaperone Coordinator Event only
Head of Secondary
Sports Day
Th 4/17: 9:00AM - 2:00 PM
IST's annual Sports Day is a celebration of teamwork, sportsmanship, and student leadership. Teams are comprised of students across all age levels and compete in various activities throughout the day. Secondary students take on a team of faculty in the annual Kickball Showdown, parents compete in the annual house cheer competition, and student captains are honored for their leadership on the day. Volunteers coordinators invest substantial time in helping create teams, coordinate logistics, transportation, supplies, schedules, and parent volunteers throughout the day who facilitate all activities.
Deputy Coordinator 1 Year Lead / 1 Year Advisor
Games Marshall Event only
Student v Faculty Referee Event only
Head of School
Sa 4/26: TBD
IST is hosting its inaugural Freshman Formal: a 9th Grade only formal dance in partnership with 1-2 smaller, local high schools. Students may bring dates or attend individually. Current plans include a meal in advance of dancing and partying. Volunteers coordinate ticket sales, communication with other schools, marketing, decorations, meal & refreshment plans, music/DJ, and chaperones. Student Council members may be part of the planning committee in support of student buy-in and excitement.
Deputy Coordinator 1 Year Lead / 1 Year Advisor
Decorations & Refreshments
Coordinator Event only
Chaperone Coordinator Event only
Head of Secondary
Class Parents Year-Round One of the most important ways in which the IST parent community supports our school is by serving as Class Parents. They serve as the bridge between the Lead or Advisory Teacher and the families of the cohort. They facilitate class events, parties, gifts, or other activities. They help with general school communication and can provide insight and feedback for the school's administration as to the needs of the cohort.
Class Parents Year-Round Lead Teachers + Head of School
New Family Partners Year-Round (emphasis on Semester I)
Returning parents serve as "Trail Guides" for incoming parents, helping orient them to the school and get involved in campus life. This role is most timeintensive during the first semester. Trail Guides make a point to befriend families at events, introduce them to other IST families, and serve as a contact person for questions about how everything works at IST.
Deputy Coordinator 1 Year Lead / 1 Year Advisor
Trail Guides (Partner Parents) Year-Round (Semester I Focus)
Culture Club Year-Round
Library Year-Round
As an international school, we have so many amazing cultures, heritages, religions, and traditions to celebrate! The Culture Club organizes opportunities for students and families to engage and learn from these cultures throughout the year. Volunteers organize events roughly once per academic quarter with ways for students from all grade levels to engage.
Deputy Coordinator Year-Round Director of Development & Community Engagement
Gardening Club Autumn & Spring Growing Seasons
The IST Library is an incredible resource available to our students exclusively through the generosity of parents who have not only provided nearly all of the books in our collection but also in staffing the library throughout the year. Our PYP students visit regularly, and taking books home is a highlight of their learning journey! Volunteers check students out and help in restocking inventory. Time commitments are variable, and the library aims to be open 3 days per week for at least part of the day.
Deputy Coordinator
Clerical Support
Supervisor
Year-Round Dean of Teaching & Learning
Faculty & Staff Appreciation Committee
Year-Round
IST operates a community garden with a wide variety of plants, vegetables, flowers, and other projects or experiements from various projects or classes. The Gardening Club serves as the steward for this garden, working on weeding, irrigation, maintenance, protection, and cultivation. Volunteers gather at their convenience to work together during the growing seasons and occasionally on projects in the off-season.
Deputy Coordinator Autumn & Spring Growing Seasons MYP Projects & Programs Coordinator
The IST community knows just how important and special our teachers are! We love to celebrate and honor our faculty for their dedication and service to our students and community. Volunteers help organize recognition events or parties twice a year and occassional treats or snacks for the Faculty Break Room.
Deputy Coordinator Year-Round Head of School
Arts Booster Club Year-Round
(Emphasis on events)
The Arts Booster Club supports the performing and fine arts at the school by helping to setup and prepare for gallery exhibitions, performances, etc. They may occasionally organize a small fundraiser or support the Arts through providing or securing special resources.
Deputy Coordinator Year-Round Ms. Lemon
Athletics Booster Club Year-Round The Athletics Booster Club supports Trailblazer Athletics by helping with hosting of home games or other events organized by the Athletics Department. Volunteers may also organize small fundraisers or otherwise help the school with securing special resources.
Field Trips Year-Round Field Trips are fantastic learning experiences for our students, and we often need parents to help chaperone and ensure we have a safe ratio of adults to students. Parents are able to travel with the school and support the lead teacher in managing students, ensuring safety, and helping facilitate learning experiences.
International Trips Trip Week + Summer Occassionaly, the school will need additional chaperones on one of its international trips. In these cases, parents are a great resource for ensuring the trips are possible and run smoothly. Trip costs are typically covered by the school. Most international trips run 5-10 days, and parent chaperones will need to be available for the duration of the trip.
Deputy Coordinator Year-Round Director of Athletics & Activities
Seasonal Decorations Team School Year / Seasons We love to celebrate the changing of the seasons and celebrations throughout the year. The Seasonal Decorations Team helps to manage the school's decorative inventory and the changing of decorations by season throughout the school.
Uniform Exchange Welcome Back Party + International Festival
Twice a year, IST community members are able to exchange used uniforms for new sizes, collect needed items, and donate materials to the uniform exchange. This exchange is completely free and relies on the generosity of our families with their used clothing. Volunteers inventory stock and help to man the exchange tables at the designated school events.
Spirit Nights Team Year-Round Trailblazer families love to take the chance to gather for dinner, drinks, or an activity off-campus. Throughout the year, the Spirit Nights Team helps to organize opportunities for families to gather informally at local establishments.
Chaperones Year-Round Director of Operations
Chaperones Trip Week + Summer MYP Projects & Programs Coordinator
Deputy Coordinator Director of Operations
Deputy Coordinator Welcome Back Party + International Festival Director of Operations
Deputy Coordinator Year-Round Director of Development & Community Engagement
Under the Oaks Year-Round At the invitation of the Head of School, our IST parent community gathers together to pursue our life-long learning. Discussions and presentations are held on various relevant and important topics in education, child development, culture, the Arts, etc. Volunteers work with the Head of School to identify a series of topics that are relevant to parent interests, set agendas, and recruit any external speakers or partners as appropriate.
Nurse Support School year As part of supporting a healthy school and campus, parent volunteers support the school nurse and health center throughout the year. They can help with key events, such as vision and hearing screenings, as well as help with stock and inventory.
The signature fundraising event of the year is the school's Spring Benefit, a celebratory gala complete with great food, drinks, dancing, and various ways to support the school financially. This event is crucial to the school's ability to cover the tuition gap each year through parent and community Philanthropy. Volunteer Chairs and Coordinators invest significant time over the course of the whole year in planning the event, securing donors, auction items, etc.
Trailblazer Fund 1 week in Autumn & 1 week in Spring
The Trailblazer fund is the primary way in which the school covers the gap between the per-student cost of operating the school and tuition. We strive for the highest possible rate of participation from all families, regardless of the size of their donation. We want to cultivate a culture where our families all pull together to help support in whatever way they can. Volunteers contact other parents within their grade cohorts to encourage them to participate and help them understand the ways they support the school.