Parents Gather for Community Coffee

This morning, Post Oak parents gathered in the Bissonnet Campus gym for our annual Community Coffee (after a two-year absence). There was lots of socializing, volunteer signups, swag acquiring, yummy breakfast treats, and a short program by Maura Joyce, POPA Chairs, and Dads Club chairs to help parents feel the Post Oak love! After two years of Covid and canceled events, building community is what it’s all about! Thanks to everyone who attended. If you missed the coffee, here is a letter from Vareen Cunningham, one of our POPA Chairs about the start of the school year.

Letter from Vareen Cunningham, POPA Co-Chair

This year’s Post Oak Parents Association (POPA) brings many opportunities for parents to meet and make friendships, learn more about the school, and make a difference in their child’s school experience.

I remember, so many years ago, when I went to my first Community Coffee. I wasn’t sure what to expect, and I did not know any other parents at the school, but I’m glad I went. I have two boys in Post Oak. Both started in Primary; Aiden is now a junior, and Eli is a freshman. I know there are many ways to spend your time, but I have always benefited from making the time to support The Post Oak School.

One of my favorite times at the school is the POPA Workday & Coffee Chat, held on the first Friday morning of the month. Don’t be scared by the word “work.” The work includes easy things for teachers such as photocopying, separating thread and winding it on bobbins, cutting out things, or preparing items used for holiday projects. That’s the helping-the-school part, but you also have fun meeting and chatting with other parents in a casual setting. We talk about things like our favorite restaurants, coffee shops, vacation destinations, and of course, our children. You also get to see the school in action: older kids helping younger kids find their way, classrooms of kids diligently working independently and together, and sometimes your child walks by on their way to the gym or library. Everyone is welcome. Feel free to dedicate as much time as you like between 8:45 and noon.

POPA has several family socials coming up to start the new school year. Check the school calendar for dates and times according to your child’s level. Also, this year’s Welcome Cocktails will be on Tuesday evening, September 13 at the Museum District Campus. Come out for a drink and hear about all the great things going on in the community.

One of my kids’ favorite events is Family Fun Day. It will be on Saturday, November 5 at the Bissonnet Campus, and is chaired by Jelena Zhang and Angela Ebrahimi. This day is all about family. There are Mystery Boxes, crafts, games, food trucks, and the playground. I have volunteered every year at Family Fun Day because this day cannot happen without you, the parents! Volunteers are the ones who help run the craft and game booths that our children love so much. Plus, it’s a solid three hours of non-stop play when the parents can also visit together.

Grand Friend’s Day will be on November 17 and 18. These days are so special for Grand Friends because they can observe and understand why Post Oak is such a different and wonderful place. Older children, especially, take such pride in sharing their work. I’ve also found that it opens a new avenue of conversation between the children and Grand Friends when they are better able to understand the “work” of the Montessori child. Please encourage your child’s grandparents and other relatives to attend.

And for all you golfers out there, our second biennial golf tournament, Putting for Post Oak will be held Tuesday, April 4. The chairs for this event are Susanna and Clay Kartye. If you like golf, we are looking for committee members. This is a great opportunity to do what you love while helping the school.

Community service events this year are chaired by Gena Scurry and Jen Christensen. In the past, some examples of community service events have been creating blankets that are donated to an area shelter, working at The Houston Food Bank, and sorting clothes for a shelter. These events are very rewarding for the family and help to reinforce important values like compassion, sharing, and helping. I strongly believe that there is no better way to lead than by example and an investment of your time is a great way to teach what is important.

Every year, our teachers do so much for our children and you may be wondering, what can we do? Well, the teacher appreciation coordinator, Shonali Agrawal, is here to help. She has coordinated a sign-up for twice-a-month treats to be brought in. So, please consider sharing the love with the Post Oak teachers and staff by signing up to bring in snacks or treats.

For those of you who love books, we have a perfect opportunity for you in the library. I have volunteered for many years in the Post Oak Library and enjoyed every minute of it. It is sometimes quiet and sometimes very busy, but always interesting. During the quiet times, I would re-shelve books, reminisce on books I read to my children when they were younger, and, yes, read some of the books too. During busy times I would help children find information for class reports or books to read for fun. And believe me when I say that you will learn about all sorts of animals, plants, marine life, and places you never even thought about before.

Dads, be sure to set aside some time to hang out at our Dads Club gatherings [watch The Post emailed every Friday for announcements]. Our Dads Club chairs are Mike Purcell, Darryll De Vera, and Rob Johnson.

We are your POPA Chairs, Vareen Cunningham, Rhian McKinney, and Sabina Walia. Be sure to call or email us if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Vareen Cunningham
POPA Co-Chair 2022–24

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