The STEM Committee organizes academic enrichment programs focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

Volunteer opportunities are available at many STEM events/activities, including:

• Water Bottle Rockets @ Fall Fest
• Math Mornings
• Chemistry Week
• Family Math Nights
• Astronomy Night
• Hour of Code
• 4th and 5th Grade Science Fair
• STEM Night
• 1st Grade Chick Hatching

For more information about the STEM Committee and details about STEM-related volunteer opportunities, visit our STEM Committee page.

Did you know that Picture Day is completely organized by PTO parent/caregiver volunteers?

The Brackett PTO works with Coffee Pond Photography every year to host a Picture Day for the entire school in late September/early October as well as a Picture Retake Day in early December.  Volunteers are needed to organize and plan Picture Day as well as staff the event (which occurs during school hours).

Volunteer Opportunities:

Lead Picture Day Coordinator: The Lead Picture Day Coordinator is the point person for Coffee Pond Photography and also directs Picture Day and Picture Retake Day at the school.  Responsibilities include:

• Identifying dates for Picture Day and Picture Retake Day for the upcoming school year.
• Review and sign the contract with Coffee Pond Photography on behalf of the PTO.
• Coordinate with teachers to plan a Picture Day schedule
• Direct the event on Picture Day and Picture Retake Day (during school hours)
• Organize volunteers to help staff Picture Day

Commitment Time: 1-2 hours/week in September leading up to Picture Day to organize schedule/volunteers.  5-6 hours on Picture Day (during school hours).  2-3 hours on Picture Retake Day (during school hours)

Volunteer to Staff Picture Day: 1-4 hours (flexible) during 

Arlington EATS works to engage the community in eliminating food insecurity and hunger in Arlington.

Brackett and EATS have a long time partnership, and Brackett holds Food Drives in both the fall and spring to support their mission.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Food Drive Coordinator

Help coordinate the annual fall/spring food drives.  Coordinate with Arlington EATS about specific needs they may have at the time of the drive (each grade is assigned certain food items to donate), create/distribute a flyer promoting the food drive, find volunteers to collect donations at drop off/pick up, transport collected donations to Arlington EATS at the end of the week.

Time Commitment: about 1 hour/week in the 2-3 weeks leading up to the food drive (coordinate with Arlington EATS, find/communicate with volunteers, and create/distribute flyer)

Collect Food at Drop off or Pickup

Put out and monitor donation bins at drop off and pick up.  Bring donations into the school lobby to store during the week.  

Time Commitment: about 20-30 minutes during a pick up or drop off.  Volunteers are NOT required to commit to the entire week, help out with just one drop off or pick up time during the week!

Transport Food Donations to Arlington EATS

Transport food donations after the Food Drive is over from Brackett to Arlington EATS (located in East Arlington).  Car needed.

Time Commitment: about 1 hour after Food Drive week is over

Did you know that Brackett always has snacks on hand for students?

Has your student ever grabbed pretzels or an applesauce cup from the front office?

These snacks are provided by the PTO with support from Arlington EATS and coordinated by parent/caregiver volunteers.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Snack Ambassador Coordinator

Help coordinate with Arlington Eats to receive snacks for the Front Office and work with the PTO to buy additional snacks (if more than the Arlington Eats donation is needed).  Check in with the office throughout the year to check snack supply levels and be the contact person for the office if they run out of snacks.

Time Commitment: less than 1 hour/month

Third grade parents/caregivers lead students in an educational and fun day of hands-on lessons about life in New England in the 17th and 18th Centuries.  (Menotomy Day is during school hours).

Students churn butter, make candles, try writing with a quill and ink, and more!

Volunteer Opportunities:

Help Coordinate Menotomy Day

Organize and buy supplies for Menotomy Day (PTO funded, instructions and supply lists for activities provided), coordinate with teachers about schedule, communicate with third grade families about Menotomy Day via Room Rep emails and/or flyer, find and organize third grade parent/caregiver volunteers.

Time Commitment: 1-2 hours in the 2-3 weeks leading up to Menotomy Day (reviewing supplies available in PTO storage, buying supplementary supplies, coordinating with teachers/families/room reps/volunteers, creating/distributing flyer).  

Help run a table during Menotomy Day   

Help students with a Menotomy Day activity.  All supplies and instructions will be provided.  Activities include candle making, churning butter, writing with a quill, making a poultice, and more!

Time Commitment: 1-2 hours during Menotomy Day (during the school day)

The 5th Grade Committee coordinates a variety of fifth-grade traditions, including class t-shirts, yearbook, and a class gift to the Brackett community.

It also arranges a variety of class activities such as the fifth-grade social night, class field trip (in addition to the PTO-sponsored curriculum-related trip), volunteer opportunities for the students within the community, and the “Celebration of Learning” in June (formerly 5th grade graduation).

These traditions and activities are sponsored through annual fundraising which takes place through bake sales, movie nights, and family contributions.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Co-Chair the Fifth Grade Committee

Co-chairs oversee and coordinate the various fifth grade sub committees (e.g. yearbook, fundraising, community service, celebration of learning, etc.).  Co-chairs also keep track of the fifth grade budget, collaborate with the principal to schedule/plan fifth grade activities, order and distribute class t-shirts, and communicate fifth grade information with families and teachers through room rep emails, flyers, and fifth grade website (website support provided by PTO Board).

Time Commitment: averages about 1 hour/week, but varies depending on what fifth grade activities are happening at any given time.

Yearbook Team

Yearbook volunteers create the fifth grade yearbook.  Responsibilities include working with the yearbook vendor, creating layouts, organizing fifth grade submissions (generally an “about me” type questionnaire and a baby photo), obtaining photo releases from families, and getting kindergarten and fifth grade school portraits from Picture Day vendor.  Instructions, records from previous years, and vendor information will be provided.

Time Commitment: 2-3 hours/month (October-April) and slightly more during May (5-6 hours) to finalize the yearbook before print.

Fundraising Team

Volunteers raise funds for fifth grade activities, class t-shirt, yearbook, and class gift through organizing fundraiser Movie Nights, bake sales, etc.  The fundraising volunteers also send the family contribution letter to fifth grade families to raise any additionally needed funds.

Time Commitment: 1-2 hours/month to organize and run fundraiser Movie Nights and/or 5th grade bake sales at other school events (such as Glow Dance or STEM Night), plus additional time at these evening events to help fifth graders run the events/sales.

Community Service Team

Volunteers organize events encouraging fifth grade students to engage with their community through service.  Past years have worked with Arlington EATS, Food Link, Cradles to Crayons, and more.  Volunteers reach out to community organizations and find service opportunities and organize small groups of students (along with their adults) to go outside of school hours.

Time Commitment: 1-2 hours/month to organize community service events, create signups, and communicate service opportunities with fifth grade families.

Fifth Grade Social/Field Trip Team

Volunteers plan the fifth grade social/field trip by identifying an activity, coordinating a date with Dr. Vice and Fifth Grade teachers, booking the field trip and bus transportation (available through district if booked early enough), finding fifth grade parent/caregiver volunteers to chaperone, and creating/distributing flyers about the event.

Time Commitment: 1-2 hours/month in the spring to plan, plus coordinating/chaperoning during the school day field trip.

Celebration of Learning Team

Volunteers plan and organize the Celebration of Learning (formerly Fifth Grade Graduation) in June and the Class Gift (which is announced/presented at the Celebration of Learning).  Identify a date for the Celebration of Learning with Dr. Vice, plan the ceremony (with input from Dr. Vice), create/distribute flyer announcing the event, create programs to be given out at the event, coordinate with custodians for setup (e.g. microphones, risers), coordinate with music teacher about musical performance, arrange fourth grade parent/caregiver volunteers to volunteer at the event, and plan and purchase a class gift.  Previous years have arranged an art project involving fifth graders and their kindergarten buddies to make decorations for the ceremony (coordinate with fifth grade and kindergarten teachers).

Time Commitment: 1-2 hours/month in April-May, 2-3 hours in June, plus coordinating fourth-grade parent/caregiver volunteers before the ceremony.

Fall Fest is the first major PTO event of the school year.  We celebrate the new school year by coming together and connecting as a community through a variety of fall-themed activities and plenty of snacks and cider.  This year, Fall Fest will occur on Sunday, October 5, 2025 on the Brackett Playground.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Help organize Fall Fest

Organize activities and volunteers, organize the costume swap, order/buy supplies and refreshments, design/distribute flyer for event, lead setup/cleanup of the event.

PTO will fund all costs.  Instructions/guidance on how to organize the event will be provided.

Commitment Time: about 1-2 hours/week in the weeks leading up to the event; 3-4 hours on event day.

Volunteer to help staff the event

Help staff Fall Fest.  Help run the costume swap, assist with an arts and crafts, serve refreshments, help with setup/cleanup.

Commitment Time: 1-3 hours on event day.

Culture and Creativity Night is a chance for the Brackett community to come together and celebrate the diversity of cultural identity that enriches our school.

Families host “museum tables” that share their cultural identity — in the past, we’ve had arts and crafts, music, activities, and a samples of cuisines from around the world.  There are many sources of culture; some families choose to share their country of origin, but there are many groups and shared histories that have been featured as well!

Volunteer Opportunities:

Host a “Museum Table

Share your culture by hosting a table!  Past families have shared pictures, clothing, or items from their culture; done a traditional art or craft; or shared samples of their culture’s cuisine.  It’s up to you — be as simple or elaborate as you’d like!

Commitment Time: about 2 hours the night of the event (plus any preparation time that you may have at home beforehand)

Help Coordinate Culture and Creativity Night

Organize Culture and Creativity Night by identifying and coordinating table hosts, setting up and cleaning up the event, and creating/distributing flyers to families with event details.

Commitment Time: about 1 hour/week in the 2-3 weeks leading up to the event (mainly emailing/coordinating details with table hosts, and creating a flyer), plus 3-4 hours the night of the event.

Ready, Set, Glow! Put on some glow necklaces, grab some glow sticks, and show off your moves at the annual Glow Dance on Friday, February 6, 2026.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Help organize the Glow Dance

Organize the dance and volunteers, order pizza and refreshments and organize sales, schedule/coordinate with DJ, order glow items and organize sale, decorate the gym, design/distribute flyer for event, lead setup/cleanup of the event.

PTO will fund all costs.  Instructions/guidance on how to organize the event will be provided.

Commitment Time: about 1-2 hours/week in the weeks leading up to the event; 3-4 hours on event day.

Volunteer to help staff the event

Help staff the Glow Dance.  Help with refreshment sales, distribute/sell glow items, help decorate and clean up.

Commitment Time: 1-2 hours on event day.

An evening event held at Brackett, where STEM takes over the school. Volunteer parents/caregivers set up tables for a wide variety of fun STEM activities that the students can enjoy.

Last year, STEM Night had over 350 participants and volunteers hosted 17 activity tables, including:

• Touch-a-Brain
• Dry Ice Fun
• Sound: The Chladni Plate
• Straw Rockets
• Make Your Own LED Magnets
• Big Dice Bingo
• 3D Printing
• Math Games

This year’s STEM Night will take place on Friday, March 13, 2026.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Lead a Activity Table at STEM Night

Volunteers help run a STEM-related activity table during STEM Night.  This is your chance to share your favorite quick and easy science activity with the school!  Don’t have an idea for a table, but want to join in the fun?  No worries!  The STEM Committee has plenty of ideas and can supply the materials needed for your table — you just bring the fun by helping students explore the project/game at your station.  No science background needed!

Commitment Time: as little as 3 hours (30 minutes to review the project beforehand, 2.5 hours setting up and staffing your table during STEM Night).  If you have more time to contribute, consider joining the STEM Night planning team which meets virtually in the weeks leading up to STEM Night.

Help Staff a Table at STEM Night 

Volunteer to have fun helping students participate in STEM activities for part of STEM Night.  There is plenty of time to volunteer and still have the opportunity to explore the event with your student(s)!

Commitment Time:  about 1 hour at an activity table.  There will be an volunteer lead/organizer at the table to guide the activity and provide instruction.

Come enjoy a cold ice cream sundae at ScooperBowl!

All ice cream is FREE (provided by the PTO), DJ Dee will be playing some tunes — dance, enjoy the warm weather, and kick back with the rest of the Brackett community as we approach the end of the school year.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Help Organize ScooperBowl

Help find volunteers to help set-up and clean-up, order ice cream and pick up directly before the event (vendor information provided), create/distribute flyers for the event.

Time Commitment: 1 hour/week in the 2-3 weeks leading up to the event (email volunteers to coordinate, order ice cream, and create flyers), plus 3-4 hours during the event (pick up ice cream and setup/cleanup)

Help on the day of the event

Help with setting up, staffing the event, or cleaning up afterwards. 

Time Commitment: 1-2 hours during the event.

Celebrate the end of the year at June Fair on Sunday, June 7, 2026!

Volunteer Opportunities:

Help organize June Fair

Organize volunteers, coordinate with local food vendors, rent bouncy house, coordinate/hire DJ, organize/purchase supplies for arts and crafts table,

Commitment Time: about 1-2 hours/week in the 3-4 weeks leading up to the event; 4-5 hours on event day.

Volunteer to help staff the event

Help staff June Fair.  Help with refreshment sales, staff an arts and crafts table, monitor the bouncy house, and more

Commitment Time: 1-2 hours on event day.

The Fall Fund Drive is the biggest fundraiser for the PTO each year.  Its proceeds support the PTO’s mission to provide academic enrichment, teacher support, community events, fund all Brackett field trips, and more.

This year the Fall Fund Drive will be held Monday, October 6 – Friday, October 10, 2025.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Volunteers are needed to:

• Create and distribute flyers about the Fall Fund Drive
• Update the progress thermometer in front of the school

Time Commitment: 1-2 hours before and during the Fall Fund Drive.

The annual Brackett Book Fair raises money for the Brackett Library — on average the library earns about $2,000-2,500 in proceeds each year from the Book Fair.  These funds are used to purchase new books to add to the Brackett Library’s collection.

The fair lasts for one week and takes place in the Brackett Library, generally in the late-fall or early-winter.

This year’s Book Fair will take place December 1-5, 2025. 

Volunteer Opportunities:

Organize the Book Fair

Lead Organizer works with the vendor (Fantastic Book Fairs) to identify dates for the upcoming year’s book fair, coordinates parent/caregiver volunteers to help staff the fair (both during school and at family night), helps with fair setup (on the Sunday before the fair) and breakdown (Friday afternoon of the fair), creates/distributes informational flyer to school families, and is responsible for keeping sale earnings throughout the week.  

Time Commitment: about 1 hour/week in the 2-3 weeks leading up to the fair (coordinating with volunteers, creating/distributing flyers, Sunday setup) and then about 7-8 hours/day during the Monday-Friday Book Fair to supervise volunteers and cash drawers.  Lead Organizer duties may be spread out among a team of 2-3 volunteers, but a lead must be present at all times the Book Fair is open.  

Help Staff the Book Fair

Volunteers are needed to staff the Book Fair, responsibilities include:

• Helping students select and make purchases
• Running cash registers
• Restocking and organizing books for sale

Time Commitment: about 1 hour.  Opportunities include shifts during the school day, directly before and after school, and in the evening.

Read-a-Thon

Every year, Brackett students are encouraged to curl up with a good book as the school works together to meet a goal for minutes read over the span of two weeks.  Students log their minutes through an online portal where they also get to vote for what inflatable costumes the principals have to dress up in if they meet their goal.

Last year, the students were given a goal of 200,000 minutes, including reading both in and out of school — students far exceeded their target by reading 323,889 minutes!

The Read-a-Thon also serves as one of the major fundraisers for the Brackett PTO — family members and friends have the option to donate to their student’s fundraising page on 99 Pledges, where their contributions help fund the PTO’s mission to support academic enrichment, teachers, and the Brackett community.

This year, the Read-a-Thon will take place Tuesday, January 20 – Friday, January 30, 2026.

Literacy Week

The first week of Read-a-Thon is Literacy Week (Tuesday, January 20 – Friday, January 23), where students have fun-filled activities each day in and out of school.

The activities vary each year — previous favorites have been “Surprise Switcharoo” (where teachers switched classrooms for a special read-aloud story time), Read to a Furry Friend (students are encouraged to read to a special stuffie or pet at home), Drop Everything and Read (a surprise announcement was made during the day and students stopped what they were doing in class for a reading break), and Dress as Your Favorite Book Character Day.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Parent/caregiver volunteers are needed to organize the Read-a-Thon and Literacy Week by:

• Tallying students reading log submissions
• Managing the fundraising online platform
• Creating and distributing flyers and information about the Read-a-Thon
• Creating a Reading Log bookmark to be given to students.
• Brainstorming Literacy Week activities
• Purchasing and distributing “prizes” to students (e.g. pencils, stickers, bookmarks that are given to all students)
• Updating a progress “thermometer” at the school during the event

Commitment Time:  varies depending on the task — the Read-a-Thon is a generally a team of volunteers that share/split the above responsibilities.  Expect about 1 hour/week in the 2-3 weeks leading up to the Read-a-Thon and 1-2 hours/week during the two-week Read-a-Thon.