UNCSA Parent Support Organization (PSO)
The Parent Support Organization (PSO) provides opportunities for parents to stay engaged in and contribute to the high school program. The PSO was started in 2009 by a handful of committed parents, and it continues today to invest in both resources and relationships that support the mission of the high school. Through your generous support, we have been able to equip our classrooms with 2-in-1 laptops for student use, establish a recurring student device scholarship, purchase a large-scale printer for printing student work, and much, much more.
Reinventing our in-person events
We are currently exploring ways to host virtual social events for parents, to replace our usual in-person events. Information will be posted on this web page.
PSO Board fall meeting (TBD)
Virtual Family Weekend cocktail hour via Zoom (TBD)
Coffee Talk webcasts - Throughout the fall we offer a forum to ask questions both in person and online.
December - The PSO Nutcracker Boutique, which runs concurrently with the annual "Nutcracker" performances, is usually our biggest single fundraising event of the year. While we are still working through the details of our in-person shop, we will again be keeping our holiday hit online for the time being so that people can get a jump start on holiday shopping whenever they like. The following link will take you to the Online Boutique, which is run for us by a local affiliate. Note: 20% of all purchases will go to the PSO, purchases over $50 receive free shipping, and the unique link can be shared with family and friends! Let's continue The Nutcracker tradition together!
How to be informed
Our UNCSA High School PSO Facebook page keeps parents informed about events on campus and provide updates on PSO activities. Parents can post on this forum to organize carpools, request help, or ask questions that other parents can answer.
How to be involved (even if you live out of town)
Here are some ways you can get involved as a parent or family member:
Attend our PSO meetings. We have a PSO meeting in October. It is a short informational meeting about our budget and the needs of the high school.
Volunteer. We recognize that it is difficult for parents to volunteer that live far away. We have an annual slate of officers if you would like to get involved as well as positions for Hospitality, Parent Directory and Social Media.
Participate online in the closed group UNCSA High School PSO Facebook page. It is a great way to stay connected to your student and events at the high school. Only parents of current students are invited to join this group.
Email PSO chair Anushka Paris-Carter at chairuncsapso@gmail.com.
Pack the Pickle Jar! a tax deductible way to support our wonderful high school teachers.
Shop. Harris Teeter grocery stores offers a Together in Education program that donates money when you link your VIC rewards card to UNCSA School Code 4682.
What we've done
Some of the accomplishments of the PSO include:
- High School Maker Space, with a large scale printer for student work, software for infographics, hand tools and robotics sets for “maker kits” that can travel to classrooms.
- The Prized Pickle Scholarship ($1000 a year for a student with financial need)
- Student laptop fund, where students with financial need can apply for a school-provided laptop.
- New computers for the student-run newspaper and yearbook.
- Summer training opportunities for teachers.
- AP exam snacks.
- Teacher appreciation events.
- New Parent Breakfast during Orientation, and Family Weekend Cocktail Party
- Senior gifts.
- High School PSO Facebook page.
Organizational Documents (PDFs)
- PSO Bylaws
- Proposed 2022-23 PSO Budget
- Contact List for 2022-23
- PSO Budget 2020-21
- PSO Budget 2018-19
- PSO Budget 2017-18
- PSO Budget 2016-17
- PSO Budget 2015-16