Volunteer Spotlight: Megan Hall & Heather Zornetzer

At French International, we are proud to have parents dedicated to positively shaping our school and enriching the lives of our students. Volunteering involves the entire family in a student’s educational life. Additionally, service is part of the IB educational philosophy as we teach students that we have a shared responsibility to our connected global community. 

Megan Hall chairs the new Parent Community Building Committee alongside co-chair Heather Zornetzer. The Hall-Fredrickson family (re)joined the French International community in 2022.  Megan is an alum (class of 2000) and now has two students here, Magnolia in second grade and Huon in PS. The Zornetzer-Kraft family also joined in 2022 and have Amelia in eighth grade, Zoe in sixth grade, and Niko in second grade.

Please describe your responsibilities with the Parent Community Building Committee

Megan: My goal is to develop fun and engaging school-wide events for FI parents and families that foster community. All of the events are free and exist solely for the purpose of bringing us all together. Right now we are aiming for four events per school year, although that depends on schedules and events that are already on the calendar. We decide on a date, what the event will entail, we design posters, hand out flyers, plan the details, and then set up and tear down on the day of the event. We have a really amazing group of parent volunteers who help put on each event and are always willing to spare time to make these events happen. 

Heather: For about a year now I’ve been working with Megan Hall and a great group of parents that have come together to further strengthen the community of FI families across the 3 schools. We are focusing efforts on several all-ages family get-togethers over the year - an international potluck dinner in the Fall, a Winter bingo night (coming up March 7!), and a family-friendly talent show in the late Spring. We meet virtually about once a month and collect ideas, plan logistics and brainstorm how to support in-person activities that strike a balance of bringing together families in ways that help celebrate the diversity of the school community. 

What drew you to volunteering in this capacity? 

Heather: Making time for community-building activities is a real challenge with busy kids and busy parents these days, especially with students attending FI from all over the Portland metro area. With three kids at FI - in eighth, sixth, and second grades - I was interested in trying to help strengthen school-community ties across the lower and middle schools. I’m excited to help with activities and less formal events that engage families and help us learn about and support each other beyond individual classroom projects and fundraising efforts. 

Megan: I am really dedicated to the French International community because I was a student here, and I want my children to feel the same level of love and joy from being a part of this school community. It takes a lot of work to put on events that draw people out of their houses and away from their normal routines, but I think it’s worth it! My kids absolutely love every single event that we have on campus and the chance to hang out with their friends outside of school hours. Plus, it’s great as a parent to meet my kids’ friend’s parents and parents in all other grades. We have such a dynamic community, and we don’t always get chances to hang out together outside of waving to each other from the pick-up line from our cars.

What do you enjoy the most about your role as a volunteer? Any particularly fond memories?

Megan: I love how much joy it brings my kids. They get so excited about being there, and to see them using and enjoying the school. I remember that feeling as a kid growing up too: hanging out in the gym in the evenings with my friends while our parents hung out nearby. It feels special and kind of magical to get to know your school and your community at different times. It also helps solidify for the kids that this is their school. I love volunteering because it’s a living, breathing, dynamic way of giving back and forming community. My kids see their parents on campus volunteering and it shows them that we value this experience and community that we’re all a part of. It brings me so much joy to hang out with our friends at an event on campus and see each other in different contexts. It’s fun! 

Heather: Bingo night in 2024 and this Fall’s “Hometown” potluck were so much fun. I have really enjoyed getting to meet parents (and kids!) from other grades at FI and sharing meals and drinks with people I wouldn’t have necessarily crossed paths with through my kids’ classroom communities. I also really appreciate that we have many teachers that are parents in the school community as well, and these events are opportunities to get to know faculty families - representing incredible international diversity - in a fun and less formal environment.

What message would you like to share with our community about the importance of volunteers at French International?

Heather: The French International ethos of engaging students in community service projects is one that is really important to our family. As a parent, I also wanted my kids to see us volunteering and supporting deeper community-building in tangible ways. We’ve done this at 6 different schools in 3 different countries over the years and it’s always been an important way to meet other families and connect to a place - across nationalities and languages.
My husband and I have volunteered with the Fête du Vin fundraising event all 3 years we’ve been at the school, the Fête de la Musique event last year, and we’ve both helped with field trips and classroom support when our work schedules allow. These opportunities have been a great way to get to know teachers, staff and other families in the FI community and help us to feel more connected to the proverbial “village” that’s shaping our kids’ world here in Portland.

Megan: Volunteers are everything! We have a wonderful staff and administration, but French International is really built on the backs of volunteers. From class parents to field trip volunteers to baking demonstrations to art project coordinators to Gala planners - volunteers make so much happen at this school. It’s a joy to be part of this community.

Thank you to Megan and Heather for their dedication and support!