From Basel newcomer to community leader, Jessica Regester takes the helm at FELA to strengthen connections and celebrate community
ELABasel’s parent association, Friends of ELA (FELA), has welcomed a new Chairperson this year, Jessica Regester, who is passionate about bringing families together and strengthening the school’s sense of community. Jessica, who moved from the United States to Basel with her family in February, joined FELA shortly after arriving. “We didn ’t know anyone, ” she explained. “I joined FELA so that I could meet people and get involved in my kids ’ school. From the short time I’ ve been part of it, I have loved how open the team is and how much support they give one another. I can ’t wait to see what I can bring to the table.” FELA was established to strengthen community ties through enjoyable and inclusive events. Some of these, such as the Family Game Night and the Parent’ s (Only) Apero, are organised entirely by the association, while others, including the Winter Fayre and Art Show, are hosted in partnership with the school. “We try to offer a space for friends and families to get together outside of school time, where the focus can simply be on bonding and having fun, ” Jessica said. Having attended a number of events in the spring and summer sessions, Jessica quickly saw how important they are in helping new and long-standing families connect. “I love planning and organising events, so being part of FELA felt like a natural fit, ” she said. “The experiences we ’ ve had so far have made Basel feel like home much more quickly.” As Chairperson, Jessica is determined to make FELA more visible and accessible to all parents. “We want parents to see that getting involved can be easy, rewarding, and a great way to meet others, ” she explained. “Even small contributions can make a big difference to the success of our events.” She hopes to continue the strong foundations built by her predecessor Anna Reinersman, while also encouraging fresh ideas and broader participation.
“I have loved how open the team is and how much support they give one another. I can’t wait to see what I can bring to the table”
FELA’ s calendar for 2025/26 is already shaping up to be full of activities, from the ever-popular Family Game Night to the annual Pool Day Party. The team is also working towards the return of International Day, which Jessica believes could become one of the most special events of the year. “It’ s a wonderful opportunity for families to share their cultures through food, music, games and traditions. In an international school like ours, that kind of celebration can be so powerful.” One of FELA’ s strengths, according to Jessica, is that there is no minimum or maximum time commitment for volunteers. “A parent can bake for an event after the kids are asleep, help for an hour making badges, sell Bratwurst and Glühwein, take tickets for Movie Night, or even monitor Twister games—before joining in the fun themselves, ” she said. Jessica explained that this flexibility means that parents can contribute in whatever way fits their schedules. She also wants parents to know they are welcome to “just try it out” without any pressure to commit long-term. “Life is busy— we understand that. But every bit of help, whether it’ s spreading the word about an event or donating thirty minutes of your time, makes a difference.” For Jessica, FELA’ s role goes far beyond event planning. “We all know the saying ‘it takes a village.’ Well, FELA is that village! Especially in an international school where we welcome families from all over, it’ s important that we share those cultures with each other. It can be difficult being an expat, so having the FELA community to help support you as a parent, as a family, or as part of the school, helps everyone feel like they are part of the ELA community.” In addition to its social role, FELA also works closely with the school to enhance the student experience. Whether it’ s organising fundraisers, supporting creative projects like the mascot planters, or partnering with teachers to add something extra to school events, the association aims to create memorable experiences for children and families alike. Jessica sees this as another way FELA helps ELABasel stand out as more than just a school—it’ s a connected and supportive community.