Parent Circle & Volunteering Connect with School Life Sign Up to Volunteer “Act as if what you do makes a difference, it does.” – William James Volunteering nourishes and sustains our community. Parent Circle (our association of parents and guardians) organizes a variety of volunteer opportunities, from simple tasks to more challenging roles, allowing you to choose what level of engagement works for you. All families are asked to give modestly of their time to support our school, and participating as a volunteer helps foster a sense of belonging and a connection with other families across the grades. From serving on the board of directors to driving for field trips, our community relies on a “barn-raising” spirit to stretch tuition dollars and foster real involvement and strong community bonds. See Volunteer Opportunties Community Matters A parent group committed to advancing diversity and equity within our school community meets monthly to exchange ideas about modeling inclusion and volunteerism for our children. We also gather to promote social justice causes in our Berkeley neighborhood and beyond. We have found that the best way to teach young people the responsibility of citizenship is to participate in it ourselves. Our events always include kid participation in meaningful service. Examples of Past Committee Work Expand Annual Walkathon to raise money for financial assistance Annual Coastal Cleanup at the Berkeley Marina Annual International Potluck, a lively evening with live music and dancing, when parents and kids come together to celebrate BPC's incredible international and cultural diversity Meal preparation and service for 100+ homeless people at the Dorothy Day House (an emergency winter shelter) Spanish book drive for displaced migrant farmworkers during the 2017 North Bay fires School visit by Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Program (BORP) to teach about adaptive sports for people with disabilities. Community Partnerships We are grateful to partner with Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS), an organization dedicated to helping homeless, poor, and disabled people achieve health and independence, and to fighting against the root causes of poverty and homelessness. We organize a holiday gift drive for children living at Harrison House, a nearby long-term family shelter. We help decorate the shelter for the holidays, and provide Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day gifts for the women living there. Our Nourish You lunch program leftovers are often brought here (or to an Oakland encampment). We have enjoyed a long-term partnership with the Multicultural Institute, opening up our classrooms for after-school academic tutoring for the children of migrant workers through their Mentoring for Academic Success (MAS) program. We also organize a Thanksgiving food drive for MAS program families and a holiday gift drive for the children. Volunteer Opportunities Sign Up to Volunteer Help Out with School Events Model your commitment to inclusion and social justice by participating in community service activities as a family Coordinate a game or run an activity booth at the Halloween Festival, Lunar New Year Festival, Art Exhibit Opening, or Games Day Lend a hand at much-beloved annual events like the Back-to-School Picnic, Walkathon, or Generations Day Connect with School Life Assist with grade-level projects and celebrations in the classroom Chaperone upper school dances or attend upper school sports matches Share your subject matter expertise as a classroom guest (we have many talented scientists, artists, and professors among our parent body) Chaperone a field trip to The Marine Mammal Center or the Asian Art Museum Be a Leader Take on a significant or supporting role organizing the Spring Soirée or Auction. With great systems in place, many hands make light work. Represent your class in Parent Circle, getting the inside scoop and coordinating parent volunteering Organize social activities for your grade, a parent night out, or the annual camping trip Be an Ambassador for Our School Lead tours of the school Welcome prospective families at admissions events Share the BPC experience with your former preschool or at community events like Oakland Pride or Solano Stroll Make friendly calls to interested families in the January phonathon See our Parent Education Events
