Open Classroom

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

10 members

Our goal is to foster connections, inspire and motivate the OC community, and build relationships through events and activities.

What we do:

Back-to-School Picnic: book the pavilion, facilitate the picnic setup, cleanup, marketing and other tasks (Fall).
Art Stroll Carnival: plan the carnival booths and prizes, including free activities. Assist in the coordination of volunteers for booths, and facilitate the carnival setup and cleanup (Spring).

COMMUNITY SUPPORT REPS

13 Members (1 per classroom. 1-2 Chairs) Classroom reps are selected by teachers. 

Our goal is to help classroom families and teachers feel supported and connected by leading meaningful events and offering consistent communication and care.

What we do:

• The chair will manage the coordination of the events.  Class reps will support the chair in planning the events as needed. Events to be coordinated:
  • Coordinate 2 PTK dinners (October & February)
  • Coordinate Staff Appreciation Brunch.  If desired, coordinate associated activities for Staff Appreciation Week. (Spring)
• Class rep responsibilities: 
  • Coordinate support for class families in need (year-round, as needed).
  • Assist Philosophy committee to increase community engagement in parent meetings.  CS Rep will take attendance at parent meetings and reach out to parents who are absent at meetings (year-round).

CO-OP REPS

6-7 members (1 rep per grade blend, 2 chairs.  Chair can also be a rep). Classroom reps are selected by teachers. 

Our goal is to coordinate and manage the class co-op schedules in our grade blend and work with the Philosophy committee to provide community education and support to new families. 

What we do:

• 2025-2026 Blends: Kinder, 1/2, 3, 4/5, 6-8
• Work closely with teachers to coordinate and manage the class co-op schedules for the grade blend classrooms, including initial summer planning, year-round adjustments, and problem solving (summer and year-round).
• Work with the Philosophy committee to create content for co-oper education for the community (year-round).
• Assist the Philosophy committee in offering ongoing support to the new families in their grade blend. Co-op reps will send monthly emails to new families to highlight important info and events. (year-round) .

COORDINATION COMMITTEE

3-4 members

Our goal is to effectively coordinate and energize OC committees, and to manage marketing and communication of committee events and activities within the OC community.

What we do:

• Coordinate the OC committees: create and promote sign-ups for the committees, welcome new members, and manage changes to the committees (year-round).
• Train committee chairs (fall).
• Support committees as needed (year-round).
• Manage the marketing system to promote committee updates, events, and activities to the community through weekly parent letters, social media, and monthly parent meeting (year-round).
• Maintain the OC Committees shared drive (year-round).
• Coordinate the Art Stroll with the Fundraising, V&PA, and Community Connections committees (spring).
• Lead annual committee audit meeting (spring).

Garden Committee

7 members

Our goal is to collaborate with teachers, students, and the community to cultivate and maintain an outdoor garden space that provides enriching and hands-on learning experiences throughout the year. 

What we do:

• Planting, harvesting, construction, creation and watering of the garden beds (spring/summer/fall)
• Work closely with teachers and students to create an outdoor classroom space that can be used for a variety of curricular experiences (year-round)
• Connect with programs in the community to enhance the garden program (year-round)

See the Garden page for more details & pictures.

10 members

Our goal is to support the librarian in maintaining a thriving library environment throughout the year, with a key focus on organizing and executing the annual Book Fair. 

What we do:

• Annual Book Fair: Plan, execute, manage, set-up and take down the Annual Book Fair (Fall).
• Library Maintenance: Assist the librarian with ongoing library maintenance tasks.  Tasks may include but are not limited to:  reshelving books, preparing new books for circulation, and checking books in and out for students (year-round).
• Library Displays: Coordinate themes for the library display case in collaboration with the librarian, other committees, or student groups (year-round).
• Visit our Library Learning Center for more information.

OC PHILOSOPHY

5 members

Our goal is to share the Open Classroom’s child centered, learning-together philosophy with the community and integrate it into the daily school environment.

What we do:

• Education: Educate our community about the Open Classroom philosophy through monthly parent meetings, digital flyers and videos (year-round).
• Co-op Education Support: Collaborate with the Co-op committee to educate the OC community on the “what” & the “why” of co-oping (year-round).
• Community Engagement: Collaborate with Community Support reps to increase community engagement in parent meetings (year-round).
• New Families Support:
  • Lead 1-2 New Families Orientations (fall, mid-year if needed).
  • Work with Co-op Reps in offering ongoing support to the new families in their grade blend (year-round).

PUBLICITY

10 members

Our goal is to increase student enrollment, retain current learners, and share the philosophy of the Open Classroom school.

What we do: The Publicity committee has two co-chairs with specific responsibilities, who collaborate to provide mutual support:

• Enrollment & Retention Chair:
  • Prospective Parent Info Night (PPIN): Host 3 per year (1 at the beginning of the year, 2 in January-March).  
  • Tours: Manage organization and communication for monthly in-person and zoom tours. (year-round).
  • Retention: Collaborate with Upper teachers to market the Uppers program to current 3rd-5th grade families, including creating distinct events that market directly to parents and current students.  
• Marketing & Outreach Chair
  • Maintain school banners (year-round)
  • Conduct outreach marketing to local preschools and daycares (year-round).
  • Create art and content for advertising campaigns (year-round).
  • Create and submit flyers for district wide advertising .
  • Support and host OC Community Awareness Events, including: 
    • Avenues Street Fair (fall)
    • St. Patrick’s Day Parade (host in March)
    • Yard Sign sales

STEERING EXEC COMMITTEE

6 parent members (2-year terms). Elections occur annually in May. 

Our goal is to serve as the Open Classroom’s central point of coordination and communication for parents and school operations, and to serve as the SCC for the OC. 

What we do:

• Serve as the Open Classroom’s central point of coordination and communication for parents and school operations. 
• Identify and collaborate with others to address the school's needs. 
• Serve as the School Community Council (SCC) for the Open Classroom. 
• Plan and run the Steering Body meetings. 
• Discuss and approve official proposals for: events, fundraisers, calendar items, use of PFOE funds, and changes to the PFOE budget. 
• Members attend monthly SCC and Steering Exec meetings (via Zoom). Steering Body meetings can be hybrid (in-person and Zoom) or Zoom only.

TRAFFIC

25 members

Our goal is to ensure the safety of students during drop-off and pick-up by guiding and controlling traffic flow, and maintaining designated safe zones. 

What we do:

• Ensure students safely reach the curb and monitor student/parent car drop-off and pick-up procedures (year-round).
• Volunteers commit to one 25-minute shift per week, either in the morning (8:20-8:45) or afternoon (2:55-3:20).  
• Manage traffic flow by setting up cones and signs at the beginning of each week, and removing them at the end, as well as on days with early release or holidays.
• Attend one meeting in August before the school year begins.  Communication is primarily in person or via email/text.
• Maps and Transportation page

VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS

10 members plus art co-opers. In addition to sign-ups, art co-opers will automatically be added to the V&PA committee.

Our goal is to enrich the school environment by providing diverse opportunities for students to engage in the creation, experience, and appreciation of visual and performing arts. 

What we do:  The V&PA committee has three co-chairs with specific responsibilities, who collaborate to provide mutual support:

• V&PA Program Chair:
  • Oversees Frost Fest (winter)
  • Manages the ceramic program: including purchasing clay and supplies, kiln management, and offering training at the beginning of the year (year-round)
  • Coordinates additional art activities within the school, based on committee interest and initiative.
• Visual Arts Chair:
  • Art Stroll classroom support: supports art co-opers with classroom galleries, including sharing tips and ensuring they feel supported. (year-round)
  • Art Stroll: oversees Gallery Passport management and set up to promote visibility of classroom galleries
  • Support classroom art co-opers in developing age-appropriate art activities (year-round)
  • Maintain and stock the art closet (year-round)
  • Manage the monthly classroom art spotlight (year-round)
• Performing Arts Chair:
  • Supports the school’s performing arts programs and events, including the Uppers Theater program and Talent Show (sponsored by the Uppers) (winter)
  • Coordinates upper parent involvement for additional support, such as donations of concessions, ticket sales, program creation, audition support, and costume creation.
• Visit these pages for examples- Art, Dance, Theater, & Music.

YEARBOOK

5 members

Our goal is to create a yearbook that captures the spirit of the school year for all students, showcasing events, activities, and community involvement. 

What we do:

• Work with the school secretary to manage yearbook orders, payments, and communication with the yearbook company (year-round).
• Photograph school events and activities, and collect photos from the school community (year-round).
• Assist with page layout and proofreading (winter and spring).
• Organize the Uppers yearbook group, which will offer opportunities for Upper students to learn and assist with photography of school events and community activities, page layout, and artwork for the cover and interior (fall and winter). 
• Promote and sell yearbooks (winter and spring).

Charter Renewal

6 members 

Our goal is to develop a comprehensive and compelling charter renewal application and secure district approval for the charter renewal.  Due in May 2027.  Committee will consist of current and past Steering Exec members, teachers and staff, and current families.

What we do:

• Develop a charter renewal application that 
  • Demonstrates our school's success in meeting its educational objectives, legal obligations, and the needs of its students and community.
  • Articulates a clear vision for the school's future, including specific goals, strategies, and innovations for continued improvement.
  • Ensures the renewed charter aligns with all applicable state and district requirements.
• Secure approval from the governance bodies of Open Classroom.
• Secure district approval for the charter renewal, enabling the school to continue providing high-quality education to its students for the next charter term.

FUNDRAISING

10 members

Our goal is to meet fundraising targets to support our whole-child education philosophy that emphasizes community and individual expression.  This committee will plan, execute, and manage multiple fundraisers.  

What we do:

• Walk-a-thon (September) 
• Silent Auction (winter) 
• Art Stroll: food trucks and retail vendors (spring)
• OC merchandise and coffee sales including but not limited to the first day of school, Halloween celebration and Solstice celebration. The Penguin Pride Annual Merch sale and other sale days will occur depending on the desire and initiative of the committee (year-round).
• Manage and promote passive income opportunities, including recurring donations and rewards, Smith’s Inspiring Donations, & Donation Matching Program (year-round).
• Corporate Sponsorships and grants (year-round)
• Based on committee interest and initiative, the committee may solicit corporations for new corporate sponsorships, apply for grants, and manage paperwork and annual requirements for current corporate sponsorships
• Other events based on committee interest and initiative.
• See our Donation pages for more details.

STEERING BODY REPS

13 members (1 rep per classroom). The parents of each class will elect a steering rep at the beginning of the year.

Our Goal:  The Steering Body is central to our Shared Governance.  Elected volunteers will serve as an advisory committee to Steering Exec in order to enhance student success, improve policies, represent parent perspectives, and build  community. 

What we do:

• Attend Steering Body Meetings 1x/month to discuss and approve activities, policies, procedures and budgets. Meetings occur on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 6:30pm.  Meetings are hybrid (in person and zoom) or zoom only.
• Share Steering discussion points with classrooms, generate discussion during Parent Meetings and gather input from classroom members via Parent Meetings and email. (year-round)

8TH GRADE FIELD TRIP RESPONSIBILITIES

Upper families

Our Goal:

• Raise money to cover the annual deposit for the 8th Grade field trip.  Deposit covers the cost for 5 students.

What we do:

• Talent Show & concessions (Winter)
• Art Stroll Concessions (Spring)
• Penguin Pride Annual merchandise - depending on the desire and initiative of the families

5 members

Our goal is to design and deliver a series of engaging events and celebrations that honor the Open Classroom's 50th anniversary. The 50th year is 2026-2027. The committee will consist of current families, alumni, and staff.

What we do:

2025-2026: Planning & Proposal Phase

• Brainstorm and develop a diverse range of celebration ideas, including but not limited to monthly events and a grand celebration.
• Establish a detailed timeline for all planning and execution activities.
• Prepare proposals for necessary funding for anniversary events.  Present proposals for review and approval.

2026-2027: Execution & Celebration Phase

• Finalize all event logistics, including vendor contracts, venue arrangements, and marketing materials.
• Execute and manage all aspects of the celebrations, including budget, scheduling, and participant experience.