Get Involved - Ways to Volunteer
Volunteers are an important part of the culture at OPA and are welcome at all our schools. Listed below are ideas for different ways to get involved, stay connected, and volunteer. For volunteer opportunities or questions, please reach out to your specific school site and/or your child's teacher.
What are ways I can get involved and volunteer?
Classroom Volunteer
There are many opportunities throughout the school year to volunteer and participate in your child's classroom. Contact your child's teacher for additional information and specific opportunities.
Depending on the activity, volunteer clearance may be required. For information on how to become a cleared volunteer, visit the Volunteer Clearance webpage.
Honour Society
Honour Society is OPA's PTO! Honour Society works collaboratively to support the schools by hosting fun community events for families as well as providing funding and volunteer support for academic and enrichment activities. There are endless ways to participate and get involved with the Honour Society!
There are no dues associated wth Honour Society and every single parent is considered a member. Visit your school's Honour Society website for additional information:
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Parent Ambassador
Parent Ambassadors are volunteers who are also OPA experts and serve as a connection to other parents through involvement, education, and leadership. They can be found participating in a wide variety of activities supporting parents, such as:
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- Answering questions from other parents
- Providing education and learning opportunities for parents
- Building connections between parents and parent groups
- Representing OPA in community focus groups
- Supporting prospective OPA parents
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For more information, visit the Parent Ambassador Webpage.
School Site Council
The School Site Council (SSC) is made up of parents, staff, and administrators who work collaboratively to review the school plan or single plan for student achievement, budget, and provide counsel on matters of the school to the Chancellor. The SSC meets at least six times a year and membership is on a rotating basis. Applications for new members are open in the spring of each year. Members serve two-year terms.
Any parent may attend a School Site Council meeting during the school year, they do not need to be a member. However, only parents elected to SSC may vote if there is a need to change, modify, and/or alter the School Plan and /or school expenditures based upon student needs.
Meetings are held throughout the school year. Refer to your specific school’s Calendar of Events for dates and times.
Purpose of the School Site Council
- Promote stakeholder participation in the school.
- Disseminate information to the stakeholder communities and solicit views from community members.
- Advise the Board of Directors on matters affecting the well-being of participants in the school.
- Assist in the development, evaluation, and implementation of alternatives and solutions to issues that confront the school community and the Board of Directors.
Goals of the School Site Council
- Promote stakeholder participation in the school.
- Disseminate information to the stakeholder communities and solicit views from community members.
- Advise the Board of Directors on matters affecting the well-being of participants in the school.
- Assist in the development, evaluation, and implementation of alternatives and solutions to issues that confront the school community and the Board of Directors.
- Develop and evaluate educational goals and objectives that improve student achievement.
- Develop activities that generate greater cooperation between the community and the school.
- Provide a clear voice to specific needs that might arise at the school site (safety, facilities, etc.).
- Provide a forum for discussion of the school, plans and concerns, and supply feedback to the Board of Directors and/or associated bodies.
- Assist in promoting a positive school image and climate and effective relations with all school constituents.
- Encourage parent engagement, involvement in the educational process, and school connectedness.
- Review Annual LCAP (Local Control Accountability Plan) and provide feedback.
Local Control Accountabily Plan (LCAP) Meetings
As part of the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), school districts, charter schools, and county offices of education are required to develop, adopt, and annually update a three-year Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP). The LCAP focuses on eight areas identified as California's educational priorities and must include the overall vision for students, annual goals, and strategic actions needed to achieve the goals.
OPA engages with parents, staff, students, and the community to assist in developing this plan. All OPA stakeholders are invited to join us to review information and provide input for each of the four goals below:
Goal 1: Academic achievement and instruction
Goal 2: Highly qualified staff
Goal 3: Safe and secure learning environment
Goal 4: Stakeholder involvement and engagement
2024 Meetings:
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January 16, 2024
5:30 - 7:30 PM
OPA-SOC
23000 Via Santa Maria
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
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February 6, 2024
5:30 - 7:30 PM
OPA - SV
22882 Loumont Drive
Lake Forest, CA 92630
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April 16, 2024
5:30 - 7:30 PM
OPA - MS
22882 Loumont Drive
Lake Forest, CA 92630
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Other Events and Opportunities
There are many events and opportunities throughout the school year where parents are welcome (and encouraged!) to join in and get involved. Below are a few examples of these. Keep an eye out for communication throughout the year from the school and honour society with additional information on the event and how to sign up to volunteer and/or participate.
Campus Beautification
Family Fun Nights
Fundraiser Nights
Grade Level Meet-ups
Safety Committee
Chancellor Chats
Depending on the activity, volunteer clearance may be required. For information on how to become a cleared volunteer, visit the Volunteer Clearance webpage.