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The Parents Association  

The Parents Association of The Renaissance School

Mission Statement

The Parents Association (TPA) of The Renaissance School is a volunteer organization created to serve the school and TRS families by providing opportunities for parent and caregiver involvement. Our goals are to:

• Build community among parents, teachers, and staff

• Contribute to the enrichment of our children’s lives by supporting TRS events and programs through fundraising and volunteer activities

• Facilitate regular communication between the school administration, the TPA and the parent body

• Support community service efforts locally and globally.

The TPA relies on the generous contribution of time and resources from the entire parent community.  All of our efforts have the ultimate goal of enhancing the TRS program and building the highest quality experience for the children and their families.

The TPA hosts several events throughout the year to introduce families to each other and provide a sense of community among parents, caregivers, children, teachers, and staff.  The events include fall and spring BBQs, a teacher appreciation dinner, and two school “Environment Days.” 

The TPA organizes volunteers to support school events such as Back-to-School nights, New Family Orientation, musical performances, and the Art Show and organizes parties for the children such as the annual Halloween Party among other events.  

Each year the TPA engages in fundraising activities to support important school programs.  Past fundraising efforts have made it possible to launch a school library and financial aid program as well as upgrade technology for teachers and parents.

The TPA also facilitates important community service efforts in our local community, the Dimond District, Oakland and around the world.  Usually these efforts are student-driven with support from the parents and have shown great results for our children and the project beneficiaries.

Finally, the TPA strives to facilitate timely communication between the parent community and school administration through regular newsletter and email updates, community meetings and regular meetings with the administration.

The TPA represents the diverse community of The Renaissance School.  We support the school’s efforts to enhance the educational experience through the understanding and mutual respect of a community of diverse families.  Our differences may be cultural, ethnic, religious, intellectual, economic, ideological or political but each of these qualities is integral to the identity we form as individuals, and all are essential to creating a vibrant school community composed of individuals with unique perspectives and backgrounds. We must all commit to a policy of inclusion, respect for difference, and fairness to build a foundation for our children and their school.

The TPA can only achieve these goals with the help and support of TRS families.  If you would like to volunteer, please contact Kerry Friedrichs or Sharma Hendel.

2008-2009 TPA Board Members

Co-Presidents: Kerry Friedrichs & Sharma Hendel

The TPA Co-Presidents share responsibility for communicating between board members and the school administration, organizing and overseeing board decisions and communicating with parents/caregivers.

Secretary, OPEN

The Secretary is responsible for keeping records of Board actions, including overseeing the taking of minutes at all board meetings, sending out meeting announcements, distributing copies of minutes and the agenda to each Board member, and assuring that records are maintained.

Treasurer, Gabriele Amtmann

The Treasurer is responsible for managing the TPA’s $5000 annual operating budget and up to $25,000 funds raised in various fundraising activities.

Community Outreach, Alicia Clay-Jones

Community Outreach goals are:

• Improve communication and relationships among TRS community, its Dimond District neighbors and the City of Oakland (Community Outreach).

• Encourage and support community service opportunities within the school environment as well as for TRS families outside of school (Community Service).

• Support TRS in service learning efforts as they prepare children to be thoughtful and active citizens (Service Learning).

Events Team, Kelly Stratman, Jay Moxley, Jennifer Kimpe, Elena Sobel, and Tina Petrich

The Events Coordinators are responsible for organizing TPA sponsored events. There are usually four Events Coordinators each year who work together as a team.

Fundraising
The Fundraising Team is responsible for planning, overseeing and coordinating TRS fundraising events.

Gala Chair, Kim Collins

Primary Fundraising, Tuyen Ho

Elementary Fundraising, Renee Richard-Smith and Maria Pflaum

Newsletter Publisher/Content, Manuela Roth
The Newsletter Publisher is responsible for the layout, editing, printing, content gathering and distribution of the TPA Newsletter.

Communications/Technology Coordinator, Richard Nelson
The Communications/Technology Coordinator is responsible for consulting with TRS about technology as well as assisting the Board with events and activities related to technology.

Volunteer /Hospitality Coordinator, Kara Nossardi
The Volunteer/Hospitality Coordinator is responsible for finding and coordinating parent volunteers and food for school events.

New Family Coordinators, Cynthia Battenberg and Anya Byrne
The New Family Coordinators are responsible for welcoming and providing support to families new to The Renaissance School and families transitioning from Pre-primary to Primary or Primary to Elementary, as well as coordinating Room Parents.

Team Green Liaison, Jay Moxley

The Team Green Liaison is responsible for providing input from the TPA to Team Green – a group of parents who meet periodically to talk about nutrition, recycling, and other “green” issues.

To find out more about the TPA, how to serve on the Board or volunteer for an event or activity, or the date of the next general meeting, please call or email any board member.  We encourage all parents to attend our general meetings.

Please join us!