FAMILY COMMITMENTS

As a parent cooperative school, Medaka no Gakko relies exclusively on its parent volunteers to support the school programs and curriculum. One parent from each family must attend a mandatory orientation meeting and assist in four areas: classroom, committee, maintenance, and support of the Palo Alto Obon Festival. Your efforts are essential to the success of the program and are sincerely appreciated!

Parents' Orientation Meeting

Scheduled for Monday, May 18 at 7:00 p.m., in person, at the Palo Alto Buddhist Temple. This meeting is mandatory for new and returning families and should be attended by the parent who will fulfill your family commitments. At the meeting, you will confirm your parent co-op duties, receive the school handbook, meet with your child’s teacher, and have initial committee meetings.

Classroom Duties

Parents assist in the classroom for at least one day. Parents may be required to work additional days, up to 2 work days. Please be on time (8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.) and no siblings! Parents are preferred in the classroom; but if there is another capable adult in the parent’s place, please contact the Parent Participation Coordinator.

Committees

One parent from each family must serve on one of the committees below.

Arts & Crafts Prep – Prepare materials for classroom projects before the summer session. Projects will be distributed at the orientation meeting in May and must be completed by the first day of session. Projects are detailed in nature and may include sewing, woodworking or other intricate craft work.
Community Development – Supports in fundraising and community building events. They must be available to help with at least five of these activities during the session: setting up merchandise after Maintenance Day 1, selling merchandise before school (approx. 8:30-9:00 am) or at the Senior Luncheon; helping assemble bento lunches the first two Fridays of the session; office work such as helping make and distribute flyers or tallying and printing out bento orders; inventorying merchandise at Maintenance Day 2; or other activities to support the Community Development Coordinator.

Newsletter – Help write and organize 4 newsletter issues highlighting Medaka no Gakko activities. Committee members will rotate assignments, capturing photos and detailed observations during events and demonstrations. Committee members on assignment have special access during these events and demonstrations, not open to all families. Enjoy schedule flexibility, attend 2 to 3 in-person events/demonstrations (typically 1 to 2 hours each), write and edit from home. The end-of-session Open House slideshow is produced as the only assignment for one committee member.

Senior Luncheon – Help prepare for and host the annual luncheon for the Medaka community seniors. The sheduled date is Wednesday, July 1, with food preparation happening the night before. Committee members must work shifts on both the night before and day of the luncheon, as well as assist in one additional area: donation solicitation, decorations, or shopping.
End of Session Open House – Assist with planning and pulling together the finale to the summer session to be held Friday evening, July 10. Involves order processing, purchasing obento dinners, Friday morning set-up, serving during the event and clean-up. Committee members must be available the day of the Medaka Open House.
Special Events – Undokai (Japanese sports day) on Friday, June 26 – Coordinate and facilitate events with classroom parent helpers. Mochitsuki on Tuesday, June 30 – Organize and oversee the mochitsuki demonstration. Includes recruitment of volunteers and set up the morning of the event.

Maintenance

Participate in both maintenance days, to open and close the school. This involves cleaning classrooms and other facilities, moving tables and chairs, and setting up or taking down the office.

Maintenance I: Opening — Saturday, June 20, 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Maintenance II: Closing — Saturday, July 11, 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Obon Festival

Medaka families must work at the Obon Festival to be held on the weekend of August 1-2. Families will work one shift (~3 hours) in support of the festival and to show the Buddhist Temple appreciation for use of their facilities.