Get Involved

Part of the Ohlone philosophy is the notion that we are all connected. We see it on the Farm, in the classrooms, and on the playgrounds. There are many ways to contribute, and each contribution makes a difference for the entire community. Please take a look at some of the more formal organizations that exist at Ohlone. Perhaps one of them will speak to you as a place to invest your time, talent, or treasure.The Core Values Committee focuses on the Ohlone philosophy. They meet monthly and sponsor several events during the school year, including choosing a book to read that reflects the values of Ohlone. The CVC is made up of parents, teachers, and the principal. Membership is open to everyone.The Ohlone Farm is a unique learning laboratory, and the only working farm in the Palo Alto Unified School District. The Farm Council is a group of parent volunteers interested in supporting the educational goals of the Farm and helping with the operation and improvement of the farm. The Farm Council hosts the annual Harvest Festival and the Thursday Farmers' Market. They meet monthly and welcome all interested parents.The Site Council is responsible for overseeing implementation of the Single Plan for Student Acheivement (SPSA), allocating state funds, overseeing the school's Safety Plan, and supporting Ohlone at the school and district levels. The council is made up of faculty, staff, and parents elected from the community at large. They meet monthly.The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is the largest and most diverse group on campus. The PTA is made up of parents and teachers who organize, host, fund and implement many programs that augment the Ohlone classroom experience. When you join the Ohlone PTA, you also become a member of the national PTA, the largest student advocacy group in the country.Finally, there are a few ways to leverage aspects of your everyday life to benefit Ohlone (without ever having to go to a meeting!). Please consider mentioning Ohlone when you shop at Kepler's Books in Menlo Park. In addition to running our autumn book fair, Kepler's donates 10% of every purchase to Ohlone when we remember to tell them. Escrip, according to our Escrip coordinator, is just about the best thing since sliced bread! Imagine being responsible for donating thousands of dollars to Ohlone -- without one cent coming out of your pocket -- simply by shopping for groceries, gasoline, or gifts. Check out Laura's Escrip tips to find out how to best use this completely free, totally underutilized, and amazingly easy service. Finally, watch for opportunities to dine at restaurants in the area that have agreed to donate to Ohlone. Talk about everyone winning: you don't have to cook (or clean up!), you and your kids get to have a lovely evening with friends from school (get the kids their own table while you eat with some adults for a change!), and Ohlone takes home a big check at the end of the night that contributes directly to our students' education.