The Renaissance International School

The Parents Association


The Parent Association is a volunteer organization that serves students and TRIS families. It offers opportunities for parent and caregiver involvement.

The TPA Offers Opportunities for Parent and Caregiver Involvement

TPA's goals are to:


  • Build community among parents, teachers, and staff
  • Enrich our children's lives by supporting TRIS 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 entire parent community to generously contribute their time and resources to enhance the TRIS program and build 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 Earth Day Celebration.

 

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.

 

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, 
  • Hold workshops for racial and gender socialization, 
  • Increase the number of field trips and assemblies
  • Construct a new playground
  • Initiate and support a physical education and financial aid program and
  • Upgrade technology for teachers and parents.


The TPA also facilitates community service efforts in our local community, the Dimond District, Oakland, and the world. Usually, these efforts are student-driven and parent-supported. The student contributions have shown a meaningful and positive impact on 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 meetings with the administration.

 

The TPA represents the diverse community of The Renaissance International School. We support the School's effort to enhance the educational experience through understanding and mutual respect for our diversity. We may differ in our cultural, ethnic, religious, intellectual, economic, ideological, or political views. However, we recognize and value that each of these qualities is integral to our identity and that the differences are essential to creating a vibrant school community composed of individuals with unique perspectives and backgrounds. Therefore, 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 the TRIS families. Please volunteer or contribute in any way.

TPA Board Members and Coordinators

The President shares responsibility for communicating between board members and the school administration, organizing and overseeing board decisions, and communicating with parents/caregivers.


The Secretary keeps 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.


The Treasurer manages the TPA's $5,000 annual operating budget and up to $80,000 in funds raised in various fundraising activities.

 

The Community Outreach Chair


  • Improves communication and relationships among the TRIS community, its Dimond District neighbors, and the City of Oakland (Community Outreach).
  • Encourages and supports community service opportunities within the school environment, and for TRIS families outside of school (Community Service).
  • Supports TRIS in service learning efforts as they prepare children to be thoughtful and active citizens (Service Learning).

 

The Celebration Chair organizes TPA-sponsored events. Usually, four additional Events Coordinators work with the lead together as a team.


Some event highlights include:


  • Fall and Spring BBQ
  • Halloween Parties for children
  • Teacher Appreciation Dinner
  • Annual Gala Fundraiser

 

The Fundraising Coordinators, Board Officers plan, oversee, and coordinate TRIS fundraising events.

 

The Social Chair welcomes new families, coordinates community events, and parent volunteers for school events.


The Marketing Chair collaborates with the internal and external community to further develop the TRIS network and funders by researching and developing marketing opportunities and plans.


The Environmental Chair collaborates with the school and community members for hands-on projects on campus or outside that deal with gardening, Earth Day, etc.


The Yearbook Chair collaborates with the school and community members to create and publish the school yearbook.


The Parent-Support Initiative Chair helps families new to TRIS or the Montessori method of education by facilitating meetings with more experienced parents in the community who can answer questions, share experiences, or provide support.


Don't hesitate to contact us to learn more about the TPA, join our meetings, or explore opportunities to get involved. TPA meetings are open to all parents, and we look forward to your participation. Please join us!

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