Getting Involved at School

At Santa Catalina, it is our hope that you will take an active role in the school community. Your involvement forms the foundation upon which many activities at school depend for success. Also, getting involved enables our school community to get to know one another and adds an important dimension to parents' commitment to their child's daily life. We encourage you to become involved to the extent that you are able by helping in the classroom, attending events, volunteering to help with projects, sponsoring activities, and joining organizations that work for the benefit of our students. It is hoped that through this involvement you will realize the personal satisfaction that can come from working as part of a team to enrich the educational environment at school.

Upper and Lower School Parents:

Annual Fund Advisory Committee  
The Parent Fund Committee is an invaluable component of the school's Annual Fund drive. The committee consists of volunteers from each class level who serve as liaison between the Development Office and other parents, communicating the purposes of the Annual Fund, encouraging participation, and acknowledging our supporters throughout the year.

Annual Benefit Celebration
A fall tradition at Santa Catalina, the Benefit Celebration brings the school community together in the month of October for an enjoyable evening to benefit the School’s Financial Aid Program.  The event includes wine tasting, a sit-down dinner, and silent and live auctions.  The Benefit Celebration is made possible through the efforts of Upper and Lower School parents, faculty, and staff who volunteer their time on a variety of committees.  Decoration, solicitations, and the benefit drawing are just a few of the areas where you might offer your talents in a fundraising event that makes a significant contribution to the school’s Financial Aid Program.

Santa Catalina Parent Association and Parent Association Board
Are you interested in being more involved at school? The Santa Catalina Parent Association, formerly known as the Santa Catalina Service League, helps to define the direction of the Parent Association and implement projects. The Parent Association meets monthly. Board Positions include treasurer, corresponding secretary, recording secretary, Christmas luncheon coordinator, and Lower and Upper School Representatives. Santa Catalina School parents are automatically members of the Parent Association. Recruiting begins in the spring for Board positions.

Faculty Appreciation Luncheon
Upper and Lower School parents join together to honor the dedicated faculty and staff of Santa Catalina at a luncheon in March.  The parents plan the menu and decorations for this event, held in the Upper School Dining Room.  A great number of parents are needed to help set-up, bring delicious food, and serve our faculty and staff.

Golf Tournament
The annual Santa Catalina Golf Tournament is held in the spring to benefit the school’s athletic program.  At the conclusion of the tournament, participants and volunteers enjoy a buffet dinner, awards presentation, and mini-auction. This tournament is made possible through the efforts of volunteers who have a vision and are willing to devote the time to make it happen.  Committees form in early January and include solicitation and planning.

Refreshments for Faculty Meetings
Upper and Lower School faculty meet monthly.  Parent volunteers provide much appreciated refreshments for these meetings.

Sign-up for eScrip
You can help earn money for Santa Catalina School by participating in the eScrip program. It only takes a moment to sign up using your ATM card or other major credit cards. Shopping at local stores that are affiliated with the eScrip Program allows you to support this easy fundraising event.  You may access eScrip on the internet at www.escrip.com or call 1.800.254.5404 to sign up for the program over the telephone. 

Upper School Parents:

Community Service Days
Upper School students participate in community service projects at different times during the school year.  Parents can assist with the coordination and execution of community service projects undertaken by the student body.  If you are a part of an organization that would benefit from some very capable assistance during a service project day, please contact Laurie Pope-Browne (832.655.9380) who will forward your request to the community service coordinator.

Support to the Athletic Program
Upper School athletes compete in twelve different sports.  Generous parents provide team treats at most of the team events and sometimes assist the coach. If you would like to offer assistance with the athletic program, please check  that option on the volunteer form. If you have already returned your form, contact Laurie Pope-Browne for more information.

Support to the Drama Program
Upper School actors participate in three major productions each year.  Parent volunteers can support the productions in various ways.  If you would like to volunteer for the drama  program, please check that option on the volunteer form. If you have already returned your form, contact Laurie Pope-Browne for more information.

Driving Assistance
There are a number of occasions when Upper School resident students require transportation to and from medical, dental, and physical therapy appointments.  In addition, there are students who ride at the various equestrian locations in Monterey, Pebble Beach, and Carmel Valley.  Administrators and faculty provide this assistance whenever possible.  If you have a little extra time to contribute in this area, it would be appreciated.

Event Hospitality
There are a number of events during the year when you can assist with event hospitality.  These include Parents Weekend, the Admission Open House, and the Commencement reception.  If you enjoy being part of a “meet and greet” committee, this is the volunteer opportunity for you.

Lower School Parents:

Carnival
Children and parents alike look forward to the Carnival as a family day of fun that benefits the Lower School. Volunteers help with Carnival fundraising activities that include a benefit drawing, class booths, t-shirt/sweatshirt sales, food booths, rides, and more. Serving on a Carnival committee is a great way to meet other parents while taking part in enhancing your child’s experience at school.

Pumpkin Olympics
The Pumpkin Olympics is a fun and healthy celebration of the Halloween holiday for Grades 1 through 8. Relay races and contests get everyone out on the field, including parent volunteers who join faculty and staff to help organize and cheer on the teams.

Grandparents Day
The Lower School children proudly give their grandparents a view of school life. This bi-annual event is held in the spring and includes Mass, classroom visits, and a picnic lunch. Parent volunteers are needed during the morning coffee hour to help serve and greet grandparents.

Art Show Volunteer
Santa Catalina Lower School students create works of art in a wide array of media throughout the year. Their best efforts are showcased in a weeklong art show produced in May by art teacher Susan Smith. The event is made possible with the help of many parents who assist in matting and displaying the artwork for this colorful show.

Book Swap
The Lower School Book Swap gives Santa Catalina children an opportunity to broaden their reading tastes. Children may bring a book to trade for another book. Parent volunteers help staff the Book Swap table at the Lower School lunches.

Big Sur 5K Run & Walk
The Big Sur 5K Run & Walk is an annual spring tradition that is a great event for the entire family while promoting health and fitness. . The School Coordinator for the run/walk will be in direct contact with a representative from the Big Sur Marathon offices in charge of this event. As School Coordinator, you will coordinate the paperwork and registration process and make the distribution of shirts, bib numbers, etc. to the respective runners. This is a great event that is enjoyed by all, especially the aspiring athletes in the Lower School.

If you are interested in getting involved, you can volunteer to help with any of the events or activities described above. Please contact , Director of Development, at (831) 655-9379.

Alumnae
Class Agent
Alumnae Class Agents perform a vital role each year, keeping classmates connected to school while promoting the importance of annual giving, and leading by example with their own gifts to the Annual Fund. If you would like more information on the role of Class Agents at Santa Catalina School, please feel free to contact the Development Office at 831.655.9379.

Class Secretary
Class Secretaries are the hub of communication for graduating classes. They contact classmates twice yearly for the Fall and Spring Bulletins. They update school on address changes. Class Secretaries also serve as communication resources to the Alumnae Board of Directors for a variety of projects such as the Distinguished Alumnae Award.

Reunion Coordinator
Reunion Coordinators volunteer to communicate with a small group of classmates and personally encourage them to attend Reunion to renew friendships, experience school today, and relive nostalgic memories. The Reunion Coordinators assist with planning weekend festivities for their class and promote support of the Annual Fund.