Oriole is a non-profit co-operative: our classes are led by professional educators, and the school is guided by a board of directors made up of parents. Every family lends a hand — that’s what keeps our classes small, our fees lower, and our community close.
When you enrol, you choose the level of classroom involvement that suits your family. Either way, every family holds one volunteer role.
A parent or caregiver assists in the classroom on a Duty Day once every two weeks per child, in exchange for reduced tuition. It’s a lovely window into your child’s school life.
Can’t make a Duty Day? You can hire an assistant for the day or swap with another family.
Prefer not to assist in the classroom? Non-participating tuition covers a hired classroom assistant instead — no classroom assistance requirement at all.
Each September, families send us their top three choices and we match everyone to a role. Most are done from home on your own schedule; a few involve time at the school.
Give tours to prospective families during the school year — mornings during program, or afternoons once the children have gone home. Training provided.
Keep classroom and playground equipment, toys and furniture in good repair — assembling, painting and seasonal upkeep, often as weekend projects.
Help gather donations from local businesses and Oriole families for our annual Gala and silent auction, then help set up and enjoy the event.
Sort through the teachers’ class photos each week and pass the best ones to the Yearbook Editor.
Turn a year of class photos into a professionally printed yearbook that families treasure — using easy photo-book software.
Take home the dress-up clothes and towels once a week and bring them back fresh.
Mix a fresh batch of playdough each week using the school’s recipe — a favourite with crafty families.
Prepare craft materials for the classrooms — cutting shapes, tracing, lettering posters — at home or at school.
File the children’s artwork into their keepsake folders on a weekly or biweekly visit — done from the hallway before, during or after class.
Roles and counts are from the current school year and vary a little from year to year, based on enrolment.
Oriole is governed by an elected parent Board that meets about once a month in the evenings. Board work is mostly done from home, the time commitment is about the same as a non-Board role — and it’s a great way to meet new families and have a real say in the direction of the school.
Chair our monthly Board meetings and act as the link between the Board, our Supervisor and staff — helping set direction and keep the school running smoothly.
Support the President, help guide Board decisions, and step in to chair meetings when needed.
Take minutes at Board meetings and circulate agendas, minutes and records to keep everyone on the same page.
Oversee the school’s finances alongside our administrator — budgets, the annual fee schedule and a short financial report for each Board meeting. Comfortable with Excel and basic bookkeeping.
Set the year’s fundraising goals and lead the committee planning our biggest event of the year — Oriole’s silent-auction Gala.
Welcome prospective families — conduct tours on your own schedule, report on admissions at Board meetings, and help review the admissions process each year.
Come for a tour — we’ll walk you through Duty Days, volunteer roles and everything in between.