Families & Volunteers

Become a PALS Member

Email the PALS Coordinator

PALS Annual Membership Drive

PALS is looking for parents and staff members with ideas, passion, motivations, and a desire to build connection within the Oakstone Community. Please consider applying - with new members come fresh perspectives that help us bring new opportunities to OA and OCS! If you are interested, please fill out an application HERE.

PALS - Parents As Leaders Succeeding

What is PALS?

PALS was introduced in 2017 as the parent-led arm of the Oakstone Academy leadership program and provides the foundation for the entire school volunteer program. Members of the Oakstone Academy staff are identified for membership in the leadership teams due to their exceptional leadership, knowledge, and experience. They work as a team to continually enhance the educational experience of our student body. PALS selects individuals from our parent community who demonstrate strong leadership skills, passion for the mission of our school, and a commitment to service to respond to the needs of the school, create and lead programs that bring meaningful change, serve the needs of our staff and students, and build and strengthen our school community.

View the PALS 2025 End of Year Recap

A look at everything PALS has done this year:

Volunteering:

Groundskeeping,
Coordinated volunteers for staff and student planned events in need of support
- Poinsettia sale
- Thanksgiving feast
- Athletics program support
Coordinated parent volunteers and contributions for PALS events

Donations and Contributions:

OCS student-led staff appreciation project (Coffee Cart)
Theater Snacks for late rehearsals and shows (musical)
Playground equipment for recess use

Staff Support :

Staff Appreciation
- Q1 Staff Conference Lunches
- Q2 Staff Conference Lunches
- Staff Appreciation Week
  - Lunch
  - Parent/Student Notes
  - Prize Drawing
  - Staff Gifts and Chic Fil A cards
  - Desserts
Staff Support Programs Facilitated
- Classroom parent program
- Cut and Paste
- Portal Requests - materials and funds

Family Engagement:

Playground Meet Ups
Fall Lantern Walk
Hiking Meetups
Trunk or Treat
Mom's Night Out (Condado Tacos)
Bingo Night (The Family Room)
Family Day at Pins Mechanical
Family Mentor Program

Fundraising:

Over the course of the year, we have raised $6137.00 to fund the events and activities that benefit our students, staff, and community. To do this, we have done various fundraisers throughout the year:

Concessions at Trunk or Treat - funds raised specifically for support of performing arts, prom, and athletics
2 Chipotle Nights
Krispy Kreme Doughnut sales
2 Staff "Go home early" fundraisers
Event-based donation drives

PALS Structure

Members of PALS are more than just volunteers. PALS members plan, coordinate, and implement programming and events in response to the needs of our school and its community of staff and parents. PALS members are divided into Priority Groups - teams focused on a particular priority or area of need. Each Priority Group is led by a senior member of the group known as a Priority Group Leader (PGL.)

PALS touches almost every aspect of our school - we cover a tremendous amount of ground! That could get very overwhelming if we didn't divide and conquer! Priority groups give the members' roles focus and scope while creating an opportunity for our leaders to work on the things they are passionate about. And a clear chain of command aids in communication and maximizes empowerment.

Meet your PALS Coordinator

Rebecca Grady, born and raised in Ohio, has been an Oakstone Parent since 2017. After years of moving place to place with the Air Force, Rebecca, her husband Tim, and their three children settled in Westerville. Rebecca was a founding member of the PALS program. In February 2024, Rebecca accepted the role of PALS Coordinator/Parent liaison. She is passionate about our school and loves working with the staff and families that make up our unique academic institution.

You can find her at the 939 Bldg working at her desk in the commons. You can reach her by email at rgrady@ccde.org, or by phone at 614-749-7160.

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