Committee Descriptions

OCG is a parent-run school and requires all families to participate in one of our committees. The Parents Association and Committees helps to govern and administer all aspects of the school, from events to budgets to curriculum matters. Families that do not fulfill committee requirements will be assessed a $500 Committee Opt-Out Fee per year.

Families will request to volunteer for committees at the time that they register for classes. Because each committee has a capacity limit, families should request more than one committee. Note that some committees may have a language requirement, and many have specific date requirements.

Cooking (16 positions)

This committee will be responsible for preparing food for Natsumatsuri and the mochi at Mochitsuki. During other months, members will prepare and sell lunches (spam musubi, curry, sushi rolls, onigiri, etc) as a fundraiser. All members must be available for Natsumatsuri on August 29, 2026 and Mochitsuki on January 23, 2027. Members will then be on rotation for the lunch fundraisers.

Curriculum Support (8-10 Positions)

This group will work with the teachers in preparing curriculum-related materials for classroom use. Another function will include running the school’s lending library. Committee members must be able to read and speak Japanese. Hours will be from 9:00am to 12:45pm on a rotational basis.

Events (15 positions)

Members will assist with executing the 11 cultural events throughout the school year. Work includes set-up, manning booths and break down (cooking has been separated to a different committee). There are three events that are mandatory for all members. They are all day events and require as many volunteers as possible. You are then required to sign up for two of the other non-mandatory events for participation in a total of 5 events.

August 29, 2026 – Natsumatsuri (Summer Festival) – Mandatory for all members to assist
October 31, 2026 – Shukakusai (Harvest Festival)
December 19, 2026 – Gakushu Happyokai (Class Presentations)
January 23, 2027 – Mochitsuki – Mandatory for all members to assist
February 6, 2027 – Setsubun/Mamemaki
March 6, 2027 – Hinamatsuri
April 24, 2027 – Undokai (Sports Festival) – Mandatory for all members to assist
May 1, 2027 – Kodomo No Hi (Children’s Day)
May 15, 2027 – General Meeting
June 5, 2027 – Graduation and Year End Party

Local Outreach & Donation (4 positions)

This committee will focus on securing the resources needed to make our school and school events a success. Responsibilities include reaching out to local businesses for donations needed for our many events as well as maintaining a database of our community supporters to ensure they are recognized and thanked for their generosity. Basic computer skills and ability to visit and follow up with local businesses required.

Marketing (2 Positions)

This committee will be in charge of running any student competitions (i.e. shirt design, mascot design, etc) and anything pertaining to brand management and design. Members must have experience in marketing, brand management and/or graphic design.

Photography (4 positions)

Responsible for taking photos of school events, classroom photos and providing photos to committees for social media posts and marketing materials. Photographers will be expected to edit photos as necessary and have their own equipment. Experience with live streaming using OBS and Youtube is optional but a plus. Members will be on a rotational basis and must be available for at least half of the events listed below:

August 8, 2026 - Opening Ceremony
August 29, 2026 – Natsumatsuri (Summer Festival)
October 31, 2026 – Shukakusai (Harvest Festival)
December 19, 2026 – Gakushu Happyokai (Class Presentations)
January 23, 2027 – Mochitsuki
February 6, 2027 – Setsubun/Mamemaki
February 20, 2027 - Class Photos
February 27, 2027 - Field Trip
March 6, 2027 – Hinamatsuri
March 13, 2027 - Class Photo Make-ups
April 24, 2027 – Undokai (Sports Festival)
May 1, 2027 – Kodomo No Hi (Children’s Day)
June 5, 2027 – Graduation and Year End Party

Room Parent (18 positions)

Responsible for representing the class as the official room parent and assisting other classes on a rotational basis. Duties include:

Attending the monthly PA Meetings which will be on the second Saturday of each month. At the meetings, you can address any comments or questions you may have received from your classroom parents.
Arrange teachers’ and TAs’ gifts on behalf of the parents at the end of each semester.
Be on a rotational schedule to fill in as a substitute if a Teacher’s Assistance (from any class) is absent or a class needs extra support for that day. Members are expected to serve at least twice a semester and will be able to sign-up for the Saturdays you want to serve. Please note your responsibility will mostly be watching over the students and helping with basic administrative assistance.

Info Desk (12 positions)

Responsible for staffing the “registration and info desk” on Saturdays at OCG. Duties include answering emails that come into info@orangecoastgakuen.org, contacting parents when a child needs to be picked up early, and assisting with documentation and registration processes. Members should be familiar with office software such as Google Docs, Sheets, and Forms. Bi-lingual members (English and Japanese) are helpful but not required. Members will serve on Saturdays on a rotational basis, but need to be on campus for Open House and Preview Days, which are scheduled as follows:

August 15, 2026
December 5, 2026
February 6, 2027
May 1, 2027

Safety (20 positions)

Responsible for overseeing school security while classes are in session. The committee will also be responsible for setting up pre-opening preparations and safety protocols as well as school closing. During school sessions, members will be patrolling and monitoring various areas of the school. Members will also be asked to assist with any in-class emergencies. Members will serve on a rotational basis and hours will be from 8:45am – 12:45pm. First-aid and CPR experience is a plus but not necessary.

Social Media & Newsletter (5 positions)

Responsible for drafting and posting school related messages on OCG’s social media and to create a monthly newsletter for the community.

Translation (6 positions)

This committee is responsible for translating documentation, forms and emails as requested by the PA Officers and other committees. Members will also attend three PA meetings per year and prepare the meeting minutes in Japanese. Most of the translations will be from English to Japanese.

Members of this committee must be fluent in both Japanese and English. Most duties will be carried out online and remotely.