Parents' Association Volunteer

ACPA Volunteer Information & Form

We appreciate that volunteer opportunities require many different forms of commitment. Some require availability at the school or by phone/e-mail during the school day, while others can be done during the evening or on weekends. To identify the type of commitment required, we have developed a series of icons to help you easily find the opportunities that would best suit your availability and commitment.

Volunteer Opportunities

Academic Programs
Judging - December, January, March/April, May Middle School: Middle School students practice the art of memorization and delivery to an audience, helping to develop their self-confidence and passion for what they’ve learned. The Grade 7 Poetry Competition and the Grade 8 Interpretive Reading Competition will both happen in December, the week before winter break. Upper School: Upper School students hone their public speaking skills as part of the English curriculum. Upper Ones Debate and take part in the Upper One Film Competition (no outside judges needed), and Upper Twos deliver TED talks. Judges act as an unbiased, external audience (U1 Debates – January, & U2 TED Talks - TBD). Senior School: Senior One students debate and learn to articulate their viewpoint and argue logically using evidence (March/April). The Senior Two After Dinner Speaking competition sees the winners of each course section deliver a memorable, entertaining speech to a fictitious audience (December). Time required: 2-3 hrs, either morning, afternoon or evening Skills required: Training for all judges is provided Note for 2022-2023 School Year: Specific timing and delivery model for each competition is liable to change, due to COVID-19 contingencies. Contact: Janet Kurusanather, Department Head, English, 905-845-4681, ext. 380
Admissions Office
Open Houses - October and November Open House is a key event in the annual student recruitment cycle. As first impressions are of paramount importance, having parents participate and share their Appleby experience is a huge help for the Admissions team. We can never have too many enthusiastic parents at Open Houses – there are always plenty of families who need your guidance and experience. New this year, Open Houses will be done virtually! Time required: October 16, October 23 and November 20 Skills required: Enthusiasm and passion for Appleby! Contact: : Hawa Iyamabo, Karen Ferreira, Kim Lefebvre, and Joanna Shan, ACPA Open House Coordinators Admissions Receptions The Admissions Office travels around the world (including East Asia, South East Asia, Europe, West Africa, Latin America and more) and throughout Canada to find the best students and families for Appleby. One of the easiest ways to find these families is for current or past Appleby families to host a reception in their home, club, or other venue (this includes local families). Should you be interested in hosting a reception for prospective families, please contact Admissions, and we would be happy to organize and send a representative from Admissions. Also, Appleby occasionally attends recruitment fairs around the world. Having a parent attend these fairs along with the Admissions team is a huge advantage for us, as you can share your Appleby experience with prospective families. Time required: A week or two of planning then attendance at one event (usually no more than three hours) Skill required: Welcoming host, enthusiasm and passion for Appleby, available to travel abroad Contact: Kim English, Director, Admissions, 905-845-4681, ext. 252 and Sophie Grossman, Executive Director, Admissions, ext 259 Host Family/Billeting of Distant Boarding Students-Long Weekends An essential role for parents who wish to help our community is to provide boarding students a home away from home. Appleby guarantees that all distant boarding students will have an Appleby family as their local host family. In a school with students hailing from around the world, providing an occasional home is the greatest gift you can give. Generally, students will stay with you over the four-day long weekends and as they return home for the December and March breaks. There is a huge return on your investment, as your entire family makes a significant international connection through the host family experience. For practical reasons, we expect host families to live within 90 minutes of the school. Time required: Appleby’s long weekends Skills required: Welcoming families willing to pick up and host a terrific Appleby student Contact: New Contact TBD Host Family/Billeting of Student Exchange Students Host families are at times needed for regular and long weekends, and occasionally for short exchange periods of up to two weeks throughout the year to host an international exchange student who is staying in residence or on exchange for a very short stay. This is a great opportunity for international students to enjoy a home-cooked meal and to experience the local culture first-hand. Time required: From one weekend to two weeks Skills required: Warm and inviting host who is willing to share family time and traditions with students from another school, culture and country. You would provide meals, transportation, a bed and act as a local guide
Appleby College Parents' Association (ACPA)
College Shop/Tuck Shop/Turnover Shop/Lost and Found The College Shop, located in the A.W.B. Alumni Centre for Athletics and Student Life sells all approved gym wear, house gear, school supplies and gift items. The Tuck Shop is very popular with students and sells treats and drinks. The Turnover Shop accepts and sells gently used uniform items such as blazers, kilts, pants and shirts, as well as used athletic uniforms. The Lost and Found is located next to the College Shop. If the owner of a found item is identified, the student will be notified via email. All other items are held until the end of each term then donated to charity. Time required: Various two or three hour shifts available between 10:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday Skills required: No experience required just commitment Contact: Jane Sahota, ACPA College Shop Coordinator Social Events ACPA social events include the Welcome Back Barbecue (September), Tree Trimming Party (November), a Social Night (spring) and the All-School Play Reception (February). Events for the year will be announced in Appleby This Week. Time required: Depends on the position. Big or small there is a job for you! Skills required: No specific skill required. Emphasis is on getting to know new friends and re-acquainting with old friends! Contact: Eva Dashti, Muge Demirkesen, and Hanan Elmaraghy Photography Assist the ACPA photographer in taking photos at larger school events. Time required: A few hours at school events, as available: Welcome Back BBQ (Sept) and Tree Trimming (Nov) Skills required: Digital photography Contact: Ceylan Erkaya and Simon Liu Chapel Guild The Chapel Guild works to beautify the John Bell Chapel for the daily services and for special occasions such as the annual carol services and graduation. This is a great place for new parents and alumni to get involved. Time required: One hour per month from 8-9 am; Special occasions as available (approx. 3 hours) Skills required: No previous decoration experience required; Learn on the job Contact: Meghan Amm, Bal Chahal, and Julie Olujic, ACPA Chapel Guilds Individual and Grade Photos Individual portraits and grade group photography occurs in October. Adult volunteers are needed to help organize students and ensure they are in first dress. Time required: 1 or 2 hour shifts Skills required: No specific skills required Contact: Monica Malhotra, NISPA Representative School Spirit Foster Appleby’s Athletic Spirit as we support and cheer for our varsity teams during home games, matches and tournaments. Volunteers are needed to help organize refreshments and spirit gear for our teams, parent and spectators at various games throughout the year. Time required: 1-2 hours. Mostly during the day, with the occasional weekend Skills required: Organization and a friendly face Contact: Jessica Ding, Nami Dhillon, Sarah Chapman ’93, and Lillian Mi, ACPA School Spirit Representatives Boarder Study Break Purchase store bought treats (pre-packaged and nut-free) or make treats and drop them off at the College Shop for boarders so they can enjoy them after study period (9:00 pm) on several evenings throughout the year. Volunteer at Boarder Study Break by handing out treats to the students/cleaning up. Time Required: Once a month for October, December, February, and May; Goodies can also be dropped off in advance to the dates Skills required: None, just a friendly face and be able to cook some tasty treats! Contact: Rachel Belcher and Caitlin Roberts-Johannsen, ACPA Campus Life Representatives Campus Life Events New this year – activities that support boarders and long distance parents. Details will be posted in ATW. Time Required: Event dates and details TBC Skills required: None, just a friendly face Contact: Rachel Belcher and Caitlin Roberts-Johannsen, ACPA Campus Life Representatives Holiday Fundraisers Assist with set-up and handing out items at various holiday events. Daytime or evening volunteer opportunities. Time required: 2-4 hours on weekdays or evenings throughout the year Skill required: None Contact: Lisa Whittall-Chuang and Andrea McQueen, ACPA Fundraising Coordinators Book Return and Sale - June Volunteers are needed to assist the ACPA Bookstore Coordinator to organize the used text book sale and return of text books by students. Time required: A few hours after exams in June Skills: None required just to enjoy assisting students Contact: Sophie Liu and Emma Zhang, ACPA Book Return & Sale Coordinators ACPA Executive Committee The ACPA Executive Committee is an elected group of parents consisting of several Officers and various Committee Chairs. Each June, a Nominating Committee presents a slate of candidates at the ACPA Annual General Meeting. The term of office is generally one year, with re-election permissible for a second term. Together, the committee oversees various portfolios under the mandate “to take an active interest in the comfort and well-being of our students through cooperation with the Principal.” The role of the Executive includes welcoming parents, encouraging parent involvement through the ongoing recruitment of volunteers, being a resource for volunteers, attending monthly Executive meetings, being a part of the decision-making process within the Parents’ Association, reporting regularly on progress and developments in their portfolios and being a good representative for Appleby College and the ACPA. As a parent at Appleby, you are welcome and encouraged to attend any of the monthly Executive Committee meetings. Dates and times are announced in ATW. Time required: Varies depending on position. Monthly committee meetings (2 hours) take place the second Tuesday of every month, either at 8 am or 7 pm Skills required: Skills vary with position but mostly commitment & interest Contact: Elena Dannikova, ACPA President and Jennifer Latimer, ACPA Past President
Arts Program
School Plays - January Through March If costumes, lighting, set, or prop design interests you, get involved with the Middle School Play (May) or the All-School Play (February). Volunteer work begins early in the year, with more volunteer hours required closer to the nights of the play. Time required: Rehearsals for the main school play begin January and continue through March Skills required: Visual arts, costuming or construction skills are valuable but not necessary Contact: Sara Joy, Director of Arts, 905-845-4681, ext. 208 sjoy@appleby.on.ca
Parent & Community Relations
New Parent Buddies The New Parent Committee helps new parents understand what it means to be part of the Appleby community. Current parents are buddied up with new Appleby parents, communicating with them throughout the school year about the “ins and outs” of being part of the community. Time required: A few hours and email correspondence throughout Skills required: Friendly and welcoming community member, someone who is an enthusiastic Appleby “ambassador” Contact: Kathleen Kirkpatrick, Director of Parent Relations, 905-845-4681, ext. 148
Service Program
Appleby's Annual Walkathon - October Appleby’s Annual Walkathon is an all-school charity fundraising event. Volunteers could be involved in helping students safely cross streets, handing out water to the participates, or cheering them on during the event. Time Required: All day during event Skills Required: Enthusiastic & encouraging Contact: Jennifer Latimer, ACPA President
General Volunteer Pool
Volunteer opportunities arise for many reasons. If you would like to be put in our general volunteer pool to receive emails when such opportunities come available, we’d love to keep you apprised. Time required: Varied Skill required: A general willingness to help out Contact: Poonam Hardas, ACPA Volunteer Coordinator
Area of Highest Need
Walkathon Tree Trimming Employee Appreciation Luncheon and Grade Parties College Shop

Volunteer Opportunities Key

	Evening or weekend volunteer opportunity, suitable for working volunteers
	Suitable for volunteers living overseas or far from the Oakville campus
	On-campus meetings, or meetings at another volunteer’s home required
	Computer and access to e-mail is required
	Daytime volunteer opportunity

IN THIS SECTION

Volunteer Form Disclosure Agreement

Appleby College Requires all school employees, faculty members and volunteers to have a Criminal Record Check (CRC) completed and make a Declaration of Criminal Record.

To ensure the safety and protection of our students and as part of our ongoing risk-management program, Appleby College requires all school employees, faculty and volunteers to have a Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening (CRC-VSS) completed (also known as Police Screening or Security Clearance Check). For volunteers, CRCs must be completed before volunteering begins and Appleby requests that all volunteers obtains their clearance on their own. To continue volunteering, Appleby requires a current CRC to be completed every three years. Please click here for more information on How to Get a Criminal Record Check.

In addition, the Declaration of Criminal Record Form must be completed each year during the application process. Please print the form, sign, and email to Patricia Smallbone, manager, parent relations.

Volunteer Registration Form

Parents' Association Contact Information

If you have any questions about the Appleby College Parents' Assocation, please contact:

Kira Thomson, ACPA, Communications Officer

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