DRAGON PARENTS AND GUARDIANS

Marisha Mack, Kena Jones, Rosie Myers, Mauricio Salazar, Mike Calhoun, Cecilia Green, Andrea Jones, Michele Obyc-Dougherty, Kara deKernion, Maryanne Hubbard

All families at Bishop O'Dowd High School are members of the Dragon Parents & Guardians (DP&G) Group. Volunteerism is an essential aspect of our flourishing community and we highly encourage everyone to get involved in any way that works for you!

GET INVOLVED!

Whatever your talents and interests, there is a place for you.

DP& Volunteer and Committee signup form
Attend monthly DP&G meetings
Act as a class representative and communicate upcoming events
Volunteer to sell Dragon merchandise during athletic events
Lend a hand at our events such as Pizza on the Patio, Balcony Social and more.
Volunteer at a Teacher/Staff Appreciation Event
Participate in Campus and Neighborhood Clean-up Days
Sign up for eScrip - a percentage of your purchase supports O’Dowd

Meetings and Events

DP&G meetings take place from 7:00 – 8:00 pm on the 2nd Tuesday of most months. See Calendar for dates.

(October 13 mtg shifted to 6pm start.)

All parents and guardians are welcome to attend.

Kovach Family Community Room, in The Bishop John S. Cummins Center

Pizza on the Patio, Tuesday September 16, 2026, 6:00-8:00pm. Socialize over pizza made in O’Dowd’s very own Living Lab! The evening will include an orientation to O'Dowd's Academic Support programs.

Balcony Social, Friday October 9, 2026, 6:30:-9:00pm. Bishop John S. Cummins Center room 303 and balcony overlooking the playing fields. Join DP&G in partnership with the Office of the President for a 21+ social during the varsity football home game. Just buy a football ticket to get in. Tickets for the October 9 game will go on sale October 8.

Class Socials - Join other parents/guardians for a casual social event. Get to know the other families in your kiddo's class! 21+ Only Events. Check the Weekly for updates.

12th Grade Parents Social - Saturday, September 19, 2026 | 5–8 p.m., at a home in the Woodminster neighborhood of Oakland, shared closer to the event to attendees. Join us for an evening of connecting, catching up, and celebrating the Class of 2027.
Senior parents and guardians only. Please RSVP by September 18th.
11th Grade Parents Social - Thursday, September 24 | 6:00-8:00pm, D. Monaghan’s On The Hill - 2820 Mountain Blvd, Oakland. RSVP
10th Grade Parents Social - Wednesday, September 30 | 6:30-8:30pm, Forge Rockridge - 5900 College Avenue, Oakland. RSVP by September 29th!
9th Grade Parents Social - Monday, September 28, 6:30-8:30pm., Fieldworks Brewing - 100 West Juana Avenue, San Leandro. RSVP
LGBTQ+ Families Social - Thursday, October 15, 6:00-8:00pm - DP&G is offering a casual fall gathering for Dragon parents and guardians in LGBTQ+ families to connect over pizza and conversation. RSVP for location information.
All Grade Social - Spring, TBD

Teacher/Staff Appreciation Events

November 3, 2026, 12:10-12:55pm, Faculty Lunchroom
December 1, 2026, 11:30am - 12:15pm, Sweet + Treats, Faculty Lunchroom
February 9, 2027, Fat Tuesday, 12:55-1:30pm, Faculty Lunchroom
May 6, 20267, 11:30am - 12:15pm, Faculty Lunchroom

Other Events

Keep an eye out for FRI-YAY treats for students, May 7 after school, and Navigating O’Dowd volunteer opportunities.
Also see Partners in Parenting page for other events.

DP&G Social Justice Book Club

Join us on Mondays via Zoom as we read and discuss books about social justice issues. Our first book that we will be reading this year is Original Sins: The (Mis)education of Black and Native Children and the Construction of American Racism by Eve L. Ewing. If you'd like join us and be added to the Book Club distro list, please email dragonparents@bishopodowd.org and we will send you the info and the meeting link.

Spirit Gear

In partnership with the Dragon Den, our retail operation is introducing some great new gifts and gear for parents like hats, stadium blankets, logo magnets, keychains and more. Sales occur at many on-campus sporting events. Look for our tent and table and show your Dragon Pride!

ESCRIP

This program allows you to earn rebates for a designated charity simply by shopping at local grocery stores and retailers – like Lucky Supermarkets, Piedmont Grocery, Save Mart and more. Sign up on escrip.com (and ask other family members to do it too), designate Bishop O’Dowd High School as the non-profit to receive contributions and the rest will take care of itself. escrip

To register:

Go to www.escrip.com »
Search “Bishop O’Dowd High School”
Click “Sign Up”
Register

Leadership

Thanks to these volunteers who will be leading the Dragon Parents & Guardians this year!

Executive Committee

Chair: Cecilia Green

Vice-Chair: Kara deKernion

Secretary: Brandi Riley

Treasurer: Kim Foss

Sub Committees

Communications Chair: Maryanne Hubbard

Parent Education Chair: Mauricio Salazar

O’Dowd Parent Equity Network (O.P.E.N.) - Felicia Bryant (lead); Natasha Mader (logistics)

Social Justice Book Club: Natasha Mader

Social Coordinators

9th grade social coordinator - Open

10th grade social coordinator - Rosie Myers, Mike Calhoun

11th grade social coordinator - Lynette Collins-Hunter and Michelle Obyc-Doughtery

12th grade social coordinator - Kristen Gustavson, Marisha Mack