First Quarter Meeting - Welcome

August 22, 2025

Great Hearts Northern Oaks

Parent Service Organization

Meeting Agenda

• Welcome and Introduction – Mrs. Mitchel, LS Headmaster

Mr. Funes, US Headmaster

• PSO Information – Beka Hermann, PSO President

Sarah Cathey, US Vice President

Kelsey Weiss, LS Vice President

• Volunteer Training - Mrs. Mitchel & Mr. Funes
• Room Representative – Mrs. Siller, Assistant Headmaster

Great Hearts Northern Oaks

Parent Service Organization

Welcome to the PSO!

• Every GHNO Parent is a member of the PSO!
• PSO Mission

Provide support to the teachers and staff who guide our children daily in the pursuit of truth, beauty and goodness

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• Volunteers
• Special events
• Room / Grade-level Representatives
• Community building events

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Great Hearts Northern Oaks

Parent Service Organization

2025 - 2026 PSO Officers

Beka Hermann, President

Kelsey Weiss, Lower School Vice President

Sarah Cathey, Upper School Vice President

Regina Walshak, Treasurer

Great Hearts Northern Oaks

Parent Service Organization

PSO in the Lower School

• Scheduled volunteer needs (weekly, bi-weekly commitment)

Copy Room Front Desk

Lunch Room Library (opens Sept 9th)

• Special Events

Fall Festival Yearbook Committee

Hearing/Vision Screening Grade Level Socials

Picture Day Monthly Teacher Luncheon

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• Room Representatives / Coordinator
• Used Uniform Store Coordinator (both lower and upper)
• Literature Celebration and Field Trip opportunities
• Spirit & Social Committee
• Snowflake Committee (both lower and upper)
• Lost & Found (both upper and lower)

Great Hearts Northern Oaks

Parent Service Organization

2025-26 Lower School Committee Leads

Great Hearts Northern Oaks

Parent Service Organization

Lower School First Quarter Events

Curriculum Night: K -2nd August 26th

Curriculum Night: 3-6 August 27th

Spirit Day August 29th

Singapore Math Night September 16th

Picture Day September 17th

Fall Festival Planning September 19th

Spirit Day September 26th

Grade Level Socials September/October (TBD)

Homecoming Week September 29th - October 3rd

Check the PSO Calendar for the latest schedule of events

Great Hearts Northern Oaks

Parent Service Organization

PSO in the Upper School

• Fewer scheduled volunteer positions
• More events with individual Sign-Up Genius links

• Scheduled volunteer need (Library)

(opens September 8)

• Special Events

Art shows Grade Level Socials

Picture Day Monthly Teacher Luncheon

Drama Performances Concerts

Curriculum Events Textbook Covering

Field Days Dances

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• Support Jr. Fundraising
• Support Senior Committee

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Great Hearts Northern Oaks

Parent Service Organization

2025-26 Upper School Committee Leads

Great Hearts Northern Oaks

Parent Service Organization

Upper School First Quarter Events

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Curriculum Night August 28

Library Opens September 8th

Individual Student Pictures September 18th

Grade Level Socials Fall Dates TBD

Homecoming Week September 29th-October 3rd

Homecoming Dance October 4

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Check the PSO Calendar for the latest schedule of events

Great Hearts Northern Oaks

Parent Service Organization

2025-26 Shared Committee Leads

Great Hearts Northern Oaks

Parent Service Organization

How does PSO work?

• PSO leadership meets with and maintains constant communication with both lower and upper school headmasters.
• Manage the PSO budget
• Review the quarterly schedule
• Present new ideas
• Understand and communicate expectations
• Each quarter, PSO leadership reviews the schedule of events needing PSO support (volunteers) to determine how much parent power is needed and confirm the budget required (if applicable).
• For events and larger efforts, we establish committees (Fall Festival, Snowflake Fund, Fiestaval, Teacher Appreciation).
• PSO leadership reaches out via Headmaster Newsletters and the PSO website to ask for volunteers. Room representatives and Facebook as backup.

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If you have ideas, feedback, questions - reach out!

Great Hearts Northern Oaks

Parent Service Organization

How do I sign up to volunteer?

• PSO Website www.ghnopso.org
• Raptor background Check
• FERPA Confidentiality form
• PSO Volunteer Handbook
• Training Video (or live training at this meeting)
• Fill out the interest form

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Please don’t hesitate to reach out for help finding a place to volunteer! We have a place for you!

Great Hearts Northern Oaks

Parent Service Organization

Volunteer Handbook

Expectations While on Campus

• Process for check-in and check-out, and during your shift
• Communicating with teachers, students, and other volunteers

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Volunteer Communication

• Lower School Committees - communicate through GroupMe
• Lower School volunteer scheduling
• Upper School Grade Level Leads

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Dress Code

When in doubt, “dress like you work here” is a helpful guideline.

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Contact your PSO Leadership Team with questions at northernoakspso@gmail.com

Great Hearts Northern Oaks

Parent Service Organization

PSO Website

• PSO Google Calendar
• Quarterly meeting slides / notes
• Teacher Favorites
• GHNO Family Directory
• Volunteer Handbook

Great Hearts Northern Oaks

Parent Service Organization