PC Parent and Caregiver Community Reorganization

We believe that, while Covid may have accelerated some of these trends, the fact that we have not bounced back after the pandemic shows that it is time for the PCC to look forward and to think about how to better serve the school and our current families. We started speaking with school leadership about these concerns last spring, proposing that we reorganize our Community this year with a goal of becoming more effective and inclusive.  Penn Charter has been extremely supportive of our efforts and has asked Lauren Stabert, Director of Parent Engagement, to partner with us on the reorganization process..

We hope that this reorganization will re-energize our parent and caregiver constituency and reinvigorate the strong sense of community that has defined Penn Charter for generations.

We have outlined several specific goals for our reorganization effort. ​​​​​​​

• Refreshed governing documents, including an updated mission statement and by-laws
• Clearly defined volunteer roles, including clear volunteer job descriptions and the creation of a Volunteer Handbook
• New processes, especially for volunteer recruitment and onboarding
• A plan for ensuring the PCC’s ongoing financial sustainability
• A shared understanding between the school and the PCC on the partnership between both organizations, and a staffing structure that will allow for the most effective and efficient work together on behalf of PC 
• Recommendations for the school on parent engagement broadly (outside the scope of the PCC)

This reorganization effort will take a lot of time and energy, and we hope to engage the entire Penn Charter community while adhering to Quaker values and practices.  To that end, we are creating a Reorganization Committee that will include current parents and caregivers who have expressed interest in this process, as well as and select faculty and staff members including Aly Goodner, Director of the Center for Public Purpose; Ashley Augustin, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging; and Lauren Stabert, Director of Parent Engagement.  

The Committee will:

• Conduct research on best practices of parent associations at other schools;
• Partner with PC staff and our facilitator on the execution of feedback sessions (offered in person and virtually) with current parents and caregivers; and
• Serve as ambassadors to the wider community about the reorganization process by completing and encouraging others to complete periodic surveys.

Participation from current parents and caregivers is essential to the success of our reorganization process. There are two steps you can take today to begin offering your feedback and ideas:

• Respond to this brief, 2-question survey by December 1, 2024. 
• RSVP HERE to attend one of two open feedback sessions, either virtually or in person:
  • January 15, 2025, 8:30 a.m. 
  • January 16, 2025, 6:30 p.m. 

PCC Reorganization Frequently Asked Questions