Okemos Support Groups

Okemos Arts Patrons
Contact: Stacy Christensen,
Kinawa Visual Arts teacher
Phone: 706-4730
Email: stacy.christensen@okemosschools.net
The Okemos Art Patrons is a team of people who are interested in supporting the Okemos Visual Arts program within the Okemos School District. Currently, the OAP team is made up of Okemos parents and Okemos art teachers who work together to showcase OPS student artists in each building, yearlong as well as during the Okemos Fine Arts Festival. During the Okemos Fine Arts Festival the OAP exhibit pieces of artwork created by student artists. The high school halls are converted to gallery walls filled with wonderful pieces created by all ages to represent the talent our student artists have. The Fine Arts Festival ends Saturday with the OAP “Hands On” art day. The “Hands On” program is the main fundraiser for the Okemos Art Patrons. From 1pm to 4pm in the OHS café, art teachers from the district welcome artists of all ages to spend the day creating pieces that they are able to take home and share with family. During this fundraiser the OAP holds a bake sale and a picture sale. Artists are able to have their picture taken in front of a back drop created by high school artists to remember their day of excitement.
The OAP meet once each month in an art classroom within the district. If you are interested in joining or assisting with the Art Festival please call Stacy Christensen.

Okemos Athletic Boosters
Contact: Kelli Hughes
2011-11 President
Phone: 349-3775
Website: www.okemosboosters.org
Over the years, Okemos High School has shown great success and recognition throughout mid-Michigan as one of the premier districts for athletic excellence, in addition to its long-standing reputation for academic excellence. As a school district with a number of district, regional and state championships in all areas of athletics, we pride ourselves in the well-rounded student-athlete that excels both in the classroom and on the field of competition.
Due to the financial challenges faced by the school district, it is more important than ever to support the Okemos Athletic Boosters.
The Okemos Athletic Boosters is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to raise money to benefit student athletes and support activities related to athletic events at Okemos High School. In support of this mission, Boosters fund-raise by selling season passes and programs, working concessions at sporting events, and organizing exciting activities throughout the school year. Proceeds raised by the Boosters go directly to the athletic teams for supplies, uniforms, and various team projects, including weight room maintenance & improvement, training tables & supply carts, ice machine, ticket tracking/accounting software and hardware. This past year we provided the funding for the new scoreboard for Chippewa Middle School which will benefit both the high school and middle school teams that use that venue in addition to providing ongoing funding each year in support of a uniform rotation for our sport teams.

Okemos Baseball Club
Contact: Brett Cone, President
Phone: 347-6792
The Okemos Baseball Club is a volunteer run organization which provides baseball opportunities for youth in Okemos. The Club works with the Meridian Township Parks and Recreation department to facilitate the Competitive/Tournament teams in Okemos. The Competitive/Tournament teams run from ages U9 to U14 and compete in the Mid Michigan Pony League, playing games against other local community teams. The Okemos Competitive/Tournament teams also compete in 3-5 tournaments during the spring and early summer.

Okemos Basketball Advisory Group
Contact: Debbie Mashburn, President
Email: mashburnmd@comcast.net
Website: www.okemosbasketball.org
The Community Education Basketball Program is designed to provide all Okemos boys and girls with the opportunity to play organized basketball in a positive environment in which to learn the fundamentals of basketball. Opportunities exist for organized league play for both recreational and competitive programs as well as opportunities for skill development for players age 4 and up. The overall purpose of the Basketball Advisory Group is to provide expertise, support and input to Okemos Community Education for the successful direction and operation of the basketball program. The membership of the Basketball Advisory Group provides a balance of competitive and recreational perspectives, and works collaboratively with Okemos Community Education.

Okemos Community Education Advisory Network (OCEAN)
Contact: John Zappala,
Community Education Director
Phone: 706-5022
Email: john.zappala@okemosschools.net
The OCEAN Team is comprised of community members who play an active role in all of Okemos Community Education’s programs. This includes childcare, senior citizens, recreation, enrichment, summer programs and even grant- financed projects. This group has been an influential part of Okemos Community Education and has provided years of advice and good counsel to help make the programs better. Okemos Community Education invites any individual from our community to serve on this team.

Okemos Drama Boosters
Contact: Lisa Mulcrone, President
Phone: 287-1047
Email: lisa.mulcrone@ur.msu.edu
The Okemos High School Drama Boosters organization exists to support, stimulate and promote dramatic arts for all Okemos High School students. The Drama Boosters believe in using their talents and resources to help and support the performing arts program throughout the school and the community. Specifically, a majority of time and resources are spent supporting and assisting with two dramatic productions, a talent show and a musical production each year. Some specific activities include: publicity, ticket sales, concessions, ushering, refreshments, chaperoning, costumes, sets, props, photos and programs.  Membership is open to anyone interested in the OHS drama program.

Okemos Football Advisory Board
Contact: Eric Stelljes, Chair
Email: eric@prestonservices.com
Website: www.okemosfootball.org
The Okemos Football Advisory Board and the Okemos Youth Football program, as part of the Tri-County Youth Football League, are committed to operating its junior football program with integrity, respect, and dignity. They aim to promote positive community spirit and be a source of pride for the community through various sporting events. They are committed to presenting a positive reflection of Okemos Community Education and Okemos Public Schools. They pursue these ideals through good sportsmanship on the part of parents, coaches, and athletes. With support of Okemos Community Education, Okemos Athletic Directors, and High School Football Coach, they aim to maintain healthy attitudes in youth and adults in sports.

Okemos High School Band Boosters
Contact: Lori Beck, President
Website: http://okemosbands.googlepages.com
The Okemos High School Band Boosters provide financial and personnel support to the Okemos High School Band Program through its fundraising and volunteer capacity to enrich the music educational opportunities of all OHS band students. Parents/guardians of all OHS band students are automatically members of the OHS Band Boosters and are encouraged to attend monthly meetings (held September through May in the OHS band room) and to volunteer their time and talents to enhance each band student’s musical education.
The OHS Band Boosters work to fulfill the program’s numerous needs through activities such as chaperoning and organizing band performance events and provide the majority of financial support to the program through key fundraising events (annual Car Wash-A-Thon, annual KeyCard sales, participating in the Meijer Rewards program, etc.). With the district’s budget unable to support the program’s growing needs, the OHS Band Boosters are currently fundraising to purchase additional marching and concert uniforms and additional marching and concert instruments for the ever-growing OHS Band program, which now numbers nearly 200 combined members from the ninth through twelfth grades.
The OHS Band Boosters has monthly meetings. It is a 501(c)(3) organization, and contributions to the OHS Band Boosters are tax deductible.

Okemos Music Patrons
Contact: Sulin Campbell, President
Phone: 349-5384
Email: sulin@msu.edu
All parents with children in music programs (K-12) in the Okemos Public Schools are automatically members of the Okemos Music Patrons! For nearly 30 years, this organization has raised funds for student scholarships, musical events, and for instruments and equipment to enrich the music programs in the Okemos schools.
The annual Spaghetti Dinner in February is the Okemos Music Patrons' major fundraiser. Donations collected at school concerts throughout the year make possible the "OMP Scholarships," which are awarded to students at the spring concerts. Scholarships are also provided to students in need to assist them in their music studies. The music newsletter for the school district, INTUNE, is underwritten and published by the Music Patrons.
The OMP board consists of 14 parent members working alongside OPS music teachers. The board meets six times between October and May, on the second Monday of the month.

Okemos Parent Council
Contact: Mary Michner, President
Email: marymichner@sbcglobal.net
The Okemos Parent Council was established to facilitate a sense of community among the Okemos schools and to increase communication between the administration, staff, school board, parent groups and parents. The Okemos Parent Council is comprised of parent representative(s) from each of the district’s schools. These parent representatives are appointed by their respective school’s parent group and serve a term of one year.
Okemos Parent Council meetings are held each month at noon at a host school. In addition to members of the parent council, each meeting is also attended by the superintendent, an OPS school board member, the hosting school’s principal, and at times a guest speaker. All meetings are “open” and the public is always welcome to attend.
The Okemos Parent Council meeting schedule can be found on the OPS web site at www.okemosschools.net under “Links to School Organizations.” They have several special events planned for the 2009-2010 year. They have scheduled another Okemos Parent Council-hosted evening seminar, “How to Talk to Your Kids About Drinking and Drug Use” which will be presented on Thursday October 22 at 7:00 P.M. in the Okemos High School Auditorium. On October 12 they hosted a question and answer session for the candidates running for Okemos School Board which was taped and is being replayed on The Okemos Channel, channel 23.
If you are interested in being a part of the Okemos Parent Council, contact your home school’s parent group president.

Okemos Soccer Club
Contact: Bill Boyle, Director of Coaching
Email: bill@bibosoccer.net
Website: www.eteamz.com/OkemosSoccerClub
The Okemos Soccer Club (OSC) is the community representative to the Capital Area Soccer League (CASL), a member of the Michigan State Youth Soccer Association (MSYSA). OSC sponsors youth teams from U9 through U19 for both boys and girls.
All MSYSA teams begin tryouts for the selection of teams on June 15 of the calendar year.
OSC coaches are required to be licensed by either the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) or the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). They also are required to carry risk management cards that require background check through MSYSA.

Parent – Teacher Organizations
Each school in the district has its own parent support group. They go by different names - PTOs, Parent Groups, or Family Councils - but their purpose is the same. These groups exist to support the children, teachers and staff in a myriad of ways – fundraisers, field trips, staff appreciation luncheons, school directories, chaperoning events, office staffing, school beautification projects, classroom parties, library volunteers and family activities and events.

Meetings are held monthly and offer parents an opportunity to play a part in planning activities and stay in touch with what is going on at school. Parents also deeply value the participation of the principal at these meeting as an opportunity to discuss issues of mutual concern.
All of the parent groups are tax-exempt non-profit organizations and welcome the support of the community. For contact information about the parent-teacher organizations call the individual school offices.

SOAR
Contact: Kim Burzych, President
Email: kburzych@sbcglobal.net
Website: www.soarokemos.com
SOAR (Supporting Okemos Academic Resources) is an organization of parents, educators, and those in the community dedicated to supporting the needs of high-ability students in Okemos.
SOAR is an affiliate of Michigan Alliance for Gifted Education (MAGE). It is for people who: (1) have a child of known high-ability; (2) are looking to enhance a child's academic options and programs; and/or (3) are interested in learning about the many enrichment programs offered inside and outside the school district.
SOAR meets at the Okemos Public Library (4321 Okemos Road) once a month during the school year at 7 pm. Topics typically covered include: "Enrichment Activities & Clubs"; "How to Effectively Prepare for Parent-Teacher Conferences"; "Summer Programs"; and "An Update from Okemos Public Schools with special guest speakers Asst. Superintendent Patricia Trelstad, Elementary Gifted Education Consultant Marsha Chance, and District Coordinator of Gifted Education Deb Chamberlain."

Spartan Swim Club
Contact: Damon Robertson, Head Coach
Phone: 402-2557
Website: www.spartanswimclub.org
The Spartan Swim Club (SSC) is the former Capital Area Swim Team and Haslett Blue Marlins combined!
The club offers mid-Michigan youth opportunities to achieve excellence through swimming and water polo. They help children develop self-confidence, goal setting, sportsmanship and commitment in a positive environment. Regardless of prior ability, there is a place for everyone at SSC!
The club practices and competes year-round at convenient locations in Okemos, Haslett, and Holt. In the summer, senior level swimmers train at the Michigan State University outdoor pool, often alongside the Spartans.
In water polo, the club recently sent 18-and-under-teams and 16-and-under teams for both girls and boys to the National Junior Olympics in Palo Alto, California!
Spartan Swim Club is always accepting new swimmers.

Supporters of Okemos Science
Contact: Tom Deits
Email: Okemossos@gmail.com
Website: https://sites.google.com/site/okemossos/
The Supporters of Okemos Science (SOS) is a parent-community group which supports K-12 science education in the Okemos School District. They sponsor the annual SOS Family Science Fun Day each February. In the past, proceeds from SOS fundraisers have been used to purchase science related equipment for classrooms and to support competitive events such as Science Olympiad.