Family Engagement

Parent engagement is key to building community and being involved in your student’s education while creating relationships with other Notre Dame families. There are a multitude of  social, volunteer, educational and networking opportunities for families to engage at Notre Dame. Every parent is a member of the Notre Dame Parent Association by virtue of your student’s enrollment and all parents are invited and encouraged to join at least one parent resource group to form a community with others who have similar interests. To join any one of the groups below or to be included on the NDPA distribution list for upcoming opportunities, click here.

Below are descriptions of some of the parent resource groups.  

Notre Dame Parent Association (NDPA)

This group serves as the umbrella under which parents can connect around common interests, including spirituality, academics, culture, co-curricular activities and more.  

Any parent can form an interest group (virtual or otherwise) with other parents who share a common interest.  All resource groups are invited to have a representative at the NDPA meetings to share about your activities, network with representatives from other groups, and learn how you can support one another. 

Meetings:  4 times per year

Lila Lam ‘92 , Chair (Amelia ‘22, Therese ‘24)

Cynthia Olavarria, Past Chair/Advisor (Gabriella '21, Ayiana '23)

Parent Resource Groups

Parent resource groups are parent led interest groups and provide resources to support co-curricular programs, school events, mission and ministry, and more. These groups bring parents together to support one another and/or offer volunteer and other guidance or needs to a school program or activity.  Parents can join any resource group whether or not your student is involved in that particular activity.  A representative from each resource group serves as an ambassador to the NDPA and helps to keep other parents in the groups up-to-date on all school activities, social opportunities and student programs. 

Examples include:

Co-Curricular Programs:

• Robotics
• VAPA
• Athletics
• Speech and Debate
• Student Activities

Events/Opportunities:

• Women of Impact
• ND Reads
• Crab Fest
• Admissions-Parent Mentors/Ambassadors

Parent Resource Groups:

African Ancestry Parent Resource Group (AAPRG)

The Notre Dame AAPRG is for ND parents of students who identify as being of African descent. (African descent is intended to represent people of the African diaspora). We work in support of our students of African descent in their educational and personal journeys, as well as help the Notre Dame faculty and staff as they address challenges unique to our community. Our parent engagement is rooted in our shared experiences and spans all things related to our students -- from freshman recruiting to senior send-offs and all the social, cultural and societal happenings in between. As an established community within the broader ND community, we specifically partner with Notre Dame on the following:

Onboarding

Diversity recruiting efforts and onboarding. 

Belonging

Collaborate with BSU Moderators and ND administrators to ensure that the unique needs of our students of African descent are being met.

Graduation 

Partner to acknowledge our graduates of African descent on their academic achievements, social justice advocacy and advancement into higher education.

Meetings:  4 times/year

ND Compadres: 

Chair:  Damian Trujillo (Malyna '23, Isela '26), Vice Chair:  Ariana Flores '00 Gutierrez (Amelia '24, Alicia '24)

Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI):  We invite you to join and help form the goals and objectives for this parent group.  The group serves as a resource to the Notre Dame community and the Notre Dame Parent Association (NDPA), engaging parents socially or providing resources supporting student leadership and growth. To join, click here.

ND Dads:  A group of dads who sign up to volunteer in various capacities to support our students. For information, contact Mike Ponce mikeponce@gmail.com To join, click here.

Book Club:  Group meets on a monthly basis to discuss certain books, themes.  Led by Kristina Loquist.  For more information, email kristinaloquist@gmail.com To join, click here.

Social Club:  A group of parents/families who meet monthly on a social level for happy hour or coffee and discuss opportunities.  Led by Lila Lam.  To add your name to distribution list, email lhltiger@gmail.com.  Next gathering:  June 17 at 6 pm (San Pedro Square). To join, click here.

Admissions Parent Ambassador: A group of parents/guardians whose focus is to support and serve as an extension of the admissions department. Parent ambassadors participate in the following activities: Recruitment management of parent volunteers and admissions events; Representing the school by participating on panels and speaking with prospective families, Giving tours to prospective families. To join, click here.

Spirituality/Justice Programming:  To join, click here.

If there is a group not listed and you would like to form one, we welcome that opportunity!  For information on how to form, email Trishya Movilla, Community Relations and Events Manager tmovilla@ndsj.org