The Parent Participation Program (PPP) is an essential part of life at St. Thomas More Collegiate. As a Catholic faith and learning community, STMC is rooted in the call to Learn, Lead, and Serve, and service is central to who we are.
For generations, parent involvement has strengthened STMC by supporting school events, athletics, clubs, and faith formation. When students see service modeled by the adults in their lives, they learn what servant-leadership looks like in action.
The Parent Participation Program (PPP) exists to ensure that this involvement remains visible, meaningful, and sustainable. All parents and guardians of students attending STMC are expected to participate each year as part of their commitment to the school community. We recognize that families lead busy lives, often balancing multiple work and family responsibilities, and the program has been designed with reasonable and attainable expectations.
Families are encouraged to review the information carefully and engage in ways that support both their child’s experience and the broader STMC community.
All parents/guardians of students currently attending STMC are expected to fulfill one of the following annually:
- Complete 20 volunteer hours, or
- Pay a $1,000 opt-out fee in lieu of service
All volunteer hours must be completed prior to June 30 or by the final available volunteer opportunity, whichever occurs first.
Important Notes
The opt-out fee is not tax-receiptable.
Program Details
Program Year: July 1 to June 30 annually
Participation Requirement
Each family must fulfill one of the following annually:
- Complete 20 volunteer hours
- Pay a fee in lieu of work within our community of $1,000
- STMC and CISVA teachers and admin are exempt on written application to the school
- PPP Opt-Out
Pay or exclude through the link on our website. All volunteer hours must be completed prior to June 30 or by the final available volunteer opportunity, whichever occurs first.
Major Event Requirement:
A minimum of 4 hours must be completed at one or more Major PPP Events, which include:
- Knights Christmas Market
- A Knight to Remember Gala
- Homecoming
- Walk-A-Thon
Volunteer Opportunities & Hour Tracking
- All approved roles, hour logging, approvals, and progress tracking are managed through OnVolunteers.com
Deadlines
- Non–OnVolunteers activities due by May 15 (submitted to PPP Lead)
- All hours completed by June 30
No Carryover
Volunteer hours do not carry over year-to-year. Excess hours are not banked.
Criminal Record Checks
- Required for roles supervising students
- eCRC Link (use STMC code 4A8TK2AJ2T)
Resources
STMC Volunteer Handbook
Parent Participation Program Policy
PPP Opt-Out
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Parent Participation Program?
The Parent Participation Program (PPP) is a requirement for all families to support the school community through volunteer service or a fee in lieu of work in our community.
Who must participate?
All families with enrolled students. Families with multiple students complete the requirement once per year.
What are my options?
Each year, families must choose one of the following:
- Complete 20 volunteer hours, or
Pay a $1,000 fee in lieu of work within our community
When does the program run?
The program year runs from July 1 to June 30.
Are there specific events I must volunteer for?
Yes. At least 4 of the 20 required hours must be completed at one or more of the following Major PPP Events:
- Knights Christmas Market
- A Knight to Remember Gala
- Homecoming
- WalkAThon
What if a volunteer activity is not listed on OnVolunteers?
Volunteer activities not listed on OnVolunteers.com must be submitted directly to the PPP Lead by June 15.
Hours submitted after June 15 may not be accepted
Do these 4 hours count toward the 20-hour total?
Yes. They are part of, not in addition to, the 20-hour requirement.
When must all hours be completed?
All volunteer hours must be completed by June 30 or by the final available volunteer opportunity.
What if I don’t complete all 20 hours?
You will be charged a prorated fee based on the number of hours not completed, up to $1,000.
Is the fee tax-receiptable?
No. The fee in lieu of service is not tax-receiptable.
Do volunteer hours carry over to the next year?
No. Hours do not carry over or bank.
Are Criminal Record Checks required?
Yes, for any role involving supervision of students.
What if there aren’t enough volunteer opportunities?
Families may contact the designated program contact or for assistance in securing eligible roles.
