The Parent Organization, as it exists today, is an integral part of the Oakwood community. The school’s founding families felt that creating a parent association was of such importance that one of the Board of Trustee’s first undertakings after hiring Marie Spottswood as the school’s first long term director in 1954 was the creation of the Parent Organization (P.O.). The chairperson of this newly minted organization had an ex officio seat on the Board and participated in discussions regarding important school issues. Fundraising for the still fledgling school became a priority as was the hands-on work performed by all the founding families.

Current families consider the Parent Organization that serves both the elementary and secondary schools as one group, yet it has only existed this way since 1984. In 1964 when the secondary school was created it was located on the site of a summer camp in Agoura. A donation by Elizabeth Harmon Schappert of the down payment for the Magnolia Blvd. site – and the hard work of other trustees in securing the site – relocated these students to its current North Hollywood home. Several years later, the Oakwood Secondary School Parents Association (OSSPA) was created to address the concerns of these families who, having older (i.e. teenage) students were faced with far different concerns than the elementary school families. Secondary school parents dealt with dress codes, social values and ethical issues, college preparatory curricula, drug education programs and teenage behavioral issues, all of which sounded far too threatening for the parents of young children.

Throughout the seventies, although the two parent groups were ideologically and operationally separate, there were instances of cooperation. Barbara Marshall, General Member of the Board and former Parent Organization president, recalls that one endeavor – a thrift shop on Lankershim Blvd. – was a joint effort of the two groups.

When Marie Spottswood retired in 1974 the Board decided to hire a director for kindergarten through twelfth grade. This was a difficult task and the turnover over the next five years was a source of instability for the school. This also created a greater rift between the two associations, as there was much debate as to whether a humanistic school could also be rigorously college prep. However, despite the differences in opinions of many, the parent leaders and school administrators realized how vital and instrumental the two parent groups were in holding the school together and communicating a feeling of confidence in Oakwood.

In 1979 Jim Astman, then principal of the secondary school, was offered the position of headmaster and, under his leadership and guidance, there were dramatic changes at Oakwood. Margo Long was principal of the elementary school and oversaw the expansion to two classes per grade on that campus. More and more sixth graders moved up to the secondary school, which led to a change in attitude that helped foster more communication between the campuses. Fundraising events were coordinated to avoid duplication of activities. In 1984 the two parent groups united, with Brenda Fritz as the first president.

In 1986 Jim Astman invited the PO leadership to a retreat that resolved to enrich Oakwood through improved communication, thereby leading to the creation of the Messenger; improve parental support which provided the basis for the terrific fundraising programs the school relies on; provide parent education programs; and create a presence outside of Oakwood in the area of community service.

The leadership, and members of the parent body have throughout the years raised the bar with various activities for the school and for charity with events such as the Fair, Library Tribute, Holiday Boutique, Gift Wrap and Magazine Drives, Food and Clothing Drives, Caring Committee, Revlon Walk and other fundraising endeavors. The leadership of the Parent Organization changes as families pass through Oakwood, but one constant is the established tradition of this group as it is deeply rooted in a commitment to the school and its families.