Others First

WINTER HOURS SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 1

SPRING HOURS SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS APRIL 15

Instructions for hour submission are found below. This is the only way we can accept hours.

What is Others First? (also watch our Intro Slideshow )

The Others First program recognizes three kinds of community service activities: monthly student lunch meetings, participation in other service-oriented OIS lunch clubs, and community outreach.

Our monthly lunch meetings offer an opportunity for every OIS student to engage in community service projects right on campus! A group of student leaders and parent volunteers design projects that can take place in the Library during the Friday lunch period once a month. Students receive thirty minutes of community service credit for attending these meetings.

Students also receive community service hours for time spent in other service-oriented OIS lunch clubs. For the 2026-27 school year, Others First coordinates directly with the teacher who sponsors the Green Club to award credit for participation. (Please note that Others First does not provide credit for hours performed during class time or for class credit.)

Others First also credits students with community service hours for "independent activities" of their own choosing. The program encourages activities that directly serve others. These activities should be charitable, altruistic and/or humanitarian, non-partisan, and secular in nature (although they may be associated with non-secular organizations). Service activities that meet these criteria and are performed on campus and at other OUSD schools can qualify. Students need to request credit for independent activities through the process explained below. The program can only "double credit" up to 10 hours of service completed for other service organizations such as NCL, Scouts, Boys Team Charity, etc. The Program Directors have final authority to determine whether an activity qualifies for hours.

Lunch Events

We host a variety of fun and meaningful events at our lunch meetings. Most of our events are held in the library. Location changes will be announced via KOIS when needed.

September 25, 2026 - Intro event- learn about the program + make bookmarks for Sydney Paige Foundation.

October 23, 2026: TBD

December 4, 2026: Meals on Wheels - make holiday gifts for Contra Costa County meal recipients.

January 29, 2027: TBD

February 26, 2027: TBD

March 26, 2027: Ladybug Project (menstrual kits for locals experiencing period poverty)

April 16, 2027: Crayon Drive for The Crayon Initiative

Have a cause you'd like Others First to support with a lunchtime event? Let us know! We're happy to try new things.

How does my student receive credit for independent activities?

We have a new submission process for requesting credit for independent activities. (Please note: you should not submit hours for Others First lunch events or Green Team because we already track that attendance.)

Step 1: Fill out the independent activity form. Paper copies will also be available at the Others First display in the OIS Library. Scan or take a picture of your completed form.

Step 2: Submit a digital copy of the completed form via our online submission form.

Award Criteria

Others First recognizes students who are dedicated to serving their community in the following ways:

Mid-Year Recognition: Students who earn at least 25 hours of service credit by December 1, 2026, will be eligible to receive a gift card, presented by the OIS Parents' Club.

End-of-School-Year Recognition: Special recognition will be given to students based on service hours earned and credited by April 16, 2027. Students with at least 25 hours will receive the OIS Principal's Award for Community Service. Top hours earners by grade level will receive gift cards from the OIS Parents' Club.

Orinda Community Foundation Recognition: This year we are pleased to announce a new partnership between Others First and the Orinda Community Foundation (OCF). Students who earn at least 50 hours by April 16, 2027, will be recognized by OCF and formally presented with an award at the annual OCF banquet in November!

Parent Volunteering

Others First also provides volunteer opportunities for parents! We are looking for parents who can help during our monthly Friday lunch events on campus. You can sign up for one date or many. Details of these one-day positions are on our sign-up form.

We are also looking for parents to serve as project coordinators. Most of our monthly projects are run by a student leader. As a project coordinator, you would guide and assist our student leads in their tasks. These tasks may include coordinating with our partner organizations and with the OIS leadership teacher.

If you are interested in being more involved with Others First, or if you have ideas for a new on-campus service project, please email us at OISOthersFirst@gmail.com. Note: we are volunteers with limited bandwidth and do not check email every day. Please be patient.

Linked Pages:

Independent Activity Form

Online Hours Submission Form

Parent Volunteers Sign-Up Form 2026-2027

Co-Directors:

Lissa Tryer

OISPC Liason:

Krista Mitzel

Questions? Email: oisothersfirst@gmail.com