We ask for a yearly donation of $20 per child to help us to defray the costs for supplies and materials. In addition, a subscription to Dharma Rain’s newsletter, Still Point, is required ($12 a year if not already a member or subscriber) to help keep families informed about events. Registration forms for Dharma School are on-line, see below. We do limit the times of the year that children can enroll in Dharma School, to protect the children already involved - it is hard to develop the trust and security needed when the group is constantly changing. The first few times in each term are open to new kids. See the calendar for specifics, and please call before coming for your first time (503) 239-4846.
Parent involvement is an important part of Dharma School. We ask that parents ensure that their children are on time and attend regularly, that they provide snacks when scheduled, try to attend Parent Teacher meetings twice a year and possibly assist with volunteer tasks that fit with their schedule and interests. Parent volunteers may help find supplies, help with projects, serve as buddies for new families, keep up the database, serve snacks, play guitar during singing, act as a parent contact for interested families, assist teachers as needed and lend overall support to the school.
Some of the kids do not have an affiliation with our Center outside of Dharma School so acknowledging the validity of the spiritual path that their parents are on is an important part of supporting these children. We do not require that either the family or the child identify as Buddhist, much less as a Soto Zen Buddhist. We do ask that children have parental consent, that they are interested in Buddhism, and are willing to participate fully.