Parents Association
The RCDS Parents Association’s primary mission is parent and guardian engagement, with each other and with the School. We fulfill this goal through a wide variety of social events, community building efforts, and fundraising initiatives throughout the year. Whether rallying around our Athletic Boosters, participating in the Book Fair, planning Parent/Guardian Socials, or meeting with Division Principals, our various committees, events, and activities are designed to strengthen the RCDS community. Together with the School, our goal is to create a warm environment that gives everyone a sense of belonging. You are not just welcome here, you belong here.
Through the Parents Association, we celebrate what makes us unique and what we have in common. One significant shared experience among us is our decision to send our children to Rye Country Day School, knowing that this education is one of the greatest investments we could make for them and their future. This decision unites us all, current parents and parents of alumni alike, and fuels our work to create community and connection.
Membership within the RCDS parent/guardian community is lifelong, and the bonds we share keep the School robust, supporting both current and future generations of students, as well as alumni. Our deepest gratitude goes to our current and past families for their engagement, dedication, and service. Our collective work makes us a joyful and strong community, and it is the embodiment of Not for Self, but for Service.
Rebecca Brown
Parents Association President
PA Leadership
Committee Chairs
Liaison Division Coordinators
Upper School
Sarah Coady
Middle School
Ashleigh Donovan
Lower School
Nina Alvarez
Archivist
Sebastian Gutierrez
Arts Festival & International Fair
Eileen Chau de Haan
Tilsa Gonzalez
Athletic Boosters
Upper & Middle School
Loren Dinger
Blair Metrailler
Laurie Bass
Fall Book Fair & Gift Boutique
Jessica Testa
Lise White
Margaret Wang (treasurer)
Wildcat Den & Spirit Wear
Lauren Steiner, Chair
Jen Mellet, Chair
Greg Formato (Technology)
Laura Johanson (Inventory/Volunteer)
Caring Committee
Susan Cohen
Victoria Maggard
Environmental & Wellness Committee
Ann Colin
Josephine Moore
Faculty & Employee Appreciation Committee
Beth Chopra
Wendy Millan
Fall Luncheon
Tess Resman James
Hilary Clarke
Christie Greear
Family Skating Party
Renee Levine
Sabrina Magid-Katz
Friends of the Arts
Katie Stewart
Tania Thomas
Sharon Herzog
Host Family Program
Upper School
Amra Garcia-Tunon
Middle School
Sari Winter
Lower School
Elizabeth Norquist
Caroline Honorowski
Ice Cream Social (Grades 2-4)
Renee Levine
Holly Bates
Lunchroom & Skate Tying Volunteers
Virginia Cocke
Adele Thomas
Parent Admissions Network
Lower School
Ally Schwartz
Middle School
Kisha Harris
Upper School
Ana Ripp
Parents' Day Out
Brad Brown
Sarah Snell
Public Purpose Committee
Sterling Thomas
Margaret Wang
Meghan Charles
RCC (RCDS Community Connections)
Danielle Eason
Sebastian Gutierrez
Speaker Series / Heard in Rye
Sharon Herzog
Susan Leslie
Spring Luncheon
Jessica Greenberger
Carrie Krow
Spirit Committee
Lower School
Katelin Berkowitz
Sabrina Magid-Katz
Middle School
Carrie Berg
Upper School
Dina Wallach
Beautification Committee
Elizabeth Norquist
Kathleen Rothschild
LS Photo Books
Helen Lowham
Kate Marlow
Grade-Level Liaisons
2022-23
Pre-Kindergarten
Susan Gim (Paxton)
Jaclyn Shanahan
Kindergarten
Andrea Behrman
Suzanne Hersh
Alex Macleod
Grade 1
Katelin Berkowitz
Janine Weisenbeck
Irene Willard
Grade 2
Tanja Biegler (Perris)
Katie Stewart
Michelle Weiss
Grade 3
Virginia Cocke
Jenny Eylward
Ning Yuan (Wang)
Grade 4
Jeanne Grzywacz
Leigh Morrison
Evie Wen (Bak)
Grade 5
Kellie Pean
Lise White
Sari Winter
Grade 6
Trisha Estill
Lisa Kantor
Jen Prather
Grade 7
Giulia Arencibia
Sarah Murphy
Sarah Pickette
Grade 8
Jess Anderson
Laura Johansen
Caroline McDonald
Grade 9
Hilary Keating
Wendy Millan
Deborah Zingg
Grade 10
Wendy Block
Tilsa Gonzalez
Malena Luz
Grade 11
Tara Hennigan (Lamanuzzi)
Trini Leonard
Margaret Wang (Kim)
Grade 12
Karen Cohn
Allyson Kim
Lea Medow
Liz Roddy
Volunteer Opportunities!
Volunteer Opportunities
To get involved with the PA or to join a committee, please complete this sign-up form.
- **NEW** Parents Auxiliary (One-Off Volunteer Opportunities)
- Arts Festival and International Fair
- Athletic Booster Committee
- Caring Committee
- Environmental & Wellness Committee
- Faculty & Employee Appreciation Committee
- Fall Bookfair & Gift Boutique
- Fall Luncheon
- Family Skating Party
- Friends of the Arts
- Host Family Program
- Ice Cream Social (Grades 2-4)
- Lower School Photo Books
- Lower School Lunchroom & Skate Tying Volunteers
- Parent Admissions Network (PAN)
- Parents' Day Out
- Public Purpose Committee
- Senior Events Committee
- Speaker Series/Heard in Rye
- Spring Benefit Gala
- Spring Luncheon & Annual Meeting
- RCDS Community Connections
- Wildcat Den
- Spirit Committee
**NEW** Parents Auxiliary (One-Off Volunteer Opportunities)
Organizer: Jackie Shurslep
Date: 2022-23 school year
NEW this year, we are offering parents and guardians the opportunity to receive direct emails about one-off volunteering opportunities over the course of the year. Examples of such opportunities will include, but are not limited to, volunteer shifts at the Book Fair, Block Party, Field Day, Spirit Events, and Faculty & Employee Appreciation Luncheon. This is a great option for those who wish to get involved but may not be able to commit to serving on a committee. Committee members are also welcomed and encouraged to sign up for these general notifications.
Arts Festival and International Fair
Chairs: Eileen Chau de Haan, Tilsa Gonzalez
Date: February 25, 2023
The Arts Festival & International Fair is an annual event bringing together the entire Rye Country Day community to celebrate the arts and traditions from around the world. We gather to enjoy student works and performances, and the Parents Association hosts a delicious potluck lunch that features foods from around the world representing the heritage of many of our families. This is a day not to be missed!
Athletic Booster Committee
Chairs: Loren Dinger, Blair Metrailler, Laurie Bass
Date: 2022-23 school year
The Athletic Booster Committee supports the athletic teams and hosts special events to promote attendance and spirit at sporting events. This committee helps the Athletic Department and Alumni Office coordinate Wildcat Weekend, and provides free spirit giveaways during highlighted games. The Boosters' mission is to help support RCDS athletes through spirit by building a strong RCDS fan base. The Boosters also coordinate with the Upper School and Middle School Student Spirit Committees to help raise awareness by communicating upcoming team events to the student body and their families. If you love sports and are a closet cheerleader, this committee is for you. GO, WILDCATS!
Caring Committee
Chairs: Susan Cohen, Victoria Maggard
Date: 2022-23 school year
The Caring Committee offers support and assistance to any RCDS family experiencing a crisis, such as a medical condition that impairs a family member, a death in the family, or any significant hardship. Any community member can notify the Caring Committee of a family who could benefit from RCDS support. Further, grade-level liaisons are asked to keep the Caring Committee informed. The Caring Committee will meet a minimum of two times per year and on a more frequent basis at times when community members require increased support.
Environmental & Wellness Committee
Chairs: Ann Colin, Josephine Moore
Date: 2022-23 school year
The Environmental & Wellness Committee promotes sustainability and wellness at RCDS and at home, working with the faculty chair of the RCDS Balance and Wellness Committee and the RCDS Director of Sustainability. This committee also organizes events throughout the year, which, in past years, have included discussions on solar energy, organic gardening, composting, raising chickens, using non-toxic home care products, healthy eating, qi gong, and acupuncture, to name a few.
Faculty & Employee Appreciation Committee
Chairs: Beth Chopra, Wendy Millan
Date: 2022-23 school year
The Faculty & Employee Appreciation Committee organizes events throughout the year to express gratitude for the people who work so hard to support our children. The committee organizes the annual Faculty & Employee Appreciation Luncheon in May, organizing food, décor, and gifts for faculty and employees. Over the course of the school year, the committee also plans other expressions of appreciation. Examples from previous years include cozy parkas, coffee trucks, and Valentine’s sweets.
Fall Bookfair & Gift Boutique
Chairs: Lise White, Yvette Hammel
When: November 2-4
The RCDS Book Fair & Gift Boutique is a beloved RCDS tradition and a great way for all parents/guardians to get involved. The Book Fair takes place annually in early November and gives students and parents the opportunity to discover new books, enjoy food, socialize with friends, and get a jump start on holiday shopping. This event raises a substantial portion of the PA’s annual funds. Outside vendors sell a variety of items such as clothing, jewelry, stationery, accessories, kids’ games, and more. The Book Fair & Gift Boutique Committee is looking for committee members to help with planning, marketing, treasury, and logistics. If you are not interested in serving on the committee but wish to receive notifications about signing up for shifts at the Book Fair, please join the PA Auxiliary (description above). We look forward to seeing you there!
Fall Luncheon
Chairs: Tess Resman James, Hilary Clarke, Christie Greear
Date: October 12, 2022
Each fall, the PA hosts a festive and fun luncheon to kick off the new school year! The luncheon is an enjoyable afternoon for parents/guardians to reconnect after the summer and to welcome new families. The committee plans the luncheon, selects the location, sends invitations, decorates the venue, and runs the event.
Family Skating Party
Chairs: Renee Levine, Sabrina Magid-Katz
Date: January 21, 2023
It might be cold outside in January, but warm-hearted fun goes on at the annual Family Skating Party. Skaters and non-skaters alike are encouraged to come out and enjoy an afternoon of fun together with friends after Winter Break. What could be more fun than skating with Willy the Wildcat? Volunteer jobs include promoting the event and coordinating decorations and refreshments.
Friends of the Arts
Chairs: Katie Stewart, Tania Thomas, Sharon Herzog
Date: 2022-23 school year
Is your student interested in participating in Performing Arts programs at RCDS? Friends of the Arts supports our talented student body, faculty, and staff by promoting and generating excitement for all arts events at RCDS. Volunteers help with publicity and hospitality for concerts, plays, and various other performances and cultural events. They also help organize the January Festival Chorus Luncheon, hosted a day prior to the Festival Chorus performance during the full day dress rehearsal for the cast, which includes students, alumni, faculty, staff, family, and friends of RCDS.
Host Family Program
Upper School Chair:
Amra Garcia-Tunon
Middle School Chair:
Sari Winter
Lower School Chair:
Elizabeth Norquist
Caroline Honorowski
When: 2022-23 school year
RCDS welcomes approximately 100 new students and their families each year into the Lower, Middle and Upper Schools. Current families play a valuable role by becoming Host Families, welcoming new families into the school. These Host Families help create a positive transition into the RCDS community through introductory phone calls, being a friendly face in the crowd, and acting as a point person for questions. Host Families are asked to invite new families to join them at PA events and to be available as a resource throughout the school year. If you have a child entering Kindergarten, 4th, 6th or 9th grade in the 2020-2021 school year, please volunteer now to be a Host Family for that year.
Ice Cream Social (Grades 2-4)
Chairs: Renee Levine, Holly Bates
Date: February 22, 2023
The Ice Cream Social is a beloved Lower School tradition! Immediately following the Grades 2-4 Winter Concert, all families are invited to enjoy ice cream sundaes and conversations with new and old friends. Volunteers are needed for planning, setting up, cleaning up, and scooping.
Lower School Photo Books
Chairs: Helen Lowham, Kate Marlow
Date: 2022-23 school year
Calling all scrapbookers and photo book experts! This committee captures memories of the Lower School academic year by putting together special photo books for each grade. Every book features a close-up of each child, as well as group shots and other surprises. Volunteers are needed in each grade (Pre-K through Grade 4) to collect photographs, create layouts, and coordinate ordering and distribution. The Lower School Photo Books are a special keepsake for families and an important fundraiser for the PA.
Lower School Lunchroom & Skate Tying Volunteers
Chairs: Virginia Cocke, Adele Thomas
Date: 2022-23 school year
Are you looking for a great way to meet other parents/guardians and observe your child “in action” at school? Lunchroom volunteers help set up, serve, and clean up for students in Pre-K, Kindergarten, and Grade 1. Skate tying volunteers assist children in Kindergarten through Grade 4 before and after their ice skating P.E. classes during the winter.
Please note: Separate volunteer forms will be sent to parents/guardians to sign up for these opportunities at the start of the school year (lunch duty) and the start of the winter sports season (skate tying).
Parent Admissions Network (PAN)
Chairs: Ally Schwartz, Kisha Harris, Ana Ripp
Date: 2022-23 school year
The Parent Admission Network works closely with the RCDS Admissions Office to create a warm and welcoming environment for our prospective families. Volunteers will help with various Admissions events initiatives (Open Houses, E-Meet & Greets, etc.). They will also make phone calls to newly accepted parents/guardians (by division) and attend new parent/guardian events in the spring. The PAN is an important partner to the Host Family Program, and it is possible for volunteers to be a part of both.
Parents' Day Out
Chairs: Brad Brown, Sarah Snell
Date: 2022-23 school year
The Parents’ Day Out Committee sponsors several fun day and evening events to provide opportunities for parents to get to know one another while enjoying unique cultural or culinary events. Help is needed to choose locales and coordinate events. Previous events have included private museum tours, hikes, cooking classes, Broadway plays, and lunches and tours at the Culinary Institute and Blue Hill at Stone Barns.
Public Purpose Committee
Chair: Sterling Thomas, Margaret Wang, Meghan Charles
Date: 2022-23 school year
The Parent Public Purpose Committee (PPP) supports the programs and activities designed to live out our motto, Not for Self, but for Service. The PPP encourages our young people to actively engage in all-family, community building, and partnership-driven programming, including the Can-Do Drive, the MLK Week of Social Impact, Days of Impact, and more. The PPP will help instill an ethic of doing good while exploring the “why” behind service: What are the deeper issues at play, how do we encourage asking questions about society, and what is our larger role in the community. This group will meet roughly once a month in the evenings.
Senior Events Committee
Chairs: Grade 12 Liaisons (Karen Cohn, Allyson Kim, Lea Medow, Liz Roddy)
Date: 2022-23 school year
The Senior Events Committee organizes a cocktail party in the fall for parents of the senior class, treats over the course of the year, the transition to college meeting, and the Senior BBQ in early June. The committee is chaired by the Senior Liaisons. All senior parents/guardians are encouraged to join the committee to help plan these wonderful events for the senior class and their parents/guardians!
Speaker Series/Heard in Rye
Chairs: Sharon Herzog, Susan Leslie
Date: 2022-23 school year
This committee works with Heard in Rye (a group of schools and organizations in Rye) and the RCDS administration to identify and engage speakers who have expertise in a variety of parenting subjects. Committee members will also plan one or two events for RCDS parents to gather and discuss the speakers’ presentations.
Spring Benefit Gala
Chairs: TBD
When: 2023-24 school year
Every other year, the Parents Association plans a social and fundraising event to benefit the School. Parents, faculty, alumni and friends gather for an evening of fun, raising vital funds for student scholarships, faculty professional development grants, equipment grants, and Parents Association programs, to name a few.
Spring Luncheon & Annual Meeting
Chair: Jessica Greenberger, Carrie Krow
Date: May 11, 2023
Each spring the PA hosts the Spring Luncheon & Annual Meeting for all parents/guardians to celebrate the end of the school year, as well as parent/guardian contributions to the PA and the school community. This committee coordinates the location, invitations, menu, and décor.
RCDS Community Connections
Chairs: Danielle Eason, Sebastian Gutierrez
Date: 2022-23 school year
The RCDS Community Connections (RCC) was created to support the school’s active commitment to building an inclusive and diverse learning community, one that understands and affirms the value of global citizenship and that respects and celebrates human differences and similarities. RCC strives to promote a welcoming environment in which all families can become active, contributing participants in our talented and vibrant school community. The committee meets regularly throughout the year to liaise with Director of Diversity and Inclusion Ali Morgan to plan and sponsor parent programs/speakers and discussions on inclusion and diversity (focused on age, ability, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status), to host events that celebrate diversity in our community, and to establish support programs for parents where they are needed.
Wildcat Den
Chairs: Lauren Steiner, Jen Mellet, Greg Formato, Laura Johanson
Date: 2022-23 school year
Join the team at The Wildcat Den and help everyone gear up and show their RCDS pride and spirit! The RCDS school store is on the school website and conveniently located next to the Middle and Upper School cafeteria, allowing volunteers to observe the School in action. The Den also runs pop-up shops at RCDS events throughout the year (RCDS Block Party, Wildcat Weekend, new family events, etc.). The Den is where you go for RCDS logo clothing (Pre-K - adult sizes), accessories, physical education clothing, and other RCDS merchandise. Volunteers usually work two shifts per month on dates of their choosing. An orientation for volunteers will be held at the start of the school year.
Spirit Committee
Chairs: Katelin Berkowitz (LS), Sabrina Magid-Katz (LS), Carrie Berg (MS), Dina Wallach (US)
Date: 2022-23 school year
This NEW committee will work to promote school spirit and build community across all three RCDS divisions. Committee members will organize fun and creative ways to build excitement around events and milestones over the course of the school year. Examples include a Back-to-School spirit event, Halloween decorating, and March Exam treats. Parent/guardians volunteers from all three divisions are welcome!
Overview
The Rye Country Day School Parents Association (the "PA") is a parent-governed organization representing parents and guardians of Rye Country Day School students. The PA is headed by an Executive Committee, which oversees and supports the work of division coordinators, grade liaisons, committee chairs, and other volunteers.
Mission
The PA's overall mission is to help foster a sense of community among our parents and guardians while working in partnership with the School for the benefit of the whole community. Specifically, the PA strives to:
- build a warm and welcoming community among parents/guardians;
- facilitate communication between parents/guardians and the School; and
- raise funds for scholarships, PA activities, and other vital programs at RCDS.
WILDCAT DEN
The Parents Association's Wildcat Den sells wonderful Spirit Wear—including tshirts, sweaters, hats, accessories, and more— on campus and online.