Parents Association

Officers

Vice President - Volunteers
Giulia Arencibia

Vice President - Events
Ashleigh Donovan

Treasurer
Alex Macleod

Secretary
Katelin Berkowitz

Chairs: Beena Minhaj, Neha Jain

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!

Chairs: Sarah Ardire, Julia Morrow

The Athletic Booster Committee supports athletic events to build a strong student and parent fan base, increase game attendance and strengthen RCDS Spirit across all divisions. The Boosters focus on supporting three main athletic events: Wildcat Weekend, Winter Wildcat Day, and Spring Wildcat Day. Booster activities include: coordinating pre-event promotions (e.g. student raffles, student spirit banners, morning meeting presentations by Varsity players, etc.); purchasing/distributing fan gear giveaways and premium fan gear sales; on site event support (e.g. fan gear distribution/sales, spirit photo booth, face painting/tattoos/stickers, raffle winner participation, student fun zone, etc.); coordinating with the Athletic Department, Student Spirit Committee, Wildcat Den; developing additional RCDS Athletics Spirit activities. If you love sports and want to be a part of the most fun and spirited group on campus, this committee is for you. GO, WILDCATS!

Chairs: Jacqueline Steinert, Sonia Tembeck, Janine Weisenbeck

The Caring and Wellness Committee is committed to supporting the health and well-being of all RCDS families. Our mission is to offer support and assistance to families experiencing crises, such as medical conditions that impair family members, deaths in the family, or any significant hardships. In addition to providing caring support, we prioritize the promotion of wellness within our community. We encourage a healthy and balanced lifestyle by offering resources and programming on topics such as mental health, nutrition, and physical fitness. Any community member can notify the Caring and Wellness Committee of a family who could benefit from RCDS support. Grade-level liaisons are also asked to keep us informed and we are always available to offer a listening ear and a helping hand. We will meet a minimum of two times per year and on a more frequent basis at times when community members require increased support. 

Chairs: Nanki Holm, Jen Mellet, Hayley Nivelle

The Digital Responsibility Committee supports families in navigating the challenges and opportunities of raising children in a tech-driven world. We hosted a screening of Childhood 2.0, which sparked meaningful dialogue about screen time. If you’re passionate about helping parents make informed, age-appropriate decisions for their children, join us!

Chairs: Greg Formato, Kellie Pean

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, including coordinating food, décor, and gifts for faculty and employees. Over the course of the school year, the committee also plans other expressions of appreciation, including holiday and end of school year gifts, food trucks, employee lounge treats and decorations, and more! All employee appreciation efforts are paid for by funds raised through the PA’s December and May employee appreciation appeals.

Chairs: Donna Gore, Matt Michael

It might be cold outside in the winter, 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. What could be more fun than skating with Willy the Wildcat? Volunteer jobs include promoting the event and coordinating decorations and refreshments.

Chairs: Eve Anderson, Audra Hart, Sameera Troesch

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.

Book Fair Chairs: Despina Gandhi, Jaclyn Shanahan
Boutique Chairs: Jessica Testa, Helena Day Wolins
Treasurers: Yixuan Gong, Anna Leung 
Cafe: Valerie Chuebon, Hayley Nivelle, Janine Weisenbeck
Special Events: Jenny Eylward, Xin Jiang, Vicki Whatley

The RCDS Holiday Boutique & Book Fair is a beloved RCDS tradition, an important PA fundraiser and a great way for all parents/guardians to get involved! The event takes place annually in November and gives community members the opportunity to get a jump on holiday shopping, discover new books, enjoy food and socialize with friends. This event raises a substantial portion of the PA’s funds. Outside vendors sell a variety of items such as clothing, jewelry, stationery, accessories, kids’ games, and more. We look forward to seeing you there!

Chairs: Donna Gore, Xin Jiang, Ali Schwartz

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.

Chairs: Nicki Mchugh, Kelcy Recht

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). 

Chairs: Audrey Broome, Renee Goldman

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.

Chairs: Audrey Broome, Andrea Kim, Rohini Rao

The LS STEAMFest involves hands-on STEAM activities, trivia, experiments, contests, and more! Kids (and adults) will enjoy dozens of different eye-opening, mind-expanding, toe-tingling, head-scratching activities spread out over two floors and classrooms of the Cohen Center for the Creative Arts. 

LS Chairs: Sarah Lusman, Gina McGuire
MS Chairs: Greg Formato, Jen Mellet
US Chairs: Bronwen Mason, Hiromi Okubo

Each year, RCDS receives hundreds of applications and welcomes more than 100 new students and their families into our community. This committee 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. 

Once the admissions process is complete, Host Families support 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. 

There are numerous ways to support this committee and many volunteers are needed throughout the year!

Chairs: Yiqiao Mao, Mindy Yu

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.

Chairs: Laura Liu (Ren), Reni Matthew-Jones, Mindy Yu

The RCDS Community Connections (“RCC”) Committee works closely with the RCDS Director of Diversity and Inclusion to create fun, community-wide events that encourage inclusiveness, engagement, and belonging as well as provide DEI education opportunities for parents. The committee meets throughout the year to plan programming as well as support and promote sponsored events. 

Chairs: Lisa Miller, Lauren Steiner

The Seasonal Decor Committee adds festive ambiance to the LS and MS hallways and exterior parts of the campus during Halloween, the winter holidays and Valentine’s Week. Artistic and creative parents are encouraged to sign up in order to help bring cheer and joy to the RCDS community during special times of the year!

Chair: Sharon Herzog

The chairs work 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. 

Chairs: Sarah Ardire, Kelly Grant

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 recognize parent/guardian contributions to the PA and the school community. This committee coordinates the location, invitations, menu, and décor.

Chairs: Marci Macguffie, Josephine Moore, Sarah Snell

The STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) Committee promotes the exploration and interaction of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics across all three divisions. This committee works with the RCDS Faculty Director of STEAM to support and generate excitement for STEAM events and programs for students and parents throughout the year at RCDS.

Chairs: Emily Dorin, Jacqueline Steinert

This committee promotes sustainability at RCDS and at home, working with the RCDS Director of Sustainability. The committee also organizes events throughout the year, which, in past years, have included film screenings, parent discussions and nature hikes. Topics covered in recent years include reuseful homes, fast fashion, solar energy, organic gardening and composting, to name a few.

Chairs: Andrea Behrman, Virginia Cocke, Hanna Cohen, Dominique De Bourgknecht, Breanna Hayes

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. Committee members are needed to work 2–4 weekday shifts per month on dates of their choosing OR to help staff the Wildcat Den booth at special evening and weekend events throughout the year. Have a knack for sales or fashion? This is the committee for you!