Parents Association

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.
 

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!

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!

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.

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.

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. 

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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). 

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.

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.

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.

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!

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. 

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.

Chair: Jessica Greenberger
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.

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.

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. 

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!