The RCNS Parents’ Board
The RCNS Parents’ Board is composed of a group of parent volunteers who act as liaisons between families and the administration to help guide the strategic development of the school. Our goal is to foster a sense of community by organizing events and programs for parents as well as the whole family.
There are countless opportunities for parents to get involved throughout the school year and we encourage you to participate! Contact a member of the board to find out more.
Who We Are
Chair of the Board
Maureen Stapleton
Vice Chair
Danielle Rasamny
The Chair and Vice Chair oversee the RCNS Parents’ Board. They are involved with all events run by the board and act as spokespersons for the parents. They organize parent volunteers and solicit parent feedback. Should you need to speak to someone with a thorough knowledge of the school, look no further than these two people.
Legal
Deya Warren (Chair)
The legal chair works closely with the Chair and the School Director on all legal issues affecting the Nursery School. The Chair also acts as Secretary and is responsible for all general correspondence and record keeping for the Board.
Treasury
Ashley Ching (Chair)
Katelin Gorman (Co-Chair)
The Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer provide financial guidance and support to the RCNS Finance Team. They are responsible for assisting the Fundraising Chairs and business manager in the management of funds generated.
Fundraising
Emily Smith (Chair)
Alexandra Remmel (Co-Chair)
The Fundraising Chair and Co-Chair organize and coordinate all fundraising activities for the Nursery School. This includes the staffing and execution of the Harvest Moon Festival and the Spring Benefit, among other fundraising programs.
Special Projects
Megan O’Grady (Chair)
Kalen Strickland (Co-Chair)
The Special Projects Chair and Co-Chair are responsible for educating the RCNS community on relevant issues and parenting topics. This includes coordinating educational events for the school community, including guest speakers; organizing the annual Book Fair; and assisting with Back to School Night. This team also provides a wide range of events and activities geared at connecting the RCNS community, including family activities, social opportunities, and health and wellness events.
Communications
Emily Pollakowski (Chair)
The Communications Chair keeps parents and the community informed and excited about RCNS events, plans, and important news. The Chair also manages the RCNS Instagram account and the Parents’ Board webpage.
Community Outreach
Kara Bussiculo (Chair)
Kate Steele (Co-Chair)
The Community Outreach Chair and Co-Chair work closely with the Nursery School and the Reformed Church to organize and implement community service programs throughout the year. This includes the Thanksgiving Food Drive and holiday gift giving programs for neighboring communities.
Parent Outreach
Whitney Utell (Chair)
Julia Hull (Co-Chair)
The Parent Outreach Chair and Co-Chair act as liaison between the Nursery School Board and the parent body. They coordinate Class Parents; organize hospitality for various RCNS outreach functions, including New Parent Orientation, Parent’s Night, the Christmas Pageant and Graduation; and communicate concerns of the parent body to the Board.
How To Get Involved
Volunteer Opportunities
Class Parents
Class Parents play an integral role in the communication between teachers, parents, the RCNS Parents Board, and the school administration. As a liaison between these parties, the Class Parent will act as a leader and representative of your child’s class.
Roles & Responsibilities:
● Building community within the class by planning times to get together or meet virtually
● Relay communications to your grade level group and segment in timely fashion
● Coordinate volunteers from your grade level group and segment for RCNS functions
● Assist RCNS Board Chairs to organize parent support as needed
● Address parental concerns confidentially
● Offer support to teachers and families in your grade level and segment
● Organizing class money collection for teacher appreciation gifts
If you are interested in representing your class, please reach out to Parent Outreach chairs,
Whitney Utell and
Julia Hull.
Participation in Events
There are countless opportunities to get involved throughout the year, from manning the table at the Bake Sale to setting up the Book Fair. Our fundraising events in particular could not be accomplished without the help of our amazing parent volunteers. We are always looking for help and greatly appreciate anything you can give, be it your time, your ideas or your skills -- all are welcome!
To find out more about these events and how your can get involved, you can reach out to our Fundraising Chair
Emily Smith or our Special Projects Chair
Megan O’Grady.
Community Outreach
The Nursery School works closely with the Reformed Church to organize several community service programs throughout the year.
If you are interested in learning more about these and how you can get involved, reach out to our Community Outreach Chair,
Kara Bussiculo.
Events
Back to School Events
New Family Events: The Parent Outreach Chair and Co-Chair help organize a New Family Gathering on the Playground before school starts, where new families to the school have the opportunity to meet and get to know other new families. They also organize a cocktail hour specifically for new families before the Back to School Cocktail Party.
Fall Social: Each year the Board organizes a Back to School Cocktail Party for RCNS parents to gather and celebrate the new school year.
Back to School Night: This is an informative event where RCNS parents will be introduced to the teachers, staff and Board of the Nursery School; new programs the Nursery School is offering that year will be introduced; and parents will have the opportunity to ask the Director questions about events, the school curriculum and other topics. Classroom visits are also offered, where parents can learn what teachers will be covering in class that year.
Harvest Moon Festival, Bake Sale and Pumpkin Patch
The Harvest Moon Festival is a wonderful Fall family festival featuring indoor and outdoor activities. Children can enjoy face painting, festival games, fun crafts, raffles (with great prizes for kids and adults), and delicious food from local establishments! Children can also visit the on-site petting zoo, take a ride on a kiddy-carousel, and enjoy all this Autumnal fair has to offer! This annual fundraiser has become an important community tradition, catering to children ages 2-6.
The Board also organizes a Bake Sale and Pumpkin Patch the week of Harvest Moon to help support the event, drum up excitement and raise proceeds for the school.
The proceeds from Harvest Moon help support the special programs offered to our students throughout the year. This includes special programs for the children, class trips, parent and family events, and educational enhancements for the classrooms.
Thanksgiving Food Drive and Chapel Service
The holidays are a special time of year that give us an opportunity to be thankful for our many blessings and to open our hearts and give back to those who are less fortunate. Every year the Community Outreach Chair organizes a food drive to deliver Thanksgiving meals to families in need in our community.
A Thanksgiving Chapel Service is held each year for the families of our 3’s, 4’s, 5’s and kindergarten students.
Christmas Pageant
The Christmas Pageant is an annual RCNS tradition, which tells the story of the Nativity. Our 3’s sing songs and our 4’s and 5’s participate in the procession and story of the Nativity.
Book Fair and Bake Sale
The RCNS Book Fair is an opportunity for members of the school community to purchase books for all ages, including a wide selection or quality children’s books, cookbooks and coffee-table books. Special events are scheduled throughout the week to introduce children to the magical world of books.
The Board also organizes a Bake Sale the week of the Book Fair to help support the event, drum up excitement and raise proceeds for the school.
All proceeds from the Book Fair go to the RCNS Scholarship Fund.
Spring Benefit
The Spring Fundraiser is a great opportunity for parents to enjoy a night out while celebrating our children’s school! The evening includes dinner, dancing and a silent and live auction. Proceeds from the spring fundraiser benefit innovative programs, school trips, in-house specials and teacher development for our beloved school.
Resources
Local Activities for Preschool Aged Kids
Looking for additional pre-school age activities outside of school? The Special Projects chairs put together this list of suggestions in and around the Bronxville area. Some signup deadlines may have passed. Eligible age ranges vary.
Note: RCNS is not associated with any of the organizations or companies listed below. RCNS does not endorse the programs at any of them. This list has been composed by RCNS parents as a courtesy to other families and does not reflect the school in any way.
Busy in Bronxville!
The RCNS Parent Dispatch
In light of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the RCNS Education Chairs decided to forgo in-person educational events and publish
The RCNS Parent Dispatch,
a digest of articles, books, blogs, podcasts, social media accounts, and websites pertaining to one specific, relevant issue for parents and members of the community. The first issue, published in September, focused on COVID-19 and Back to School. All issues can be found below:
March 2021: Let's Talk About PLAY!
January 2021: Talking to Our Children About Race
RCNS has partnered with Lands End to provide custom school merchandise and clothing. See the link and flyer below for more details and how to order.
RCNS School Merchandise
