Parent Association

Welcome to a new school year!

As a parent of a current student, you are currently a member of the Kalamazoo Country Day Parent Association. Thank you! Your support of our students, faculty and staff through this association is truly part of the Kalamazoo Country Day difference.

The role of the Parent Association is:

To promote the general welfare of the students and faculty at Kalamazoo Country Day School by creating strong connections between KCDS parents and school representatives/liaisons
Facilitate open lines of communication between home and school and help keep our parents informed about our children's KCDS experience
Plan and implement various activities to promote a sense of community for our students, faculty, staff and parents.
Promote involvement in community service within the school, local community and world to increase awareness of the needs of others around us.

The Parent Association will meet the last Tuesday of every month in the school's library at 8:15am after morning drop-off. Please plan on joining us on September 27 for our first meeting of the year. The meetings offer a wonderful opportunity for parents to get to know one another and learn about all that's happening at School. Light refreshments are provided at each meeting.

We hope you are interested in being involved and volunteering your time, as your involvement will enhance the Kalamazoo Country Day experience for everyone. Please take a moment to fill out our Volunteer Form and check any events on the list that you would be willing to volunteer your time. Once complete please submit your form to the front office. Please try to get involved - your help is greatly appreciated. Any questions, please feel free to email the Parent Association chair, Colleen Smith at kzoosmitty@aol.com.

Thank you!
Colleen Smith

Parent Association Committees

Welcoming/Mentor Program
The first year in any new environment can be difficult. We at KCDS have designed a Mentor Program to assist new families to acclimate to KCDS. Every new family is assigned a Mentor who will guide the family throughout the year with needed information within our school community (i.e. Annual Auction, Halloween Carnival, Talent Show, Parent Association just to name a few).

Classroom Parent Liaison
Volunteer for each classroom including preschool classrooms who assists the teacher via email communication of important events or reminders within the school and individual classroom. The liaison will typically communicate once or twice a month to parents of your assigned classroom.

Continual Monthly Service Project
Volunteers are needed to organize and collect items for Monthly Service Projects for the entire school to participate in. The items received at the end of the month will be gathered and given to the appropriate need. Such examples of the Monthly Service Projects are Pretty Lake Vacation Camp, Hospitality House, Kalamazoo Animal Resuce, The Heifer Project just to name a few.

Halloween Carnival Committee
The Halloween Carnival is our biggest family event here at KCDS. The kids love to get dressed up, see their teacher, hang with their friends, play fun Halloween games and marvel at the wonderful Halloween decorations in the hallways. This committee will be responsible for organizing volunteers for decorating the halls one week prior to the carnival, set-up of games the night of the carnival, enlisting teacher volunteers for games, ticket sales, food preparation and clean -up. You are sure to have a gooly-good time!

Parent Coffees
Volunteer/s needed to prepare coffee and rolls in front entryway after morning drop-off on the third Thursday of each month for a time of social gathering among families of KCDS

Grandparents Day/Special Friend Day Committee
Grandparents Day/Special Friend Day will be held on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving break begins. It is a wonderful time for your child to show their Grandparent or Special Friend their school and some of their accomplishments. Volunteers are needed to prepare a brunch for the guests, arrange a photograpy session during the morning with their Grandparent /Special Friend, and possibly assist with a craft to be done with the child and their Grandparent/Special Friend.

Parent/Teacher Conferences Luncheon
Volunteers are needed to help provide one main lunch for the teachers 2x/year during Parent/Teacher Conferences. Volunteers will provide refreshments, appetizers, lunch and dessert. They will be responsible for set-up and clean-up of the luncheon.

St. Patrick's Day Dance
St. Patrick's Day Dance is again another wonderful gathering of our students, their families and faculty. The Dance occurs immediately following dismissal of school at 3:15pm. Volunteers are needed to provide refreshments along with organizing a professional DJ. Kids are encouraged to come dance, chat with friends and dress up green!

Annual Benefit Auction Committee
Volunteers are needed to assist with preparation of our annual auction. It is our main fundraising event for our school. This event is organized jointly by the Development Committee and the Parent Association. All proceeds benefit the school. Volunteers assist in the procurement of auction items, encourage attendance, and assist with set-up and take-down on the day of the event.

Teacher Appreciation Week
Volunteers are needed to plan and prepare a variety activities (i.e. luncheon, massages, gift bags) for the teachers for one full week in appreciation for all they do for us at KCDS. Teacher Appreciation Week takes place in May.

End of Year Celebration
Volunteers needed to plan and prepare hot-dog roast for the children and their families on the last day of school. Food items such as hot-dogs,, carrots and dip, fruit, chips, drink and dessert will be offered to all who are present. It's a great time of gathering and celebrating all the students accomplishments at the end of the school year.