The RPNS PARENTS COMMITTEE is made up of all interested nursery school parents as well as two RPNS board members. The goals of the committee are twofold; to conceptualize, organize, and run social functions for the nursery school parents and children and to raise money to supplement the nursery school's scholarship fund, the Eric Wesley Flood Memorial Scholarship Fund. Our first and only organizational meeting takes place on the last Wednesday in September, at 9 AM and at 12:15 PM, after drop off. If you are unable to attend, please be assured that there will be plenty of opportunity to participate!
The E.W.F.M.S.F. is our main means of supporting families with partial scholarships, thus enabling them to attend preschool. Our funds have grown due to the generosity of nursery parents, friends, and the community. The Rye Presbyterian Women’s Association organizes and runs the RPC Thrift Shop and has presented the school with generous grants in the past to supplement our financial aid to parents, as has the Mission and Outreach Committee of the Rye Presbyterian Church. As expenses and tuitions continue to increase over the years, it is imperative that alternative funding be available for parents and the Parent Committee has been instrumental in maintaining this effort. These past several years we have been able to award more than $ 70,000.00 to more than 30 deserving children. Applications for scholarships may be obtained from Mrs. Flood or Mary Canneto and are totally confidential.
The RPNS Parent Committee holds several functions each year
• Holiday Caroling Party - This event will be held on Saturday December 8th from 10:00am to 12:30pm at the nursery school. Refreshments, a bake sale, hayrides, a petting zoo, a holiday raffle, a craft activity and a visit and picture with Santa will be enjoyed by all.
• Pancake Breakfast- Scheduled for March 9th from 8-12 AM will include a wonderful breakfast cooked by our parents and a book fair on March 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th.
• New Rochelle Children’s Center for Learning “Caring and Sharing” Program: Our relationship with this preschool, which serves the homeless children of White Plains and Westchester, has grown to great proportions with the support of parents and staff. Co-Chairs and volunteers organize and transport food, holiday gifts and ongoing contributions of children’s clothing, toys and books that are so thoughtfully donated by our parents and collected in our downstairs hallway. Birthdays are a difficult time for the children and their parents, for often parents are unable to recognize this special day. This committee organizes a “Birthday Pals” program where our parents can sign up to buy a small gift for one of the 80 children at NRCCL, which is packaged with party goods from RPNS and delivered to NRCCL for a special school celebration for each child.
• Playground Supervision after school is provided by parent volunteers each weekday, weather permitting, from 3:00 to 4:00 P.M. This is required by the Church for insurance purposes, in order to allow the use of the nursery school playground. A parent volunteer organizes this schedule.
• The RPNS Sunshine Committeeis made up of a small group of parents who have again made a difference in the lives of others. This committee organizes support for the families of students and staff who are experiencing illness, death, or other adversity.
•Teacher Appreciation Luncheon is scheduled for May 6th from 1:15 to 3:00 PM. It is presented by parent volunteers and greatly appreciated by the staff.
