PArents & caregivers association

Greetings!

The Parents and Caregivers Association (PA) at MCS is a vibrant and essential part of our community. It includes all parents and caregivers of MCS students. Through meetings, events, and volunteer opportunities, the PA provides a platform for caregivers to stay informed, get involved, and make a positive impact in the community.

Whether you're a new or returning family, we invite you to join our activities, share your ideas, and help us continue building a supportive and inclusive community. Explore this page to learn more about our initiatives, upcoming events, and ways to get involved.

We are excited to serve our MCS community and look forward to engaging with you in meaningful and impactful ways.

In community,

Slavina Zhelezova and Elka Samuels Smith

PA Co-Presidents, 2024 - 2025

MISSION

Build a strong, supportive, and engaged school community through:

  • Effective communication

  • Active involvement

  • Shared generosity

LEADERSHIP

The PA Co-Presidents serve staggered two-year terms, overlapping by one year. They work with MCS Co-Heads of School, Division Directors, and Administration to amplify parent and caregiver voices.

GOALS

  • PA Meetings

    • Four meetings during the school year

    • Open to all caregivers

    • Receive updates from school leadership, hear about committee activities, and learn about volunteer opportunities

    Monthly Class Rep Meetings

    • Held every second Wednesday of the month

    • Designed for Class Reps, but open to all caregivers

    PA Newsletters

    • Biweekly dose of news you can use

    Wednesday Coffee and Community

    • Connect and chat with the PA Co-presidents

    • Class jobs

    • Parent/caregiver-led committees and initiatives

    • Support community events

    • Support school fundraising and Admissions events

    • Organize and support teacher appreciation week

    • Fundraise for teacher and staff gifts

    • Support the Annual Fund and school events such as Big Night Out!

MCS Caregiver Committees

  • Projects include:

    • General beautification of our school

    • Helping to display student work

    • Sewing and repair work of 9-10s Arpilleras

  • Led by Black parents and caregivers, BLAC cultivates a nurturing environment that fosters community, culture, and support networks for MCS families with Black-identifying children.

    • Maintains a WhatsApp Group

    • Hosts 2 annual events

    • Hosts Monthly Meetings

    • Collaborates with MCS Librarian and meets once a month. Past projects include organizing books on the shelves and processing new library books. 

    • Supports the following PA activities:

      • Project Cicero book drive

      • MCS Pajama Party

    • Manages parent elections for PA Co-President

    • Oversees nominations and online voting

    • Organizes annual March for Racial Justice and Summer Reading 

    • Hosts monthly community conversations - intentional spaces to share, listen and learn from other parents/caregivers

    • Is a resource share for tools, books, podcasts, events, poetry etc. that focus on learning about and dismantling systemic racism and systems of oppression

    • Extends the MCS curriculum into a parent/caregiver space

    • Advances environmental sustainability in all school community activities

    • Promotes educational resources and the mainstreaming of zero waste practices

    • Supports environmental and climate activism throughout the school community

    • Helps facilitate Zero Waste events, including Farm Fest and Farm Outing Day

    • Authors a biweekly “Sustainability Spotlight”, issued through the school’s newsletter

    • Hosts monthly meetings and maintains a range of communication channels including a WhatsApp Group.

    • MCS Bike Bus empowers families to choose sustainable transportation, providing a safe, fun environment and highlighting equity in public space access

    • Rides first Wednesday of each month

    • Fundraising initiative to create and sell a line of jams that celebrates the diverse culinary traditions of MCS families and the joy of fresh produce at the MCS farm

    • Monthly caregiver music and spoken word night

    • Held at Shrine World Music Venue in Harlem

    • All MCS parents and caregivers are invited to perform and/or come support fellow parents and caregivers as they take the stage

    • Family-friendly and a joyful way to experience the MCS community


Caregiver-led Initiatives

How to Get Involved:

Volunteering is a meaningful way to connect with our community and get to know fellow caregivers, administration, and staff.

We always welcome helping hands!

    • Three to four caregivers from each grade

    • Act as the link between the PA, MCS administration, and their child's classroom community

    • Meet monthly with PA co-presidents to discuss policy issues and updates

    • Meet regularly with Division Directors and Co-Heads of School

    • Lead class fundraising and oversee class jobs

    • Participate in Class Jobs and support community events like Farm Festival, Big Night Out, Winter Assembly, the MLK Commemorative March, and Farm Outing Day

    • Take part in committees and initiatives to share your ideas, knowledge, talents, and creativity

  • Evening gatherings to create dialogue and build connections on shared values. Past topics have included racial justice, political engagement, composting, gender issues, and supporting diverse learning challenges.

    To suggest a topic or organize a forum, contact pa@manhattancountryschool.org

  • Thursday, Sep 5, 12 PM: Back-to-School Picnic after dismissal at the Pinetum in Central Park. Location here

  • Wednesday, Sep 18, 6 PM: Opening PA Meeting with Potluck- stay tuned for more details

Upcoming PA Events and News