2022–23 Parent Support Group Report

Empowering Parent Involvement

Our school benefits greatly from incredible parent involvement—working together to enhance student programs, fostering a sense of community, and generating funds. While the Country Day Fund serves as the vehicle for community members to support the school’s core operating budget, three parent support groups—Parents’ Association, Boosters Club, and POCIS—provide opportunities for community-building, volunteerism, and supplemental support to our school. Thousands of parents have volunteered, given back, and supported us through their efforts throughout this school year, and it has made an incredible difference. In the spirit of transparency and celebration, we want to take a moment to not only say thank you, but also report back to you on how your volunteer and fundraising efforts made an impact.

From Laurie Hedrick, Parents’ Association President

This year the Parents’ Association built connection, fostered community spirit, and raised supplemental funds through community events, including Big Saturday. Because of strong community support the PA was able to provide hospitality and appreciation events for faculty and staff throughout the school year and support specific enhancements in each division. Items include the Parent Speaker Series, much-needed theater enhancements, yard signs for all of our deserving seniors, new books for our Lower School students, continuing a beloved “Artist in Residence” program for our Middle School students, and a large tent for the entire school to use for events versus paying high-cost rental fees.

What is even more important is all the opportunities we had to gather as a community to celebrate and build connection: Run For Good, Halloween Parade, Big Saturday, and more. As always, I am in awe of what our collective community of faculty, staff, students, and parents can accomplish together.

From Kevin and Courtney O’Neil, Boosters Club Presidents

The Boosters Club supports our student-athletes through a variety of spirit-promotion, fundraising, and community-building activities. This year, we helped foster connections across divisions by hosting Lower School spirit events in each season. Additionally, over 500 families from Lower, Middle, and Upper School, and alumni joined the Boosters Club. These funds, along with concessions and the Boosters Golf Tournament, support the athletics department and fund community events that help boost school spirit. This year's funds are helping to purchase items such as new Middle School uniforms, state championship jackets, team travel, and coaches' professional development. A big thank you to all of our parent volunteers who also sold concessions at over 150 events, including Middle School, junior varsity, and varsity sports, plus Big Saturday and Special Olympics. Go Bucs!

From Brianna McRae, POCIS Chair

People of Color in Independent Schools (POCIS) supports families of color, the school’s DEIB initiatives, and serves as a space of unity and belonging. This year, we hosted a fantastic mix of family connection and fundraising events. Lower School families leapt into fall with our first ever Lower School Fall Family Gathering and the entire POCIS community celebrated the holiday season at one of our largest Holiday Potlucks to date. This year also saw the return of the Buccaneer’s Choice Dance supporting the Mark E. Reed Scholarship. Finally, the year culminated in POCIS celebrating 38 graduating POCIS students, one of the highest numbers in Country Day history. Thank you for all of your support.