Welcome,

Parents

MyDCD

When your family joins the DCD community, as a parent, you automatically become part of our Parent Association.

From lectures and book groups, to social gatherings, to learning opportunities, to affinity spaces and DEI groups, and school-wide events, we have many opportunities for you to get involved with the DCD community and meet fellow DCD parents.

The PA’s charter is to build community among parents, coordinate and encourage parent involvement at DCD, and enhance communication between parents and school. One of the hallmarks of our school is the eagerness of our committed parents to get involved!

When parents volunteer at our events, it not only helps the school but also greatly enriches the children’s experience. They love sharing their school community with their families. And along the way, it gives our parents an opportunity to connect and get to know each other in their child’s grade as well as throughout our community.

We understand that life is busy and that the amount of time that parents are able to commit to volunteer activities varies from family to family. Whether you are available for one event or on an ongoing basis, we welcome and appreciate the time parents are able to give.

A parent volunteer at an event with a student.

A parent working with donated items at an event.

Goals of the Parent Association

Organize parent volunteers to assist the school in areas where necessary
Create opportunities for parents to get to know one another and other members of the DCD community
Educate parents by providing speakers and programs on relevant issues
Work with the Head of School and faculty, as needed, to ensure clear communications between parents and the Administration
Aim to be receptive and responsive to the concerns of all DCD parents

PA Executive Committee 2024-25

President
Tara McDonald

Secretary | Treasurer
Danielle Canty

Class Parents
Brian Blackman and Erica Cohen

Communications
Marissa Cautino

Volunteer Engagement
Mandy Susi

Community Outreach
Holly Symmes

Functions
Holly Symmes, Ronit Velde, Cassie Perry, and Michelle Turner

Faculty & Staff Appreciation
Stephanie Pearl

New Families
Michelle Freniere

Two parents smiling at the camera at a parent volunteer event.

Branches of the PA

The purpose of the President of the PA is to oversee each branch of the PA Executive Committee. The President is responsible for creating a monthly meeting agenda, running all PA meetings, meeting monthly with the Head of School, acting as a point person for the PIN Network (Parents’ Independent School Network, Inc.), attending Board Meetings, and working closely with all members of the PA Executive Committee.

The purpose of the Class Parents branch of the PA is to oversee and guide the Class Parents for each grade. The Class Parents Chair(s) is responsible for communicating monthly with Class Parents regarding upcoming events and important reminders and supporting Class Parents by acting as a point person for any questions.Class Parents for each grade are responsible for organizing class-related activities for the school year, including coordinating teacher gifts, class get-togethers, and general classroom assistance. Being a Class Parent does not require being at school consistently, and many functions of the role can be done easily by email.

The purpose of the Communications branch of the PA is to enhance communication among parents and between DCD parents and the school. The Communications Chair is responsible for posting information in the Weekly eNews and communicating with students and families about special events.

The purpose of the Community Outreach branch of the PA is to encourage a strong sense of community by ensuring that DCD has a strong and positive presence in the broader community. The Community Outreach Chair is the liaison between the PA and Community Outreach Committee and is responsible for communicating volunteer opportunities to the wider community.

Parent volunteers from Pre-K through Grade 5, in conjunction with the service-learning coordinators, assist teachers and students with community service projects in Dedham and surrounding towns by providing logistical support and encouraging student involvement.

Students from all grades have an opportunity to participate in age-appropriate projects every year. Interested parents are encouraged to attend one Community Outreach Committee meeting per month throughout the school year. Community service projects from past years have included a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. service morning, sorting clothes and toys for Cradles to Crayons, collecting donations for Thanksgiving baskets to benefit the Dedham Food Pantry, making coloring books for the children’s pediatric ward at Massachusetts General Hospital, creating welcome bags for residents of the Walker School, and organizing drives to benefit Horizons and other local organizations.

The purpose of the Faculty & Staff Appreciation branch of the PA is to regularly celebrate the hard work of DCD’s faculty and staff. The Faculty & Staff Appreciation Chair is responsible for generating ideas for faculty and staff appreciation and planning, organizing, and executing these events.

The purpose of the Functions branch of the PA is to organize major non-fundraising events that occur during the school year, including Spookyfest, Winterfest, Family Bingo Night, and the Fun Run. The Functions Co-Chairs are responsible for overseeing the planning, organization, and execution of key community events.

The purpose of the New Families branch of the PA is to work with the PA and the school administration to help make new families feel welcome and included in the DCD community from the moment students are accepted to the end of the first school year. The New Families Chair is responsible for making new families aware of key school events and traditions and acting as a point person for any questions.

The purpose of the Secretary/Treasurer of the PA is to keep a detailed account of meeting notes and the finances of the PA. The Secretary/Treasurer is responsible for taking notes at the monthly PA meetings and distributing them to all members of the PA and relevant administration on a timely basis. The Secretary/Treasurer is responsible for keeping track of the PA’s finances, submitting reimbursement receipts as necessary, and communicating clearly with the Business Office regarding the PA’s finances.

The purpose of the Volunteer Engagement branch of the PA is to generate enthusiasm for volunteering at DCD. The Volunteer Engagement Chair is responsible for gathering a volunteer pool and keeping the pool informed of upcoming volunteer opportunities via regular emails.

See Parent Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer Opportunities