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The importance of parental involvement traces back to the very foundations of the day school movement. Unlike boarding schools, day schools sought to offer students the benefits of academic rigor while allowing them to return home to their families each evening. This philosophy emphasized the “healthful influence of parents” as a vital element of a child’s development — an ethos that remains deeply ingrained at North Shore.

“There’s so much research that talks about how parent engagement is crucial to educational outcomes,” explained Parents’ Association President Robyn Schuster.  Robyn and her husband, Jonathon, have been part of the NSCD community since their eldest child, Ari ’27, was in junior kindergarten, followed two years later by Zo ’29. “When kids see that their parents and teachers are working together as a united front, it gives them the confidence to take risks, try new things and learn who they are.” 

When her children were in lower school, Robyn often looked for what she considered “light lift” volunteer opportunities — picking up a shift or two of lunch duty or helping with a classroom event. As a full-time working parent, she doubted her ability to commit to more significant roles. That changed when Zo reached sixth grade, and Robyn was invited to serve as a grade chair. 

“I had such an incredible experience with those parents that I started to think I could do more,” she recalled. “I realized that what I thought had to be a full-time job was actually a collaboration with a supportive group of people.” 

From organizing the annual Homecoming Carnival to coordinating the Heritage Celebration Potluck, the Parents’ Association leads numerous initiatives that bring the community together. With more than a dozen committees, the PA offers parents opportunities to take on as much or as little responsibility as they have the time and energy to commit to.

Over the past few years, PA leadership has taken measures to make it easier for working parents to participate. Grade chairs who cannot make it to campus during the day can now join steering committee meetings via Google Meet. Additionally, the January PA meeting, which coincides with the State of the School address, is held in the evening rather than the morning. Many volunteer and social opportunities are also scheduled during evenings or weekends, providing more flexibility for families with busy daytime schedules.  

Robyn explains that the school’s motto of “Live and Serve” naturally inspires parents to participate. “Our parents genuinely want to contribute to the community,” she explains. “That sense of service and partnership is a natural extension of their decision to join a school like NSCD.”

A perfect example is the Helping Hands Committee, which provides support to school families as well as faculty and staff during times of need. Whether facing an illness, welcoming a new baby or navigating a personal challenge, families can request assistance with meals, household help or transportation — there are no strict guidelines. Once a need is identified, the committee chair sends out an email, and often those needs are met within minutes. 

“You really see the best of humanity,” said Lauren Grossman, who has chaired the committee for the past several years. “People genuinely want to help. You often hear, ‘Let me know what I can do,’ but without direction, people do nothing. This committee provides a clear way for them to step up and make a real difference.”

With a mission focused on fostering parent-to-parent connections, the PA emphasizes the importance of getting to know one another beyond classroom involvement. Events like grade-level parent gatherings are intentionally adults-only, creating opportunities for deeper connections.

Parent Dani Vanden Heuvel took this idea a step further by creating the Parent Engagement Committee, which coordinates activities like sip-and-paint nights, paddle tennis outings and a thriving book club that now boasts 50 members across two groups. 

Dani and her husband, Peter, joined the NSCD community right in the thick of the pandemic when their children, Joaquin ’30 and Rafael ’33, were in third grade and senior kindergarten. Having recently moved to the North Shore area, Dani decided to be proactive about making new friends.

“I started thinking, what could I do to meet people,” she recalled. So she approached PA leadership with ideas for events that would bring together parents from different grades and divisions, who might not otherwise have the opportunity to get to know each other. “We were looking for ways to help parents connect on a personal level. When you find your people, you’re happier, your kids are happier, and you feel like you belong here.”