Ronald Knox is governed by a volunteer board of parents who have children enrolled in the school. We depend on all of our parents to be committed and involved by contributing volunteer time, talent and/or financial resources.
Opportunities for Classroom Involvement
Parents have several opportunities to be involved in their child's classroom experience throughout the year. Parents are invited to visit the classroom on their child's birthday, and bring along photos of each year of their child's life as well as a snack to share with their classmates. Parents also join the class at another point during the year to bring a healthy snack for the children, along with a favorite picture book of their child's to read to the class. Other opportunities include sending in flowers for flower-arranging and fresh fruits or vegetables for food preparation by the children. Two times per year, parents are also invited for Parent's Day. This gives children a unique opportunity to share the RKMS experience. Sitting side by side their parents, the children do their works and offer insight on a typical day at school. Additionally, two Classroom observations - one through a one-way mirror and the other inside the classroom - round out the array of parental classroom experiences.
Room Parents
Volunteer Opportunities: Each classroom has at least one room parent. Their main role is to coordinate parental activity in the classroom. At the beginning of the school year, room parents coordinate and distribute the classroom calendars.
New Family Mentor Program
New families are paired with returning families to welcome them to our community and help them with any questions as they begin their Ronald Knox experience. Mentors typically "meet" over the phone at the beginning of the school year, and then get to know each other face-to-face at a special fall social event held at the home of one of our families.
Volunteer Opportunities: Co-chairs pair new families with returning volunteer families. They also organize the fall welcome event.
Fall Fun Fest
The Fall Fun Fest is a new tradition at RKMS. The event takes place during October at a local park, and allows families an opportunity to socialize and have fun together while enjoying the beautiful fall weather. Activities include races and games for the kids as well as snacks and refreshments for the whole family.
Volunteer Opportunities: Co-chairs secure a local venue for the event, plan the activities and refreshments, and publicize the event within the Ronald Knox Community.
Parent Social
This popular Ronald Knox event takes place each fall, giving parents an opportunity to meet new parents and visit with old friends. The event takes place in the lovely home of one of our families.
Volunteer Opportunities: Two co-chairs coordinate logistics which include identifying a host family and sending out invitations to the Ronald Knox community. They also coordinate food and beverages as well as help set-up before and clean-up after the event.
Sharing With the Sisters
This much-loved event gives children and their parents the opportunity to interact with and say "thank you" to the Sisters of Christian Charity, who have supported our school since its inception. The retired Sisters reside at the Sacred Heart Convent, just a short walk from our school. The school's music teacher prepares a delightful program of holiday musical entertainment by the children.
Volunteer Opportunities: Co-chairs publicize the event, coordinate the collection of donations from families to fill goodie bags for the Sisters, and provide snacks and refreshments.
Holiday Sing
This event is one of the highlights of the year for Ronald Knox families. Parents and children gather in holiday attire to share in the spirit of the holiday season. Children are given an opportunity to cultivate generosity and compassion by bringing along a new or gently used toy to be collected in a toy drive for needy children in a Chicago shelter. Families are treated to a musical show by the children, and the children enjoy the chance to visit with Santa. A bake sale also takes place during the event, with delicious treats prepared by parent volunteers.
Volunteer Opportunities: Two co-chairs coordinate the logistics of the event, including securing a location, publicity and refreshments. They also work with the music teacher and RKMS staff to prepare the musical show by the children. Another parent volunteer coordinates the toy drive, including publicizing the event to children and parents, toy collection the day of the event, and delivery of the toys to the shelter. Two additional parents coordinate the bake sale, including recruiting volunteers to bake and package the goodies.
Teacher Appreciation
Teacher appreciation week takes place during the last month of school each year, and gives our families a chance to thank our wonderful Directresses and Assistants for all they do for our children. Different events take place each day of the week, including special meals and flowers.
Volunteer Opportunities: Two co-chairs coordinate the activities for the week, including purchasing food and setting up for a special faculty luncheon. They also coordinate any requested donations from families.
All School Family Picnic
Ronald Knox parents and children gather for a day of fun activities in a local park to celebrate the end of another successful year. Families share a picnic lunch, parents get a chance to socialize with friends, and children enjoy the games and activities.
Volunteer Opportunities: Co-chairs publicize the event and organize the games for the children. They secure an outdoor location, as well as an alternate indoor location in the event of rain.
Refreshments
Volunteer Opportunities: This parent volunteer coordinates light refreshments for various RKMS events that take place at the school throughout the year.
