Pilgrim Community Nursery School
460 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL
(708) 848-5869

Parent Participation

Parents are always welcome at Pilgrim Community Nursery School. They are invited to demonstrate skills, hobbies or occupations in the classroom. Parents may also plan special activities for a class in coordination with the classroom teachers.

Pilgrim Community Nursery School values our partnership with parents. We expect parents to participate in two parent-teacher conferences. One conference is in the Fall and the other in Spring.

Parents will be asked to fill out a school survey twice a year. This is beneficial to planning Pilgrim Community Nursery School's future.

All parents are eligible to serve on Pilgrim Community Nursery School's board. Board members terms are October to September of the following year. There are no restrictions on the number of terms served. We are looking for parents who are interested in getting involved in their children's education and in helping the school reach its goals. No special skills are necessary other than a desire to help.

Room Parents

Parents may also help in the classroom by being Room Parents. Room Parents may help teachers plan various activities such as field trips and other classroom events. They notify parents if there is an emergency school closing. They also assist the Board by phoning parents to help with fundraising events.

Fundraising Commitments

Because of the ongoing commitment to keep tuition affordable, the Pilgrim Community Nursery School's budget is supplemented by fundraising events. The School's two primary fundraisers are the Farmer's Market Donut Days and the Cookie Walk. The success of these two fundraisers is dependent on the participation of parent volunteers. Therefore, Pilgrim Community Nursery School Families are required to participate in them as follows:

1. Work on all Donut Days or do a "buyout." Usually, there are three Donut Days per school year. The "buyout" amount is $90.00 for the first child; the "buyout" amount for each additional child is $45.00 (i.e., two children require a $135.00 "buyout"; three children, $180.00, etc.). The appropriate fee will be applied to a family's account if they fail to fulfill their commitment to work a Donut Day. There will be a $45.00 fee assigned for individual Donut Days not worked.
2. Bake cookies for the annual Cookie Walk in December or do a "buyout." For the first child parents are responsible to bake 8-dozen cookies; for each additional child, parents are responsible to bake an additional 4-dozen cookies (i.e., two children require 12-dozen cookies; three children, 16-dozen cookies; etc.). Many parent volunteers are also needed to staff the fun event. The "buyout" amount is $90.00 for the first child; the "buyout" amount for each additional child is $45.00.