FOR OUR FAMILIES:

PARENT ENGAGEMENT AT ROUND HILL NURSERY SCHOOL
Round Hill Nursery School is fortunate to have an exceptional and deeply engaged parent community. Parents actively participate in many ways, from providing fresh fruit and organizing morning coffees to coordinating Parents' Nights Out. Our parents often step up spontaneously to support events and activities, and each other, demonstrating a spirit of generosity and involvement that enriches our school. This strong culture of parent engagement is truly a hallmark of the RHNS community and plays a vital role in creating a warm, supportive environment for children and families alike.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT
Back-to-School Night is a special evening for enrolled families to come together, ask questions about the upcoming school year, and learn more about the transitions within our programs—such as moving from First Step to Upper School. It’s an opportunity to meet other families, engage with teachers, and gain insight into the teaching philosophy and goals of the program. This event helps parents feel informed and confident as they prepare for a successful year ahead.

PARENT’S NIGHT OUT
At RHNS, we value the many ways families can engage with our school community. One of the most enjoyable traditions is our Parents' Nights Out—evenings planned and hosted by our wonderful class parents. These gatherings offer a relaxed and fun opportunity for parents to connect, share in the joys and challenges of raising young children, and simply enjoy one another’s company outside of the school day. It’s a meaningful way to build friendships and strengthen our supportive community.

PARENT COFFEES
Throughout the school year, RHNS hosts several parent coffees. Some are specific to an individual class, First Step, or Upper School and are designed to share important information or plan for upcoming experiences and events.
In addition, we offer monthly, schoolwide coffees at the Upper School campus. These gatherings have no formal agenda; they are simply an opportunity for parents from across our community to come together. First Step and Upper School families can meet, share experiences, learn from one another, and recognize that many of the joys and challenges of parenting are shared. These informal moments of connection are one of the most special aspects of our school and help strengthen the sense of community that makes RHNS so meaningful.

ANNUAL BENEFIT
The RHNS Annual Benefit is a cherished tradition and our most significant fundraising event of the year. It brings together parents, alumni, and friends of the school for an evening of community, celebration, and support. Each year’s benefit features a lively atmosphere, food and drinks, silent and live auctions, and the opportunity to raise critical funds that directly support our programs, staff, and facilities. It’s also a wonderful way to connect with others who share a commitment to the mission and spirit of Round Hill Nursery School.

HALLOWEEN PARADES
Halloween offers a joyful opportunity for children to step into the world of imagination—whether as a brave superhero, a magical princess, or a spooky ghost. At RHNS, we embrace this festive day and encourage children to celebrate with creativity and fun. Both our First Step and Upper School programs hold Halloween parades, and families are warmly invited to join us for the celebration. It’s a wonderful way to share in the excitement and see the delight of the day through your child’s eyes.

ANNUAL SPRING PICNIC
Each year, we close the school year with a joyful celebration that brings together our current families and warmly welcomes those joining us the following fall. The Spring Picnic is a fun-filled day with games and entertainment for the children, opportunities for parents to connect and catch up, and delicious treats from pizza and ice cream trucks. With plenty of festivities for all ages, it’s a wonderful way to celebrate the year’s end and build community as we look ahead to the next school year.

FOR OUR CHILDREN:

PARENTS AND SPECIAL VISITORS DAY
In addition to welcoming parents into the classroom to celebrate birthdays or share special talents and family traditions, RHNS designates specific days throughout the year for parents to make a special visit to school. These visits offer a meaningful opportunity for parents to experience the classroom through their child’s eyes, engaging in activities, exploring materials, and simply enjoying a morning together. Parent Visiting Days take place in both the fall and spring. This year, we are excited to introduce a new Special Visitor Day designed especially for grandparents and other important family members.

FALL HAYRIDE AT FIRST STEP
First Step has many friends, but one of our very favorites is Mr. Roland. Each fall, he brings a special treat to our youngest students—a hayride around the grounds at First Step. Children and parents alike look forward to this annual tradition. It’s a chance to enjoy the fresh air, share a joyful moment together, and, of course, take a ride behind Roland’s beloved tractor

CELEBRATIONS
We love to celebrate at Round Hill Nursery School. Throughout the year, classrooms mark birthdays, holidays, school traditions, and some classes mark special events the 100th Day of School. These celebrations bring joy to our days while helping children learn about the traditions, routines, and values that are meaningful within our community.
Families are warmly encouraged to participate whenever possible. Parents are invited to join classroom celebrations and to share holidays, customs, or family traditions that are important to them. These experiences help children appreciate both the traditions they share and the many different ways families celebrate

HOLIDAY SHOW
The RHNS Holiday Show is a beloved tradition that brings our community together in celebration. Each class shares songs, poems, or short performances that reflect the joy and spirit of the season. It's a warm and festive event that highlights the children’s creativity and growing confidence. Families are invited to join us for this special occasion, which offers a heartwarming glimpse into the experiences and learning taking place in the classroom. The Holiday Show is a joyful way to close out the calendar year together as a school community.

WESTERN DAY
Each year, our school celebrates a fun and beloved tradition called Western Day. Both programs enjoy visits from a petting zoo featuring baby goats, bunnies, and chicks, giving children the wonderful chance to hold and interact with these gentle animals.
At the Upper School, the excitement continues with pony rides around the neighboring field, adding an extra special touch to the day. Children come dressed in dungarees, cowboy hats, and boots, embracing the spirit of the West. It’s a joyful, memorable event filled with laughter, learning, and community—one of our favorite annual celebrations!

GRADUATION
At Round Hill Nursery School, we cherish every milestone—and one of our most meaningful celebrations is our spring Graduation Ceremony. This special event honors our four-year-olds as they prepare to take their next steps beyond RHNS. Families are invited to join us as the children sing, celebrate their accomplishments, and receive certificates of graduation. It’s a joyful and heartfelt occasion filled with hugs, pride, and reflections on the time spent growing and learning together at RHNS.

SUMMER PROGRAM
Round Hill Nursery School offers a joyful and enriching summer camp experience exclusively for currently enrolled families. It’s a wonderful way for children to stay connected to the RHNS community while exploring new adventures through hands-on activities, outdoor play, and plenty of TLC. For our rising three-year-olds, the summer program provides an exciting opportunity to become familiar with the Upper School campus and meet new teachers they may have in the fall. The days are busy, a little messy, and full of discovery—making it one of the most memorable parts of our year!

VISITING FIELD TRIPS
Throughout the school year, Round Hill Nursery School welcomes a variety of special visitors who bring exciting experiences directly to our classrooms. These professionals share their unique talents, knowledge, and sometimes even live animals with our children. These visits enrich our curriculum and provide memorable, hands-on learning opportunities right here at school.

SPECIAL FOR OUR FOURS PROGRAM
Gingerbread House Day is a beloved annual tradition for our four-year-olds and their families. On this festive afternoon, children and their parents come together at school to decorate beautiful gingerbread houses. It’s a joyful, sugary celebration full of excitement and creativity—a highlight of the year for our Fours Program.
As the school year draws to a close, the fours also enjoy a special beach trip. Accompanied by a parent and their teachers, each child spends a fun-filled morning at the beach—digging in the sand, playing in the water, and soaking up the sun. This outing is a wonderful way to celebrate the end of the school year and enjoy quality time together in a relaxed, natural setting.

FOR OUR TEACHERS:

TEACHER APPRECIATION
Our teachers put their hearts and souls into caring for, guiding, and teaching your children each day. While expressions of gratitude are meaningful and welcome throughout the year, we set aside a special day each spring to honor and celebrate our faculty. Teacher Appreciation Day is an opportunity for families to recognize their dedication with thoughtful gestures, treats, and sincere thanks for all they bring to our children and our school community.

TEACHER- IN- SERVICE DAYS
At Round Hill Nursery School, we deeply value the skills and talents our teachers bring to the classroom. To support their ongoing growth, we provide in-service training twice a year. These sessions are led by professionals with expertise in music and movement, assessment techniques, classroom management, and behavior support. Covering a wide range of topics, these training sessions equip our teachers to meet the diverse needs of every child and deliver the highest-quality learning experience each day.

PHILANTROPY THROUGH RHNS:

MOTHER FOR OTHERS
Each fall, we set aside a week to collect diapers for families in need in our community. Founded in 2011, Mothers for Others (MFO) is a nonprofit diaper bank dedicated to providing essential diaper support to underprivileged families in Fairfield County, Connecticut. MFO’s mission is simple but vital: to keep babies healthy, clean, and dry—one diaper at a time. MFO serves nearly 600 children every month with diapers funded by both in-kind and financial donations.

TOYS for TOTS
During the holiday season, we join the US Marine Corps in its annual drive to support children in need. Collection boxes are at both sites to collect new, unwrapped items for distribution. The Toys for Tots Foundation provides a tangible sign of hope to economically disadvantaged children. As you negotiate your busy holiday season, please consider how you can support toys for tots. It is never too early to teach the importance of giving to those in need. Monetary donations are welcome as well.

NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR FOOD DRIVE
The Round Hill Nursery School community has a long-standing tradition of supporting the Neighbor to Neighbor food pantry in Greenwich. Each year, we organize a school-wide food drive to collect essential items for local families in need. Children take an active role in the process—bringing in donations, helping sort and organize the items, and loading the truck at the end of the week. It’s a meaningful and age-appropriate way for them to begin understanding empathy, generosity, and the importance of giving back to their community.