Rivertown Parents Join Forces To Help Schools

DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. – A new group called Rivertown Parents, a partnership between local parents and Mercy College, announced its formation Tuesday and aims to create a community of parents and school administrators to facilitate learning, resource-sharing, family support and improved education for all students.

The group is made up of volunteers from Parent Teacher Student Associations in Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, Hastings, Irvington and Tarrytown/Sleepy Hollow.

“Parents are really excited,” said Lisa Ferrara, president of the Dobbs Ferry Parent Teacher Student Association. “They think it makes a lot of sense to come together as a community to address issues from preschool to the transition to college.”

Mercy College’s role will be logistical and educational. The college has resources such as parking, event space, educational programs and connections within the academic world, Ferrara said.

Such a group has always been needed, Ferrara said. But with budget cuts, working with neighboring communities is more important than ever, she said. While many school districts set up interesting guest speakers, seminars and workshops, many of those events are attended only by parents from the school district hosting the event, Ferrara said. Rivertown Parents will change that and help all parents benefit from educational programs regardless of where they are held, she said.

"As parents strive to meet the many demands faced by families today, they often need support for themselves and their children,” Deb Hargraves, co-chair of Rivertown Parents, said in a statement. “Rivertown Parents will bring together the Parent-Teacher-Student Associations of the Rivertowns to provide quality lectures, seminars, webinars, book clubs and other educational resources to everyone raising and educating children in the Rivertowns.”

The group will host a kickoff event, “How Rivertown Parents Can Get Their Kids The Education They Deserve,” at Mercy College on Oct. 17. It will feature a question-and-answer session with superintendents as well as a discussion with Peg Tyre, author of several best-selling education books.

For more information about the group or how to volunteer, email rivertownparents@gmail.com.

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