Supporting Buckley

The Buckley Annual Fund is a source of general unrestricted operating support. Each year, we ask Trustees, parents, faculty, alumni, and friends of the school to make a tax-deductible gift to Buckley. Every member of the Buckley community is encouraged to make a gift to our Annual Fund: 100% participation from our parent community sets the pace for giving and serves as an inspiring example to members of the broader Buckley community.

• Why is Annual Fund giving so important? As is typical I in independent schools, tuition does not cover the full cost of educating each child. Annual Fund contributions enable Buckley to cover these costs.

• How are my Annual Fund gifts used? As unrestricted gifts, Annual Fund giving benefits virtually every aspect of life at Buckley. Expanded curriculum, continued professional development for faculty members, enriched activities, new technologies, and maintaining our beautiful campus and facilities are all typical uses of Annual Fund gifts.

• What amount is an appropriate Annual Fund gift? We ask each Buckley family to make our school a philanthropic priority. Past gifts have ranged from $50 to $25,000. Each gift is appreciated and helps us reach our dollar and participation goals.

• Who do I contact about making a gift to Buckley? Holly O’Brien, Assistant Director of Development for Alumni Engagement and Annual Fund, would be happy to answer any questions about the Annual Fund and other Buckley philanthropic initiatives.

To ensure the continued success of the school, Buckley may identify major facility and program improvements that require an extended amount of time to complete. Through capital campaigns, Buckley can address needs beyond the day-to-day operations to plan projects to expand, improve, or enhance programs, as well as our campus. In October 2018, Buckley launched a campaign to add six new classrooms, and build a new parking lot and dining hall.

You can learn more about the OUR SCHOOL, OUR FUTURE campaign HERE.

For more information, please contact Head of School Dr. Jean-Marc Juhel to discuss your participation.

Every parent whose children are enrolled at Buckley are members of the Parents’ Association. The PA works through the Development Office with Suzanne Bossé, Development Associate for PA and Special Events. The PA helps to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for new and returning families, and engages parents as volunteers to help plan and execute various events throughout the school year. PA events are meant to build and foster a strong community, and to raise financial support for the school.

2024-2025 PA President: Sara Vassos; Vice President: Helen Rallakis

Parents’ Association Fall Fair

The Fall Fair is a fun homecoming weekend of food, games, and activities for parents, students, faculty, staff, and alumni. This three-day event starts with a kickoff party for adults on Friday night, followed by two days of carnival rides, games, a renowned International Food Tent, and much more. Significant volunteer support is needed to ensure a successful event—in the months leading up to the Fall Fair, as well as the weekend itself.

Faculty/Staff Appreciation Week

Each year, parents come together to thank Buckley’s dedicated faculty and staff. Parents, students, and families are invited to submit written messages, artwork, and videos showing their appreciation for the teachers and staff who make the Buckley experience so special each and every day.

Other Parent Association Volunteer Opportunities

Family Fun Night: help set up and break down this community event.

Buckley Uniform Shoppe: help organize our twice-yearly uniform swap.

Class Parents play an important role in the life of the school—both inside and outside of the classroom—and are chosen over the summer from a self-selected pool of active parent volunteers. Class Parents are responsible for disseminating important information to parents in their class, such as updates from the school’s administration, and help coordinate volunteers for class-related activities such as field trips, as well as school-wide events including the Fall Fair.

Serving as a Class Parent is an excellent opportunity to help foster parent participation and volunteerism, and to learn more about the operations of the school.

Twice a year Class Parents are invited to a meeting to share experiences, best practices, and learn more about how they can support upcoming school events through their active communication with their class’s families.

Strictly speaking, every gift to Buckley Country Day School is a planned gift. Significant thought and consideration is given by the donor to make a contribution that is meaningful to him or her and will benefit the School. 

A Planned Gift might be as simple as remembering Buckley Country Day School in your will. There are annuities, trusts, life insurance and pooled income funds. Each has specific advantages that are tailored to the donor’s needs while benefiting Buckley. A donor might structure a gift to provide life income, avoid capital gains tax and pass assets to family members substantially free of taxes. 

Information on wills or other gift planning opportunities are available through Buckley’s Development Office, however, it is strongly advised that you involve an accountant or attorney while considering such a gift. 

Buckley’s Legacy Circle was created to recognize individuals who have remembered the School in their estate plans. 

The Legacy Continues Through Estate Planning 

For information, please contact Holly O’Brien, (516) 234-6830 or at hobrien@buckleycountryday.com

Thanks to everyone who supported and attended the 51st Annual Fall Fair over the weekend of October 18, 19, and 20!

Click here for a recap, photos, and a list of all our generous sponsors.

Thanks to the generosity of so many across the Buckley community, we raised $201,439 towards our $350,000 Annual Fund goal as part of Giving Tuesday on December 3, 2024.

Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement that encourages people to give back to the organizations and causes that mean the most to them. We are incredibly grateful that so many chose to support Buckley on Giving Tuesday – thank you!

Stay tuned for more info!