J U NE 2013
The Park Parent In this issue: GRADUATION SPEAKER // 2 NEXT SCHOOLS FOR GRADE IX // 2 JERRY KATZ’S HEADLINES THROUGH THE YEARS // 4
Letting Go B Y JERROLD I. KATZ, Head of School
W
hen I think about “letting go,” as my twenty year tenure at Park draws
to a close, I can’t avoid making a con-
NEXT SCHOOLS FOR GRADE VIII // 7
nection to my experience every year
CHINESE VISITORS // 8
conducting our Grade IX graduation
P.A. RECAP // 10 – 16
ceremony. There are so many raw emotions in the air that day for students, for faculty and staff, for parents, and for me. There is tremendous pride both in our school and in the accomplishments of the ninth graders on the risers facing our entire community. There is a sense of relief that we’ve reached this milestone and the close of another school year. There is uplifting hopefulness about what lies ahead for our graduates. Yet, when it’s all over, as graduates and their families finish moving through the receiving line of faculty and staff, for many of our students, in particular, it all dissolves into tears and an overwhelming sense of loss. Ultimately, graduation is all about letting go. For those of us who are parents, I believe that life offers a series of moments of letting go with our own children. This certainly has been the case for Marti and me – holding each other down in bed, while our first child cried to be picked-up from his crib; dropping each of our 5-year-olds off on their first days of Kindergarten; leaving each of our kids with new bunkmates during those first summers of overnight camp; leaving first one and then another at his dorm to begin college; walking our oldest child down the aisle.
vo l u m e 45 number 6 A PUB LICATION OF THE PARK SC HOOL PARE NTS ’ ASSOC IATION
While not as intense as the necessary losses that are associated with being parents, all of us who are privileged to be educators learn to accept the annual cycle of investing deeply in relationships each September that we know we will need to let go of in June. As head of school, my time frame has been wider. I have seen two complete cycles of children and families move from Pre-Kindergarten through Grades VIII or IX at Park. I have had the opportunity to hire almost 90 percent of Park’s current faculty and staff. My life has intersected with the lives of several thousand children and adults over the course of my years here. continued on page 3
MILESTONES
2013 Graduation Speaker: Jacob Aduama ’07 B Y K ATE LaPINE, Director of Communications
O
n Friday, June 14, Jacob Aduama ’07 will address the
Grade IX class at Park’s 125th graduation exercises. In recent memory, the School has followed the tradition of inviting an alum with six years of post-Park experience to deliver a speech to the current ninth grade.
Jacob, who received the John Spicer Award “for unique service to the School” at his own Park graduation, joined the Class of 2007 in Grade I. “Many of my best friends are from Park School, and I think that is a testament to those strong bonds we formed,” Jacob reflects. He also made lasting ties with his middle school teacher, Wanda M. Holland Greene, who is now the head of the Hamlin School in San Francisco, and served as Jacob’s Grade IX advisor as well. “I have deep affection and enduring respect for Jacob because of his genuine warmth, his no-nonsense way of seeing the world, his loyalty to his friends, his wonderful humor, and his very clear sense of self. His pride in his Ghanaian roots, his commitment to academic excellence, his passion for soccer and basketball, and our shared love of soul and rap music are memories that make me smile. Even though we now live miles away from each other, we remain connected.” Steve Savage, Jacob’s track & field coach, concurs. “Jacob is a wonderful, kind, and thoughtful student who is one of the best athletes I have ever coached!” After Park, Jacob went on to play soccer, basketball, and track at Northfield Mount Hermon School. Although he served as captain of the soccer team and was named a WNEPSA (Western New England Prep School Soccer Association) All-Star, Jacob does not list his athletic achievements as his favorite memories from high school. Instead, it is his “work job,” a required community service contribution that tops the list. On the NMH farm, Jacob had to muck the stalls, put out hay for the horses, and transport milk. He also helped with making maple syrup, raspberry jam, and pasteurizing the milk from the cows. “This was a great experience for a city kid,” Jacob recalls, “because I had a chance to interact in a different area. The work job experience also provided a sense of community (we all had to do it) and created responsibility that may not have been provided at another school.”
The Park Parent // PAGE 2
Now a junior at Northeastern University, Jacob plays goalie for the Huskies soccer team while majoring in chemical engineering with a minor in business. “College athletics is a lot more intense,” he says, “but at the same time it is more fun because there is a greater satisfaction in being a Division 1 athlete. We have practice three hours a day, and sometimes we travel for three days at a time. That, on top of five hours of engineering homework per night creates a great, but interesting challenge. There are always group projects, so luckily I have been able to Skype and communicate in effective ways.” Because his academics and athletics keep him so busy, Jacob doesn’t find time for many other extracurriculars. However, he is a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChe) and the Black Engineering Student Society (BESS). In addition to his love for sports and science, he also enjoyed art at Park. Recalls Fern Cunningham, “Jacob worked ferociously on his clay head of Maya Angelou in the ninth grade. He was such a serious and devoted student of her work and his determination continued on page 7
NEXT SCHOOLS FOR THE CLASS OF 2013 Victoria Alvarez
Dana Hall School
Mikaela Cox
Buckingham Browne & Nichols School
Mica Curtin-Bowen
Walnut Hill School
Samuel Feibel
Concord Academy
Justine Hatton
Beaver Country Day School
Madeline Hurley
Concord Academy
Chloë LeStage
Milton Academy
Katherine Mitchell
Tabor Academy
Miguel Principe
Noble and Greenough School
Sabrina Rabins
Noble and Greenough School
George Reeders
Commonwealth School
Pavel Sonkin
Concord Academy
Rachel Spitzer
Commonwealth School
Benjamin Thompson Hall Moses Brown School Jameson Woods
Beaver Country Day School
Denny Yu
Concord Academy
HEAD’S LINES
Letting Go, continued from page 1 As I said in the January 2012 letter announcing my intention to leave my position as head of school, I know that when I walk out of my office for the final time at the end of June, this community will remain in my heart for the rest of my life. I am grateful to faculty and staff for your partnership in moving Park forward with me over these past twenty years. I am grateful to trustees and parents for entrusting me with the implementation of Park’s mission and the care of your children. I am grateful to alumni for personifying our values and for maintaining enduring connections to Park. Thank you to all of you who have shared so much of your lives with me throughout our years together. Marti and I have both always admired Ellen Goodman, former Boston Globe columnist and a fellow baby boomer, for her insights into the important moments of transition that we experience in life. I’ve been carrying the column that Ellen Goodman wrote upon the conclusion of her career at the Globe around with me for years. In it, she writes about “looking backward and looking forward,” and she defines letting go as “leaving what’s over without denying its validity or importance in our lives.” I’ve known for a long time that this would be the spirit in which I wanted to leave Park School. Many of us who work in schools are incredibly fortunate to be able to look backward and to look forward and to be able to say what I can say to all of you today:
Faculty and Staff Farewells The close of school always brings with it the bittersweet task of seeing individuals whose service and friendship we have deeply valued move on to new phases in their lives and their careers. Each of the following members of the Park School faculty and staff has made a real difference in the lives of children, parents, and colleagues. I know that they will all depart with the sincere gratitude and best wishes of our entire community. Faculty/Staff Departing at the End of 2012-13: Linda Knight
Director of Interns/Physical Education
40 years of service
David Lawton
Grade IV
34 years of service
Juliana McIntyre
Resigning from leave of absence
12 years of service
Sarah Braga
Development Assistant
8 years of service
Liz Ballard
Assoc. Director of Development
7 years of service
Meg Lloyd ’98
Grade I
7 years of service
Morgan Darby
English/Social Studies
5 years of service
Sheika Luc
Grade II
3 years of service
Mally Smith ’01
Kindergarten Assistant
3 years of service
Caitlin Dick ’01
Grade V Assistant
1 year of service
Faculty/Staff on Sabbatical During 2013-14: Dorothea Black
Library Department Head (Full-year)
Steve Savage
Physical Education (January-June 2014)
Faculty/Staff Returning/Taking on New Roles in September 2013: Cathy Boskey will move into a new position as a Grade I Assistant. Gio Bradley-Campbell will move into a new position as a Pre-K Associate. Kimberly Formisano will be Acting Director of Interns and Park21 Implementation. Taylor Horan will stay on after her intern year to teach Upper Division math. Bob Little will return from sabbatical leave to his role as Athletic Director. Paul Newmark will move into a new position as a Grade III Assistant. Jessica Niebuhr will return from parental leave to teach Grade II.
• I have loved my job at Park.
Alli Raabe will return from parental leave to teach Grade I.
• I have loved the people with whom I’ve shared my years here.
Carolyn Snook will return from parental leave to teach Grade V.
• I have loved the importance of the work that we have done together.
Finally, a special word of thanks to our departing 2012-13 interns, who have made themselves integral members of our faculty throughout the past ten months. While developing their teaching skills, they have also contributed greatly to life at Park. Daniel Chin
Christine Elliott ’03
Hannah Newmark
Ashley Chow
Emily Medford
Hilla Rogel
Jerrold I. Katz, Head of School
JUNE 2013 // PAGE 3
Jerry Katz, Through The Years C O M P ILED BY STANLEY SHAW, Park Parent Editorial Board
F
or twenty years, Jerry Katz has shared his voice and
wisdom with Park Parent readers. To commemorate
the last issue to which he will contribute as Head
of School, we have delved into the archives to reproduce
Teaching students to analyze different perspectives and to think critically about both history and current affairs does not involve a retreat from academic rigor; helping students to develop pride in themselves while developing respect for and connections with others is, in fact, nothing less than essential to their ability to succeed as individuals and to our collective future as a nation.
ON PARK’S MISSION… (SEPTEMBER 1999 ISSUE) “The Park School is dedicated to excellence in education.” When our mission statement was crafted, this simple, JERRY’S FIRST COLUMN… (SEPTEMBER 1993 ISSUE) straightforward opening sentence resolved two extended As I assume my position as Headmaster of The Park School, discussions that had threatened earlier in this decade to divide the I feel most fortunate to be entering a community with so many Park community. enduring strengths. In particular, I have been tremendously First, although the “cornerstone” of Park’s program is academic impressed by my initial encounters with Park’s exceptional faculty. excellence, we are a school that is dedicated not only to intellectual It is, after all, their collective efforts that directly result in the rich development, but to the development of each “whole child.” Park learning environment provided daily to Park students… students are often known at I have a great deal to learn their next schools not only for about Park, and for much of ...we are a school that is dedicated not their rigorous scholarship, but the year ahead I plan on asking only to intellectual development, but to also for the values they bring in questions, listening carefully to the development of each ‘whole child.’ pursuing the arts, athletics, and teachers, parents and alumni, and opportunities to serve as caring creating contexts for building a members of a broader community. shared vision of what excellence in education will look like for Secondly, our mission makes clear our thinking about the students attending Park as it moves towards the 21st century… relationship between excellence and diversity. We presume at Park A central component of this vision will certainly involve Park’s ongoing efforts to help students to appreciate and respect diversity… that “an appreciation of similarities and differences of perspectives” is an essential component of excellence in education for all of Our ability as adults to embrace and to talk to each other about our students. This means that we need racial diversity, economic diversity is critical… We must be clear that multicultural education diversity, and other kinds of “difference” to make our community is a means to an end (respect for diversity) and not an end in itself. whole for all of its members.
some of our favorites.
“
The Park Parent // PAGE 4
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moments that didn’t go my way stood out… There was the time ON MORNING MEETING… (FEBRUARY 2002 ISSUE) I was pulled out of a big game in Little League by my coach, the I must confess that when I first visited Park as a candidate – close election I lost in junior high school, the only terms that I got now over 10 years ago – I was … impressed by Morning Meeting’s a grade below an A in math, and the day when I was told that I balance of energy and decorum, but I couldn’t imagine what went was not being nominated for the National Honor Society. Each of on there day after day. Whatever it was, it had to be important these moments was more than a disappointment. For a short time, enough to justify the loss of 20 minutes of daily instructional time. each moment brought with it a challenge to my identity, a brief Important it is! … Morning Meeting is a venue in which Park students become empowered to speak up in public. It is also a place loss of my sense of self. What’s most interesting, as I think about this, was the way my where they learn to respect and support the risks taken by others in parents reacted in each instance to my sense of failure/rejection. In speaking up. It is no coincidence that tours for prospective parents each case, I got a heavy dose of their belief in me, but they didn’t often start with the opportunity to observe Morning Meeting, try to fix anything. They didn’t as there is no better way to complain to anyone. They talked demonstrate who we are and what we must allow our children to develop with me about practicing more, we stand for at Park… the resiliency that begins with ‘lessons working harder, and learning One of my favorite Morning from a skinned knee.’ from each of these “difficult” Meetings since our return to experiences … the theater in early December Psychologist Wendy Mogul writes that we must allow our was led by members of our Student Council. They took on the children to develop the resiliency that begins with “lessons from challenge of presenting to their peers some examples of simple acts a skinned knee.” Well-meaning adults do not always get it right; of kindness that can make a difference in the course of a school day. From holding a door for a classmate coming down the corridor, life is not always fair... Of course, there are times when we do need to advocate for our kids, but there are also times when we need to to offering a word of encouragement following a difficult exam, trust, and times when we need just to step back and get curious. to sharing a snack, to acknowledging the impact of Betsy Ball’s always-welcoming smile at the Front Desk, our students celebrated ON “SIMPLICITY AND SINCERITY”… ways in which we can all contribute to the quality of life at Park… (OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2010 ISSUE) It is a longstanding tradition at Park that Morning Meeting I’ve often joked that Park’s motto, which appears on our concludes each day with a reflective “moment of silence.” In an website, in the center of our gym floor, and on every piece of effort to slow down our busy lives, to celebrate our core values of “simplicity and sincerity,” and to encourage both students and adults school stationery, should actually be “Complexity and Sincerity”… Perhaps it is precisely because children today are growing up so fast, to make reflection a regular habit of mind, I have always felt that in a world where they are bombarded by high expectations, jamthis brief moment binds us together as a community. packed schedules, and information overload, that the virtues of a school culture that values simplicity are so critical. ON RESILIENCY… (NOVEMBER 2007 ISSUE) From the earliest grades at Park, children learn the importance I was lucky enough to go through childhood and adolescence of good manners: holding a with many more moments of success than disappointment… The
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continued on next page
JUNE 2013 // PAGE 5
Jerry Katz Through The Years, continued from page 5 door open for visitors, greeting a guest. They learn that teachers Over the past year and a half, Marti has done most of the will always take time to listen and that adults here value each of mourning about our boys’ departure. While feeling their loss, I their unique voices. They encounter a science teacher who focuses have tended to focus more on the fulfillment that each of our sons their attention on the beauty and wonder that surrounds us on our is fortunate to be finding in his new setting… Yet, this yard sale campus, a division head who is playful, and a school receptionist was difficult for me. who is infinitely patient and kind. Perhaps it was the child They sing the words at our May inside, still having feelings about ...these years of watching our children Day celebration every spring, “’Tis the time I returned from Boston grow up surely do go quickly....if we a gift to be simple, ‘tis a gift to be to the home of my own youth are lucky, they go on for a lifetime. free”… to find the world map on the Truth be told, as I move wall covered with new wallpaper through my early 60s, I feel very lucky to be part of a community and my bed replaced by a sleep sofa. My mother still lives in our where simplicity and sincerity are valued… Students and adults home outside of Detroit. I can sit in the room that my brother and love our new website, our renovated library, our SMART Boards, I shared for so many years and remember, although most of the and our new Mandarin program, but we all continue to be objects of my childhood have long since been removed (among nurtured by the simplicity and sincerity that have endured as core them my extensive baseball card collection ... now, how could my values at Park for over 120 years. parents have sold that?). My desk was built-in, so it’s still there. I recall so clearly sitting dutifully at that desk with my new electric ON THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY IN TEACHING … typewriter to write my first research paper (a seventh-grade (FEBRUARY-MARCH 2012 ISSUE) examination of the excavation of ancient Troy) almost 40 years ago. As the instructional use of technology at Park School For some reason, the bronze pin that certified me as a fifth-grade continues to evolve, our efforts will be guided by the belief that audiovisual “expert” has survived in the corner of my old bulletin technology has the capacity make learning more engaging, more board, now surrounded by many pictures of my own children. collaborative, and more connected. Furthermore, we see strong Change and continuity are both important aspects of our evidence that technology has the capacity to enable students with lives. We need to let go; we need to move on. We also need to differing skill levels, learning styles, and interests to take more stay connected. I think Marti and I were able to have this most control over their learning experiences... recent yard sale now because we have had enough time to redefine I expect that the lessons learned from these current initiatives our connections with our young adult sons, as they have moved will inform Park’s thinking about when and how to replace heavy out from our nest. We’ll always cherish our years as the parents of student backpacks with a single tablet or laptop device. I expect young children, even as we acknowledge that we are ready to pass that over the next few years we’ll see more opportunities for many of the remnants of this phase of our lives on to strangers. teachers to utilize technology to “flip” instruction that is presented On the one hand, these years of watching our children grow in class (new concepts) with assignments that are completed at up surely do go quickly. On the other hand, as my own mother home (applications). Finally, Park will need to keep its eye on area often reminds me, if we are lucky, they go on for a lifetime. secondary schools to ensure that our students are well prepared for the expanded online learning expectations they will be faced with in the years ahead. It is an exciting time to be an educator, and Park is well on its way to remaining a leader in the use of technology to expand and deepen learning across the curriculum.
“
ON CHANGE AND CONTINUITY… (NOVEMBER 2001 ISSUE) Recently, my wife, Marti, and I had a yard sale. Like many other homeowners, we go through this ritual cleansing of our basement and attic every couple of years. This yard sale was different, however. It felt more like a rite of passage. We could not have done it last fall, in our very first months as empty nesters, but now we were ready to discard many of the remnants of an earlier stage of parenthood…
The Park Parent // PAGE 6
”
Aduama, continued from page 1
to capture every nuance of her grace and personality was clearly captured. Jacob was also a shining star in our One World Club! He told us so much about Africa and really enjoyed everything we did!” Jacob currently works with Northeastern’s Environmental Health & Safety Office for his co-op requirement. “I am in charge of conducting safety analysis of different labs on campus, which involves analyzing chemical storage, lab waste practices, as well as looking at chemical hazards. I am also in charge of the campuswide chemical inventory, which entails software familiarization,
Join Us!
The Park Parent, written by parents for parents, helps us stay in touch with parenting issues and news about the School. Please consider joining the editorial board and adding your insights and skills to the 2013-14 Park Parent. If you are interested in volunteering or have questions, please contact Stanley Shaw at stanley.y.shaw@gmail.com.
implementation, and training of researchers and professors.” This summer, he plans to use his valuable free time playing soccer, spending time with family, experimenting with computer programming, and enjoying the beautiful weather on the beach as well as a trip to Canada for the Montreal Grand Prix. In August, he’ll be back in school for summer classes and the soccer preseason.
Summer Reading The summer months often bring a bit more time for pleasure reading – for both adults and kids. If you’re looking for suggestions for children, check out the Park School Library’s online summer reading guide for Grades V-IX, at parkschool. org/library/summer_reading. ”This list includes recent popular books, oldies but goodies, classics, and books to activate thinking about topics they will be studying next year,” notes Librarian Dorothea Black. “Grade levels are suggested, but students should choose whatever books appeal to them at any level. The link to ‘printable lists’ generates a compact list for taking to a library or bookstore.”
NEXT SCHOOLS FOR DEPARTING MEMBERS OF THE CLASS OF 2014 Guillermo Alvarez
Buckingham Browne & Nichols School
Cole Kern
Brookline High School
Mollie Ames
Milton Academy
Sadie Kraft
The Rivers School
Reg Anderson
Noble and Greenough School
Sam Barton
Concord Academy
Rachel Leighton
Commonwealth School
J.J. Batt
Milton Academy
Miranda Brown
Concord Academy
Charlie Mathews
Milton Academy
Eli Burnes
Milton Academy
Chris Mathews
Milton Academy
Henry Burnes
Milton Academy
Lilian McCarthy
Concord Academy
Sarah Buta
Cambridge School of Weston
Jack Mueller
Brookline High School
Henry Claudy
Milton Academy
Sophie Cohen
Newton North High School
Andrew Muggia
Beaver Country Day School
Dan Colombo
Milton Academy
Sam Murray
Milton Academy
Fiona Duckworth
The Winsor School
Oladunni Oladipo
Milton Academy
Lilly Gifford
Buckingham Browne & Nichols School
Nelson Olawoyin
Dexter School
Sophia Gillies
Choate Rosemary Hall
Johnny Parry
Noble and Greenough School
Sarah Power
Thayer Academy
Pauline Santry
Middlesex School
Maya Seckler
Newton North High School
Bob Zintl
Phillips Exeter Academy
Myles Haigney
Phillips Exeter Academy
Ashley Herman
The Rivers School
Erica Jarrell
Buckingham Browne & Nichols School
Jabari Johnson
Beaver Country Day School
Max Keating
Noble and Greenough School
Christopher Marcus Concord Academy
JUNE 2013 // PAGE 7
Park Welcomes Visitors from Chinese Partner School
The Park School has a close and growing partnership with the Greentown Yuhua Qinqin School in Hangzhou, China. In the past several years, administrators and faculty members from both schools have visited each others’ campuses. This spring, 10 students and 4 teachers traveled to Boston. (In March 2014, Park will send our first group of three students to China!) These student exchanges will promote person-to-person communication between Chinese and American students. They will not only visit new countries and learn about history, geography, and aspects of culture of the host country, but they will practice language skills and have extraordinary opportunities to see life ‘up-close’ in school and in family settings. Above: Chinese students and teachers pose with Park host families and faculty in the front circle. Below left: On their first day at Park, Chinese students met their hosts and began their blogs – parkschoolcommunity.net/china Below right: Basketball helped break the ice between Park boys and their Greentown Yuhua Qinqin guests – including faculty!
The Park Parent // PAGE 8
ANNUAL FUND 2012/13 Parent giving and participation in the Annual Fund reflect our community’s deep commitment to Park and our children’s education.
THANK YO U! Adults from both schools enjoyed conversations about professional development. In Hangzhou, senior teachers in each department mentor younger faculty.
n More than 90 percent of Park’s families have committed to the 2012-13 Annual Fund, providing 10 percent of the School’s operating budget.
We would also like to recognize and thank our incredible team of parent volunteer solicitors, whose time and effort were keys to the Annual Fund’s success. ANNUAL FUND VOLUNTEER SOLICITORS 2012-13 Alastair Adam, Mohamed Adam, Rory Altman, Bhaskar Banerjee, John Barkan ’85, Seth Brennan, John Connaughton, Rob Crawford, Harley Creelman, Lisa Amick DiAdamo ’86, Rob DiAdamo, LaToya DowningPeltier, Brian Duckworth, Rick Edie, Lee Englert, Negin Ewald, Jim Formisano, Russell Franks, Clark Freifeld ’93, Laurie Glassman, Abigail Ross Goodman ’91, Marcus On the final day, gifts were exchanged. Chinese students received Park School t-shirts and photographic books about Boston, and in turn their American hosts were given Chinese fans and silk scarves.
Gordon, Kathryn Gorski-Croce, Alison King Haley, Pierce Haley, Jack Hodgkins, Beth Holzman, Jim Holzman, Brian Kavoogian, Joanie Amick Kelly ’83, Steve Kelly, Justin Klosek, Keirnan Conroy Klosek, Soád Kousheshi, Abbott Lawrence ’85, Blyth Lord, Charlie Lord, Melissa Daniels Madden ’85, Stuart Mathews, Amy Lloyd McCarthy ’86, Mark McWeeny, John Meunier, Peter Mills, Anne Mitchell, Anju Nohria, Guy Parry, Lizette Perez-Deisboeck, Chip Pierce ’81, Rick Pinchera, Russ Porter, Emily Raviola, Pete Riehl, Will Rowe, Rebecca Lewin Scott ’89, Steve Seckler, Stan Shaw, Abeera Sheikh, Kerry Swords, Suzie Tapson, EJ Whelan, Robert Wood, Natalie Waters Wright, Rod Wright, David Zug
Chinese students attended several classes with their Park hosts to get a sense of school in America. They especially loved making giant clothespins in woodworking.
We welcome all parents who would like to join our fearless team for next fall’s Annual Fund campaign. It’s fun and rewarding, and you even make new friends! Contact Bea Sanders, director of development, at 617-274-6020 or SANDERSB@PARKSCHOOL.ORG .
JUNE 2013 // PAGE 9
Parents’ Association What a dynamic year 2012-2013 has been for the P.A.! The mission of the Park School Parents Association (P.A.) is to promote the interests of the School, to further close cooperation and understanding within the Park community, and to raise funds to enrich the educational experience of students and faculty. These goals and more have been accomplished due to the enormous contributions of time, energy, and talents. All parents are members of the P.A. and so many have contributed to our work this year. Each P.A. Committee fits into one of four areas of focus: Student Enrichment, Faculty Support and Grants, Parent Support & Education, and Community Building. As you will read in the following committee reports, the P.A. has had an impact on so many aspects of the school and the community, underscoring the relevance and purpose of our partnership. The P.A.’s governing body of officers is comprised of 25 parents who have volunteered in a variety of ways during their time at Park. In an effort to remain forward thinking and serve our mission and the community, the P.A. officers focus on key initiatives for the year. Thanks to them for their thoughtful work on these initiatives and the governance of the P.A. The 44 chairs of Park’s P.A. committees were supported by hundreds of volunteers throughout the school year. As you read on, you will be struck by the recurring theme of collaboration among parents, students and faculty. This unique way of contributing to our community thrives because of parental involvement. Congratulations to all the P.A. committee chairs and volunteers. And, thank you for your time and service to the Park community. As the school year ends, we look back fondly on the 20 years that the P.A. has had the honor of working with Jerry Katz. He has both supported and encouraged our involvement in so many important, fun and interesting aspects of the school. We are grateful for Jerry’s partnership over the years and wish him the very best as he moves to his next challenge.
Curriculum Enrichment invited Owen Young and BSO trio to perform for Grade III.
STUDENT ENRICHMENT Curriculum Enrichment – Hannah Riley Bowles, Julie Hayes, Melissa Madden This school year has been transformational and exciting for our committee. We have collaborated with faculty to incorporate 12 new programs for a total of 25 at Park that support a number of content areas across all grade levels. Highlights of new programs that resonated with both students and teachers were the Origami Master, Michael LaFosse, for Kindergarten and Grade V, making sushi (yum!) with Park parent Ming Tsai (coinciding with Grade V’s study of Japan), two new Native American programs for Grade III, a musical presentation by Park parent Owen Young and his BSO quartet, and a Romeo and Juliet Program for Grade VII. Extensive research has been done to bring more STEM (Science, Technology Engineering and Math) related programs to Park. Out of that research came four new programs! This spring our committee sponsored a Grade IV weather program, a Grade V Physical Changes in Matter program, the Museum of Science STARLAB (a portable planetarium), as well as Middle Division visits to the Dexter Southfield Clay Center Observatory. We have also brought back popular programs that have worked in the past such as Tanglewood Marionettes for the Lower and Middle Divisions, musical programs for all ages, and a Grade I Rainforest Reptiles presentation with live animals. Having more synergy
– Katie McWeeny, P.A. President
The Park Parent // PAGE 10
between Curriculum Enrichment and the faculty and their regular curriculum has been rewarding for everyone.
2012-13 Year in Review
Community Service held a Chop-a-thon Marathon in October to support Pine Street Inn.
Community Service Committee – Julia Clarkson, Karen Kaufman, Lexie Olmsted The Community Service Committee has had a fabulous year of hands-on projects that have engaged our children in service to others. Fall: The Community Service Committee started the school year with a terrific, newly expanded Chop-a-thon Marathon. On October 25th, the Park community spent the day peeling, chopping and snapping vegetables to be made into soup to feed
The annual Spring Concert supported a camp for children in Hinche, Haiti.
works to prepare Hinche, Haiti’s most vulnerable youth to become future community leaders for social change by strengthening their academic skills, increasing self-confidence and actively building community and parental support.
Green Committee – Greg Cohen, Nancy Cohen The Green Committee has continued to participate with the Park School community in promoting green projects
the guests of the Pine Street Inn, an organization that provides a
Fall: We collected vegetable scraps from the annual Chop-a-thon
variety of services to more than 1,600 homeless men and women
to compost for Park’s community garden. We had a very successful
every day. November’s Healthy Cereal and Halloween Candy Drive
Blue Blazer, Halloween and Sports Equipment Swap. All of the
for the Pine Street Inn and the Pumpkin Bread Bake and monthly
extra clothes and equipment were recycled and donated to the
meal for the Allston-Brighton Community Supper Program were
Bridge Boston School.
all successfully reprised this year.
We launched a “food waste reduction” and educated the
Winter: We repeated last year’s popular Birthday Wishes project
community on ways to build a healthier lunch while reducing
in February. It was an exciting and productive morning, during
waste in the dining room.
which Grade I and II and 35 parent volunteers assembled 42
Spring: The Garden Club met Friday mornings at 7 a.m. to work
Birthdays-in-a-Box to take to Birthday Wishes, a Newton-based
in the garden beds.
organization that provides birthday parties for homeless children.
Our Earth Day celebration included the Upper Division Green
Spring: During our annual Cradles to Crayons clothing drive,
Club and dozens of families. We planted trees, turned over the
the Park community contributed 2,100 pounds of clothing. The
community garden beds and offered nature art projects. At
clothes were sorted by Pre-K and Kindergarten classes and parent
Springfest, we coordinated all recycling at the fair. We continued
volunteers and taken to Cradles to Crayons for distribution to
to support the efforts of the Garden Club and helped organize
homeless and low-income children in the Boston area. In April,
the summer gardening program.
we again supported Janice Allen’s annual choir concert, which benefitted Empowering Through Education (ETE) Camp. ETE
JUNE 2013 // PAGE 11
Parents’ Association
November’s faculty birthday cake featured Thanksgiving Dinner!
Other Support for Student Activities Each year, the P.A. provides support for various student activities. This year, the P.A. provided equipment and chess master fees to support the largest Park Chess Club ever!
FACULTY SUPPORT Faculty & Staff Appreciation Committee – Minnie Ames, Lisa DiAdamo, Barb Emery Faculty & Staff Appreciation Luncheon: After the May Day
Volunteers prepared for the annual Faculty & Staff Appreciation Luncheon in May.
Library Volunteers – Tricia Claudy, Nancy Hagens The Park School Library depends on a group of 60 parent volunteers to keep the library running smoothly. Volunteers assist at the circulation desk and are responsible for re-shelving and organizing the library’s rich and diverse collection of books. Volunteers also support the library by assisting with displays, covering and mending books, and sending out overdue notices and invoices.
concert, we hosted a luncheon and raffle for Park faculty and
We are lucky to have a library with a deep and broad collection
staff, who are “Outstanding in the Field”! The farm-to-table
of books and a brisk pace of circulation with over 3,500 items
lunch, featuring locally grown produce and free-range meats,
out at any time. So far this year, our dedicated group of parent
recognized the faculty and staff’s commitment to excellence,
volunteers has helped check out and re-shelve over 28,000 books!
both in academics and in providing a nurturing environment for our children. The co-chairs would like to thank all the parents who made the lunch and raffle possible, the many volunteers who helped with set-up and serving, the generous raffle donors and Tricia Claudy and Nancy Pinchera for their time and artistry! Faculty & Staff Birthday Celebrations: Each month the
FACULTY GRANTS The annual Faculty Grant Program supported by the P.A. offers $10,000 for new initiatives and innovations by faculty. The most recent grants include: 1. Visual Thinking Strategies for K, Grade II, and Art: Grade
P.A. thanks the faculty and staff with a gigantic birthday cake
II teacher Kat Callard led the charge to augment the Global
honoring all faculty and staff members who have a birthday that
Studies social studies curriculum to include arts from around the
month. Thanks to all the volunteers who picked up and delivered
world. In order to weave arts even more impactfully into the
the cakes each month.
curriculum, the P.A. funded training in Visual Thinking Strategies
Faculty & Staff Appreciation Breakfasts: Each month the P.A. thanks the faculty and staff with a delicious breakfast that is delivered bright and early to the faculty lounge. Thanks to Beth Holzman who has single-handedly coordinated these breakfasts.
The Park Parent // PAGE 12
(VTS) for teachers, as well as a VTS guide at a museum field trip for students. VTS builds students’ critical thinking skills through examining a wide variety of paintings.
Year in Review, continued
Park Apparel Co-chairs introduced Park-themed merchandise and clothing during the year.
2. Updating Grade I Reading Collections: Grade I teachers were awarded a grant to fund the purchase of 100 new books per classroom. The books represent more phonetically-based, up-todate literature that also incorporates the latest thinking on best practices for teaching reading. Updating the classroom collections of books helps children make better connections between Park’s approach to teaching reading and the materials the students use to practice in the classroom. With more books available, more students are able to take these books home nightly, which allows for improvement in student reading. 3. Magnetic Letter Boards: Reading Specialist Susan Segar was awarded a grant to purchase two sets of magnetic letter boards and tiles that will be shared by the four Grade I classrooms. The boards are part of Wilson’s Foundations program, which integrates phonics, spelling and handwriting. Children will use the boards to make words that are dictated by the teacher. Word making activities strengthen encoding skills, allowing children to segment phenomes and substitute sounds. Children love these kinesthetic activities. 4. New Art Smocks: New durable, easy to clean, vinyl art smocks were purchased for Grade I through V to keep young artists clean and dry. Judy Hale requested this grant for the Art Department. 5. Choreography for the Upper Division Play: Kyra Fries requested this grant on behalf of the theater department, which funded a fight choreographer to help with a major, exciting battle in the production of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. 6. Pedal Powered Sanding Machine: Dean Laabs used P.A.
Currculum Enrichment invited back the Tanglewood Marionettes.
funding to help modify a wheel on his self-invented pedalpowered sanding machine for students to use in their wood shop creations. Mr. Laabs created this to give students an exciting, novel, and self-powered approach to sanding their projects. The apparatus may also be able to power other simple machines in the shop. 7. Loving the Lichens: Tory Lane and Brian Cassie received a grant for the third graders to conduct a field study of local lichens and publish the research online. They will expand the scientific use of iPads in the third grade with the purchase of a wireless microscope and lens. This will enable students to seek and capture images of lichens on the campus of Park School. After students identify lichens and record their findings, they will collaborate on a set of informational posters and materials that will be printed and made available online to our community and other schools.
PARENT SUPPORT & EDUCATION Parent Roundtable & All-School Evening Committee – Martina Albright, Sandra DeJong, Shannon Falkson, Susan Little, Peter Rempelakis The Parent Round Table and All School Evening Committee had another productive year. We deferred fall events due to the search for our new Head of School, Michael Robinson. We were able to fit in several events after January.
JUNE 2013 // PAGE 13
Parents’ Association
NuVu Studio was featured at All-School Evening in April.
Grades I and II assembled 42 “Birthdays in a Box”!
Our first event, co-sponsored with the Park P.A. Diversity
provide parent education and student enrichment. These events
Committee, offered Park parents the chance to learn about
promote an ongoing dialogue aimed at building a sense of
cyberbullying through an interactive program with Urban Improv.
inclusivity within the school community
Next, we held a Round Table with child psychiatrist Dr. Cindy Telingator as she presented ways to take a developmental approach to childhood sexuality and relationships. And finally, for the All School Evening, we had the honor of hosting NuVu, the innovative experiential high school curriculum, started by graduates of the MIT Media Lab. The Parent Round Table is always excited to have new members join especially as we start to plan for next year.
n
The Committee and the Library co-sponsored visits from author
Grace Lin and author Joseph Bruchac, who each spoke to students and read from their work. This program also funded visits by Ms. Lin and Mr. Bruchac to a Boston public school that otherwise would not have been able to meet these talented authors. n
At the Winter Forum, “21st Century Skills for Success in a
Global Society: How are you Preparing your Child?” educational consultant Derrick Gay explored how to promote inclusivity in a diverse environment like Park’s. In an engaging and interactive forum with parents and faculty, Mr. Gay reviewed research
Parents’ Independent School Network (P.I.N.)
suggesting that we are socialized to distinguish people by their
– Jenn Krebs, Gina Wilcox, Bea Wilderman
unconsciously view others and how others view us.
identities and characteristics, a process that influences how we We co-sponsored the Parent Round Table event, “Kids,
The Parents’ Independent School Network Inc. (P.I.N.) is a
n
volunteer organization composed of parent representatives from
Development, and Contemporary Families,” with child psychiatrist
approximately 65 independent schools in greater Boston. The
Dr. Cindy Telingator, who talked about nurturing our children’s
goal of P.I.N. is to improve the quality of non-academic life at
growth and helping them become adults with healthy attitudes.
member schools through the exchange of information among
n
parents. P.I.N. representatives attend area meetings on topics of interest to parents.
Diversity & Inclusion Committee – Bharat Anand, Samantha Kaplan, Mark Schuster The Diversity and Inclusion Committee sponsors events that
The Park Parent // PAGE 14
The Spring Forum featured a panel on “Celebrating and
Supporting Diverse Learning Styles at Park.” Faculty provided parents with information on faculty development and individual curricular endeavors designed to support our children as learners with diverse learning styles, and engaged in a conversation with parents around these issues.
2012-13 Year in Review 90 high quality artists and crafters from across New England and, thanks to generous donations by Park parents, a spectacular raffle and sell-out bake sale. This year we celebrated our 12th anniversary with record revenues and welcomed over 1,000 guests from Park and the broader community. Proceeds support P.A. programs and initiatives.
Springfest: “A Community Day of Play!” – Nancy Pinchera, Suzanne Samuels, Sara Strand Springfest 2013, “A Community Day of Play,” once again proved to be a fun time for all, complete with rides, games, crafts, fair food & tons of prizes! The ever-popular raffle and silent auction are the special highlights of the fair, offering the chance to bid on an amazing array of items such as tickets for sporting events and entertainment, restaurant gift certificates, popular electronic gadgets & unique behind-the-scenes experiences -- all generously donated by the talented members of the Park community. Both events are enthusiastically supported by Park students and parents alike and are an exceptionally critical component of the Springfest Co-chairs organized a terrific community day of play!
financial success of the largest P.A. fundraiser of the year. Springfest relies on the hard work, generosity, and commitment
The Park Parent Editorial Board – Stanley Shaw, Chair; Anne Harvey Kilburn, Editor The P.A. continues to support parent education and enrichment through The Park Parent. Parents write and edit this publication and the P.A. supports one-half of printing costs.
Volunteer Outreach Coordinators – Maria deMarco, Sarah Keating, Alkia Powell, Kenan Woods
of all the members of the Park community. We owe our thanks to more than 300 volunteers who make this event possible with a special thank you to Betsy Ball & Mike Massauro and their teams.
Hospitality –Jen Dahlstein, Brooke Laughlin, Emily Moskowitz, Polly Tsai The Hospitality Committee helped Park turn out the welcome mat to families and friends at Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day, Yule Festival, and May Day. Parents graciously donated delicious
The P.A. aims to include all parents in P.A.-sponsored activities.
baked items that were offered to all who attended these fantastic
Each year the Volunteer Network runs a Volunteer Fair in October
events
to highlight ways for parents to get involved, give parents the opportunity to meet committee chairs and sign up for volunteer opportunities. Thanks also to Sarah Keating and Alkia Powell for their great work as the Springfest Volunteer Chairs.
Park Apparel – Keirnan Conroy Klosek, Laura Wilmerding, Elizabeth Wood Park Apparel had a great year building school spirit with old
COMMUNITY-BUILDING EVENTS
favorites, new tailgate items, and en trend pieces for both boys
Craft Fair
and girls at cost. Because the objective is to encourage school
– Lynn Bradbury, Michele Fournier, Carolyn Kraft The Brookline Marketplace Craft Fair is a fun-filled, communitybuilding event and a major P.A. fundraiser. The craft fair features
spirit, Park Apparel is not a source of fundraising for the P.A. All goods are offered at cost. We are excited and already gearing up for next year. Thanks for all of your support!
JUNE 2013 // PAGE 15
Upcoming Dates of Note June 3 – 7 Mon. – Fri. VI – IX Days of Accomplishment At the end of the academic year, each Upper Division student selects and shows one piece of work representing an accomplishment of which he or she is proud. These selections are on display in the lobby.
The Park Parent Editor: ANNE HARVEY KILBURN Director of Communcations: KATE LaPINE Editorial Board Chair: STANLEY SHAW
June 11
Tuesday
VI – VIII Noon dismissal
June 12
Wednesday
VIII Luncheon and Closing Ceremony, 1 p.m.
June 13 Thursday
VI-IX No School; Pre-K –V Last Day III – V Dress Day for Final Assembly, 10:30 a.m. Noon dismissal; No ASP
June 14 Friday
VI-IX Dress Day for Graduation, 10 a.m. VI-IX End of School Year
DATES FOR FALL 2013
Editorial Board: LAURA BARKAN, CAROL BATCHELDER, LAURA CARROLL, TC HALDI, CHRIS HARTM ANN, PAULA IVEY HENRY, TODD IDSON, SARAH KEATING, PAM MATHEWS, PADMAJA RAMAN, DOROTHY RICHARDSON, DARSHAK SANGHAVI, JOHN STRAND, JEAN WILMERDING President, Parents’ Association: KATIE McWEENY
August 29
Thursday
New students visit school
September 3
Tuesday
Opening day of school
September 5
Thursday
Rosh Hashana – NO SCHOOL
September 17
Tuesday
VIII-IX Parents’ Night
September 19
Thursday
VI-VII Parents’ Night
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
September 26
Thursday
III-V Parents’ Night
October 1
Tuesday
Pre-K-II Parents’ Night
If you have a story idea or issue you’d like to see covered or thoughts about something you’ve read, please let us know.
Chair, Board of Trustees: SUZIE TAPSON
Visit the calendar on www.parkschool.org for more dates!
Head of School: JERROLD I. KATZ
TheParkParent@parkschool.org
Read The Park Parent online at www.parkschool.org The Park Parent is a newsletter that highlights academic, extracurricular, social, and fundraising activities at The Park School. It is currently published six times a year, and its readership includes parents, grandparents, faculty, alumni, and other friends.
The Park School 171 Goddard Avenue Brookline, MA 02445 617-277-2456 JUNE 2013
The Park Parent