SUMME R 2016
The Park Parent in this issue: GRADUATION SPEAKERS // 2 CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT // 3 FACULTY FAREWELLS // 4 NEXT SCHOOLS FOR GRADE IX // 4 DIVERSITY & INCLUSION// 5 NEXT SCHOOLS FOR GRADE VIII // 7 PA YEAR IN REVIEW // 8 PARKING SPACE // 11
From Pinhole Cameras to Recycled Race Cars: Engineering & Design Thinking at Park B y EMILY RAVIOLA, Park Parent Editorial Board
I
n January 2016, Math Department Head Elaine Hamilton stepped into a new role at Park, one that has ambitious aims. Having created the new Engineering and Design
Coach position, Head of School Michael Robinson shares that the position is aimed at
“reinvent[ing] the way we structure and deliver our science curriculum to be more hands-on, more geared towards applied, real-life scenarios, and more interdisciplinary.” Thrilled to be in this new role, Elaine is excited about helping to design projects through which students gain greater empathy and develop a deeper sense of empowerment, which she sees as critical to enabling students to effectively grapple with real-world challenges. A proven innovator, Elaine, together with Lower Division Head Kimberly Formisano, already developed and tested a curricular innovation: the PSITE curriculum, a week-long experience in which math, science, technology, multi-media, social studies, and art are integrated by students in an attempt to address a realworld issue. continued on page 10
Parents’ Association Year in Review B y SHANNON FALKSON, PA President and L I S A D iA D A M O , PA Vice President
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nce again, we’re blown away by the commitment of the Park community and what that involvement brings to
the culture of the school we all know and love.
The breadth and depth of the work done by the PA affects every student, faculty and staff member, and parent at Park. vo l u me 48 nu mb e r 4 a pub lication of the park s c h o o l parent s’ assoc iation
We extend a huge thank you to all the volunteers who collectively dedicate thousands of hours to carrying out the work of the Parents’ Association. Some highlights of this year include: continued on page 8
MILESTONES
Two Graduations in 2016 B y K ate La Pine , Director of Communications
I
n this unusual year–the final year of
the Grade IX program at Park—fourteen students will graduate from Grade IX, and fifty students will graduate from Grade VIII. Going forward, both classes will be known as the Class of 2016. To mark the occasion, the School is holding two separate graduation exercises under the green and white Park School tent on the Faulkner Field. GRADE VIII GRADUATION Grade VIII and IX students, Upper Division teachers, and Grade VIII advisors will join eighth grade families at the Grade VIII Graduation at 1:30 pm on Wednesday, June 15. Park alumnus, Tenzin Dawa Thargay ’11, will deliver the graduation address. Tenzin Dawa Thargay ’11 Attending Park from PreKindergarten to Grade VI, Tenzin went on to The Roxbury Latin School where he continued to cultivate the seeds of service he developed at Park. He helped facilitate Connected Living, a computer literacy program for senior citizens, volunteered at the Epiphany School, and played on the varsity tennis team. Now a rising junior at the Commonwealth Honors College, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Tenzin is pursuing a dual degree in political science and Chinese language and literature. This spring, Tenzin organized the Five College Conference for Compassionate Leadership and invited Dr. Thupten Jinpa, His Holiness
The Park Parent // PAGE 2
the Dalai Lama’s principle translator. This fabled “Team Smock” of TOTAL Day lore summer, Tenzin is an Annenberg Fellow as well as several historic talent show acts. with the Council of American Ambassadors After graduating in 2010, Gilad enrolled as he interns with the U.S. Department of in Newton North High School, where he State’s Office on International Religious spent many hours playing and singing in Freedom. For the upcoming year, Tenzin music groups, running around the track, and will be studying abroad in Beijing via the kicking soccer balls. Gilad’s hard work in Middlebury C.V. Starr Abroad Schools as a school paid off and he now attends Brown David L. Boren Scholar. University. At Brown, he can most often be GRADE IX GRADUATION The full faculty and staff, together with found playing trombone all Upper Division students will attend the or Ultimate Grade IX Graduation on Friday, June 17 Frisbee, with at 10 am. Gilad Seckler ’10, a Park School the exception alumnus, has been invited to speak at the of a brief hiatus ceremony. during Fall 2015 at Tel Gilad Seckler ’10 Aviv University. Gilad first stepped through the doors of Gilad will be working at a developmental Park as a shy sixth grader in September psychology lab at UC Berkeley this summer. 2006. Over the next four years, he would undergo a journey of great personal and vertical growth – a journey culminating in his legacy as the mastermind behind the
HEAD’s LINES
Continuous Improvement B Y M ichael Robinson, Head of School
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Castelline, an educational consultant from Teachers21, a non-profit consulting company dedicated to improving the professional practice of educators. Recognizing that there are numerous other dimensions to teaching that are not seen during the delivery of instruction, this summer, evaluators will be turning their attention to crafting ways to capture those other elements that contribute to what it means to be an excellent teacher at Park. Curriculum Mapping: Documenting and sharing curricula across grades and disciplines are essential to maintaining schoolINITIATIVE ONE wide standards for academic content, concepts, and skills. The softMission: “The Park School is dedicated to excellence in education.” ware system, Rubicon Atlas Curriculum Mapping Software, provides Action: Improvements to Curriculum & Instruction transparency to all curricula, easy accessibility for faculty, staff and administrators, and helps facilitate collaborative and focused conversations around accountability to our mission and our students. As a school dedicated to the pursuit of providing an outstanding The Social Studies, Growth Education, and Music Departments educational experience for all children, it is incumbent upon us to each documented their curriculum in Rubicon Atlas during this create robust, manageable, and sustainable systems. This year, we have been working on two parallel tracks to improve how we deliver school year. In 2016-17, faculty will document the Physical Education curriculum for students in Pre-K through Grade VIII, and curriculum and instruction to Park’s 550 students. we will also record the writing curriculum in both the Lower and Faculty Evaluation & Supervision Process: With support from Middle Divisions and English in Grades VI–VIII. The School will Park21, Park’s strategic plan for advancing 21st century learnuse the Social Studies curriculum documentation from this year to ing, Grade III teachers Jen Riley and Peter Bown researched best conduct a formal program review during the 2016-17 school year. practices in supervision and evaluation and created a “Framework for Excellent Teaching,” which is the foundation of our new evaluation system. As we redesigned the faculty evaluation system, our INITIATIVE TWO goal was to figure out a way to increase the number of teachers evaluated each year, to observe those teachers more frequently, and Mission: “Our school community fosters a nurturing environment to provide them with more targeted feedback. A key component in which children develop curiosity, express creativity, of this process includes more frequent, unannounced observations appreciate the value of hard work and discipline, and by the Division Head, followed by a one-on-one meeting, and a experience the joy of learning.” written report. Teachers have appreciated having the opportunity Action: Created Engineering Design Coach Position to discuss their teaching, think about other ways of approaching a lesson, or brainstorm ideas about how to reach all the learners in their classes. The system has also been a chance for teachers to hear Engineering design experiences are authentic, real-world challenges about what they are doing well in the classroom and have their tal- designed for creative problem solving. When done well, this work ents recognized from first-hand observation. The new protocol has is empowering for both students and teachers, because it places met with successes as well as areas that need more attention, and teachers in a facilitative role where answers are often unknown, and the Division Heads are continuing to refine the system with David it positions students to become confident innovators who can work ith Park’s Re-Accreditation now complete and the
strategic planning process ramping up, one question the Board and I are asking is: How do we move Park from a great to an even greater school? The answer is clear—by focusing on the mission of the school and ensuring that the fundamentals for academic excellence are strong. It has been energizing and rewarding to work with a dedicated faculty and staff to make sure that we have expert educators in the right roles, and in some cases, newly-created roles, and to be sure we have developed the tools and practices to be reflective and assess what we teach and how we deliver Park’s curriculum. Here are three key initiatives currently underway at Park that demonstrate the School’s ability to continuously improve and enhance how we deliver on the mission.
continued on page 6
SUMMER 2016 // PAGE 3
Faculty and Staff Farewells 2015-2016 Faculty & Staff Departing at the End of 2015-16:
Faculty & Staff returning from leave and/or
Margo Smith
Growth Education Department Head
44 years of service
taking on new roles in September 2016:
Tom Smith
Technology Specialist
43 years of service
Comfort Halsey Cope Service Learning Coordinator & 39 years of service Secondary School Counselor
Edith Adams, Associate Director of Secondary School Counseling (previously Secondary School Counselor) Melody Bartlett, Art Teacher (previously Art leave of absence coverage)
Steve Kellogg
Math Teacher
33 years of service
Fern Cunningham Terry
Art Teacher
33 years of service
Kat Callard, Grade II Teacher (returning from parental leave)
Bob Tisi
Maintenance Staff
33 years of service
Julianne Damaskos, Kindergarten Teacher (previously Grade I parental
Betty Hillmon
Music Department Head
25 years of service
leave coverage)
Mike Massauro
Maintenance Department Head 20 years of service
Toni Gilligan
Kindergarten Teacher
19 years of service
Michelle Montaquila Assistant Director of Summer Programs
17 years of service
Dorothea Black
Library Department Head
16 years of service
Rebecca Hurd
Science Teacher
11 years of service
Adam Young
Social Studies Teacher
10 years of service
Jessica Conaway Associate Director of Development
3 years of service
Cailin Eaton
Grade I Teacher
2 years of service
Bob Donahue
Social Studies Teacher
1 years of service
Kathleen Earley, Grade I Teacher (previously Grade II parental leave coverage) Tory Lane, Library Department Head (previously Library Staff) Carol Moran, Upper Division Science (previously Science sabbatical coverage) Heather Offen, Growth Education Department Head (previously Science and Growth Education Teacher) Katie Reardon, Academic Tech Integrator (in addition to Latin Teacher)
Faculty & Staff on sabbatical IN 2016-17: Christine DeBlois Administrative Assistant
(spring 2017 sabbatical)
Tracy Duliban Director of After School Program
(spring 2017 sabbatical)
Jonathan Prosky Associate Director of Admissions
(spring 2017 sabbatical)
Alisha Saini, Teaching Assistant Grade IV (previously Apprentice) Shad Sommers-Delaney, Upper Division English (previously Apprentice)
NEXT SCHOOLS FOR GRADE IX Orly Burnes
Cambridge School of Weston
Henry Ngo
Brimmer and May School
John Joseph De Marco
Roxbury Latin School
Nanneke Nicholas
Dana Hall School
Megan Duckworth
Dana Hall School
Claire Randolph
Dana Hall School
Harry Golen
Buckingham Browne & Nichols School
George Rowe
Thayer Academy
Pierce Haley
Buckingham Browne & Nichols School
River Studley
Norfolk Agricultural High School
Thaddeus Howe
Northfield Mt. Hermon
Kyla Wright
Boston Trinity Academy
Sujay Jain
Brimmer and May School
Kion Young
Phillips Academy, Andover
The Park Parent // PAGE 4
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
Parenting in the Age of Gender Fluidity B Y A N NA WELLS, Diversity & Inclusion Committee Co-Chair
A
one’s sexual identity or sexual orientation. Particularly if you have pre-pubescent children, you may be be proud of who they are. We want them to be happy and thinking “It’s waaaay too early to be thinking about sex and sexualsuccessful, and to feel part of the world around them; to ity with my kids!” The fact of the matter is that our kids are already be seen for who they really are, for their authentic selves; and to constantly surrounded respect themselves by subtle and not-soand others. On the subtle messages about path to becoming what society, their confident, wellcommunity, peers, adjusted members and family deems of society, children appropriate for their must be respected biological sex and for all parts of their their gender, whatever identities—includthey perceive it to be. ing aspects of their However, these mesbiological sex, gender sages can be troubleidentity, gender some because they expression, and sexual affirm stereotypes and orientation. Enter Dr. do not account for the Jennifer Bryan. She varied ways individuis a psychologist and als might identify. educator whose work We have all focuses on shifting experienced gender thinking about gender role stereotypes. They from simply “and/ are communicated or” to thinking about right from birth: we gender as much more fluid, changing, and nuanced. Dr. Bryan is an engaging, earnest, and dynamic speaker. Her sessions are filled with humor and insight, equal parts light-hearted Dr. Talusan’s TableTalk and heavily meaningful, guided by her intelligence and deep sense Dr. Liza Talusan, Park’s Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, of caring. Her audiences are immediately put at ease as she candidly suggests a few questions you can discuss as a family about gender: shares anecdotes from her own life as a parent, educator, and person. • When you were growing up, what were some messages On February 8th and 9th, she visited The Park School to help us you learned about gender? Growing up, what did you tackle the increasingly important topic of gender fluidity. So what is think only boys could or should do? What did you think gender fluidity? only girls could or should do? By now, most of us are familiar with the terms sex and gen• What types of gender stereotypes frustrate you? Why? der. These two concepts have long been used interchangeably, • Start-stop-change. What is one thing we can start to do but fortunately we are beginning to understand that they are not to unlearn gender stereotypes? What is one thing we can synonymous. One’s biological sex (the sex chromosomes, internal stop doing to end gender stereotypes? What is something reproductive organs, and external genitalia) does not automatically we can change to send positive messages about gender? determine one’s gender identity (the subjective sense of one’s gender) • If gender is on a spectrum where do you feel most or gender expression (the communication of gender and gendered comfortable? What could others do to make you or others traits). We are also, as a society, warming to the reality that one’s feel more comfortable? biological sex, gender identity, or gender expression does not determine s parents or as educators, we all want our children to
continued on page 7
SUMMER 2016 // PAGE 5
Continuous Improvement, continued from page 3 and think critically, creatively, and collaboratively. In addition, the Since arriving at Park in September, Director of Diversity, Equity, powerful connections students make through this design thinking and Inclusion Liza Talusan has been expanding the School’s reach process engage them both mentally and physically in their own in that realm. Her title is long but significant. As she explains: learning, elevating their ability to retain and apply newly developed “Diversity is who we are. Inclusion is what we do. Equity is what we skills in a variety of authentic contexts. strive to provide.” Liza describes her new position as a “conductor This January, our new Engineering and Design Coach Elaine of a talented orchestra,” making meaningful connections among Hamilton embarked on a new direction for the School: to intenand between others in the Park School community—students, tionally infuse design thinking into student experiences. To accomplish faculty and staff, and parents alike. The benefit of student interacthis, she works with teachers across many disciplines and grade tion and engagement is that young people have the opportunity to levels such as helping fourth, seventh, and eighth graders develop learn, think, and reflect deeply on what it means to be an inclusive empathy-driven Scratch video games for a first grader receiving classroom, an inclusive group, and an inclusive community. treatment at Children’s Hospital; working with Upper Division In addition to the work she is doing with students, Liza has science teachers Heather Offen and Karen Manning to integrate made a real difference for parents in the community by arranging design thinking into the math and science Grade VI House Projchildcare and a light dinner at evening programs related to DEI. ect; and introducing eighth-grade math students to design thinking This gesture has created greater access for families with workprocesses as they create, test, and improve catapults to enrich their ing and single parents to engage in the life of the school without study of quadratics. Teachers are identifying opportunities to incor- worrying about childcare arrangements or meal planning. Turnout porate design thinking into their classrooms and are reaching out at DEI programs has been great, and we have seen an increase in to Elaine for help adapting projects or units. Just this spring, Elaine attendance by two-partner families, parents of color, and workworked with Middle Division science teacher Megan McLean ing families. Looking ahead, she will be helping to shape affinon the Grade IV sustainability-focused PSite projects. Together, ity groups for individuals who have expressed interest in having they helped foster curiosity and creativity in Grade IV students as designated time and space to come together, share experiences that they designed and built recylced car racers. Megan also teamed up are common within these communities, and learn more about each with science teacher Carole Moran to infuse design thinking into other in order to expand social networks. In the works are affinmaking pinhole cameras with Grade V. The students began simply, ity groups for families of color, families of children of color, and with oatmeal containers, and after applying their understandLGBT families; for LGBT students and students of color; and for ing of the concept, they converted all sorts of vessels (including a LGBT faculty & staff and faculty & staff of color. pumpkin!) into cameras. Design thinking can be applied outside of math and science as well. (See “Engineering & Design Thinking at In crafting this summary, I must tip my hat to the individuPark” on page 1 of this issue.) Elaine and Mandarin teacher Mulian als leading these three important programs. Faculty Evaluation Chen are developing a unit with Grade VII Mandarin students to & Supervision Process: Alice Lucey, Cynthia Harmon, Kimberly interview their peers at Park’s sister school in China to ask “what’s Formisano, and Pamela Penna; Curriculum Mapping: Pamela hard at the Qin Qin School?” The Park students will then design Penna; Engineering Design Coach: Elaine Hamilton; and Diverpossible solutions using Minecraft to share with their counterparts sity, Equity, and Inclusion: Liza Talusan. Sustainable, manageable, on the other side of the world! It will be exciting to see even more and achievable transformative initiatives requires dedicated experts collaborations evolve in the coming years. in the right roles, with the right skills, and with passion for their responsibilities. As Park engages in strategic planning, the School can be confident that the fundamental foundation for academic excellence is stronger than ever. INITIATVE THREE Mission: Park is committed to being a metropolitan,
coeducational, day school of diverse races, religions,
cultures, and backgrounds. Central to its mission is an
appreciation of similarities and differences of
perspective and the interdependence of all people.
Action: Created Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Position
The Park Parent // PAGE 6
Best wishes for a relaxing summer. See you in September.
Gender Fluidity, continued from page 5 are given pink clothing and dolls for infant girls, blue clothing and trucks for infant boys. Maybe this fit with how your kids express themselves, and maybe it didn’t. Maybe your little boy loves music and drama, or wants to wear makeup, paint his nails, or wear a dress. Or maybe your little girl loves trains and trucks and getting dirty and refuses to wear a skirt. How we, as parents, react to these forms of self-expression has lasting impacts on our children. Dr. Bryan encouraged us to be more flexible in our views about gender, gender identity, and gender expression. She got us thinking about how difficult it might be for a child who does not fit neatly into gender stereotypes. In her presentations, Dr. Bryan emphasized the need to think about gender on a spectrum and to see gender and sexuality as more fluid than, perhaps, we have been taught. The truth is that all of our children share traits across the gender spectrum. As Dr. Bryan highlighted in her presentations, Park’s mission affirms that “as a family school, Park is a community in which the dignity of each child, teacher, and parent is respected.” The name of Dr. Bryan’s consultancy, Team Finch, reflects this principle. “Think of our kids as finches,” she encourages. “They are all beautiful. Our job is to help each finch be as beautiful as it can be.” By
understanding gender identity and related traits of sex and gender on a spectrum, we can come to deeper understand, accept, and appreciate our children, ourselves, and others. We all need to work together to think more flexibly about gender. Let us work to create a safe and effective learning environment for all members our community, allowing each individual to feel affirmed and respected, not isolated or judged. We can encourage all members of our community to show up every day with their whole selves, ready to learn, engage, and thrive.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES www.teamfinchconsultants.com Find Dr. Bryan’s books in The Park School library: For kids: The Different Dragon (versions in English and Spanish) For adults: From the Dress-Up Corner to the Senior Prom: Navigating Gender and Sexuality Diversity in PreK-12 Schools
NEXT SCHOOLS FOR GRADE VIII Abshir Adam
Buckingham Browne & Nichols School
Lucas Hill
Jacob Barkan
Phillips Academy, Andover
JohnO Hoins
Cardigan Mountain School
Oliver Bernstein
Noble and Greenough School
Will Keating
Noble and Greenough School
Zane Bookbinder
Milton Academy
Charlotte Ketterson
Beaver Country Day School
Jonathan Breitbart
Cambridge School of Weston
Karina Kilburn
Thayer Academy
Jordyn Britton
St. Joseph’s Preparatory School
Sophia Lowry
Noble and Greenough School
Will Carter
Buckingham Browne and Nichols School
Daniel Mangan-Geltman Brewster Academy
Alaina Cherry
Milton Academy
Caleb Mansbach
Buckingham Browne & Nichols School
Gracie Chiang
Milton Academy
Gage McWeeny
Belmont Hill School
Sallie Lawrence Chope
Beaver Country Day School
Ben Moskowitz
Beaver Country Day School
India Claudy
Milton Academy
Mikayla Paquette
Beaver Country Day School
Sydney Cohen
Buckingham Browne & Nichols School
Jeffery Perry
Winchendon School
Cambridge School of Weston
Katie Conn
Milton Academy
Jessica Reed
Buckingham Browne & Nichols School
Georgia Cook
Middlesex School
Camila Salcedo
Boston Latin School
Shelstie Dastinot
Dexter Southfield School
Jake Sanghavi
Noble and Greenough School
Breanna Durand
Brimmer and May School
Kaity Severin
Concord Academy
Zoe Falkson
Beaver Country Day School
David Shaw
Milton Academy
Jake Flanagan
Boston College High School
Jada Smith
Boston University Academy
Jake Gershberg
Newton North High School
Khyle Smith
Dana Hall School
Lev Goldman
Cambridge School of Weston
Nathan Smith
Milton Academy
Sadie Golen
Winsor School
Betsy Soloway-Aizley
Brookline High School
Simon Grossman
Brookline High School
Nicole Taylor
Dana Hall School
Charlie Guerra
Noble and Greenough School
Russell Thorndike
Groton School
Natalie Hatton
Beaver Country Day School
Henry Tsai
Beaver Country Day School
Ambrey Hayes
Groton School
Clare Wibiralske
Loomis Chaffee School
SUMMER 2016 // PAGE 7
The Craft Fair (it’s fifteenth and final year) was a fun, festive, family-friendly day that showcased a spectacular selection of artisans and local businesses selling their wares. Thank you to chairs Susanne Chiang and Nancy Pinchera! Thank you to bake sale chairs Nancy Cohen and Beth Holzman! Thank you also to past Park parents Lynne Bradbury, Francine Koris, Michelle Fournier, and Carolyn Kraft! The Community Service Committee involved our children in giving back to the community with the Chop-A-Thon, the Halloween candy and costume drive, pumpkin bread baking, clothing drive, Birthday Wishes, and a book drive as well as prepared sandwiches for the residents of the Pine Street Inn. In addition, the Allston-Brighton Supper Program prepared monthly dinners with the assistance of Grade VI and Grade VIII students. Thank you to committee chairs Shoshana Farb, Liza Gates, Laurie Glassman, and Vicky Joshi! Thank you to Lexie Olmsted, Heidi Shaff, and Abeera Sheikh for chairing the Allston-Brighton Supper Program!
Community Tree
Chop-A-Thon
Parents’ Association
Night, providing the book The Big Disconnect to support the Middle Division Digital Citizenship Curriculum, Kliptown South Africa Stomp Dancers, a Mount Everest climber presentation, purchasing Kibo Robotics kits, Math Department Parents Discussion Groups, Grade IV Owl Banding, non-fiction books for Grade V, a Grade II trip to a Chinatown restaurant, a trip to the Dexter Observatory for Grade IV and sponsoring three of the eight Park faculty members who will attend the Project Zero Classroom training at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Thank you Sarah Alvord, Steven Goldman, and Katie McWeeny! The Faculty Staff & Appreciation Annual Luncheon showered the amazing Park School faculty and staff with appreciation with a beautiful Moroccan themed lunch! Thank you to luncheon chairs Tricia Claudy, Katie McWeeny, and Christian Porter! Thank you to raffle chairs Leslie Adam and Neela Pal! Thank you Bob Park for MC-ing the raffle! The Faculty and Staff Appreciation Monthly Breakfasts & Birthday Cake Committee were appreciated by the parents with breakfast and a birthday cake every month. Thank you Beth Holzman for the breakfasts and Deme Taleghani for organizing the cakes!
The Diversity & Inclusion Committee hosted several events including two meet and greets with Liza Talusan, Park’s Director of Diversity, Inclusion & Equity, the “Color Brave Parenting” talk about how to lean into difficult conversations about race with The Green Committee supported our Park community by children, the “Parenting in the Age of Gender Fluidity” talk lead composting veggie scraps for the Chop-A-Thon, sponsoring a blue by Dr. Jennifer Bryan, the “Being Muslim at the Park School” blazer and sports equipment swap, and implementing the Lost and discussion, and a movie screening of I’m not Racist… Am I? Thank you Bob Park, Young Ju Rhee, and Anna Wells! Thank you to Liza Found Project involving Grade V students. In addition, the Garden Club held a Friday morning community garden program and an Talusan for her vision and leadership and organizing childcare for ASP afternoon program run by Frances Robinson. The Arbor Day evening events! event involved over 80 Park students, parents, and faculty and staff and planted almost 100 trees! Thank you Rebecca Mayne and Ted The Faculty Grants and Curriculum Support Committee had Wells! the privilege of supporting many wonderful initiatives such as the co-design of the spring play on Indian Folktakes, Grade VIII Math
The Park Parent // PAGE 8
The Hospitality Committee helped Park roll out the welcome mat for families and friends at Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day, Yule Festival, and May Day. Park parents graciously donated delicious baked items that were offered to all who attended these wonderful community events. Thank you Jessica Lutzger and Jaye Smith! The Library Volunteers worked with Park’s librarians to help manage the School’s fabulous book collection. Thank you Tricia Claudy and Nancy Hagens!
Springfest
Appreciation Luncheon
2015-2016 Year in Review
The Parents Independent Network (PIN) Reps kept up on the latest on information through the PIN’s webinars, live events such as one on Cultivating Character. Thank you Kimberly Ramsey, Mary Skelton Roberts, and Val Young. Springfest: The Community Day of Play we all look forward to featured old favorites and new additions such as ping pong tables, toilet bowl toss, an enhanced creative corner and a hip hop performance. Thank you Springfest chairs Alyssa Scott and Sarah Hall Weigel! Thank you Springfest Auction chairs Kate Lubin, Jodi Masdea, and Debby Robbins! Thank you Springfest Raffle chairs Elizabeth Brennan, Jen Dolins, and Deme Taleghani!
Park Apparel kept us outfitted in our old favorites and exciting new Park wares. This year’s most popular items were animal key tags, pajama pants, car magnets, and Park bracelets. Park Apparel also went online this year and is excited to expand their online presence even more next year! Thank you to Harley Creelman, Alison Horne, Dana Lewis, and Laura Wilmerding!
The Student Picture Day Coordinators kept everything flowing smoothly and organized all day, organized all the needed volunteers and updated the pictures in the lobby. Thank you Jackie Fantuzzi, Jennifer Fulton, and Shamiso Hart!
The Park Parent Editorial Board kept us informed of everything going on at Park with informative, educational, and fun articles! Thank you TC Haldi, Kate LaPine, and Stan Shaw and a warm welcome to new editor Emily Raviola!
Some other highlights include the Community Tree in the lobby and the Grade V Mural by artist Bren Bataclan incorporating student art and the immigration curriculum—if you haven’t seen it, check it out!
The Parent Roundtable and All School Evening Committee hosted Dr. Richard Weissbourd who spoke on the topic of how to raise caring, ethical, and happy children. Thank you Martha Golub, Sarah Greenhill, Hajar Logan, Peter Rempelakis, and Beth Whittaker! The committee also assisted Jorge Vega to present three well received tech talks: Parenting In a Connected Age; Simple Strategies for Storing, Editing, and Sharing Family Photos and Videos; and To Smartphone or Not to Smartphone. Thank you to Miriam Dellheim Baumel and Jorge Vega! Park also sponsored a screening of the movie Most Likely to Succeed. Thank you to Elaine Hamilton and Kimberly Formisano bringing this to Park and for hosting the follow up discussion!
It has been a pleasure and a privilege to serve as the PA President and Vice President the past two years. We look forward to supporting the next PA President, Laura Barkan, and PA Vice President, Sue Jeppson, who bring amazing dedication, vision, and energy to their roles. We wish you a wonderfully relaxing and enjoyable summer. Shannon Falkson PA President
Lisa DiAdamo PA Vice President
SUMMER 2016 // PAGE 9
Engineering & Design Thinking at Park, continued from page 1
Grade V students make pinhole cameras
Grade IV students make race cars
As Engineering and Design Coach, Elaine is focused on integrating engineering into Park’s curriculum bringing the “design movement” to bear across the School’s curriculum. Design thinking effectively repositions students as the drivers of knowledge. Students are empowered to use their hands and minds to identify and test solutions through a collaborative process. Failure is a key input, as failures can reveal critical lessons that can be applied in the next iteration of testing solutions. In partnership with Upper Division science teacher Carol Moran, Elaine and Carol’s goal for the current academic year is to ensure that each grade level have a curricular experience in which engineering and design thinking are integrated. Exciting examples abound: • To gear-up for the study of astronomy, Grade IV students are using old juice cartons, Gatorade bottles, and bottle caps, to design recycled race cars from scratch • To gain insights into how the human eye filters light for the brain, Grade V students are building “pinhole cameras,” which effectively become working models of the eye (pinhole as pupil; container as eyeball; and film paper as retina) • To explore artifacts from Ancient Rome, Upper Division Latin students, are building ancient structures using tools as simple as graph paper and as complex as the game Minecraft Teachers are delighted to have the support to integrate these ambitious new projects into the curriculum. Middle Division science teacher Megan McLean shared that the support of Elaine and others is enabling her to take on more ambitious projects with
The Park Parent // PAGE 10
her students. While Megan admits she could have researched the topic by herself on the internet, the team approach not only made the project feasible from a time management perspective, but also generated a dynamic, collaborative conversation. Megan commented that developing these projects was “like the perfect professional development workshop in real time.” Megan explains that the recycled racers project allowed her to see new sides of her students. For example, one of her students was really challenged by the project, and Megan helped the student navigate through some very real frustrations. Having explored various alternative designs, the student made it to the other side and was delighted to have developed one of the fastest racers in Grade IV.
Latin students recreate ancient structures, like this aquaduct, in Minecraft
Megan also noted that these design thinking exercises are resulting in enhanced, cross-department collaboration. Explaining that she does not usually get to work with Woodshop teacher, Dean Laabs, Megan described how Dean became invested in helping inform the direction of the design. Stay tuned for more exciting examples of how Park’s teachers are using engineering and design thinking with great success for their students. During the 2016-17 school year, Elaine and Carol aim to keep expanding partnerships with teachers and to enhance curricular experiences for Park students. An increasing partnership with the Science Department offers a particularly rich set of opportunities to engage students in design thinking. The work is being leveraged by partnerships with Pamela Penna, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, the Division Heads, and Elaine expects the new Educational Technologist and Service Learning Director to become critical partners in this work.
Reading & Math in the Summer Summer is a time for relaxation and a change of pace, but it is also a great time to do some reading and math. Summer reading at Park is designed to keep students reading all year; to encourage them to take pleasure in a habit of reading as part of their busy lives; and to get them thinking about important ideas and themes for the coming school year. In the same way, summer provides a wonderful opportunity for students to make connections between the math they have studied and the world outside the classroom.
To place your free ad, contact Kate LaPine (617-274-6009), or (communications@parkschool.org). The deadline for the August issue is Wednesday, June 15.
The Park School
PARKING SPACE
Maine Cottage for Rent Former Park family’s charming cottage on Squirrel Island (near Boothbay Harbor) available in July. Comfortable for one or two families. No cars! Instead, 5 miles of boardwalks and trails; library; 3 white sand beaches; community garden; tennis; kayaks; much more. Contact phoppin@envhealth.net.
The go-to spot for summer reading help is the Park School Library web page. Look for the heading “Summer Reading,” or go directly to www.parkschool.org/Page/Academics/ Summer-Academic-Resources.
Expert Childcare Available Loving nanny with 20+ years of childcare experience (infants – school-aged kids) looking for 10-15 hours mornings/early afternoons, Monday-Thursday starting mid-June. Also open to weekend and date-night care. Resume and excellent local references available upon request. Contact 617-637-2422 or jfkantrowitz@gmail.com
Park encourages all students to engage in math over the summer and provides great resources to help them do it. Lower and Middle Division students are sent home with math calendars to provide daily practice. For students in Grades II – VIII, the Summer Math Problem Solver Club delivers four interesting problems electronically over the summer.
Summer Sailboat Charter Take a cruise with friends and family on board Swan 37’ sloop PRESTO with very experienced sailor and former Park parent. Cruise the waters of Boston Harbor, Massachusetts Bay, New Hampshire, Maine, living aboard, phosphorescing waters, starry nights, etc. 1 or 2 weeks in June, July, August, or September. $2000/ week. Contact Edward.C.Tarlov@lahey.org or 617-347-6440.
With so many great choices, students will return from summer vacation ready for school in September!
House Sitter Available Extremely responsible Northeastern University student (physical therapy major) seeks housesitting situation July 3 to August 31 in the Boston/Brookline/Newton area. Contact carol@yankeetek.com
Park’s 2015-16 Annual Fund “It Takes a Village” Each year, The Park School relies on the time and talent of our parent and alumni communities in so many ways, not the least of which is raising the over $2 million needed to sustain Park’s operating budget through the Annual Fund. The Anual Fund is one of the things that ensures Park remains the School we all love. Please join us as we thank the 61 individuals who have so tirelessly volunteered as Annual Fund solicitors this year. Kristin Abati, Ivy Alphonse-Leja ‘07, Rory Altman, John Barkan ‘85, Laura Barkan, Peter Barkan ‘86, Kathrene Tiffany Bell ‘96, Bob Bray ‘53, Seth Brennan, Aldel Brown ‘04, Ramsay Cadet, Emily Potts Callejas ‘89, Nina Cammarata, Carlos Castillo ‘97, Greg Cohen, Nancy Cohen, Greg Cope ‘71, Lilla Curran ‘95, Will Curry, Melissa Deland ‘95 (Alumni Fund Co-Chair), Rob DiAdamo, Emmanuel Doe, Mark Dolins, LaToya Downing-Peltier, Sara Leventhal Fleiss ‘95, Tamar Frieze, David Glynn ‘91 (Alumni Fund Co-Chair), Nick Good, Pierce Haley (Parent Fund Co-Chair), Julie Hayes, Beth Holzman (Parent Fund Co-Chair), Jim Holzman, Preble Jaques, Alison King, Julia Lloyd Johannsen ‘93, Greg Kadetsky ‘96, Joan Amick Kelly ‘83, Abbott Lawrence ‘85, Dana Lewis, Jessica Lutzker, Amy Lloyd McCarthy ‘86, Katie McWeeny, Harry Nudelman, Nikki Nudelman, Chip Pierce ‘81, Wendy Pierce, Rick Pinchera, Russ Porter, Pete Riehl, Joe Robbins, Will Rowe, Suzanne Samuels, Rebecca Lewin Scott ‘89, Heidi Shaff, Stan Shaw, Abeera Sheikh, Kerry Swords, Christina Vest, EJ Whelan, Chris Wilmerding, Laura Church Wilmerding ‘84.
We welcome all parents and alumni who would like to join our team next year. It’s fun and rewarding, and critically important to our School. To volunteer, please contact Bea Sanders, Director of Development, at 617-274-6020 or sandersb@parkschool.org. SUMMER 2016 // PAGE 11
Upcoming Dates of Note
Sept. 7 Wednesday Opening day of school K-VIII half of Pre-K Sept. 8 Thursday half of Pre-K Oct. 10
Monday Columbus Day – NO SCHOOL
Nov. 11 Friday Veterans’ Day – NO SCHOOL Nov. 23
Wednesday Grandparents’ & Special Friends’ Day, 11 a.m. dismissal
Nov. 24 Thursday Thanksgiving – NO SCHOOL Nov. 25 Friday – NO SCHOOL Dec. 16 Friday Yule Festival 9:30 a.m., Noon dismissal Winter Vacation begins
Editorial Board Chair: Stanley Shaw Director of Communcations: Kate LaPine Editorial Board: HARLYN AIZLEY, laura barkan, Carol batchelder, CarolINE bicks, Anne Harvey Kilburn, Todd idson, HAJAR LOGAN, Emily raviola, SARAH SMITH, Nicky Tolliday Syken, SARAH HALL WEIGEL President, Parents’ Association: Shannon Falkson Chair, Board of Trustees: vinny chiang Head of School: michael Robinson
We want to hear from you! 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.
TheParkParent@parkschool.org
The Park Parent
June 17 Friday VI-IX Dress Day Graduation, 10 a.m. VI-IX End of School Year
Sept. 6 Tuesday New students visit school
TC Haldi
SUMMER 2016
June 16 Thursday VI-IX No School; Pre-K – V Last Day III – V Dress Day Final Assembly, 10:30 a.m. Noon dismissal; No ASP
Monday Labor Day – NO SCHOOL
The Park School 171 Goddard Avenue Brookline, MA 02445 617-277-2456
Wednesday VI and VII noon dismissal VIII Graduation, 1:30 p.m. VII-IX Last Dance, 7 p.m.
Sept. 5
Editor:
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.
June 15
DATES FOR FALL 2016
Read The Park Parent online at www.parkschool.org
June 3 Friday Celebrating 305 years at Park! 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
The Park Parent