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
O
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