S EP TEMBER 2014
The Park Parent in this issue: MEET BOARD CHAIR VINNY CHIANG // 2 BEYOND THE CLASSROOM// 3 NEW FACES // 4 AROUND THE LIBRARY // 10
Parents’ Association Welcome b y Shannon Falkson, PA President, A N D L I S A D iA D A M O , PA Vice President
W
e are thrilled to be taking on
and diverse community that makes up the school, and the PA has provided fun and interesting ways to get to know others in the community outside of our children’s the roles of President and grades. Leading the PA gives us a new opportunity to serve the school and the community we care so deeply Vice President of the Park about. One area we will be focusing on is community School Parents’ Association (PA). Having two building. So much of the community building that takes place at Park happens organically over coffee of us in these roles allows us to be more presin the lobby, on the athletic fields in the afternoons, ent in the community and more hands-on with and at birthday parties in the younger grades. The PA also plays a role in building community. We want to continue the same organic feel by giving parents each committee than we could be individually. opportunities to connect around shared interests, but it’s always a balancing act to find ways to get together For both of us, our parent experience at Park has that do not overburden already packed schedules. The been greatly enhanced by being a part of the vibrant continued on page 8
Taking Robotics Up a Notch b y Todd Idson, Park Parent Editorial Board
R
ecognizing the growing role of technology and science in our world, educators are increasingly focused on ways to get more
kids excited about the STEM (science, technology,
vo l u me 47 nu mb e r 1 a pub lication of the park s c h o o l parent s’ assoc iation
Source: http://www.vageekmom.com
engineering, and math) disciplines. At the same time, the capacity to function in a group decision-making setting has grown in importance with the ever-growing ease of communication and attendant interconnectedness of organizations. One of the routes to achieving these educational goals is the integration of a robotics curriculum into the classroom, often matched with extracurricular robotics competitions. Developing problemcontinued on page 9
Park’s BOard
A Conversation with Vinny Chiang, Chair of Park’s Board of Trustees B y S TA NLEY SHAW, Editorial Board Chair
V
incent Chiang, M.D., was recently named the new
Chair of the Park School Board of Trustees. Vinny and his wife Susanne are the parents of Molly ’15 (now at Milton Academy), Grace ’17, and Aidan ’20; this year marks their tenth at Park. When he is not at Park, Vinny is Chief of Inpatient Services at Boston Children’s Hospital and a practicing pediatrician. What’s on the agenda for the Board of Trustees?
We’ll be developing a strategic vision for the next five to ten years that will enable the school to keep innovating while staying true to its mission. One early agenda item is the re-accreditation visit in fall 2015 from the Association of Independent Schools in New England (AISNE). In preparation, Park will begin a year of selfstudy to review the entire curriculum and identify areas of strength as well as opportunities for improvement or innovation. The self-study findings will inform our strategic planning process going forward. We’ll also be thinking about the facilities master plan, which includes existing campus buildings as well as the recent Faulkner land purchase of 8 acres adjacent to the Park School grounds. The Faulkner purchase gives us the opportunity to explore how new space configurations can support 21st century learning, but this is something the Board is just starting to examine. The mission and culture of Park are well established, but this work can never be “done.” For instance, former Head of School Jerry Katz made wonderful progress on diversity. Now, as before, we continue to ask if Park is as diverse and inclusive as it can be, not just among our students, but also among our faculty and staff. We need to keep working to recruit and retain the most talented individuals who reflect the diversity of our community. And these efforts are of course closely related to our already strong faculty initiatives in professional development and curricular innovation. What are your responsibilities as Board Chair?
I view my role as helping Michael Robinson implement his vision for the school and to coordinate the energy of the Board of Trustees, which comprises a fantastic group of people. Both Michael and I want to make sure that school initiatives reflect the input of as much of the community as possible. So a large part of my role will therefore be listening to and encouraging input from the community, whether it’s through a casual lobby conversation, an online survey, or communicating through the Parents’ Association. Michael has had a fantastic first year—he brought energy, wisdom, and his own extensive experience as an educator and a Head
The Park Parent // PAGE 2
of School to Park. I’m sure a lot of us saw Michael and Bear, his family dog, cheering on various Park teams; I found that I was just as likely to have a great conversation with him on the sidelines of the athletic fields as in his office. I very much enjoy working with Michael, and I look forward to helping him put his imprint on the school. I’m also extremely fortunate to be following Suzie Tapson, who had a hugely successful term as Chair of the Board. The conception and implementation of the Park21 strategic plan, the purchase of the adjacent Faulkner property, and of course the search that brought Michael Robinson to Park—these have all strengthened Park for years to come. How does Park compare to your schools when you were growing up?
I attended a great public school in a suburb west of Boston, but I certainly appreciate how our kids’ experience at Park differs. For one thing, the environment here celebrates the strength and interests of every child, and it’s actually cool to be smart at Park. There’s also a much stronger sense of inclusivity and diversity, which starts at home, and is reinforced at school. And I love how the faculty and overall environment foster individual responsibility and accountability alongside outstanding academics. I remember sitting around a lot more when I was a kid! My kids are doing much more than I did, and their organization and time management skills are so far ahead of where mine were at the same age. Can you tell us about your life as a Park parent?
It’s been great. Park is such a welcoming environment for parents. It’s really a comforting feeling to walk onto the campus as a parent and feel totally welcome. One of the other things I value most about Park is the strong sense of community. My children and family have made lifelong friendships. It’s affirming to be part of a parent community that has many shared values and a deep commitment to supporting our children’s education and personal development.
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
Extracurricular Activities at Park Park offers a wide array of extracurricular activities for children Lower Division: Andrew Segar segara@parkschool.org across all divisions. Here’s a listing of the offerings available this year. Middle Division: Cynthia Harmon harmonc@parkschool.org For details on any activity, please contact: Upper Division: Alice Lucey luceya@parkschool.org
After-School Care/Study Hall
Lower & Middle Divisions (Pre-K – Grade V)
Upper Division (Grades VI – IX)
After-School Program, daily until 4:30 or 6 p.m. Fee required.
After-School Care, Tues only, until 4:30 or 6 p.m. Fee required. Study Hall, M/W/Th/F until 4:30 p.m.
After-School Athletics: Fall
Grades IV & V: Boys’ & Girls’ Soccer, 2 afternoons/week Co-ed Field Hockey, 2 afternoons/week
After-School Athletics: Winter Grades IV & V: Boys’ & Girls’ Basketball, 2 afternoons/week
Co-ed Wrestling, Tuesday afternoons
Boys’ & Girls’ Soccer, 4 afternoons/week Girls’ Field Hockey, 4 afternoons/week Co-ed Cross Country, 4 afternoons/week Boys’ & Girls’ Basketball (some AM practices), 4 days/week Co-ed Ice Hockey (AM practices), 4 days/week Boys’ Wrestling, 4 days/week
After-School Athletics: Spring
Grades IV & V: Boys’ & Girls’ Lacrosse, 2 afternoons/week
Boys’ & Girls’ Lacrosse, 4 afternoons/week Girls’ Softball, 4 afternoons/week Co-ed Track and Field, 4 afternoons/week
Drama
Grades I – III: Storybook Theatre by Freelance Players: Three 8-week sessions, 2 afternoons/week Fee required.
Fall: Musical for Grades VII – IX Winter: Musical for Grade VI Winter: Play for Grade VIII – IX Spring: Play for Grades VI – IX
Music
Ms. Allen’s Inspirational Freedom Choir: Grades K-III: Junior Choir IV & V: Intermediate Choir (by audition) Saturday rehearsals; Fee required.
Members of the Music Department are available for private instruction in cello, guitar, and piano.
Recess/In-School Clubs
Grade III – V: Math Club, 2 afternoons/week (2 fall sessions)
Grade VI Math Team, 2 days/week
Grade III – V: TIDBITS Club (engineering), 2 afternoons/week (2 winter sessions) Grade V: Math Team, last period, 2 days/week
Other Park Clubs
Mr. Cassie’s Birdwalks, selected mornings Chess Club, winter, Fri. afternoons, winter Garden Club, seasonal Friday mornings Junior FIRST Lego League (FLL), ages 6-9, fall and spring, 1 afternoon/ week
Grades VI – IX: Gay-Straight Alliance, 1 day/week Improv Club, 1 day/week Math Counts Team, 1 day/week Pangaea/One World Club, 1 day/week Service Council, 1 day/week Student Council, 1 day/week Grade VII – IX: Park/St. Stephen’s Partnership, After School tutoring, spring Mondays, 3:005:45 p.m.
Grade VII: Literacy project, Wednesdays February 4 , 11; March 4 and 11, 3:00-4:30 p.m. Culminates with a visit to Horizons for Homeless Children in Jamaica Plain. Model UN, weekends FIRST Lego League (FLL), ages 9-14, 1 afternoon/week
SEPTEMBER 2014 // PAGE 3
New Faculty & Staff for 2014-15 B y Kate lapine , Director of Communications
Andrew Bauld (Grade V Teacher)
Cailin Eaton (Grade I Teacher)
Andrew joins the Grade V team with
After four years teaching second
a wealth of experience teaching
grade at the Chadwick International
elementary-aged students. He earned
School in South Korea, this East Coast
his master’s degree in elementary
native is excited to return to the US
education from Lesley University
and American food in particular!
while serving as an associate third
Cailin (BS SUNY Oneonta, MS Long
and sixth grade teacher at Belmont
Island University) uses inquiry-based
Day School. He then taught fifth and
learning to cultivate passion and
sixth grades at Tenacre Country Day
confidence in her young students. Ms. Eaton’s first grade students can
School from 2008-12. Most recently, he was the education coordinator at the Egan Maritime Institute
expect funny stories about Bobby the dog from their upbeat new
on Nantucket, where he designed and taught a maritime course
teacher.
to sixth graders in all three island schools. An English major at Tufts, Andrew is unabashedly passionate about writing and
Sarah Hyslop (Grade V Teacher)
reading, and is eager to “infect” his students with the same
Since graduating from Dickinson
infatuation.
College in 2005 with a joint degree in psychology and French, Sarah has Katie Carr (Grade I Teacher)
made her home in middle-school
Katie (BA College of the Holy Cross,
elementary classrooms. She taught
MEd Lesley University) has been
French to students in Pre-K-Grade
teaching Grade I since 2010, first
V both at Fredericksburg Academy
at The Pike School in Andover and
(VA) and Charleston Day School (SC).
most recently at Dedham Country
She was also a third grade assistant
Day School (DCD). At DCD, Katie
at both of these schools. While earning her master’s in curriculum
immersed herself in school life,
and instruction at the University of Richmond, she worked with
serving on the admissions director
students in grades 2 – 5 as a student teacher. Most recently at
search
committee,
playground
redesign committee, and launching the “Dream Create Discover”
her alma mater, Collegiate School in Richmond, Virginia, Sarah taught first and third grades.
magazine, an anthology of student art and literature. DCD’s loss is clearly Park’s gain with Katie Carr joining the Grade I team.
Megan McLean (Lower Division Science Specialist) Upon graduating from Colgate in 2002, Megan headed west
Caroline Collins (Grade II Assistant)
to Jackson, Wyoming to teach English as a second language.
While earning her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education
Along the way, she began teaching environmental science
from Boston University, Caroline
and in 2007, entered a master’s
gained invaluable experience as a
program in Environmental Studies
student teacher. She worked at the
at Antioch University in Keene, NH,
BU Early Childhood Learning Lab
where
with children ages 2.9 – 5, with a
and
kindergarten class at the Pierce
graduating, she moved to Millbrook,
School in Brookline, and with a
NY, where she oversaw schoolyard
second grade class at the Devotion
ecology programs for students in
School. The Grade II team looks
Grades K-XII and taught middle
forward to working with Caroline
school science at the Meadowbrook
this year.
School.
The Park Parent // PAGE 4
she
studied
conservation
Most
amphibians
biology.
recently,
she
After
has
New faces designed and taught weekly interdisciplinary art and science
the camp council at Camp Onaway in Hebron, New Hampshire, an
classes for 9-12th graders in the Boston Public Schools. Megan
all-girls, sleep-away camp. As a student at Buckingham Browne &
will work with Brian Cassie in the fall and then take over his
Nichols, she had many Park School friends and is excited to join the
classes when he is on sabbatical during the spring semester.
Middle Division team as the Grade IV Assistant.
Liz Neilson (Academic Support)
Jorge Vega (Director of Technology)
Liz (BA Connecticut College, MA
We
Northeastern University) first came to
Jorge back to Park’s Technology
are
thrilled
to
welcome
Park in 1999 as an intern in a fourth
Department, where he worked from
grade classroom and then taught
2005–2010. In the ensuing years, he
Grade VII and VIII English. After a
served as the Director of Technology
stint as an undergraduate writing
at the Sage School in Foxboro, and
instructor at Northeastern University,
most recently commuting weekly to
she took time off to have children
the Ethical Culture Fieldston School
(Benjie, Grade III; Parker, Grade II; and
in New York. Jorge (BA Connecticut
Molly, age 2) while tutoring part-time
College) is not just a “techie,” but
at Concord Academy. Liz worked as a language tutor at the Carroll
a Renaissance Man–—he teaches
School, completing coursework in Orton-Gillingham theory and
writing courses at Grub Street in Boston, writes and directs
techniques. Last spring, Liz joined the Academic Support team at
plays, is a graphic novelist, and is completing course work on
Park on a part-time basis, and is thrilled to be back at Park for the
his master’s in Educational Technology at Framingham State
2014–15 school year.
University. Most importantly, Jorge will be with his family (wife Liza, daughters Joli and Jada, and son Evan) more, now that he is Katie Reardon (Latin Teacher)
in Massachusetts full-time!
Katie joined the Park faculty in Mark Vialva (Music Teacher)
January, but has not been formally introduced to the community in
Mark first joined the Park faculty as
these pages. Katie studied classics
an intern in the Music Department
and political science at the College of
in 2012–13 while he completed his
the Holy Cross, and has been tutoring
bachelor’s degree in Music Education
students in Latin and many other
at Berklee School of Music. Last year,
subjects including writing, math, test
he worked with Park students in
prep, and legal studies since 1998. A
Grades II, VI, VII, VIII, and IX to impart
lawyer by training, Katie practiced
his love of music and share his passion
law for six years upon graduating from the Columbus School of
for the many instruments he plays,
Law at Catholic University. In 2014, she happily traded in legal
including the trumpet, piano, drums,
pads for a grade book and looks forward to continuing to teach
clarinet, vibraphone, and trombone. From 2004–08, Mark served
Latin to students in Grades VI – IX.
in the Marines and was deployed in Iraq, Kuwait, Sicily, Spain, Turkey, Qatar, and France. In addition, he holds a Massachusetts
Alisha Saini (Grade IV Assistant)
teacher certification.
A recent graduate of Bucknell University, Alisha majored in English with a minor in Women & Gender Studies. Alisha
ADDENDUM
participated in two major National
Faculty Departing at the end of 2013-14:
Outdoor Education Leadership courses involving backpacking throughout the
Greg Lyons
Music Teacher
Southern Talkeetna Mountain Range
Carolyn Snook
Grade V Teacher
20 years of service 6 years of service
of Alaska and a thirty-day expedition across the Himalayan Mountains. For several summers, she was a member of continued on next page
SEPTEMBER 2014 // PAGE 5
Some “Old” Friends in New Roles for 2014-15 Melody Bartlett ’95 (Art Teacher)
continue teaching Upper Division English classes, drawing upon
After graduating with a BFA in
her BA in English literature that she earned from St. Michael’s
painting from the Maryland Institute
College in 2012, and will direct the Grade VI play in the winter.
College of Art, Melody returned
Ellen will also serve as a Grade VII advisor.
to Park as an intern in the Art Department in 2003-04, where she
Patricia Espinosa (Pre-K Associate)
worked beside her former teachers
Patricia has always had a passion for education, especially for
Judy Hale and Fern Cunningham-
very young children, where they start to identify themselves
Terry. She is looking forward to
as learners. She looks forward to
teaching with her former teachers
supporting Pre-K children through
again while Andrea Sparks is on a
this
essential Patricia,
and a
engaging
year-long sabbatical. Since her internship 11 years ago, Melody
process.
Venezuelan
has been working at Park’s After-School Program while teaching
native, graduated from Berklee
art at The Chestnut Hill School for 4 years, at Bridge Boston
College of Music and worked for 15
Charter School, and last fall at Park while Judy Hale was on leave.
years as an early childhood music
Today, Melody’s artistic passions lie in multi-media painting,
and
collage, and reusing-recycling-repurposing.
Community Music Center of Boston
movement
teacher
at
the
as well as in the Boston Public Chris Beeson (English/Social Studies Teacher)
Schools. She taught Spanish through
With an AB in History and American
music at the Edward Everett and the Rafael Hernandez Schools
Studies from Princeton University
and most recently has worked at Park’s After-School Program.
and an MEd from the Harvard
Patricia has a daughter, Kata, in Grade VI.
Graduate
School
of
Education,
Chris spent his intern year at Park
Debbie Henry (Academic Support Head)
working with David Perry in Upper
When Peggy Blumenreich retired in June, the Academic Support
Division social studies classes last
team was thrilled that longtime tutor Debbie Henry could step
fall, and with Grade V in the spring.
into the role of Department Head. As a member of Park’s Academic
He is excited to be teaching English
Support staff from 1995-2001 and from 2005 to the present, Debbie
and Social Studies to Grade VI and
brings a deep knowledge of Park’s learning support services and
serving as an advisor to Grade VI
curriculum across the divisions. Prior to coming to Park, Debbie was
students. Teaching in a classroom
the Learning Skills Department Head at Packer Collegiate School
setting is a second career for Chris; he spend 10 years working for
in NYC, where she also served as the Grade IX curriculum director
the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) based in Lander,
and a Middle School learning specialist. Debbie earned her BA
Wyoming. At NOLS, he led leadership education programs for
from Boston University in Secondary English Education, her MA
middle school, high school, and
from New York University in Reading
college student in wilderness areal
and Learning Disabilities, and was
throughout the American West.
a Klingenstein Fellow at Teachers College,
The Park Parent // PAGE 6
Columbia
University.
Ellen Desmond (English Teacher)
Debbie brings a unique combination
When Kyra Fries left for maternity
of extensive learning specialist and
leave last May, Ellen Desmond deftly
department leadership experience,
assumed her classes because she had
together with a deep knowledge
become familiar with the English
of and appreciation for Park, to her
curriculum of Grades VII, VIII, and
new role in the Academic Support
IX as an intern. This fall, Ellen will
Department.
Elizabeth Jansen (Pre-K Associate)
was the assistant coach of the Softball team. Ellen (BA University
Elizabeth graduated from University
of Rochester) values—and models her own participation in the
of Richmond in 2013, where she
school community—on the whole education of her students.
received a BA in Chinese Studies and Paul Toussaint (PE Teacher)
a minor in elementary education. Last year, she interned in Mandarin classes,
Paul first joined the Park community in the fall of 2005, coaching
Sarah
classroom,
the Boys’ Varsity Soccer and Hockey teams. Two years later, he
and worked with Pre-K – Grade III
completed Park’s Internship in Teaching program, working in
students at the After-School Program.
Grade I and the PE Department. Since 2008, Paul (BA New England
She is excited to continue at ASP in
College) has come to know almost every student at Park while
the afternoons and join Betsy Platt
serving as one of the permanent
and Park’s youngest students in the mornings.
substitute
Rose’s
Grade
I
teachers.
Paul
ably
stepped in to cover Steve Savage’s Holly Mawn (Grade V Assistant)
PE classes during his sabbatical and
Holly
with
was asked to join the PE Department
children for as long as she can
on a full-time basis. In addition to
remember. At Colby College, she
teaching nearly every grade in PE,
majored in psychology and minored
Paul coaches Boys’ Varsity Soccer,
has
loved
working
in education, and spent many hours
Boys’ JV Basketball, and Girls’ Varsity
in local classrooms during college.
Softball.
As an intern at Park last year, she worked with Sarah Bourque’s Grade
Jean Wilmerding (Grade III Teacher)
II classroom in the fall and in Shalini
With nearly 20 years of teaching
Rao’s Grade V classroom in the spring.
experience in Grades I – IV at
She looks forward to continuing to
independent schools in New York
work with the Grade V team.
City and Boston, and co-teaching Grade III with Jen Riley last year, Jean
Ellen Thomas (Grade IV Teacher)
Wilmerding knows and loves third
While Eliza Botsford is on maternity
graders at The Park School! Jean
leave this year, the Grade IV team was
(AB Kenyon College; MA Teachers
excited to invite Ellen to join their
College, Columbia University) has
team. In 2013-14, Ellen distinguishing
also worked at Park as a substitute
herself as an intern in Grades III and
teacher, an Admission Associate, and
IV, worked with Grades IV and V at
an Assistant Coach for Girls’ Varsity Soccer. She is also a current
ASP, coached JV Girls’ Basketball, and
Park parent of children Lucy in Grade VI and Jack in Grade VIII.
CALLING ALL WRITERS! The Park Parent is a newsletter of the Parents’ Association that discusses issues of broad interest to Park parents and the Park community. If you are interested in joining the editorial team, please contact Stanley Shaw (stanley.y.shaw@gmail.com), TC Haldi (thaldi@mit.edu) or Kate LaPine (lapinek@parkschool.org).
SEPTEMBER 2014 // PAGE 7
PA Welcome, continued from page 1
only way we will know if we are striking the right balance is to hear from you. Please share your thoughts and suggestions with us. Of course, a great way to connect with other parents is to get more involved in the school through the PA. Park is truly unique in the way the PA is integrated into the fabric of the school, working directly with students, parents, faculty, and staff. The structure of the PA is very simple: there are four areas of focus which include Student Enrichment; Faculty Support and Grants; Parent Support and Education; and Community Building. Two fund raisers, Craft Fair and Spring Fest, provide all of the funding. There are many committees focused on different areas and we recognize that it can feel hard to navigate. If you find something you’d like to be a part of, email or call the committee chairs, and let them know that you’re interested in learning more about the work they do. Or, just talk to one of us. It’s that easy. Parents never need an invitation to come to any PA event or meeting. Just show up. You will be welcomed and your time and talents will be appreciated and valued. Our goal for the next two years is to fully engage every parent who wants to be involved in the PA. We are happy to meet with any parent, new or returning, who wants to have a conversation about how to find the best fit between interests, availability, and PA opportunities. The PA invites parents to be involved in the school in a meaningful way that works with their schedules. A great way to learn more about how you can get involved is to attend the Volunteer Fair on Friday, October 3 from 8:15-9:15 am in the Park School Dining Room to meet some of the committee chairs and hear about the fantastic work they are doing at Park. One of the greatest perks of being the PA President and Vice President is that we will get to know so many more Park parents, faculty, and staff than we would have any other way. If we haven’t already met you, please say hello and introduce yourself. We look forward to getting to know you!
Shannon Falkson President
Lisa DiAdamo Vice President
2013-2014 Annual Fund RESULTS Thank you and congratulations!
96% Dear Parents: Once again, thank you most sincerely for your on-going generosity. Because of you, we are pleased to report that 96% of parents participated in The Park School’s 2013 – 2014 Annual Fund, raising $2,073,383 million. Ninety-six percent parent participation is a new record and we can’t thank you enough for your extraordinary support last year. This success was complemented by 91% faculty and staff participation and 16% alumni participation (which is very high compared to Park’s peer schools). All the things we love about Park – its diversity, exceptional faculty, and academic excellence – are made possible through the operating budget, 10% of which is supported by the Annual Fund. Congratulations on this success and thank you for your collective commitment and dedication to the School.
The Park Parent // PAGE 8
Robotics, continued from page 1
challenges and activities. Nobody has to be an expert and the kids work as teammates, helping each other when someone is stuck. Kids end up teaching kids.� In addition to the growing integration of robotics and programming into the curriculum, Karen has teamed up with a number of parents over the last year to facilitate the formation of an extracurricular FIRST Lego League (FLL) team and a Junior FLL team. Starting in academic year 2014-15, Karen will team with parent volunteers and middle division science teacher Heather Offen to offer both an after-school Lego robotics club, and 2-3 FLL teams which can enter regional robotics competitions. Curriculum is never static and must always adjust to new trends in knowledge and best practices, and this is perhaps especially true in the sciences given the NXT, a graphical programming language, is taught in Grades V and VI. accelerating growth in knowledge and need to train our Source: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/ kids to comprehend increasingly complex systems. Many organizations are putting out increasingly well-developed roboticssolving strategies and team-work are at the core of robotics related educational materials for schools to consider for adoption. classes, and the solving of increasingly complex engineering and programming problems allow students to slowly gain confidence as These include The Robotics Alliance Project run by NASA ( http:// they progress through more challenging tasks. robotics.nasa.gov/edu/educators.php) , and the Carnegie Mellon The Park School robotics curriculum, rolled out under the Robotics Academy ( http://www.education.rec.ri.cmu.edu/index. Park21 Initiative ( www.parkschoolcommunity.net/park21) , has htm) , but there are also many more clearinghouses for educational continued to be refined since it was first introduced in academic materials for K-12 setting. year 2010-11 as a pilot project in Grades VI and VIII using Lego Integrating robotics with the extant curriculum is an ongoing Mindstorms systems to teach the integration of engineering design process, both at Park and in schools throughout the country. New and programming. Today, Park students first encounter robots and educational tools and downloadable modules are being developed programming in Pre-K through Grade I using the engaging Beeconstantly. Everyone has robotics and engineering applications on Bots robots which may be programmed to follow basic sequences of their educational radar and we can expect in the future an ongoing actions by pressing a series of buttons on the surface of the robots. process of experimentation and redesign—perhaps much like This is followed by modules in Grades II and III where engineering building and programming a robot! concepts are introduced using Lego Simple Machines and We Do robots. The use of the Lego Mindstorms system (which allows students to design machines using a variety of sensors which activate motors based on inputs they receive, and then use a graphical programming language, NXT, to write programs on a computer which can be downloaded into the machine they built) is now taught in Grades V and VI. In Grade V students go through a variety of tutorials which create the educational scaffolding needed to engage increasingly complex designs. By Grade VI, students can define and solve independent challenges and use the robotics sensors to collect and analyze data and run experiments, taking the use of robotics and programming a higher level. Science department head Karen Manning has spearheaded this effort noting that, “One of the beauties of robotics is that kids can work at their own pace on various Lego Mindstorms make robotics accessible to students. Source: http://www.vageekmom.com
SEPTEMBER 2014 // PAGE 9
nd
o r A u
Informed Teacher and Parents’ Corner At the end of each school year, the Library launches the faculty and staff into summer with an Informed Teacher presentation that highlights the most talked about published and produced works of the year. This list has become much anticipated,
The Library
and parents are now welcome to check out the selection on our library Welcome page ( www.parkschooL. LIBRARY) as well as the books themselves, currently on display in the library’s Parents’ Corner. We’d
BOOK OF THE MONTH
MAKER SPACE and AVIARY WONDERS
love to hear your opinion about the
A long-standing tradition, the
The Library continues to invest in
choices, and we’re eager to make a
Library’s Book of the Month program
diverse materials to promote a
recommendation.
highlights exceptional recent
culture of hands-on learning. Come
Enjoy!
publications for children. Selections
check out our own “maker space”
inspire new library lessons and
and participate in our efforts to make
school-wide participatory activities,
making visible.
while also drawing attention to different areas of Park’s diverse library collection. September’s Book of the Month is Herve Tullet’s Help! We Need a Title! Tullet is a highly inventive author and artist, and in this dynamic picture book, Tullet breaks the fourth wall as the story’s characters speak directly to us, the readers, as they struggle to tell the tale. This
Throughout the fall, we will be “assembling” birds, real and imaginary,
interactive
inspired by Kate Samworth’s
story seems
outrageously whimsical catalogue,
like the
Aviary Wonders. Come learn more
perfect start
about various bird parts and then
to a new
construct your own!
school year and to all the stories yet to be told and titled!
The Park Parent // PAGE 10
Announcing Park’s New Website! Just in time for the beginning of the 2014-15 school year, we are pleased to unveil our redesigned website,
www.parkschool.org. The new site features: Improved Family Experience – you’ll have easy access to your child’s information, relevant media, and news from your child’s teachers. Central Repository – all the important forms and notices from school administrators will be in one location. Responsive Design – whether you view the site from your laptop, tablet, smart phone, or desktop, your experience will be consistent across devices, including a responsive mobile interface. To help you become acquainted with the new site, please join Director of Digital Communications Carole Carter for one of these introductory sessions in the Conference Room: Wednesday, September 3 Thursday, September 4 Friday, September 5
The Park School
PARKING SPACE
8 – 8:30 a.m. 8 – 8:30 a.m. 8 – 8:30 a.m.
2:30 – 3 p.m. 2:30 – 3 p.m. 2:30 – 3 p.m.
Parking space ads are free! Contact Kate LaPine by phone (617-274-6009), or e-mail (communications@parkschool.org). The deadline for the October/November issue is Monday, September 29th. Creative piano or guitar lessons. Now booking 2014 Autumn lessons for you or your child. Contact Tom Megan at 617-522-5443 or Tommy777@comcast.net.
ANNUAL CHOP-A-THON Thursday, October 23 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. in the dining room
Please join the PA Community Service Committee to chop, peel, and weigh vegetables for guests at the Pine Street Inn. The Chop-a-thon yields over
new and returning parents are invited to the
PA Volunteer Fair Friday, October 3 8:15 – 9:15 a.m. in the dining room
100 pounds of vegetables that are frozen and used for many months in stews and soups. All ages of children are welcome and can participate. It’s a great way to meet new families and make new friends.
an informal gathering to learn more about the Parents’ Association
SEPTEMBER 2014 // PAGE 11
Upcoming Dates of Note New students visit school (K–VIII)
Tuesday
September 3 Wednesday Opening day of school (All students in K–IX; half Pre-K) After-School Program and VI-IX fall sports/drama begin September 4
Thursday
September 5 Friday
All students in K-IX; half Pre-K All students in Pre-K–IX (Pre-K/K noon dismissal)
September 9 Tuesday Corporation Annual Meeting (5 p.m.) VIII, IX Parents’ Night (7 p.m.) September 11 Thursday
VI, VII Parents’ Night (7 p.m.)
September 18 Thursday
III-V Parents’ Night (7 p.m.)
Pre-K–II Parents’ Night (7 p.m.)
October 3
PA Volunteer Fair (8:15 a.m.)
Friday
Director of Communcations: Kate LaPine Editorial Board: laura barkan, Carol batchelder, CarolINE bicks, Anne Harvey Kilburn, Todd idson, darshak sanghavi, SARAH SMITH President, Parents’ Association: Shannon Falkson
September 19 Friday Student Picture Day September 23 Tuesday
Editorial Board Chair: Stanley Shaw
Parents’ Association Communications Network: Laura Barkan, alison hong, suzanne samuels Chair, Board of Trustees: vinny chiang
October 13 Monday Columbus Day – NO SCHOOL
Head of School: michael Robinson
October 21 Tuesday No School Pre-K–V (parent conferences)* Regular schedule VI-IX *Pre-K–V Parent Conferences – Please note that there will be no school for students in Grades PreK–V on Tuesday 10/21/2014 and on Tuesday 3/3/2015 to enable faculty to hold parent conferences throughout each of these days. With your cooperation, this will greatly reduce the loss of focus on regular instruction that has traditionally been associated with extended fall and spring conference periods. ASP will be open on each of these days from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for students regularly enrolled in ASP on Tuesdays throughout the school year. Students in Grades VI-IX will have full days of school on both October 21 and March 3.
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
Read The Park Parent online at www.parkschool.org September 2014
September 2
Editor: TC Haldi
The Park Parent
Labor Day – NO SCHOOL
The Park School 171 Goddard Avenue Brookline, MA 02445 617-277-2456
September 1 Monday
The Park Parent