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Meg's Update
June 2015
 

How did the end of the school year come so quickly?!  And now the Planet Parker summer program is underway!

Communicating for a Purpose

Learning how to communicate ideas is one of the most important skills that

students can learn.  At Parker it begins in Pre K with a song or a short play on stage and culminates in 8th grade with the thesis presentations and

graduation speeches.  In between there are many steps as our students become accustomed to sharing their ideas publicly - through writing, the arts, in video, or in live speaking. Here is a sample of achievements this year:

 

The 8th grade perfected their thesis presentations and were poised and

passionate on Project Night.  Topics ranged from bitcoins, to tanning to

Chinese history.  Graduation speeches were moving, funny, and profound. The confidence of the speakers spoke volumes.

 

6-7's spent STEM Week assembling five hydrogen-powered fuel cells as part of a joint education

venture with Plug Power, a leading manufacturer of fuel cell solutions. The kids then imagined a context where the cells will be used to improve life in impoverished parts of the world. So not only was science involved, the students also engaged humanitarian and social issues as they made analytical connections, presenting proposals to Plug Power executives.
Click here for the Times Union coverage.

in Pre K, K-1, 2-3 and 4-5.

 

 

Discovery Center Update

The campaign is well on its way!  We now have a page on our website for real-time updates.  It describes the project and keeps a tally of donations as they come in.  This is an all school effort and everyone can expect a call or a letter as the Parker Board of Trustees takes the lead in fund-raising for this transforming and strategic project. Everyone agrees: Having a giant space for science and a room to practice singing, plays and speeches will be AWESOME!

 

 

Parents Speak!

Thank you, parents for all the thoughtful responses to the Parent Survey. Erin Berical, president of Parent Council did a great job collecting and analyzing results.  It is clear that parents love the school and its mission. There were also lots of great ideas for improving communication and

 helping parents get even more involved.  

 

The teachers and administrative team worked together last week to re-imagine transition events, conferences, and the schedule and format for progress reports.  Look for some new events on the calendar in your summer packet and more information to come!

 

Read the Summary of the Parent Survey here.

 

 

Enjoy the beautiful summer days, 

 

Meg Taylor

Head

286-3449 ext 101

[email protected] 


"The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness."
                                                                                 ~John Muir
 

 

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