It has been a spectacular fall this year. As we take advantage of the weather to be outside as much as possible, children's love of nature is nurtured and strengthened through the curriculum. Observation and scientific studies lend purpose to the learning that leads to passionate learners. Here is a bit of what has been happening around Parker:
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Please come to see Linda Lantieri on Monday, November 30 from 7 - 8:30 PM. She will speak on mindful parenting, reducing stress and anxiety in families. This is especially relevant in the time of pervasive social media and worrying world events and how these affect children. Linda will be doing a program with Parker faculty all day about social emotional learning. This topic is so
important and we hope to gain expertise for guiding children in their social development.
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Parents are our best spokespeople and the vast majority of our prospective families have heard about Parker through friends or co-workers. We have a group of parent ambassadors who are specifically charged with outreach, but all parents can help tell
others about Parker. Here are some other ways we promote the school:
- We have signed on with Tech Valley Connect, a local company that helps settle tech, business, and higher ed executives, scientists, and professors who are moving to this area. We will be represented in their literature, events, and promotions.
- We are a sponsor on WAMC radio and NYSAIS is also doing a sponsorship on WAMC mentioning Capital Region independent schools
- We sponsor a PBS Kids show
- We are posting billboards on 787 and I-90 in the month before our January Open House.
- We are taking a look at making our website even more effective with the help of Josh McWilliam (Anderson '25)
- The Enrollment Committee is working on several initiatives to spread the word to local companies and universities
- The Planet Parker summer brochure is sent to 8,000 local families
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Parker received a grant for $11,340 from General William Mayer Foundation for several items for the Discovery Center, including:
- Rock and mineral display cabinet
- Lab tables
- Lab stools
- Interactive projector with the latest capabilities
Discovery Center fundraising has reached $510,000 in donations and pledges! Please consider joining this effort to raise $700,000 in the next few months so we can break ground in the spring. Pledges can be payable over three years. Many thanks to all the generosity that has inspired us thus far! Click here to join in!
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- We had an undefeated soccer season! Go Bobcats!
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| The Bobcats with their
fiercest faces on! |
- Two cross country meets were held at Parker this fall for area middle schools. Our younger kids were so inspired, that Darcy held a one mile run on the trails for K through fifth grade and almost 40 kids participated!
- Fall Festival raised over $600 on this family-friendly day, and many, many parents and teachers volunteered to make it all fun.
- Water study: The pond is being used by every class for science, including erosion experiments and pond animal research.
- Community Service: The middle school has worked at the Regional Food Bank and 7th grade is running a backpack food drive for children who
don't have enough to eat on the weekends. Pre K contributed canned goods to the effort. 8th grade spent the day helping out at Hancock Shaker Village.
- The 8th Grade Live Aid Hunger Awareness Event is Thursday, Dec 3 from 5:45 - 7PM. Please come! It is potluck, so bring a salad or a pasta dish.
I recently attended two conferences with speakers and topics as wide ranging as liberal arts education, climate change, bullying, governance, and strategic design thinking.
The take-aways for me were that while many schools want to find structures to create transformational learning, at Parker we are already at the forefront with signature experiences, international connections, and daily use of the outdoors. I feel so thankful for being part of the Parker community! Have a delicious Thanksgiving! Meg
Meg Taylor Head 286-3449 ext 101
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