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Simulating coal formation in a 4-5 study of energy.
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January ushers in a season of renewal and (finally!) the increasing length of sunlight each day. It happens little by little, and all of a sudden you notice the days are longer. It is much like the phenomenon of watching children grow. After just two weeks of break, everyone is suddenly taller!
Many wonderful moments in and out of the classrooms will add up as the months go by. I hope you enjoy seeing some of them in the weekly email "Snapshots" that Jes Marcy, Director of Development and Community puts together.
Here are a few more snapshots that make up the rich life of school:
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LIVES of PURPOSEFUL ACTION
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The Flushing Remonstrance in New Amsterdam in 1657 provides an example of standing up for what is right despite personal risk. Thirty residents of the town of Flushing signed a Remonstrance defying Peter Stuyvesant's order to limit the worship rights of Quakers. "Wee are bounde by the law to do good unto all men" they declaimed, including Quakers, Jews and Muslims.
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8th graders presented an evening event about world hunger.
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As we seek to help children understand current events and conversations around immigration, religion, guns, racism, protest and other complex issues, the Flushing residents who stood up for religious freedom serve as a great example. Despite persecution for their views, their ideas spread. Their sentiments about religious freedom were the forerunner of the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights.
Middle school students staged a mock trial last week about issues of student rights, social media and domestic terrorism.
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The mock trial is a way for 8th graders to consider complex ethical issues and gain experience as public speakers.
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They will go on to study the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Experiences such as volunteering at the Regional Food Bank and organizing a hunger awareness event help them begin to see themselves as servers of the common good. They begin to understand that silence and indifference are not options and start to see themselves as capable of taking risks to defend ideals.
In a world filled with uncivil discourse, our school motto and curriculum provide a touchstone and a model for cultivating a life of respect, social responsibility and purposeful action.
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Parker teachers and staff are education leaders in our school - and outside in the community, too!
- JoAnn Bennett, Pre K 3 teacher, is Adjunct Faculty in the department of Early Childhood Education at the College of St. Rose where she is a guest lecturer and practicum supervisor. At Parker, she is chair of the Steering Committee for our upcoming NYSAIS accreditation.
- Kate Perry, K - 8 Science teacher, is on the board of Science Teachers of New York
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8th graders set up erosion tests with the new stream table from a Bender Scientific grant.
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State and chair of its local section. She promotes hands-on science in elementary classrooms through her workshops. She is also active on the NYSED Science Education Steering Committee that is reviewing Regents standards for science in New York State.
- Michele Ridgeway, Pre K 4 teacher, had her artwork placed at a show in Brooklyn at Art From the Heart this fall.
- Shelli Casler-Failing, 5-8 math teacher, is a PhD candidate in math. She is a teacher educator for CIPCE at RPI, instructing K - 12 teachers STEM and LEGO robotics.
- Jennifer Gresens , K-1 teacher, was on a panel of educators this week at Hudson Valley
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| | K-1's explored force and motion by rolling objects down a ramp to see what works best. |
talking to the Education Department about Parker's progressive teaching methods and philosophy.
- Meg Taylor, Head, is a Commissioner of Accreditation with the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS), visiting schools and reviewing their accreditation self-studies. She is also on the NYSAIS Board and on the board of Headmistresses Association of the East.
- Lynn Schuster, 2-3 teacher is piloting a program for her students about being socially flexible, and has also started a "tinker time" when students stretch their imaginations by creating and building.
- Rose Nolan, 4-5 teacher, is learning coding with Minecraft for a summer camp offering.
- Librarian, Laura Salisbury is trying out maker activities with 4-5's.
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PARKER FACULTY TO DISCUSS RACIAL DIVERSITY
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On February 22, Dr. Jane Bolgatz, Associate Professor at Fordham University will present an interactive workshop for Parker faculty and staff about racial diversity. Dr. Bolgatz will work with teachers on how to talk about race, creating an equitable and just school culture and curriculum, micro-aggression in everyday interactions, and communication with families.
Dr. Bolgatz works with a number of public and independent schools on race issues and is a national keynote and conference speaker. We met her last summer when her son attended Planet Parker. Teachers are really looking forward to spending the day with her in generative conversation.
Our professional development program is an effective combination of whole-faculty workshops that give teachers common ground and that support the culture and program of the school, and individually chosen workshops and conferences for teachers to improve their own practice and to learn new things to bring to the classroom.
Enjoy the lengthening days!Meg
Meg Taylor Head 286-3449 ext 101 In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks. ~John Muir
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