The Parents’ Association in an independent school provides a vital service to the school leadership and the school community. Every parent is a member of the Association.
Park’s Parents’ Association organizes programming, supports Park Connects, provides grade level support for students and parents, welcomes new families, and informs parents about Park’s philosophy and programs.
Park parents host a listserv on Google Groups, an easy-to-use format that provides a great way for the community to stay in touch. For instructions on how to join or change your subscription settings, please click HERE.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact us.
Jayme Wood ’93, Parent Program Coordinator (jwood@parkschool.net)
The Park School Parents' Association Calendar of Events for the 2021-22 School Year.
Please Note: All dates are tentative — please confirm on the Park School calendar and website prior to attending or email pa@parkschool.net.
New Parent Breakfast September 13, 8:15 a.m.
New Parent Coffee November 19, 8:30 a.m.
Grade Representative Training September 20, 7:30 p.m., virtual
Parents’ Association Opening Meeting September 29, 7:30 p.m., virtual (Speaker: Peggy Orenstein)
School Picture Day September 30, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. (rain date October 25)
Parent Coffee for Lower School October 1, 8:15–9:15 a.m.
Parent Coffee for Middle School October 8, 8:15–9:15 a.m.
Parent Coffee for Upper School October 15, 8:15–9:15 a.m.
Speaker October 25, 7:30 p.m., virtual (Parent Encouragement Program)
Parent Coffee for Lower School November 4, 8:15–9:15 a.m.
Parent Coffee for Middle and Upper School November 11, 8:15–9:15 a.m.
School Picture Make-Up Day November 18, 8 a.m.-noon
Parent Coffee for Lower School December 3, 8:15–9:15 a.m.
Parent Coffee for Middle and Upper School December 10, 8:15–9:15 a.m.
Parent Drop-In January 7, 8-9:30 a.m.
Children’s Concert February 26, 11 a.m.
Family Bingo February 26, 12:30 p.m.
Grade Representative Training Meeting May 16, 7 p.m.
May Day May 13, 11 a.m.
Closing Meeting June 3, 8:15 a.m.
Assist the Admission office with yearlong events, including Open Houses, prospective parent phone calls, and receptions and orientations for newly accepted families.
Parents join together to support and promote the sports and athletics programs at Park.
Students, parents, and faculty have an opportunity to purchase a wide variety of excellent books, also held in conjunction with a Holiday Artisan Market, representing quality artists in all media.
This activity supports and enhances school efforts related to ongoing, meaningful community service projects.
The PA Board encourages, supports, and enhances the school’s initiatives related to matters of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in partnership with the Director of DEI, Courtney Rollins.
A series of programs designed to educate parents about the academic life of the school as well as the development of their children. These programs feature invited guest speakers on topics of general interest.
The Parents’ Association provides lunch to Park’s faculty and staff on some professional days throughout the year as a thank you.
Amazon Smile, bingo, school pictures, Box Tops for Education, Hungry Harvest, and seasonal sales — the PA sponsors all of these activities, and more, to raise money for Park programs and events, the PA Grant Fund, and other contributions to the school.
These events play an important role in building a sense of community and educating families. Socials offer new families an opportunity to connect with “veteran” families who can help them with information, advice, and friendship. Veterans enjoy renewing previous acquaintances and making new ones.
The PA funds some student-driven start-up projects and events, as approved by the PA Board, and in conjunction with the needs and priorities of the school. In past years, the fund has supported a hiking club, the robotics team, the Lower School Organic Garden, and the Civil Rights Trip.
May Day is a traditional Lower School festival. Highlights include a Maypole dance by graduating fifth graders, songs, family activities, and picnic lunches.
This is an opportunity for parents new to Park to meet each other, PA representatives, administrators, and staff at a social and informational function at the beginning of the academic year.
Held in November, the new parent coffee is an opportunity to check in with new families on school-year progress, and to answer any questions.
The first and last formal meetings of the Parents’ Association each year, opening meeting in the fall includes a budget review and special speaker. In the spring, parents gather for breakfast, vote for the new slate of officers, and participate in a hands-on activity together.
An informal gathering of parents for conversation and an open meeting for all parents to exchange ideas and hear updates from the school. A great way to cultivate new parent volunteers.
The Parents’ Association has established a library resource center for parents, housed in the Middle and Upper School Library. The collection holds over 300 books that may be checked out for use by all Park parents. Additionally, on the PA web page there is a link for online resources that will be continually expanded and updated.
A school-wide program designed to promote the well-being of our students and to help reduce the risk factors that contribute to unhealthy behaviors. In Park Connects’ Parent Networking Groups, trained parent facilitators lead discussion groups once a year at each grade level. Parents are encouraged to share their ideas, experiences, and concerns to promote better understanding and awareness. The parent chairs of Park Connects sit on the PA Board.
Parents can utilize the Park community listserv at http://groups.google.com/group/Parkschool. This is an easy-to-use format that provides a great way for the community to stay in touch.
For over 40 years, the Resident Scholar program has brought distinguished scholars and artists to Park so that Upper School students can explore current ideas relating to academic disciplines. The program involves a public lecture followed by a day of in-depth seminars in the scholar’s area of expertise.
Students’ pictures are taken individually and by class (for Lower Schoolers) in the fall. Photo packages may be selected and purchased by parents.
Park School families and friends are invited to enjoy the school campus and participate in a variety of activities, including canoeing, stream walking, and arts and crafts. Newly enrolled families are invited and encouraged to attend. We hope to resume Saturday in the Park in the fall of 2022.