P A R E N T S A S S O C I AT I O N
Keeping Us Connected The Parents Association (PA), strongly supported by its PA Executive Board members, has continued to find ways to keep the community connected despite everyone being physically distanced.
Lamplighter: PARENTS ASSOCIATION
As PA President Audrey Rasch said in her welcome back email:
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“This school year, no doubt, will be different. We will continue to preface every event with the word ‘unprecedented’ and experience mixed feelings of appreciation for time spent with families counteracted by the nagging craving for elusive normalcy. Through the ambivalence, my hope is that we remain a caring, compassionate and connected COMMUNITY of Parents…A-S Strong through it all!” To further set this tone for the school year, the PA kicked it off with a largely attended welcome gathering via Zoom so the whole community could come together as one. At this event, Audrey Rasch shared a heartwarming video to highlight the PA volunteers and their impactful involvement in the School. Updates from Board President Metin Negrin, Head of School David Trower, Director of Security Chris Acerbo, and School Nurse Caroline Gwin followed. Winnie Barnes, Director of Organizational Initiatives, shared upcoming plans for the Building Project as well. Together with school administrators, the PA also helped arrange an early round of Parent Connection meetings. These meetings are for parents in each grade to meet with the Division Head and the consulting School Psychologist, Dr. Schwartzman. They continue to provide a useful space for parents to address topics of child development, as well as social and academic issues. Having this place to learn how to meet the demands of raising and schooling a child during this difficult time is very important. Plans are in the works for double the usual number of such meetings this school year in response to the increased levels of concern parents may be facing.
Class Representatives (Reps), who work closely with PA Class Rep Coordinator Jennifer Sossen, continue to further strengthen the A-S community connection by serving as critical conduits in helping bridge communication between the School and the parent body. They’ve provided timely reminders, hosted virtual coffee and cocktail gatherings, socially distanced playdates and highlighted time-sensitive details now that there is more information than ever for families to review, organize and digest. The PA has also connected to prospective families while working with PA Engagement Coordinator Simran Singh and Admissions to host events showcasing our incredible A-S community. A-S parents graciously volunteer to share touching stories and insights via Zoom to help interested parents navigate the process. Of course, there are other needs that the PA has helped to meet, as exemplified in its response to the parent community request for uniform items. Since the PA School Store could not physically open, Jennifer Ceccarini, PA School Store Manager, and Kerry-Ann Evans-Thompson, PA Vice President, along with Audrey Rasch and A-S Communications, figured out a way to set it up online! They have been hard at work fulfilling the many orders for uniform items and other A-S branded goods. Everything is personalized and bagged so parents can simply pick up items outside the front of the schoolhouse! Go A-S Pride! Furthermore, in an attempt to address needs outside the A-S doors, the PA connected with Middle School Division Head Kim Kyte to facilitate a virtual collection of items to help food-insecure families and undernourished neighbors. The generosity of our community remains strong. Unequivocally, one of the A-S community highlights this autumn has been Halloween! The PA gave every family
