Pantherbeat - Fall 2017 Issue

PARISH EPISCOPAL SCHOOL NEWS

FALL 2017

Parish students make a global connection in Uganda through a special lesson and with the help of a Parish alumna serving in the Peace Corps. > Story on page 3

Introducing My Parish Moments - personal stories from students, faculty, staff and community members that reflect the Parish moments that influence their lives.

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Parish Online

parishepiscopal.org Grand Opening of the Gene E. Phillips Activity Center Parish celebrated the opening of our first new building in more than a decade and launched the official Limitless campaign as part of the unveiling.

The celebration continued at the first home football game of the season.

Parish Vimeo

https://vimeo.com/233895807

Halloween at Hillcrest

Essential Standards Parish’s US choir with special guests from the LS and MS choirs ended a full day of musical performances in the Gene E. Phillips Activity Center.

Morning carpool had lots of cute and some scary visitors.

Parish Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/parishepiscopal/videos/10156398622931151/

Military History Class “Slings” Into Action US school students threw a different kind of ball on the Panther Blue Turf as part of the new Military History class.

https://vimeo.com/240284829

https://www.facebook.com/parishepiscopal/videos/10156180523961151/

Senior Pictures - Panther Style PreK - 11th graders get to sit for their school pictures. So, why shouldn’t 12th grade?

Parish Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/p/BaWwPObh99m/

Reading to Friends HOCO 2017

Sixth graders visit their friends at Cigarroa Elementary to help practice reading skills.

It was another great Homecoming and the soundtrack to this highlight reel was provided by the MS Digital Music class. https://vimeo.com/238787659

https://www.instagram.com/p/BacZqC7BZVL/

What Colleges Want in an Applicant Mr. Monaco is spending the fall touring college campuses and finding out what Reimagine School means for college admission.

@dmonaco

https://twitter.com/dmonaco/status/925731161799770112

Taking Care of the Nauslar Garden Our PreK friends do their part to take care of the garden at the Hillcrest campus.

@MsOBrienPreK1

https://twitter.com/MsOBrienPreK1/status/922881665256579073

Parish Pals Making Cards 5th and 8th grade students met to make cards for Veterans Day visitors and to continue to ease the transition to Middle School.

@MMMcEwen

https://twitter.com/MMMcEwen/status/927923590846140417

New Addition:

Mr. Monaco’s From My Angle Podcast Dave Monaco is now “On Air” with his recently launched From My Angle podcast. If you’re familiar with Dave’s From My Angle blog, you now have the option to listen to his perspectives on the go – during your morning workout, while you do your grocery shopping, driving to a meeting or while you’re waiting in the carpool line. Dave’s blog reflects his passions: emerging issues in the ever-changing world of education, leadership and leadership development, and living life with the intent to be a person of impact.

Of course, he likes to hear from you as well and invites you to share perspectives “from your angle” on the issues and items he posts to his blog and in his podcast.

Follow at davemonaco.wordpress.com. You can also tune in on SoundCloud, iTunes, Stitcher & TuneIn.

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FALL 2017 | PAGE 3

Pantherbeat Feature:

Parish Episcopal School Alumna Helps Teach Global Lesson On the surface, the daily lives of children in Texas and Uganda appear to be vastly different; one child rides to school in the family car while another walks; a student drinks water straight from the faucet while another boils his drinking water. A closer look reveals they have similar goals: to learn, to grow, and to be happy and healthy. Parish Episcopal School challenges students to gain a better understanding of different cultures through shared experiences. Our School often looks to faculty, staff and others in the community to lead by example. Prior to the 2017-18 school year, Jennifer Wilson, Head of Lower School, put forth the idea of using her volunteer contacts in Uganda to further student learning at Parish.

The kids also wanted to know more about what Block eats every day and were curious about what kind of candy children enjoy in Uganda.

They were also intrigued about how Block gathers water from a nearby school and boils it before drinking it.

“I believe students build empathy and compassion when they learn about others,” said Wilson. “When our Lower School team discovered we had several connections to Uganda, we decided to capitalize on the opportunity!”

Under the Global Connections lesson, the entire 4th grade watched a video about Uganda and some of the challenges people face there.

Students discussed and shared their insights with a partner and after some lively exchanges they broke into eight small groups led by a faculty or staff member. The lesson also included curriculum - the Girl Child Project - developed by the Peace Corps for students in 3rd-8th grade, which asks students to read a personal essay written by a girl from Uganda. After learning more about her daily life, students use a series of questions to discuss the author and to analyze their own routines.

Fourth grade humanities teacher Shannon Longfield got involved and helped developed a lesson called Global Connections.

“The goal of this lesson is to create awareness and to expose our 4th graders to the reality that although we are very far away from the people we are learning about, we are really not that different,” commented Longfield.

As part of our School mission, Parish asks students to serve others and to be creative and bold leaders prepared to impact our complex global society. Longfield wanted to highlight our School’s tenets of Wisdom, Honor and Service and she found the perfect example in a Parish alumna who is immersed in another culture. Haley Block ’12 is serving with the Peace Corps in Uganda for two years as a financial advisor for entrepreneurs who are trying to build their small businesses. Hear more of Block’s story at goo.gl/aMYZme. “I knew I wanted to work with a school in the states through the Peace Corps’ World Wise Schools Program (https://www.peacecorps. gov/educators/) where volunteers connect with schools to share their experiences. [Ms. Wilson] has been a really great source throughout this whole thing and I’m excited to have more sessions with Parish.”

On October 27, Block enjoyed a Skype session with 4th graders at Parish with the hope they could gain some insights on what it’s really like to live and work in another country.

“They were really interested in my living situation,” said Block. “I told them that I only have electricity about 50 percent of the time. I don’t have running water or a refrigerator, which they thought was crazy. I don’t have air conditioning or a TV.”

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“It was a good discussion to expose them to what life is like in different countries and especially give the Peace Corps perspective on things,” added Block.

“Block and I met via Skype in September to discuss the goals of the lesson,” noted Longfield. “Based on our discussion, we came up with the following goals: identify the main components of a culture and what defines it, make Africa less removed from our students’ lives and help kids connect across the globe by identifying similarities and differences between kids in the U.S. and kids in Uganda.”

After small group discussions, students came back together and used visual diagrams of Texas and Uganda to capture the facts that are similar to both cultures.

“What we found, after comparing a few groups’ input, was that there are definitely more similarities than differences between kids’ lives even when they live across the globe,” added Longfield.

The lesson ended with the Skype session with Block and one of her fellow volunteers in Uganda. The kids were able to ask questions about her experience and got a chance to see how someone from their school is actively changing the world through service. It was an enriching experience for all involved.

“It is very important to me, as the lesson’s coordinator, that all the people who were willing to join together to make this lesson a reality are recognized,” added Longfield. “They gave up coveted planning and instructional time to help bring this interactive experience to our kids. For me, it was a testament to the generous community of faculty and staff we have here at Parish.”

Joining Longfield and Block in the team lesson include the following faculty and staff: Jennifer Wilson, Head of Lower School; Diane Webber, Director of Alumni Relations; Tyneeta Canonge, Director of Diversity & Inclusion; Susan Waddington, Lower School Art; Hays Hendricks, Lower School Music; Michele McLendon, 4th grade Humanities; Blair Boghetich and Cathy Coleman, 4th grade STEM.

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ParishConnect:

Alumni Testimonials

Lauren Sandstedt ‘13 “Your willingness to meet with me and connect me with other professionals has given me an invaluable experience in networking and business.”

Madison Van De Hey ‘13 “I think the ParishConnect program is very useful. Both of my connections were very friendly and prompt about meeting after we were introduced.

I learned a lot from them about their past experiences in the industry and received some career advice as well.”

Jorge Gonzalez ‘11 “ParishConnect definitely did help, it was a really great experience that helped me to stay positive and keep pursuing a career in the industry I’m looking to work in. I would like to thank Mr. Monaco and Lauren Henderson so much for everything.

I never realized the importance of making connections until now.”

Lauren Chilton ’13 “I believe this program is the most helpful to young alumni, because it gives us a chance to network and learn from such knowledgeable people in the companies and industries we are job searching in. ParishConnect is truly a great program and I am so happy I learned about it. I hope to do the same and help alumni to come down the line!”

Ask Pete Does Parish have a softball team? Yes, and the season starts January 15, 2018!

Parish Softball started in 2004, fielding the first varsity team in 2006. In recent years, the varsity team has made it to the regional finals and hoping to get back there soon!

Leading the way on Tadewald Field (Parish Midway) come spring is our very own Upper School administrative assistant, Denise Hunter, who was recently announced as the new Head Coach of the Varsity Girls Softball program.

Read Coach Hunter’s story at  goo.gl/DGNSVC Hunter is ready to take the field and help returning players hone their skills this season. She also encourages other Parish athletes to give softball a try:

“To the young ladies who are not sure which sport they want to join, I would encourage them to come out and be a part of ‘the club.’ It’s competitive, but it can also be so much fun while learning new skills.”

Notable years for Parish Softball: 2007- 7th/8th wins DPL Championship

2008- Varsity team wins first playoff game

2009- Varsity team makes first ever trip to TAPPS state final four 2010- Varsity team wins first district title 2013- 7th/8th wins TAPS Championship

Varsity team made it to the regional finals in 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013 & 2014 P.s. there’s also an annual Alumni softball game every Christmas break.

Saturday, December 23 at 1:00 p.m., Tadewald Field Contact Denise Hunter by January 12 to join “the club!” dhunter@parishepiscopal.org

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FALL 2017 | PAGE 5

Arts & Athletics:

Where The Two Shall Meet “. . . I still feel a bit of pride and wonder that we are actually using the space we talked about for so long. . . . Imagine adding a room to your home and everyone wanting to use it for their own purposes. Now imagine a 24,000 square foot addition and 800 students and faculty wanting to use it! Whenever I go to the Phillips something is happening – Rosettes, Cheer, Drumline, Volleyball, PE classes, the list goes on and on. How did we ever live without it? Seriously I do not know.”

The new Gene E. Phillips Activity Center is already abuzz with events and action.

Since its opening on September 8, before Parish’s first home football game, the Phillips Activity Center has seen nearly 15 events and so many more practices, rehearsals and PE activities. There’s been a Legacy event including two numbers from the Middle School musical, a 10year Alumni Reunion for the Class of 2007 during Homecoming, an inaugural concert for the Upper School musical ensemble Essential Standards, an AGS distinguished speaker, and a grandparent social, just to name a few.

-Karl Reiss, Director of PARISHarts

Recently in letters to the community, Karl Reiss, Director of PARISHarts, and Brett McCabe, Athletic Director, shared some highlights and their personal experiences on the new multipurpose space.

“Prior to the opening of the Phillips this fall, a conversation between me and a Middle School volleyball player after practice – mid-week, at 5:30 p.m. – would never have happened. In the pecking order of practices, varsity traditionally goes right after school and the junior varsity next, with Middle School taking whatever is left . . . Now, we have a new reality. We have doubled our space and it allows for convenience and flexibility. . . . This is allowing our kids to get home at a practical time . . . and have some downtime . . .”

-Brett McCabe, Athletic Director

Read their full length letters online at goo.gl/5tKQ89

The Right Time Limitless ad??? to Be Limitless Make a tax-deductible gift to Parish and the Limitless campaign before Dec. 31 to reap an end-of-year

tax benefit. Plus, leadership gifts and pledges of $25,000+ (or $5,000 committed over 5 years) will be matched dollar for dollar, thanks to a generous match from Nancy Ann & Ray L. Hunt.

Contact Amanda Meter at ameter@parishepiscopal.org or 972.852.8757

parishepiscopal.org/limitless

Alumni:

Coming Home to Family

Snapshots of a few attendees from each reunion event. From L to R: PDS Class of 1993, Class of 2007, Class of 2012.

by Lauren Henderson ‘07, Alumni Relations Coordinator It’s always fun when you get to come together as a family like never before. In October, we had the opportunity to do just that during a spectacular Homecoming and reunion weekend at Parish Episcopal School. It was great to see our campus overflowing with alumni, parents of alumni, former faculty/staff, students, parents and friends.

Many remarked on how much Parish has grown and changed.

We are so proud to be where we are today!

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Thank you to all who participated in the high spirited weekend.

One of the top highlights of Homecoming weekend for the Alumni Association was the various reunion celebrations taking place on and off campus. The Parish Day School Class of 1993 celebrated their 25th year since their 6th grade graduation, the Parish Episcopal Class of 2007 celebrated the School’s first 10 Year Reunion, and the Class of 2012 celebrated their Five Year Reunion.

Thank you for making your way back to Parish to continue building long, lasting memories!

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Alumni Spotlight:

Volunteer Spotlight:

Ashley Glover

Niko Padilla ’18 Niko graduated from Columbia University in 2016 with a B.A. in Economics. After graduation, he returned to Dallas where he is a Wealth Advisor Associate of The Dickey Wright Sweeney Group at Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management.

Biggest accomplishment so far in your career? Having the privilege to serve the best clients in the private wealth management industry.

Biggest lesson learned to date? Always go out of your way to help others. People won’t always remember what you say, but they will remember how you make them feel.

You can’t live without your…? 5 a.m. workout.

Favorite memory of Parish? Winning the 2010 State Championship in football my junior year.

What do you miss most about Parish? Class with Mr. Mazzella.

Anything else you’d like to share with the Parish community?

Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind. Please donate to the Parish Fund so our wonderful students and community continue to prosper.

Editorial note: Niko recently represented Parish Alumni as a guest speaker for soon-to-be Parish Alumni, the class of 2018. In his remarks, Niko encouraged seniors to have fun during their last year at Parish, but to finish strong. He went on to set their expectations for life after Parish and confirmed for them that they will soon see how well Parish has prepared them when they get on college campus and out in the real world with new peers.

She’s a mom of three with a high-travel job, but that doesn’t stop her from taking time out to serve her school community!

Ashley Glover joined the Parish community in 2013 with her husband Kris and children John Foster ’25, Autumn ’26 and Rivers ‘23. During that short time she has volunteered as a room parent, in the cafeteria, library and art room, was the VP of Activities for two years on the Parents’ Association executive board (leading Spooky Saturday and spring picnics). She also served on the Advancement Committee, and she and Kris were grade-level representatives for the School’s Parish Fund before they chaired the Fund in 2016-17. Ashley currently sits on the steering committee for the recently launched Limitless campaign.

“I started to look for things that I could do to contribute, and it kind of snowballed, because it was fun,” exclaimed Ashley.

“I feel more connected to Parish, its mission, and how they deliver it. . . It also gets [my] kids super excited to see me there. They are proud of me.”

“Spooky Saturday’s format was shaken up for the better, as Ashley tried new ways of running the festival,” said Heather Smith, PA President 2015-16. “Her work on implementing changes proved to be invaluable . . . [her] input was insightful and helpful as we navigated all PA activities throughout the year.”

Ashley’s favorite volunteering spots so far have been Spooky Saturday and, as a self-professed lifelong bookworm, doing library time with Ms. Maher at Hillcrest.

“I loved seeing the kids come through and prowl through the library looking for that ‘perfect’ book, and seeing them get excited when they found it.”

Ashley recognizes the sacrifices that other parents make every day for our School, even when she’s not able to and urges the community to take time out and say “thank you” to volunteers. She also encourages families to jump in and have fun.

“My advice is to find those things that you can make time for and just DO IT. . . . you will meet so many people and have fun!”

PARISH EPISCOPAL SCHOOL NEWS

FALL 2017

Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Heather Mills Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Heather Behrens

Contributor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amanda Meter Digital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Courtney Joyner

Alumni & Archives . . . . . . . . . Lauren Ware Henderson

Photographer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wiley Williams Intern, Paul Quinn College . . . . . . . . . . . Ryan Abrams

What’s inside: Pantherbeat Feature: Parish Episcopal School Alumna Helps Teach Global Lesson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Parish Online . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

New Addition: Mr. Monaco’s From My Angle Podcast . . . . . . . . .

ParishConnect: Alumni Testimonials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Alumni Spotlight: Niko Padilla ’18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Volunteer Spotlight: Ashley Glover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Ask Pete: Does Parish have a softball team? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Arts & Athletics: Where The Two Shall Meet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Alumni: Coming Home to Family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Pantherbeat is the magazine of Parish Episcopal School | 4101 Sigma Road | Dallas, Texas 75244 | parishepiscopal.org

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