Pantherbeat Fall/Winter 2015

PARISH EPISCOPAL SCHOOL NEWS

FALL/WINTER 2015

Pantherbeat Feature: Parents’ Association through the years > Story on page 3

Experiential Learning: 7th grade students travel to Catalina Island to learn about sustainability practices through the Catalina Environmental Leadership Program (CELP).

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see the trip video at https://vimeo.com/144894151

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PARISH PANTHERBEAT

Parish Online

parishepiscopal.org Parish Life Blog: Fellowship & poker Class of 2024 dads donate poker winnings to the proposed Community & Performance Center. http://goo.gl/jCgqrD

Parish Life Blog

Parish has a shiny set of new wheels thanks to the hard work and generosity of our parents via the Parents’ Association Gala Gift of Love

Arts Blog: Lion King, Jr. – That’s a wrap!

Parish Middle School puts on spectacular production of Lion King, Jr. http://goo.gl/Eekw27

Parisharts Blog

http://goo.gl/dCXl00

Feed My Starving Children Parish played host to Feed My Starving Children Mobile Food Pack Event. Parish faculty, staff, students and parents, along with members of the greater DFW Metroplex, packed more than 1M meals for children around the world. Dave’s Twitter feed https://twitter.com/dmonaco/ status/635607394253279233

Dave’s Twitter Feed

Grandparent coffee and tech time Faculty, staff and students help Parish Grandparents brush up on their tech skills at a special coffee on the Midway campus http://goo.gl/GkHkgO

Parish News Great to have so many Parish grandparents on campus for coffee and #techtime! #techtime

New Addition:

IdeaLab

The concept of the new IdeaLab and Collaboration rooms at Parish came to light when the Humanities Department was in need of its own “maker space,” a flexible place to collaborate and discuss ideas outside of the classroom. The library seemed like an ideal location and resource, except – how could students and faculty toss around ideas while maintaining the atmosphere of quiet study?

and an anonymous donor, Parish built out glass rooms that would allow several groups to work effectively in the same space.

What looks like fish tanks, really serves as think tanks for project-based learning and research.

“It needed to be a flexible space, the furniture needed to be moveable for individual and group projects, for whole classes. It needed to be collaborative,” said Leigh Ann Jones, Ph.D., Director of Libraries.

“The IdeaLab has everything I’d want in an ideal classroom: multiple flexible learning spaces, with a wide variety of resources close at hand. The reference books are just around the corner; there are flat-screen TVs, which students can use to share research and creative work; the whiteboard spaces are large and convenient; and the desks are easy to move and manipulate. This space supports differentiated instruction better than any classroom I’ve seen or even imagined,” said Chris Schmidt, Upper School English, Subject Area Coordinator.

After a year of planning, and generous donations from Kelly and Charles Lipscomb

Read more about the IdeaLab at http:// goo.gl/NXPaFW

A Bright Idea

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PARISH PANTHERBEAT

FALL/WINTER 2015 | PAGE 3

Pantherbeat Feature

Parents’ Association through the years The more you put into something, the more you get out of it. Kathy Pershern knows that all too well. Little did Pershern know that chairing the cake walk, at the annual church Halloween carnival in the early 80’s, would lead to becoming a Parish Parents’ Club Chair and Parish employee for more than 20 years. The little church school on the corner – known as Parish Day School at the time – became a community she proudly supported and the source of friendships that have lasted decades.

“The faculty and parents were all like one big family and having had this long association with the School . . . that’s really where the seeds of this tight knit community were born. Everyone pitched in and worked together,” said Pershern.

Pershern’s story is a familiar one at Parish Episcopal School: parents become volunteers [see our volunteer spotlight on pg. 6], then community leaders and decide to stay on, even after their kids graduate. Many start their journey with our School through volunteering and continue to take on bigger roles. Take for example, the Parents’ Association (PA). We all know the PA throws a great Gala every year and raises much needed money for the School, but few understand the history behind this tradition of volunteering and giving. It takes countless hours and an army of volunteers to put everything together, but Parish has never been without those enthusiastic soldiers.

The association was originally called the Moms’ Club in 1974, then the Parents’ Club (to include fathers) and in 2000 it became the Parents’ Association. To date, the PA has generated more than $7.4 million for Parish. With that money, the School has been able to purchase everything from art supplies to garden tools, to computers, classroom

Kathy Pershern and former Head of School Gloria Snyder.

equipment and buses. The fundraisers have changed over the years, but the goal has always been the same: support the needs of the School not covered by tuition.

“The Parents’ Association works very closely with the school administration to identify those needs. Parents should understand that those big, generous gifts are spent directly on day-today necessities and the extra items that make our school so special,” said Jody Swartzwelder, Parents’ Association President, 2014-2015.

Gabriella Bondy and Andrea Lee understood the importance of parent involvement. They chaired the first Moms’ club and their support

Ask Pete I pay tuition. Why am I asked to give more to the School?

Gifts to the Parish Fund and all gifts to Parish throughout the years benefit YOUR child every day.

Tuition at Parish covers approximately 90% of the cost of educating each student. As with most independent schools, Parish relies on annual, unrestricted giving to help cover the gap that exists between tuition and fees and the actual costs of operating the School.

The goal of the Board of Trustees is to keep tuition as affordable and competitive as possible among area independent schools (all have Annual Fund campaigns). The annual fundraising campaign, the Parish Fund, helps make up the difference. Parish receives gifts ranging from $5 to over $50,000 from parents, grandparents, faculty and staff, the Board of Trustees, alumni, parents of alums, corporations and friends of the School.

To give to the Parish Fund visit parishepiscopal.org/giving or contact Carrie Burton at cburton@parishepiscopal.org Have a question for Pete? Email communications@parishepiscopal.org, subject line “Ask Pete,” for a chance to have your question answered here.

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PARISH PANTHERBEAT

Continued from page 3

Parents’ Association through the years for Parish continues 41 years later.

Each May, the Bondy-Lee Award is presented to an outstanding parent volunteer. Additionally, the person who demonstrates outstanding service to the PA is recognized with the Crown Award.

By the end of the first event, the Parents’ Club had raised $12K and sparked the tradition of parent-driven fundraising at Parish. Many Parish parents have fond memories of the long-running Style Show and of other fundraisers such as the Tennis Tournament, Fall Fling and the Pecan Sale Pep Rally.

“Without these dedicated volunteers Parish would not be Parish,” said Marci McLean, Chief Advancement Officer. “We cannot put a price tag on the hours spent by our volunteers hanging art work, working in the cafeteria, manning a booth at Spooky Saturday, or working concessions at Gabriella Bondy and Andrea Lee with Gloria Snyder. a sporting event, but we can try to show our appreciation. These awards are just one small way we can say ‘thank you.’”

“Without these dedicated volunteers Parish would not be Parish,” said Marci McLean, Chief Advancement Officer.

Until the first fundraiser in 1982, the Parents’ Club mainly focused on supporting the faculty and staff and enhancing the school experience for students.

“Our biggest activities at that point were a brownie sale every Wednesday to kids on the playground and providing Friday lunches,” said Pershern.

Then they decided to put together a style show.

The moms were the models; the teachers, staff and fathers were the audience. Mary Kay Ash – Parish grandmother and founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics – donated supplies for the silent auction.

PA Style Show featuring Connie Smith

“It was incredible to see everyone working together for such a long period of time. While parents were busy helping the families with daily needs, the School supported those in the community who were grieving as well.”

PRESIDENT

VP ACTIVITIES

VP US FELLOWSHIP

PRESIDENT-ELECT

VP FACULTY/STAFF SUPPORT

VP NEW FAMILIES

BOARD ADVISOR

VP VOLUNTEERS

VP GALA

SECRETARY

VP LS FELLOWSHIP

VP COMMUNICATIONS

VP MS FELLOWSHIP

Kristen Twomey Jody Swartzwelder Anne Sincovec Jagruti Anthony

“The Parish community has a long history of coming together at Gala to support our School,” said Andrea Denheyer, Parish Gala Co-chair, 2014-15. “We were confident last year that our parent body would get behind our efforts to raise money for the bus.”

“Our parent community has always embraced one another, but that year we realized how blessed we were to have such a strong support system from parents and School leaders,” said Swartzwelder, who helped guide the PA at the end of that difficult year.

2015-16 PA Executive Board Heather Smith

Eventually those fundraisers gave way to Gala and the PA’s “Gift of Love.” Last year, the PA raised nearly $340K during Gala. $91K of that went to buy a bus to save money on renting charter buses. The new bus transports students to and from field trips, athletics, robotics, arts events and Legacy. The remainder of the money went toward financial aid and the operating budget.

Parish is known for its close-knit community and generosity. Once you’re part of the family, you are always a part of the family. Parents, students, faculty and staff celebrate the milestones and achievements and lend a helping hand during setbacks and tragedies. In particular, the Parish family answered the call of service during 2013-14. Over the course of that school year, seven members of the community, including then PA President Traci Good, died unexpectedly and untimely.

Everyone rallied to set up meals, run errands, provide rides and console the families who were suffering such profound loss. Through the pain, the community found renewed strength and purpose.

“It was the first time the School really had a fundraiser and we just kind of did it on a whim,” said Pershern.

“It was very reflective on the relationship the parents and the faculty had. Everybody supported it,” said Pershern.

2014-15 Gala Committee.

Ashley Glover

Every parent is a member of the PA. The time and effort given – no matter how big or small – is needed and appreciated.

Amy Legate

Jana McAnally Kathleen Ray

Carol Carrington Diana Hamilton

Kellie Early

Stephanie Pearson

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Although volunteering isn’t always a cake walk, the results can be just as sweet. It is a parent’s chance to learn more about their child’s school and make lasting friendships.

“What the Parents’ Association does for the School is build a sense of community, even more than their financial dollars,” said Pershern.

“My hope would be that parents would take advantage of the many opportunities available here.”

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FALL/WINTER 2015 | PAGE 5

Mr. Monaco’s Update:

Capital Campaign Thanks to the generosity of several donors and your feedback on the recent Capital Campaign survey, conducted by external firm Clarkson Davis, we are at the next stage in our Reimagine School vision.

We have raised more than $7.2 million of our $15 million goal to build a second gymnasium and a community and performance center.

As our School continues to grow and expand to meet the changing needs of our students and the world in which they live, we must address limitations that we have within our current facilities. It is our intent that these two projects will support that growth, further strengthen and build our Parish community, and continue making us a top choice in Dallas independent schools.

In our recent survey on this capital campaign and the proposition of these two facilities as part of the Reimagine School vision, nearly half of the 1500 recipients responded. We are energized by this response rate and feel it is indicative of the interests for this endeavor from our community and the need for it for our students.

Nearly 50 percent of you that took the survey said the vision for these facilities does indeed resonate with you, and they are necessary to the growth of the School. This tells us that our

community is on track to provide a place for our students to showcase their individual and collaborative work product, as well as give our population a place to come together and celebrate our students, family, friends and . . . our Parish!

When defining the culture of Parish, 45-65 percent of you confirmed what we hear time and again . . . the School is innovative, caring, inclusive, tight-knit (scaled in that order). The first attribute in this list – innovative – is exactly why we are stepping out on this venture with you, so that we can make space, both physical and elemental, for more innovation in our programming, thus creating more opportunities for our students. The remaining three attributes speak largely to our culture of community, which is also in accord with our vision for the community and performance center.

Today, your children benefit from the generosity of so many families that came before them. I hope you will stand with us in this effort, for your children and all those that come after them.

Parish Alumni Notes

Letter from Alumni Board President, Meredith McLean It has been an honor and joy to serve on the Parish Alumni Association Board, first as a board member and now as the 201516 President. Since I was a 3 year old in PreK 1, Parish has been a home and a family. I am beyond grateful for the loving and nurturing foundation it gave me.

I feel privileged to have the opportunity to, in some small way, give back to the Parish community. I love helping reconnect our alumni with the School and getting them involved. It is such a special place that holds so many special memories! Like our class production of Joseph and the amazing Technicolor Dream Coat; and our 5th grade class trip to Washington, D.C. where not only did we get to learn about and tour our nation’s capital, but it came with the added benefit of celeb sightings – Stevie Wonder and Hilary Clinton.

But, at the end of the day, the memories are not one specific event or trip; they are from the School in its entirety - a school with a great big heart. At Parish there is a genuine concern for the student as a whole and a focus on making a personal connection with each student to help nurture their strengths and grow their passions. I will carry the values and important lessons learned at Parish for my entire life.

Then there are friendships. I treasure the friendships made in those early years as well as the new ones I have made through the Parish Alumni Association, both older and younger, both PDS alums and PES alums. It has also been great becoming friends with my former teachers as an adult. They were fabulous as teachers and just as fabulous as friends. I think it speaks volumes to the caliber of teachers at Parish; all these years later they still have such an interest in me and want to be a part of my life.

As the School continues to grow and change, it is important to remember where it has been and its history. Our alumni are an invaluable part of that history and we cherish each and every one of them.

Alumni Board 2015-2016 PRESIDENT

Meredith McLean, PDS ‘95 VICE PRESIDENT

Scott Pershern, PDS ‘88 L-R first row: Katina Smallwood ’07, Lizzie Weeks ’07, Krissi Osborn ’07, Courtney Hodges ‘07 L-R second row: Jesse Hernandez ’07, Chris Rivas ’08, Marissa Gonzalez ’08, Meredith McLean PDS ’95, Christina Mantzuranis Helwig PDS ’94, Trevor Ferré ‘09 L-R third row: David Witten ’07, Johannes Roehrborn ’07, Bart Freeman PDS ’80, Quincy Powell ’07, Ryan Pearlman ’11, Diane Webber, Lauren Ware Henderson ‘07, David Haines ‘08

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SECRETARY AND ALUMNI RELATIONS COORDINATOR

Lauren Ware Henderson ‘07 TREASURER

David Haines, ‘08

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Bart Freeman, PDS ‘80

Christina Mantzuranis Helwig, PDS ‘94 Marissa Gonzalez ‘08 Quincy Powell ‘07

Anisha Mascarenhas, PDS ‘91 Judy Morris Martin ‘10 Ryan Pearlman ‘11

DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS

Diane Webber

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Alumni Spotlight:

Volunteer Spotlight:

Molly Plummer ’08

Melody and Dan Collins by student reporter Avery Lackner ‘18

2012 Graduate of University of Colorado; Bachelors of Arts: Double Major in Studio Arts, Emphasis: Printmaking; Art History

Described as consummate volunteers, Parish parents Melody and Dan Collins have always been generous in donating their time and skills to the cause of promoting our school.

What are your plans with your degree?

I am finishing my first year at UT Arlington working toward a Masters in Landscape Architecture. When I graduate I plan to work for a large landscape architecture firm and hope to do mostly commercial work, ideally creating community gathering places, urban green spaces, and other places that enrich the community and foster social interaction.

Biggest accomplishment so far?

“They have tirelessly undertaken a myriad of volunteer opportunities including Parent Association president, Parish Fund chairs (twice!), and serving on the Board of Trustees’ Advancement Committee,” noted Diana Sobey, Advancement Services Coordinator at Parish.

This is a couple that knows a thing or two about going the extra mile. Melody’s unassuming beginnings as a field trip mom and class parent showed her the positive impact her time had on the School. From there she began serving in the library and cafeteria and on various committees within the Parents’ Association. The rest, as they say, is history.

Being appointed as the undergraduate representative for the Fine Arts Curriculum Committee at CU and of course, being accepted into Grad School.

Biggest lesson learned to date?

Hard work and persistence does pay off.

For his part, Dan generously volunteers as a mentor in the Parish Leadership Institute, a program of ParishLeads. Dan helps his mentee, Maxwell Zucker ’16, gain real-world leadership experience.

You can’t live without your . . .?

Sketchbook

Favorite memory(ies) of Parish?

“I chose Mr. Collins because . . . he was insightful and purposeful in his thoughts,” said Zucker.

The Catalina Island trip, getting exhibited at the DMA through an art class, and winning a tennis state championship

Would you like to give a shout out to anyone at Parish?

Dan has always been available to Zucker, whether it’s for a face-toface conference, a phone call, or even an email session. His business experience is invaluable, providing a big picture perspective.

Do you still keep in touch with any of your Parish classmates/teachers/coaches?

“I was reminded during this [mentor] process . . . that service can at times be more about being present and available than it is about doing something specific,” commented Dan.

I want to thank Mrs. Bernard for being so supportive of me throughout school.

I keep in touch with most of my girlfriends from Parish. I actually live with two girls from my graduating class at Parish, Brooke Thoele and Maddie Solari.

What motivates this benevolent duo? Melody points out they feel strongly about the relevance of service in today’s world, and want to show their daughter, Frances ’21, that generosity is never wasted.

“This is our family’s 10th year at Parish. . . . we volunteer to give back to the School that has given so much to our family,” said Melody.

PARISH EPISCOPAL SCHOOL NEWS

FALL/WINTER 2015

Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Heather Mills Managing editor and data . . . . . . . . . . . Diana Sobey

What’s inside:

Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Heather Behrens

FEATURE ARTICLE: Parents’ Association through the years . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Finance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amy Ariagno

New Addition: IdeaLab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Digital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Courtney Joyner

Alumni & archives . . . . . . . . . Lauren Ware Henderson

Photographer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wiley Williams Intern reporter . . . . . . . . . Avery Lackner, class of ‘18

Intern reporter . . . . . . . . Adam Bergman, class of ‘17

Intern reporter . . . . . . . Chris Van Buskirk, class of ‘17

Parish Online . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Ask Pete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Mr. Monaco’s Update: Capital Campaign . . . . . . . . . . 5 Parish Alumni Notes: Letter from Meredith McLean . . 5 Alumni Spotlight: Molly Plummer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Volunteer Spotlight: Melody and Dan Collins . . . . . . . 6

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

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