Park Parent September 2014

S EP TEMBER 2014

The Park Parent in this issue: MEET BOARD CHAIR VINNY CHIANG // 2 BEYOND THE CLASSROOM// 3 NEW FACES // 4 AROUND THE LIBRARY // 10

Parents’ Association Welcome b y Shannon Falkson, PA President, A N D L I S A D iA D A M O , PA Vice President

W

e are thrilled to be taking on

and diverse community that makes up the school, and the PA has provided fun and interesting ways to get to know others in the community outside of our children’s the roles of President and grades. Leading the PA gives us a new opportunity to serve the school and the community we care so deeply Vice President of the Park about.

One area we will be focusing on is community School Parents’ Association (PA). Having two building. So much of the community building that takes place at Park happens organically over coffee of us in these roles allows us to be more presin the lobby, on the athletic fields in the afternoons, ent in the community and more hands-on with and at birthday parties in the younger grades. The PA also plays a role in building community. We want to continue the same organic feel by giving parents each committee than we could be individually. opportunities to connect around shared interests, but it’s always a balancing act to find ways to get together For both of us, our parent experience at Park has that do not overburden already packed schedules. The been greatly enhanced by being a part of the vibrant continued on page 8

Taking Robotics Up a Notch b y Todd Idson, Park Parent Editorial Board

R

ecognizing the growing role of technology and science in our world, educators are increasingly focused on ways to get more

kids excited about the STEM (science, technology,

vo l u me 47 nu mb e r 1 a pub lication of the park s c h o o l parent s’ assoc iation

Source: http://www.vageekmom.com

engineering, and math) disciplines.

At the same time, the capacity to function in a group decision-making setting has grown in importance with the ever-growing ease of communication and attendant interconnectedness of organizations. One of the routes to achieving these educational goals is the integration of a robotics curriculum into the classroom, often matched with extracurricular robotics competitions. Developing problemcontinued on page 9

Park’s BOard

A Conversation with Vinny Chiang, Chair of Park’s Board of Trustees B y S TA NLEY SHAW, Editorial Board Chair

V

incent Chiang, M.D., was recently named the new

Chair of the Park School Board of Trustees. Vinny and his wife Susanne are the parents of Molly ’15 (now at Milton Academy), Grace ’17, and Aidan ’20; this year marks their tenth at Park. When he is not at Park, Vinny is Chief of Inpatient Services at Boston Children’s Hospital and a practicing pediatrician.

What’s on the agenda for the Board of Trustees?

We’ll be developing a strategic vision for the next five to ten years that will enable the school to keep innovating while staying true to its mission. One early agenda item is the re-accreditation visit in fall 2015 from the Association of Independent Schools in New England (AISNE). In preparation, Park will begin a year of selfstudy to review the entire curriculum and identify areas of strength as well as opportunities for improvement or innovation. The self-study findings will inform our strategic planning process going forward.

We’ll also be thinking about the facilities master plan, which includes existing campus buildings as well as the recent Faulkner land purchase of 8 acres adjacent to the Park School grounds. The Faulkner purchase gives us the opportunity to explore how new space configurations can support 21st century learning, but this is something the Board is just starting to examine.

The mission and culture of Park are well established, but this work can never be “done.” For instance, former Head of School Jerry Katz made wonderful progress on diversity. Now, as before, we continue to ask if Park is as diverse and inclusive as it can be, not just among our students, but also among our faculty and staff.

We need to keep working to recruit and retain the most talented individuals who reflect the diversity of our community. And these efforts are of course closely related to our already strong faculty initiatives in professional development and curricular innovation.

What are your responsibilities as Board Chair?

I view my role as helping Michael Robinson implement his vision for the school and to coordinate the energy of the Board of Trustees, which comprises a fantastic group of people. Both Michael and I want to make sure that school initiatives reflect the input of as much of the community as possible. So a large part of my role will therefore be listening to and encouraging input from the community, whether it’s through a casual lobby conversation, an online survey, or communicating through the Parents’ Association.

Michael has had a fantastic first year—he brought energy, wisdom, and his own extensive experience as an educator and a Head

The Park Parent // PAGE 2

of School to Park. I’m sure a lot of us saw Michael and Bear, his family dog, cheering on various Park teams; I found that I was just as likely to have a great conversation with him on the sidelines of the athletic fields as in his office. I very much enjoy working with Michael, and I look forward to helping him put his imprint on the school.

I’m also extremely fortunate to be following Suzie Tapson, who had a hugely successful term as Chair of the Board. The conception and implementation of the Park21 strategic plan, the purchase of the adjacent Faulkner property, and of course the search that brought Michael Robinson to Park—these have all strengthened Park for years to come.

How does Park compare to your schools when you were growing up?

I attended a great public school in a suburb west of Boston, but I certainly appreciate how our kids’ experience at Park differs. For one thing, the environment here celebrates the strength and interests of every child, and it’s actually cool to be smart at Park. There’s also a much stronger sense of inclusivity and diversity, which starts at home, and is reinforced at school. And I love how the faculty and overall environment foster individual responsibility and accountability alongside outstanding academics. I remember sitting around a lot more when I was a kid! My kids are doing much more than I did, and their organization and time management skills are so far ahead of where mine were at the same age.

Can you tell us about your life as a Park parent?

It’s been great. Park is such a welcoming environment for parents. It’s really a comforting feeling to walk onto the campus as a parent and feel totally welcome. One of the other things I value most about Park is the strong sense of community. My children and family have made lifelong friendships. It’s affirming to be part of a parent community that has many shared values and a deep commitment to supporting our children’s education and personal development.

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

Extracurricular Activities at Park Park offers a wide array of extracurricular activities for children Lower Division: Andrew Segar segara@parkschool.org across all divisions. Here’s a listing of the offerings available this year. Middle Division: Cynthia Harmon harmonc@parkschool.org For details on any activity, please contact: Upper Division: Alice Lucey luceya@parkschool.org

After-School Care/Study Hall

Lower & Middle Divisions (Pre-K – Grade V)

Upper Division (Grades VI – IX)

After-School Program, daily until 4:30 or 6 p.m.

Fee required.

After-School Care, Tues only, until 4:30 or 6 p.m. Fee required.

Study Hall, M/W/Th/F until 4:30 p.m.

After-School Athletics: Fall

Grades IV & V: Boys’ & Girls’ Soccer, 2 afternoons/week Co-ed Field Hockey, 2 afternoons/week

After-School Athletics: Winter Grades IV & V: Boys’ & Girls’ Basketball, 2 afternoons/week

Co-ed Wrestling, Tuesday afternoons

Boys’ & Girls’ Soccer, 4 afternoons/week Girls’ Field Hockey, 4 afternoons/week Co-ed Cross Country, 4 afternoons/week Boys’ & Girls’ Basketball (some AM practices), 4 days/week Co-ed Ice Hockey (AM practices), 4 days/week Boys’ Wrestling, 4 days/week

After-School Athletics: Spring

Grades IV & V: Boys’ & Girls’ Lacrosse, 2 afternoons/week

Boys’ & Girls’ Lacrosse, 4 afternoons/week Girls’ Softball, 4 afternoons/week Co-ed Track and Field, 4 afternoons/week

Drama

Grades I – III: Storybook Theatre by Freelance Players: Three 8-week sessions, 2 afternoons/week Fee required.

Fall: Musical for Grades VII – IX Winter: Musical for Grade VI Winter: Play for Grade VIII – IX Spring: Play for Grades VI – IX

Music

Ms. Allen’s Inspirational Freedom Choir: Grades K-III: Junior Choir IV & V: Intermediate Choir (by audition) Saturday rehearsals; Fee required.

Members of the Music Department are available for private instruction in cello, guitar, and piano.

Recess/In-School Clubs

Grade III – V: Math Club, 2 afternoons/week (2 fall sessions)

Grade VI Math Team, 2 days/week

Grade III – V: TIDBITS Club (engineering), 2 afternoons/week (2 winter sessions) Grade V: Math Team, last period, 2 days/week

Other Park Clubs

Mr. Cassie’s Birdwalks, selected mornings Chess Club, winter, Fri. afternoons, winter Garden Club, seasonal Friday mornings Junior FIRST Lego League (FLL), ages 6-9, fall and spring, 1 afternoon/ week

Grades VI – IX: Gay-Straight Alliance, 1 day/week Improv Club, 1 day/week Math Counts Team, 1 day/week Pangaea/One World Club, 1 day/week Service Council, 1 day/week Student Council, 1 day/week Grade VII – IX: Park/St. Stephen’s Partnership, After School tutoring, spring Mondays, 3:005:45 p.m.

Grade VII: Literacy project, Wednesdays February 4 , 11; March 4 and 11, 3:00-4:30 p.m. Culminates with a visit to Horizons for Homeless Children in Jamaica Plain.

Model UN, weekends FIRST Lego League (FLL), ages 9-14, 1 afternoon/week

SEPTEMBER 2014 // PAGE 3

New Faculty & Staff for 2014-15 B y Kate lapine , Director of Communications

Andrew Bauld (Grade V Teacher)

Cailin Eaton (Grade I Teacher)

Andrew joins the Grade V team with

After four years teaching second

a wealth of experience teaching

grade at the Chadwick International

elementary-aged students. He earned

School in South Korea, this East Coast

his master’s degree in elementary

native is excited to return to the US

education from Lesley University

and American food in particular!

while serving as an associate third

Cailin (BS SUNY Oneonta, MS Long

and sixth grade teacher at Belmont

Island University) uses inquiry-based

Day School. He then taught fifth and

learning to cultivate passion and

sixth grades at Tenacre Country Day

confidence in her young students.

Ms. Eaton’s first grade students can

School from 2008-12. Most recently, he was the education coordinator at the Egan Maritime Institute

expect funny stories about Bobby the dog from their upbeat new

on Nantucket, where he designed and taught a maritime course

teacher.

to sixth graders in all three island schools. An English major at Tufts, Andrew is unabashedly passionate about writing and

Sarah Hyslop (Grade V Teacher)

reading, and is eager to “infect” his students with the same

Since graduating from Dickinson

infatuation.

College in 2005 with a joint degree in psychology and French, Sarah has Katie Carr (Grade I Teacher)

made her home in middle-school

Katie (BA College of the Holy Cross,

elementary classrooms. She taught

MEd Lesley University) has been

French to students in Pre-K-Grade

teaching Grade I since 2010, first

V both at Fredericksburg Academy

at The Pike School in Andover and

(VA) and Charleston Day School (SC).

most recently at Dedham Country

She was also a third grade assistant

Day School (DCD). At DCD, Katie

at both of these schools. While earning her master’s in curriculum

immersed herself in school life,

and instruction at the University of Richmond, she worked with

serving on the admissions director

students in grades 2 – 5 as a student teacher. Most recently at

search

committee,

playground

redesign committee, and launching the “Dream Create Discover”

her alma mater, Collegiate School in Richmond, Virginia, Sarah taught first and third grades.

magazine, an anthology of student art and literature. DCD’s loss is clearly Park’s gain with Katie Carr joining the Grade I team.

Megan McLean (Lower Division Science Specialist) Upon graduating from Colgate in 2002, Megan headed west

Caroline Collins (Grade II Assistant)

to Jackson, Wyoming to teach English as a second language.

While earning her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education

Along the way, she began teaching environmental science

from Boston University, Caroline

and in 2007, entered a master’s

gained invaluable experience as a

program in Environmental Studies

student teacher. She worked at the

at Antioch University in Keene, NH,

BU Early Childhood Learning Lab

where

with children ages 2.9 – 5, with a

and

kindergarten class at the Pierce

graduating, she moved to Millbrook,

School in Brookline, and with a

NY, where she oversaw schoolyard

second grade class at the Devotion

ecology programs for students in

School. The Grade II team looks

Grades K-XII and taught middle

forward to working with Caroline

school science at the Meadowbrook

this year.

School.

The Park Parent // PAGE 4

she

studied

conservation

Most

amphibians

biology.

recently,

she

After

has

New faces designed and taught weekly interdisciplinary art and science

the camp council at Camp Onaway in Hebron, New Hampshire, an

classes for 9-12th graders in the Boston Public Schools. Megan

all-girls, sleep-away camp. As a student at Buckingham Browne &

will work with Brian Cassie in the fall and then take over his

Nichols, she had many Park School friends and is excited to join the

classes when he is on sabbatical during the spring semester.

Middle Division team as the Grade IV Assistant.

Liz Neilson (Academic Support)

Jorge Vega (Director of Technology)

Liz (BA Connecticut College, MA

We

Northeastern University) first came to

Jorge back to Park’s Technology

are

thrilled

to

welcome

Park in 1999 as an intern in a fourth

Department, where he worked from

grade classroom and then taught

2005–2010. In the ensuing years, he

Grade VII and VIII English. After a

served as the Director of Technology

stint as an undergraduate writing

at the Sage School in Foxboro, and

instructor at Northeastern University,

most recently commuting weekly to

she took time off to have children

the Ethical Culture Fieldston School

(Benjie, Grade III; Parker, Grade II; and

in New York. Jorge (BA Connecticut

Molly, age 2) while tutoring part-time

College) is not just a “techie,” but

at Concord Academy. Liz worked as a language tutor at the Carroll

a Renaissance Man–—he teaches

School, completing coursework in Orton-Gillingham theory and

writing courses at Grub Street in Boston, writes and directs

techniques. Last spring, Liz joined the Academic Support team at

plays, is a graphic novelist, and is completing course work on

Park on a part-time basis, and is thrilled to be back at Park for the

his master’s in Educational Technology at Framingham State

2014–15 school year.

University. Most importantly, Jorge will be with his family (wife Liza, daughters Joli and Jada, and son Evan) more, now that he is Katie Reardon (Latin Teacher)

in Massachusetts full-time!

Katie joined the Park faculty in Mark Vialva (Music Teacher)

January, but has not been formally introduced to the community in

Mark first joined the Park faculty as

these pages. Katie studied classics

an intern in the Music Department

and political science at the College of

in 2012–13 while he completed his

the Holy Cross, and has been tutoring

bachelor’s degree in Music Education

students in Latin and many other

at Berklee School of Music. Last year,

subjects including writing, math, test

he worked with Park students in

prep, and legal studies since 1998. A

Grades II, VI, VII, VIII, and IX to impart

lawyer by training, Katie practiced

his love of music and share his passion

law for six years upon graduating from the Columbus School of

for the many instruments he plays,

Law at Catholic University. In 2014, she happily traded in legal

including the trumpet, piano, drums,

pads for a grade book and looks forward to continuing to teach

clarinet, vibraphone, and trombone. From 2004–08, Mark served

Latin to students in Grades VI – IX.

in the Marines and was deployed in Iraq, Kuwait, Sicily, Spain, Turkey, Qatar, and France. In addition, he holds a Massachusetts

Alisha Saini (Grade IV Assistant)

teacher certification.

A recent graduate of Bucknell University, Alisha majored in English with a minor in Women & Gender Studies. Alisha

ADDENDUM

participated in two major National

Faculty Departing at the end of 2013-14:

Outdoor Education Leadership courses involving backpacking throughout the

Greg Lyons

Music Teacher

Southern Talkeetna Mountain Range

Carolyn Snook

Grade V Teacher

20 years of service 6 years of service

of Alaska and a thirty-day expedition across the Himalayan Mountains. For several summers, she was a member of continued on next page

SEPTEMBER 2014 // PAGE 5

Some “Old” Friends in New Roles for 2014-15 Melody Bartlett ’95 (Art Teacher)

continue teaching Upper Division English classes, drawing upon

After graduating with a BFA in

her BA in English literature that she earned from St. Michael’s

painting from the Maryland Institute

College in 2012, and will direct the Grade VI play in the winter.

College of Art, Melody returned

Ellen will also serve as a Grade VII advisor.

to Park as an intern in the Art Department in 2003-04, where she

Patricia Espinosa (Pre-K Associate)

worked beside her former teachers

Patricia has always had a passion for education, especially for

Judy Hale and Fern Cunningham-

very young children, where they start to identify themselves

Terry. She is looking forward to

as learners. She looks forward to

teaching with her former teachers

supporting Pre-K children through

again while Andrea Sparks is on a

this

essential Patricia,

and a

engaging

year-long sabbatical. Since her internship 11 years ago, Melody

process.

Venezuelan

has been working at Park’s After-School Program while teaching

native, graduated from Berklee

art at The Chestnut Hill School for 4 years, at Bridge Boston

College of Music and worked for 15

Charter School, and last fall at Park while Judy Hale was on leave.

years as an early childhood music

Today, Melody’s artistic passions lie in multi-media painting,

and

collage, and reusing-recycling-repurposing.

Community Music Center of Boston

movement

teacher

at

the

as well as in the Boston Public Chris Beeson (English/Social Studies Teacher)

Schools. She taught Spanish through

With an AB in History and American

music at the Edward Everett and the Rafael Hernandez Schools

Studies from Princeton University

and most recently has worked at Park’s After-School Program.

and an MEd from the Harvard

Patricia has a daughter, Kata, in Grade VI.

Graduate

School

of

Education,

Chris spent his intern year at Park

Debbie Henry (Academic Support Head)

working with David Perry in Upper

When Peggy Blumenreich retired in June, the Academic Support

Division social studies classes last

team was thrilled that longtime tutor Debbie Henry could step

fall, and with Grade V in the spring.

into the role of Department Head. As a member of Park’s Academic

He is excited to be teaching English

Support staff from 1995-2001 and from 2005 to the present, Debbie

and Social Studies to Grade VI and

brings a deep knowledge of Park’s learning support services and

serving as an advisor to Grade VI

curriculum across the divisions. Prior to coming to Park, Debbie was

students. Teaching in a classroom

the Learning Skills Department Head at Packer Collegiate School

setting is a second career for Chris; he spend 10 years working for

in NYC, where she also served as the Grade IX curriculum director

the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) based in Lander,

and a Middle School learning specialist. Debbie earned her BA

Wyoming. At NOLS, he led leadership education programs for

from Boston University in Secondary English Education, her MA

middle school, high school, and

from New York University in Reading

college student in wilderness areal

and Learning Disabilities, and was

throughout the American West.

a Klingenstein Fellow at Teachers College,

The Park Parent // PAGE 6

Columbia

University.

Ellen Desmond (English Teacher)

Debbie brings a unique combination

When Kyra Fries left for maternity

of extensive learning specialist and

leave last May, Ellen Desmond deftly

department leadership experience,

assumed her classes because she had

together with a deep knowledge

become familiar with the English

of and appreciation for Park, to her

curriculum of Grades VII, VIII, and

new role in the Academic Support

IX as an intern. This fall, Ellen will

Department.

Elizabeth Jansen (Pre-K Associate)

was the assistant coach of the Softball team. Ellen (BA University

Elizabeth graduated from University

of Rochester) values—and models her own participation in the

of Richmond in 2013, where she

school community—on the whole education of her students.

received a BA in Chinese Studies and Paul Toussaint (PE Teacher)

a minor in elementary education. Last year, she interned in Mandarin classes,

Paul first joined the Park community in the fall of 2005, coaching

Sarah

classroom,

the Boys’ Varsity Soccer and Hockey teams. Two years later, he

and worked with Pre-K – Grade III

completed Park’s Internship in Teaching program, working in

students at the After-School Program.

Grade I and the PE Department. Since 2008, Paul (BA New England

She is excited to continue at ASP in

College) has come to know almost every student at Park while

the afternoons and join Betsy Platt

serving as one of the permanent

and Park’s youngest students in the mornings.

substitute

Rose’s

Grade

I

teachers.

Paul

ably

stepped in to cover Steve Savage’s Holly Mawn (Grade V Assistant)

PE classes during his sabbatical and

Holly

with

was asked to join the PE Department

children for as long as she can

on a full-time basis. In addition to

remember. At Colby College, she

teaching nearly every grade in PE,

majored in psychology and minored

Paul coaches Boys’ Varsity Soccer,

has

loved

working

in education, and spent many hours

Boys’ JV Basketball, and Girls’ Varsity

in local classrooms during college.

Softball.

As an intern at Park last year, she worked with Sarah Bourque’s Grade

Jean Wilmerding (Grade III Teacher)

II classroom in the fall and in Shalini

With nearly 20 years of teaching

Rao’s Grade V classroom in the spring.

experience in Grades I – IV at

She looks forward to continuing to

independent schools in New York

work with the Grade V team.

City and Boston, and co-teaching Grade III with Jen Riley last year, Jean

Ellen Thomas (Grade IV Teacher)

Wilmerding knows and loves third

While Eliza Botsford is on maternity

graders at The Park School! Jean

leave this year, the Grade IV team was

(AB Kenyon College; MA Teachers

excited to invite Ellen to join their

College, Columbia University) has

team. In 2013-14, Ellen distinguishing

also worked at Park as a substitute

herself as an intern in Grades III and

teacher, an Admission Associate, and

IV, worked with Grades IV and V at

an Assistant Coach for Girls’ Varsity Soccer. She is also a current

ASP, coached JV Girls’ Basketball, and

Park parent of children Lucy in Grade VI and Jack in Grade VIII.

CALLING ALL WRITERS! The Park Parent is a newsletter of the Parents’ Association that discusses issues of broad interest to Park parents and the Park community. If you are interested in joining the editorial team, please contact Stanley Shaw (stanley.y.shaw@gmail.com), TC Haldi (thaldi@mit.edu) or Kate LaPine (lapinek@parkschool.org).

SEPTEMBER 2014 // PAGE 7

PA Welcome, continued from page 1

only way we will know if we are striking the right balance is to hear from you. Please share your thoughts and suggestions with us.

Of course, a great way to connect with other parents is to get more involved in the school through the PA. Park is truly unique in the way the PA is integrated into the fabric of the school, working directly with students, parents, faculty, and staff. The structure of the PA is very simple: there are four areas of focus which include Student Enrichment; Faculty Support and Grants; Parent Support and Education; and Community Building. Two fund raisers, Craft Fair and Spring Fest, provide all of the funding. There are many committees focused on different areas and we recognize that it can feel hard to navigate. If you find something you’d like to be a part of, email or call the committee chairs, and let them know that you’re interested in learning more about the work they do. Or, just talk to one of us. It’s that easy. Parents never need an invitation to come to any PA event or meeting. Just show up. You will be welcomed and your time and talents will be appreciated and valued.

Our goal for the next two years is to fully engage every parent who wants to be involved in the PA. We are happy to meet with any parent, new or returning, who wants to have a conversation about how to find the best fit between interests, availability, and PA opportunities. The PA invites parents to be involved in the school in a meaningful way that works with their schedules.

A great way to learn more about how you can get involved is to attend the Volunteer Fair on Friday, October 3 from 8:15-9:15 am in the Park School Dining Room to meet some of the committee chairs and hear about the fantastic work they are doing at Park.

One of the greatest perks of being the PA President and Vice President is that we will get to know so many more Park parents, faculty, and staff than we would have any other way. If we haven’t already met you, please say hello and introduce yourself. We look forward to getting to know you!

Shannon Falkson President

Lisa DiAdamo Vice President

2013-2014 Annual Fund RESULTS Thank you and congratulations!

96% Dear Parents: Once again, thank you most sincerely for your on-going generosity. Because of you, we are pleased to report that 96% of parents participated in The Park School’s 2013 – 2014 Annual Fund, raising $2,073,383 million. Ninety-six percent parent participation is a new record and we can’t thank you enough for your extraordinary support last year. This success was complemented by 91% faculty and staff participation and 16% alumni participation (which is very high compared to Park’s peer schools).

All the things we love about Park – its diversity, exceptional faculty, and academic excellence – are made possible through the operating budget, 10% of which is supported by the Annual Fund. Congratulations on this success and thank you for your collective commitment and dedication to the School.

The Park Parent // PAGE 8

Robotics, continued from page 1

challenges and activities. Nobody has to be an expert and the kids work as teammates, helping each other when someone is stuck. Kids end up teaching kids.�

In addition to the growing integration of robotics and programming into the curriculum, Karen has teamed up with a number of parents over the last year to facilitate the formation of an extracurricular FIRST Lego League (FLL) team and a Junior FLL team. Starting in academic year 2014-15, Karen will team with parent volunteers and middle division science teacher Heather Offen to offer both an after-school Lego robotics club, and 2-3 FLL teams which can enter regional robotics competitions.

Curriculum is never static and must always adjust to new trends in knowledge and best practices, and this is perhaps especially true in the sciences given the NXT, a graphical programming language, is taught in Grades V and VI. accelerating growth in knowledge and need to train our Source: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/ kids to comprehend increasingly complex systems. Many organizations are putting out increasingly well-developed roboticssolving strategies and team-work are at the core of robotics related educational materials for schools to consider for adoption. classes, and the solving of increasingly complex engineering and programming problems allow students to slowly gain confidence as These include The Robotics Alliance Project run by NASA ( http:// they progress through more challenging tasks. robotics.nasa.gov/edu/educators.php) , and the Carnegie Mellon The Park School robotics curriculum, rolled out under the Robotics Academy ( http://www.education.rec.ri.cmu.edu/index.

Park21 Initiative ( www.parkschoolcommunity.net/park21) , has htm) , but there are also many more clearinghouses for educational continued to be refined since it was first introduced in academic materials for K-12 setting. year 2010-11 as a pilot project in Grades VI and VIII using Lego Integrating robotics with the extant curriculum is an ongoing Mindstorms systems to teach the integration of engineering design process, both at Park and in schools throughout the country. New and programming. Today, Park students first encounter robots and educational tools and downloadable modules are being developed programming in Pre-K through Grade I using the engaging Beeconstantly. Everyone has robotics and engineering applications on Bots robots which may be programmed to follow basic sequences of their educational radar and we can expect in the future an ongoing actions by pressing a series of buttons on the surface of the robots. process of experimentation and redesign—perhaps much like This is followed by modules in Grades II and III where engineering building and programming a robot! concepts are introduced using Lego Simple Machines and We Do robots. The use of the Lego Mindstorms system (which allows students to design machines using a variety of sensors which activate motors based on inputs they receive, and then use a graphical programming language, NXT, to write programs on a computer which can be downloaded into the machine they built) is now taught in Grades V and VI. In Grade V students go through a variety of tutorials which create the educational scaffolding needed to engage increasingly complex designs. By Grade VI, students can define and solve independent challenges and use the robotics sensors to collect and analyze data and run experiments, taking the use of robotics and programming a higher level. Science department head Karen Manning has spearheaded this effort noting that, “One of the beauties of robotics is that kids can work at their own pace on various Lego Mindstorms make robotics accessible to students.

Source: http://www.vageekmom.com

SEPTEMBER 2014 // PAGE 9

nd

o r A u

Informed Teacher and Parents’ Corner At the end of each school year, the Library launches the faculty and staff into summer with an Informed Teacher presentation that highlights the most talked about published and produced works of the year. This list has become much anticipated,

The Library

and parents are now welcome to check out the selection on our library Welcome page ( www.parkschooL. LIBRARY) as well as the books themselves, currently on display in the library’s Parents’ Corner. We’d

BOOK OF THE MONTH

MAKER SPACE and AVIARY WONDERS

love to hear your opinion about the

A long-standing tradition, the

The Library continues to invest in

choices, and we’re eager to make a

Library’s Book of the Month program

diverse materials to promote a

recommendation.

highlights exceptional recent

culture of hands-on learning. Come

Enjoy!

publications for children. Selections

check out our own “maker space”

inspire new library lessons and

and participate in our efforts to make

school-wide participatory activities,

making visible.

while also drawing attention to different areas of Park’s diverse library collection.

September’s Book of the Month is Herve Tullet’s Help! We Need a Title! Tullet is a highly inventive author and artist, and in this dynamic picture book, Tullet breaks the fourth wall as the story’s characters speak directly to us, the readers, as they struggle to tell the tale. This

Throughout the fall, we will be “assembling” birds, real and imaginary,

interactive

inspired by Kate Samworth’s

story seems

outrageously whimsical catalogue,

like the

Aviary Wonders. Come learn more

perfect start

about various bird parts and then

to a new

construct your own!

school year and to all the stories yet to be told and titled!

The Park Parent // PAGE 10

Announcing Park’s New Website!

Just in time for the beginning of the 2014-15 school year, we are pleased to unveil our redesigned website,

www.parkschool.org.

The new site features: Improved Family Experience – you’ll have easy access to your child’s information, relevant media, and news from your child’s teachers.

Central Repository – all the important forms and notices from school administrators will be in one location.

Responsive Design – whether you view the site from your laptop, tablet, smart phone, or desktop, your experience will be consistent across devices, including a responsive mobile interface.

To help you become acquainted with the new site, please join Director of Digital Communications Carole Carter for one of these introductory sessions in the Conference Room: Wednesday, September 3 Thursday, September 4 Friday, September 5

The Park School

PARKING SPACE

8 – 8:30 a.m.

8 – 8:30 a.m.

8 – 8:30 a.m.

2:30 – 3 p.m.

2:30 – 3 p.m.

2:30 – 3 p.m.

Parking space ads are free!

Contact Kate LaPine by phone (617-274-6009), or e-mail (communications@parkschool.org).

The deadline for the October/November issue is Monday, September 29th.

Creative piano or guitar lessons. Now booking 2014 Autumn lessons for you or your child.

Contact Tom Megan at 617-522-5443 or Tommy777@comcast.net.

ANNUAL CHOP-A-THON Thursday, October 23 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. in the dining room

Please join the PA Community Service Committee to chop, peel, and weigh vegetables for guests at the Pine Street Inn. The Chop-a-thon yields over

new and returning parents are invited to the

PA Volunteer Fair Friday, October 3 8:15 – 9:15 a.m. in the dining room

100 pounds of vegetables that are frozen and used for many months in stews and soups. All ages of children are welcome and can participate. It’s a great way to meet new families and make new friends.

an informal gathering to learn more about the Parents’ Association

SEPTEMBER 2014 // PAGE 11

Upcoming Dates of Note New students visit school (K–VIII)

Tuesday

September 3 Wednesday Opening day of school (All students in K–IX; half Pre-K)

After-School Program and VI-IX fall sports/drama begin September 4

Thursday

September 5 Friday

All students in K-IX; half Pre-K All students in Pre-K–IX (Pre-K/K noon dismissal)

September 9 Tuesday Corporation Annual Meeting (5 p.m.)

VIII, IX Parents’ Night (7 p.m.)

September 11 Thursday

VI, VII Parents’ Night (7 p.m.)

September 18 Thursday

III-V Parents’ Night (7 p.m.)

Pre-K–II Parents’ Night (7 p.m.)

October 3

PA Volunteer Fair (8:15 a.m.)

Friday

Director of Communcations: Kate LaPine Editorial Board: laura barkan, Carol batchelder, CarolINE bicks, Anne Harvey Kilburn, Todd idson, darshak sanghavi, SARAH SMITH President, Parents’ Association: Shannon Falkson

September 19 Friday Student Picture Day September 23 Tuesday

Editorial Board Chair: Stanley Shaw

Parents’ Association Communications Network: Laura Barkan, alison hong, suzanne samuels Chair, Board of Trustees: vinny chiang

October 13 Monday Columbus Day – NO SCHOOL

Head of School: michael Robinson

October 21 Tuesday No School Pre-K–V (parent conferences)*

Regular schedule VI-IX *Pre-K–V Parent Conferences – Please note that there will be no school for students in Grades PreK–V on Tuesday 10/21/2014 and on Tuesday 3/3/2015 to enable faculty to hold parent conferences throughout each of these days. With your cooperation, this will greatly reduce the loss of focus on regular instruction that has traditionally been associated with extended fall and spring conference periods. ASP will be open on each of these days from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for students regularly enrolled in ASP on Tuesdays throughout the school year. Students in Grades VI-IX will have full days of school on both October 21 and March 3.

We want to hear from you!

If you have a story idea or issue you’d like to see covered or thoughts about something you’ve read, please let us know.

TheParkParent@parkschool.org

Read The Park Parent online at www.parkschool.org September 2014

September 2

Editor: TC Haldi

The Park Parent

Labor Day – NO SCHOOL

The Park School 171 Goddard Avenue Brookline, MA 02445 617-277-2456

September 1 Monday

The Park Parent