LIGHT THE WAY FOR CURRENT & FUTURE STUDENTS
Both of our sons are indebted to Park Street School for equipping them with an academic aptitude in Science, Math and English which enabled them to gain admission to highly competitive middle schools. Academic excellence, and the pursuit of truth and moral character were not merely slogans but tangible attributes that shaped who our boys are today.
Katharine and Stephen Tisdalle, Former PSS Parents
WHAT IS LIGHT THE WAY ?
The very history of the neighborhood in which we are located, Beacon Hill, has been shaped by being a light. From the first wood beacon erected on the hill to the lamp posts that still line the historic cobblestone streets, light has helped define the unique beauty of our distinguished surroundings.
Lighting the way also speaks of the Christian identity of Park Street School. Light symbolizes knowledge, ideas and a love of learning. It symbolizes a love of God and a love of our neighbors. Jesus called his followers to let their lights shine in the world.
OUR LOGO IS THE CONVERGENCE OF THESE ELEMENTS: SHAPE
Each geometric shape mirrors the outline of the Boston Common, the pathway that bridges our campuses.
COLOR
The yellow picks up a secondary, and rarely used, color in our Park Street School branding that symbolizes the shining light.
BURST
The collection of the geometric shapes together tells a story of the school’s impact through the students, families, faculty and staff who light the way in the world.
For 25 years and counting, we have sought to do that with excellence, lighting the way for our families and neighbors to the love of learning and the love of Jesus.
Light the Way is more than a capital campaign. It is a recognition of God’s provision through our 25-year history and a prayer for the future. A prayer to shine the light in our classrooms and neighborhoods– and to reflect into the world through our alumni, staff and families.
As Park Street School celebrates its 25th Anniversary, we are excited to announce our capital campaign, Light the Way. This milestone marks a significant moment in our history. The earliest pioneering teachers, staff, families, board members, and supporters of our school created the foundation of this exceptional education, grounded in our mission to equip each child with a love for learning, a passion for truth, a heart for others, and an understanding of God’s love for them. The founders lit the way for today’s families, and we are grateful.
It is an exciting time to be a part of the Park Street School community! Together, we are entering the next chapter of growth and transformation. As we move forward, our vision is to expand and renovate both our existing building and the new facility to create a more dynamic and inspiring environment for our students and faculty, preserving the rich heritage of our surroundings but also elevating the level of innovation and ability to support and enrich learning we offer to all within our walls.
The Light the Way Campaign is more than a physical expansion; it is about reinforcing our commitment to character, truth, and excellence in education. Your partnership in this campaign will illuminate the path forward for current and future students, while ensuring that Park Street School continues to shine brightly for years to come. Thank you!
TRACY BRADLEY Head of School
A FOUNDATIONAL EXPERIENCE
With any building, its foundation – the structure and the materials poured into it – is crucial. The same can be said of the education of children. Pouring love, acceptance and knowledge into our students develops a strong framework for life.
Empower
At an early age, children are innately inquisitive and inherently receptive. They love to learn. Thus, Park Street School is grounded in a content-rich education. Acquiring a significant body of knowledge early is an indispensable prerequisite for developing critical thinking skills. At our school, from the moment children walk through our doors, they encounter many topics which are revisited and expanded on in subsequent grades in order to broaden their base of working knowledge. Central to the Park Street School experience is how the students engage in active learning in varied, innovative ways.
Each child’s formation of character is equally significant. To respect his or her peers, to think before acting, to show compassion and generosity, to reveal fortitude in making right choices and to reach beyond him- or herself are key. Woven into our daily schedules are opportunities for our students to grow on many levels – academically, spiritually, emotionally and physically.
Secure in a sense of community both within the classroom as well as in our immediate neighborhood and city, we want each of our children to realize that his or her contribution to the world matters. Engaging in our culture and world, we seize the opportunity to lead our children out to explore the city of Boston both as our classroom and our playground.
In 2005, we expanded into 67 Brimmer Street, transforming a historic gem into a vibrant educational oasis. With facilities including a gym, an expansive library, fully equipped science lab, art and music rooms, and sun-drenched classrooms, we’ve created an environment where young minds are inspired to shine. Our journey from 2003 to 2008 was marked by incredible growth, thanks to the generous spirit of forward thinking by members of our community.
OUR STORY
Expansion 2:
September: Began leasing space at The Church of The Advent
Graduates: June: First graduating class Expansion 3:
Since 2000
PSS has grown from just an idea, to a multi-campus preschool through sixth grade, educating over 1,500 students.
Expansion 4:
Winter: Approval from ISD to add a three-floor addition to courtyard at 67 Brimmer Street and to renovate 57 Brimmer Street (Carriage House) for school use
Light the Way capital campaign
The Light the Way Campaign will begin as a $6m building campaign and includes three construction stages:
STAGE 1:
Addition of two learning labs, admissions suite, and courtyard at 67 Brimmer Street
-Completed Summer/Fall 2024
STAGE 2:
Renovation of 57 Brimmer Street (Carriage House)
-Begun Fall 2024
STAGE 3:
Interior renovation of 57 Brimmer Street (Carriage House)
-Projected completion Summer 2025
Eight years after what seemed like a miraculous journey to purchase and initial renovation of our first building at 67 Brimmer Street, with the generosity of our community and visionary thinking of our leadership, we purchased 57 Brimmer Street. The dream when we purchased the property in 2015 was expanding classroom space, enhancing learning opportunities for students during and after school, benefiting all existing students while also allowing us to accommodate future growth and academic excellence.
Though the vision was put on pause during the pandemic, the vision is the same today as we embark on a capital campaign to deepen our commitment to our mission in the heart of Boston.
To embark on this transformative journey, we announce the Light The Way Campaign. This initiative is not just about expanding our physical space at 57 Brimmer Street (Carriage House)— it’s about amplifying the light within each Park Street School student, allowing it to shine forth into the world.
The Light the Way Campaign is not just about what the expansion at our buildings can do for our current students, who will benefit greatly from additional facilities, but about lighting the way for future families and generations of students.
Prospective families will be greeted in a new admissions suite that opens to an outdoor courtyard. Specialists will no longer need to find space in hallways for enhanced learning. Our science facilities will get an upgrade that includes an outdoor classroom. The science room at 67 Brimmer Street will be transformed into a performing arts room with space for after-school programming, rehearsals and small events. We’ll also be adding new meeting spaces and a roof deck at the Carriage House to accommodate more in-person opportunities for parents and staff to build community.
The commitment to our mission is unwavering and Park Street School will continue to build on our core values that have helped us shine brightly for 25 years.
The Light the Way Campaign ignites a spark to shine brightly for the next 25 years.
“We gave to the Park Street School Light the Way Campaign to support quality Christian elementary education in Boston in the future. We are so thankful for all the ways that PSS has helped shape our three children academically and spiritually over the past thirteen years, and we wanted to give so that PSS can continue to help shape young people for years to come.”
Cecelia and Tim Hurst, PSS Parents
OUR FUTURE
2024
2025
June
Construction began on 67 Brimmer Street additions and courtyard
Fall
Celebrate the opening of 67 Brimmer Street additions (two learning labs, admissions suite and courtyard)
Begin work at 57 Brimmer Street (Carriage House)
Winter/Spring
Work continues on 57 Brimmer Street (Carriage House)
Summer
Move into 57 Brimmer Street (Carriage House)
Fall
Celebrate the opening of 57 Brimmer Street (Carriage House)
“Park Street School definitely helped me advocate and communicate with my teachers and advocate for myself...teaching me how to go about life and how to be that person for yourself and for others, having selflessness and taking risks. They taught me so much about myself and how I like to be taught.”
Jordyn Julien, PSS Graduate, Class of 2019
LIGHT THE WAY
SCIENCE LAB AND OUTDOOR LEARNING CENTER
Carriage House, 1st floor
An imaginative new Science Lab will be built for indoor and outdoor hands-on learning, innovation, and instruction. This renovation enhances a program that is a trademark of the Park Street School experience.
OUR NEW SCIENCE LAB WILL INCLUDE:
• Flexible configuration including a retractable glass wall to separate instructional and lab sections
• Large, interactive touchscreen monitors enabling live streaming experiments and close up observation bringing God’s creation into the classroom for the student experience
• Dedicated experiment spaces, enabling long-range projects
• Expanded clean up, safety, electrical and storage stations.
• Pole mounted hook for physics experiments and demonstrations
• Adjacent outdoor learning space
• And more
“The Park Street School community easily is my second family...growing up, it’s the people that I relied on. Every single person that was in my grade...I know all of their parents, all of their siblings, and I still run into them walking through Boston. And it is like seeing a second cousin or an uncle or aunt...being able to have 22 brothers and sisters that I grew up with and still grow up with now is something that you don’t get in a childhood. And that’s what makes Park Street School so unique. It’s not only people you go to school with. It’s a second family that you bond with.”
Mika Bauk, PSS Graduate, Class of 2015
SPACE FOR INDIVIDUALIZED INSTRUCTION/ MULTI-MEDIA & LEARNING LABS
67 Brimmer Street, 3rd and 4th floor additions
New dedicated learning labs at 67 Brimmer Street will provide a place for faculty to advance students’ multi-media learning, literacy and math skills, as well as focus on individualized instruction, setting students up to thrive academically.
PSS seeks academic excellence for each student by tailoring individualized instruction in addition to classroom teaching. This unique offering helps every student reach their potential and has significantly raised the academic achievement and standing of PSS compared to other elementary schools in greater Boston and the nation.
OUR TWO LEARNING LABS WILL HAVE:
• Floor to ceiling white boards
• Wall shelving system with easy access to writing utensils, magnetic letters/tools, and books
• Storage cubicles for housing multi-sensory learning tools and supplies
• Floormat designs that engage gross motor learning (hopscotch reading/spelling) and space enough to accommodate them
• One of the learning labs will be outfitted for students to use as a video studio, with a green wall and equipment, to learn technical skills and develop reading fluency, public speaking, and confidence
NEW ADMISSIONS SUITE
67 Brimmer Street, 2nd floor
Expanding into the courtyard at 67 Brimmer Street creates a warm and welcoming Admissions Suite that more accurately conveys the quality of the PSS experience as we meet with prospective families. The suite features private space for student assessments and conversations with prospective parents about their child(ren), as well as office space for staff and supplies.
NEW MEETING ROOM & ROOF DECK
Carriage House, 2nd floor
A larger multipurpose room and roof deck above the new Science Lab at the Carriage House will serve as space for collaboration for larger groups of students, special speaker events for students, community outreach presentations, parent seminars, and board meetings. Current facilities do not provide spaces large enough for these meetings and events.
The new multi-purpose room will accommodate seating arrangements to hold the following:
• A large U-shaped board style meetings for Board of Trustee and Board of Visitors or other large gatherings– seating 24
• Chairs set up lecture-style with tables for seminars for students, adults and faculty – seating 32
• Chairs set up theater-style for seminars and presentations for students, adults and faculty– seating 50
• Comfortable seating for informal and ad hoc discussions
• It can be transformed into classrooms should the need arise.
Adjacent to the multipurpose conference room will be a roof deck that can be used by adults for receptions and special events.
The second floor also has a suite of rooms that includes a kitchenette with a dishwasher for ease of hosting small events, as well as a bathroom with a shower. Offices in the suite will house the Finance and Development departments in separate offices for the first time (currently the departments share one room at 67 Brimmer Street). The new office arrangement means staff members will no longer need to borrow unoccupied spaces to hold private conversations.
NEW OUTDOOR COURTYARD
67 Brimmer Street, 2nd floor
The new outdoor courtyard adjacent to the Admissions Suite has been highly anticipated since we first moved into 67 Brimmer Street. We’re excited to provide fresh air and quiet moments of rest to our staff in this beautiful space.
Named the Lola Daley Courtyard, this space also honors the past generosity of the Daley family and their wish in the last campaign to name the courtyard once it was finally cleared for construction.
We are grateful for the Daleys and so many others who have been lighting the way for today’s students and for future generations.
PERFORMING ARTS/PROGRAM
The redesign of the current Science Lab will offer much needed flexible, multipurpose space for students to perform, create, design, and invent during and after school.
67 Brimmer street Psalm 119:105 NIV
PRIVATE CONFERENCE ROOM
67 Brimmer Street, 3rd floor existing office space
New construction at the Carriage House followed by this redesign creates private space currently unavailable for small group instruction, facultyhosted meetings, and conversations with parents and students.
Our graduates are known for confidence and poise, developed through frequent and varied opportunities to practice public speaking and performing from preschool through sixth grade.
With the new science lab now located in the Carriage House, we will transform the former Science Lab into a multi-purpose space for performing arts and after-school activities. The addition of dedicated programming flex space will enhance learning opportunities to further support student enrichment.
“Your
word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
When the Finance and Development departments are relocated to new offices in the Carriage House, the office that they currently occupy in 67 Brimmer Street will be reclaimed to be a dedicated conference room for private one-on-one conversations with parents and/or faculty members.
“For twenty-five years Park Street School has been lighting the way for education in Boston. I have been delighted to witness the growth of both the school and its students and am excited to see what the next twenty-five years hold!
As parents, my husband and I have experienced first-hand the commitment to excellence modeled by the school’s faculty and staff, and we have seen how Park Street School has promoted leaders of the next generation by fostering their academic, social, and spiritual growth. Our daughters thrived in this nurturing environment, where every student is known and loved.
By investing in our people, our classrooms, and our campus, we can ensure that Park Street School will continue to shine as a beacon in our city and prepare students to light the way in all of their future endeavors.”
HEATHER MORRISSEY Chair of the Board of Trustees, Current and Former Parent
Matthew 5:14 NIV
“You are the light of the world. A
town built on a hill
cannot be hidden.”
“We are grateful to be part of an institution that deeply cares about our children’s future, and enables them to thrive and grow. Contributing to this campaign allows the school to extend its position as a leading educational institution while broadening access for our neighbors and community.”
Julie and Gabriel Ling, PSS Parents
GIFT LEVELS
CAMPAIGN
Thanks to God’s grace, the generosity of a handful of early givers, and the wise stewardship of our board, we have already completed Stage 1 of construction and are on our way to meeting our goal to be able to complete construction Stages 2 and 3, renovating the Carriage House.
PROJECT GOAL: $6,000,000
COMMUNITY GOAL:
100% ENGAGEMENT ACROSS THE PARK STREET SCHOOL COMMUNITY
STAGE 1: Two Learning Labs; Admissions Suite, Courtyard
67 Brimmer Street, Floors 2-4
STAGE 2: Innovative, new Science Lab with outdoor classroom; Business Office Suite; Multi-Purpose Meeting Room and Roof Deck, Former Science Lab Renovated for Multi-Purpose Programming
3: Furnishings, Fixtures and Equipment
Experience tells us that we’ll need gift commitments like these to successfully complete construction Stages 2 and 3. Together, we can meet a goal that’s never even been attempted at PSS. Your partnership – in giving and in prayer– can Light the Way for today’s students and for generations to come! Every gift, and most importantly, every giver, matters.
Gifts can be fulfilled over a multi-year period ending December 31, 2026.
Completed Fall 2024!
WAYS TO GIVE
You can be a part of lighting the way for PSS students and teachers through:
1. ONE-TIME CASH GIFT via check, cash, or online (selecting Light the Way Fund)
2. RECURRING GIFT set up automatic giving online
3. APPRECIATED ASSETS stocks, securities, IRA
4. PLANNED (ESTATE) GIFTS make an appointment with Tim Hawkins, Director of Development, to discuss leaving a legacy at Park Street School by including PSS in your estate plans
FAQ
1. WHAT IS THE LIGHT THE WAY CAMPAIGN?
The Light the Way Campaign is Park Street School’s (PSS) new capital campaign aimed at enhancing and expanding the school’s learning environments and community-facing space. The campaign will create additional space in our current building at 67 Brimmer Street and renovate a property we purchased in 2015 at 57 Brimmer Street (Carriage House).
2. WHY IS THIS CAMPAIGN NECESSARY?
PSS is continually looking for ways to improve the delivery of our mission for our students and families. The opportunity to purchase 57 Brimmer Street (Carriage House) created possibilities for improving our facilities to adapt to the needs of our students and families. Our building, though beloved, is limited in the number and sizes of spaces ideal for after-school programming and individualized learning opportunities. The new learning environments (learning labs, new Science Lab, outdoor classroom, multi-purpose rooms) created through this campaign will enable us to offer enhanced opportunities for students during and after school and support our continued growth and excellence. The addition of a new Admissions Suite, courtyard and roof deck will provide a more welcoming and private environment to explore Park Street School.
3. WHY NOW?
In 2015 an opportunity came to Park Street School to purchase the building right across the street from 67 Brimmer, the Carriage House at 57 Brimmer Street. PSS entered into an agreement to purchase the building with the hopes of adding space for additional programming for our students. As a new normal emerged following the pandemic, we found ourselves with a decision to make: let our permit expire (and risk losing our approval) or move ahead with the construction and an accompanying building campaign to fund the renovation.
With vision, prior fiscal responsibility, and faith for the future of PSS, the Board of Trustees voted in 2023 to move ahead with the project that has now become the Light the Way Campaign
4. WHAT ARE THE KEY COMPONENTS OF LIGHT THE WAY?
• New Science Lab:
A fully customized science learning environment on the first floor of the Carriage House with flexible configurations, interactive technology, and outdoor space for hands-on learning
• Dedicated Learning Labs:
Two learning labs on the third and fourth floors of 67 Brimmer Street in the new addition, for individualized and small group instruction and a video studio, equipped with whiteboards, storage, and gross motor learning tools
• Redesign of Existing Science Lab:
A multi-purpose space for performing arts, student presentations, and after-school programs created in the former science lab at 67 Brimmer Street
• New Admissions Suite:
A welcoming space for PSS and future PSS families, with larger, private space for student assessments and meetings, located on the second floor of 67 Brimmer Street, in the new addition
• Multi-Purpose Meeting Room and Roof Deck:
A large multi-purpose room on the second floor of the Carriage House that can flex for student use as needed as well as hold meetings, seminars, and special events, with an adjacent roof deck for receptions
• New Office Suite and Resulting Conference Space:
Two new offices and kitchenette on the second floor of the Carriage House, to host events and house the Finance and Development Departments, which will vacate their joint room on the third floor of 67 Brimmer Street to create a conference room for private meetings (many years ago the conference room on the second floor was needed for office space and since then, there has been no dedicated private meeting space)
• Outdoor Courtyard and Garden:
A new outdoor space adjacent to the new Admissions Suite on the second floor of 67 Brimmer Street for faculty and staff to relax and hold informal meetings
5. WHAT IS THE PROJECTED TIMING FOR THE PROJECTS?
The total cost of the projects is estimated at $6,000,000.
• Stage 1: 67 Brimmer Street Renovation (learning labs, admissions suite and courtyard addition): COMPLETED FALL 2024
• Stage 2: Carriage House Renovations (new Science Lab and outdoor classroom, roof deck, meeting space, and Finance and Development offices: Estimated to be ready by Fall 2025
• Stage 3: Final furnishings and equipment for both 67 Brimmer Street and the Carriage House: Estimated to be ready by Fall 2025 with some additional furnishings likely to follow based on what is learned by usage of the spaces
6. MAY I MAKE A CONTRIBUTION OTHER THAN CASH?
Yes. Gifts of appreciated stocks and bonds, life insurance, and charitable trusts are accepted with gratitude. Please consult your tax professional for more information on the benefits of different methods of giving. Checks and online donations are also accepted; please designate any gift to the Light the Way Campaign.
7. DO I NEED TO MAKE MY GIFT IN FULL OR CAN DONORS MAKE PLEDGES AND FULFILL OVER TIME?
Multi-year commitments can be made by filling out a Letter of Intent or pledge card indicating the amount you intend to give and payment schedule.
8. ARE GIFTS TAX DEDUCTIBLE?
Gifts in any amount are deeply appreciated and are tax deductible to the extent of the law. You will receive an acknowledgement letter and receipt with each donation. Please consult your tax professional for guidance.
9. HOW WILL DONORS BE RECOGNIZED?
Donors will be recognized in a variety of ways, including in print and/or plaques (e.g. named spaces).
10. WHAT IF I WANT TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS?
While we want to show our appreciation to you and communicate our appreciation of your generosity to future donors for your gift to the Light the Way Campaign, you can always ask to remain anonymous in your giving to Park Street School. If you do so, we would list you as “Anonymous” in public recognition.
11. ARE THERE NAMING OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE?
Yes, there are select naming opportunities available for gifts ranging from $300,000 to $2,000,000. You will see plaques hanging outside several rooms at 67 Brimmer Street, e.g. the music room, art room, gym, library, courtyard and lobby. These honor the generosity of those who chose to give previously at this legacy level. If you are interested in leaving a legacy at PSS by naming a space, please contact Tim Hawkins (thawkins@ parkstreetschool.org ) to discuss the options and details.
12. HOW CAN I LEARN MORE OR GET INVOLVED?
To learn more about the Light the Way Campaign or to discuss how you can get involved, please contact Tim Hawkins, Director of Development at 617-523-7577 or thawkins@parkstreetschool.org.
We encourage all families, alumni, and friends of PSS to join us in praying for PSS and our school families and in giving generously to enhance and expand the important work of our teachers and staff.