COMMUNITY PARENT ASSOCIATION
The Seattle Academy Parent Association (PA) The Parent Association (PA) builds community among parents and families, supports school programs, and facilitates communication between parents, faculty, and administration. In 2016-17, 78 class representatives and lead volunteers supported a variety of school events including: Open Houses, Prospective Student Visit Days, Admitted Family Receptions and New Family Welcomes, Fall Sports Mania, Basketball Mania, Spring Sports Mania, 8th grade Moving Up ceremony, and Summer Mentor phone calls to new families. The PA also spearheads Logo Wear sales and the Ski Bus program. Class reps organized parent events including: grade-level coffees, brown bag lunches, class potlucks, and evening socials. Faculty appreciation remained a highpoint of PA activities with “Friday Treats” delivered weekly, and 185 holiday gift baskets created for faculty and staff including an Amazon Echo Dot in each basket along with donated wine, chocolate, coffee, gift cards and other treats. The PA also sponsored one day of Faculty Appreciation Week in May, and hosted an end of year faculty/staff luncheon. The Parent Education Committee (PEC) organizes events to build and support the SAAS community. In September 2016, acclaimed author Julie Metzger, RN MN, drew from her book “One More Thing… Changing Up Conversations to Stay Connected with Your Teen” speaking on strategies to strengthen family communications. In April 2017, a Teen Wellness Forum addressed ways to help teens reduce stress and improve sleep, diet, and exercise. Speakers were: Brian Saelens, Ph.D., Professor of Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Behavioral Science at the University of Washington; Maida Chen, MD, Director of the Sleep Disorders Program at Seattle Children’s Hospital and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at UW’s School of Medicine; and mindfulness instructor, Ann Hollar, M.Ed. Parent Peer Group (PPG) discussions continued twice annually for each grade. These lively, informative, gradelevel conversations, focused on parenting issues, are facilitated by professional parent educators. All SAAS parents are invited to the annual PA meetings in the fall, winter, and spring. Meetings cover general PA business and often feature guest speakers. Last fall, Alana Bell ’03 introduced her role as Director of Equity and Inclusion. In June, Associate Head of School Rob Phillips reflected on the past school year, thanked parent volunteers, and looked ahead to the
Volunteerism is key to the success of Seattle Academy. The school could not serve the needs of our community without dedicated parent volunteers to help us with key initiatives, events, and a multitude of essential tasks that support the mission of the school. It is also a great way for parents to connect to the school, faculty and staff, and other parents.
2017-18 school year. The Parent Association is guided by an exceptional executive team. Our thanks and gratitude go to Kay Rawlings (Wilson ’17) (above, left) who completed her term as PA President, and Kristine Sweeney (Caroline ’14 and Drummond ’17) who finished her term as Secretary. Welcome to incoming President, Sharon Perlin and Secretary, Teresa Spellman Gamble, and to the newly expanded PA executive team.
2017-2018 Parent Association Executive Team
Sharon Perlin, President (Liat ’13, Amit ’15, and Maital ’23) Bob Steedman, Vice President, Admissions Support (Zach ’19 and Eli ’21) Amy Bryant, Vice President, Faculty/Staff Student Support (Spencer ’22 and Brody ’24) Fiona Lennard, Vice President, Faculty/Staff Student Support (Hudson ’22 and Sydney ’24) Pamela Lopez , Vice President, Class Representative Support (Maxwell ’21) Teresa Spellman Gamble, Secretary (Patrick ’22) Laurie Breidenbach-Forslund , Treasurer (Olivia ’19 and Grace ’21) Arden Hellmann, Parent Education Committee Chair (Max ’19 and Jake ’22)
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