How the Parents’ Association Accomplished More in 2022-2023

By Tia Murkison, Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement

The Parents’ Association has had another successful year under the leadership of Keech Combe Shetty, parent to Lokaya in the Yellow Cluster. In her second year as PA president, Keech inspired a sense of community and camaraderie that was much needed after our forced separation during the pandemic. Keech’s goal for the year was to collaborate more, gather more, host more events, create more support, and overall, provide more opportunities for us to become a stronger community together. It is safe to say that the PA certainly achieved all of her goals, and perhaps a few extra!

When Keech said she wanted more, the PA Leadership team, the PA Committees, and every single parent volunteer delivered. Spearheaded by Samantha Regan and Katy Williamson, this year’s Book Fair was the highest grossing and most attended Book Fair ever!

On December 1, students, parents, and faculty and staff gathered in the gym to shop for their favorite books. In addition to the actual Book Fair, the Book Fair Committee always puts together a group of coveted authors to present to our students. This year, they did not disappoint. With the help of parent Dana Raucher, author Chelsea Clinton visited the Purple through Silver Clusters on November 29, to read from two of her books and take questions from the students. It was such a treat to have a New York Times bestselling author speak with our students. And the author visits did not stop there! Author Alyson Gerber returned to Gaynor on December 6 to speak with the Green and Blue Clusters about her path to becoming a published author and the lessons she learned along the way. At the end of her presentation, Alyson stayed to sign books and gave inspiring words to any student that wanted it.

Back by popular demand this year was the Breakfast My Way event series! Breakfast My Way is an event sponsored by the Parents’ Association in partnership with the PA DEI Committee Chairs, to bring parents together to learn about the breakfast traditions, holidays, and cultures of their fellow Gaynor families.

This event has quickly turned into a Gaynor parent favorite and this year, the PA hosted five Breakfast My Way events that featured a whopping ten hosts. See page 41 for a recap!

The first week in May was Faculty and Staff Appreciation Week, and it’s no surprise that the FSAW Committee led by Committee Chairs Terry Gaw and Monique Sock went above and beyond to make our faculty and staff feel special all week long. Throughout the week faculty and staff were gifted with massages, an espresso bar from Joe’s Coffee, a catered lunch with dumplings and Chinese dishes served by parent volunteers, and ended the week with a potluck breakfast with food supplied by parent volunteers and a breakfast taco truck.

On June 2, members of the PA Leadership team, PA Committee members, and parents who helped volunteer throughout the year gathered for a Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast. Head of School Dr. Scott Gaynor joined the event and commended the PA for all they have accomplished this year and gave a very special shoutout to Keech for her service as PA President over the past two years. Keech was creative and was always thinking of new and innovative ways for the community to gather. In fact, we have Keech to thank for the Breakfast My Way event series!

Thank you Keech, we are forever grateful for your time, effort, and dedication to Gaynor.

The Parents' Association is looking for members in our community who would be interested in joining our PA or the PA Leadership Committee. Please email tmurkison@stephengaynor.org to let us know if you would like to help as we begin to plan for next year’s 2023-2024 Parents’ Association Committee and event schedule.

Finally, thank you to the entire Gaynor Parent Community for a successful year. None of this would be possible without your support!