Especially for Parents

Middle School Parents’ Advisory Committee (PAC) is a dynamic, ever-evolving organization that facilitates productive parental involvement in the Webb Middle School community. It serves as the liaison between Middle School parents and the school administration. Every Middle School parent is a member of Middle School PAC and is welcomed and encouraged to participate.

As a manifestation of the diverse needs of our community, Middle School PAC has developed a range of different programs and functions. Most importantly, it serves as a catalyst for building enduring, healthy relationships among parents, faculty/administration, and students. It offers parent education programs and discussion groups, focusing on key developmental issues facing our children during these crucial middle school years. It serves as the coordinator of parent volunteerism and plans a wide range of social and educational activities for students, faculty, and parents; all of which foster and strengthen the sense of community within our school. Finally, through monthly meetings, it provides a vital forum for ongoing conversations between administration and parents on current school-related issues.

During the academic year, Middle School PAC usually meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 9:00 a.m. in the Central Building’s Multipurpose Room. All parents are encouraged to attend these monthly meetings. When possible, a virtual option, in addition to the in-person meeting, is made available To better accommodate diverse schedules, meetings are usually structured to begin with timely presentations from school administration/faculty, lasting approximately 30 minutes; a standard business meeting follows.

Specific announcements of meetings and other important PAC events are placed on the school’s website and its online parent community.

Middle School PAC is led by a board of over 50 volunteers, including officers, heads of special committees, and parent representatives from each of the Middle School advisory classes. Grade-level committees led by a lead representative facilitate communications, social events, activities, and programs for each grade.

The Parent Advisory Committees of both the Middle School and Upper Schools established a statement of common principles to serve as a catalyst for discussions among parents. It presupposes a need for parents to have a consistent network of support for one another in parenting children in a time when the media influences and the pressures associated with peer acceptance are higher than ever before. Although no formal declaration of commitment to these principles is required, it is hoped that parents of all students will agree that they serve the common good of the Webb School community and will abide by them.

STATEMENT OF COMMON PRINCIPLES

Evidence indicates that the single most critical factor in the safe and sound development of our children is parental involvement and support, followed closely by community involvement and support. Webb School is a unique environment, drawing its population from a 90-square-mile radius and a wide variety of cultural backgrounds. If we are to have a sense of community here, we must commit to work hard for it. Commonality, shared values, and family networking, as well as true respect and appreciation of our differences, will be our reward. Our agreement to a statement of common principles is a way to begin that process. • We will be assertive about calling other parents to verify plans and communicate any guidelines for our own children when there are activities where our children will be in the care or supervision of others. We will welcome calls when other children are our responsibility. We acknowledge a responsibility to contact parents when we are aware of noncompliance with these standards of behavior.

• We accept the responsibility to teach our children about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs, and to discourage the adolescent “rite of passage” that includes the use of illegal substances. We acknowledge that our own behavior sets an example for our children.

• We will neither serve alcohol and other drugs or harmful substances to children nor condone their use by the children of others who are under our supervision or in our care.

• We want to know if our children are engaged in activities with illegal substances, or any other serious illegal acts. While this information may be disturbing and uncomfortable to hear, we will treat this as an expression of care and concern for our children and our community.

• We are concerned about the welfare and development of the children in our family, our school, and our community.

We recognize that they are children, not always able to make the best choices, and they require effective parental as well as educational guidance. We reaffirm that our role as parents is to set standards for our children.

• We acknowledge the value of knowing our children’s friends and their parents, thereby providing our children and ourselves a sense of community and security.

The Webb Middle School team looks forward to working in partnership with you to help your

student thrive during the middle school years and develop a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

If you have any questions about the Middle School or its policies, please contact Jennifer Phillips,

Head of Middle School, at jennifer.phillips@webbschool.org or David Haines, Dean of Students, at

david.haines@webbschool.org.