Letter From The Director

September 19, 2007

Dear Parker Community,

We have had a truly wonderful start to the new school year.  Things are humming along, everyone is smiling, and the weather report looks perfect for the Camp Chingachgook

3-day trip! Several new students have joined us this year, adding to the anticipation of a great year ahead.

 This community embodies something said by Fred Calder, retired Director of New York Association of Independent Schools, “The best education is that which grows from the unfettered commitment, insight, and devotion of small communities.”  I believe at Parker this really is true.

At our opening faculty meetings we discussed the year’s theme, “Caring for each other. Caring for the Earth.”  As we move through the year you will see the creative thinking that the teachers have done to fulfill this theme, and the creative thinking of Parker children. 

This summer I went with Sarah Biondello, our middle school language arts teacher, to a workshop by Mary Fowler, author and expert on student motivation and performance.  Her message was that engaging children’s hearts and minds is crucial for learning.  She said, “Big, hairy, audacious goals” like world hunger, human rights, and resource allocation give children skills in problem solving, decision-making and creativity.  See if you agree we have planned big, hairy, audacious goals for Parker students!

Vermicomposting – Pre K 4’s will be learning about how to use worms for making compost.  They will teach the whole school about saving food waste and will make daily collections to add to their worm bins.  They will practice planning, decision-making, public speaking, service, and leadership – and they’re 4 years old!

Waste Reduction –Math 8 will help the school reduce waste by charting each class’s daily garbage weight.  They will set up an incentive and education program for their schoolmates to strive to reduce classroom waste.

Hudson River Valley –Everyone will help turn the school’s hallways into a model of the Hudson/Mohawk Rivers and estuary.  Science exploration will focus on different aspects of our region and its rivers, from water quality, to local plant, tree, fish and animal life.  Ocean and estuary ecosystems will be the particular area of study for middle school.  Out of this deep investigation will also come pop-up books of local animals and a field guide to our property including trees, and edible and poisonous plants.

Challenge 20/20 – We have again been accepted into the NAIS program which this year will connect our middle school social studies students with the Hewitt School in Manhattan and Holy Cross Girls Secondary School in Western Province, Zambia.  The challenge is to solve global warming.  It will be interesting to watch emerging connections, research, awareness, strategies, and action.

Oxfam Hunger Banquet – Each year at Parker eighth graders organize a hunger awareness event.  This year they will expand the scope of the planning and preparation to include all the lower grades.  Hunger experiences, penny collections, researching and presenting articles are some of the initial ideas for the type of involvement that will make the evening meaningful for everyone.

Teacher goals this year are to show throughout the walls and halls more of what students are doing in math and science. We are working on better defining a technology curriculum and stepping ahead with technology for communicating.  (Hence my blog – Perspective on Parker, at parkerperspectives.blogspot.com and linked to our website.  Check it out and let me know what you think!)

 This is just a small sampling of the big ideas that keep our students of all ages engaged, exploring, thinking, and taking action.  There is much excitement ahead.  Thanks for joining us in the adventure!

 Fondly,

Meg Taylor
Director