Park parents host a listserv on Google Groups, an easy-to-use format that provides a great way for the community to stay in touch. For instructions on how to join or change your subscription settings, please click on image.
Logging into the Veracross Parent Portal will allow you access to the Veracross Calendars. Your Household Calendar will display important events and dates that specifically affect members of your household. You have the ability to subscribe to each of these calendar feeds and have the dates imported directly into your online calendar system (Google, iCal, or Outlook). Try it out and know that you can always unsubscribe!
If you capture a great Park moment, share it with us! Send photos to Communications@parkschool.net. Also remember to follow us on social media! Park is active on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
All-School News
Park's digital campus
The 2020–21 School Year Whether in person, virtually, or a combination thereof, The Park School is devoted to caring for our community and fulfilling our mission. This site, "The Park School Digital Campus," is a source of information and resources regarding the 2020-21 school year. Please check the pages frequently for the most up-to-date information. The Digital Campus can be found by clicking HERE
Please join us for the Parents’ Association Opening Meeting
Please join us for a conversation with Dr. Allison Briscoe-Smith as she shares her expertise on the topic of Talking with Children About Race and Racism on Wednesday, September 23 at 7:30 p.m.
Dr. Briscoe-Smith earned her undergraduate degree from Harvard University. She then received her clinical psychology Ph.D. from University of California Berkeley. She then went on to continue her specialization in trauma and ethnic minority mental health through internship and postdoctoral work at University of California San Francisco/San Francisco General Hospital. She has combined her love of teaching and advocacy by serving as a professor and by directing mental health programs for children experiencing trauma, homelessness or foster care. Much of her work has been with schools, as a clinician, consultant and trainer. Currently she is the Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the Wright Institute where she is a professor. She provides consultation and training to Bay Area non-profits and schools on how to support trauma-informed practices and cultural accountability.
The Lower School has been involved for over 20 years supporting Viva House, a Mount Street soup kitchen and food pantry, through food donations. Last week our community was able to supply 50 bags of groceries for Viva House. This month's collection date is September 25th, and we appreciate any help you can provide! Find out more
Lunch orders
The Cafeteria and School Store will not be open when we return to campus. Instead, Park will be partnering with Graul's Market for the delivery of prepaid, prepackaged lunches. (Students can, of course, bring lunch from home.) Many students and families are already familiar with Graul's as they have been partnering with us over the last few years to provide fresh and delicious sandwiches, salads, bagels, and sushi in the School Store.
*Lunch delivery will begin Tuesday, September 29*
To purchase lunch, families will establish an account, initiate prepayment via credit card, and place their order(s) — all on the Graul's website: https://grauls.naturallunches.com/index.php?. The rotating menu will include multiple meal choices for each day. Vegetarian and gluten free options will be available. In the Lower School (available to Grades 2-5), there will be a cold lunch option only, with a prepackaged meal, fruit, dessert, and bottled water. In the Middle and Upper Schools, there will be hot and cold lunch options, as well as a larger size option. Orders must be received by Thursday for the following week, and all lunches are prepaid by the family via the Graul's website. Families have the option to either add a prepaid block of money to their account, or charge each lunch individually. There is a $.50 per transaction credit card processing fee. Please feel free to contact Lisa Quinting at 410.339.4160 or lquinting@parkschool.net with any questions.
*Easily access the Graul's order form through the Quick Links button on Park's homepage*
Parents' association Survey
Please complete the Parent Engagement Survey linked below. Your feedback is important to us as we strive to modify our programming and make it accessible and enjoyable in a comfortable manner for everyone at this unusual time. If you have any questions, please contact the PA Office at pa@parkschool.net.
We know that word-of-mouth is our most effective marketing tool. If you have friends, neighbors, or colleagues who are looking for the right school — or you are ready to apply for your own child — please note our Application Details. We have much to share about the distinctive learning that happens each day at Park. Please direct others to our Visual Tours page and to our Events page to learn more.
Lower School Announcements
Schedule next week for GRades 3-5
3rd-5th Grade students who are beginning on-campus learning will return to campus on Tuesday, September 22.
3rd-5th Grade students who are continuing remote learning after September 22 will begin their virtual program on Wednesday, September 23.
Lower School Back-to-School Night TONIGHT
We look forward to seeing parents on Back-to-School Night (Virtual) TONIGHT (September 17)! Zoom links were sent home by the Lower School Office.
Park Connects Discussion for Kindergarten Parents
Tuesday, September 22 at 7:30 p.m. (Zoom)
Connect with other Pre-K and Kindergarten parents! Don’t miss this unique opportunity to get together with other Park parents in your grade. Connect with old friends and make new connections. Join the conversation — come talk about topics that are important to you, and to all of us!
The Zoom link will be sent out prior to the program.
It's a lot! Please make sure to take the time to check the Back-to-School to-do list, which can be found HERE.
Important Dates
September 17 - Virtual Back-to-School Night for Grades Pre-K-5 September 22 - Park Connects Kindergarten Parent Dinner and Discussion September 23 - Parents’ Association Opening Meeting & Guest Speaker Alison Briscoe-Smith September 28 - SCHOOL CLOSED: Yom Kippur September 30 - Park Connects Grade 1 Parent Discussion October 1 - Lower School Picture Day October 14 - Park Connects Grade 3 Parent Discussion October 16 - Parents' Association Drop-In Online October 21 - SCHOOL CLOSED for Students: Professional Activities Day
Middle School Announcements
Park Connects Grade 6 Parent Discussion
Monday, October 5 at 7:30 p.m. (Zoom)
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to get together with other Park parents in your grade. Connect with old friends and make new connections. Join the conversation — come talk about topics that are important to you, and to all of us!
Park Connects is committed to the health and well-being of your child, which we foster through mutual support and productive communication among parents.
Book Information (Renting and Purchasing)
If you are still in need of getting books for your child's classes, head to the Digital Campus Website for more information.
To Do...
It's a lot! Please make sure to take the time to check the Back-to-School to-do list, which can be found HERE.
Important Dates
September 22 - 8th Grade Parent Meeting with Joshua Wolf September 23 - Parents’ Association Opening Meeting & Guest Speaker Alison Briscoe-Smith September 28 - SCHOOL CLOSED: Yom Kippur October 5 - Park Connects Grade 6 Parent Discussion October 8 - 6th Grade Parent "Coffee" October 8 - Park Connects Grade 8 Parent Discussion October 13 - Middle and Upper School Picture Day October 16 - Parents' Association Drop-In Online October 21 - SCHOOL CLOSED for Students: Professional Activities Day
Upper School Announcements
Tenth grade parent meeting
Please join Patti Porcarelli, Traci Wright, and members of the Student Support Team for a look at the tenth-grade year
Tuesday, September 22, 2020 at 7 p.m. (zoom link to follow).
College Financial Aid Meetings
AIMS Financial Aid Night Students and Families: Please mark your calendars for the AIMS Financial Aid meeting on the evening of Thursday, September 24 at 7 p.m. Both students and parents are encouraged to attend. A flier with details about the event will be sent home in early September.
Get It Done FAFSA/CSS Profile Workshop: On Saturday, October 3, from 10 a.m.–1 p.m., we will be offering hands-on support and advice for families completing financial aid applications. This program is by appointment only. Please email Wendy Stevens at wstevens@parkschool.net to schedule an appointment.
PSATs for Juniors
The PSATs will be administered to all juniors on Wednesday, October 14. Students should arrive at school promptly by 8:15 a.m. on that day; they should bring two #2 pencils and a calculator. All Park juniors are automatically registered to take this test. Dorrie Bright-Whitson is the PSAT test coordinator; if you have questions about test administration, please contact her at dbright@parkschool.net.
PSAT scores are not sent to colleges – the PSAT is only a practice test. Students should take the test seriously, as it does have several uses. First, as noted above, it provides good practice for standardized tests to come. Second, a small number of students who take the PSAT will qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Competition. Finally, PSAT scores may be useful in identifying areas to work on in preparation for the SAT. Students do not usually study or prepare for the PSATs. If any student would like to practice before taking the October test, preparation material may be found at https://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/prep.html.
College Information Session for Juniors and their Families
Our introductory program with juniors and parents/guardians will take place on Tuesday, December 1 at 6:30 p.m. Students and families should plan to attend. Students will receive counselor assignments later in December, once they have turned in their Junior Questionnaire, which will be available following our information session in December.
Important Dates
September 22 - 10th Grade Parent Evening September 23 - SAT Administered at Park September 23 - Parents’ Association Opening Meeting & Guest Speaker Alison Briscoe-Smith September 28 - SCHOOL CLOSED: Yom Kippur September 29 - Park Connects Grade 12 Parent Discussion October 1 - Park Connects Grade 9 Parent Discussion October 13 - Middle and Upper School Picture Day October 13 - Grade 10 Parent/Student Workshop (zoom) October 16 - Parents' Association Drop-In Online October 21 - SCHOOL CLOSED for Students: Professional Activities Day
