The PA supports community engagement in a wide variety of ways that benefit parents, students and the school, as detailed below. All PA events are open to all Park School families, and many are also open to the greater Park School community and the general public. In addition to these major PA-sponsored events and activities, the Parents’ Association and Grade Representatives may add programming and parent engagement activities throughout the year which will be communicated in the Park Bulletin and through monthly emails from Grade Representatives. Please see the 2023-24 calendar below.

Parents’ Association 2023-24 Calendar

SEPTEMBER 8 22 28	New Parent Welcome Breakfast PA Opening Meeting and New S&E Wing Tour PA Grade Rep Kick-off and Happy Hour	8:15 a.m. 8:15 a.m. 6:30 p.m.
OCTOBER 7 10 12 24 28	Saturday in the Park School Picture Day PA Happy Hour Ellen Small PA Speaker Series (Belle Liang, PhD) Saturday in the Park (rain date)	11:30 a.m. 8 a.m.–4 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 11:30 a.m.
NOVEMBER TBD 8 8	PA Community Service Event School Picture Day (Make-up date) Ellen Small Speaker Series	TBD 8 a.m.–1 p.m. 7 p.m. (tentative)
JANUARY 12 18	PA Community Service Event Ellen Small PA Speaker Series	8:15 a.m. 7 p.m. (tentative)
FEBRUARY 2 6 24	PA Happy Hour PA DEI Film Screening Family Bingo	5:30 p.m. 7 p.m. Noon
MARCH 2	Family Bingo (Snow Date)	Noon
APRIL 5 17	PA Community Service Event Ellen Small Speaker Series	8:15 a.m. 7 p.m. (tentative)
MAY 10 17 21 30	May Day May Day (Rain Date) PA Grade Rep Training PA Closing Meeting and Activity	11 a.m. 11 a.m. 6:30 p.m. 8:15 a.m. or 5:30 p.m.

Please note: All dates and locations are subject to change. Please confirm dates on the Park School calendar or website prior to attending.

Parents’ Association Initiatives

EVENT or ACTIVITY	DESCRIPTION
Admission and New Parent Support	The PA assists the Admission Office with events throughout the year, including Open Houses, receptions and orientations for prospective, newly accepted, and enrolled families, and with phone calls and other outreach to families who are new to Park.
Community Service	The PA supports and enhances school efforts related to ongoing, meaningful community service projects and provides parents and families opportunities to engage in community service activities throughout the year.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion	The PA Board encourages, supports, and enhances the school’s initiatives related to matters of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in partnership with Akira Townes, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Ellen Small Speaker Series	The PA hosts a series of programs and seminars featuring invited guest speakers on topics of parenting, child development, and other topics of interest to parents and caregivers.
Faculty and Staff Appreciation	The Parents’ Association provides lunch or treats to Park’s faculty and staff on some professional days throughout the year as a thank you.
Fundraising	Bingo, School Pictures, restaurant nights, and sales of Park magnets, stickers, and other items— the PA sponsors all of these activities, and more, to raise money for Park programs and events, the PA Grant Fund, and other contributions to the school.
Grade Level Gatherings and Social Events	These events play an important role in building a sense of community and educating families. Socials offer parents and families an opportunity to connect with others who can help them with information, advice, and friendship. Parents enjoy renewing previous acquaintances and making new ones.
Grant Fund	The PA funds some student- and faculty-driven new initiatives in conjunction with the needs and priorities of the school. For example, initiatives supported by the fund last year included 6th Grade Tech, Jewish Canadian Youth Model United Nations (JCYMUN), the Lower School Organic Garden, new costumes for the Fifth Grade Winter Solstice, and the US Civil Rights Trip.
May Day	The PA assists with the activities included in May Day, a traditional Lower School celebration and school festival. Highlights include a Maypole dance by graduating fifth graders, songs, games, activities, treats, and picnic lunches.
New Parent Breakfast	This is an opportunity for parents new to Park to meet each other, PA representatives, administrators, and staff at a social and informational function at the beginning of the academic year.
Opening Meeting/Closing Meeting	The first and last formal meetings of the Parents’ Association each year provide an opportunity for parents and caregivers to get to know one another and the PA, and all are encouraged to attend. The opening meeting in the fall includes a budget review and community activity, and in the spring, parents gather for breakfast, vote for the new slate of officers, and participate in a community activity together.
Parent Happy Hour and Engagement Activities	The PA hosts periodic, informal gatherings as a way of building community. These gatherings may be simply for conversation and the exchange of ideas, or may include activities led by interested parents such as hikes, yoga, or community service activities. These gatherings help parents to get to know one another and the PA and help the PA identify interested volunteers.
Park Connects	A school-wide program designed to promote the well-being of our students and to help reduce the risk factors that contribute to unhealthy behaviors. In Park Connects’ Parent Networking Groups, trained parent facilitators lead discussion groups once or twice a year at each grade level. Parents are encouraged to share their ideas, experiences, and concerns to promote better understanding and awareness. The parent chairs of Park Connects sit on the PA Board. The Park Connects program also offers parent education workshops throughout the year hosted by the Park Health and Counseling Team.
Resident Scholar	For over 40 years, the Resident Scholar program has brought distinguished scholars and artists to Park so that Upper School students can explore current ideas relating to academic disciplines. Funded in part by a grant from the PA, the program involves a presentation to the Upper School student body followed by a day of in-depth seminars in the scholar’s area of expertise.
School Picture Day	Students’ pictures are taken individually and by class (for Lower School students) in the fall. Picture packages may be selected and purchased by parents, with proceeds supporting PA initiatives and events.
Saturday in the Park	Park School families and friends are invited to a community-wide fall festival on the school campus to build connections and friendships and enjoy a variety of activities, including arts and crafts, music, games, treats, canoeing, moonbounces, and more! Newly-enrolled families are especially encouraged to attend, as this is a great opportunity to engage with the community early in the fall.