As we wrapped up the first week of school, I looked back over the whirlwind three days and was full of gratitude for all the wonderful work my Lower Division colleagues did to welcome our students and families back to school. The love, care, and excitement I saw in every classroom are a testament to the positive and nurturing environment we work to build together.
In PreK, the sense of belonging is already strong. I witnessed the joy in Mr. Penna’s class as students met Mr. Porter, who told them about library day and sparked their excitement for using their library cards. I also loved guessing family connections in Ms. Terada’s class and watching students practice signals and routines that help them feel safe and part of a community.
Our Kindergarten students are settling in beautifully. I had the privilege of welcoming them to the main building and working on a puzzle in Ms. Jones-Riley’s class, a simple yet powerful way to foster focus and teamwork. I also saw Ms. Walters’ students celebrating each other’s birthday months, creating a sense of shared joy and connection right from the start.
In first grade, Ms. Dennis’s class stood out with their “star” connections, helping students see themselves as part of something bigger and make new friends. The cross-division partnerships that have already started – such as Ms. Willig’s class chatting with 8th graders–are building strong relationships while also showing students the value of mentorship and community.
Second grade students are beginning to share their hopes and dreams for the year, creating an environment where their voices are heard, and their goals are valued. I also witnessed the power of connection in Ms. Riley’s 3rd grade class through “Two Truths and a Lie”—students not only had fun but also discovered shared experiences, reinforcing the idea that we are all more alike than we are different.
In fourth grade, students have been expressing their individuality through “All About Me” posters, opening up conversations about who they are and what they value. Ms. Leifer’s class embraced being “bucket fillers,” supporting each other’s emotional well-being, while Ms. Moss’s class explored the Platinum Rule, focusing on being present for each other in meaningful ways. I saw the same spirit in Ms. Hawkins’ science class, where students connected their passions with different types of scientists, discovering their potential to grow and thrive in the future.
Our counselors, Julie Mumford and Annie Manes, and Director of Student Support, Anndrew Reinfeld, have also been meeting with students and introducing themselves to classroom teachers. Their presence is invaluable in helping support both our students’ well-being and our teachers as we all work to build a healthy, thriving school community. The collaborative work they are doing with us will strengthen the emotional and social health of our students.
Our specialist classes are also nurturing these key SEL and community values. Ms. Maffei’s music class is fostering mindfulness as students choose name tag animals and listen closely for different instruments in music, while both Mr. T’s ( Jeff and Paul) PE class has been reinforcing safety, teamwork, and fun. It’s wonderful to see our students practicing respect, cooperation, and joy in these spaces.
Our bus monitors brought attention to detail and patience as we navigate last-minute changes, ensuring that students make it to their adults and homes safely. Our dining team and lunch monitors took excellent care of us and smoothly handled the transitions in and out of lunch, keeping us on schedule. A heartfelt shoutout to Chef Marco and Nurse Fab for their dedication to keeping our students safe, especially those with allergies and special concerns.
There are so many more whose efforts made our successful return to school possible – other departments, classrooms, and offices, and I know I haven’t represented everyone here. So much goes on behind the scenes, also, that most of us don’t witness day to day. This just highlights what we all know to be true: this work is huge. It takes all of us and our unique skills to make the school what it is. Whether in big or small ways, I am grateful to every single person who helps make Park possible. I appreciate the dedication and effort that goes into creating a safe, joyful, and inclusive environment for our students. From the thoughtful morning meetings to the countless small gestures of kindness, we are creating a place where students feel seen, heard, and valued.
I look forward to all we will do to build on this strong foundation as we help our students grow, connect, and thrive.
