The start of school wouldn’t be the same without the sharing summer exploits at recess and the discussion of summer work in class. Whether summer reading or math practice, the hope is that some summer work occurs to sustain gains in learning that year.
The same is true for the adults who work at The Park School. Summer presents the opportunity for us to pursue learning and growth in preparation for a new school year. This past summer employees participated in over 60 professional growth opportunities in the areas of academics, social emotional learning, DEIB, and professional practice.
And while there is always overlap in those areas, the academic work included coursework in degree or certificate programs, math/reading/writing/language training, and technology, including robotics. Additionally, in the arts, members of our teams participated in vocal training, sculpture courses, and movement. In the area of SEL, colleagues participated in experiences centered on restorative practices, executive functioning, classroom management, and leadership. As for DEIB, members participated in training around Responsive Classroom, challenging conversations, inclusive classroom practices, and curriculum review and redesign. Members of our staff engaged in training related to their very specific, and necessary, roles like human resources and alumni engagement.
This does not count the numerous podcasts shared, articles clipped, and books read. For me, reading Denise Hamilton’s Indivisible: How to Forge Our Differences Into a Stronger Future and Simon Sebag Montefiore’s 1,344 page tome The World: A Family History of Humanity have been worthy and interesting reads. Click here to share titles you read this summer.
This summer work not only enables us to polish our craft, but it also models the joy and value of continuous improvement all in an effort to enhance our making Park a place where learning and growth takes place year-round and lifelong.
Paint, Power Tools, and The Park Portrait: How the Drama Department’s Community Creation Event Personified Park Values
I did not, as Upper Division students sometimes do, receive a Veracross alert informing me that
