Upper School E-News

Dear Upper School Families,

We are getting ready for ASB elections this week. The candidates are getting ready to begin their campaigning and speeches start on Monday. ASB is such a important and meaningful leadership opportunity for the students, and as a group they play a crucial role in the running of student life in the upper school. They are also a vital link between administration and the student body. I wish the candidates all the best in their campaigns.

Parker now has a new kiln thanks to the efforts and dedication of Steve Cook. He writes:

"Parker art students enjoyed a special visiting artist program this past month: Bruce Dehnert, a ceramic artist and kiln designer from New Jersey presented a week-long workshop that explored working with porcelain, building a Phoenix Fast Fire woodkiln, and firing it. Treasures from the firing have joined the work of Rima Fujita in the Rose Gallery. Come see the exciting first results in the work of three Parker students, Katie Reilly (2013), Max Baez (2016) and Eric Linssen (2016) and three San Diego potters, DiAnne Broussard, Mary Dilligan, and Kathy Gruzdas.

Bruce Dehnert directs the ceramic program for Peter's Valley Craft Center and has built kilns all over the world, including the first soda kiln in China. In 2010, Dehnert worked with our students to build Parker's fabulous soda/salt kiln during Interim. In a soda/salt kiln, the atmosphere in the kiln is altered with the introduction of these materials at high temperature; the pots essentially glaze themselves. In our new wood kiln, the wood ash provides the glassing of the pots and sculptures as it develops and moves about the kiln over a 24-hour constant stoking marathon. The effects of each kiln can differ depending on these variabilities, as well as clay bodies and glazes. These kiln facilities provide unique and exciting opportunities for student learning about the ceramic process, history, and aesthetics."

All Upper School Grades

• The French Honors Society Initiation Ceremony will be held on March 20th in Nicholas Commons at 3:00 pm.
• The Girls League Talent Show will be held on March 21st and 22nd from 7-10 pm in Crivello Hall.
• Our very own Sam Hunt will  present a one-hour classical guitar recital on Thursday, April 5th at 7:30 pm. He will cover several centuries of the genre.

Class of 2012

• It’s not too late to submit photos for the Senior Memory DVD. If you have not done so yet, please contact Rita Waters at: pa-12thgradereps@k12.francisparker.org.

Class of 2013

• The 11th Grade will host a breakfast for our wonderful teachers and staff on March 22nd. We are planning to create a Parisian Café for their breakfast and will provide them with a delicious le petit dejuener. If you are willing to help, please contact your grade reps at: pa-11thgradereps@k12.francisparker.org. Merci beaucoup!

Hi Upper School Families,

For our lunch time series, this week we were very fortunate to have Sarah Weddington who argued Roe v. Wade in front of the Supreme Court. She was a wonderful presenter who quickly and with good humor grabbed the students' attention. The students also had the opportunity this week to hear from the author Tupelo Hassman, mayoral candidate Bonnie Dumanis, and the all-women Yale a cappella group: Proof in the Pudding. I am thrilled that we are able to offer to our students such an array of speakers as part of the lunchtime series.

I wish you all a great week!

Best,

Paul Barsky

All Upper School Grades

• There is no school on Monday March 12th due to a professional development day#
• The French Honors Society Initiation Ceremony will be held on March 20th in Nicholas Commons, details to follow#
• The Girls League Talent Show will be held on March 21st and 22nd from 7-10 pm in J# Crivello Hall#

Class of 2012

• It’s not too late to submit photos for the Senior Memory DVD# If you have not done so yet, please contact Rita Waters at pa-12thgradereps@k12.francisparker.org.

Class of 2013

• The 11th Grade will host a breakfast for our wonderful teachers and staff on March 22nd. We are planning to create a Parisian Café for their breakfast and will provide them with a delicious le petit dejuener. If you are willing to help, please contact your grade reps at: pa-11thgradereps@k12.francisparker.org. Merci beaucoup!

Founders’ Ball: Saturday, May 5

• Help Celebrate Parker’s Past—it’s 1912 again at this year’s Parents’ Association Gala! Don’t miss this opportunity to support Parker students and faculty with silent and live auctions, dinner, and dancing to live music. 1912-period or formal attire suggested.
• New this year:
  •  Bidding from the palm of your hand!
  • The “Club 1912” Lounge!
  • A surprise presentation!
• We need your help to make the Founders’ Ball a success:
  • Do you own or have a relationship with a SIGNAGE or large-format printing business? Email Gala Chair Susan Davey at pa-galachair@k12.francisparker.org
  • Have an auction item to contribute? Email Silent Auction Co-Chairs Marilyn Tobin and Kristin Zeko at pagalaauction@k12.francisparker.org
  • Interested in event underwriting or becoming a gala sponsor? Email Sponsorship Co-Chairs Deborah Wilson and Loreen Collins at pa-galasponsorships@k12.francisparker.org
  • Please note that auction items, sponsorships and underwriting must be submitted prior to our printing deadline of March 16, 2012, in order to be acknowledged in the gala program. 
  • For more information, or to enter your item donation or sponsorship online, please visit www.francisparker.org/gala. Thank you!

Dear Upper School Families,

Currently, I am in Seattle at the annual NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools) convention. Obviously, there is a good deal of time spent on the role of technology in our classroom and how it is now, and has the potential to evolve and revolutionize instruction. We can move away from total reliance upon “the sage on the stage” approach and look to more blended classroom, which facilitates active and innovative instruction. At the same time, we need to be mindful not to be all caught up in the sound bites of technological information that can come at our students in a fast and furious manner. Stephen Carter, professor of law at Yale, noted that we must build in time for meaningful reflection; we must allow our students the opportunity to encounter “the complexity of mind and life.” These are tremendously exciting times in education; I am thrilled to see our continuing efforts to build the best educational opportunities for our students.

As part of our growing lunchtime program series, we certainly have a full week ahead. On Monday, we have author Tupelo Hassman presenting to interested students. On Wednesday Sarah Weddington, who represented “Jane Roe” in the landmark Roe v. Wade case argued before the Supreme Court, will discuss the process and the implications to interested students. On Thursday March 8, mayoral candidate Bonnie Dumanis will speak and parents are welcome to attend this event in Nicholas Commons from 11:20 am-12:10 pm. Finally, on Friday we have a Yale a capella group which will perform. I am glad that we are able to bring these special opportunities to our students.

Finally, how wonderful is it that we have three teams vying for a CIF championship on Saturday. I am very proud of the coaches and players, and perhaps I will some of you at the games. GO LANCERS!

Best,
Paul Barsky

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

All Upper School Grades

• Mayoral candidate Bonnie Dumanis will be on campus on Thursday March 8th at 11:20 in the Nicholas Commons. 
• There will be no school on Monday, March 12th due to a professional development day.
  
• Upper School Grandparents Day is on Friday, March 16 at the Linda Vista Campus. Parent volunteers are needed to assist with set-up and lunch service.
  • 8:00 - 8:30am:  4 volunteers needed to set up tables in MS gym (place table cloths, centerpieces and assist in setting tables)
  • 11:00am - 12:30pm: 6 volunteers needed for assistance with LUNCH:We need people to help serve food, serve drinks and clear plates.  
  • Lunch is from 11:15am - 12:15pm.
  • Please contact Briana Zaldivar Ruff if you are available to volunteer.
  
  
• The Spring 2012 Test Prep Calendar is published. See the table below for a list of ACT courses and dates. To register, please email Lorna Kocian to reserve your place for the class(es) you want to take; download the registration form and bring it with you to the first class.

Class of 2012

• It’s not too late to submit photos for the Senior Memory DVD. If you have not done so yet, please contact Rita Waters at: pa-12thgradereps@k12.francisparker.org

Class of 2013

• The 11th Grade will host a breakfast for our wonderful teachers and staff on March 22nd. We are planning to create a Parisian Café for their breakfast and will provide them with a delicious le petit dejuener. If you are willing to help, please contact your grade reps at: pa-11thgradereps@k12.francisparker.org. Merci beaucoup!