Belonging at Parker

Francis Parker School believes that supporting the whole child–mentally, physically, socially, and emotionally–is foundational to the pursuit of academic excellence. In support of this assertion, the School named Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies as a pillar within the current Strategic Direction. Elevating this effort to a named initiative enabled the Parker administration to build a support system of mental health professionals and other academic and social support resources for our students. 

Led by Parker’s Head of Student Success and Wellness, Dr. Megan Storey Hallam, Parker’s student success and wellness department is charged with providing age-appropriate assistance and programming to all students. Since joining the School in 2022, Megan has worked with her team to improve the effectiveness and accessibility of the student success program by creating a culture of wellness at Parker that is grounded in collaboration with faculty and the community. 

Since our 2023 report on this program—published in the 2023 Parker Magazine—the team reviewed and refined the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum across the school. One major outcome of this process introduced the provision of entire grade-level live counselor-led lessons and a video series for the Lower School. Additionally, the group deepened their library of resources and training materials in service of providing tiered levels of support for both students and teachers, beginning with differentiated classroom instruction or social-emotional support. 

While assessing Parker’s SEL programming, the department determined a new process for requesting accommodations with the College Board. This workflow now aligns with industry best practices and ensures both clarity and equity for students requiring accommodations for standardized testing.

One intended outcome for changes implemented by Parker’s student success and wellness department was to deepen the program’s impact on the everyday classroom experience. With this in mind, the team built and presented a series of professional development sessions for faculty and advisors in Grades 6-12 to strengthen their skills in supporting students and understanding when to refer a student or family to other support professionals at Parker. Additionally, the team has provided grade-level information on SEL strengths and areas for growth, derived from assessments such as the Independent School Health Check survey and teacher evaluations of the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) SEL standards for students in Grades PK-5. 

Parker’s student success and wellness department embraces partnership between the School and Parker Parents/Guardians as paramount to effectively supporting individual student wellness. To expand these relationships, the department presented at a Parent Association meeting this year with a session focused on how to distinguish between normal feelings of worry or sadness and those that may indicate anxiety or depression symptoms. As a takeaway treat, the team conducted activities during the session to help parents/guardians continue SEL work at home to build their child’s toolbox of coping skills for feelings of worry or sadness.

While the program has seen many beneficial changes in the last two years, ongoing initiatives center student and family connections through the lens of Character Education and SEL programming. Student Success and Wellness has also been training the Associated Student Body’s Wellness Committee to empower student leaders with knowledge about mental health and wellness so they may build stronger relationships with their peers. 

Francis Parker School looks forward to reporting back on this progress in the months and years ahead as the program grows in both scope and impact on the lives of students and the broader School community. 

 

Francis Parker School teacher Laurence Darmalingom-Hoover, known as Madame Darma to her students, teaches a mindfulness class for Grade 6 students at Parker. This course promotes wellness in the busy lives of our students.

“I center the class around kindness, compassion, and gratitude by emphasizing how important those three things are for the well-being of self and others in our community,” Laurence says, “I teach them that kindness is defined as the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate, but also that kindness represents so much more if they want to change the world.”

Many students have shared with Laurence that the practices of mindfulness that they have learned in class have helped them in their personal lives with sports, tests, and life pressures in general.

Summer Mindfulness Practice

Francis Parker School teacher Laurence Darmalingom-Hoover would like to spread the message of self-compassion as we head into summer break. She recently recorded a meditation focused on nurturing self-compassion, which is the foundation for extending compassion and kindness to others. Use this link to practice this meditation. Laurence recommends giving yourself a full 10 minutes for the practice.   

Laurence would like to start her seasonal mindfulness message to the community with a quote by the Buddha:

“You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”

For her summer break, Laurence looks forward to Professional Development opportunities. She has plans to take an online course in Mindfulness, SEL (Social Emotional Learning), and Yoga. It is a training offered by Breathe For Change and created by educators for educators. The six-week summer program is sponsored by Francis Parker School. “I am very grateful for this opportunity,” Laurence said. 

The training will allow Laurence to become a certified yoga instructor and a Social-Emotional Learning Facilitator. She will deepen her knowledge and expand her expertise in order to better attend to the needs of her students, colleagues, and the community.

If you enjoy listening to Podcasts, Laurence highly recommends the Ten Percent Happier podcast hosted by Dan Harris. If you have some time, please listen to this episode about The Science of Self-Compassion. 

“Practicing self-compassion is a necessity. In my Grade 6 foundation class, we have been discussing the importance of self-compassion as the foundation for fostering healthy relationships and nurturing kindness within our communities. In a world that constantly demands perfection and hustle, self-compassion allows us to embrace our imperfections and recognize our worth. By treating ourselves with the same kindness and understanding we offer to others, we build a solid base for emotional resilience and mental well-being. This, in turn, empowers us to extend genuine compassion and empathy to those around us. Happy Summer!”

 

Warm Regards, Laurence Darmalingom-Hoover

Spring Mindfulness Practice

Francis Parker School teacher Laurence Darmalingom-Hoover was been busy at Parker this Spring. She was a presenter in The Parker Collaborative on the Linda Vista campus and is traveling to France as a leader for the Grade 8 Discovery Week Trip.

At The Parker Collaborative, Laurence spoke to faculty and staff on the importance of wellness in our busy lives. Her workshop was titled “Harmony Within: A Holistic Wellness Workshop For Nurturing Mind, Body, and Soul.” 

Laurence shared three mindfulness practices with the Parker Faculty and Staff who attended her presentation: meditation, journaling, and her favorite hand gestures or mudras. 

She also led a live meditation that focused on welcoming new energy as we move into spring.

“As the flowers bloom and the birds sing, let’s welcome the vibrant energy of spring into our lives with open arms and open hearts. Spring is a time of renewal, a fresh start, and a reminder of the beauty of growth and transformation. As you welcome spring into your life, remember to be gentle with yourself, to embrace change, and to celebrate the journey of growth unfolding within and around you. Make this spring a season of joy, vitality, and flourishing wellness!” Laurence said. 

Laurence is the leader of the Grade 8 Discovery Week trip to France. Leading up to Discovery Week, she shared mindfulness practices with her travel group to provide them with tools to control difficult times as they travel alone without their parents and spend time with their host families. “Breathing practices are very useful in moments of anxiety and panic,” Laurence said. 

Laurence looks forward to continuing her mindfulness and meditative work and sharing wellness exercises for the Parker community.   

February Mindfulness Practice

In February, Laurence created a recording of a Mindfulness Practice that the Parker community can listen to at home, whether on their own or with family. This practice focuses on self-love, acceptance of self, and radiating love for others to promote peace. 

“In the month of February, we are in the heart of winter, and things can seem a bit dull and dark as we move through our days. It is important to continue to nurture the self and to remain positive through mindfulness practices that focus on gratitude and love. It is also the month of Valentine’s Day, a mix of excitement for some, but also a reminder of how lonely one can feel for others,” Laurence says.

As we end February and look forward to the spring, we need to put our energy into releasing ourselves from living with anger and hate because it is not worth it. Instead, enjoy life, move with love, and seek joy even in the smallest things. Go and do great things and surround yourself with love always!”

Recently, Laurence has been putting more energy into her daily journaling and meditation practice. She strongly encourages everyone to use these practices if they do not already have a habit of them. She has been using the 3-Minute Happiness Journal developed by Kristen Butler, which she strongly recommends. “You will see the benefits if you stick with it,” Laurence says. 

In January, Laurence participated as a speaker in the virtual Social Good Conferences series presented by Thomasino Media. She shared with others how she loves to teach and advocate for health and wellness practices in her community. You can watch her presentation here. 

Laurence looks forward to continuing her mindfulness work, and Parker is so fortunate to have a faculty member who loves sharing her knowledge on health and wellness.

Holiday Season Mindfulness Practice

During the holiday season, the class focused on spreading gratitude, joy, and kindness through journal reflections, discussions, and bespoke mindfulness practice. 

Laurence has shared a recording of her holiday season mindfulness practice so that students and families can listen and practice mindfulness during winter break. Through her class, students learn that mindfulness helps them cultivate gratitude and joy and control their reactions to things around them that might otherwise create painful or upsetting reactions.

“The holiday season is a time for happiness and joy. Find your happiness and joy in gratitude and kindness,” Laurence says, “Remember to help those who may feel sad, anxious, or afraid. Create smiles and warmth all around you with love and compassion. Happy Holidays!”