Welcome Parents & Guardians!
As members of the Parker community, we are thrilled to welcome you to the PA and support your journey as parents/guardians at Parker!
A MESSAGE FROM THE PA PRESIDENT
Dear Parents and Guardians,
On behalf of the Parker Parents Association (PA), I am excited to welcome both new and returning families to the 2023-24 school year. As a parent at Francis Parker School, you are automatically a member of the PA. We exist so families can celebrate the joys of participating in the life of the school, help every parent share their time, talent, and treasures by providing volunteer opportunities connected with the school, and to enhance the parent experience while at Parker through meet-ups throughout the year.
PA participation is a wonderful opportunity to meet other parents while engaging in the life of the school. There are many ways to get involved throughout the academic year at whatever level of time commitment your schedule allows. Your participation matters because WE ARE ONE FAMILY and we are BETTER TOGETHER!
In order to promote fellowship, and enhance community and family:
- Attend our general meetings to hear updates about our community and learn from dynamic guest speakers.
- Connect with other parents at grade-level parent mixers, coffees, and meet-ups.
- Read the PA section of weekly announcements from the Parker Family Connection and sign up to volunteer for events throughout the year.
We are here for you! Our goal is to enhance your Parker parent experience while supporting the school's mission, vision, and values. Join us and enhance our Parker community for this 2023-24 year!
Gratefully,
Noelle Ludwig
Noelle Ludwig
Parents Association President
RESOURCES
Get Involved
Whether you can give a lot of time or a little, there are many opportunities for you to participate and support Parker.
Current Parker parents can access more information about the PA as well as current volunteer opportunities by visiting the PA Resource Board.
Rebate Program
The Parents Association has a rebate program through AmazonSmile.
Learn More
The Parents Association has a rebate program through AmazonSmile--it is no cost to you or the School, and by simply shopping with Amazon through AmazonSmile, Parker receives donations from the AmazonSmile Foundation.
Go to your Amazon account and change/add your charity by simply typing in "Francis Parker School". Be sure to select the Francis Parker School in San Diego, CA. Start shopping!
Each quarter, the AmazonSmile Foundation makes donations to eligible charitable organizations by electronic funds transfer. Donations will be transferred approximately 45 days after the end of each calendar quarter. To account for Product returns, a portion of the quarterly donations will be withheld until the next donation cycle, subject to any reduction due to returns from prior quarters. See the AmazonSmile Participation Agreement for more details.
Please sign up today and encourage other family members or friends who are interested in supporting the School to sign up as well!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Purpose of the PA?
The Parker Parents Association (PA) offers parents opportunities for active participation in a wide-range of volunteer activities.
The PA has four main goals: facilitating and enhancing communication between families and the school; promoting fellowship within the school community through student, parent, and family activities; assisting in fundraising for the school; and providing parent education regarding social issues that affect our students.
How Can I Join the PA?
Every parent is automatically a member of the Francis Parker School Parents Association. There are no dues or fees associated with membership.
Where can I Sign Up to Volunteer?
It's easy. View the volunteer page to see a listing of volunteer opportunities, dates and contact information, or visit the PA Board and Committee Chairs page to contact the vice president, committee chair or grade-level representative for the area(s) in which you're interested.
What is the PA Board Election Process?
Members of the Parents Association who are interested in being considered for a position as a PA officer or committee chair should express their interest to the Chair of the Nominating Committee.
In the first quarter of the calendar year, a Nominating Committee is elected and begins the task of slating officers for the coming school year. The committee is chaired by the Immediate Past President and includes two appointed members from the Board and three from the general membership.
What Fundraisers does the PA Organize?
Our biggest fundraiser of the year is the annual Gala. The Gala includes a silent and live auction, dinner and dancing. The proceeds benefit Parker's student financial aid program.
Parents Association volunteers also coordinate the Lower School book fairs (December and May) in support of the Lower School Library and organize the gently-used uniform sales throughout the school year; proceeds benefit student activities at the Lower, Middle and Upper Schools.
How does the PA Provide Education about Social Issues?
The Parents Association schedules regular lectures on a variety of topics relevant to different grades and ages of children. The lectures are held at different times of day and on both campuses to facilitate participation by all interested parents. The Parents Association also hosts parent "pop-ins" and parent dinners by grade level to allow parents to share information about their Parker experiences.
The Parker Parents Association is also a founding member of WeCare, a San Diego consortium of independent schools which offers several parent education events each year. WeCare's mission is to promote integrity, responsibility, ethical behavior and wellness in our school communities through ongoing collaboration and education. The participating schools include: Cathedral Catholic High School, Francis Parker School, La Jolla Country Day School, San Diego Jewish Academy, St. Augustine High School, The Bishop's School, and Warren Walker School.