Georgia and Myra with grandparents Tom ‘61 and Nancy Leed Myra (right) on Immersion 2025 in Costa Rica Georgia (seated) played Harry Potter in the parody Puffs Another beautiful example of peer-led learning is found in the drama program. The spring musicals create space for our youngest performers to share the stage alongside the remarkable talent of Middle School and Upper School students. Fourth and fifth graders watch juniors and seniors shine in their roles and begin to imagine themselves one day memorizing lines, learning choreography, and singing solos. As for rigor, my favorite example is definitely Immersion. What an amazing way to learn and explore a topic through an immersive, active-learning experience. Thank you, thank you, to our teachers and admin for continuing to build these learning opportunities for our children! I can only imagine the time and energy it takes to plan and make it happen; as a parent, I am extremely grateful for these wonderful opportunities for Park students. Can we think about offering an Immersion experience for parents and alumni someday? [Editor’s note: yes!] How would you compare your experience as a student here to those of your children in terms of culture and rigor? When I was a student here in the 1980s, Park’s methods seemed out of the box and even a bit counter-cultural. Today, while educators understand so much more about learning styles and brain science, Park appears to have been ahead of the curve. Active engagement is far more effective than passive exposure, and students learn best when new material connects to what they already know and care about. At Park, for example, exploring the campus to observe ecological and environmental principles firsthand brings learning to life for students of all ages. Park has also long understood that students need brain breaks just like adults, and that some of the most meaningful learning happens during free play, on the playground, or the sledding hill. Recess gives students an opportunity to be creative, use problem-solving, and develop social skills. Finally, Park has been really thoughtful in developing its curriculum, using scaffolding to help support students for the challenges of the next grade level. As a parent, it’s been wonderful to see both my children, Myra and Georgia, move from one grade to the next with the ability to handle greater responsibilities almost seamlessly. Looking forward, what opportunities do you see for Park to expand on these principles of culture and rigor? Wow. It’s hard to think of anything to add onto what I think we are already doing well at Park. One opportunity that I am very excited about is the planning underway for a new theater. It would be incredible to have a space that can hold the whole school for special occasions, which would enhance our culture while raising the bar for rigor within the drama and music programs. I’m grateful for the planning that is already underway for this wonderful facility! 10
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