October 12, 2007
Vol I., Issue 7

 Around Campus

It was a short week, but, in typical Parish style, we were able to pack A LOT in. Enjoy …

Seniors started the week, not on break, but at Sky Ranch where they were able to bond with classmates during their retreat. The two-day trip is also designed to help students grow individually. Speaking of personal growth, several of our students have figured out that giving really can be better than receiving. Some of our Upper School students have helped out Bea’s Kids with pottery projects they will be selling at their upcoming gala auction. We donated supplies, art room space and volunteer hours on the past several Fridays to wrap-up the project.

There are moms, moms everywhere! This morning was Mothers’ Visiting Day for third though eighth graders. It was a chance for our moms to catch a glimpse of what goes on daily at Parish and to be honored for, well, being MOM. The third graders take this tradition to a whole new level, however. They actually CROWN their mothers Queen for the Day! Judging from these moms’ reactions, we could all take notes!

Don’t ya just wish you had the energy of a sixth grader? Mrs. Elizabeth Barth took advantage of their zest for life this week and channeled it into breaking rocks. During their geology unit, our sixth graders gathered rocks from their environment and broke them open to see what was inside. You should ask them what they found.

And Hillcrest resembled the Wild, Wild West this week. There were animals all over the place (It was organized chaos, of course) on Wednesday at the Blessing of the Animals. Then, Thursday the kindergarteners cowboyed up for the Kindergarten Rodeo, which rotated our students through different stations that taught them a little about our heritage. Who said learning was boring? NOT a Parish student!

  Weekend Update

This weekend kick back, relax and take some time to yourself. WHATEVER! Most of us will be lucky if we have time to remember to breathe!

This weekend starts off with Middle School Spirit Night, tonight, at the home varsity football game versus Tyler Gorman. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m.

But, speech and debaters, don’t make it too late of a Friday night. Your bus leaves at 5 a.m. tomorrow morning to make it to the Trinity Classic Speech and Debate Tournament at Holy Trinity.

Parish is also hosting the varsity boys and girls district cross country meet starting at 10 a.m., tomorrow. The packed calendar doesn’t end there, though. There are 16 other athletic contests scheduled today through Sunday. Whew!

  Hot Topic

Last night our community came together to discuss issues that directly affect Parish as an educational home. The Town Hall meeting was productive and insightful. Following is a brief synopsis of what Board of Trustee Chairman Sherel Horsley communicated as the BOT goals for this year.

1. To successfully initiate a Head of School search process. The goal is to begin the search by the end of 2007, with the next Head of School hired by the first of January 2009, and on the job by July 2009.
2. Finalize the Capital Campaign and move to the next phase.
3. Restructure and (if possible) reduce the debt.
4. Broaden the community awareness of Parish by communicating the “greatness” of this school.
5. Improve communications at all levels, including among parents, prospective parents and faculty and staff.

Mr. Horsley encourages all members of the Parish Community to remember these priorities and to report back to the Board on our progress. The continued growth and excellence of this School is dependent on a community wide effort.

Thank you so much for choosing to be a part of Parish, and we look forward to building a great future together!

  Parish PA

Parish prides itself on the warm welcome new families receive, and our grade level representatives lead the way.

Each grade has a PA volunteer who began last April welcoming the new families to Parish and matching new students with a “buddy” family in their own grade. Over the summer the fellowship activities continued, and our hard-working volunteers answered questions and put together the Back to School parties. During the busy days of September of October, they have continued to find time to organize parent coffees, lunches and some weekend socials. Their work will continue throughout the year.

Many parents look to these PA representatives as a starting point for answering non-academic questions. We thank them for their time and energy!

If you would like to be a buddy family next year, please email Rhonda Kehlbeck, RKehlbeck@aol.com.