"Why I": Some Trustees Share Their "Why" for Supporting Park

Anyone who has had an 8th grader at Park is likely familiar with the “Why I” essays written by students during the early weeks of their capstone year at Park.

The assignment is to write a "Why I" essay modeled after the Terry Tempest Williams essay "Why I Write". 

Our kids put their hearts into these essays, and the anonymized compilation of snippets read at Back to School Night about why students dance, or laugh, or try etc. inevitably makes parents and guardians both laugh and get a little glossy eyed.

As a parent of an 8th grade student (for the second year in a row!), I love this assignment. This assignment, like many others at Park, makes kids want to write. It is powerful, identity driven, and the compilation of responses both builds community and illustrates our humanity because they are so different and yet so much the same. If you haven’t had an 8th grader at Park yet and you don’t know what I mean, I hope you will.

I asked some current trustees who have had a child complete this assignment to share their “Why I” about Park. Our anonymized responses are below. 

-Kelly Caiazzo, Park Perspectives Contributor, Trustee and Parent (26’ and 25’)

I am sending my child to Park, because…

I send my child to Park because my child learns the importance of saying hello to everyone in the hallway, from their teachers to students and staff that nurture our family in many different ways. I send my child to Park because my child is seen for who they are and supported to be their best self - to be curious, to speak up, and to work together in a caring and collaborative community. I send my child to Park because I believe in the power of community to shape a childhood. I send my child to Park because joy belongs at the very center of learning.

I send my child to Park because I want her to be in an environment that will nurture her intellect and character – and through the years we have seen her grow in ways we couldn’t have imagined

I send my child to Park because I believe that the staff and faculty at Park care about my child first and what they’re learning second, and that connection as a prerequisite to learning means my kid learns even more. I send my child to Park because Park teaches kids to be kind, encourages them to be themselves, and creates a space where they can appreciate each other instead of competing with each other. I send my child to Park because I want her to be in an environment that will nurture her intellect and character – and through the years we have seen her grow in ways we couldn’t have imagined.

I volunteer at Park because…

I volunteer because time is one of the most valuable gifts you can share. I volunteer because it says thank you to the community that has nurtured and shaped our kids over the past 14 years. I volunteer because every morning, our daughter walks into school eager to learn, surrounded by teachers who know her strengths and challenge her to stretch further. I volunteer because it gives us the opportunity to include our voices in effecting positive change. I volunteer to make sure the core values I hold dear in our home also translate to my children’s school. 

I volunteer to make sure the core values I hold dear in our home also translate to my children’s school. 

I volunteer because I know that Park appreciates parents as part of its fabric. I volunteer because it helps me better understand the school and the community makes it clear that my voice, my time, and my efforts matter. I volunteer because it matters to me that my children see how deeply I value their education and school community. I volunteer because Park is a place that I care deeply about for all it gives to the children it serves. I volunteer at Park because it allows me to model for my daughter what it means to step forward and contribute. I volunteer because Park is more than a school, it is an investment in who my children will become. I volunteer because seeing your child unexpectedly during the school day is like hearing your favorite song play on the radio. I volunteer because it’s good to feel known, especially when I drop the ball and forget to fill out a form or reply to an e-mail. I volunteer because I like getting to know the staff and faculty at Park; they are funny and smart and engaging to be around and I wish we could be friends and perhaps we kind of are.

I give to Park because…

I give to ensure that the excellence of Park persists and evolves over time.

I give because every day I see our teachers, staff and administrators go the extra mile to ensure that our kids are safe, inspired, and happy. I give to Park because I believe that when resources are shared, their impact multiplies. I give because I went to a school with no maker space or science wing or woodshop, with teachers who cared just as much but had too many students and not enough time or resources.

I give because I value what we can make possible for teaching and learning when we contribute what we can. 

I give to Park because sustaining academic excellence, empowering students to find joy in challenge, leading with compassion, achieving with integrity, and advocating for themselves are values I want to ensure endure for generations of students to come. I give because it shows my children’s teachers that I care about what they do. I give because I want tuition to stay competitive and financial aid to keep Park accessible. I give because I value what we can make possible for teaching and learning when we contribute what we can. 

Sincere thanks to the participating parents who completed an optional homework assignment on top of serving as trustees. A huge shout out to the 8th grade teaching team at Park. If Nick Young and Lauren Dennis had edited this, it would have been even better. We’re grateful you choose to teach children at Park.

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