As I was sitting through our 10th grade history class today the current events conversation turned to news of the recent uncovering of a plot against Barack Obama's life. I was duly impressed by both our students' grasp of current events and Ms. Aja's deft weaving of the historical perspective that the assassinations of JFK, MLK jr., and RFK give to this type of news.
I was also struck by how poignant this election is for our students. One of the comments that will stick with me: "My mom asked an older gentleman on our block whether he would vote for Obama. He told her to 'leave that man alone before he gets killed too.'"
For some of our students, history is an abstraction. For others, it is an immediate and living thing.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Exploring Buffalo
BUFFALO CITY HALLDid you know? At a cost of nearly 7 million dollars to build in 1929, Buffalo's city hall is one of the most expensive city halls in the country. It is also one of the tallest city hall buildings in the nation. There is quite a bit of artwork to be found around the Art Deco building, including a frieze of a historian ready to record the next 100 years of Buffalo's history. (Click here to find out more).
THE MAYOR'S OFFICE!While we just missed Mayor Brown, his staff was gracious enough to let us visit his office for a few minutes! We very much enjoyed all the history on the walls and spending a few minutes with his fish. We also had a nice chat with the President of the Common Council, Mr. David Franczyk. and the visited the council chambers.
THE COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS
THE COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERSWe ate lunch at the top of City Hall and were treated to wonderful views of the city. Then we took a walking tour, including a visit to the Grover Cleveland's statue outside City Hall.
STATUE OF GROVER CLEVELAND34th Mayor of Buffalo (1882)
28th Governor of New York (1883-1885)
22 and 24th President of the United States (1885-1889)(1893-1897)
I very much enjoyed the field trip, and was delighted to discover that a few days later the downtown Buffalo skyline began to take shape in the 4th grade room. Note the radial "hub and spoke" layout upon which the city is founded (as is Washington D.C.). A very powerful way of making our local community come alive for our fourth grade friends.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
ALUMNI PROFILE: Heather Marks Palmer, '83
Over Columbus Day weekend I had opportunity to visit with two alumni in Vermont, Patricia Burns Richardson, '58 and Heather Palmer Marks, '83. I love speaking with alumni as our conversations let me experience Park vicariously and give me insight into how our school has helped shape lives, and I very much enjoyed my time with both Pat and Heather.
In speaking with Heather, I was particularly struck by the fact that Park seemed like it was absolutely the "right" fit for her. Heather, who is dyslexic, came to Park as a lower school student. She found, she said, a community that was "mindful and kind." Not all students may need a school that concentrates its efforts on individualized instruction and attempts to conform to their specific learning style or needs, but for those who do a school like Park can make all the difference.
HEATHER MARKS PALMER, '83
Heather is now the president of Creative Pages, a graphic design and print production firm based in Stowe, with core clients in the national textbook and educational resources market. In response to an expanding business, Heather recently designed and constructed an environmentally friendly building that houses her studio. This expansion drew accolades from the local community, including a visit from the governor of Vermont. Despite the economic downturn Heather has just hired an additional five employees and is beginning to diversify her clientele.
CREATIVE PAGES Inc.
Current students might be interested to know that Heather did not find her design career until after she graduated from Boston University with a degree in International Relations. Like so many things in life, her current position is the result of circumstance -- a chance visit with some friends in Vermont, a friendship with someone in the publishing industry, and a feel for the work -- coupled with a foundation that provided her with the confidence, ability, and drive to succeed.
SOME OF HEATHER'S WORK
In speaking with Heather, I was particularly struck by the fact that Park seemed like it was absolutely the "right" fit for her. Heather, who is dyslexic, came to Park as a lower school student. She found, she said, a community that was "mindful and kind." Not all students may need a school that concentrates its efforts on individualized instruction and attempts to conform to their specific learning style or needs, but for those who do a school like Park can make all the difference.
HEATHER MARKS PALMER, '83Heather is now the president of Creative Pages, a graphic design and print production firm based in Stowe, with core clients in the national textbook and educational resources market. In response to an expanding business, Heather recently designed and constructed an environmentally friendly building that houses her studio. This expansion drew accolades from the local community, including a visit from the governor of Vermont. Despite the economic downturn Heather has just hired an additional five employees and is beginning to diversify her clientele.
CREATIVE PAGES Inc.Current students might be interested to know that Heather did not find her design career until after she graduated from Boston University with a degree in International Relations. Like so many things in life, her current position is the result of circumstance -- a chance visit with some friends in Vermont, a friendship with someone in the publishing industry, and a feel for the work -- coupled with a foundation that provided her with the confidence, ability, and drive to succeed.
SOME OF HEATHER'S WORK
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