One day this summer, a small gang of Parker teachers raced into my office to show off robots they had built and programmed – behaving just like the proud students from our LEGO Robotics Club!

With infectious enthusiasm, they were adding to a repertory of hands-on lessons in tinkering and exploring. And in the process, the teachers got to experience the mental gymnastics their students use when trying something new. Like the kids, they reveled in the joy of working hard together to solve problems.

Parker students love to solve problems by building things – from marshmallow towers to solar ovens. It lets them think divergently and fosters skills in STEM and other subjects, often igniting lifelong interests.

In their book, Making to Learn: Making, Tinkering and Engineering in the Classroom, Gary Stager and Sylvia Libow Martinez write:

The excitement about the “maker” approach re-animates the best traditions of progressive education in classrooms, of learning by doing, of working on meaningful projects, of developing agency and becoming lost in the flow of something you care about.

Children’s natural curiosity leads them to learn by doing. When constructing wind socks to explore air currents or measuring the relationship of a ramp’s height to the speed and distance of a rolling soup can, they construct knowledge. And gain other skills, too – perseverance while programing a robotic dog’s tail to wag, or ingenuity while designing a contraption to demonstrate forces of motion. They practice cooperation and artistry when writing a book as a class or building a shelter in the woods.

Each instance of “making” creates opportunities for learning that are both specific and expandable across many disciplines. The end result of a hands-on, maker approach for children: inquisitiveness, motivation and understanding. That’s lifelong learning in the making!

Meg Taylor, Head

A n n u A l G i v i n G R e p o R t RobeRt c. pARkeR school

2012–2013

pARkeR RevolutionhonoRARy chAiRs

Christine and Jake CunninghamCathey Kennedy

Meg and Dick TaylorMargery and Michael Whiteman

patronsBeth and Gilles Chapados

Barbey and Ned DoughertyJane Carol Glendinning

Bill and Kate McLaughlinPeg Parker

supportersJohn and Tamara Arnason

Kurt and Dawn ArnoldPeter F. Baily

Cynthia M. BenfieldJohn and Nancy DeAngelis

Kim DenneyMargie and Erik Eddy

Jay Martin and Jeri EisenbergBeth and Peter Elitzer

Jennifer and Bill HallockHonorable Kathleen M. Jimino

Kristin KoehlerLaura Mandelson and Bob Katz

Jessica and Carter MarcyTad and Betsy Mayer

Assemblyman John McDonaldCaroline Melkonian

Thomas and Suellen NewmanDennis and Deborah O’Brien

Carol and Uriel OkoMarlisa Parker

Seth and Susie PowellBeth and Paul Schroeder

Lindsay ScottRobert and Judy Warsh

Nancy and Bob WolfDana Wright

contributorsBirgit Asbornsen and Luis Leon

Liliana DeGeorgioDavid and Linda Kahn

Jackie Weaver and Craig McMillanJohn and Sharon Santacroce

Sara SchumanPadma Sripada

Peter StixNatalie Winne

Gifts for Financial Aid in honor of cathey kennedy and Meg taylor

JoAnn and James BennettThe Bert Johnson Charitable Foundation

Edith DenneyPriscilla Fairbank and Owen Goldfarb

Aaron and Denise GagnonFrancine and Robert Godgart

Mason and John HoellerJoan and Brian Lawson

Carol and Uriel OkoSara Schuman

Lynne and Paul ShatsoffAlan Silvia and Learay Rayburn-Silvia

Gifts for the libraryJoAnn and James BennettJamie and Russell Crouse

James and Christine CunninghamSean and Andrea Fagan

Roberta FoxCarter and Jessica Marcy

Peg ParkerKate and Justin Perry

underwriters Digital X-Press

Fleurtacious DesignsHudson Valley Organic Pest Control

Mike’s Pest ServiceRoute Four Pizzeria and Delicatessen

Word Communications

Generous Turnout for Parker RevolutionGenerous donors at the parker Revolution benefit enjoyed dancing and dining while raising over $35,638 to support innovative school

programming and financial aid. it was our best-attended fund-raising event ever! An enthusiastic “Fund-a-need” live auction brought in

$5,060 for library refurbishment.

parker practices a “maker” approach

in its project-based education program. this year the school received

a connect a Million Minds grant to

spread robotics to k–8 math classes.

sixth and seventh graders built a

bridge over one of our creeks during

steM week, collaborating with engi-

neers, mastering Google sketch-up

and producing videos documenting

the experience. Giant Rube Goldberg

contraptions, solar ovens, museum

dioramas, 3D printing, survival shel-

ters and many other projects gave

our students free reign to innovate,

iterate and create.

shira love and Alex Grinshpun (Maya ’22, vera ’23)

erik and Margie eddy (Jackson ’14) and Dick taylor (center)

Innovations Build Fluency, Interest in

• Spanish teacher Erin Wallace speaks solely in Spanish during her visits to preschool classrooms. Children mimic her words, songs and stories, and some even try to teach her English! She also accompanies them on Muddy Boots Club hikes and identifies woodsy things in Spanish.

• Increased number of weekly Spanish classes for grades 4 and 5.

• Spanish-speaking lunches with guests from the community.

• Motivational activities include creating Spanish cooking videos, writing and

acting out fair y tales in Spanish,

corresponding with Spanish pen pals

through letters and Skype, Assembly

presentations in Spanish.

• A cultural exchange trip is planned

for the February break. Nine middle

school students and two teachers will

travel to St. Peter’s School in Barcelona,

Spain. Parker hosted students from

St. Peter’s last year, and the Spanish

families are excited about reciprocat-

ing with Catalonian hospitality. The

trip will cultivate international friend-

ships and empathy.

trustee Rachel leibson ’00 and husband phil chow.

Honored at the Parker Revolutionbenefit were Meg taylor, head, and cathey kennedy, alumni parent and supporter. Meg’s 10 years as school head and cathey’s commitment to faculty development and innovative teaching methods have brought parker to the forefront of education through its experiential, project-based learning program.

Meg Taylor, Head

Laura Mandelson, Director of Admission

Beth Chapados, Business Manager

Carol Oko, Associate Director

Susie Merrett, Associate Director

Jamie Crouse, Planet Parker Coordinator

Jes Marcy, Development Coordinator

Robert C. Parker School does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, religion, color, national origin,

gender, disability, sexual orientation, or age in the administration of its educational policies,

admission policies, financial aid programs, and athletic or other related school programs.

Spanish

special thanks to the “transforming” support of the Mayer family, gathered at the benefit to honor cathey kennedy and as representatives

of the General William Mayer Foundation. the foundation generously provides grants for creative projects at parker including the

discovery playground, low ropes course and greenhouse.

trustee Jennifer Wenacur and husband Russ (Garrett ’14, Julian ’19)

left to right: board president christine cunningham (kiki ’10, lara ’13, coleman ’16)

event chairs Jes Marcy (Anastazia ’21, stella ’23) and susie powell (Annabel ’21,

Finn ’23) enjoy the silent auction.

students and teachers from st. peter’s school in barcelona, spain, visited parker on

a cultural exchange week in March. their visit inspired parker students to improve

their spanish skills. the best part? Making new friends!

Innovations in Parker’s Spanish program are boosting students’ confidence, fluency and desire to make cultural discoveries…

Our MissionRobert C. Parker School engages each student in a thoughtful

and challenging learning process that inspires curiosity and a passion to achieve, nurtures confidence and community, and cultivates purposeful action.

Core ValuesEmotional Security. Intellectual Vibrancy. Ethical Awareness. Social Responsibility.

MottoIn caring for our world, our community and ourselves, we reach out

to others with kindness, speak and act with respect, strive for understanding of differences, and share our time, our talents and our energy.

ROBERT C. PARKER SCHOOL Preschool through grade 8 • Coeducational

4254 NY Route 43, North Greenbush, NY 12198 (518) 286-3449 • www.parkerschool.org

President: Christine Cunningham

Vice President: Kristin Koehler

Secretary: Joan Lawson

Treasurer: Veronica Mangione

John Arnason, Kurt Arnold, Martin Burke,

Jamie Crouse, Barbey Nyce Dougherty,

Joan Evans Giddings, Sarah Goff, Jane Carol

Glendinning, Agi Laufer, Rachel Leibson ’00,

Max Levine, Morgan Lindsay ’00,

Bill McLaughlin, Janice Medina, Susan

Merrett, Maria Schmitz, Krista Spada,

Meg Taylor, Jennifer Wenacur, Nancy Wolf

2013–14 boARD oF tRustees

RobeRt c. pARkeR school

“ Making” Makes learningMore Meaningful

The $100,000 Matching Challenge issued by Kate and Bill McLaughlin inspired and energized the entire Parker community. We not only met the $100,000 challenge to sup-port strategic initiatives by June 30, 2013, we exceeded it by $16,000! The total amount raised for the Parker Fund in the 2012-13 school year was $216,503.

Leaders of many kinds joined the McLaughlins in this record-setting effort – individuals who doubled the amount of their gift and others who felt inspired to give for the first time. Some interesting participation statistics:

• Highest alumni gift to date – $1,000• 2013 graduating class – 100%• Grandparents – 18• Parents – 74%• Faculty and staff – 100%• Board of Trustees – 100%

The impact of your giving reverberates throughout the school. The Parker Fund supports crucial curricular elements like LEGO Robotics, outdoor science, technology and field trips. It also subsidizes financial aid, international connections and faculty professional development. All of these help put Parker at the forefront of education in the region.

As a community, we believe in intellectual engagement. We believe in caring. And we believe that we can accomplish great things together. Your continued support of the Parker Fund enables our community of learners to achieve and succeed at the highest levels.

CHallenGe Fund Bill and Kate McLaughlin

Hawk’s nesTGifts of $5000+The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital RegionHenry and Susan FlintEstate of Jean Hurwitz Cathey KennedyJohn A. Parker Fund of the Triangle Community FoundationMrs. John Parker

GreaT Oak CirCleGifts of $2500+Christine and James CunninghamMarlisa ParkerRichard TaylorMeg TaylorWashington Post Company

naTure TrailGifts of $1500+John and Tamara ArnasonDougherty Family Fund of the Greater Cincinnati FoundationJ.C. GlendinningJenifer SchmitzMargery and Michael WhitemanJohn and Charlotte Wunderlich

Tree HOuseGifts of $1000+Katherine Brainard ’99Beth and Gilles ChapadosTriad FoundationMargie and Erik EddyLaura Mandelson and Robert KatzFrank McKeanSteve SpringerSeth Powell and Susie Davidson Powell

HillTOPGifts of $500+AnonymousPeter BailyJoseph Braun and Pearl WeisingerAnn and Tom ConnollyJeri Eisenberg and Jay MartinPriscilla Fairbank and Owen GoldfarbKristin KoehlerThomas and Margaret KoehlerAgi and Andras LauferJoan and Brian LawsonMarion ListerWilliam Lloyd and Ellen BettigoleCaroline and Michael MelkonianPatti and Barton SachsMaria and Harry SchmitzBeth and Paul SchroederMichael WellnerJennifer and Russell WenacurDana Wright

wOOdlandsGifts of $250+Kurt and Dawn ArnoldJames and JoAnn BennettSarah and Steven BoggessRay Brescia and Amy BaraschMartin Burke and Lara StelmaszykCardish Machine WorksShelli Casler-Failing and Rocky FailingColumbia Internal MedicineSarah Firisen and Michael TanenblattDenise and Aaron GagnonRobert Gibbs and Wendy KahnMark Giddings and Joan Evans GiddingsBarry and Karen GreeneEdward and Lisa GundrumJames and Nancy HargraveLuis Leon and Birgit AsbornsenMorgan Lindsay ’00Nancy LordJessica and Carter MarcyRichard MarcyJanice and Chris MedinaCarol and Uriel OkoMichelle and Kevin RichardsonFrederick and Mary TaylorLucie Van Der VeerNancy Wolf

BuTTerFly GardenGifts of $100+AnonymousAnonymousAnonymousBank of America FoundationSandra Baptie and Lawrence LinderAnn and Mal BaraschJoel and Andrea BartfieldErin and Peter BericalBethlehem Land Surveying, PLLCSarah Biondello and Vincent ArmaninoStephenne Brown

Luella BuonoCapital Region Ear InstituteChatham BrewingJonathon Clement and Barbara HawnJanet and Gavin CooperJeremiah Cosgrove and Judith A. Anderson Edith DenneyLiliana DiGiorgioMarie-Josee Fonseca and Mark EddoBrian Epping and Michelle MilotEdward and Marilyn EppingCynthia Fox Roberta FoxMary Ellen GalvinDiane and Michael GanelesFrancine and Robert Godgart Elizabeth Gordon and Thomas ChristenfeldAaron and Marina GoreAugust and Jennifer GresensTrudy Hall and Charles JohnsonJennifer and Bill HallockAmy HarrisonKristen HesslerAnna K. HongDavid and Linda KahnRoslyn and Robert KayeCrystal and John KnappSteve Krantz and Janet CohnNina Fleishman and Barry LeibsonRachel Leibson ’00Max Levine and Janel LeoneLawrence and Grace LevineMatthew and Michele LindowErika and Arnold LingertatJames LizardoVeronica MangioneLinda and Fred MacdonaldJessie Martin ’97Ann and George McAvoyDoug McLaren and Meg McClellanH. Craig McMillan and Jackie WeaverSusan and Mark MerrettAnnette Nanes and Scott MeyerJoseph and Daphne MuenchRose NolanAlicia and Scott OsurJason PetersenSugi and Keith PickardSusan Poisson-Dollar and Jerry DollarMiriam Raider-Roth and Mark RaiderAnita RossLisa Ross and James PilkingtonClaudia Lingertat-Putnam and Shawn PutnamElizabeth and Michael PutnamLynn ScheinerFred and Martha SchroederLynn Schuster and Basil AnastasiouRisa and Laird ScrantonLynne and Paul ShatsoffNina and Aaron SherAlan Silvia and Learay Rayburn-SilviaJordan and Mary-Alice SmithPadma SripadaLore Stanziano and David PageVicky and Nicholas StonemanJohn ThompsonJudy and Bob WarshBarb and Mike WeilerTheodore and Susan WenacurNatalie Winne Alicia Pollitz Worden and Rob WordenRussell Youngman and Cynthia FoxEd and Chris Zacher

MeadOwGifts up to $99Anonymous Murial AsbornsenBen Barker-BenfieldBettye Blakney-LawrenceWanda BudesheimSherri CeravoloMatthew and Pamela ChardeRafi Cohen ’13Merry Cook ’21Jamie and Russell Crouse Lara Cunningham ’13Tamara DeMartinoCamille Eddo ’13Deborah and Henry EpsteinCatt Gagnon ’13Ian GlasgowLiam Gresens ’20Erykah Hassan ’13Amy JesaitisCarol KanalleyKarin KasparianLara Kaye and Carl MasRenate and Phillip KnappJudy and Anthony LeonardiTina Lieberman-CohenHannah Lloyd ’13Molly Merrett ’95

Robert C. Parker School expresses its appreciation to the parents, alumni parents, trustees, alumni, faculty and friends who displayed leadership by donating to the Parker Fund and other projects during the past year. This strong demonstration of support reflects the exceptional program that Parker offers to students.

Parker alumni

Matt Martin ’99 organizes politicians for the public good. He works in Washington, DC, for The NewDEAL, a not-for-profit he helped launch in 2009. It’s a network of over 100 pro-growth, progressive state and local elected leaders from around the nation who focus on innovative ways to unlock economic opportunity for people in our changing economy. Matt does everything from finding rising political stars and connecting them to ideas, to pitching supporters.

He also coaches lacrosse for “a small but scrappy band of disadvantaged middle schoolers.” Matt graduated from Hotchkiss and Bowdoin after Parker.

“When politics make me feel cynical or the kids I coach wear me out, I find myself thinking back to what Susie Merrett, Laura Mandelson, Priscilla Fairbank and Mrs. Oko taught me about the value of open-mindedness, empathy and grit. I still keep in touch with close friends from Parker and enjoy running into other Parker people around town doing good things for the world. If any old friends are reading this, shoot me an e-mail at matthewkmartin@gmail.com and let me know how you’re doing!”

Katherine Brainard ’99 works on privacy engineering at Google, where she’s helping form a new team that builds tools to protect user data. She says Google is fun and definitely lives up to its hype as a company! Katherine attended Niskayuna High, then Stanford where she got an undergraduate degree in Symbolic Systems (a combination of psychology, linguistics, philosophy and computer science) and a master’s in Computer Science with a focus on artificial intelligence. After Stanford, she stayed in Silicon Valley to work at then-startup Palantir Technologies, a company building software for massive data processing in areas like cyber fraud, counter-terrorism and disease tracking.

Outside of work, Katherine rides her horse JonJon and makes mead, jam and cheese from scratch. “Next I’ll try building a press to make cider,” she says. About her years at Parker:

“Parker gave me a love of learning that I think has stayed with me. The focus on the process of learning as intrinsically valuable shaped how I approached school, and was a key factor in choosing where I wanted to work. Both the companies I’ve worked for gave me a chance to learn and develop new skills, and the freedom to work on challenging, interesting projects.”

Total Contributions to the Parker annual Fund, Grants, Gifts and Benefit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$282,730

The Parker endowment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$581,685(as of June 30, 2013)

y Tuition – 73%y auxiliary and Other income – 10%y Contributions – 17%

sOurCes OF Funds

y salaries – 61%

y Financial aid – 12%

y Maintenance and Mortgage – 13%

y instructional – 11%

y administrative – 3%

aPPliCaTiOn OF Funds

2012–2013 FinanCial snaPsHOT

Sam Merrett ’97Nancy Messer and Ethan BlochEli Miller ’13Gregory Miller and Robin GalinskyKate Perry Michele RidgewayJohn and Sharon SantacroceSara SchumanJared Weiler ’13Adam Winne ’14Kylie Wyskochil ’10Andrew Zacher

Jay Murnane sCHOlars FundSteven Axelrod and Gwenn MayersBruce Backer and Debra Spilfogel

aCadeMiC sCHOlarsHiPsJoan Evans Giddings and Mark GiddingsJ.C. GlendinningCathey KennedyCathy and Manju ManjunathJay Martin and Jeri EisenbergMarlissa ParkerRichard TaylorMeg TaylorMargery and Michael WhitemanDana Wright

in HOnOr OF THe FaCulTy and sTaFF aT ParkerJeremiah Cosgrove and Judith AndersonJohn and Tamara ArnasonLuis Leon and Birgit AsbornsenBrian Epping and Michelle MilotJim and Nancy HargraveRoslyn and Robert KayeJoseph and Daphne MuenchPeg ParkerKate PerryMichael WellnerJohn and Charlotte Wunderlich

in HOnOr OF Parker sTudenTsLiliana DeGiorgiaEdward and Marilyn EppingBarry and Karen GreeneRoslyn and Robert KayeJudy and Anthony LeonardiErika and Arnold LingertatH. Craig McMillan and Jackie WeaverTheodore and Susan Wenacur

in HOnOr OF Marlisa Parker and dana wriGHTEdith Denney

in HOnOr OF Ben and Jake GOdGarTFrancine and Robert Godgart

in HOnOr OF BirGiT asBOrnsenJen and Russell Wenacur

in MeMOry OF walTer lisTerMarion Lister

in MeMOry OF Jean HurwiTzJoAnn and James BennettLaura Mandelson and Robert KatzCarol and Uriel OkoMiriam Raider-Roth and Mark RaiderMeg Taylor

in MeMOry OF Mary HarriMan drexlerMeg Taylor

in MeMOry OF ruTH GiBBsDavid and Linda Kahn

in MeMOry OF JOel BrainardSuellen and Thomas Newman

in MeMOry OF alBerT linGerTaTClaudia Lingertat-Putnam and Shawn Putnam

in MeMOry OF PeTer FerrariLawrence and Grace Levine

GiFT FOr PrOFessiOnal develOPMenTCathey Kennedy

GiFTs FOr TeaCHers wisHesAnonymousAnthony AntonucciMikko and Brian CookJanet and Gavin CooperJeremiah Cosgrove and Judith AndersonJessica and Brian DuffySarah and Tim GoffAugust and Jennifer GresensKristen HesslerTeresa HoffmanCrystal and John KnappKristen KoehlerJanel Leone and Max LevineMatthew and Michele LindowJessica and Carter MarcyCarl Mas and Lara KayeGeorge and Ann McAvoyJanice and Chris MedinaCaroline and Michael MelkonianDaphne and Joseph MuenchSusie and Seth PowellShawn Putnam and Claudia Lingertat-PutnamWilliam PutnamMichelle and Kevin RichardsonShannon and Rowdy RodySharon and John SantacroceJenifer SchmitzClaire and Mark SherwoodKrista SpadaCory and Erin WajdaJackie Weaver and Craig McMillanNatalie Winne

GranTGeneral William Mayer Foundation

5k raCe sPOnsOrsCardish Machine WorksButtercup CookiesHonest Weight Food CoopBethlehem Land Surveying, PLLCDr. FoytChatham BrewingOld Chatham Sheepherding Company

This report recognizes contributions made between July 1, 2012, and June 30, 2013. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this list. If we have made an error or omission, please accept our apologies and contact Jes Marcy at 518-286-3449 or jmarcy@parkerschool.org to submit a correction.

Lead with Purpose & Passion Parker Fund dOnOrs2012–2013

77-Acre ClassroomThe dirt on Parker’s

We did it!

Coming soon to the Parker woods: a science pond!Ponds provide essential resources and habitats for both terrestrial and aquatic life. restoring the old farm pond is giving Parker a wonderful resource for study. students are observing and recording the transformation from wetlands to science pond.

Middle school students dig for 19th century artifacts in the old kitchen midden, examining what trash tells us about culture.

Collecting data to analyze the human and weather impact on water sparks scientific inquiry.

To the delight of the K–1’s, frogs begin leaping into the stream during a Muddy Boots Club leaf collecting expedition.

in Muddy Boots Club, or social studies class, the ability to inspire curiosity and passion outdoors is as close as our own backyard.

Matching challenge met – and exceeded

kate and Bill Mclaughlin

The $100,000 Matching Challenge issued by Kate and Bill McLaughlin inspired and energized the entire Parker community. We not only met the $100,000 challenge to sup-port strategic initiatives by June 30, 2013, we exceeded it by $16,000! The total amount raised for the Parker Fund in the 2012-13 school year was $216,503.

Leaders of many kinds joined the McLaughlins in this record-setting effort – individuals who doubled the amount of their gift and others who felt inspired to give for the first time. Some interesting participation statistics:

• Highest alumni gift to date – $1,000• 2013 graduating class – 100%• Grandparents – 18• Parents – 74%• Faculty and staff – 100%• Board of Trustees – 100%

The impact of your giving reverberates throughout the school. The Parker Fund supports crucial curricular elements like LEGO Robotics, outdoor science, technology and field trips. It also subsidizes financial aid, international connections and faculty professional development. All of these help put Parker at the forefront of education in the region.

As a community, we believe in intellectual engagement. We believe in caring. And we believe that we can accomplish great things together. Your continued support of the Parker Fund enables our community of learners to achieve and succeed at the highest levels.

CHallenGe Fund Bill and Kate McLaughlin

Hawk’s nesTGifts of $5000+The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital RegionHenry and Susan FlintEstate of Jean Hurwitz Cathey KennedyJohn A. Parker Fund of the Triangle Community FoundationMrs. John Parker

GreaT Oak CirCleGifts of $2500+Christine and James CunninghamMarlisa ParkerRichard TaylorMeg TaylorWashington Post Company

naTure TrailGifts of $1500+John and Tamara ArnasonDougherty Family Fund of the Greater Cincinnati FoundationJ.C. GlendinningJenifer SchmitzMargery and Michael WhitemanJohn and Charlotte Wunderlich

Tree HOuseGifts of $1000+Katherine Brainard ’99Beth and Gilles ChapadosTriad FoundationMargie and Erik EddyLaura Mandelson and Robert KatzFrank McKeanSteve SpringerSeth Powell and Susie Davidson Powell

HillTOPGifts of $500+AnonymousPeter BailyJoseph Braun and Pearl WeisingerAnn and Tom ConnollyJeri Eisenberg and Jay MartinPriscilla Fairbank and Owen GoldfarbKristin KoehlerThomas and Margaret KoehlerAgi and Andras LauferJoan and Brian LawsonMarion ListerWilliam Lloyd and Ellen BettigoleCaroline and Michael MelkonianPatti and Barton SachsMaria and Harry SchmitzBeth and Paul SchroederMichael WellnerJennifer and Russell WenacurDana Wright

wOOdlandsGifts of $250+Kurt and Dawn ArnoldJames and JoAnn BennettSarah and Steven BoggessRay Brescia and Amy BaraschMartin Burke and Lara StelmaszykCardish Machine WorksShelli Casler-Failing and Rocky FailingColumbia Internal MedicineSarah Firisen and Michael TanenblattDenise and Aaron GagnonRobert Gibbs and Wendy KahnMark Giddings and Joan Evans GiddingsBarry and Karen GreeneEdward and Lisa GundrumJames and Nancy HargraveLuis Leon and Birgit AsbornsenMorgan Lindsay ’00Nancy LordJessica and Carter MarcyRichard MarcyJanice and Chris MedinaCarol and Uriel OkoMichelle and Kevin RichardsonFrederick and Mary TaylorLucie Van Der VeerNancy Wolf

BuTTerFly GardenGifts of $100+AnonymousAnonymousAnonymousBank of America FoundationSandra Baptie and Lawrence LinderAnn and Mal BaraschJoel and Andrea BartfieldErin and Peter BericalBethlehem Land Surveying, PLLCSarah Biondello and Vincent ArmaninoStephenne Brown

Luella BuonoCapital Region Ear InstituteChatham BrewingJonathon Clement and Barbara HawnJanet and Gavin CooperJeremiah Cosgrove and Judith A. Anderson Edith DenneyLiliana DiGiorgioMarie-Josee Fonseca and Mark EddoBrian Epping and Michelle MilotEdward and Marilyn EppingCynthia Fox Roberta FoxMary Ellen GalvinDiane and Michael GanelesFrancine and Robert Godgart Elizabeth Gordon and Thomas ChristenfeldAaron and Marina GoreAugust and Jennifer GresensTrudy Hall and Charles JohnsonJennifer and Bill HallockAmy HarrisonKristen HesslerAnna K. HongDavid and Linda KahnRoslyn and Robert KayeCrystal and John KnappSteve Krantz and Janet CohnNina Fleishman and Barry LeibsonRachel Leibson ’00Max Levine and Janel LeoneLawrence and Grace LevineMatthew and Michele LindowErika and Arnold LingertatJames LizardoVeronica MangioneLinda and Fred MacdonaldJessie Martin ’97Ann and George McAvoyDoug McLaren and Meg McClellanH. Craig McMillan and Jackie WeaverSusan and Mark MerrettAnnette Nanes and Scott MeyerJoseph and Daphne MuenchRose NolanAlicia and Scott OsurJason PetersenSugi and Keith PickardSusan Poisson-Dollar and Jerry DollarMiriam Raider-Roth and Mark RaiderAnita RossLisa Ross and James PilkingtonClaudia Lingertat-Putnam and Shawn PutnamElizabeth and Michael PutnamLynn ScheinerFred and Martha SchroederLynn Schuster and Basil AnastasiouRisa and Laird ScrantonLynne and Paul ShatsoffNina and Aaron SherAlan Silvia and Learay Rayburn-SilviaJordan and Mary-Alice SmithPadma SripadaLore Stanziano and David PageVicky and Nicholas StonemanJohn ThompsonJudy and Bob WarshBarb and Mike WeilerTheodore and Susan WenacurNatalie Winne Alicia Pollitz Worden and Rob WordenRussell Youngman and Cynthia FoxEd and Chris Zacher

MeadOwGifts up to $99Anonymous Murial AsbornsenBen Barker-BenfieldBettye Blakney-LawrenceWanda BudesheimSherri CeravoloMatthew and Pamela ChardeRafi Cohen ’13Merry Cook ’21Jamie and Russell Crouse Lara Cunningham ’13Tamara DeMartinoCamille Eddo ’13Deborah and Henry EpsteinCatt Gagnon ’13Ian GlasgowLiam Gresens ’20Erykah Hassan ’13Amy JesaitisCarol KanalleyKarin KasparianLara Kaye and Carl MasRenate and Phillip KnappJudy and Anthony LeonardiTina Lieberman-CohenHannah Lloyd ’13Molly Merrett ’95

Robert C. Parker School expresses its appreciation to the parents, alumni parents, trustees, alumni, faculty and friends who displayed leadership by donating to the Parker Fund and other projects during the past year. This strong demonstration of support reflects the exceptional program that Parker offers to students.

Parker alumni

Matt Martin ’99 organizes politicians for the public good. He works in Washington, DC, for The NewDEAL, a not-for-profit he helped launch in 2009. It’s a network of over 100 pro-growth, progressive state and local elected leaders from around the nation who focus on innovative ways to unlock economic opportunity for people in our changing economy. Matt does everything from finding rising political stars and connecting them to ideas, to pitching supporters.

He also coaches lacrosse for “a small but scrappy band of disadvantaged middle schoolers.” Matt graduated from Hotchkiss and Bowdoin after Parker.

“When politics make me feel cynical or the kids I coach wear me out, I find myself thinking back to what Susie Merrett, Laura Mandelson, Priscilla Fairbank and Mrs. Oko taught me about the value of open-mindedness, empathy and grit. I still keep in touch with close friends from Parker and enjoy running into other Parker people around town doing good things for the world. If any old friends are reading this, shoot me an e-mail at matthewkmartin@gmail.com and let me know how you’re doing!”

Katherine Brainard ’99 works on privacy engineering at Google, where she’s helping form a new team that builds tools to protect user data. She says Google is fun and definitely lives up to its hype as a company! Katherine attended Niskayuna High, then Stanford where she got an undergraduate degree in Symbolic Systems (a combination of psychology, linguistics, philosophy and computer science) and a master’s in Computer Science with a focus on artificial intelligence. After Stanford, she stayed in Silicon Valley to work at then-startup Palantir Technologies, a company building software for massive data processing in areas like cyber fraud, counter-terrorism and disease tracking.

Outside of work, Katherine rides her horse JonJon and makes mead, jam and cheese from scratch. “Next I’ll try building a press to make cider,” she says. About her years at Parker:

“Parker gave me a love of learning that I think has stayed with me. The focus on the process of learning as intrinsically valuable shaped how I approached school, and was a key factor in choosing where I wanted to work. Both the companies I’ve worked for gave me a chance to learn and develop new skills, and the freedom to work on challenging, interesting projects.”

Total Contributions to the Parker annual Fund, Grants, Gifts and Benefit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$282,730

The Parker endowment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$581,685(as of June 30, 2013)

y Tuition – 73%y auxiliary and Other income – 10%y Contributions – 17%

sOurCes OF Funds

y salaries – 61%

y Financial aid – 12%

y Maintenance and Mortgage – 13%

y instructional – 11%

y administrative – 3%

aPPliCaTiOn OF Funds

2012–2013 FinanCial snaPsHOT

Sam Merrett ’97Nancy Messer and Ethan BlochEli Miller ’13Gregory Miller and Robin GalinskyKate Perry Michele RidgewayJohn and Sharon SantacroceSara SchumanJared Weiler ’13Adam Winne ’14Kylie Wyskochil ’10Andrew Zacher

Jay Murnane sCHOlars FundSteven Axelrod and Gwenn MayersBruce Backer and Debra Spilfogel

aCadeMiC sCHOlarsHiPsJoan Evans Giddings and Mark GiddingsJ.C. GlendinningCathey KennedyCathy and Manju ManjunathJay Martin and Jeri EisenbergMarlissa ParkerRichard TaylorMeg TaylorMargery and Michael WhitemanDana Wright

in HOnOr OF THe FaCulTy and sTaFF aT ParkerJeremiah Cosgrove and Judith AndersonJohn and Tamara ArnasonLuis Leon and Birgit AsbornsenBrian Epping and Michelle MilotJim and Nancy HargraveRoslyn and Robert KayeJoseph and Daphne MuenchPeg ParkerKate PerryMichael WellnerJohn and Charlotte Wunderlich

in HOnOr OF Parker sTudenTsLiliana DeGiorgiaEdward and Marilyn EppingBarry and Karen GreeneRoslyn and Robert KayeJudy and Anthony LeonardiErika and Arnold LingertatH. Craig McMillan and Jackie WeaverTheodore and Susan Wenacur

in HOnOr OF Marlisa Parker and dana wriGHTEdith Denney

in HOnOr OF Ben and Jake GOdGarTFrancine and Robert Godgart

in HOnOr OF BirGiT asBOrnsenJen and Russell Wenacur

in MeMOry OF walTer lisTerMarion Lister

in MeMOry OF Jean HurwiTzJoAnn and James BennettLaura Mandelson and Robert KatzCarol and Uriel OkoMiriam Raider-Roth and Mark RaiderMeg Taylor

in MeMOry OF Mary HarriMan drexlerMeg Taylor

in MeMOry OF ruTH GiBBsDavid and Linda Kahn

in MeMOry OF JOel BrainardSuellen and Thomas Newman

in MeMOry OF alBerT linGerTaTClaudia Lingertat-Putnam and Shawn Putnam

in MeMOry OF PeTer FerrariLawrence and Grace Levine

GiFT FOr PrOFessiOnal develOPMenTCathey Kennedy

GiFTs FOr TeaCHers wisHesAnonymousAnthony AntonucciMikko and Brian CookJanet and Gavin CooperJeremiah Cosgrove and Judith AndersonJessica and Brian DuffySarah and Tim GoffAugust and Jennifer GresensKristen HesslerTeresa HoffmanCrystal and John KnappKristen KoehlerJanel Leone and Max LevineMatthew and Michele LindowJessica and Carter MarcyCarl Mas and Lara KayeGeorge and Ann McAvoyJanice and Chris MedinaCaroline and Michael MelkonianDaphne and Joseph MuenchSusie and Seth PowellShawn Putnam and Claudia Lingertat-PutnamWilliam PutnamMichelle and Kevin RichardsonShannon and Rowdy RodySharon and John SantacroceJenifer SchmitzClaire and Mark SherwoodKrista SpadaCory and Erin WajdaJackie Weaver and Craig McMillanNatalie Winne

GranTGeneral William Mayer Foundation

5k raCe sPOnsOrsCardish Machine WorksButtercup CookiesHonest Weight Food CoopBethlehem Land Surveying, PLLCDr. FoytChatham BrewingOld Chatham Sheepherding Company

This report recognizes contributions made between July 1, 2012, and June 30, 2013. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this list. If we have made an error or omission, please accept our apologies and contact Jes Marcy at 518-286-3449 or jmarcy@parkerschool.org to submit a correction.

Lead with Purpose & Passion Parker Fund dOnOrs2012–2013

77-Acre ClassroomThe dirt on Parker’s

We did it!

Coming soon to the Parker woods: a science pond!Ponds provide essential resources and habitats for both terrestrial and aquatic life. restoring the old farm pond is giving Parker a wonderful resource for study. students are observing and recording the transformation from wetlands to science pond.

Middle school students dig for 19th century artifacts in the old kitchen midden, examining what trash tells us about culture.

Collecting data to analyze the human and weather impact on water sparks scientific inquiry.

To the delight of the K–1’s, frogs begin leaping into the stream during a Muddy Boots Club leaf collecting expedition.

in Muddy Boots Club, or social studies class, the ability to inspire curiosity and passion outdoors is as close as our own backyard.

Matching challenge met – and exceeded

kate and Bill Mclaughlin

One day this summer, a small gang of Parker teachers raced into my office to show off robots they had built and programmed – behaving just like the proud students from our LEGO Robotics Club!

With infectious enthusiasm, they were adding to a repertory of hands-on lessons in tinkering and exploring. And in the process, the teachers got to experience the mental gymnastics their students use when trying something new. Like the kids, they reveled in the joy of working hard together to solve problems.

Parker students love to solve problems by building things – from marshmallow towers to solar ovens. It lets them think divergently and fosters skills in STEM and other subjects, often igniting lifelong interests.

In their book, Making to Learn: Making, Tinkering and Engineering in the Classroom, Gary Stager and Sylvia Libow Martinez write:

The excitement about the “maker” approach re-animates the best traditions of progressive education in classrooms, of learning by doing, of working on meaningful projects, of developing agency and becoming lost in the flow of something you care about.

Children’s natural curiosity leads them to learn by doing. When constructing wind socks to explore air currents or measuring the relationship of a ramp’s height to the speed and distance of a rolling soup can, they construct knowledge. And gain other skills, too – perseverance while programing a robotic dog’s tail to wag, or ingenuity while designing a contraption to demonstrate forces of motion. They practice cooperation and artistry when writing a book as a class or building a shelter in the woods.

Each instance of “making” creates opportunities for learning that are both specific and expandable across many disciplines. The end result of a hands-on, maker approach for children: inquisitiveness, motivation and understanding. That’s lifelong learning in the making!

Meg Taylor, Head

A n n u A l G i v i n G R e p o R t RobeRt c. pARkeR school

2012–2013

pARkeR RevolutionhonoRARy chAiRs

Christine and Jake CunninghamCathey Kennedy

Meg and Dick TaylorMargery and Michael Whiteman

patronsBeth and Gilles Chapados

Barbey and Ned DoughertyJane Carol Glendinning

Bill and Kate McLaughlinPeg Parker

supportersJohn and Tamara Arnason

Kurt and Dawn ArnoldPeter F. Baily

Cynthia M. BenfieldJohn and Nancy DeAngelis

Kim DenneyMargie and Erik Eddy

Jay Martin and Jeri EisenbergBeth and Peter Elitzer

Jennifer and Bill HallockHonorable Kathleen M. Jimino

Kristin KoehlerLaura Mandelson and Bob Katz

Jessica and Carter MarcyTad and Betsy Mayer

Assemblyman John McDonaldCaroline Melkonian

Thomas and Suellen NewmanDennis and Deborah O’Brien

Carol and Uriel OkoMarlisa Parker

Seth and Susie PowellBeth and Paul Schroeder

Lindsay ScottRobert and Judy Warsh

Nancy and Bob WolfDana Wright

contributorsBirgit Asbornsen and Luis Leon

Liliana DeGeorgioDavid and Linda Kahn

Jackie Weaver and Craig McMillanJohn and Sharon Santacroce

Sara SchumanPadma Sripada

Peter StixNatalie Winne

Gifts for Financial Aid in honor of cathey kennedy and Meg taylor

JoAnn and James BennettThe Bert Johnson Charitable Foundation

Edith DenneyPriscilla Fairbank and Owen Goldfarb

Aaron and Denise GagnonFrancine and Robert Godgart

Mason and John HoellerJoan and Brian Lawson

Carol and Uriel OkoSara Schuman

Lynne and Paul ShatsoffAlan Silvia and Learay Rayburn-Silvia

Gifts for the libraryJoAnn and James BennettJamie and Russell Crouse

James and Christine CunninghamSean and Andrea Fagan

Roberta FoxCarter and Jessica Marcy

Peg ParkerKate and Justin Perry

underwriters Digital X-Press

Fleurtacious DesignsHudson Valley Organic Pest Control

Mike’s Pest ServiceRoute Four Pizzeria and Delicatessen

Word Communications

Generous Turnout for Parker RevolutionGenerous donors at the parker Revolution benefit enjoyed dancing and dining while raising over $35,638 to support innovative school

programming and financial aid. it was our best-attended fund-raising event ever! An enthusiastic “Fund-a-need” live auction brought in

$5,060 for library refurbishment.

parker practices a “maker” approach

in its project-based education program. this year the school received

a connect a Million Minds grant to

spread robotics to k–8 math classes.

sixth and seventh graders built a

bridge over one of our creeks during

steM week, collaborating with engi-

neers, mastering Google sketch-up

and producing videos documenting

the experience. Giant Rube Goldberg

contraptions, solar ovens, museum

dioramas, 3D printing, survival shel-

ters and many other projects gave

our students free reign to innovate,

iterate and create.

shira love and Alex Grinshpun (Maya ’22, vera ’23)

erik and Margie eddy (Jackson ’14) and Dick taylor (center)

Innovations Build Fluency, Interest in

• Spanish teacher Erin Wallace speaks solely in Spanish during her visits to preschool classrooms. Children mimic her words, songs and stories, and some even try to teach her English! She also accompanies them on Muddy Boots Club hikes and identifies woodsy things in Spanish.

• Increased number of weekly Spanish classes for grades 4 and 5.

• Spanish-speaking lunches with guests from the community.

• Motivational activities include creating Spanish cooking videos, writing and

acting out fair y tales in Spanish,

corresponding with Spanish pen pals

through letters and Skype, Assembly

presentations in Spanish.

• A cultural exchange trip is planned

for the February break. Nine middle

school students and two teachers will

travel to St. Peter’s School in Barcelona,

Spain. Parker hosted students from

St. Peter’s last year, and the Spanish

families are excited about reciprocat-

ing with Catalonian hospitality. The

trip will cultivate international friend-

ships and empathy.

trustee Rachel leibson ’00 and husband phil chow.

Honored at the Parker Revolutionbenefit were Meg taylor, head, and cathey kennedy, alumni parent and supporter. Meg’s 10 years as school head and cathey’s commitment to faculty development and innovative teaching methods have brought parker to the forefront of education through its experiential, project-based learning program.

Meg Taylor, Head

Laura Mandelson, Director of Admission

Beth Chapados, Business Manager

Carol Oko, Associate Director

Susie Merrett, Associate Director

Jamie Crouse, Planet Parker Coordinator

Jes Marcy, Development Coordinator

Robert C. Parker School does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, religion, color, national origin,

gender, disability, sexual orientation, or age in the administration of its educational policies,

admission policies, financial aid programs, and athletic or other related school programs.

Spanish

special thanks to the “transforming” support of the Mayer family, gathered at the benefit to honor cathey kennedy and as representatives

of the General William Mayer Foundation. the foundation generously provides grants for creative projects at parker including the

discovery playground, low ropes course and greenhouse.

trustee Jennifer Wenacur and husband Russ (Garrett ’14, Julian ’19)

left to right: board president christine cunningham (kiki ’10, lara ’13, coleman ’16)

event chairs Jes Marcy (Anastazia ’21, stella ’23) and susie powell (Annabel ’21,

Finn ’23) enjoy the silent auction.

students and teachers from st. peter’s school in barcelona, spain, visited parker on

a cultural exchange week in March. their visit inspired parker students to improve

their spanish skills. the best part? Making new friends!

Innovations in Parker’s Spanish program are boosting students’ confidence, fluency and desire to make cultural discoveries…

Our MissionRobert C. Parker School engages each student in a thoughtful

and challenging learning process that inspires curiosity and a passion to achieve, nurtures confidence and community, and cultivates purposeful action.

Core ValuesEmotional Security. Intellectual Vibrancy. Ethical Awareness. Social Responsibility.

MottoIn caring for our world, our community and ourselves, we reach out

to others with kindness, speak and act with respect, strive for understanding of differences, and share our time, our talents and our energy.

ROBERT C. PARKER SCHOOL Preschool through grade 8 • Coeducational

4254 NY Route 43, North Greenbush, NY 12198 (518) 286-3449 • www.parkerschool.org

President: Christine Cunningham

Vice President: Kristin Koehler

Secretary: Joan Lawson

Treasurer: Veronica Mangione

John Arnason, Kurt Arnold, Martin Burke,

Jamie Crouse, Barbey Nyce Dougherty,

Joan Evans Giddings, Sarah Goff, Jane Carol

Glendinning, Agi Laufer, Rachel Leibson ’00,

Max Levine, Morgan Lindsay ’00,

Bill McLaughlin, Janice Medina, Susan

Merrett, Maria Schmitz, Krista Spada,

Meg Taylor, Jennifer Wenacur, Nancy Wolf

2013–14 boARD oF tRustees

RobeRt c. pARkeR school

“ Making” Makes learningMore Meaningful