Friday is FriYAY at Parker!

October 4, 2024
Students who feel connected to school are more likely to succeed. They are motivated to show up, invested in their work, and care about their final outcomes. School connectedness – when students believe that the adults and peers in their school care about their learning and about them individuals – is associated with countless positive educational outcomes. This is the fundamental reason why we focus so much attention, both in the first month and year-round, on community relationships here at Parker.

During the week, community building happens in earnest in our classrooms, during specials, at recess, and in all the small moments of connection that pass in between. Fridays at Parker are extra special, as we enjoy several dedicated traditions that bring us together as a whole school. Today, we would like to highlight two of our favorite multi-age programs: Buddies and our 8th Grade Assembly.  
A beloved tradition across all grade levels, Buddies pairs our oldest Parker students with our youngest for a joyful, weekly gathering every Friday morning. Our Buddies program begins immediately on the first full week in September with an outdoor exploration in our grade level pairings (PreK with 3rd-4th & 6th grades, Kindergarten with 7th, Debbie’s 1-2s with 8th, and Melissa’s 1-2s with 5th). During this first meeting, our teachers carefully observe student interactions and formulate pairings that will carry throughout the year, allowing both older and younger students to connect deeply and thrive in these bonded pairs (or sometimes trios).
For younger students, our Buddies program infuses an instant boost of connection and confidence into their school day. The opportunity to interact with older students in a playful way bridges the gap between worlds for them. Seeing bigger kids walking down the hall is suddenly exciting, not intimidating. Buddies also offers an opportunity for younger students to feel seen by the people they respect immensely. As one Kindergartener put it, “I love my buddy because he’s big and he wants to spend time only with me.”

Stepping into the role of mentor, we also find that our older students show remarkable growth through the Buddies experience. As one middle school student reflected, “Being a big buddy makes me feel responsible. I know my little buddy looks up to me, so I want to make sure that I’m a good role model.” Plus, spending time with little kids gives middle schoolers explicit permission to let loose and have FUN.

As an example, today our 7th grade buddies enjoyed a quintessential autumnal activity as they helped their buddies cut apples then cranked and pressed out some good old-fashioned apple cider! Some of the best teaching moments came when our older students were able to organically demonstrate safety, patience, and technique, while also allowing themselves to get caught up in the contagious enthusiasm that was pouring forth from our Kindergarteners. As one middle schooler reflected, “Little kids are so outgoing. They’re creative. They don’t really think about what they say beforehand, which makes them really fun to be around. They live in the moment, which you kind of forget how to do when you get older, and it’s nice to be reminded.”

Another unique and special attribute of our Parker School experience is our 8th grade, student-led assemblies. These assemblies are held twice monthly on Friday mornings, and our entire student body attends. We also welcome any parents, grandparents, trustees, or friends who are available and want to join us!
The power and purpose of our 8th grade assemblies is immediately tangible to anyone who attends. They are the embodiment of how our progressive programming culminates to produce students who are confident, invested, and purposeful in working collaboratively to create something meaningful for others. Leading assemblies helps our students build confidence and public speaking skills. It gives them experience in preparing and coordinating a presentation, while also learning to improvise and respond to an audience. Most importantly, assemblies provide our 8th graders with the opportunity to TEACH. They are the experts in the driver’s seat, and the younger children watching both admire and respect their authority while also anticipating the opportunities that await them as students and leaders. 

Collectively, our Buddies and Student-led Assembly programs create both a pervasive sense of belonging and a persistent and contagious joy. Parker students delight in creating warm and meaningful experiences for each other across ages and grade levels. Cultivating this impulse towards purposeful action for the betterment of others is a huge part of how we nurture our students to go forth and make a difference in the world.
School Connectedness. American Psychological Association. (2014).