Wishes of the World

December 12, 2025
This past week, Parker teachers and students spent time celebrating the immense accomplishments of the past few months of schooling by reflecting on PEACE and what it means to our community. Children arrived at school every day this week full of wonder and anticipation, wide-eyed with excitement about an entire week dedicated to PEACE. Their joyful presence magnified our gratitude for the love and trust of this community we have created together.
Here at Parker, we believe that to learn is to celebrate, and to celebrate is to learn. This is why we dedicate an entire week during this season to celebrating PEACE. In true Parker fashion, these festivities were unique for each classroom, serving the individual and age-appropriate needs of each group. Nonetheless, some powerful themes emerged that exemplify what peace means to our community here at Parker. Whether it was our Kindergarten students, who chose to welcome light and warmth into their creativity and play, or our middle schoolers, who are gearing up for their own snow friend gift exchange, peace was at the center of this week filled with intention, kindness, and joy.
Every project and celebration undertaken in the name of peace all required considerable thought, effort, and participation on behalf of our teachers and students to complete. Parker students understand that peace is not merely an enjoyment of what is calm and beautiful. Peace is a state of being worthy of celebration, specifically because it can only be achieved through active intention. Peace is a process. Peace is participatory. Peace is purposeful. There has never been a time when this type of learning is more important.
The power of community is truly at the heart of the Parker experience, and this was also fully nurtured this week, as our community had the opportunity to gather in celebration of the season. Today, we were delighted to come together for our all-school assembly in celebration of peace and share our musical interpretation of Wishes of the World by Melissa Stiveson. This global work begins with the hope of a single child, who feels a wish growing in their heart and wonders: How do you make your wishes come true? Our musical journey followed the literary one as we traveled around the world, hearing songs from Africa, South and Central America, Asia, and the United States, showing our audience that hope and wishes are universal even as we make our wishes in unique ways.
Finally, next Friday we will feel the warmth of community as we cozy up fireside for our Winter Solstice. We will serve warm cider, popcorn, and treats, enjoy a holiday craft in our pavilion, and and then walk side by side on a lantern-led hike through the Parker woods.

Today, and every day, we are so grateful for time spent together as we revel in the sense of wonder, wisdom, and hope our students bring to every endeavor here at Parker. They are the best gift we could ever receive. We are honored to be a part of creating a better and more peaceful world alongside your children. We are so grateful for this incredible community of students, teachers, and families that comes together each day with the shared vision of using our talents to do our best for the world. The best is yet to come.

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season full of light, love, and peace.