By Madeleine Nawrocki
Parents Association President

As we begin the month of October, I am eager to share three opportunities for our community to connect and celebrate all that is Parker. 

The Parker Annual Gala
The gala, which will take place on May 9, 2020, is the Parents Association’s largest and most important event of the year, is made possible only by the hard work and generosity of our entire Parker family. The gala raises money for student financial assistance. In the 2019-2020 school year, over $5.5 million will be awarded to more than 20 percent of Parker’s student body. 

Earlier this month, Gala 2020 Chair Liz Zborowski announced this year’s gala theme, Sail Away Soiree.

Our first goal is to secure underwriting for the event. If you can help with underwriting, donate auction items, or volunteer on the gala committee, please contact [email protected] or go to the gala page at francisparker.org/gala. By working on the gala, you will make new friends across divisions and experience firsthand the vibrant Parker community.

 Homecoming 2019
Homecoming 2019, a much-loved Parker tradition, will take place on the evening of Friday, Oct. 25. Spirit Week, the week leading up to Homecoming Day, offers fun-filled events for students to celebrate Parker Pride in all three divisions. 

Be on the lookout for Homecoming Day volunteer sign-ups in the weekly divisional newsletters. With the football game, dance, concessions, bounce houses, and a dunk tank, there will be a multitude of opportunities to participate. Come out to celebrate and be very proud and very loud for our Lancers. 

 Halloween Carnival
The Lower School parents have been hard at work for weeks preparing for another spooktacular Halloween Carnival on the Mission Hills Campus on Thursday, Oct. 31. The day will be filled with games, food, and sweet treats, not to mention a spooky haunted house operated by the Grade 5 students. There will also be traditional carnival games, a cake walk, and bounce houses.

Students and parents from all divisions are encouraged to enter creative cakes in the Halloween Cake Contest. For more information about the carnival, contact Halloween Chairs at [email protected]. I hope you join in and support our ghouls and goblins.