Year in Review

The Parents Council of Washington (PCW) is an established network of approximately 50 independent schools throughout the Washington DC Metro area. The Parents Council’s purpose is to foster communications and share resources among parents, administrators, and students of our member schools. To this end, PCW hosts a variety of events throughout the school year and offers a website which provides information on member schools including dates for open houses and other events of interest to the larger school community.

During the school year 2009-2010 PCW hosted these eleven events:

• The PCW started the 2009-2010 school year with an Orientation and Kickoff Speaker at the Holton-Arms School. Noted child development expert Michelle Kriebel provided the group with helpful strategies to consider as she discussed “But Everyone Else Is….
• Georgetown Visitation hosted the PA Presidents Kickoff Coffee, giving PA presidents with an opportunity to network with one another as they shared practical advice about the upcoming year.
• Robin Sawyer, the Fall Speaker, addressed a standing-room-only-crowd at the National Cathedral School. His presentation, “Beyond the Birds and the Bees,” equipped parents with suggestions for discussing sexuality with their children.
• The Fall Rep Roundtable, held at the Langley School, brought the PCW Reps together to discuss PA-sponsored multicultural programs and strategies for getting more parents involved, among other subjects. 
• “Parent Networking” was the topic at the Best Practices event held at Stone Ridge. Parent leaders covered various ways to bring parents together--from structured parent peer groups to informal events.
• PCW was very proud to again host the Student Leader Breakfast for high school students. This annual event, held at Georgetown Preparatory School, brings together two high school student leaders from member schools to wrestle with challenges common among them. 
• An exciting new program launched this past year for younger students. The Middle School Student Leader Forum, hosted by the Potomac School, brought together 7th grade students to share their views. Simultaneously, middle school administrative leaders met to talk about pertinent topics.
• The National Presbyterian School was the location of the Spring Rep Roundtable which featured a lively discussion of the issues raised at the Student Leader Breakfast and the Middle School Student Leader Forum. 
• PCW provided two opportunities for high school deans to network. The Deans Roundtable was held at the Bullis School and the Deans Lunch was hosted by the Landon School.
• The final program of the year, hosted by the National Cathedral School, brought together current and incoming Parent Association Presidents for the PA/PTO Presidents’ Networking and Transition Coffee.

The PCW website provides links to member schools as well as listings of program events and admission open houses at PCW schools. New this year, parents will have access to a series of webinars through the PCW website that will feature speakers on important issues that impact many families. For more information see Get Involved.