Belonging at Parker - Francis Parker School
Source: http://www.francisparker.org/community/belonging-at-parker
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:22
Belonging at Parker - Francis Parker School
Skip To Main Content
Belonging at Parker
Parker is deeply committed to building a School where all members of our community feel valued, included, and respected. No matter their interests, Parker provides curriculum, clubs, and other resources that help every student find their place in the School.
Only once the child experiences a true sense of belonging can they reach their highest academic potential and achieve beyond expectation.
Head of School, Kevin Yaley, Ph.D.
More from the Head of School
When we celebrate different identities, backgrounds, and experiences…
When we lean into difficult conversations with courage and respect…
And when we are one community composed of many families representing a broad range of viewpoints, cultures, and backgrounds…
We all learn from each other.
Learn more about DEIB at parker
Clubs & Teams
We nurture and encourage each student’s interests, and student clubs and teams hold space for Parker students to
strengthen their passions
in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Explore Student Organizations
Parents Association (PA)
Grandparents Council (GPC)
All parents/guardians of enrolled students become automatic members of the PA. The PA facilitates communication between families and the School; hosts student, parent, and family activities; and provides parent education opportunities.
Learn More About The Parents Association
All Francis Parker School grandparents are welcomed into our special grandparent community.
Whether you live in or out of state, the GPC welcomes interested grandparents and surrogate grandparents to get involved, have fun, and participate. Our biggest event of the year is Grandparents and Special Friends Day which invites everyone to campus to experience a day in the life of your student.
Learn More About The GrandParents Council
FIRST Robotics Competition Hosted at Parker
Francis Parker School had the opportunity to host the FIRST Robotics San Diego District Event, presented by Qualcomm. It was an honor to welcome the competition to campus, and many mentors and members of the Parker community came together to make it a success.
The Upper School Robotics team, 2485 Overclocked, delivered an impressive performance. They earned the Engineering Inspiration Award, which recognizes outstanding efforts to promote STEM awareness and opportunities within the community. The team also competed as part of Alliance 3, finishing third in the playoff matches. They will advance to the District Championships in Anaheim from April 9–12.
Robotics students reflected on their experience at the FIRST Robotics Competition:
Jai Abraham, Class of 2028
To be able to host a FIRST event on campus was definitely a really cool experience. It felt really good to be able to give back to the FIRST community. I thought it was super cool how we were able to use the shop and help other teams on site. It felt really good to be able to help teams like that. I think extending our team’s values of helping other teams and doing everything not only for us, but for others, was [shown] by this event being held on campus, and I thought that was super cool.
Vivian Crumpacker, Class of 2027
Being able to host this event on our campus was such a great experience because we got to represent our Parker community in the Robotics community as a team and school that's committed to furthering STEM opportunities. Parents and mentors volunteered and helped run the event, and we got so many positive comments about how smoothly it went!
Daniel Eremin, Class of 2027
My favorite part about hosting the San Diego District event at Parker is that I got to do my passion at the school I have gone to for many years, and I just got to experience helping people get around when I know all the directions. It was just incredible to see how we can represent the school in such a way that I could pursue my passion.
Darius Luna, Class of 2029
The San Diego District for 2026 was a really fun event because it happened at our school. It was interesting to get to use the shop to help others make pieces for other robots, and I was personally able to help another team with their bumpers when they were having trouble. It was just really interesting to see more robotics happening on our campus, beyond just in the shop.
Greg Ngantung, Class of 2026
It was just an amazing opportunity to host a FIRST event at our school. I was just so excited when I got the news that we were gonna host it. Just being able to use our campus as a way to give back to the FIRST community was such a privilege, and it got me really excited when we were able to win an award at our first event.
Anna Sanders, Class of 2027
It was super fun to run the event! Being able to see an FRC robotics event on the Parker campus was surreal. And after the event, I loved hearing other teams' good experiences.
From hosting teams across the region to celebrating the achievements of 2485 Overclocked, the weekend was a historic success for Parker. 2485 Overclocked is looking forward to the District Championships and is eager for what’s next.
View more images from the event
here
.
read
about FIRST Robotics Competition Hosted at Parker
Donor Impact: Securing the Future of Parker Robotics
“These kids blow me away each and every day. They actually give me hope for the future,” said Tom Wetherald about his volunteer work with the Parker Robotics program. A former Parker parent, Tom has been a Robotics mentor for an impressive 17 years.
“I thought it was completely insane,” he said about his first impression of Robotics, back when his son Ian ’11 joined the program. “Then I went to the competition…and I was just completely blown away.” Seeing what actually went on during Robotics—the skill, hard work, and ingenuity required—made him realize that there was a lot “more going on than a bunch of 17-year-olds with screwdrivers.”
Parker Robotics past parent and current mentor Tom Wetherald regularly donates time and talent to the program. Pictured above, he regularly works in the lab on the Linda Vista Campus and helps students to get ready to compete.
From there, Tom asked program manager and beloved Parker faculty member Ryan Griggs if he wanted help, and he’s been heavily involved ever since. “In his junior and senior years, my son was the co-captain of the team. And then he graduated, and I failed to do so,” he recalled with a laugh.
“He was the first adult to offer me a hand in developing our Robotics program…which has been a true blessing for our program,” said Ryan. “He routinely demonstrates to us all what the program is all about and is always willing to offer support, guidance, mentorship, and encouragement.”
Now, Tom spends most afternoons and evenings helping run the Robotics programs at Parker—guiding students from Lower School through Upper School in everything from using computer numerical controlled mills to honing leadership skills to staying safe in the lab. “I think he’s one of, if not the best, examples of what a mentor should be like,” expressed one Robotics student.
“It’s been really cool to watch so many students mature,” Tom explained about working with the same kids year after year. In line with Parker’s mission, Tom’s ultimate goal is to “inspire one or more of these kids to become one of those true outside-the-box thinkers,” in the hopes that it’ll help them make a meaningful difference in the world one day.
After many years of volunteering with Parker Robotics, Tom and his wife, Sydney, chose to include the program in their estate planning, setting up a fund to support students now and in the future. “As far as I’m concerned, Robotics is the most important thing going on at the Middle School and Upper School level in science and technology instruction,” he emphasized, adding that including Parker Robotics in their estate planning is about “giving back and contributing to a program I really believe in.”
As Tom starts his 18th year as a team mentor, he’s excited to continue executing the five-year plan created by the mentorship team in conjunction with the students. With his dedication in the classroom and his family’s generosity for the future, Tom is ensuring that the next generation of innovators will always have the tools—and the inspiration—they need
to succeed.
read
about Donor Impact: Securing the Future of Parker Robotics
Strengthening Connections and Community with Wellness
Between classes and long study sessions across Parker’s campuses, students might notice bubbles drifting through the air, a therapy dog wagging its tail, or classmates gathered around a table with Play-Doh. It may look like just play, but behind it is a thoughtful effort to benefit student well-being.
“Wellness Wednesdays” is an initiative designed by the Student Health and Wellness team to strengthen relationships between students and the counseling team while also breaking down the stigma that can come with asking for support. At its core is a simple idea–students are more likely to reach out when they recognize the people who are there to help.
“The wellness team is for everybody,” said Head of Student Support and Wellness Dr. Megan Storey Hallam.
Throughout April and into Mental Health Awareness Month, the program will introduce activities and resources that build practical skills and encourage balance. From study sprints that emphasize the importance of intentional breaks to collaborations with the tech and education teams that highlight accessible wellness tools.
These Wellness Wednesdays are also a reminder that wellness doesn’t have to be serious all the time. Sometimes, it starts with something as simple as taking a breath or playing with friends.
Upcoming 2025-2026 Upper School Wellness Wednesday events:
April 15, 2026 – Spring is in the Air:
April is a reminder that growth is a process. Some days feel bright and steady. Others feel cloudy and heavy. Both are part of becoming who you are.
We will focus on the importance of self-care by encouraging students to think about how they can be kind to themselves during the busy school year and with their various commitments. We will ask them to write down their ideas for self-care, and in return, they will receive a self-care item of their choice (which will be fun giveaways!).
May 6, 2026 – Reset and Refocus:
Use Play-Doh to decompress, refocus, and reshape your stress into something more manageable. Small moments of pause can make a big difference.
We will provide Play-Doh to help alleviate stress during AP exams this year.
June 3, 2026 – Cool Down for Summer:
Cool off with a refreshing popsicle at our Wellness Wednesday table! It’s a great way to take a breather, enjoy the moment, and celebrate the upcoming summer.
We will give out popsicles to encourage taking breaks, enjoying the moment, cherishing time with friends, and preparing for summer. We will ask students to share how they plan to restore their energy over the summer.
Upcoming 2025-2026 Middle School Wellness Wednesday events:
At the Middle School level, Wellness Wednesdays are already making a meaningful impact through student-led efforts. As part of the Francis Barkers Therapy Dog Club, students work alongside their advisor to plan and facilitate monthly Wellness Wednesday activities, often joined by Miso Soup, the Middle School’s therapy dog.
April 15, 2026 – Bubbles & Breathing:
The Barkers will educate students about mindful breathing and will hand out bubbles for students to practice deep exhales.
May 13, 2026 – Celebrating Teachers:
We will celebrate teachers by having students write a message of appreciation on a card that the Barker students will wrap and deliver to teachers.
June 3, 2026 – Rainbow Club:
The Barkers will partner with the Rainbow Club to celebrate Pride Month. Miso will be a "pride puppy," and we're coloring his fur in rainbow colors to celebrate the event.
2025-2026 Lower School Wellness Wednesday events:
At Lower School, students participated in a Wellness Wednesday before Winter Break, where they made snowflakes to hang around campus. This exercise highlighted the uniqueness of each snowflake, just as we, as individuals, each have special things about us to celebrate: a favorite hobby or skill, our heritage, the languages we speak, or things that matter to us. Once the students cut out their snowflakes, they wrote or drew something on them that made them unique.
In addition to Wellness Wednesday, the Lower School community garden acts as both a service project for the Parker community and a hands-on haven for wellness and social-emotional learning. Supported by the student-led Green Team, every grade level participates in planting and composting. Daily garden care routines—including watering, tending, and carefully looping pea tendrils through the trellis—teach students responsibility and self-management. At the same time, collaborative planting builds essential teamwork and a shared sense of purpose.
Wellness Wednesdays and other student wellness activities reinforce that well-being is not something separate from the school day, but an essential part of it. We appreciate our Student Health and Wellness team taking the time to plan these events across Divisions, along with the other critical services they offer students daily.
read
about Strengthening Connections and Community with Wellness
you belong Here.
Curious if Parker is the community for you? We offer a variety of
on-campus events
,
information sessions
,
campus tours
, and more. Or you can
ask our admissions team
any questions you might have.
Take The FIrst Step
inquire to see upcoming events, book a tour, and more
Skip To Main Content
Belonging at Parker
Parker is deeply committed to building a School where all members of our community feel valued, included, and respected. No matter their interests, Parker provides curriculum, clubs, and other resources that help every student find their place in the School.
Only once the child experiences a true sense of belonging can they reach their highest academic potential and achieve beyond expectation.
Head of School, Kevin Yaley, Ph.D.
More from the Head of School
When we celebrate different identities, backgrounds, and experiences…
When we lean into difficult conversations with courage and respect…
And when we are one community composed of many families representing a broad range of viewpoints, cultures, and backgrounds…
We all learn from each other.
Learn more about DEIB at parker
Clubs & Teams
We nurture and encourage each student’s interests, and student clubs and teams hold space for Parker students to
strengthen their passions
in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Explore Student Organizations
Parents Association (PA)
Grandparents Council (GPC)
All parents/guardians of enrolled students become automatic members of the PA. The PA facilitates communication between families and the School; hosts student, parent, and family activities; and provides parent education opportunities.
Learn More About The Parents Association
All Francis Parker School grandparents are welcomed into our special grandparent community.
Whether you live in or out of state, the GPC welcomes interested grandparents and surrogate grandparents to get involved, have fun, and participate. Our biggest event of the year is Grandparents and Special Friends Day which invites everyone to campus to experience a day in the life of your student.
Learn More About The GrandParents Council
FIRST Robotics Competition Hosted at Parker
Francis Parker School had the opportunity to host the FIRST Robotics San Diego District Event, presented by Qualcomm. It was an honor to welcome the competition to campus, and many mentors and members of the Parker community came together to make it a success.
The Upper School Robotics team, 2485 Overclocked, delivered an impressive performance. They earned the Engineering Inspiration Award, which recognizes outstanding efforts to promote STEM awareness and opportunities within the community. The team also competed as part of Alliance 3, finishing third in the playoff matches. They will advance to the District Championships in Anaheim from April 9–12.
Robotics students reflected on their experience at the FIRST Robotics Competition:
Jai Abraham, Class of 2028
To be able to host a FIRST event on campus was definitely a really cool experience. It felt really good to be able to give back to the FIRST community. I thought it was super cool how we were able to use the shop and help other teams on site. It felt really good to be able to help teams like that. I think extending our team’s values of helping other teams and doing everything not only for us, but for others, was [shown] by this event being held on campus, and I thought that was super cool.
Vivian Crumpacker, Class of 2027
Being able to host this event on our campus was such a great experience because we got to represent our Parker community in the Robotics community as a team and school that's committed to furthering STEM opportunities. Parents and mentors volunteered and helped run the event, and we got so many positive comments about how smoothly it went!
Daniel Eremin, Class of 2027
My favorite part about hosting the San Diego District event at Parker is that I got to do my passion at the school I have gone to for many years, and I just got to experience helping people get around when I know all the directions. It was just incredible to see how we can represent the school in such a way that I could pursue my passion.
Darius Luna, Class of 2029
The San Diego District for 2026 was a really fun event because it happened at our school. It was interesting to get to use the shop to help others make pieces for other robots, and I was personally able to help another team with their bumpers when they were having trouble. It was just really interesting to see more robotics happening on our campus, beyond just in the shop.
Greg Ngantung, Class of 2026
It was just an amazing opportunity to host a FIRST event at our school. I was just so excited when I got the news that we were gonna host it. Just being able to use our campus as a way to give back to the FIRST community was such a privilege, and it got me really excited when we were able to win an award at our first event.
Anna Sanders, Class of 2027
It was super fun to run the event! Being able to see an FRC robotics event on the Parker campus was surreal. And after the event, I loved hearing other teams' good experiences.
From hosting teams across the region to celebrating the achievements of 2485 Overclocked, the weekend was a historic success for Parker. 2485 Overclocked is looking forward to the District Championships and is eager for what’s next.
View more images from the event
here
.
read
about FIRST Robotics Competition Hosted at Parker
Donor Impact: Securing the Future of Parker Robotics
“These kids blow me away each and every day. They actually give me hope for the future,” said Tom Wetherald about his volunteer work with the Parker Robotics program. A former Parker parent, Tom has been a Robotics mentor for an impressive 17 years.
“I thought it was completely insane,” he said about his first impression of Robotics, back when his son Ian ’11 joined the program. “Then I went to the competition…and I was just completely blown away.” Seeing what actually went on during Robotics—the skill, hard work, and ingenuity required—made him realize that there was a lot “more going on than a bunch of 17-year-olds with screwdrivers.”
Parker Robotics past parent and current mentor Tom Wetherald regularly donates time and talent to the program. Pictured above, he regularly works in the lab on the Linda Vista Campus and helps students to get ready to compete.
From there, Tom asked program manager and beloved Parker faculty member Ryan Griggs if he wanted help, and he’s been heavily involved ever since. “In his junior and senior years, my son was the co-captain of the team. And then he graduated, and I failed to do so,” he recalled with a laugh.
“He was the first adult to offer me a hand in developing our Robotics program…which has been a true blessing for our program,” said Ryan. “He routinely demonstrates to us all what the program is all about and is always willing to offer support, guidance, mentorship, and encouragement.”
Now, Tom spends most afternoons and evenings helping run the Robotics programs at Parker—guiding students from Lower School through Upper School in everything from using computer numerical controlled mills to honing leadership skills to staying safe in the lab. “I think he’s one of, if not the best, examples of what a mentor should be like,” expressed one Robotics student.
“It’s been really cool to watch so many students mature,” Tom explained about working with the same kids year after year. In line with Parker’s mission, Tom’s ultimate goal is to “inspire one or more of these kids to become one of those true outside-the-box thinkers,” in the hopes that it’ll help them make a meaningful difference in the world one day.
After many years of volunteering with Parker Robotics, Tom and his wife, Sydney, chose to include the program in their estate planning, setting up a fund to support students now and in the future. “As far as I’m concerned, Robotics is the most important thing going on at the Middle School and Upper School level in science and technology instruction,” he emphasized, adding that including Parker Robotics in their estate planning is about “giving back and contributing to a program I really believe in.”
As Tom starts his 18th year as a team mentor, he’s excited to continue executing the five-year plan created by the mentorship team in conjunction with the students. With his dedication in the classroom and his family’s generosity for the future, Tom is ensuring that the next generation of innovators will always have the tools—and the inspiration—they need
to succeed.
read
about Donor Impact: Securing the Future of Parker Robotics
Strengthening Connections and Community with Wellness
Between classes and long study sessions across Parker’s campuses, students might notice bubbles drifting through the air, a therapy dog wagging its tail, or classmates gathered around a table with Play-Doh. It may look like just play, but behind it is a thoughtful effort to benefit student well-being.
“Wellness Wednesdays” is an initiative designed by the Student Health and Wellness team to strengthen relationships between students and the counseling team while also breaking down the stigma that can come with asking for support. At its core is a simple idea–students are more likely to reach out when they recognize the people who are there to help.
“The wellness team is for everybody,” said Head of Student Support and Wellness Dr. Megan Storey Hallam.
Throughout April and into Mental Health Awareness Month, the program will introduce activities and resources that build practical skills and encourage balance. From study sprints that emphasize the importance of intentional breaks to collaborations with the tech and education teams that highlight accessible wellness tools.
These Wellness Wednesdays are also a reminder that wellness doesn’t have to be serious all the time. Sometimes, it starts with something as simple as taking a breath or playing with friends.
Upcoming 2025-2026 Upper School Wellness Wednesday events:
April 15, 2026 – Spring is in the Air:
April is a reminder that growth is a process. Some days feel bright and steady. Others feel cloudy and heavy. Both are part of becoming who you are.
We will focus on the importance of self-care by encouraging students to think about how they can be kind to themselves during the busy school year and with their various commitments. We will ask them to write down their ideas for self-care, and in return, they will receive a self-care item of their choice (which will be fun giveaways!).
May 6, 2026 – Reset and Refocus:
Use Play-Doh to decompress, refocus, and reshape your stress into something more manageable. Small moments of pause can make a big difference.
We will provide Play-Doh to help alleviate stress during AP exams this year.
June 3, 2026 – Cool Down for Summer:
Cool off with a refreshing popsicle at our Wellness Wednesday table! It’s a great way to take a breather, enjoy the moment, and celebrate the upcoming summer.
We will give out popsicles to encourage taking breaks, enjoying the moment, cherishing time with friends, and preparing for summer. We will ask students to share how they plan to restore their energy over the summer.
Upcoming 2025-2026 Middle School Wellness Wednesday events:
At the Middle School level, Wellness Wednesdays are already making a meaningful impact through student-led efforts. As part of the Francis Barkers Therapy Dog Club, students work alongside their advisor to plan and facilitate monthly Wellness Wednesday activities, often joined by Miso Soup, the Middle School’s therapy dog.
April 15, 2026 – Bubbles & Breathing:
The Barkers will educate students about mindful breathing and will hand out bubbles for students to practice deep exhales.
May 13, 2026 – Celebrating Teachers:
We will celebrate teachers by having students write a message of appreciation on a card that the Barker students will wrap and deliver to teachers.
June 3, 2026 – Rainbow Club:
The Barkers will partner with the Rainbow Club to celebrate Pride Month. Miso will be a "pride puppy," and we're coloring his fur in rainbow colors to celebrate the event.
2025-2026 Lower School Wellness Wednesday events:
At Lower School, students participated in a Wellness Wednesday before Winter Break, where they made snowflakes to hang around campus. This exercise highlighted the uniqueness of each snowflake, just as we, as individuals, each have special things about us to celebrate: a favorite hobby or skill, our heritage, the languages we speak, or things that matter to us. Once the students cut out their snowflakes, they wrote or drew something on them that made them unique.
In addition to Wellness Wednesday, the Lower School community garden acts as both a service project for the Parker community and a hands-on haven for wellness and social-emotional learning. Supported by the student-led Green Team, every grade level participates in planting and composting. Daily garden care routines—including watering, tending, and carefully looping pea tendrils through the trellis—teach students responsibility and self-management. At the same time, collaborative planting builds essential teamwork and a shared sense of purpose.
Wellness Wednesdays and other student wellness activities reinforce that well-being is not something separate from the school day, but an essential part of it. We appreciate our Student Health and Wellness team taking the time to plan these events across Divisions, along with the other critical services they offer students daily.
read
about Strengthening Connections and Community with Wellness
you belong Here.
Curious if Parker is the community for you? We offer a variety of
on-campus events
,
information sessions
,
campus tours
, and more. Or you can
ask our admissions team
any questions you might have.
Take The FIrst Step
inquire to see upcoming events, book a tour, and more