MacLaren welcomes grandparents and other special adults in the lives of our students to be active in our school as GrandPartners.
We honor our GrandPartners with invitations to connect with their grandchildren and our MacLaren community throughout the year, hold special events and VIP opportunities just for them, and publish the GrandPartners Gazette to keep grandparents informed. Contact Joy Oram if you have questions.
GrandPartners Gazette is a newsletter mailed directly to our GrandPartners, specially designed to share our culture and celebrations with them.
Click the header below to view the Winter 2025 GrandPartner Gazette.
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Check out our past issues!
Current Event:
Saturday Series – October 4, 8:30-10:45 a.m.
Last year, we started a Parent Saturday Series to introduce parents and guardians to elements of the MacLaren curriculum and invite them into the community of learners. This fall, we are continuing to build on the success of last year’s offerings with a continued focus on essentials of the curriculum and our approach to learning. We invite all parents and GrandPartners to join us for one of these classes exploring foundations of the MacLaren curriculum.
Intro to Graph Theory - Kathryn Maslow (Assistant Head of School and Math Curricular Lead)
In a group of 7 people, is it possible for each person to be friends with exactly 3 other people in the group? What is the least number of colors needed to fill out a particular map, so that no two adjacent regions have the same color? These and other questions are foundational in the study of Graph Theory. Graph Theory (which has nothing to do with the xy-plane) is one option students have for tenth-grade project week. It is also what the MacLaren faculty are doing for their faculty seminar this year. Ms. Maslow will lead an introductory exploration of the topic. No preparation required.
How to Read Literature from the Inside Out - Nico Alvarado (Lower School Head of School and Literature and Composition Teacher)
MacLaren students of all ages are formed to read literature deeply, thoughtfully, and directly—that is, not putting filters and lenses and theories onto a given text, but taking it on its own terms and for its own sake. In this session, we will practice what it means to read literature as it is meant to be read. Parents will be given Flannery O’Connor’s illuminating essay “The Nature and Aim of Fiction” to read beforehand.
Studio Art Foundations: The Process Doodle - Pam Burrell (Art Curricular Lead) and Mariah Ziemer (Upper School Art Teacher)
Based on the eighth-grade studio curriculum, this hands-on workshop focuses on the basics of color theory as it is applied to the colored pencil “process doodle.” This drawing incorporates several elements of art—particularly line and color—and the technical aspects of blending that create smooth transitions between colors. Both Mrs. Burrell and Ms. Ziemer will walk parents through the skills needed and then allow ample work time. No preparation required; if you have a favorite set of colored pencils, you may bring those, or we will provide you with materials.
Please
RSVP by September 29.
Prior Events:
GrandPartner Popsicle Party
GrandPartner Bingo
Volunteer Opportunities:
As a grandpartner, you can have front row seats to your grandchild’s daily school life! We welcome grandpartners to volunteer at MacLaren. Here are some opportunities:
- Help with Traffic Duty
- Offer in-class academic support
- Help run an after school club
- Monitor during lunchtime recess
- Bring in treats for faculty and staff birthdays
- Organize/help the Faculty/Staff Appreciation events
Most volunteering opportunities require a background check. Please check out our
Volunteer Information page on our website.