Wellness

Last year Div 2 students and staff spent several days at the Alpine Tower run by the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School.  Though costly, this priceless experience was fully funded by the Parker Essential Fund.  The Alpine Tower is a 60’ structure where partners work together to climb up and rappel down. The experience was full of excitement and limit testing.   Students and staff alike were able to choose different roles to support a safe and fun filled day.  The Parker Essential Fund paid for not just the students but the teachers as well.  It was an unforgettable experience and we are extremely grateful there is funds at Parker to help make these kinds of adventures happen.

"The Tower provides an intense partnering experience which dramatically highlights objectives of teamwork, cooperation, trust, communication, adventure, and probably most important of all - compassion."    Alpine Towers International

Since the Parker was founded, students have gone on rock climbing trips to Crow Hill in Leominster State Forest.  For quite a few students, this interest grew over the years and sparked the idea building a Climbing Wall in the Parker Gym.  The climbing wall, funded by a PEF grant, is used in Wellness classes as a way of building strength, trust, cooperation and confidence. 

         In addition, the PEF funded for the four basketball backboards and hoops located behind Parker came from a PEF grant. These hoops have created hours of fun and exercise for students in Wellness classes, advisory and during lunch.

         Since this is New England, the wellness team saw a need for winter sports equipment so the PEF funded cross-country skis, boots and poles that have been used by Wellness classes and choice blocks alike. Having this equipment has helped to create a more alternative curriculum for Wellness and has created another healthy interest for many students at Parker.

Deborah Chamberlain and Alan Lauberstein, Parker Wellness Teachers  

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