Day School Hosts “Lunch and Learning at St. Patrick's” Program for AISGW

Representatives from area independent school advancement offices visited the Garden & Outdoor Learning Space on the Foxhall Campus recently to learn how Director of Alumni and Parent Programs Chris Bolger and Director of Environmental Sustainability Sam Mason have partnered to develop the Parent Sustainability Committee into the thriving team that it has become. Through the Association of Independent Schools of Greater Washington (AISGW), Chris and Sam hosted advancement professionals for an afternoon of conversation, sharing how they collaborated across departments to put together a robust parent program that resulted in the beautiful garden venue where the event took place.

Attendees learned how the two built relationships around sustainability, a particular passion at St. Patrick’s; engaged volunteers in meaningful work through subcommittees; and listened to parents to find a wide range of entry points into environmental work. Guests were particularly impressed by the number of volunteers who contributed to the funding and construction of the Garden & Outdoor Learning Space—and by the QR code activity stations that our students enjoy! 

Thank you to Chris and Sam for sharing their work and passion on behalf of St. Patrick’s, and thank you to the Parent Sustainability Committee, chaired by parent Laura Schifter, for their commitment to this important endeavor. 

If you are interested in joining the Parent Sustainability Committee, please contact Chris Bolger and Sam Mason and stay tuned for an article in the Spring/Summer 2022 issue of the St. Patrick’s Press for more information on how the committee was formed and their current projects.