By Amy Schrei, Director of Communications and Marketing
Tower Hill’s new strategic plan makes the commitment to increase and enhance opportunities for parents to build relationships with each other and the school, centering the school as a place for parent connection, learning and peer mentorship through the journey of parenting.
The Home and School Association (HSA) has been putting this commitment into action for generations by establishing relationships, volunteering, donating and supporting families. Since April 18, 1996, Tower Hill’s HSA has had three stated purposes: to facilitate communication between its members and the administration and faculty of Tower Hill School on all matters of common interest; to encourage and coordinate member involvement in school-related activities; and, to initiate and plan special projects and events designed to enrich student life at the school.
Former HSA president Lois Miller P’18, ’22, ’25, describes her experience on the Tower Hill HSA as enriching.
“There have been so many wonderful experiences to recount. One of the unifying threads has been the palpable sense of community and the earnest commitment to student support, wellbeing and holistic growth,” recalls Miller. “I have seen the Tower Hill motto, Many Things Done Well, come to life through my children. The path that allowed them to shine in theater and musical performances, lead their athletic teams and hone their academic prowess has been punctuated with affirmation and support, even during their struggles.”
HSA relies entirely on parent volunteers. “We have an incredibly enthusiastic and energetic core of volunteers that make even some of our more mundane work fun,” describes Katharine Maroney P’23, ’24, ’27. While the school is the beneficiary of the countless hours families dedicate to Tower Hill, there are many reciprocal benefits for the volunteers themselves.
President Jen McGuire P’30 notes, “Volunteering has provided me with a sense of belonging and connection to the school. It has allowed me to interact more with the faculty and staff, which has reinforced the wonderful experience my child has had at Tower Hill.”
When asked what aspects of volunteering with HSA have been positive experiences, Julie Saunders P’23, ’23, ’24 said, “I made my best friends at Tower Hill through HSA and built all sorts of practical, interpersonal and leadership skills.”
Evelyn Brady P’17, ’24 added, “Volunteering with the HSA helps us make connections with parents from different divisions. It is so great for a Lower School parent to get to know Middle and Upper School parents, to learn from them how your children's experiences will change as they grow at Tower Hill. It is also fun for parents of older students to be reminded of the joys of Lower School.”
HSA works throughout the school year to hold events that improve inclusion, cross-divisional interaction, community and connection. From bake sales to the Book Fair, these events not only foster connections between the school and families, they raise money that goes back to the school, which in turn benefits the student experience.
“While our children are the direct recipients of a Tower Hill education, all of us can reap the rewards of the Tower Hill experience,” says Miller. “Parent engagement is a critical component to our students’ success at school. At Tower Hill, we are very fortunate to have a wide variety of high-quality, meaningful ways to be present and involved.”
In the 2023-2024 school year, HSA raised more than $60,000. Each year, the Association makes a generous donation to the Annual Fund, which supports a broad spectrum of school needs. In addition, HSA has maintained a long-standing tradition of donating funds to grant the Tower Hill wish list. The wish list is crafted by faculty to identify areas of need. In recent years, HSA has funded a broad spectrum of areas such as faculty development, guest speakers, technology, campus improvements, student camps, musical instruments, science equipment and more.
Drew Keim, Director of Upper School Bands and Music Department Chair commented, “This year, we received additional musician chairs and music stands to accommodate the growth in the music programs. In years past, we have received larger instruments, such as cellos, string basses, tubas, baritones and horns. It is imperative to provide the necessary big ticket infrastructure that may not be feasible with a yearly budget. HSA has always been staunch advocates of our programs! We could not do what we do without their generosity and support.”
Tower Hill greatly appreciates the dedication, perspective and feedback of families and the HSA. HSA leadership has regular meetings with school administrators, including the Head of School, Division Heads, the Business Office, Social Justice and Communications.
“Monthly and quarterly meetings with the administration provide an opportunity for open discussions on important matters and ways to enhance parent communication,” says Yvonne Deadwyler P’21, ’27, ’29. “Building relationships with Tower Hill staff, faculty and administrators offers a chance to increase parent involvement and engagement every year.”
Saunders adds, “Developing relationships with the school fosters a deeper understanding of school rules, plans and policies, along with the rationale behind them. It gives us a greater respect and empathy for faculty and staff while also providing the opportunity to shape rules, plans and policies by providing insight and feedback from the parent point of view.”
HSA cares deeply about welcoming new families into the community. If you are a new family, be on the lookout for communications from your grade representatives as part of the Parents Committee to join both grade-level and school-wide events.
“Get involved quickly,” urges Deadwyler. “Tower Hill wants parents to participate. This is a great opportunity to make new friends and be engaged in your children’s activities, whether in the classroom or on the athletics fields at Tower Hill.”
