Parent Partnerships

Viewpoint Parent Partners and the Office of Community Life hosted its annual Welcome Breakfast on September 9 at the Calabasas Country Club. Guests had the opportunity to connect with each other over a delicious breakfast while learning more about our parent/guardian community groups, educational opportunities, and fun events that will be hosted throughout the school year.

Chief Belonging and Community Officer, Patricia Jackson kicked off the program with welcoming remarks before turning it over to Parent Partners Leaders, Jaqueline Hurtado, Nicole Langston, and Angel Tanksley.

“A strong, supportive school community starts with building and strengthening connections with the adults who care for our students,” said Jackson. “Every family brings a unique and vital voice to our campus, and we want to learn more about yours.”

President and Head of School Mark McKee spoke about the importance of community and partnership in creating an exceptional experience for students and families. Additional speakers included Laurel Baker Tew, Assistant Head of School for Enrollment, and Parent and Trustee Scott Taylor, both of whom shared perspectives on the value of family engagement and the important role parents/guardians play in strengthening connections across the School.

A centerpiece of the morning was an introduction to Viewpoint’s growing network of parent/guardian community groups. These groups offer opportunities for families with shared lived experiences to connect with each other while enriching the broader Viewpoint community. Some of our many community groups include: Armenian, AAPI, Chinese, Expat, Families of African Ancestry at Viewpoint (FAAV), Hispanic Heritage, Interfaith, Jewish, LGBTQ+A, Middle Eastern, Multiracial, Neurodiverse Learners, Persian, and South Asian.

Families were encouraged to sign up - whether they are interested in joining a group, learning, or simply becoming more involved.

The Parent Partners Welcome Breakfast reflected a simple but important message: the Viewpoint experience extends beyond the classroom. When families connect with each other, engage in community life, and share their experiences and perspectives, they help create the sense of belonging and community that defines Viewpoint.

During the first week of school, Viewpoint and its parent volunteer group, the VSSA, hosted its annual Community Life Breakfast, a long-standing and beloved tradition and joyous event. In addition to welcoming new and returning families, attendees were presented with volunteer opportunities for the year all in one place.

Upon arrival at the Calabasas Country Club, attendees were able to grab coffee and breakfast while socializing with each other and making new connections. From Homecoming, Book Fair, and Annual Giving, to Parent Clubs, the Benefit, and Employee Appreciation, attendees discovered all the ways they can get involved and make a difference.

Following breakfast, everyone took their seats for a program that featured welcome remarks from VSSA Co-Presidents Erin Urbina and Teresa Hames, Parent Alysse Boomfield, President and Head of School Mark McKee, and Chief Belonging and Community Officer Patricia Jackson.

“We want VSSA to feel like your village - one that is welcoming, inclusive, accessible, friendly, and fun,” said VSSA Co-President Erin Urbina. “Whether this is your family’s first year at Viewpoint or you’ve been part of this community for decades, we want you to feel that there is a place for you here.”

VSSA Co-President Teresa Hames added: “We’re also creating new ways to bring our families together. Our Holiday Boutique is becoming a Holiday Market, which will be a festive winter community event held on a weekend so the whole family can participate. And our Book Fair will be back on campus this year, giving us another chance to gather together at school. None of these things happen without parent volunteers.”

Long-time Viewpoint Parent Alysse Bloomfield shared her thoughts about the power of volunteering: “The best thing about Viewpoint, aside from the academics, the beautiful campus, the teachers, the administration and the opportunities our children have, is the community. There isn't one right way to volunteer. You can chair a committee, help at an event, assist a teacher, welcome a new family, attend a football game, support annual giving, or simply show up. Every gesture, big or small, matters.”

President and Head of School Mark McKee spoke about this school year’s theme. “For the past five years, we have centered each school year around one of Viewpoint’s core values. And in our 65th year, perhaps no value could be more fitting, or more needed, than Love. Love has been part of Viewpoint from the beginning. Our original Latin motto, Fide et amore, means “through faith and love.” Today, Love means a love of learning - the curiosity, passion, and creativity that propel our students forward. It means belonging - creating a community where every student and every family can feel that they have a place. And it means seeing the value and promise in every individual - making sure our students know that they are seen, known, respected, and believed in.

Chief Belonging and Community Officer Patricia Jackson wrapped up the program with a word about the work coming out of her office: “The work of belonging and community is not static, but dynamic. Something dynamic adapts, responds, and evolves over time rather than staying locked in place. It’s a daily practice of listening, of thinking, and of improving. Here, at Viewpoint, we update our approaches, realizing that true inclusion is a continuous effort. You, the parents, are essential partners in this mission that is rooted in LOVE. The community that we build together at home and at school forms and nurtures a solid foundation for this growth - this continuous evolution of our young people.

We are excited to partner with our dedicated new and returning parent volunteers this school year as we continue to advance our mission of preparing students to be World Ready.

This year’s highly-anticipated VSSA Holiday Luncheon and Boutique on November 14 at Sherwood Country Club, brought together more vendors than ever before, offering our Viewpoint community a joyful chance to shop, savor, and socialize. From a robust selection of jewelry and clothing, to beauty and culinary products, plus home decor, the festive boutique was abuzz with holiday shoppers.

Guests enjoyed exciting new additions, including a live painting by portrait and sneaker artist Ava Mae, who created an original portrait of Kobe Bryant. Each year, 20% of proceeds from the boutique support VSSA’s efforts to enhance student and faculty activities.

“I’m so excited to be part of this wonderful event and to support such a meaningful cause. Giving back has always been important to me, and I’m grateful to contribute to something that benefits the community,” said Mae.

Attendees spent the afternoon enjoying the lively atmosphere, catching up with friends, and experiencing the many special touches that made this year’s holiday boutique memorable. After sitting down for lunch, guests participated in the event’s raffle before hearing remarks from VSSA Co-Presidents Mana Partow and Carin Maddox-Smith, as well as first-year parent and VSSA Holiday Luncheon and Boutique Chair Monica Elnekaveh. 

“The school was so welcoming to us. During our first week here, it felt like everyone already knew my son by name, and I remember thinking how special this community is and wanting to give back,” shared Elnekaveh. “I love putting events together because they foster connection, which is so important. That’s why I decided to chair this beautiful event.”

The program concluded with one final round of shopping, bringing a warm and joyful close to this cherished annual tradition.