Parent Engagement at Cate
Parent Engagement at Cate
At Cate, parents and guardians can choose their own adventure, partnering with faculty and staff members in the school community to ensure their child is experiencing the greatest possible growth. By engaging regularly with their child’s advisor, logging in for parent-centered Zoom meetings, or utilizing the Parent Portal, parents can find the balance of involvement that is right for them. Whether volunteering in person or from afar or striking up friendships with peers, every parent can support their child’s Cate experience. Cate families have the ability to connect in person when they visit the Mesa throughout the year. Parents can serve as ambassadors for new or prospective families. From social gatherings to intellectual discussions, and from athletic and performing arts support to translation services, Cate parents enhance the school through their unique perspective and diverse life experiences.
As Director of Parent Engagement, there is no question too small or too complex. I aim to serve as a resource and primary connector between the school and our families. I use the term “parent” loosely, meaning guardians, grandparents, step-parents, and caregivers. Please feel free to reach out to me for clarity, to provide feedback, or to learn more about how to make the most of your time in the Cate community.
Lindsay Newlove P’25,’28
lindsay_newlove@cate.org
Director of Parent Engagement
How to Get Involved
Cate Parent Organization
Cate Parent Organization
The Cate Parent Organization (CPO) allows parents, near and far, to be involved in significant ways in the lives of Cate students. All parents are automatically part of the CPO. Cate parents work with the school to plan and implement activities that enhance the quality of life at Cate for students and faculty, including Homecoming, Winter Formal, and Prom, and two faculty appreciation events each year. These benefits are made possible through annual family dues and countless parent volunteer hours. Five meetings per year are conducted on Zoom with a variety of topics presented.
Family Weekend
Family Weekend
Family Weekends take place twice a year, typically in October and April. Siblings, grandparents, and other family members are welcome in addition to parents. Family weekends are full and lively, and may include class visits, meetings with advisors, lectures, performances, athletic games and practices, social gatherings, meals, and hours of time on the Mesa. Together with regular fall, winter, and spring breaks, Family Weekends provide the opportunity for families to see their boarder approximately every six to eight weeks.
Book Clubs and Parent Forums
Book Clubs and Parent Forums
Tapping into the expertise of Cate’s outstanding faculty, the parent book club offers a chance for discussion and connection. Topics have ranged from fiction to nonfiction, podcasts to short stories, and current events to classic works. Parent Forums are led by Cate administrators to explore a topic of interest related to policy or a current issue.
Parent-to-Parent Connections
Parent-to-Parent Connections
Thanks to the CPO, WhatsApp groups are now available to all current parents as a way to connect and share information with peers. Text threads are organized by region (“Hubs”) and parents may join as many as they like. WhatsApp Hub reps aim to organize social events and offer tips to new families as they join. Questions are answered quickly, and great advice is shared. The Advancement Office hosts regional events for parents, alumni, and friends. Attending receptions is a wonderful way to meet extended members of the Cate family and stay in touch.
Translation Services
Translation Services
With students coming from around the globe and a variety of diverse backgrounds, we have found it important to offer translation services for advisor and teacher conferences, for the Health Center, and occasionally for other important conversations. Spanish, Mandarin, Korean, and Japanese are the most common languages spoken by Cate families, but others are available. Cate School partners with an online service to support Zoom meetings and phone conferences.
Special Events & Celebrations
Special Events & Celebrations
Beginning with Opening Day and ending with Commencement, Cate’s goal is to make parents and their families feel supported and celebrated from the start of their Cate journey to its conclusion. Additionally, Grandparents Day is held every other year, typically in January of years ending in odd numbers (e.g. 2027, 2029). The event is similar to a day of Family Weekend.