NewsUpper SchoolStudent LifePre-K to 8Service
Rome Parents Program
Aug 1, 1999 8:00 AM
By Stefan Eady - Faculty
The Darlington Parents Association’s Rome Parent Program, open to Lower, Middle, and Upper School families and friends of Darlington, was created as a way for local families to serve as away-from-home parents for resident students.
“The Rome Parents Program is one of the things that gives Darlington distinction from other boarding schools,” said Parents Association volunteer Becky Beacham, who is responsible for pairing students and host families. “It is such an enriching experience for both the student and the host family.
“Our dorm students and their friends have become a real part of our family. We have come to know the students, and even their parents, siblings, and grandparents. It has been a real pleasure for us,” Beacham said.
The program has been recognized as one of the most outstanding boarding parents programs among independent schools. Although the majority of families involved have students in the Upper School, the Parents Association encourages all families to participate as fully as time and distance permit.
“I didn’t realize anyone could host a dorm student,” said Kandi Riddle, a pre-kindergarten aide and Lower School parent, who will be a Rome Parent this year. “We’ve wanted to do this for a long time because it will be great for my children as well as for the older students. Everyone will reap some benefits.”
Denise Evans, student life office secretary, sees results from the Rome Parent Program on a daily basis and says it does not demand a tremendous amount of effort.
“I’ve noticed that the program seems to be ideal when a dorm student is paired with the family of a day student friend, or when parents host two dorm students who are friends,” Evans said. “This situation is perfect for Lower and Middle School families.”
The list of Rome parents is as varied as Darlington’s student body. There are families volunteering for the first time, families with strong Darlington ties, and families simply interested in Darlington and in serving kids.
Mike Alexander and his wife, Meg, whose grandson, Jason Bloom, attends the Lower School, have opened their home to international students for many years. The Alexanders have wonderful stories to tell about forging lifelong friendships. While travelling in Europe for seven weeks this summer, they visited with six Darlington families.
“We treat the students like family, so when we visit with their families we are treated the same,” Mike Alexander said. “Many of our students didn’t know about proms so Meg took them to look for dresses or be fitted for a tux.” Alexander has even taught six Darlington students how to drive.
Each family’s reasons for volunteering are unique, yet they all have a common denominator—giving and receiving personal benefits. Bill and Beth Tharp, parents of Gabe ’97 and junior Blake, have opened their home and hearts to resident students for six years.
“We’ve made friendships that will last a lifetime,” said Beth Tharp. “Felix Christians ’97 was our student for three years. Gabe has travelled to Portugal to visit Felix’s parents and his parents come to Rome to visit with us when they are in the U.S.
“The program also gives everyone involved a broader perspective,” she added. “Shaz Miekel ’99, who lives in New York, was one of our students for three years. We talked about our different backgrounds. It broadened our kids’ perspectives.”
According to Beacham, resident students are content with simple things. “The things the kids seem to enjoy the most are casual meals at home with the family, or just getting out of the dorm to a real house to relax, watch television, or do their laundry,” Beacham said. “An occasional batch of brownies doesn’t hurt either.”
Anyone interested in hosting a resident student is invited to contact Becky Beacham at 770-684-8751.
“The Rome Parents Program is one of the things that gives Darlington distinction from other boarding schools,” said Parents Association volunteer Becky Beacham, who is responsible for pairing students and host families. “It is such an enriching experience for both the student and the host family.
“Our dorm students and their friends have become a real part of our family. We have come to know the students, and even their parents, siblings, and grandparents. It has been a real pleasure for us,” Beacham said.
The program has been recognized as one of the most outstanding boarding parents programs among independent schools. Although the majority of families involved have students in the Upper School, the Parents Association encourages all families to participate as fully as time and distance permit.
“I didn’t realize anyone could host a dorm student,” said Kandi Riddle, a pre-kindergarten aide and Lower School parent, who will be a Rome Parent this year. “We’ve wanted to do this for a long time because it will be great for my children as well as for the older students. Everyone will reap some benefits.”
Denise Evans, student life office secretary, sees results from the Rome Parent Program on a daily basis and says it does not demand a tremendous amount of effort.
“I’ve noticed that the program seems to be ideal when a dorm student is paired with the family of a day student friend, or when parents host two dorm students who are friends,” Evans said. “This situation is perfect for Lower and Middle School families.”
The list of Rome parents is as varied as Darlington’s student body. There are families volunteering for the first time, families with strong Darlington ties, and families simply interested in Darlington and in serving kids.
Mike Alexander and his wife, Meg, whose grandson, Jason Bloom, attends the Lower School, have opened their home to international students for many years. The Alexanders have wonderful stories to tell about forging lifelong friendships. While travelling in Europe for seven weeks this summer, they visited with six Darlington families.
“We treat the students like family, so when we visit with their families we are treated the same,” Mike Alexander said. “Many of our students didn’t know about proms so Meg took them to look for dresses or be fitted for a tux.” Alexander has even taught six Darlington students how to drive.
Each family’s reasons for volunteering are unique, yet they all have a common denominator—giving and receiving personal benefits. Bill and Beth Tharp, parents of Gabe ’97 and junior Blake, have opened their home and hearts to resident students for six years.
“We’ve made friendships that will last a lifetime,” said Beth Tharp. “Felix Christians ’97 was our student for three years. Gabe has travelled to Portugal to visit Felix’s parents and his parents come to Rome to visit with us when they are in the U.S.
“The program also gives everyone involved a broader perspective,” she added. “Shaz Miekel ’99, who lives in New York, was one of our students for three years. We talked about our different backgrounds. It broadened our kids’ perspectives.”
According to Beacham, resident students are content with simple things. “The things the kids seem to enjoy the most are casual meals at home with the family, or just getting out of the dorm to a real house to relax, watch television, or do their laundry,” Beacham said. “An occasional batch of brownies doesn’t hurt either.”
Anyone interested in hosting a resident student is invited to contact Becky Beacham at 770-684-8751.
