Growing Together: Lower School Parent Workshops

At Shorecrest the transition from the classroom to the living room isn’t a solitary journey for students. Instead, it is a collaborative path connecting home and school. Monthly workshops led by Lower School faculty and the Center for Academic Excellence and Student Well-Being (CAE) serve as more than just informational meetings; they are the foundation for a community dedicated to raising confident, lifelong learners. 

The LS Parent/Guardian workshops offer a direct window into the Shorecrest learning experience. Whether diving into the mechanics of phonics and word study or the intricacies of ERB testing and math curricula, faculty-led sessions provide parents with a clear understanding of the philosophies driving their children’s daily learning. 

Dr. Lisa Bianco, Head of the Lower School, views these sessions as a platform for expertise to shine. By engaging with teachers outside the traditional parent-teacher conference, families build a broader network of support. “A child may never have Ms. Rebman as a teacher,” Dr. Bianco notes, “but a parent who attends her workshop can connect and feel that they know her.” This accessibility transforms the School into a community of experts where every parent has a direct line to specialized knowledge. 

One way the impact of these workshops comes to light is in the Let Grow program. By linking learnings from school to home life, students are empowered to take what they learn in the classroom- like independence and problem solving- and apply it in the real world. “Grown up” activities, such as washing a car or doing meal prep, help students feel a sense of accomplishment and pride. 

Book Groups are another way for parents and teachers to interact and explore a variety of ways to connect home and school. Parents are currently reading: “Raising Mentally Strong Kids: How to Combine the Power of Neuroscience with Love and Logic to Grow Confident, Kind, Responsible, and Resilient Children and Young Adults” by Daniel G. Amen, MD and Charles Fay, PhD. 

“I love this book because the core theme is so critical to student success and well-being at school and in life,” shared Director of the CAE, Jennifer Phelps, MS, BCBA. “One of my favorite quotes from this book is: ‘Mental Strength isn’t about shielding children from challenges, but helping them face challenges with support so their brains- and by extension their minds- get stronger.’”

Beyond the academics and the data, these monthly Lower School Workshops foster a sense of connection. Utilizing the “turn and talk” method - where parents turn to share insights with each other - parents are encouraged to be vulnerable and open. Moments like these allow families to realize they are not alone, but are part of a community. 

By bringing together different perspectives, showcasing teacher expertise, and fostering a safe space for dialogue, Shorecrest ensures that parents and teachers are coming together to build a strong community of lifelong learners.