To Learn What to Be…
Source/Author: Adrianne Finley Odell, Assistant Head of School
September 25, 2015
Last year, my daughter insisted that we go see the musical film that she had already seen and loved and wanted to share, “Into the Woods.” This movie was adapted from a Broadway musical and inspired by Grimm’s Fairy tales. The songs from this movie have now become emblazoned in my brain as my daughter and I listen and sing along to them on long car rides. One of the songs I love (but have great difficulty singing along with) is "Children Will Listen", sung by Meryl Streep in the movie. A few of the lyrics follow:
Careful the things you say
Children will listen
Careful the things you do
Children will see and learn
Children may not obey, but children will listen
Children will look to you for which way to turn
To learn what to be.
Working at a school, one becomes even more aware of how these lyrics ring true. Our children are listening and watching our every move. If we model positive communication, engagement, honesty and respect, our children are likely to follow… "to learn what to be."
A key focal point of our work at Shorecrest is the Service Learning program, which came to the forefront following a strategic planning process a number of years ago. We want our students to "develop a commitment to social responsibility" as stated in our mission statement. Last week our Upper School students learned about the opportunities that will be available to them during Service Week in March, but service is not just the focus of a single week at Shorecrest — it is embedded into our curriculum and service activities that take place throughout the year.
A key focal point of our work at Shorecrest is the Service Learning program, which came to the forefront following a strategic planning process a number of years ago. We want our students to "develop a commitment to social responsibility" as stated in our mission statement. Last week our Upper School students learned about the opportunities that will be available to them during Service Week in March, but service is not just the focus of a single week at Shorecrest — it is embedded into our curriculum and service activities that take place throughout the year.
Just as students are involved in service for others, we hope the adults in our community will also find opportunities to serve. As Gandhi once said, "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." At Shorecrest we are fortunate that the majority of our parents, and even grandparents, parents of alumni, alumni and others volunteer directly or indirectly through the school.
Recently, I attended a meeting that included the leaders of the Shorecrest Community Association (SCA) and the Booster Club and a significant topic of conversation centered on the need for more individuals to get involved and volunteer. SCA and Boosters thrive due to the volunteer support from our community. Parents and others volunteer in all kinds of ways—from manning the concession stands, to organizing the Book Fair, participating in a phone-a-thon for the Annual Fund, to facilitating the Holiday Gift Drive for the Guardian ad Litem children in foster care. When our children see their parents providing support and volunteerism, they learn that this is how a community becomes stronger—when we all get involved!
Recently, I attended a meeting that included the leaders of the Shorecrest Community Association (SCA) and the Booster Club and a significant topic of conversation centered on the need for more individuals to get involved and volunteer. SCA and Boosters thrive due to the volunteer support from our community. Parents and others volunteer in all kinds of ways—from manning the concession stands, to organizing the Book Fair, participating in a phone-a-thon for the Annual Fund, to facilitating the Holiday Gift Drive for the Guardian ad Litem children in foster care. When our children see their parents providing support and volunteerism, they learn that this is how a community becomes stronger—when we all get involved!
There are volunteer opportunities that range from an hour or two, to those that span weeks or months. Most importantly, we encourage you to get involved in an activity that you feel passionate about and if you need help finding the right activity to suit your schedule, feel free to reach out to me and I can help make that connection. Once you find the right activity, share with your children why you chose to get involved and how it makes our school stronger as they will see and learn… to learn what to be.
