Community and Culture
Source/Author: Mike Murphy, Headmaster
February 23, 2018
What kind of community and culture do you imagine for your children and your family?
Shorecrest has a culture that is guided by our college preparatory mission, our vision that focuses on developing inclusive, innovative, and transformational education experiences and our five Core Values: Responsibility, Respect, Integrity, Knowledge, and Compassion. Our culture encourages high levels of involvement and participation in all aspects of school life.
The Administrative Team has many important responsibilities related to the education and support for our students, teachers, families, and community. Yet, we believe that further enhancement of the community and culture at Shorecrest will result in the strengthening of all our other areas of responsibility.
Dennis Leary, Board Chair-Elect, has shared with the Board and families that Student Success and Well-Being is the central focus of our Strategic Imperatives. I agree. I also agree with the administration that one of the most important ways to meet that imperative for our students is to enhance our sense of community and culture.
Imagine what it will be like to be a Shorecrest student when older students are matched up with younger students in a mentor/friendship program. Imagine what might happen to our culture if, from time to time, our older students had lunch with their younger friends. What if homerooms, advisories, and teams all adopted a team, a troupe, or an organization, and committed to attending one or more of their events as a group. We may think we are a close community today but imagine how much closer we might be if systems were put in place to encourage greater interaction among the grade levels. Our new dining halls are going to open up some natural opportunities for mixing.
I am incredibly appreciative of the teachers, parents, family members, and students who lead and serve on activities that support community building. The SCA volunteers who just led the used uniform sale provided an incredible community building experience. The teachers who recently served to provide the STEAMfest provided a fun and educational day to over 1,000 people. Our theatre troupes and athletic teams have provided spirited and interesting events for all of us to enjoy. School spirit is enhanced when large numbers of students, families, faculty, staff, and alumni gather to enjoy school events.
Programs that increase interaction and mentorship of younger students by older students, eating together as a community in our new dining areas, focused efforts to enhance school spirit, and increased recognition of the achievements and efforts of our athletes, artists, and students’ academic experiences will continue to enhance an already strong and spirited community and culture at Shorecrest.
Cheers!
Mike
