LS Announcements & Photos

There is no other day in the school year like the First Day of School. Both parents and students are excited for what is to come. For me it has that same feeling that I experience when I prepare for a special trip or open a new journal with lots of clean white pages. It is exciting and there is so much potential!

Students of all ages are probably a little nervous the night before the First Day of School as they anticipate what the next day will be like. I imagine that, last night, book bags were lined up by the door, snacks neatly prepared and packed, uniforms carefully laid out, and alarm clocks set to ring at an unfamiliar time. Most children probably lay in bed thinking about meeting new teachers, seeing old friends, or making new acquaintances. The anticipation can feel overwhelming. But morning comes, the students arrive at school, enter their classrooms, form a circle for morning meeting and -- breathe a big sigh of release. Laughter and smiles fill the room. Worries disappear. All is well.

And where are the parents and guardians in all of this? From my experience, I would venture to say that we also reflect a range of emotions in anticipation of our little ones going off. Whatever you are feeling -- relieved that school has started, sad, nervous, or excited, it is all good (and natural). In the end, the children have a great day in the hands of very capable and caring adults. They leave their teachers, friends and classrooms excited to return. In my daughter’s words, “School is awesome, Mom. I love my teacher. I love fourth grade.”

With all the careful preparation of the teachers and your loving support, the first day of school was absolutely a success. The children had fun getting to know each other and doing what they love -- learning with others. Tomorrow is going to be another great day!

At Shorecrest we have families from Florida, throughout United States and from out of the country. Our families have a range of backgrounds and passions, and bring an array of distinct interests, experiences, and viewpoints. They come in a variety of sizes and configurations. The diversity and commonalities of our community, as well as all of our hopes and dreams that we collectively share and hold for our children, are embraced and celebrated. We are a community that embraces acceptance and celebrates difference. My hope is that throughout the year you will be involved in the life of the school and classroom, and develop friendships with many people in our school community. I look forward to getting to know all of you throughout the year. 

In an effort to help you keep track of all the events going on each month and learn a little bit about the teaching and learning happening in the Lower School, each Monday I will email a letter to Lower School families. Teachers will also publish a weekly letter in PowerSchool Learning on Mondays so you are able to stay current with what is happening in the classroom. Both are required reading.

There are two upcoming events that provide opportunities for all of us to come together for a common purpose: 

• Next week is the Lower School’s Back to School Night on Thursday, August 24 at 7:00pm in the Janet Root Theatre. 
• We also have the Lower School Parent Social on Thursday, October 19 at 6pm at Red Mesa Cantina in Downtown St. Petersburg. 

Both events are adults only. Please mark the dates on your calendar. Your attendance is definitely appreciated.

Our patrols did a great job keeping our youngest students safe on the first day of school! If families of patrols have questions about the Safety Patrol Rules, need a reminder of your child’s assignment, or want to have their fourth grade child apply to be a patrol, please email Mrs. Dominique Craft at [email protected].

 

I hope you enjoyed meeting your child’s teacher and sharing your hopes and dreams for them this school year. There are so many wonderful learning experiences that the children are going to have throughout the year. You will witness tremendous growth, and with that growth you will see your children developing their potential and passions.