Dear Lower School Families,

Morning Drop Off

To help our students have a calm and settled start to their morning, we encourage everyone to aim for an arrival closer to 7:50am. While the final bell rings at 8am, the first ten minutes of the carline are often the quietest, allowing for a much quicker drop-off. Arriving a few minutes early ensures your student is safely inside and ready to learn before our teachers head to their classrooms to begin the day.

Be the Change

Next week is our wonderful third grade show “Be the Change.” It will be performed for the ES and LS on Thursday, February 5, and for third grade parents and guardians on Friday, February 6. Doors to the theater will open at 8:10am. It is open seating in the JRT; however, we do reserve the center front row for teachers. Please no food or drinks in the theater. You are welcome to hang out at Charger Commons or in the theater lobby to talk and drink your coffee before the show. To celebrate our students there will be a reception with coffee/tea and muffins following the show. Please wait for the students to exit the theater before exiting. The show will start at 8:30am.

Fourth Grade Campout

Next week is our highly anticipated Fourth Grade Campout at Dayspring! We are all so excited for this adventure. 

On Thursday, February 5, please ensure your student arrives at school early (7:30 - 7:45am), as we will begin loading the buses immediately following the carline. We plan to return on Friday, February 6 around 1pm for lunch. You have my number.

After the campout, we would love for you to join us at the Weiss Family Pavilion at 1:45pm on Friday for a short closing circle. Students will be dismissed with their parents directly afterward. If you are unable to attend the circle, your student will follow the regular dismissal process. Event parking will be available that afternoon for those joining us.

In the evening you can watch the opening ceremony to the Winter Olympics! 

International Festival

The International Festival is also next week, Thursday, February 5. This is a whole-school event for students by parents. Our kindergarten through third grade students will get to travel around the world by visiting booths representing different countries. They will have the opportunity to speak to people who are from the country and handle artifacts, photos and literature. 

There will be food at some of the tables. There will be a list of allergens next to the food. If your child has a food allergy you may want to talk to them about reading the card, asking the adult at the booth to read it, or refraining from tasting the food. I recommend sending in an extra snack for them to have while visiting the festival.

Field Day

The Lower School PE Department is excited to host this year’s edition of Field Day on Friday, February 27. All 30 volunteer spots are full, thank you! Please reach out to Coach Woody Every if you have any questions (wevery@shorecrest.org). 

Planning Upcoming Speaker Series and Parent Presentations

I am curious to know what topics about education/parenting you would like to explore with others and if there are specific authors you would be interested in hearing from in person. In addition, we are also exploring the possibility of forming parent-led book groups and would love to know if that is a community experience you would enjoy. Please share your thoughts with us by completing this very short survey. 

Fifth Grade Orientation Recording

On January 22 fifth grade families were invited to learn more about Middle School at the rising fifth grade parent orientation. The transition to middle school marks a special chapter in a child’s educational journey, serving as a bridge between their foundational years and the new horizons ahead. If you missed the presentation a recording is available here.