Friday, March 27, 2020

The Learning Center (TLC) is here to help you navigate your child's distance learning needs. We offer online resources for parents and students to assist with distance learning such as supporting your children with Executive Function Skills (organization, task initiation, planning, etc.) Please fill out this Google Survey to tell us what you are finding most challenging.

Many wonderful people give their time, energy, and effort to Shorecrest each year! If you know of someone whose contributions have been outstanding, please nominate that person for the 2020 Janet Root Volunteer of the Year Award. A form and criteria for selection may be found here.

With many families preparing meals at home and trying to keep their children engaged, SAGE is prepared to help! We’ve developed a video series with easy, delicious recipes to prepare at home (pasta Primavera with marinara sauce!), instructions for various cooking techniques, nutritional guidance, and even home food sanitation and hygiene tips.

A bright side of studying at home is spending more time with furry friends! Pets can reduce stress, while increasing motivation and learning.

In fifth grade English class, students read “A Night Divided” by Jennifer A. Nielsen, about a family who wakes up one morning separated on either side of the Berlin Wall. At the 2020 Pinellas County National History Fair, an Upper School project won 2nd Place in the documentary category with a film entitled “Colonel Gail Halvorsen: Breaking Barriers during the Berlin Airlift.” The team was lucky enough to have a phone interview with Colonel Gail Halvorsen as a first hand resource! To add to the Middle School learning and resources, Jonathan Currie '21 and Gregory Glasscock '21 presented their project to the younger Chargers.

As Chargers face new growth and learning experiences through distance learning, expressions of appreciation combined with stories of how families are meeting the challenges of social distancing and self isolation are inspiring. Read more in this week's letter from the Headmaster, and find some great distance learning moments below.

Our daily lives have changed in ways that might have been unimaginable even a week ago. We are all feeling a wide range of emotions as a result of the changes in our lives due to COVID-19: anxiety, sadness, anger, loss, loneliness, frustration, maybe even irritation. These emotions are, of course, very normal human reactions to such an extraordinary circumstance. Furthermore, we know that children can be very influenced by the emotional states of the adults who are caring for them. With that in mind, we can help both ourselves and our children by identifying ways to manage our stress and build resiliency during these trying times.