Head of School Letter: Festivals of Fall

Rites of passages come in big ways as well as small moments. Last week's Homecoming provided a number of experiences which were enjoyed by all members of the Shorecrest community. These traditions included attending a student Pep Rally, cheering for your grade in class competitions or seeing Sparky to give him a high-five. Going to a home football game under the lights to cheer loudly for the Chargers is a memory that will be cherished whether one is a Shorecrest alumni, parent or student. 

This week has a number of traditions specifically geared towards our younger students. The Costume Parade and Fall Festival for Experiential and Lower Schooler are eagerly anticipated (by students and by parents alike)! Children arrive at school in costumes or fall-themed play clothes. The Costume Parade is made up of children in original and impressive costumes, with parents and visitors standing along Charger Blvd and flowing through the Gaffney Green, etc. to cheer on the kids and take tons of pictures. After a snack back in the classrooms (and more pictures) Experiential and Lower School families participate in a Fall Festival full of games and activities. 

The Fall Festival is organized entirely by SCA and we appreciate the many hours of hard work devoted by parents and volunteers to bring the Fall Festival to campus. It is a wonderful community event which includes a Lower School Food Drive for our local food pantry, The Kind Mouse. This food drive is geared specifically to provide for young children who may not have access to lunch on the weekends and families impacted by food insecurity. 

For many of our youngest Chargers, the Costume Parade and Fall Festival are special times spent with their friends and family. These events provide memories which are cherished throughout years. 

For seventh & eighth graders, the upcoming new tradition of a Middle School dance has been a hot topic of discussion for many students. With organizational input and planning provided by our Middle School Student Council, the theme is "Hollywood." This dance is geared toward providing a casual group experience in a developmentally appropriate manner. With a lively DJ, fast music, a photo booth and lots of pizza, the dance will be well-chaperoned by teachers and Deans of the Middle School, Kris Grant and me during its early-evening time frame. Our hope is to provide a fun and inclusive experience for all and create an enjoyable new tradition for the Middle School.  

The Costume Parade, Fall Festival and Middle School dance are all rites of passage and special Shorecrest traditions. We hope that you and your family make happy, new memories at these events and relish the strong sense of community we are lucky to enjoy. 

All the best, 

Nancy