State of Shorecrest Recap
Source/Author: Rachel Barrett, Director of Marketing and Communications
November 10, 2017
On November 7, 2017, the Shorecrest Board of Trustees and Administration hosted the State of Shorecrest Community Meeting to introduce and answer questions about the school's 2020 Strategic Plan. Board Chair Elizabeth Samuelson welcomed guests in the Janet Root Theatre. She began the evening by reflecting on some of the school's recent highlights and accomplishments:
- Addition of new sections in Alpha and Junior Kindergarten, and increased popularity of and demand for our Experiential School.
- Balance of preserving traditions like Poetry in the Park with introducing innovative approaches to teaching and learning in the Lower School, including mindfulness, in-depth investigations and project work, and an adapted schedule based on what's best for young children.
- Continued interdisciplinary collaboration and project work in the Middle School and the addition of signature experience like 5th grade's Drop Everything and STEAM week.
- Upper School's 5 National Merit Semifinalists and 5 Commended Scholars.
- Athletic highlights including Middle School's football winning season; Varsity Volleyball's appearance in the Regional Finals; Girls Cross Country, an individual male runner, Golf, and Swim & Dive advancing to Regionals; our individual swimmers and divers who advancing to State competition.
- Service embedded thoughtfully throughout the curriculum including the 4th and 5th grade and high school students partnering to work with the Kind Mouse food bank, and the continued success of our annual Service Week, a signature Shorecrest experience.
- Continued success in our visual and performing arts program, notably the upcoming Fall Showcase on Saturday, November 11 at 7pm.
- Growing philanthropic support from our community including a record high of 86% parent participation in the Annual Fund, and 100% participation from Trustees and Faculty and Staff.
"Even with all of those accomplishments," said Elizabeth, "it is still the mission of the board to focus on the future of the school. We continuously look for improvement, innovation, and collaboration so that our children have the best possible experience at Shorecrest and they are as prepared as possible when they leave here."
Before introducing the Strategic Plan, Elizabeth discussed the 2-year Strategic Planning process, which included surveys of all constituencies; a committee comprising representatives of all constituencies; the Strategic Planning Executive Committee, led by Trustee Charley Harris; benchmark data and trends from the National Association of Independent Schools; and guidance and support from Heads Up Educational Consulting.
The 2020 Strategic Plan includes the following five strategic priorities:
Culture and Community
Deepen for children and adults our inclusive, welcoming, and spirited school environment, anchoring it firmly in Shorecrest’s mission and core values.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Demonstrate and deepen a community-wide commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Innovation in Teaching & Learning
Build upon Shorecrest’s innovative programs and teaching methodologies to drive faculty and staff engagement and growth through professional development and leadership opportunities.
Student Success & Well-Being
Engage all students in healthy, collaborative and enriching academic, co-curricular, and community experiences that unleash their potential.
Financial Equilibrium, Affordability, and Sustainability
Expand financial resources to create a sustainable, long-term financial model.
After presenting the five initiatives and the accompanying action items, Headmaster Mike Murphy opened the floor for discussion.
The first and perhaps most frequent topic mentioned was the Transform Capital Campaign, a campaign, currently in the quiet phase, to complete the campus master plan. The Transform Campaign will fund the transformation of campus, ridding it of its oldest buildings on the west side of the campus to build a new Innovation and Community Center and Community Commons. The proposed new building will house the The Experiential School, Lower School Special Subjects, The Learning Center, a new Media, Technology and Maker Center, and an all-school Dining Hall. In addition, the Community Commons will provide space for playgrounds, outdoor classrooms and a gathering place for all members of the community.
According to Will Conroy, a Shorecrest parent, Trustee, and Member of the Transform Leadership Committee, ideally Shorecrest will begin demolition and construction in May after the school year ends, with the bulk of the work done before students return in the fall. Will noted frequently, "The number one priority is child safety." The Administration and Board are currently finalizing plans to relocate displaced classrooms and offices and will share more information with the community after the new year.
Trustee and Finance Committee Member Cory Gaffney '95 added, "When we think about building this [Master Plan] and how we're going to make it happen, clearly the Transform Campaign is the answer." To the question of timing of the construction project, Cory added, "That's a Shorecrest community decision. Shorecrest can't afford this, but the Shorecrest community can. But we have to do it by supporting the Transform Campaign... We continue to build the importance of parents investing back in the school and awareness that tuition alone, while not cheap, is not enough to support the goals of the school."
If you're interested in learning more about the upcoming Transform Campaign or future changes to campus, please contact Michael Gillis, Director of Advancement.
Aside from the more obvious benefits of improved facilities, the transformation of campus will afford more opportunities for students of various age-levels to socialize, work together, and build community. Parents of younger children expressed the desire for their Experiential and Lower School children to see Middle and Upper School students more so the older children could serve as role models and mentors. Parents of older children expressed similar wishes but for different reasons - for the young children to remind their high schoolers of the joy of childhood and play, helping to reduce student stress and anxiety.
Roderick Fludd, Director of Diversity and Inclusion, discussed his role at Shorecrest and how he is working to facilitate the Strategic Initiative around diversity. In his short tenure thus far, Roderick has created regular opportunities to engage with the administration, faculty, staff, and students at Shorecrest around issues of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, providing each group with resources, discussions, and a listening ear when unfamiliar or uncomfortable issues arise. He's currently working to add parent programming and invites interested community members to contact him.
When asked about the importance of Diversity and Inclusion at Shorecrest, Roderick says, "It always starts with our children. Our children are very fortunate to be at this school. But our students will not always be here. It is very important for our students to have the ability to interact with the diverse and rich cultures of the world, not only with the people within our community. So this idea of diversity and inclusion is not about just what people look like, but also about diversity of thought, diversity of mind, and diversity of experience. The more exposure our children have to the ideas of equity and inclusion, the better prepared global leaders they will become. The appreciation of the uniqueness of other will benefit them as they go off to college and then out into the world. As they become become the leaders of the world, they will navigate the world with a global view and defined cultural competency."
He continues, "It is always about making sure our children are prepared for the future as culturally competent citizens with an understanding of the meaning of equity."
Helen Barrott, a Trustee and Chair of the Strategic Committee on Athletics, was also a part of the panel discussion. Many parents expressed their approval and support of including Athletics in the Strategic Plan. In her welcome, Elizabeth Samuelson noted a number of recent athletic accomplishments including the State-bound Shorecrest Swim & Dive team members and Varsity Volleyball's advancement to the Regional Finals. When questioned specifically about the future of football at Shorecrest, Headmaster Mike Murphy said, "We are doing everything possible to build the football program for the sake of our student athletes and for community spirit. We acknowledge the risks and have taken every possible measure to mitigate those risks."
From the discussion of Athletics, the conversation turned to the Arts, prompting a question about the balance of Academics, Arts, and Athletics - which do we prioritize as a school? Referring to our school's mission, Mike Murphy said, "It's not either/or, it's all." While we pride ourself on being one of the best PK-12 academic institutions in the region, arts, athletics, and service are each critical to achieving our mission. Shorecrest will continue to provide opportunities for students in all areas.
Our gratitude goes to LOCALE Market for sponsoring the food for the pre-meeting reception, and to the Samuelson family for providing wine. Mention Shorecrest when making your holiday catering order at LOCALE and you will receive a free mini Balsamic and Olive oil gift bottle set. (Minimum order $40, while supplies last.)
Another State of Shorecrest meeting is scheduled on Tuesday, January 16 at 7pm in the Janet Root Theatre. At this 2018 session Trustees and Administrators will discuss the long-term financial health of the school. Please save the date.
View a video of the community forum here:
View a video of the community forum here:
