Inclusivity For All

Recently I met a past parent who shared a story that struck a chord with me. Her daughter transferred into Shorecrest in eleventh grade. The daughter was immediately included in class and school activities because of her athletic interests and skills. The new student’s father traveled and had little time to become involved much more than attend his daughter’s games. The mother, on the other hand, had plenty of time to offer, but felt isolated from the parent community. Team parent and other major school volunteer leadership positions were filled. The school did not have a Parent Ambassador program at that time, so no one was intentionally reaching out to her.

In her daughter’s two previous schools, the mother had volunteered and earned the respect of her community to become Chair of the Board of Trustees at one school and President of the Parents Council at her daughter’s previous high school. Though she was a person with leadership skills and the interest in supporting the school, she found herself unnoticed and on the sidelines because a system and culture was not in place to include her.

While some may argue that involvement is a two-way street, most community members agree that it’s essential to have systems in place to build a culture of inclusion and involvement. Schools create homerooms and advisory groups as one method to ensure students have a home base and trusted adult who will guide and look out for the well being of each and every student. Schools are not as good at creating systems for parents and guardians. Admittedly, the primary function of the school is the best interest of our students. Yet, in a perfect world of a school, community systems would be in place for all members of the community.

At Shorecrest, the Ambassador Program for new families, SCA, the Booster Club, the Alumni Association, Grade Level Representatives, new family meetings with the Headmaster and the Shorecrest Cares committee of SCA, to name a few,  provide many opportunities for the school to reach out to community members and for people to become engaged with the school and community. In recent years, some fathers have organized Dad’s Nights Out gatherings as well.

As a part of our School Improvement Plan, students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, guardians and grandparents will be encouraged to develop a comprehensive plan to ensure that all members of our community are included and can readily find appropriate ways to strengthen the community for everyone. We know we are competing with technology, packed schedules and the expanded geographical reach of our students and their families. Yet, we know that a stronger and united Shorecrest community will benefit not only our children and our immediate school community but also the greater Tampa Bay community.

We aspire to be the magnet for a diverse, collaborative community of learners. This is important work for the good of our children and all future generations of Chargers.