Creating Joyful Community Experiences
Source/Author: Nancy L. Spencer, Head of School
April 21, 2023
This week Shorecrest hosted two annual events which brightened the lives of children and transported them to all parts of the globe. The Book Fair and International Festival were both huge successes! The joy of books and the enthusiasm for global citizenship were evident throughout the Raymund Center and on the Gaffney Green. Special thanks to the many volunteers who devoted countless hours to provide these amazing experiences for Shorecrest students.
Every day this past week all I had to do was step outside my office door and into a transformed Raymund Center to see the excitement of students and parents experiencing the Book Fair. From the “preview days” when teachers had an early glimpse of the inventory they had selected, to the Lower Schoolers who walked through with clipboards writing down their choices, the opportunity to be enveloped by books was astonishing.
Strolling through the Book Fair there were children, parents and teachers everywhere! Little Chargers looked through books as they huddled around the paper flames of a campfire or snuggled in a canvas tent with lanterns and stuffed animals. The Wooded Wonderland included a wetlands area with a bridge over an alligator and snake, along with leaves, clouds, butterflies, a rainforest and plants which set the tone for the space. Many decorations were made by students and families using recycled materials. In addition to the staff from Tombolo Books, local vendors participated in the event, providing an enticing array of custom items such as bookmarks, crayons, chalk and other locally produced items.
As I have mentioned before, what is special and unique about our Book Fair is that Shorecrest teachers created wish lists for their own classrooms, in addition to helping curate a fully customized book fair inventory. Their book choices are inspired by their annual lesson plans and curriculum, as well as student interests and passions. As an independent school, we value the autonomy of our teachers and administrators to create their own curriculum and choose their own books. The Book Fair is an excellent example of our mission in action.
The International Festival that took place this past Wednesday exemplifies Shorecrest’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. It reinforces that we are a place where differences are celebrated, where unique qualities are affirmed, and where each member of our community feels valued and respected. Hosted by the International Connection group which represents our international families, the festival brings together a large group of parent and grandparent volunteers to host this event each spring for the entire Shorecrest student body. The International Festival brings our diverse community together to have fun and experience food, music, dance and more from each other's cultures.
This year, the festival had booths representing 39 different countries. Shorecrest students traveled around the world by visiting the booths, which were hosted by our international Shorecrest families. Students had the chance to speak to a person or people who are from a given country, handle artifacts, look at photos and read literature. And the food! Everywhere you looked, there were delicacies and treats, savory and sweet, representing different nationalities and traditions. It was delicious and amazing.
Adding to the festive atmosphere, there was entertainment throughout the day. The Weiss Family Pavilion served as the backdrop for multiple performances, with singing, dancing and live music interspersed with a DJ who played music from various cultures. The 813 Project, composed of Puerto Rican musicians and dancers, entertained the students and encouraged the crowd to join them in the fun. Bollywood dancers in their colorful attire taught Indian dance steps to the Experiential School students. Other students learned the Israeli folk dance “Mayim Mayim.” We enjoyed listening to Vietnamese folk songs and had the pleasure of watching our own Lower School teacher Mr. Roberto Burón play the guitar and perform Spanish songs.
This was a week of coming together and the Shorecrest community delivered unsurpassed experiences for our students. The Book Fair and International Festival are sure to be favorite childhood memories for our Chargers.
All the best,
