Shorecrest Preparatory School Blog

Communicating with Children: Voice Lessons for Parents [Book Review]

Posted by Dominique Craft on Oct 30, 2019 12:04:00 PM

Establishing collaboration between parents and teachers can only serve to benefit our students. At Shorecrest Preparatory School in St. Petersburg, FL, Dominique Craft, the Dean of Curriculum for the Lower School engages parents in a book club. This time the discussion centered on a book by award winning author Wendy Mogel, PhD, called Voice Lessons. Mrs. Craft has written a review of this book and taken notes on this month’s conversation.

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Topics: Student/Faculty Perspectives, Community, Elementary School, Parent Involvement, Education with Values

School Resources can Enhance Learning Potential

Posted by Miriam Pardoll on Feb 13, 2019 10:00:00 AM

The phrase “it takes a village” to raise a child is one we toss around easily, and it's truth is evident in a strong parent-school partnership. The most successful children have a strong team supporting them throughout their educational career. All parents and students need support at one time or another, some for a short time, others for a longer time. It’s important to ask for help. Many schools offer resources, such as tutors, a Learning Center, or other faculty and staff dedicated to individualized student enrichment.

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Topics: Education Best Practice, Indpendent Schools, reading, Student/Faculty Perspectives, Elementary School

Developing a Mindset: Design Thinking at School

Posted by Dominique Craft on Nov 8, 2018 10:55:00 AM

“What are they teaching kids these days?” It’s a question that perennially pops-up among parents. From “new math” to iPads in the classroom, school curricula are ever changing. But, the more things change the more they stay the same. The goal at the forefront of education is still to equip students with the skills to solve the problems they will face as working adults. One of the newest approaches to problem solving integrates social and emotional learning with basic science and social studies. A process called Design Thinking is taking hold with educators across the country.

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Topics: Social-Emotional Development, Core Values, innovation in schools, design thinking, Student/Faculty Perspectives, Elementary School

Our Image of A Child

Posted by Lisa Bianco on Sep 19, 2018 8:00:00 AM

When I vacation with my daughter, Mila, I always look for a local playground. Although she is a good travel buddy, I know my child can only take so much of being a tourist. Watching her play in a group of children, I often find myself reflecting on her childhood and education. My role as Head of the Experiential and Lower Schools for Shorecrest puts me in a unique position to consider how our image of a child informs what we, as parents and faculty look for in a school.

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Topics: Arts in Schools, culture, design thinking, Student and Faculty Perspectives, Elementary School