A Message From the Lower School

Dear Lower School Families,

I want to express my sincere gratitude for your continued care of working closely with our teachers as we strive to do the very best for our children during this challenging time.

This coming Monday, we celebrate the life and memories of Dr. King. Please take some time to talk with your child(ren) about his life, accomplishments, and why we as a nation give a special day in his memory. As a Sacred Heart school, centered on the mission to bringing the Heart of Christ into the world, we teach our children to act with respect and kindness. Social justice issues are studied at every level as part of our curriculum, and we value the work of leaders and community members who have done or continue to do this work to inspire us all to be generous and courageous in service to others. 

Report cards will be sent home via Veracross (accessible via the Parent Portal, Inside SR) at the end of the month. Our coding system on the report cards assist you in understanding the benchmarks of our curriculum and expectations for learning. Please contact your child's teachers if you have questions or need clarification regarding the report.

As the weather permits we will continue to eat lunch outdoors and spend time outdoors for play each day. Please make sure your child has a sweatshirt to wear at school in order to stay warm while we play outdoors on Gator field or on our playground. The children are doing a great job with social distancing! We appreciate your help with a well-fitted mask and hand sanitizers. Thank you.

Stay healthy and have a great holiday weekend.

Sincerely,

Sandy Gillespie
Head of Lower School

Dear Lower School Families,

I want to express my sincere gratitude for your tremendous work together this school year. As winter is now upon us, the School will announce weather conditions and if we are having a "snow day", or a virtual "snow day" depending on the needs of our programming and the community. I explained to our children this morning that we may have some of both this year.  

We started our day with a beautiful Advent prayer service this morning and we were reminded that the joy of the season is being prepared for the coming of the Christ child and that joy is how you handle all things in life. Some things are easy and other issues are more challenging.

During this pandemic, I ask that we stay in close communication and problem solve in a new way so we can show care and community values to all our students and to each other during this time. The important life lessons come from learning and growing together. The intention of Sacred Heart education is to address the whole child. I hope you have a wonderful Season of Advent and Christmas and find joy in spending time with family and friends in a safe way.  

Warmly,
 
Sandy Gillespie
Head of Upper School

Dear Lower School Families,

I sincerely wish you a wonderful and peaceful Thanksgiving Day and holiday weekend. The holiday season gives us a chance to think about happy memories of the past year and reflect on how our relationships with family and friends have grown even more special throughout this challenging year in our country.

I am so grateful to all of our children in the Lower School, in spite of it all, who come to school and to virtual lessons with smiles on their faces for being a part of Stone Ridge. The children have been tremendous in understanding the needs of mask wearing and social distancing. The joy I find in observing all of our children playing, learning, caring, and growing has always been an essential part of my role as an educator.  

Please remember to think about questions you have for your teacher as you attend your Parent-Teacher conference this coming Monday and Tuesday.

Have a wonderful holiday, stay safe, and give all those great Gators a hug for me.

Sandy Gillespie
Head of Lower School