Shore Invites Families for Open House, Reveals Expanded Bus Service
On Sunday, January 24, Shore will host its Family Open House, a fun, all-ages opportunity to tour the school, meet with teachers and administrators, and enjoy entertainment presented by Shore’s talented students.
The Open House comes just as Shore announces expanded bus routes for fall 2016, to serve families in Gloucester, Rockport, Manchester, and Nahant. An all-new route originating in Rockport/Gloucester will make stops in Magnolia, Manchester, Prides Crossing, and Beverly Farms; while the school’s existing Marblehead/Swampscott route will add a new stop in Nahant. The expansion will satisfy increased calls in those communities for more independent education options. The new choices add to Shore’s existing routes from Lynnfield, Andover, and Newburyport.
At the January 24 Open House, guests are invited to check in under the red roof of Shore’s Center for Creativity beginning at 11 a.m. Visitors will find refreshments and showcases of student work and program offerings, and admissions ambassadors will be on hand to answer questions. Of course, there will be plenty of time to explore the impressive Center itself, which houses Shore’s state-of-the-art Theatre, the Innovation Lab makerspace, art studios, and music rooms. Young visitors may find a few surprises just for them: they’ll be able to get their hands dirty with fun art and design projects in the studios and Innovation Lab, and they’ll have their pick of traditional wooden marimbas to play in the music rooms.
In the Theatre, visitors will learn about Shore from faculty members and school leaders, including renowned Head Larry Griffin. Over his 30-year tenure, Griffin has transformed not only Shore’s campus—adding new library and science facilities, a Lower School wing, and his signature Center for Creativity—but also its mission. Where once this nearly 80-year-old institution followed a rigorously traditional educational model, under Griffin’s leadership it has adopted an integrated, forward-looking approach that incorporates student-centered learning, the arts, athletics, and a culture of innovation throughout the curriculum. From an emphasis on creativity and design thinking that starts in pre-k, to student-led discussions around a Harkness table beginning in fifth grade, to life-changing camping trips and service learning opportunities in grades seven through nine—today Shore is known for its focus on 21st century learning.
Sara Knox, the new Head of the Lower School, will also speak to parents during the Open House. A Massachusetts native who returned to the North Shore last summer after spending several years as a leader at a San Diego private school, Knox says, “Like many parents, when I first visited Shore, I was stunned to discover the depth and breadth of the programming and facilities Shore offers. As a parent of two boys in pre-k and kindergarten here, I am genuinely looking forward to sharing with other parents the wonderful resources, the welcoming classrooms, and the incredible teacher dedication that make Shore such a great place for young learners.”
Guests at the Open House will also be interested to hear about the extensive programming and close-knit sense of community offered by Shore’s Parents Association.
“Parents tell me again and again, ‘I’ve never felt more welcome than at Shore,’” attests Parents Association Chair Fiona Minney. “And it’s true: we take pride in reaching out to every new family, and in being an active, involved community that has fun while doing good. I love talking with parents about the fun and fulfilling ways they can volunteer.”
Among the unique events sponsored by the Shore Parents Association are United in Service, a community-service partnership with the North Shore United Way; the Fall Rummage Sale, a beloved area tradition; Shore Safari, a family camping adventure; and the Giving Tree, a partnership with local nonprofits to provide holiday gifts for local children in need.
Among the unique events sponsored by the Shore Parents Association are United in Service, a community-service partnership with the North Shore United Way; the Fall Rummage Sale, a beloved area tradition; Shore Safari, a family camping adventure; and the Giving Tree, a partnership with local nonprofits to provide holiday gifts for local children in need.
Shore students will bring their own energy and excitement to the Open House when they present a scene from the school’s upcoming spring production of the beloved Disney musical of Mary Poppins, opening March 3, with ticket sales open to the public via the school’s website. This rare chance to see a work in progress will underscore the school’s reputation for excellence in the arts, and highlight the abundant student talent that shines in Shore’s professional-quality productions.
Open House visitors will then be invited to tour Shore’s campus at their leisure, whether with a guide or on their own. All faculty members will be available for conversations in their classrooms.
Highlights of the tour will include the warm and welcoming Lower School wing with its Native American-inspired meeting space, the “Kiva”; the well-equipped science labs for grades 5 and above; the expansive and light-filled library, where guest authors are a regular presence; the modern Dining Hall, designed around small tables to encourage mealtime conversation; the “greentop” and beautifully maintained athletic fields, where students enjoy frequent recess breaks, daily physical education, and interscholastic and intramural sports; the school’s two gymnasiums, which include a rock-climbing wall and ropes course; and the historic Winslow Building, originally the property of the prominent industrialist Sidney Winslow.
“Shore’s Family Open House is always one of the most lively and fun occasions of the year,” says Co-Director of Admissions Daphne Faldi. “I encourage all families to come visit with our teachers, come explore our campus, come meet our students, come be entertained. Whether or not you’re considering Shore this year, I’m certain you’ll discover something worth considering.”
Shore’s Family Open House is Sunday, January 24, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
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A new Gloucester bus route and added stops in Manchester and Nahant will serve new families in fall 2016.
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All Shore students spend time in the Innovation Lab; Open House visitors will want to be sure to do the same.
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Visitors young and old will have the chance to explore bright and welcoming Lower School classrooms.
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Families with Upper School age students will want to visit one of the eight classrooms equipped with Harkness discussion tables.
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Guests will love browsing the displays of student art in the two-story Kiva, at the entrance to the Center for Creativity.
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Shore Country Day School’s mission is to provide an education that inspires a love of learning and encourages children to embrace academic challenge. We seek to build character, cultivate creativity, and value diversity as we help our children become healthy, compassionate citizens of the world.
The School admits qualified students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law, and extends to them all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. The School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its admissions, scholarships, and loans, and its educational, athletic, and other programs.