Convent of the Sacred Heartintranet.cshgreenwich.org/pdf/partnershipWithParents20080814.pdf · Convent of the Sacred Heart Convent of the Sacred Heart ducation is a dynamic, interactive,

Convent of the Sacred Heart

building community at sacred heart

A Partnership with Parents

Parents Handbook

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ducation is a dynamic, interactive, round-the-

clock partnership between parents and educators.

At Convent of the Sacred Heart, we actively

engage your daughters every day, with the goals of guiding

them towards a life rich with faith, intellectual values,

social awareness, community, and personal growth. We’ve

developed this guide to help parents become Sacred Heart

partners by supporting our goals at home. Between us, we

can help every school day be one of learning, joy and grace.

Goals of a Sacred Heart Education

goal one

Educate to a personal and active faith in God

goal two

Educate to a deep respect for intellectual values

goal three

Educate to a social awareness which impels to action

goal four

Educate to the building of community as a Christian value

goal fiveEducate to a personal growth in an atmosphere of

wise freedom

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At Convent of the Sacred Heart, we acknowledge the vital collabo-

ration between parents and educators, and hope that all involved

will practice these fundamental principles of communication:n Approach each other with mutual respectn Recognize the importance of ongoing dialoguen Avoid harmful speechn Acknowledge the legitimacy of differing opinionsn Work towards building mutual trustn Share a commitment to working together towards solutionsn Promote the School positively to the larger community

Parent-educator covenant

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e honor our Catholic heritage and welcome all faiths at Sacred Heart. At home, you can help us teach your daughter love for her own religious faith, as well as respect for different

religions as she develops her own spirituality:

n Teach your child about your family’s faith. Pray together on a regular basis and attend

weekly worship in your own congregation. With young children, you can encourage

dialogue about faith by asking them when they see evidence of God in their lives.

Older girls may respond well to a discussion about friends and how religious beliefs

are connected to ethics and moral choices in their daily lives—and in your own.

n Support your daughter’s understanding and acceptance of other faiths around the

world by discussing other religions and introducing her to how those faiths are

practiced and celebrated.

goal one

Educate to a Personal and Active Faith in God

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acred Heart’s academic curriculum is rigorous and structured, yet flexible enough to allow for individual learning styles. Parents play a vital role in supporting our educational values:

n Continue the structure we provide at Sacred Heart. Support and guide your daughter as

she completes homework, projects, and outside reading—while remembering that this

is her work, not yours. If your daughter is unable to complete work on time, encourage

her to be straightforward with the teacher and avoid false excuses. Faculty are eager

to teach girls how to budget time and be successful.

n Organize family activities that enrich what your daughter

is learning in school, such as visiting museums or

nature centers.

n Incorporate reading, adults to children and children to

adults, as part of your daily routine. Keep books and

magazines around the house to demonstrate that you

personally value reading.

n Help your daughter become technologically savvy.

Encourage her to use the computer at home for school

projects—or just for fun. At the same time, remember

that many websites contain inappropriate material.

Monitor your daughter’s computer time at home, and

encourage her to use email and Instant Messaging in a

kind and thoughtful manner, and only when appropriate.

n Resist the urge to tutor children, unless they have a clear

need which is supported and advised by the School.

n Place college guidance in the hands of the Sacred Heart staff, and do not succumb to

negative cultural pressures to equate college placement with your daughter’s worth.

n Remember that your daughter’s teachers are trained professionals whose perspectives

may differ from yours. Hold discussions with them at times that allow for full and

confidential explorations of any concerns about your daughter’s academic performance.

Refrain from contacting faculty and administrators outside of professional time except

in emergencies.

goal two

Educate to a Deep Respect for Intellectual Values

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ocial justice issues appear frequently in our curriculum because service to others is the root of our faith. We believe that people whose lives have been blessed with comfort and abundance have a responsibility to share

their prosperity, time, and talents with those who are less fortunate. Awareness of societal problems can often inspire a person to become part of the solution.You can help promote your daughter’s social awareness and actions:

n Emphasize the value of a life lived simply and honestly,

with an emphasis on relationships and good works over

material goods.

n Take part in Sacred Heart’s community service and

outreach programs, such as supporting our sister school

in Uganda, Habitat for Humanity, Midnight Run for the

homeless, the Tuesday Headstart Program, and Sacred

Heart’s science and summer academies. By helping out

at school, you provide a working model of the rich

rewards of volunteering.

n Ask your daughter to join you and your family in volun-

teering at a local soup kitchen, shelter, literacy program

or other organization to help her see that even a single

individual’s actions can make a difference.

n Since tuition alone does not cover all of Sacred Heart’s operating costs, we have always

relied upon the loyalty and generosity of parents, past parents, grandparents, alumnae

and friends to advance the School. You have an opportunity each year to help by

donating to the Annual Fund and, from time to time, to the Capital Campaign. Do not

be surprised when a school volunteer—someone like yourself—calls to ask for your

support. And, when you decide to support Sacred Heart, share that information with

your daughter and tell her why.

n Give generously to organizations outside of Sacred Heart, too, and talk to your daughter

about why you’ve chosen particular organizations over others. Let her have the

opportunity to give as well. For instance, if she receives an allowance, ask if she would

like to keep a third for spending, save a third, and donate a third to charity.

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goal three

Educate to a Social Awareness Which Impels to Action

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n Emphasize the importance of honest, face-to-face

discussions. The policies and practices of the board,

administration and teachers at Sacred Heart have been

developed to encourage your daughters to become

positive, well-informed, thoughtful, capable women.

They have also been developed to help build community

and partnership with you. If you disagree with any of

our policies and practices, please enter into a direct

dialogue with the administration.

n Keep appropriate boundaries, and only involve children

in discussions with teachers and administrators when

necessary. Should you share your thoughts or your

daughter’s concerns with us, we promise to take those

concerns constructively, and to work hard to resolve

conflicts in the most positive ways possible.

n Join our Parents’ Association, which provides support and services outside the class-

room. Our community-building programs include the Pumpkin Party, Lower School

Games Night, Book Fair, Fashion Show, Trustee Dinner and biennial Auction.

n Teach your daughter the importance of good sportsmanship, and provide a positive

example for her on and off the athletic field. Athletic teams at Sacred Heart provide our

students with a place for spirited and fun competition. Participation in any sport is a

valuable experience, and the benefits of fair play, exercise, teamwork, and camaraderie

far outweigh any win or loss.

n Support our many Sacred Heart traditions, such as field day, Green and White team

competitions, the Mother/Daughter Liturgy, Father/Daughter Dinner Dance, athletics

and theater performances.

n Be inclusive of other Sacred Heart families outside of school hours by socializing with

other families and encouraging your daughters to make time for girls who are new to

the community or appear to be shy.

uilding community is an essential value of a Sacred Heart education; involvement in the community cultivates the kindness and respect for others in the spirit of our faith. We strive to create an environment

of inclusiveness, where students of different backgrounds and cultures interact harmoniously. At Sacred Heart, you can help us teach your daughter about the importance of people working together to achieve common goals:

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goal four

Educate to the Building of Community as a Christian Value

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ersonal growth is an important aim of what we do at Sacred Heart. We nurture students to be truthful and honest—and to value integrity. At the same time, we encourage them to discover their unique talents

and pursue their highest dreams not only in academics, but in athletics and in the arts, too. Help us promote your child’s strengths and make her even stronger—and wiser about how to put her many strengths to good use:

n Strengthen family communication by sitting down

for regular meals. Express interest in your daughter’s

activities, and share stories about your day, too—it’s

important for her to know that personal growth

continues throughout our lives.

n Emphasize the importance of balance in one’s life

between strengthening the body, building the intellect

and nurturing the spirit. Give your daughter some down

time, and create some for you and your family. Balance, leisure and free time are

essential ingredients to creativity and intellectual exploration and growth.

n Cultivate your daughter’s interest and skills in athletics and the arts through programs

at Sacred Heart or in the community.

n Resist making excuses for your daughter’s behavior if it doesn’t meet your expectations,

and model the importance of truthfulness and respect for others in every aspect of life.

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goal five

Educate to Personal Growth in an Atmosphere of Wise Freedom

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here is no one-size-fits-all parenting guide in this hectic, complex world of ours. Every girl is different, as are her parents. However, as a parent partner with the faculty and staff at Convent of the

Sacred Heart, you can help us encourage your daughter to approach her studies with curiosity and confidence. By working together, we can guide your daughter toward a life that is rich with faith, intellectual values, social awareness, community, and personal growth.

TIn Conclusion

1177 King Street

Greenwich, Connecticut 06831

t: 203.531.6500

e: [email protected]

w: www.cshgreenwich.org

1177 King Street Greenwich, Connecticut 06831

Documents

Convent of the Sacred Heartintranet.cshgreenwich.org/pdf/partnershipWithParents20080814.pdf · Convent of the Sacred Heart Convent of the Sacred Heart ducation is a dynamic, interactive,