First Day of School 2019/2020

Happy First Day of School!!!

This is it, the first day of school! Whether you are on campus today dropping kids off and taking endless pictures or at home diligently diving into those grids and establishing new routines, we enthusiastically say- WELCOME BACK!!!  

If you are new to SLOCA we want to extend an extra special welcome to you. We look forward to getting to know you as we enter into the remarkable world of the Renaissance. 

Before we get to reciting Shakespearian sonnets and creating masterpieces on the ceilings, let us give you a bit of background as to the what, who, and why of Down Home.

The blog’s purpose-

“SLOCA exists to educate for life: the kind of education we provide is life-enriching, life-preparing and life-giving…” and this blog, Down Home, will focus on our home life. It is called Down Home because we know that much of the work and wonder that goes along with this kind of education lies in the home. We want you to feel supported and encouraged by what we share. Down Home’s intention is to inspire, nurture and educate us on the home-front as we cultivate and learn alongside our children. We hope to be a useful resource that will strengthen your role as an involved parent in your child’s classical education.

The blog’s aspiration-

Another purpose of Down Home is to be a forum to help build and foster relationships in our parent community. We believe that there is nothing better than face-to-face connection and conversation. However, for those of us on different tracks, who don’t get to see each other on a daily basis, this is a great opportunity for us to join together, participate by leaving comments, contribute your own exceptional ideas and suggestions, and encourage others with your experiences and photos.

A bit about me…

My name is Sharon Cumberland and this will be my family’s 5th year at SLOCA. For a more in-depth introduction to me and my family, check out Awaiting Adventure, where my predecessor Cheryl McCabe officially passed off the blog baton to me. This is indeed a new adventure for me and I am so excited for the year ahead.

How to join in-

The easiest way to keep current with the blog is to subscribe. Follow the link and enter your email in the subscribe box.  We will send a message to your inbox each time there is new content. So, please don’t be shy. Remember, we are in this together! Leave us comments, share your ideas, give us some tips on resources, send us your questions, and email us your submissions. We look forward to hearing from you! Subscribe today and be entered for a chance to win a SLOCA mug!  If you already subscribe to Down Home simply comment on this post and you will be included in the giveaway.  

What to Expect-

“Essentialism is not about how to get more things done; it’s about how to get the right things done. It doesn’t mean just doing less for the sake of less either.  It is about making the wisest possible investment of your time and energy in order to operate at our highest point of contribution by doing only what is essential.”

Greg McKeown

As Susie introduced to us at Parent Orientation Thursday night, our theme this year is Less. But Better. This theme encompasses a myriad of possibilities. For the Down Home Blog, we will implement “Less. But Better” by scaling down from five posts a week to three. New content will be posted on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays; each day we will strive to offer only what is worthwhile and essential for our SLOCA community to flourish.  

Here is what you can expect for each day:

• Mondays- Monday Mix-ins, which will typically include a series of videos, links, and resources you can use at home to enrich and expand on what we are currently studying in history and literature. NEW this year–look for an additional link for a fun video or extracurricular activity to keep our littlest Grizzlies engaged.
• Wednesdays- A Day in the Life, the Character Issue, highlights of school events, classical education and home life.  We will introduce a new series that embraces our theme of “Less. But Better” and we will need your participation. Learn more this coming Wednesday as we officially launch Worthwhile Wednesdays.  
• Fridays- Friday Faces, Fill-me-in-Fridays, What’s up Weekend and more.

Here’s to a fantastic first day of school! Don’t forget to subscribe to the blog or comment below for an opportunity to win a new SLOCA mug. See you Down Home!