As the new school year begins, it is important to remember that this experience is a partnership between students, parents, and St. Margaret’s School. “Just as we spend lots of time orienting students to the school, it is equally important for us to share information with parents about how create a successful partnership with us,” said Assistant Head for External Affairs, Kimberly McDowell during this year’s orientation weekend.
Here are some practical tips she shared that will help you get the most out of you experience with St. Margaret's.
Communicate with us: We can’t know what we don’t know! You know your daughter much better than we do. If there is something happening in her home life that will affect her school life, let us know about it.
Trust us: St. Margaret's faculty and staff have combined teaching experience of more than 340 years. So while boarding school may be new to you, it would be very difficult to find a situation that we have not encountered. You have entrusted us to help your daughter grow in every area of her life – academically, spiritually, physically, and socially. But growth is not easy. During these “growth opportunities,” resist the urge to rescue your daughter.
Support us: Both in words and in actions. Read the parent and student handbooks to familiarize yourself with the school’s policies. Then, stand firmly behind those policies, being supportive of the academic structure and support we have in place to help your daughter succeed. Remember that when you ask for exceptions to the rules, you are sending the subtle message to your daughter that rules don’t apply to her.
Watch your words: There are two words that should be banned from all conversation with your daughter – NOBODY and EVERYBODY. Teenagers tend to focus on the extremes, but as we all know, the truth usually lies somewhere in the middle.
Remember perspective: All situations are seen and experienced from individual perspectives – each very real and valid to those experiencing it. Acknowledge your daughter’s feelings, whatever they are, because they are real to her. Only after acknowledging them can you help her process them.
Let your daughter be happy: If this is the first time you daughter has been away from home, we understand how much you might miss her. It is important that you develop a support network with other adults, who know and understand St. Margaret’s. If you are a new parent, try to meet other parents from your same geographical area, or in your daughter’s grade. If you are a returning parent, offer to “mentor” a new family during their first year here. This community of support can help you process your feelings, while allowing your daughter to be happy at St. Margaret’s.
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