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SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL SUPPORT REMAINS A FOCUS AT LMC
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May 1, 2020ST. JOSEPH, MI: Lake Michigan Catholic students have been engaged in online learning since mid-March, but academic subjects aren’t the only lessons being delivered at a distance. LMC teachers, administrators and staff members continue fostering social, emotional and spiritual growth for students with a combination of personal outreach and group engagement.
“‘Nourishing the human spirit – mind, body and soul’ – is our mission, and that mission doesn’t change just because our buildings are closed,” says LMC Elementary School principal Larry Hoskins. “We know that in order for students to succeed, we have to continue meeting more than just their academic needs.”
LMC teachers already have close relationships with their students and families, thanks to the schools’ intimate class sizes. In addition to virtual class time, several teachers meet online with individuals or small groups of students to provide mentorship and support. They also incorporate theme days, online contests and enrichment activities to engage students in their learning, encourage social interaction and foster continued spiritual growth.
“Many of these activities are targeted for the weekend,” explains LMC Middle/High School principal James White. “They include teachers cooking with students, having book talks and exploring special interests. Our teachers are truly inspired to create and facilitate programs that promote the well-being of their students.”
School social workers at both the elementary and middle/high school maintain their essential role, reaching out to students and families with weekly emails to help parents navigate the new social and emotional challenges presented by COVID-19. Counselors regularly share good news via email so the LMC family can celebrate scholarships, college acceptances and other student accomplishments together.
Parent partnerships continue to be a key part of LMC’s approach to education. “Relying on parents as partners and as the first teachers in the home has never been so critical,” shares White. “Our teachers are in regular contact with parents via email and virtual conferencing, working together in support of our students.”
LMC Elementary is also providing a weekly online Mass geared towards children, and priests from St. Joseph Parish and Saints John and Bernard Parish will be visiting online classes to provide additional opportunities for connection. “Our priests will reinforce the concepts taught in class and reinforce the importance of faith in terms of how we deal with uncertainty and adversity,” says Hoskins.
Hoskins and White play an active role in helping their teachers and staff address the social, emotional and spiritual needs of LMC students. They meet weekly with their teams to develop and implement improvement plans, taking a collaborative approach to ensure everyone works together in support of students.
Lake Michigan Catholic is a private pre-kindergarten through 12th grade Catholic school dedicated to nourishing the human spirit – mind, body and soul – though Jesus Christ. Learn more at lmclakers.org.
