A Spirited Week at The Academy
by Jody Steele
The joy of being back in school has continued to build at The Academy of Ocean Reef as evidenced by the recent annual Spirit Week which was a huge success for all. Students, faculty, and returning Head of School, Jerome Murphy, celebrated with a creative dress down theme. Beginning with a Pajama Day on Monday, followed by a Rainbow Day, Dress Like Your Parent Day, a Wacky Tacky Day, and ending with a Costume Day, all students and staff had a great time coming to school dressed in unique fashion each day. Spirit Week culminated on Friday with a Halloween parade that saw over 70 children proceed in single file throughout the campus area dressed in their favorite Halloween costume. Public Safety officials were on hand to ensure everyone’s safety, and the big red fire truck was present, much to the excitement of the children!
The enrollment at The Academy has grown from past years as Ocean Reef families seek out a healthy environment, filled with social engagement and a challenging curriculum for their children’s education. As Jerome Murphy states, however, “we are being extremely mindful of the successful protocols we have implemented to ensure a SAFE and optimal learning environment, and to that end, we are maintaining limits on our student population this year.”
Welcoming returning and new families to The Academy at grade level luncheons was another recent opportunity for parents to connect with one another and the Head of School. Held outside for proper social distancing, all attendees enjoyed the opportunity to get to know one another and to familiarize themselves with life at The Academy.
Students, faculty, and parents are grateful to be part of The Academy where acquiring knowledge and developing critical thinking skills in a values based educational environment is flourishing once again.
Above: Madison and Wesley Aldridge are a part of the new Toddler Program.
They are the children of Legacy Members, Cody and Carolina Aldridge,
and grandchildren of Equity Members, William and Tere Canida.