Home Away From Home

Just over two weeks ago, you helped your children pack their belongings and make their way to Rome, Ga.  For some of you, this exercise has become an annual August tradition; for others, this was the first time you put your trust in us.  Either way, WE, as a community, are extremely grateful to have the opportunity to work with your sons and daughters. 

Hopefully you have had the opportunity to view the photo galleries that your child’s Head of House has published on our website.  If so, you have seen firsthand the smiles, ceremonies and excitement that have taken place during the opening weeks throughout our community.  When you view your sons and daughters’ personal webpage, you can see their academic courses, assignments, assessments, and stay on top of their progress in all of their classes.  Our website is an invaluable tool that you, as parents, can use to stay up to date on all of the happenings in your child’s day-to-day life at their home away from home. 

However, what you cannot see on our website are the emotions that your children are going through as they navigate this school year.  Right now your children, our students, are experiencing a full range of feelings.  For new students, they may be nervous as they learn how to live on their own for the first time.  They are still learning how to manage all of their commitments, do their laundry, make their bed, eat in a dining hall and make new friends.  They may call you at night and express feelings of homesickness, disappointment and fear.  These feelings are typical for every student who is away from home for the first time.  Returning students may also have similar feelings as they get use to a new roommate or Head of House, or as they begin the college search process.  The phone conversations they have with you may not be on par with the confidence you heard in their voices last spring.  The range of emotions your children are going through now will change with time. 

As our students become comfortable with their surroundings and adjust to the newness of this school year, I am certain that they will become confident young men and women.  As a school, we are here to help make this transition from nervousness to confidence as smooth as possible.  The members of our faculty are dedicated to helping our students learn with passion, act with integrity and serve with respect.  

As parents, you are encouraged to partner with us as we act as a catalyst to push your child ever forward to an extraordinary life.  Whether you live across the state or across an ocean, you can help us by communicating with your child’s Head of House and academic advisor and keeping us informed of the emotions that your children are expressing to you.

It is important that you encourage them to get involved with extracurricular activities after school and on the weekends and advise them to seek out new opportunities.  Our school offers a wide range of programs and possibilities for our students to get involved.  When they tell you that they miss their friends from “back home,” remind them that our residence halls are filled with incredible students from around the world.  Encourage them to get to know each and every member of our global village.  When they tell you that their courses are too difficult or that they do not understand their teacher, encourage them to go to Coach Class, use their academic prefects or find a peer tutor.  But most importantly, remind your children that the Darlington Community is full of incredible people who are ready to help them succeed at their home away from home.