Lower School Newsletter

Message from Lower School Director, Shana Lindsey

Dear Lower School Families,

It has been a wonderful stretch of the year in Lower School. Students are settling into routines, building friendships, and diving into new units across every classroom. Thank you for the partnership you bring to this community every day.

A few things on our radar:

Upcoming events and important dates
Classroom highlights from this month
Ways to get involved

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Summer Programs

Brochure and registration open February 2 — open to all students PreK through 8th Grade.

Register Now

Grandparents & Special Friends Day

You and your special friends are invited!

RSVP

Dress Down Days

Center for Academic Success and Well-Being

 Thank you for partnering with us to support the social and emotional development of our students. Together, we can help children build strong, healthy friendships that last far beyond elementary school.

Counselor Corner

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Elizabeth De La Cadena
Lower School Counselor, Licensed Mental Health Counselor
305-779-7308 Office
delacadenae@miamicountryday.org

Ask A Counselor

Have a question for our school counselor? Submit it below — questions are answered confidentially.

Submit a Question

Homework Club

Homework Club gives students a quiet, supervised space to finish assignments right after school, with a teacher on hand to help.

Monday–Thursday, 3:15–4:15pm in the Lower School Library
Drop-in or weekly sign-up — space is limited each day
$15/session or $50/week, billed through SchoolPass

Scan a code to sign up in SchoolPass, or email lsclubs@miamicountryday.org with questions.

RSVP Now for TONIGHT!

January 27, 6:30pm

GLOBE

This week, the GLOBE Department virtually attended the Pollyanna National Conference, an experience designed to bring together diverse school communities to amplify every voice and drive real change. Through intentional discussions rooted in honesty, courage, and care, the conference created space to share challenges, learn effective practices, and develop action-oriented outcomes that strengthen belonging and connection across our community. As educators, our work is not to guarantee a particular outcome, but to remove barriers to communication so students and adults can engage across lines of difference with curiosity, empathy, and respect.

A key takeaway from the conference was the importance of grounding this work in the values and competencies that define who we are at Miami Country Day. In that spirit, we want to reshare our DNA of Global Citizenship—the PK3–12 strands that highlight how students grow as global citizens over time, and the dispositions we aim to cultivate in every learner: open-mindedness, collaboration, conflict resolution, empathy, and appreciation of “the other.”

Breakthrough Miami

We extend our sincere gratitude to the Miami Country Day School students and to Carroll Kelly, Dean of Upper School Student Activities and Student Government Advisor, for facilitating MCDS student participation in Breakthrough Miami’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.

In partnership with Miami Waterkeeper, this meaningful day of service brought our communities together for a beach cleanup at Virginia Key Beach on January 19, 2026, honoring Dr. King’s legacy through action and service. The presence, leadership, and commitment of the MCDS students exemplified the spirit of giving back and environmental stewardship, reminding us all of the power of collective action in service of something greater than ourselves. We are deeply thankful for this partnership and for the continued support that helps make experiences like this possible for our community.

Lace Up, MCDS! Join the 15th Annual Family & Friends 5K

oin us at the 15th Annual Family & Friends 5K, taking place on January 31st at St.

Thomas Episcopal Parish School. We would love to see MCDS represented in a big

way this year!

Register to run or walk at: Breakthrough.miami/steps

Students that register and attend can submit 3 service hours through Mobil Serve.

Submit to bdelossantos@breakthroughmiami.org for approval.

Looking Ahead

February 11th

Pick-A-Time goes live at 8:00am via the MCD Parent Portal

February 13

Grandparents & Special Friends Day

February 13

LS Early Dismissal (NO Extended Day)

Purple Dashcards: 11:00 am (EC Dismissal)

Yellow Dashcards: 11:30 am (LS Dismissal)

Orange Dashcards: 12:00 pm (Multi-divisional dismissal for students with siblings in Middle & Upper School)

Please note: the cut-off time for early pickup is at 10:30 am.

February 16-20

Sunshine Break - No School

March 2

Pick-A-Time closes at midnight

March 4-6

Book Fair (details forthcoming)

March 5

Save the Date: Lower School Family Movie Night

March 6

LS Student-Led Conferences (students must attend the conference) - No School for LS students

March 9

Faculty Professional Day - No School for LS students

March 30-April 6

Spring Break - No School