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The Cooper/Stoe Family: Extending a “sense of belonging” to the parent community.



We often talk about the deep sense of belonging our students feel, and for Natasha Cooper and Craig Stoe, parents of Sonny (3rd Grade) and Ruby (5th Grade), that feeling of inclusion has been incredibly meaningful.  “We came to this school, we fell in love with it. The sense of belonging that our kids have felt has been so meaningful. And there’s no better feeling than to send your kids off and to know that they’re in the best of hands,” says Natasha. 


Natasha feels a strong desire to extend that sense of belonging to the parent/caregiver community. She says, “It’s important for our kids to see that we have our own community surrounding them.” 


Natasha, Craig, and their children joined the school three years ago, and they have been active in the Community Association, as school ambassadors, class parents, flipping pancakes at our popular Pancake Breakfasts, and more. They've made real connections with fellow parents, and that has resulted in deeper friendships among their children. “Our kids pick up on when you’re connected to others, and that really matters to them,” says Natasha.


Natasha feels that getting new and current families together on a smaller scale will create a stronger sense of belonging when attending larger school events.


A New Community Tradition: Shabbat Potluck


To that end, she is borrowing from her Jewish culture to launch a new community tradition: a (non-religious) Shabbat potluck hosted by Marin Horizon families, open to all families across all grade levels. Natasha and Craig will host the first of these events at their home on January 10 at 4:30 p.m. “Shabbat is just a nice way for us to  open our home to  bring together community and to close the week,” says Natasha. 


If you are interested in joining a Shabbat potluck, please register here in Parent Square.

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