Summer 2014

Gearing Up for a New School Year

Welcome, parents of new and returning students! The Eckerd College Parent Council hopes you are enjoying a restful summer. Preparations are already underway for the 2014-2015 academic year!

If you are a parent of a new student, please allow us to introduce ourselves. Parent ConnECtions is your guide to what's happening at Eckerd, and we will do our best to provide you with the resources necessary to ensure your student's experience is a positive one. Be sure to check out the New Student Guide for helpful information to make your son's or daughter's transition to Eckerd a smooth one.

As you start to make plans for your trip to St. Petersburg and the beginning of your child's Eckerd experience, you may be feeling both excited and anxious. During this transitional period, please know that members of the Parent Council are available to answer your questions and ease your mind. Please contact us at parentcouncil@eckerd.edu, and we will do our best to help.

Autumn Term Check-In

Autumn Term check-in for new students will take place Friday, August 8. If you're the parent of an incoming freshman, please review the freshman arrival schedule.

Transfer students will arrive on campus Wednesday, August 27. Parents of transfer students should consult the schedule to ensure your student arrives in time for the mandatory check-in.

Freshmen at the 2013 Ceremony of Lights

Preparing for Autumn Term

Summer Reading Assignment

Each summer, incoming students are assigned a book to read. This summer's book is Sonia Nazario's Enrique's Journey: The Story of a Boy's Dangerous Odyssey to Reunite with His Mother.

Enrique's Journey is an unforgettable tale of a Honduran boy who prevails on a perilous journey to find his mother, who had left him 11 years earlier to find work in the U.S. The book opens your eyes to the human tragedies surrounding immigration, while showing the complexities of the issue.

Eckerd College is pleased to announce that both Sonia Nazario and Enrique's mother, Lourdes Flores, will speak at our campus on Thursday evening, September 11, 2014. We invite you to join us for this special event, brought to Eckerd by the Class of 1968 Distinguished Visiting Scholar Endowment.

Back-to-School Shopping

If you prefer to purchase residence supplies such as bedding, towels, toiletries and desk supplies after your arrival, there will be plenty of time to do so. Some nearby options include:

CVS/Pharmacy (.6 miles)

3501 54th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, 727-864-1546

Walmart (2.4 miles)

3501 34th Street South, St. Petersburg, 727-906-4647

Target (11.8 miles)

4450 Park Street North, St. Petersburg, 727-548-0400

Bed Bath & Beyond (8.2 miles)

Crosswind Center, 2060 66th Street North, St. Petersburg,

727-384-3131

Helpful Links for New Students

The First Semester...What Will I Need?

Frequently Asked Questions About Housing

MicroFridge Rentals

Personal Property Insurance

Linen Program (sheets, towels, blankets, etc.)

Hotel Information

Whether you're in St. Petersburg to drop your child off at Eckerd for the first time or in town just for a quick visit, you have plenty of options for local hotel accommodations. Some locations provide a discount for Eckerd visitors if you ask for the Eckerd College discount.

Winter Term 2015

On or about August 15, the Office of International Education will post online a list of 2015 Winter Term destinations along with program and scholarship applications. If your student is interested in a Winter Term learning experience, please be certain s/he has a passport that will remain valid through August 1, 2015. Program and scholarship applications will be accepted beginning September 1, 2014. If your student is extremely interested in a specific trip, we recommend s/he contact the trip's faculty leader prior to submitting his or her application.

Past Issues of Parent ConnECtions

Visit the Parent ConnECtions archive page to read past issues or invite a friend to join the mailing list. Help us grow our audience by sharing this email with friends and family. Enjoy!

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