Weekly Update | October 24, 2025

October is Learning Differences Awareness Month

Our Third Pillar | Provide Encouragement & Support 


In an environment of mutual cooperation and respect, students begin to embrace past challenges and learn to enjoy school again.

One of the most rewarding sights I see is the transformation of our students in their first few days at Trident Academy. Nearly always, Trident Academy is not the first school a child has attended. Typically, our students have not had positive experiences in other school settings. They come to us having developed the idea that they are not bright enough or smart enough to be successful in school. They have seen their friends learn to read, write, and do math, seemingly without struggle. They may have gotten the idea that they will never be able to be successful at schoolwork.

Sometimes, after a prospective student’s first shadow day, we see this transformation, but certainly during the first week, as the student experiences the care and nurture of our teachers. What we see is visible relief, smiles, and, sometimes, active engagement in the learning environment.

How do we effect this change for them? Our teachers understand that each of their students comes with different baggage and experiences. They know that a child’s first or most recent learning environment may not have been pleasant. They connect with their students, helping them feel safe, secure, and accepted. When students relax, they are able to open their minds to new information. They are now “available to learn”.

We encourage students, support students, and celebrate students. The changes that occur in the first few days at Trident are phenomenal and continue throughout the year. Our students love school now because they feel safe, encouraged, and supported.

As you are reading this week’s news, our teachers are in Atlanta at the International Dyslexia Association Annual Conference, learning about cutting-edge research and techniques to work with our students. We are fortunate to have such a devoted group of teachers who are invested in our students. 

Enjoy another beautiful fall weekend!

Blessings,

Betsy

Each week during Dyslexia Awareness Month, we will highlight a noteworthy person who has persevered in the face of learning challenges.

Dav Pilkey, the beloved author and illustrator of the Captain Underpants and Dog Man series, has been very open about his struggles with dyslexia and ADHD throughout his life. As a child, he often felt isolated and misunderstood in school. He was frequently disciplined for his disruptive behavior and had difficulty with reading and writing. Teachers focused on his challenges, often sending him out of the classroom. It was during these moments of isolation, sitting alone in the hallway, that Pilkey began to channel his energy into drawing and creating the comic book characters that would later make him famous. His early experiences showed him that what others considered weaknesses could actually be sources of great creative strength.

Dav Pilkey's journey serves as a powerful reminder that learning differences don't limit one's potential; they simply mean that one's path to success might look different. Despite being told he couldn't read, write, or draw well, he persevered, transforming his childhood doodles into best-selling books that have inspired millions of children worldwide. By sharing his story, Dav Pilkey offers hope and encouragement to students with learning challenges, demonstrating that creativity, determination, and a good sense of humor are far more important than conventional academic success. His success proves that with the right support and self-belief, any student can achieve their dreams.

IMPORTANT DATES:

October 31: Fall Festival (see below)

November 3: Archery practice for students in fourth grade and up begins. Coach Acosta will inform parents about their child's practice days.

November 4: Election Day / Student Holiday (Trident Academy is a polling place.)

November 6: TAPA Meeting

Our tentative calendar for 2025-26

See all events on our school website calendar

SEAHAWK SCOOP:

Fall Fest is right around the corner!

Get ready for our annual Fall Fest on Halloween, October 31, at 9:45 a.m.! Students are invited to wear their costumes for a fun-filled day, and we warmly invite all parents to join us for the festivities!

Parents Day Survey

Thank you to all the parents who joined us for Parents Day—it was a huge blast! We loved having you on campus to share in the experience. As we strive to make this event even better next year, please take a moment to share your feedback via our survey >> Parents Day Survey

Upcoming Parent Education Events

As a founding member of the Association of LD Schools, Trident Academy is proud to offer our parents access to parent education events presented by other ALDS schools.


Tuesday, October 28: At 12:00 pm, The Fletcher School in Charlotte will offer a virtual lunch-and-learn event titled Parenting the ADHD Child as a Parent with ADHD. This event will focus on helping parents understand how their ADHD may impact their child and find resources to make the parenting process more manageable. The goal is to address ADHD in the child and in the parent, trigger points, and effective coping skills to support the child. More information can be found here. 

Let's Stay Healthy This Year!

As we enter the heart of cold and flu season, please remember that teamwork is needed to keep our students and staff healthy. One of the best ways to help in this effort is by keeping your children home if they are ill. Please also remember that students should be fever-free for at least 24 hours (without fever-reducing medication) before returning to school.

In addition, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends each year that all children ages 6 months and older receive their flu vaccine by Halloween (but it's never too late). The CDC indicates that the annual flu shot typically reduces the risk of flu-related hospitalizations in children by 40 to 60%.

Uniforms! 
As the weather starts to cool off in Charleston, some of our students may want to get Trident Academy sweaters and jackets to wear. To purchase Trident Academy gear, please visit our school spirit store here >> Trident Academy Gear

WHAT'S HAPPENING ON CAMPUS:

A week of creativity and comprehension! We used Sketch to Stretch after reading Oscar, and then channeled those feelings into our pumpkin creations, talking all about the emotions behind the faces.

Building up our friends! Our students are constructing a Kindness Tower, where each note card holds a kind word about a friend.

Our high schoolers dedicated their House period to campus beautification! A huge thank you to all the students for pitching in to clean, tidy, and make our campus shine. Your hard work is truly appreciated!

~Individual Needs~Academic Growth~Encouragement & Support~Foundation for Life~