Feb. 16, 2007

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E-Bytes Contents

Accreditation Update

Admissions: Drop-in Tours

Alphabet Adventure

Argentine Visitors

Athletic News

Athletics: Upcoming Games

Big Event

Duathlon

E-Bytes Reminders

Early Childhood

Enrollment Contracts

Human Rights and Foreign Policy

Latin Forum

Lower Division

Middle Division

Oldie Goldie Book Sale

Parenting Group

Poll: Your Autobiography

Poll Results: Presidents

Relay for Life

Shorecrest Business Partners

Shorecrest Parent Assn.

Summer Programs

Telescope, Moon, Saturn

Three Cheers

Upcoming Events

Updating E-mail Addresses

Upper Division

Videos of Shorecrest Events

Upcoming Events

Feb. 16 Friday

• Second Trimester Ends

Feb. 16-Mar 1

• Exchange students from France at Shorecrest

Feb. 19 Monday

• School Closed - Presidents' Day

Feb. 20 Tuesday

• Picture Lady/Gentleman Day for Grades K-4
  Lower Division Classrooms 2:00 p.m.

Feb. 21 Wednesday

• Oldie Goldie Book Sale Collection Begins
• Athletic Awards Night Janet Root Theatre - Soccer 7:00 p.m.

Feb. 22 Thursday

• Junior Kindergarten Pet Show Reilly Family Softball Field 8:20 a.m.

Feb. 23 Friday

• Big Event

Feb. 26 Monday

• Eighth Grade Drama Performance
  Janet Root Theatre 10:15 p.m. (for students) and 5:30 p.m. (for families)
• Athletic Awards Night
  Janet Root Theatre - Basketball Cheerleading 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 27 Tuesday

• Eighth Grade Drama Performance
  Janet Root Theatre 10:15 p.m. (for students) and 6:00 p.m. (for families)

Feb. 28 Wednesday

• Spirit Day

March 1 Thursday

• Oldie Goldie Book Sale for Fifth and Sixth Grade Students
  Sher Center Breezeway

March 1-4 Thurs-Sun

• Seventh Grade Trip to Williamsburg and Jamestown and the Eighth Grade Trip to Washington, D.C.

March 2 Friday

• Oldie Goldie Book Sale for EC-Fourth Grade Students
  LD Breezeway

March 5-9 Mon-Fri

• National Latin Exam

March 5 Monday

• Booster Club Meeting
  Student Activity Center 7:00 p.m.

March 6 Tuesday

• Lower Division Class Picture Day

March 8 Thursday

• Fourth Grade Program
  Janet Root Theatre 1:00 p.m.

March 8-20

• Shorecrest students travel to France

March 9 Friday

• Third Quarter Ends
• Junior Kindergarten Activity Day
• Field Day for Grades K-4
• Upper Division Community Service Day

March 10 Saturday

• SAT

March 12-19

• Spring Break

March 19 Monday

• School Closed - Professional Day

March 20 Tuesday

• School Resumes

March 30-31

• Relay for Life

Oldie Goldie Book Sale

Too early for spring cleaning? Nonsense! Let us help. One of Shorecrest's favorite events, Oldie Goldie, returns on March 1 and 2. Collection of used books will begin on February 21, so clear those overloaded shelves and share old favorites.

Just place books in the boxes located outside the Lower Division classroom doors or in the Sher Center Breezeway.

Shorecrest Parent Association

SPA Needs You

The Shorecrest Parent Association (SPA) is looking for a few good people.

Have loads of fun and be part of an exciting group of people who give countless hours for the love of our school and children.

There are openings for the 2007-08 year. Don't worry - we have on-the-job training!
Please contact your parent association leaders for more information:

• Gayle Horden
• Shari Fuss
• Jean Johnston
• Mary-Ellen Howells
• Marcia Johnston

"The greatest good is what we do for others."
- Mother Teresa

Telescope, Moon, Saturn

Weather permitting, come and see the eclipsed moon rise on Saturday, March 3, on Haskell Field. A telescope will be set up starting at 7:00 p.m. Both the eclipsed moon (be there early) and Saturn will be visible that night. Telescope will be open until 9:00 p.m.

Upcoming Games and Meets

Complete Schedules

Directions to Games

Feb. 16 Friday

• Varsity Softball
  at Indian Rocks Christian 4:00
  (CANCELLED)
• Varsity Baseball
  at Indian Rocks 4:00
• Middle Division Softball
  Home vs. Indian Rocks Christian 4:00
  (CANCELLED)

Feb. 17 Saturday

• JV Baseball
  at St. Pete Catholic 10:00

Feb. 19 Monday

• Varsity Baseball
  Home vs. Northside Christian 4:00

Feb. 20 Tuesday

• JV Tennis
  vs. Keswick Christian at Seminole Lakes Tennis Center 3:00
• JV Track and Field
  at Northside Christian 4:00
• MD Softball
  at Admiral Farragut 4:00
• Varsity Tennis
  vs. Keswick Christian at Seminole Lakes Tennis Center 4:00
• Varsity Softball
  Home vs. Tampa Prep 4:30 (Rescheduled Rainout)

Feb. 21 Wednesday

• Varsity Baseball
  Home vs. Admiral Farragut 4:00
• MD Baseball
  at Admiral Farragut 4:00 (CANCELLED)

Feb. 22 Thursday

• Varsity Tennis
  Home vs. Calvary Christian 3:30
• MD Softball
  vs. St. Pete Christian (GAME CANCELLED)
• Varsity Softball
  at Keswick Christian 4:00
• JV Tennis
  vs. Calvary Christian at McMullen Tennis Center on Druid 4:00

Feb. 23 Friday

• Varsity Track and Field
  Co-Ed Relay Meet at Keswick 4:00
• MD Softball
  Home vs. Bradenton Christian 4:00
• MD Baseball
  at Northside Christian 4:00
• Varsity Softball
  vs. Lakeland Christian at Westside Softball Complex 7:00

Attention:
Location Change

Spring Parenting Group

Now in Student Activity Center

Are Power Struggles with Allowances, Video Games and Homework Driving You Mad?

Join our 4-Week Pre-Teen Parent Education Class.

Be prepared to laugh at yourself while learning proven ways to deal with common pre-teen parenting problems. Barbara Rhode and Annette Reiter, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists, combine over 25 years of family therapy experience with practical insight into understanding children's behavior and how parents can positively direct them.

Still to come:

Feb. 21

• How to help children cooperate
• Discipline that makes sense

Feb. 28

• Begin the process to hand over the reins
• Prepare yourself for the letting go process

We will be meeting in the Student Activity Center Wednesdays in February from 9:00-10:00 a.m.

If you would like any further information, please contact Ashley Lippincott.

From the Admissions Office

Relay for Life

Relay Update

We have six weeks to go until Relay For Life on March 30-31, and the 34 teams signed up to date are busy with their various fundraising activities.

So far we have surpassed the $25,000 mark. The total is growing each day, and we're well on our way to meeting last year's $115,000.

All this is happening with everyone still battling the flu. There's another bug that's afflicting most of the Middle Division students - it's Relay Fever! They have raised more than half of the current total, and they're just getting started.

Amid all this excitement and activity, we found a Lower Division student who has been quietly raising a lot of money. We sent Team KFC's Cissy R. (sixth grade) and Bitty R. (eighth grade) to find out what Cai B. has been up to.

Second grader Cai B. has been doing a great job in raising money for Relay For Life. Cai joined Team Green Eyes that was started by his music teacher Ms. Valerie Díaz Leroy. His team has almost 30 people on it (students, teachers, staff, and parents from all over campus). Cai has been doing many fundraisers: holding a garage sale, running a lemonade stand, and accepting donation money instead of birthday presents. Team Green Eyes also sold candy grams for Valentines Day. He has collected $875 to date and expects to collect more. We have a team called KFC (Kids Fighting Cancer) and find Cai B. to be an inspiration to our fundraising efforts.
- Cissy and Bitty R.

Have you joined a team? What are you doing to raise money? Are you planning to come to the event, support the teams that are walking, enjoy the atmosphere and walk a lap with us? It's all for a great cause - to fund and find a cure for cancer.

We'd like to know what your team's doing to raise money for Relay For Life. Please contact Mrs. Stevens at sstevens@shorecrest.org or stop by the Middle Division office anytime. For more information about the event - form a team, join a team or donate to a team - click here.

Upcoming Meetings

• Team Captains: Wed., Feb. 28 at 7:30 a.m.
• Team Captains & Chaperones: Wed., Mar. 7 at 7:30 a.m. (MANDATORY)

Shorecrest Summer Programs 2007

Our newly expanded summer programs have something for students of all ages to enjoy, with over 60 offerings.

Many of the annual favorites such as soccer, art, digital photography and adventure camps are back, along with opportunities to travel to places like Spain and Costa Rica or experience Italy and China without leaving the Shorecrest campus. The half-credit classes and review and enrichment courses for students in grades eight and up will help you catch up, get ahead or just hang out with your favorite teachers and classmates this summer.

Click here to download a pdf version of the brochure and registration form.

If you have any questions, please contact Amber Hutton at (727) 409-1668 or summerprograms
@shorecrest.org.

• Camp and Program Descriptions
• Schedules and Other Information

Some responses to last week's poll:

What President do you think has had the most impact on the country, and why?

Absolutely, Abraham Lincoln. He preserved the Union, ended slavery, gave his life for our country, and his Gettysburg Address is one of the most profound and humbling documents in modern history.
- Parent

I think that the best president was Abraham Lincoln because he freed the slaves.
- Sixth grader

Franklin Delano Roosevelt 32nd President from 1933-1945. Twelve years 3 terms. He guided the Country through the Great Depression and WWII. He was crippled by Polio at 39 and continued his political career which spanned 35 years.The First Lady Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was a great leader in her own right. She did so much for humanity.
- Parent

George Washington, duh he started it!
- Georgy

Without George Washington there is no country... there is no president. Although the argument can be presented that there were more people involved in the making of this country, George Washington was put into one of the most difficult positions of his time. He was the head of a nation that was fighting the biggest superpower in Great Britain. Because of this he must be respected as the greatest president of all time.
- American and oh a sophmore too

President who did the most to prevent the fall of the Republic: Lincoln. Presidents who nearly accomplished the fall of the Republic: Nixon and George W. Bush. Stay tuned, though; there's still time.
- Dad

That depends on if the 'impact' implied is a positive or negative impact...GREATLY depends.
- Not a fan of W.

George W. - He's protecting our country!
- George W. Bush-ian

George W. Bush
- Hobo

George W. Bush cause we are at war now.
- Person

I think you could make the argument that George W. Bush has had the most impact by dividing and destroying our nation.
- Parent

President Andrew Shepherd, who made ready the way for President Jeb Bartlett. You can rent "The American President" and "The West Wing" at Blockbuster and pretend politics is what it could be, not the squalor it really is.
- Parent

The president of Wal-mart. He has affected the lives of everyone.

I think Taft was the best president because he made the bathtub HUGE! He created big areas around the world and inspired it to be okay to be a little on the big side.
- Georgy #2

Well, I think if Harry Potter were president, the entire would would be happier because we could all rise up against Voldemort and vanquish him! Then the world would be safe from evil, and nothing bad would ever happen in the magical world of wizards...
- Harry Potta4ev

President Whitmore (Bill Pullman) flew a jet fighter and saved earth from alien invaders in "Independence Day." That's gotta count.
- Dad

Uhh... I don't talk about politics cause I'm a fifth grader.
- Fifth grader

Well, Morgan Freeman was the President who saved the world in "Deep Impact." That enough impact for you?
- Senior

Clinton.

Bill Clinton is the best President ever!
- Human who loves Clinton

Updating E-mail

If you need to change your e-mail address or would like to add additional e-mail addresses, please send your e-mail addresses to the registrar at jroberge@shorecrest.org. Thanks!

Sign Up for E-Bytes Reminders

If you do not currently receive a weekly e-mail on Fridays notifying you that E-Bytes is updated, please send a request with your name and e-mail address to ebytes@shorecrest.org and we will be happy to add you to the list.

E-Bytes is a collaborative effort of dozens of members of the Shorecrest community.

To submit material to E-Bytes, please send it to Diana Whittle at dwhittle@shorecrest.org and remember to write "For E-Bytes" in the subject line of your message.

• Diana Whittle, Director of Marketing and Communications
• Bob Clingman, Editor

Lower Division

A Small Part of the World

The second graders amazed their families and friends with their knowledge of the seven continents and their musical talent. The stage was ablaze with props from around the world, all created by the students under the guidance of Mrs. Rowe. No wonder they received a standing ovation as they sang the finale and images of their smiling faces were flashed on the wall. Thank you, Ms. Díaz Leroy, for inspiring our children! (many more photos)

News Flash - April 19, 1775

Students in Mr. Lee's fourth grade class went back in time to document the Battle of Lexington and Concord. After completing research on the battle, students became a news team and created a news broadcast detailing the events of the battle.

From Paul Revere's ride, to the "shot heard 'round the world," students documented the events. Check out the broadcasts at this link.

Harvest Time in Kindergarten

Last November the kindergarten classes had fun planting their Peter Rabbit Vegetable Garden. They planted cabbage, lettuce, radishes, and beets. All of the vegetable seeds sprouted, but the radishes were the best!

On Monday morning, Mrs. Minke and Mr. Thompson walked down to the garden with their class to harvest some of the radishes for part of their snack. They were surprised by how big and fat the radishes were. The radishes were cut up into small pieces and served along with other vegetables. Everyone was brave and tasted the fresh radishes. Most of the children agreed that the radishes were tasty.

Soon the children will plant more vegetable seeds. Cucumbers, green beans, carrots, peppers, corn, and tomatoes are on the list. The children can't wait until spring when they can taste the vegetable feast.

Valentine's Day/Wacky Wednesday

The Lower Division campus was a sea of pink as children and teachers dressed in their wackiest outfits to benefit Relay for Life. Team Green Eyes, we could really feel the love! (more photos)

Human Rights and Foreign Policy

Eckerd College Political Science Professor William F. Felice shared his thoughts on the importance of putting human rights at the forefront of American foreign policy with the Upper Division and the eighth grade at an assembly Thursday morning, February 15.

Dr. Felice is the recipient of numerous teaching awards, including being named Florida Professor of the Year for 2006 by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. He provided an historical framework for the emergence of human rights as an approach to international relations, particularly focusing on President Franklin Delano Roosevelt during World War II, contrasting this approach with the emphasis on the sovereignty of the state model which had dominated international politics before the 20th century.

He referred to FDR's "four freedoms" - freedom of speech and expression, freedom of religion, freedom from want, and freedom from fear - "everywhere in the world" as a theme for American foreign policymakers in the 21st century.

Professor Felice noted that there continues to be a certain tension between the particularist/nationalist approach and the more universalist/internationalist approach at present. But he feels that we are stronger and safer at home when we put our values into action in our dealings with the rest of the world. He concluded his presentation by taking a number of questions from members of the audience.

Early Childhood

Parent Chat - Tues., Feb. 27

8:10 a.m. in the Alumni Conference Room in the library

Bedtime and/or morning routines, play dates, children's schedules, birthday parties, fussy eaters, spending quality time - if you would like to share ideas with other parents about these or other parenting concerns, the Early Childhood Parent Chat is the right group for you! Please join us.

Very Special Pancakes

During a recent exploring day, the children in Alpha made friendship pancakes. What is a friendship pancake? Take two children, one with a pancake made from pink batter and another with one from white batter.

Give them a heart shaped cookie cutter and show them how to cut out and then trade hearts to create two-toned pancakes in opposite colors!

What Can Exchanging Valentines Teach?

The Early Childhood children made valentines at home for their classmates in a way that promoted fine motor development, visual perception and pre-reading skills. The cutting and gluing provided control practice and helped strengthen small finger and hand muscles.

Best of all, the children felt like real readers as they delivered the valentines independently by matching the names on the bags to the similarly printed names glued to their cards.

Friendship and Love

Good feelings abounded in the Alpha and Junior Kindergarten classes on Valentines Day! The Alpha children made aprons, played tic-tac-toe, used rubber stamps to create valentine aprons, and painted clay pots to fill with chocolate kisses and a seed packet flower.

In JK, the children made friendship wands and bracelets, tried to eat marshmallow hearts hanging from strings and found a special friend by matching heart shaped puzzle necklaces. Both groups enjoyed games like bingo and bean bag tosses as well as the strawberry shortcakes they made for snack!

Many thanks to the parents who helped coordinate the activities and to all of the volunteers who came to help.

Great Alphabet Adventure

On Tuesday, the Junior Kindergarten classes joined Kindergarten through grade 2 in the Janet Root Theatre for the Ruth Eckerd Theater troupe's performance of the Great Alphabet Adventure.

(larger photo)

The children thoroughly enjoyed this imaginative play that embraced the pleasure and fun that can be found through reading.

Upper Division

Shorecrest Students Take Over State Government!

Last week, Upper Division students Summerly B., Donna C., Candice G., Sandy L., and Gabe N. participated in the annual Youth in Government conference in Tallahassee.

They joined over 400 high school students from throughout the State who participated in a 3-day mock government session. Throughout the conference students had access to the House and Senate chambers, the Supreme Court and Cabinet rooms.

For the program, students focus on a branch of government - legislative, executive or judicial. Two of our students, Summerly B. and Candice G., served as Supporting Officers in the Supreme Court and House of Representatives respectively. Donna, Sandy and Gabe participated in the legislative portion of the conference and were required to draft a prospective bill.

In Tallahassee, the bills were placed on legislative dockets and students presented their bills to other students in the House or Senate. All students engaged in pro and con debate on the legislation; bill presenters fielded questions on the merits of their legislation before moving to a final vote.

Some of the Shorecrest bill topics included acts relating to raising the Homestead exemption for teachers to $200,000, raising the legal age to drop out of school from 16 to 18, and the ability for inmates on death row to extend their execution by surrendering their personal rights and participating in scientific research.

At the conclusion of the conference, Youth In Government advisors presented two top awards to Gabe N. - Best Bill and Runner-up for Best Statesman.

Valentine's Dance and Day

The Upper Division Spanish Club held its Ninth Annual Valentines Day Dance at the St. Petersburg Museum of History on Saturday, February 10. This dance has become a tradition that students honor and look forward to every year.

In the week prior to the dance, the student body voted for those students they thought to be the most kindhearted, helpful students in the UD, students who gladly work behind the scenes to get things done without requesting recognition, students who are always there for their friends. The seniors elected were crowned the King and Queen of Hearts at the dance, and a boy and girl from each underclass were elected to stand as their court.

(larger photo)

The students honored were King of Hearts Keith J. and Queen of Hearts Pav B.; juniors Michael R. and Rachel W.; sophomores Wyatt K. and Casey E.; and freshmen Hunter T. and Becky D. Congratulations to the entire court, and thank you to everyone who attended the dance which was, as always, a fundraiser for a Hispanic child from the Children's Dream Fund.

This year carnations, chocolate hearts and singing telegrams were sold by the UD Spanish Club and then delivered on Valentines Day. This was, as always, a fun and lighthearted event! 500 flowers were sold, 300 chocolates were sold, and 22 songs! (more photos)

Our singing minstrels were warmly welcomed wherever they went, and everyone enjoyed the flowers, the notes attached to the flowers and the yummy chocolates. Thank you to everyone who participated in this year's project. Our adopted child, Antonio, is sure to have his dream come true due to the generosity of the students, faculty and administration in the Upper Division.

Interact Supports the Suncoast Classic Benefit for All Children's Hospital

Fifteen students and Interact sponsor Mrs. Newton arrived at Baywalk at 6:15 a.m. on Saturday to volunteer for the Suncoast Classic Run. It was a little chilly, and a bit dark at first, but all went well. Along with Key Club volunteers, they manned water stations and were traffic directors for the runners.

Michael W. was the committee head, and he did a great job of organizing this group of early risers!

Car Wash for Relay for Life

Key Club and Interact Club will hold a car wash on Saturday, Feb. 24 at McDonald's located at the intersection of 62nd Ave. North and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street. All proceeds of the car wash will benefit the upcoming Relay for Life. Interact will start from 10 a.m. to noon, followed by Key Club from noon to 2 p.m. Please come and support us!

Middle Division

Pinellas Science Fair

The Middle Division sent ten students to participate in the Pinellas County Science Fair last weekend at Seminole Middle School. These students competed with over one hundred students from schools across the county.

They displayed their project boards and orally defended their experiments to a panel of judges. These ten students represented Shorecrest well, as seven of them received a total of nine awards.

• Hayden G. - Two Awards:
  Discovery School Award and Second Place in Jr. Engineering
• Lauren O. - Two Awards:
  NOAA Excellence in Marine Science Award and Third Place in Jr. Environmental Science
• Hannah S.
  Third Place in Jr. Environmental Science
• Sidney W.
  Third Place in Jr. Human Behavior
• Joelle J.
  Third Place in Jr. Human Behavior
• Garrett S.
  Fourth Place in Jr. Physics
• Kelsey C.
  Fourth Place in Environmental Science

Toxic Waste - The Game

Middle Division sixth grade students had fun playing "Toxic Waste" during Advisory. This game promotes communication, teamwork, cooperation, and most of all, patience.

After figuring out how to dispose of the toxic waste, the students processed what they could have done to work together more effectively as a team.

Stock Market

Mr. Evan Whittle, Vice President, Investments and Manager of the St. Petersburg Complex of Raymond James, was a guest lecturer in Mr. Harrington's class on Tuesday. Mr. Whittle spoke about the stock market, effects of inflation, different types of investments, and compound interest. The students asked intelligent questions and are currently working on a project involving investments in the stock market.

Curriculum Fair Rescheduled to April 13

The date for the Middle Division Curriculum Fair has been changed from the original date of Friday, February 16 to a new date: Friday, April 13.

At this event, current Shorecrest parents in grades five through seven will be invited to attend classes in their child's projected grade level for 2007-8. (Note: This year's fourth and eighth grade parents have already engaged in and will have other "transitional events" designed for them.)

We apologize for this late change and look forward to a day of sharing our Middle Division classroom activities in April.

Sixth Grade "Brown Bag Lunch" Event - Feb. 26

Shorecrest Sixth Grade teachers will be hosting a "brown bag lunch" event for sixth grade parents from 12:45 p.m. to 1:40 p.m. on Monday, February 26. At the event, members of the teacher team will offer demonstrations on how to best utilize the Shorecrest website to access the teachers' key information.

The teachers and members of the Middle Division administration will then join together to offer constructive tips regarding safe Internet use. Please bring your lunch to the Student Activity Center and the sixth grade parent liaisons (Michelle Ginocchio and Judy Holland) will supply iced tea, soft drinks and dessert! We hope that sixth grade parents will join teachers for an informative and educational afternoon of presentations and discussion.

A Funny Thing Happened...

On Saturday, February 10, five Shorecrest Latin students were on their way to the Seventh Annual Regional Latin Forum. This conclave and competition was held this year at Tampa Prep with 21 Bay Area schools attending. After opening ceremonies, approximately 500 students in Latin levels IA through Advanced Placement sat for written contests, performed poetry and declamations, paraded authentic Roman costumes, and presented textiles, pottery, and other craft projects. Olympic game competitions followed the written contests.

Shorecrest students Carter S., Matt V., Stephanie G., Shelaan H., and Emily L. traveled to Tampa with Mrs. Robison and Mrs. Grau.

All of Shorecrest can take pride in the following awards: Shelaan H. took fifth place in Advanced Greek Derivatives. Stephanie G. won third place in Greek derivatives II and took second place with her poster presentation on the Catelline Conspiracy.

Emily L. won fourth place in Mythology I. Emily and Stephanie joined with two students from the Academy of Holy Names in Tampa, and together they took ribbons for second place in the tug of war battle at the "Olympics." Also during the games, Stephanie won a second place ribbon for throwing the "Friscus."

The Shorecrest team wore their team t-shirts designed by Karenna Kiper. The slogan was "Id Descendit" - It's Going down!

Enrollment Contracts Past Due

Thursday, February 15, was the deadline to turn in enrollment contracts. If you have forgotten yours, please contact the Registrar today (727-522-2111, ext. 140). Available spaces will be awarded to new applicants beginning next week.

Accreditation Update

Three Big Cheers go to:

• Dean of Students Kathy Sessions for chairing the Accreditation Process
• Director of Admissions Diana Craig for collecting and organizing the Profile element of the Self-Study and for working with student leaders who led campus tours.
• Our student tour guides: Sonya N., Ben S., Blake F., Rachel W., Rachel W. and Jay R.
• Registrar Judy Roberge for organizing the Self-Study report
• Ever-reliable Karen Bruggeman for managing all the travel and on-site needs of the visiting team
• Parent Susan Wehrmann for providing incredible breakfasts and lunches to the visiting team
• Parent volunteer Jean Johnston who, as always, appears when a hand is needed
• In addition, many other parents, trustees, students and faculty took time to meet with members of the accreditation team. Input from Shorecrest community members allowed the visiting team to gain a thorough insight into our school

What Did We Learn?

Although the final report will not be approved and presented to the FCIS Board until April, Mr. Steve Russey, chair of the visiting team, presented preliminary general commendations and recommendations to the faculty and staff. Julie Klavans, Chair of the Board of Trustees, also attended the presentation. Detailed reports for each division will be sent to Shorecrest in the spring. Some of the general highlights include:

Recommendations

1. Continue efforts to integrate the school's Mission into programs and make it more visible to all constituents
2. Continue vertical team curriculum development
3. Continue efforts to integrate the Honor Code at all levels
4. Continue to develop and enhance the advisory programs
5. Continue efforts to ensure safety and security
6. Add additional screening elements for admissions

Commendations

1. The faculty was commended for their expertise, dedication and positive relationships with students
2. Steady and significant improvement in standardized test scores including SAT and AP results
3. The esprit de corps at Shorecrest
4. The dedication, organization and mission focus of the Board of Trustees
5. The positive transition in leadership and positive energy for the new Strategic Plan, Campus Master Plan and proposed Capital Campaign
6. The collaborative and well-documented Strategic School Improvement Plan
7. The overall strength of the arts programs
8. The technology-rich environment and integration of technology throughout the curriculum
9. The well-written Self-Study (copies are available in the library)
10. The attractive and open campus

The entire faculty and staff have worked diligently to make the most of the accreditation process. I appreciate the extra efforts made by everyone at Shorecrest to add a sparkle to our already outstanding programs. In the final analysis, we engage in the accreditation process to ensure that we are providing the best possible educational experiences to our students. I believe our students have benefited from the planning and programs that have emerged from this process. They will have increased benefits as we implement recommendations from the visiting team.

Mr. Stephen Russey, retired headmaster of St. Johns Country Day School in Orange Park, Florida, chaired the visiting team.

The Big Event

Go to our Auction Website

NEW FOR THIS YEAR'S BIG EVENT

Electronic Check In - please bring your credit cards

• Sign Ups - available Online now for purchase… limited space
• $10,000 Tuition Raffle - tuition discount or $5,000 in cash, purchase online now
• Special Promo - sponsored by Bruce Watters Jewelers, Inc.

1st prize - $6,500 Diamond and Ruby Earrings & Designer Jeans

2nd & 3rd prize - Fabulous Designer Jeans & Cubic Zirconium

VOLUNTEER HELP NEEDED FOR NIGHT OF THE BIG EVENT!

Please contact Big Event at big.event@shorecrest.org

The Big Event Auction Committee is seeking...

• An Entertainment Underwriter
• Vacation Homes
• Unique Wine Donations

Please contact the Big Event Office at big.event@shorecrest.org

• Big Event Office, big.event@shorecrest.org
• Chair, Karen Crowley (580-8082), kcrowley@shorecrest.org
• Chair, Karen Lucas (580-8042), klucas@shorecrest.org

Visitors from Argentina

Once again, Shorecrest welcomed students from Argentina, who came with their English teacher Julieta Correas de Diaz. Visiting us last week from Mendoza were Manuela G. (grade 9), Agustina A. (grade 8), and Constanza A. (grade 3).

Thanks to Brooke D., Brittany V., and Mrs. LaDuke's entire class for hosting our visitors!

Athletic News

Complete Athletic Schedules

Upcoming Games and Meets

Varsity Baseball

The Varsity Baseball team played Osceola in the Seminole preseason tournament on Thursday, Feb. 8, and won 1-0. Robby T. was the winning pitcher. Robby gave up only three hits and struck out eight for the Chargers. Dan W. was the leading hitter with a long double to centerfield. Clay B. was outstanding behind the plate, throwing out three runners trying to steal.

Varsity Softball

On Friday, Feb. 9, the Chargers hosted Canterbury in their first game of the season and lost 6-0. Jackie R. pitched for the Chargers. Jackie R., Sara W., and Nicole P. each had singles in the game. With a young team, including five middle schoolers, the Chargers are looking to have a good season.

Spring Sports Are Underway

Baseball and Softball teams are beginning competition this week and next week. Tennis and Track are practicing and will begin meets soon. Good luck to all of our Spring Sports teams!

Winter Awards Nights

Our Basketball and Soccer teams will be honored on the following evenings in the Janet Root Theatre.

• Soccer
  Wednesday, February 21 at 7 p.m.
• Basketball
  Monday, February 26 at 7:30

Booster Club Factoid Did you know that Booster Club dues and proceeds paid for the Concession Stand's construction?

Ordering Athletic Photos

Sun Haven Photography

Order your athletic photos from Sun Haven Photography and type in Shorecrest for Event Name.

Northeast Photography

Order your athletic team and individual pictures from Northeast Photography.

• Go to: Collages.net
• Username for all Basketball teams: basketball06
• Username for all Soccer teams: soccer06
• Password for all sports: 7348

Videos of Athletic Events

Every Boys Varsity Football game is available, each with highlights included. The 2006 Season's Highlights is now available for pre-order.

The first six Boys Varsity Basketball games have all been produced as well. They are available for $20 each.

Also to be videotaped: the Girls Basketball games, and Girls and Boys Soccer and the Varsity Boys Baseball games this year too.

Video productions are available by ordering directly from www.Stefio.TV or by calling 528-3180.

Request for Athletic Photos

Just a reminder that E-Bytes is always looking for great photos of Shorecrest students' athletic events. We prefer to receive them in digital format. Please e-mail the original, unedited file to clingman@shorecrest.org.

First Annual Duathlon - April 20

Quote of the Week:
Most people do what they are required to do; but successful people do a little more!

The Duathlon event on Friday, April 20 is a bike/run/bike for students in Early Childhood through fourth grade and a separate fun run/relay, including an obstacle course for Middle Division students.

Registration forms have been mailed to all Shorecrest families. So hurry and send in your registration forms to have your children experience this great race!!

***BONUS*** Register by March 23 and your child will be entered in a drawing for six highly sought after spots in the St. Anthony's Meek and Mighty Triathlon on April 28 (limited to participants from first to eighth grade due to age restrictions).

Click here to go to the Shorecrest Duathlon link where you will find the registration form, race course distances, sponsorship opportunities, and to see who our sponsors are.

Three Cheers for...

• Linda Grau, World Language Department Chair, who was invited to sit on the state committee to revise the Latin Exam. This exam is given to teachers who wish to be certified by the state of Florida, and the material is reviewed and revised every few years.

Mrs. Grau sat with four other teachers from across the state February 6-7 at the University of South Florida Business Center. The composition of the committee was encouraging in that three of the five members were from independent schools. Independent schools do not have to require state certification for their teachers, but our expertise is certainly in demand.

The two days were quite intense as the committee scrutinized grammar, literary passages, and even punctuation. Yet, Mrs. Grau said the experience was professionally and personally "edifying" (from the Latin edificare meaning "to build").

Shorecrest Event Videography by Sunrise Productions

Frank Gibson of Sunrise Productions has been producing the Shorecrest event DVDs this school year. To date, he has filmed Poetry in the Park, Fall Arts Showcase, and the Winter Band Concert. Many families have enjoyed the convenience of not having to bring their camera equipment to events and simply being able to enjoy the performances.

As long as families continue to order DVDs, Shorecrest will continue to provide this service. The DVDs are $20 plus $3 for shipping and handling costs.

Order forms are sent home the week prior to each event and can also be downloaded from the list below. Don't forget to place your orders and take advantage of this convenient service!

Completed Events

• Poetry in the Park (EC-grade 4)
  Thurs., Oct. 19
• Fall Arts Showcase
  Sat., Nov. 18
• Winter Band Concert
  Tues., Dec. 5
• "Big Bad": Sixth and Seventh Grade Drama Production
  Tues., Dec. 12
• Early Childhood Holiday Sing
  Wed., Dec. 20
• Third Grade Program
  Fri., Jan. 26
• Grandparents Day
  Fri., Feb. 2
• Second Grade Program
  Fri., Feb. 9

Upcoming Events

• Eighth Grade Drama Production
  Tues., Feb. 27
• Fourth Grade Program
  Thurs., Mar. 8
• First Grade Program
  Fri., Mar. 30
• Spring Musical, 42nd Street
  Thurs.-Sat., April 26-28
• Alpha Parent Day
  Thurs., May 3
• Kindergarten Program
  Fri., May 11
• Fifth Grade Drama Production
  Thurs., May 17
• Baccalaureate / Commencement
  Sun., May 20 / Sat., May 26

Shorecrest Business Partners