Jan. 26, 2007

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Late News

Girls and Boys Soccer Teams Advance

Shorecrest will be hosting these games:

• Boys Varsity Soccer Regional Quarterfinal
  Thursday - 7:00 p.m. - Shorecrest vs. Evangelical Christian from Ft. Myers
• Girls Varsity Soccer Regional Final
  Friday - 7:00 p.m. - Shorerest vs. Sarasota Christian

Admission - $6 per person (Charger Cards not accepted)

E-Bytes Contents

Admissions: Drop-in Tours

Athletic News

Athletics: Upcoming Games

Big Event

Blood Drive Jan. 30

China Report by Betty Gootson

Duathlon

E-Bytes Reminders

Early Childhood

Grandparents Day

Hop 2 It

Ident-A-Kid

Lower Division

Middle Division

Parenting Group

Poll: Good Breakfast

Poll Results: Resolution

Relay for Life

Shorecrest Business Partners

Summer Programs

Thespian Achievement

Three Cheers

Trustee Day

Upcoming Events

Updating E-mail Addresses

Upper Division

Videos of Shorecrest Events

Upcoming Events

Jan. 27 Saturday

• SAT

Jan. 30 Tuesday

• Blood Drive on Campus

Jan. 31 Wednesday

• Spirit Day
• DARE Graduation
  Parents invited to attend
  Janet Root Theatre 2:00 p.m.
• Eighth Grade Town Hall Meeting
  Janet Root Theatre 7:00 p.m.

Feb. 2 Friday

• Grandparents and Special Friends Day

Feb. 5 Monday

• Booster Club Meeting
  CANCELLED
  Next meeting March 5
• "Rainbow Fish" for EC-Grade 2
  Janet Root Theatre 1:00 p.m.

Feb. 7 Wednesday

• New Parent Breakfast
  Student Activity Center 8:00-10:00 a.m.

Feb. 8 Thursday

• Shorecrest Parent Association Meeting
  Student Activity Center 8:15 a.m.

Feb. 9 Friday

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

Feb. 10 Saturday

• Upper Division Valentine's Dance

Feb. 11-13 Sun-Tues

• Accreditation Teams Visit for FCIS/SACS/FKC

Feb. 13 Tuesday

• "Great Alphabet Adventure" for Grades EC-2
  Janet Root Theatre 1:00 p.m.

Feb. 16 Friday

• Second Trimester Ends
• Middle Division Curriculum Fair

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

• Athletic Awards Night
  Janet Root Theatre - Basketball Cheerleading 7:00 p.m.

Feb. 27 Tuesday

• Eighth Grade Drama Performance
  Janet Root Theatre 1:00 p.m. (for students) and 6:00 p.m. (for families)

March 30-31

• Relay for Life

Friday, February 2

Grandparents and Special Friends Day

Friday, February 2 will be the 23rd occasion to recognize our Grandparents and Special Friends, this special group of people who are so important in the lives of our students. Please remind the Grandparent or Special Friend guests of your student to RSVP if they are attending. Although the response date has passed, we still want to know who will be your student's guests. RSVP information can be sent to the Office of Advancement by email to: mtomasino@shorecrest.org, or by fax to (727) 521-1452 or call us at (727) 456-7516.

Friday, February 2, 2007 - Raymund Arts Media Center

8:30-9:00 Continental Breakfast for guests at the Student Activity Center (between Library and Theatre)

9:15-10:00 Program at the Theatre (guests only please, due to limited seating)

10:15-11:00 Class visits and campus tours

It is suggested that you arrive on campus at 8:00 a.m. or afterwards to avoid the heavy morning student drop-off traffic. Parking and other directions will be posted. We look forward to everyone enjoying themselves this Friday!

A Few Procedures For the Day

Each year the number of Grandparents and Special Friends who attend this event grows. Following are a few requests which will help to make the day go smoothly for our guests and students:

• As always, we appreciate our families honoring the tradition of leaving the Theatre seating open for Grandparents and Special Friends.
• If you have a guest who is in a wheelchair, please see one of the volunteers at the check-in (name tag) table at the entrance to the Student Activity Center (SAC) for wheelchair access and placement in the theatre. SAC is the multi-purpose room located between the Library and the Theatre.
• Additional parking areas will be available on Reilly Field (softball field) and along Charger Blvd. (on the north side of campus). Our Maintenance staff will direct traffic as always and will be happy to give directions. Additionally, several golf carts will be picking up and dropping off guests from the parking areas.
• Signs will also be placed in all parking areas directing our guests to the SAC.
• If your guests are arriving when your student is dropped off in the morning, please have them follow regular drop-off procedures and then park in the designated parking areas (as directed by Maintenance staff). The entrance to the additional parking areas will be just past the Sher Center drop-off point.
• If your guests are visiting with multiple students, please visit the youngest students first. They will be so excited for their guests' arrival, and it is most difficult for the younger students to wait.
• Once the guests are dismissed from the Theatre, student volunteers will be positioned immediately outside the Theatre to lead our guests to the Lower Division and Middle Division classrooms.
• For Lower Division, volunteers will be holding signs indicating grade levels and they will lead our guests to the respective grade-level areas.
• For Middle Division, student volunteers will lead our guests to the Sher Center breezeway where the Grandparents and Special Friends can meet up with their students.

Thank you in advance for your help and cooperation. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Office of Advancement at (727) 456-7515.

From the Admissions Office

Announcing Drop-in Wednesday Tours

Tell a Friend!

Did you know that 81% of parents learned about Shorecrest through word of mouth - a friend, another Shorecrest parent, work colleague, realtor or alumnus? Telling your friends about Shorecrest can make a difference!

Director of Admissions Diana Craig

The Admissions Office is pleased to introduce our new Drop-in Wednesday Tours! Every Wednesday through May from 9-11 a.m., the Admissions Office will be offering tours for prospective families. This is in addition to the individual, personalized tours that can be scheduled at your convenience.

To promote this new program, we are mailing every family a bookmark in the January 25 mailing. The bookmark has all the pertinent information about the drop-in tours in addition to some facts about Shorecrest and some great photos of our students. If you would like more bookmarks to display in your place of business to help spread the word, please contact the Admissions Office at 456-7511.

Spring Parenting Group

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.

Feb. 7

• Identify the Big Picture of Parenting
• Learn to spot the 4 target goals of pre-teens

Feb. 14

• Build your own parenting strength foundation
• Understand ways they hear praise & mistaken criticism

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 Administration Building Conference Room Wednesdays in February from 9:00-10:00 a.m.

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

Give Blood

Our next school-wide Blood Drive is January 30. If you are 16 years or older, you can donate. 16 & 17 year old students need to provide a permission slip. Mrs. McKay has permission slips in the office. Please pick one up now and have it signed before the 30th.

Our community is having a severe blood shortage. Please ask your parents to try and participate when they are on campus that day. The drive is open to the community!

Upcoming Games and Meets

Jan. 26 Friday

• Girls MD Basketball
  Home vs. Bradenton Christian 5:00
• Girls Varsity Basketball
  Home vs. Bradenton Christian 6:30
• Boys Varsity Basketball
  at St. Stephen's 7:00

Jan. 29 Monday

• Boys MD Basketball
  Home vs. Admiral Farragut 5:30
• Boys Varsity Basketball
  Home vs. Lakeside Christian 7:30

Jan. 30 Tuesday

• Girls Varsity Soccer
  vs. St. John Neumann in Naples at 3:30
• Girls MD Basketball
  at St. Pete Christian 4:30
• Boys MD Basketball
  at St. Pete Christian 5:30
• Boys Varsity Basketball
  Home vs. Out of Door Academy 7:00

Jan. 30, Feb. 1 and 2

• Girls Varsity Basketball
  District Tournament at Northside Christian

Feb. 1 Thursday

• Boys Varsity Basketball
  Home vs. Berkeley Prep 7:00

Feb. 2 Friday

• Boys MD Basketball
  at St. Paul's 4:00
• Boys Varsity Soccer
  Regional Quarterfinal
  Home vs. Evangelical Christian of Ft. Myers 7:00

Feb. 5-9

• Boys Varsity Basketball
  The team's first game of the District Tournament will be on Tuesday, Feb. 6 at 7:30 at Keswick against Indian Rocks Christian.

Looking Ahead

Shorecrest Summer Programs 2007

The arrival of the Summer Programs 2007 booklet in your mailboxes soon should help take some of chill out of the air. You can look ahead to over 60 offerings in our newly expanded program that has something for students of all ages to enjoy.

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.

Can't wait for the mail to arrive? 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

Relay for Life

Join the 2007 Relay For Life of Northeast St. Petersburg Kick Off celebration, Wednesday, Jan. 31 at 7:30 a.m. in the Student Activity Center.

Everyone has a different answer to the question, "Why do you Relay?" Stop by and meet your fellow participants in this year's Relay and help honor and remember those affected by cancer.

We are nearly halfway to our team goal for this year's Relay. Special incentive for all teams that register at our Kick Off!

Kindly RSVP by Jan. 30 to: jessica.fernandez
@cancer.org or call 727-812-7025. For more information, please visit this web page.

First Annual Duathlon

The duathlon event - the evening of 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. 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 on this link for the registration form, and read future E-Bytes issues for more information.

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

Upcoming Events

• Grandparents Day
  Fri., Feb. 2
• Second Grade Program
  Fri., Feb. 9
• Eighth Grade Drama Production
  Wed., Feb. 28
• 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
• 5th Grade Drama Production
  Thurs., May 17
• Baccalaureate / Commencement
  Sun., May 20 / Sat., May 26

Some responses to last week's poll:

Your New Year's Resolution - how's it going?

I decided to stop eating chocolate...not going too hot...I just had one chocolate bar last night and a milkshake.
- Willy Wonka

Perfect so far; I resolved not to make resolutions.
- Parent

It doesn't feel like 2007! The teachers always forget the year sometimes!:)
- Fifth grader

My dream of discovering the world of Harry Potter has ceased to deprive me.
- Harry Potta4ev

Lose weight!
- Double belly

Not so well, I guess... where's my guy?
- Blondie

Not that great. I've eaten everything that is considered junk food! I hope it doesn't show...
- Resolution breaker

Not soo well. I just ate a Big Mac and a pint of ice cream... so I think I'm failing... Oh well, better luck next year.
- Mother of four.

Well... I still don't watch Desperate Housewives.

Make good grades!
- Honor scholar

Well, my resolution was to become a teenage mutant ninja turtle. So far I got the teenage and the ninja part down, but it's the turtle part that gets me. I've tried to glue my fingers together to make 3 big ones, but that was messy. oh and I try and catch some mutation. I now can move metal objects with my laser vision.
- Future TMNT

My new year's resolution is the same... not very interesting
- Parent

Uhhhh I didn't have one. But maybe next year or the year after that.

It ended two hours into the new year.

It's very hard to accomplish, but I will make it happen... I believe in myself. I know I can.
- Ninth grader

I didn't make one because I knew that I wouldn't keep it, so in that case, it's doing quite fine!
- Lazy

Pretty good. My resolution was not to make fun of the flying elephants and not be attacked by them. So far I haven't been attacked!
- Sixth grader

We haven't gotten mercy ruled in basketball yet! So our team resolution is going pretty good!
- Junior on the girls varsity team

What new years resolution? Do those things really work anyways?
- Eighth grader

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

Thespians Win Top Honors

Shorecrest Thespians strike again. Last year we set a record for Shorecrest with 8 Superiors; this year we had 12, including 3 Critic's Choices.

Congratulations to our 49 Upper Division students who competed against nearly 1,200 other students in the District Four Thespian Festival at Countryside High School. The Shorecrest Thespians study and train under drama and playwriting teacher William Leavengood, music teacher Lee Ahlin, and dance teacher Cheryl Lee. Four of our students (Lauren S., Brielle C., Sonya N., and Gabe N.) received the Critic's Choice award, which is the highest award that can be received, and 21 qualified for the Florida State Competition to be held in April. We are proud of your achievements!

Middle and Upper Division History Fair students and teachers.

Upper Division

History Rocks

Well, maybe not rocks, but this year it rapped. Twenty-one students of the Upper Division competed last Friday in the tenth annual Florida History Fair at the Largo Public Library. This year's theme is Triumph and Tragedy. Of the entries, a rap version of the the political life of the Emperor Claudius won second place and with the other first and second place winners will go to the state competition in May. Congratulations to:

Paper Category

• 1st Gabe N. - Triumph and Tragedy: The Gracchi Brothers
• 3rd Jeff R. - Triumph and Tragedy: The Political Career of John Adams

Exhibit

• 2nd Alex N. - Triumph and Tragedy: Che Guevera
• 3rd Mitchell M. - Triumph and Tragedy: The Great Satchmo

Performance

• 2nd Triumph and Tragedy: The Emperor Claudius - Tatiana B., Crawford H., Hallie A., Owen L., Rachel B.

Media

• 3rd Triumph and Tragedy: Anwar Sadat - Shelaan H. and Summerly B.

Great job, everyone!

Reading Club Reactivation

The Clio Club will reactivate its reading club on Thursday, February 1. A meeting will be held at lunch in H4. All interested students, faculty, and parents are invited to attend. The novel to be started is A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens.

Prom Fashion

Shorecrest MyProm Fashion Show will be held Saturday, Feb. 3, at 7:00 p.m. in the Janet Root Theatre. Tickets are $5. Fashions from Dillard's will be modeled by the Shorecrest Senior Class. The show will be produced by the Junior Class and is sponsored by Dillard's and by the Shorecrest Parent Association. (image)

Attention, Varsity Tennis Players

Practice begins next Monday, January 29. The bus will leave at 3:10 daily if you need transportation. You need a physical form on file and you must be match ready. Any new players who want to try out should call Mrs. East at 224-4344 to set up a time/day.

Trustee Day

Seventeen members of the Board of Trustees recently spent two hours observing classes around Shorecrest. Following the classroom visits, the trustees gathered to share observations. Trustees were impressed with how students at all grade levels are actively engaged in a variety of academic activities. They were pleased to see technology being integrated in all areas of the curriculum, and like many visitors, they were impressed by the ability of the students to participate in academic discussions.

Our Trustees devote hours of their precious time to advance Shorecrest. We were glad to let them see that their efforts are benefiting all of the students and faculty.

A Letter from the Director of Early Childhood Education, Betty Gootson

The year 2007 got off to an auspicious start for me as I began the new year as part of a nine-member Early Education delegation to China. Our group of educators traveled to Beijing, Kunming, Dali, Lijang, and Hong Kong. We visited the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Giant Pandas at the Beijing Zoo, the Temple of Heaven, and Dragon Gate. We saw the Peking Opera and a traditional Chinese orchestra. I even had the awesome experience of climbing the Great Wall of China in the snow!

A representative of the Ministry of Education spoke with us about the Chinese education system, and we participated in a symposium with professors of education from Beijing Normal University where I had the privilege of doing a presentation about parent partnerships. Our visits to 5 schools, a Montessori kindergarten, a public kindergarten, a private kindergarten, a junior and senior high school, and a rural elementary school were extremely interesting and informative.

My conversations with professors, principals, teachers and our interpreter/guide taught me a great deal about the Chinese school system and culture. I found vast differences and also great similarities between their educational programs and attitudes towards education and teachers and those in the United States. Their teachers expressed many of the same concerns and face many similar challenges as teachers in the United States.

I returned with a sense of pride in what we do at Shorecrest. A professor from the university commented that our systems are moving in opposite directions. The United States is moving more towards relying on standardized learning and examinations while his country is realizing the need for their students to play more, learn to think, and develop creativity. I believe that we have been able to achieve an important balance in the education of our students at Shorecrest.

From early childhood through high school, our students are encouraged to think, take a variety of required and elective classes that encourage creativity and expose them to a variety of ideas, and engage in a wide variety of extracurricular activities and elective subjects. While I returned with a greater sense of and reinforced belief in the need to prepare students in the United States to live in the global community, I am convinced that Shorecrest is on the right path and that our graduates will continue to be well educated, responsible, respectful contributing members of society ready to assume whatever role is the right one for them as individuals.

The Big Event

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

ONLINE AUCTION - Jan. 21 - 28

We are proud to present a carefully selected group of items exclusively for sale online beginning Sunday, January 21 at 9 a.m. and ending Sunday, January 28 at 9 p.m. The 12 spectacular items include:

• A reserved parking space of your choice for the 2007-2008 academic year. You choose the location and this spot will be yours 24/7.
• Gator Gear - We'll have two incredible items commemorating the University of Florida's spectacular climb to the top with championships in two sports.
• Fun items that are exclusively Shorecrest including Cheerleader for a Day, your choice of a senior parking space for next year and your choice of an Upper Division locker for next year.
• A fantastic vacation to Useppa Island - one of Florida's most unique getaways.
• Bat Boy or Girl at a Devil Rays game. This is an experience your child will never forget.

There are other items, but perhaps the most incredible is CENTER TABLE at the auction:

• The best table in the house for your party of 10.
• An upgraded menu and top shelf drinks.
• Private table service.
• Genuine diamond jewelry for the ladies in your party.

Visit www.shorecrestbigevent.com and click on "online auction" to see all of the items in detail. While there, you can also register for the Big Event on February 23, purchase tuition raffle tickets, purchase Diamond in the Rough raffle tickets, register for the exclusive fashion show on January 26, review all of the auction items to date and much more.

Auction season is here - get in the swing with these wonderful opportunities!

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

Three Cheers for...

Congratulations to the following visual arts students for their acceptance by juried competitions:

Temple Beth-El Student Exhibition:

• Brett F., 3-D Design
• Ian B., Painting
• Alex F., Digital Imaging
• Acadia W., Digital Imaging

Scholastic Art and Writing Awards:

• Myles S., Photography, Gold Portfolio
• Maria M., Photography, Honorable Mention
• Jaci R., Photography, Honorable Mention
• Alex F., Digital Imaging, Honorable Mention
• Sean S., Digital Imaging, Honorable Mention
• Acadia W., Digital Imaging, Honorable Mention

In addition to local recognition, Myles S.'s Gold Portfolio will now go on to compete at the national level.

Early Childhood

An Artrageous Experience for JK

A new field trip destination was a huge success for the Junior Kindergartners! When looking for a field trip to coincide with the Beautiful Stuff project, the Arts Center in St. Petersburg came to mind. We are grateful to Sherry Lundquist of the Arts Center who created a field trip for Junior Kindergarten that was tailor-made to fit our objectives.

Dr. Rose Marie Prins, a mixed media artist, agreed to do an interactive demonstration with the children. Not only did the children participate in decorating a giant sailboat using recyclable materials, they also toured the new glass exhibit in the gallery (and they were so careful!) and enjoyed a snack and coloring outside on the patio. It was the perfect accompaniment to our ongoing Beautiful Stuff project!

What a Circus!

Clowns, tigers, and acrobats filled the Alpha rooms during exploring last week. The teachers transformed the loft into a big top to create the right atmosphere for a morning full of fun. The children loved putting on costumes, painting their faces, creating batons, crawling through "hoops of fire," balancing like tightrope walkers, and doing tricks with animals.

They created their own three ringed circuses for snack and made the most amazing clown hats!

Parents Chat Together

A group of Early Childhood parents gathered this week and discussed the following topics:

• When is it time to alert the teacher about things your child is saying about school, friends, etc.?
• Reasonable and appropriate birthday parties for young children
• Being sure that each of your children gets individual time with you

Would you like to participate in a parent chat but are unable to come during the day? If there are at least four parents who are interested, we will be happy to arrange an evening chat. If you are interested, please let Betty Gootson know.

Hop 2 It Music

The EC-grade 2 children loved dancing to Jack Hartmann's Hop 2 It Music program!

Lower Division

Geography Trivia

Sunday, January 14 marked the beginning of the second leg of the Velux 5 Oceans race. It also happens to be the longest and toughest leg in solo ocean racing. Only five of the original eight entries are still competing, and within the first 24-hours of the start, British favorite Sir Robin Knox-Johnston was forced to turn back due to autopilot problems.

While Sir Robin is now back on track, other sailors battle their own issues such as seasickness and a too-close encounter with whales. Ahead for the sailors are the "Furious Fifties" and "Roaring Forties", the water between latitudes 40ºS-64ºS, where the wind circulation and sea currents are the most dangerous.

Students in the Lower Division continue to receive updates about the race at weekly flagpole gatherings and in the computer lab. In addition, all students have the chance to participate in a geography trivia contest. Each week two race-related questions will be posed, one question for K-2 students and a more challenging question for 3-4 students. Answers are submitted at the trivia board outside the office, and one winner from each division will be announced the following Monday at the flagpole. Over 75 students participated in this week's contest.

• K-2 Question: Graham Dalton is one of the sailors in the Velux 5 Oceans race. He is from New Zealand. What is the capital of New Zealand?
• 3-4 Question: Hakas, dances meant to frighten enemies, are a traditional part of the Maori culture in which island nation?

Benjamin Franklin visited Shorecrest and told the students all about his life and works during the "Magic of Reading" presentation.

National Geography Bee

The Lower Division congratulates our fourth grade geographers, Tatum L. and Jackson W., on winning the classroom geography bees. Katherina F. is our alternate, and Kyle B. was the runner up. Following the Velux 5 Oceans Race has been a dynamic real-life way for students to learn more about our world.

Fourth grade GeoBee contestants from left to right: Jackson W., Tatum L., Kyle B., and Katherina F.

Kindergarten Visits Lowry Park Zoo

The kindergarten children had a great time on their visit to Lowry Park Zoo on Friday, January 12. In science, the children are learning about where animals live, what they eat, what covers their bodies, and their life cycles. They had a chance to see first-hand some of the animals they have been studying.

Some children were even brave enough to feed and touch several animals. A highlight of the trip was observing the manatees being fed. We were all surprised to see how large they are. It was a perfect Florida winter day, and everyone had a great time.

Ident-A-Kid Program

This years Ident-A-Kid program was once again a big success at Shorecrest. Almost 300 kids will soon be receiving a photo and fingerprint ID from Ident-A-Kid. If you missed it this year and still want to get a picture ID for your child, please contact Jean Johnston at jeanj@tampabay.rr.com.

A huge thank you goes out to all our parent volunteers who helped make the day run so smoothly, Thank you to Amy McClenathan, Amy Whitworth, Stacey Gloer, Melba Delgado, Christi Mills, Mary-Ellen Howells, Danae Granet and Jean Johnston.

This year we saw a significant increase in the response from the Middle Division. Good job!

Thank you to the teachers, administrators and support staff who worked together to get this day on the schedule and implemented so successfully. If it keeps our kids safer, then that is a good thing!

Shorecrest Business Partners

Middle Division

National History Day

On January 19, 2007, twenty-two Shorecrest Middle Division students traveled to the Largo Library to compete in the tenth annual Pinellas County History Fair. Each year, students from around the country research historical topics and create projects that fit with a yearly theme released by the National History Day organization at the University of Maryland. This year's theme is "Triumph and Tragedy in History."

History fair competitions begin at the school level, and students who place first and second in their categories can proceed to the county and state levels before heading to the national competition. Last summer, Shorecrest sent five students to nationals at the University of Maryland.

The following sixteen Middle Division students will be competing in the Florida State History Fair in Tallahassee on May 3-5.

Historical Paper Category

• Brett F. (1st) - We Came in Peace for All Mankind: The Triumph and Tragic Accomplishment of America Landing a Man on the Moon

Individual Documentary

• Lauren O. (2nd) - Triumph and Tragedy: Varina Davis, First Lady of the Confederacy

Group Documentary

• Jason K. & Michael W. (1st) - The Triumphant U.S. Navy Rebuilds After the Tragedy of Pearl Harbor
• Ahmed D. & Colin G. (2nd) - The Triumphant and Tragic Story of the CSS Hunley

Individual Performance

• Rebecca K. (1st) - The Triumph and Tragedy of the Transcontinental Railroad
• Mary R. (2nd) - Amelia Earhart: The Power of Packaging

Group Performance

• Kathryn K. & Sydney K. (1st) - A Tale of Triumph and Tragedy on the Oregon Trail

Individual Performance

• Hannah S. (1st) - Susan B. Anthony vs. The United States: A Triumphant and Tragic Battle for the Women's Right to Vote
• Brett D. (2nd) - Triumph and Tragedy: A Showdown of Founding Fathers

Group Performance

• Laurel M. & Joelle J. (1st) - All Aboard: The Perilous Path to Promontory, the Transcontinental Railroad
• Lizzy C. & Karenna K. (2nd) - A Reborn Army: The Triumph and Tragedy of Valley Forge

Geography Bee Winner

Seventh grader Joey S. won the National Geographic Geography Bee. It was the culminating event of in-grade competitions in grades 4-8. Joey finished first for the second year in a row, with eighth grader Michael V. finishing second and seventh grader Laura P. third.

Joey and all school winners take a written test to move to the next level of the Bee. We are proud of Joey and all of our Geography Bee finalists!

Fifth Grade Parent Round Table

Fifth grade parents are invited to a special round table event by the fifth grade teaching team on Monday, January 29 at 7:00 p.m. in the Shorecrest Band Room. The event will offer parents of fifth graders an opportunity to talk with teachers about such issues as study skills, organization, homework preparation, and test-taking skills. The goal is to ensure that we as teachers and parents are working together during this critical transitional year in our fifth graders' lives. We look forward to seeing many of you on the 29th!

The Great Energy Debate

The Great Energy Debate took place on Thursday in Mr. Cruise's science classes. The students were divided into six groups: fossil fuels, nuclear power, hydroelectric power, geothermal power, solar power, and wind power. Each student spent time researching these various energy resources used to produce electricity.

Students used Inspiration software to concept-map the disadvantages and advantages of each resource. They then created a fictitious company, designed or found a logo, and thought of a slogan for their company. Next, they created a PowerPoint presentation used during an oral presentation in front of a group of politicians to persuade them to choose their company and energy source for their community, Bear Lake, Utah.

Students used Google Earth to view satellite images of Bear Lake to complete a "site survey" and choose a location for their facilities. This project introduced the real energy dilemma that they will face in the future and tied into biofuel technology and global warming. Their eyes have been opened, and they are now well informed to tackle some of the problems their generation will most certainly face.

JV and Varsity Tennis

Tryouts for the sixth, seventh and eighth graders interested in playing JV or Varsity Tennis will begin next Monday, Jan. 29. Athletes should be prepared to begin participating in drills and will meet Coach Hodgson at the basketball court for the trip over to the Racquet Club. Please inform your parents that they should pick you up at 5:00 from the club.

There will also be a meeting with the coaches for all newcomers and their parents on Monday following practice. Please plan to attend if you didn't play last year.

Athletic News

Complete Athletic Schedules

Upcoming Games and Meets

Booster Club Factoid Did you know that Booster Club dues and proceeds pay for all videos of varsity games for coaching and training use?

Girls Soccer Team Advances To Regional Semifinal

The Girls Varsity Soccer team beat Cambridge on Thursday evening, Jan. 25. The final score was 2-0. Taylor Tremaine and Erin McClenathan each scored for the Chargers. With this win, the Chargers move on to play in the Regional Semifinal.

They are playing St. John Neumann in Naples on Tuesday, Jan. 30, at 3:30.

Directions:

St. John Neumann High School
3000 53rd St. S.W.
Naples, Fl. 34116
(239) 455-3044

1. Take I-75 Southbound to Exit 107 (Pine Ridge Rd.)
2. Exit I-75 and make a left onto Pine Ridge Rd.
3. Turn right onto Logan Blvd. S./Santa Barbara Blvd. (Approx. 1.1 miles)
4. Turn left onto Golden Gate Pkwy (Approx. 2.5 miles)
5. Turn right at the first traffic light which is 53rd street S.W. (Approx. 0.2 miles)
6. Continue on 53rd Street S.W. (Apporx. 0.1 miles)
7. St. John Neumann High School will be on your left.

Good luck, Chargers!

Girls Varsity Soccer Team Wins District Championship With Penalty Kicks

On Thursday, Jan. 18, the Chargers played Calvary Christian in the District Semi-final at Indian Rocks Christian in Largo. It was an easy 7-0 win for the Chargers. Goals were scored by Jennifer C. (2), Eby O. (2), Erin M., and Taylor T. Edie B. had a shutout in goal!

(larger photo and another)

The team advanced to the District final on Friday evening against Indian Rocks Christian. After giving up an early goal, the girls varsity soccer team dominated the first half of the district championship game and Brooke D. tied the score shortly before halftime. After an even start to the second half, Indian Rocks Christian scored to take a 2-1 lead. The Chargers battled to the very end and Jennifer C. tied the score again with approximately 10 minutes remaining in regulation.

During the 20 minutes of overtime, the Chargers created numerous scoring chances and had Indian Rocks Christian on the defensive. Unfortunately, the Chargers could not capitalize on the scoring opportunities, and the game headed to penalty kicks. Edie B. saved two penalty kicks, and Erin M., Rachel W., Brooke D., and Taylor T. all scored to win the shootout 4-3.

The district championship, second in as many years and the first two in school history, advanced the girls soccer team to the regional quarterfinal game against Cambridge.

Boys Varsity Soccer Team Wins District Championship

The Chargers played at Canterbury in their first District game on Monday, Jan. 22, against Northside Christian and won by the score of 3-0 behind the scoring of Stephen S., Ben S., and Anthony H.

On Thursday night, Jan 25, the Chargers beat Admiral Farragut 4-1 to win the District Championship! After splitting two games with Admiral Farragut in the regular season with 1-0 scores, the Chargers took control early and dominated play. Goals were scored by Phil V. (2), Stephen S., and Quinn E.

The Chargers will host the Regional Quarterfinal next Thursday, Feb. 1, at 7:00 p.m. on Haskell Field. Congratulations on being District Champs for the second year in a row!

Boys Varsity Soccer

The Boys Varsity Soccer team hosted All Saints Academy from Winter Haven on Friday, Jan. 19. The Chargers won by the score of 4-1. Goals were scored by Nick S., Josh B., Anthony H., and Patrick M. It was the last regular season game at home, and the senior boys and their parents were honored before the game. Seniors honored were David H., Ian B., Patrick McC., Ben S., Josh B., and TJ S.

Girls Varsity Basketball Team Enters District Tourney Next Week

The Girls Varsity Basketball team will play their first game of the District Tournament on Tuesday, Jan. 30, at 6:00 p.m. at Northside Christian against Northside. Good luck, Chargers!

Girls Varsity Basketball

On Thursday, Jan. 18, the Chargers hosted Lakeside Christian and won by the score of 47-42 to avenge an early season loss. Jasmine C. was high scorer with 15 points followed by Sandy L. with 9 points. Rachel S. led the team in rebounds with 15.

The Girls Varsity Basketball team hosted Keswick last Friday evening, Jan. 19, and lost 60-18. Sandy L. led the team with 5 points followed by Natalie S. with 4 points.

The Chargers hosted Out of Door Academy on Monday, Jan. 22, and lost 43-29. Leading scorer for the Chargers was Jasmine C. with 17 points. Ali W. controlled the boards with 10 rebounds.

The team's only senior, Taylor K., was honored before the game with her parents.

On Tuesday evening, Jan. 23, the Chargers Girls Varsity Basketball team traveled to Tampa Prep and won 31-30. This was quite an accomplishment since earlier in the season the Chargers lost to Tampa Prep by the score of 57-38. Jasmine C. was high scorer with 10 points followed by Rachel S. with 8 points. Becky D. drained a free throw in the last three seconds to win the game. We are so proud of the team and coaches. Keep up the good work!

Boys Varsity Basketball

On Friday, Jan. 19, the Chargers hosted Keswick and lost by the score of 55-33. Brian M. and Carter S. led the team with 8 points each.

The Chargers traveled to Tampa Prep on Tuesday, Jan. 23, and lost 64-30. Alex G. was the high scorer with 8 points.

Girls Middle Division Soccer

On Thursday, Jan. 18, the Girls Middle Division Soccer team traveled to Tampa to play St. Mary's. The girls gave it their all but lost 7-0.

The Chargers hosted Tampa Prep on Monday, Jan. 22, and they won 2-1. The defense played great. Alex C., Hannah W., and Rachel P. led the way. On offense, Kristen B. scored one goal and Sophia G. scored the game winner. It was a great way to end the season for the Girls Middle Division team!

Boys Middle Division Soccer

The Boys Middle Division Soccer A team defeated Out of Door Academy by the score of 5-1 last Thursday, Jan. 18. Goals were scored by Ian J.-S., David S., Alex H., Armando A., and Zack F.

The A team ended their season with a win against Canterbury on Friday, Jan. 19. They were cheered on by the Middle Division girls team and won 3-0. Goals were scored by Ian J.-S., Alex H., and Armando A. Ahmed D. recorded his second shut out of the season. The team finished with a record of 6-8-1. The future looks very bright for Charger Soccer.

Girls Middle Division Basketball

The Girls Middle Division Basketball team traveled to Keswick last Thursday, Jan. 18, and won by the score of 32-13. High scorer for the Chargers was Lindsey E. with 8 points. Rachel T., Sarah O., and Sidney W. all contributed 4 points each.

On Tuesday, Jan. 23, the Chargers hosted Indian Rocks Christian and lost by the score of 32-13. Rachel T. was the team leader with 5 points. Sophia F. and Sara W. added 3 points each. The team's record now stands at 5-11.

Boys Middle Division Basketball

On Thursday, Jan. 18, the Chargers traveled to Keswick and won 35-31. The team had an unselfish game making the extra pass and getting the key steals to bring in an important victory. The balanced scoring attack was led by Luke B. and Luke N. getting 8 points each and with Nick N. and Jake B. adding 6 points for the teams 11th win.

The Chargers hosted Indian Rocks Christian on Tuesday, Jan. 23, and lost by the score of 20-19. The Chargers kept fighting back only to come up short. Down 17-12 at the end of the 3rd quarter, the Chargers came back to tie the score at 17, but the team eventually lost in a heartbreaker. Leading scorers of the night were Luke N. and Ravi P. with 6 points each and Luke B. with 5 points.

Please come out and support the Middle Division boys' team, in their last week of games. They will be at home against Admiral Farragut on Jan. 29 at 5:30 p.m., at St. Pete Christian at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 30, and on the road for our finale at St. Paul's on Friday, Feb. 2. The team’s current record is 11-4 with four games to play.

Attention Varsity & JV Tennis Players:

Tryouts for the sixth, seventh and eighth graders interested in playing JV or Varsity Tennis will begin next Monday, Jan. 29. Athletes should be prepared to begin participating in drills and will meet Coach Hodgson at the basketball court for the trip over to the Racquet Club. Please inform your parents that they should pick you up at 5:00 from the club.

There will also be a meeting with the coaches for all newcomers and their parents on Monday following practice. Please plan to attend if you didn't play last year. If you are still in a winter sport, please sign up with Mr. Hodgson by Friday and let him know when your sport will be over. Remember that you must turn your physical and insurance form in to the athletic office before you can practice.

State Farm Sportsmanship Awards Presented

The FHSAA has partnered with State Farm Insurance to give out Sportsmanship Awards to varsity athletic teams. Shorecrest is being sponsored by the local State Farm office of Tyler Deneault. The award is given to one athlete from each varsity team who displays exemplary sportsmanship. These awards are being given out at awards nights. The following athletes were honored for their individual sports:

• Golf - Mark S.
• Boys Cross Country - Ian B.
• Girls Cross Country - Samantha S.
• Boys Swimming - Ben S.
• Girls Swimming - Katy A.
• Girls Volleyball - Taylor K.
• Varsity Cheerleading - Jackie K.
• Varsity Football - Stephen M.

Football & Cheerleading Awards

The following awards were given out Wednesday evening, Jan. 24, in the Janet Root Theatre for the Varsity and Middle Division Football teams and the Varsity Cheerleading squad. Congratulations to these hard-working athletes!

Varsity Football

• Most Valuable Player - Nick M.
• Most Improved Player - Tyler S.
• Coaches Award - Clay B.

Middle Division Football

• Most Valuable Player - Jaime Q.
• Most Improved Player - Jules J.
• Coaches Award - Ian J.-S.
• Garrett Staples Award - Jaime Q.

Varsity Cheerleading

• Most Spirited - Ali W.
• Most Improved - Amanda E.
• Coaches Award - Blair D.

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.