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May 4, 2007Home | Calendars E-Bytes ContentsPoll: Mother's and Father's Days Upcoming EventsMay 4 Friday
May 5 Saturday
May 7 Monday
May 7-10 Mon-Thurs
May 7-18
May 8 Tuesday
May 11 Friday
May 14 Monday
May 15 Tuesday
May 16 Wednesday
May 17 Thursday
May 18 Friday
May 20 Sunday
May 21 Monday
May 22 Tuesday
May 23 Wednesday
May 24 Thursday
May 25 Friday
May 26 Saturday
May 28 Monday
May 29-30 Tues-Wed
The eBay ProjectHow many volunteers does it take to make the eBay Project a success? You may have seen the recent flyer about the Shorecrest eBay Project. We are looking for commitments from several volunteers specific to the areas listed below. With the volunteers in place, the planning can begin. If this sounds exciting to you and you might be interested, please let us know today! You need to give only a few hours of your time each month, and you can schedule a time that's convenient. You and a friend could take on a task as a team so there is always a back up in place. This really can be fun and rewarding and a great benefit to the school at the same time! Task DescriptionsReceiver - Accept and price donated items delivered to campus at a designated location during morning drop-off times and secure items in storage. Receiver must be able to estimate saleable value and weight for shipping. (4-6 days/month; 1 hour/ day) Photographer - Photograph items and upload to computer on campus twice per month after receipt of items, preferably on a regular schedule but at the discretion of the volunteer. (3-4 hours/month) Lister - Construct, monitor and adjust eBay listings. Initial auction listings will be done on campus; however, monitoring and adjusting can be done from home. Extensive experience with eBay is desired, and this position will ideally have several volunteers in a team approach and with monthly rotations. (8-10 hours/month) Arbitrator - Resolve any disputes that arise from the auction process, payments or returned items (minimal hours as needed). Shipper - Package and ship items upon completion of each auction, which requires physically transporting sold items to the post office or UPS Store and arranging for shipment to customers. (4-6 hours/month as needed) Promotions - Publicize the project to the Shorecrest community to solicit parents to donate items through E-Bytes, mailings, flyers and e-mails. Requires some creativity and vigor up-front in creating materials for the initial impact but should become a routine set of tasks after the first couple of months. (1-2 hours/month) Bookkeeper - Maintain financial records and report to the business office. (4-6 hours/month). Please contact SPS parent Tim Ebright at ebright@tampabay.rr.com or (813) 716-5230. SPA NewsSpring LuncheonThe invitations have been mailed, and we are looking forward to a great afternoon of Shorecrest community fun. Our very own Dr. Pam Hamilton will be the guest speaker, and the Janet Root Volunteer of the Year Award will be presented. Remember, this is open to the entire school community, not just Upper Division parents, so come out and help us honor all the great parents at Shorecrest!
We look forward to seeing everyone on Wednesday, May 9, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Vinoy Sunset Ballroom (Snell Isle location). Janet Root Volunteer of the Year Award NominationNominating a worthy volunteer has never been easier! Please contact Mary-Ellen Howells via e-mail at mareh24@aol.com or call 895-5333 to nominate someone you feel should be considered for this prestigious award. Mary-Ellen will contact the individual and complete the nomination form with their volunteer history. The Volunteer of the Year will be announced at the Spring Luncheon on May 9. Nursing OpportunityOn occasion, there is a need for a substitute nurse in our clinic. We are looking for the following qualifications: an active nursing license from the state of Florida, comfort working with children, and patience! Marie Confident would be happy to spend time in the clinic with those who have potential interest. Join Our Parent AmbassadorsBecome a Parent Ambassador and be a part of what makes the Shorecrest experience so special! Parent Ambassadors provide our new families with a vital link to our school and help them connect with our Shorecrest community. As a Parent Ambassador, you would:
If you have any questions or need more information about this rewarding volunteer opportunity, please contact the Admissions Office at 727-522-2111 ext 106 or admissions Interested?You can sign up online for the Parent Ambassador Program. Save the Date!
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Lower DivisionCelebrate the ArtsThe first Celebrate the Arts Cook Out was a huge success as a prelude to the fabulous artwork of the children and musical presentations.
Sue Rowe's Art Club provided the backdrop for the stage, a great Peter Maxx rendition of the Beatles' album cover. The children rose to the occasion as they sang some favorite Beatles songs. Citizen of the MonthCongratulations to our April citizens of the month of the 2006-07 school year:
These students exemplify the life skills we teach and practice here at Shorecrest. Thank you, parents, for instilling these wonderful values in your children. You would be pleased to know that they are modeling what you taught them. Thank you for being partners with us in this most important endeavor. An Osprey Named OpheliaDr. Christian Giblin came and read a story to Mrs. Whitecage's first grade class. This was a very important and special story to read, since the authors were Chris Giblin along with her daughter, who is in Mrs. Whitecage's first grade.
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Teacher Appreciation DayThe children were filled with excitement as they helped to create door displays celebrating their teachers. The hallways were full of preparation activity way past 6 p.m., and the festivities began again early the next morning as volunteers secretly crept in to complete finishing touches.
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Juniors: Important college visits are coming up. Please check this list to see if any of the colleges are schools you are interested in attending and plan to attend their representative's visit on the following dates:
All freshmen are invited to attend a study-palooza with Mr. Heller in H4 on May 19 and 20 between 10:00 and 2:00 to prepare for the Social Studies exam.
On Wednesday, May 2, students in eighth through eleventh grades listened to short speeches by candidates for Student Council offices, then cast their votes on Pinellas County touch-screen voting machines that were set up in the gym.
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Rachel W., the vice president of the National Art Honor Society, was one of the many members who read to Lower Division students last week in the Media Center.

One of the goals of this organization, sponsored by Charla Gaglio, is to expose students to artists they may not be familiar with. Over 30 Upper Division students are involved in various activities during the school year. Thank you to Janet Root and Charla Gaglio for making this possible.
On Sunday, April 29, twelve members of the Key Club and Mr. Ma went to North Shore Pool at 8 a.m. to volunteer at the St. Anthony's Triathlon. They were stationed at the finish line.
The Key Clubbers helped with various tasks, including cutting off the electronic timing chips worn by the athletes, being backup timers, and passing out water and towels to the exhausted participants who had just finished the race.

The event lasted until 1:30 p.m. and was an inspiring and rewarding experience. Special thanks to Stephanie G. who was the first person to arrive and the last one to leave!
St. Anthony's Triathlon Pictures
Mrs. Peck's ninth grade Conceptual Physics students have been studying density. They were surprised to learn Diet Coke floats while Coke Classic sinks. They learned that real sugar in Coke makes it more dense. The really big surprise came when they massed out the amount of sugar in their favorite soft drinks! Many of them contain over ten teaspoons of sugar!

See photos and learn more about density.
Some of the Alpha students who will be joining us for the 2007-2008 school year had their first taste of Shorecrest this week. They and their parents spent time on the playground and in the Alpha Exploratorium. It was an informal opportunity to meet, play and get comfortable in this new environment and with each other.

They all had a great time and are looking forward to their next visit! Next week, one last group of Alpha and two groups of incoming JK students will have their turns to visit. Judging by this week's groups, next year's classes promise to be filled with wonderful children and very supportive parents.
Examining, observing and painting with live worms were popular activities during exploring in Alpha and JK last week. The children watched them in a simulated natural habitat, and most of the children (though not all of the teachers) had no qualms about handling the worms!

They especially enjoyed painting with the wriggly creatures. Animal lovers needn't be concerned as it was done with materials that were safe for all. The worms were put in a tray with non-toxic watercolors and then gently laid on the paper to creep around.
Throughout the month, the children in Early Childhood will be participating in a wide variety of activities inside and outside that are related to the relevant topics of ocean and sea life.

This week, a popular fishing game was added to the outdoor water table and many sea life manipulatives were added to the indoor activities. Watch for more on our related fun-filled learning activities.
This year's Middle Division Honor Assembly and Awards Assembly is set for Tuesday, May 22, at 1:00 p.m. in the Janet Root Theatre (please note that this is a new date). The assembly will include traditional end-of-year awards and will also include the honor certificates that have been presented in a September honor assembly in the past.
Parents whose children will be recognized at this event will be notified approximately one week before the assembly date. We look forward to celebrating our Middle Division successes with parents and community members on the 22nd!
On Thursday, sixteen Middle Division students and Mr. Hodgson left for Tallahassee to compete in this year's Florida State History Fair on the campus of Tallahassee Community College. It's the fifth straight year that Shorecrest has been represented at the state competition.
The students had to either place first or second in their respective categories at the Pinellas County History Fair in January in order to advance to the state level.

This year's theme for the competition was "Triumph and Tragedy in History." The following students will represent Shorecrest at the competition. Good luck, Chargers!
Earlier this spring, sixth graders from Mrs. Meyer's language arts classes entered a poetry contest for young poets. This week 33 students received news that their poems were found worthy of publication in the anthology A Celebration of Young Poets.
These same poets will be eligible for the honor of "Top Ten Poets" which includes not only their own special page in the anthology but also awards of over $3000 in prizes.

Shorecrest will be recognized in the anthology with a "Poetic Achievement Award," an honor given to schools whose students' entries are of exceptionally high merit.
The Middle Division students will be taking the ERB standardized tests May 7-10. There are eight different components to the test. Testing time will occur between 8:30 and 11:00 each morning. Please keep the testing times in mind and avoid having students sign out during them. Make-up testing schedules will be assigned to students who miss the regular testing.
Last Wednesday evening, Ann Harris, a consultant for the Educational Records Bureau (ERB), met with parents to discuss and demystify the ERB and WrAP writing tests. Ms. Harris spoke to Shorecrest parents about the result sheets that parents receive after the tests are scored and how to read these documents. She also noted that the ERBs are different in style and purpose from such "high stakes" achievement tests as the FCATs here in Florida.
She also focused on the ways that educators at Shorecrest and other schools can and do utilize data as a tool to shape their teaching and curricular decisions.
What can 61 sixth graders, their five teachers and a handful of parent volunteers accomplish in less than two hours? They were able to pick up almost one and a half tons of litter at Gandy Beach during Middle Division Community Service Day.

According to Keep Pinellas Beautiful, the city hauled off three truck loads of over 200 bags - that's 2,800 pounds of litter that is no longer polluting the bay and affecting its plant and wildlife!
To recognize the efforts of our students, Lee Stripling, the education coordinator from Keep Pinellas Beautiful, presented a certificate of appreciation at Wednesday's Middle Division assembly.
Consultants who work with non-profits recommend starting all capital campaign efforts with a "silent phase." This is a time when trustees and other donors jump-start the campaign with early gifts. If a silent phase goes well, a significant amount of the financial goal will be obtained before the general campaign is announced.
In an age of instant and mass communication and in a relatively small independent school community like ours, a "silent phase" takes on a gentle hum. People start hearing that the Board is going to build a new Upper Division. Then someone hears about a new facility for grades 7 and 8. Then the hum starts about a new gym and so on and so on.
The Board of Trustees, using the feedback from the surveys and focus groups many of our parents, faculty and students completed during the past year, have initiated the silent phase of a new capital campaign for Shorecrest. "Leading Today-Building for Tomorrow" is the next phase of advancement for our school.
On May 16, our community will gather for a groundbreaking ceremony for a new Upper Division, Landy Hall, and the renovation of the Science and Technology Building. At that time the hum will become lively chatter and the focus of our community. The full plan for the Leading Today-Building for Tomorrow Campaign for Shorecrest will be presented to the full community in the fall of 2007.
If you can't wait to learn about the plans, feel free to contact any of the Trustees, Gary Butts in the Advancement Office, one of the Division Heads or me. We will be happy to give you a preview of the plans.
Hummmm and Cheers!
Leading Today, Building for TomorrowThe Campaign for ShorecrestDon't Miss the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the New Upper Division CampusWednesday, May 16 |
The Charger Girls Track team proved themselves at the state meet in Winter Park last Friday, April 27, with a fifth place finish!

Samantha S. was a point-scoring machine for the Chargers. Sam placed second in the triple jump (her personal best and school record jump of 37' 7.75"), second in the 400M finishing in 58.47, and third in both the 4x800 relay and the 4x400 relay to accumulate 28 points for her team.
Lindsey E., Sarah E., Pavandeep B., along with Sam S. ran the 4x800 relay for third place and a school record. Taylor T., Casey E., and Pavandeep B. were joined by Samantha S. for third place in the 4x400 relay and finished with another school record. Pavandeep B. placed fifth in the girls 800 meter run, and Sarah E. placed sixth in the 3200 meter run for yet another school record.
Pav B. also finished in tenth place in the long jump. Casey E. placed ninth in the pole vault, tied with Erin M. Sandy L. finished the pole vault in fifteenth place. Our girls' 4x100 relay team, made up of Casey E., Jenn C., Jasmine C., and Taylor T., placed thirteenth in the state.

On the boys team, Patrick M. excelled at the pole vault with a sixth place finish. Ian B. finished in ninth place in the 400 meter run. Congratulations to all the state qualifiers and their coaches! We are proud of your accomplishments!
Booster Club FactoidDid you know that Booster Club dues and proceeds paid for mascot Sparky's costume? |
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May 1 was the first day of Spring Football practice, and the team will learn a new offense this spring. Coach Hayford is happy with the work ethic of the 28 boys out for spring practice. "They are ready to give it their all, and they look forward to the challenges ahead." The team will practice for two and a half weeks and play their Spring game on Thursday, May 17, at 7:00 p.m. on Haskell Field against The Cambridge School from Tampa.
There will be a parent/player meeting on May 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the main ballroom at Feather Sound Country Club for any students interested in trying out for the upcoming 2007 Varsity Golf season. Coach Iaquinta will answer any questions that the parents or athletes may have and hand out the tryout schedule.
Please check your closets, drawers, and car trunks for any Shorecrest sports teams uniforms. Turn them in at the Athletic Office as soon as possible.
Order your athletic candid photos from Sun Haven Photography and type in Shorecrest for Event Name.
Order your athletic team and individual pictures from Northeast Photography.
Go to: Collages.net
Every Boys Varsity Football game is available, each with highlights included.
The 2006 Football Season in Review, a DVD package of the entire football season, game by game highlights that also includes a free bonus DVD of bloopers, great tackles and awesome runbacks, plus special videos that includes Family Night and Homecoming, etc. is also available for order at $25.
Game videos available for $20 each:
Video productions are available by ordering directly from www.Stefio.TV or by calling 528-3180.
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.
All of your shopping has paid off for Shorecrest! We received a check for $1,242.68 from Target and the Take Charge of Education program. Target donates up to 1% of purchases made using the REDcard to eligible schools designated by Target shoppers. Since 1998 Shorecrest has received $12,930. Shorecrest has used this money to support athletics, the arts and our wonderful faculty.

If you already have a Target Visa or Target Card, you can designate Shorecrest to receive money from your purchase by visiting www.target.com/tcoe or stopping by the kiosk in your favorite Target store and designating Shorecrest as your preferred school. Our school ID number is 5025. Together with Target you can make a difference at Shorecrest.
• Shorecrest parent Liz Anderson, who on a recent Friday was picking up her daughter at the Early Childhood Center when an adorable, seemingly orphaned little terrier pup appeared. The Andersons rescued the pup but were unable to find its owner, even after a trip to the vet for it to be "chip scanned" (thank you so much, Dr. and Mrs. Wehrmann).
The Anderson family brought the pup to the Central Administration building, where the pup received more attention and love from students and adults alike and reciprocated by giving many licky kisses back!
"Found Dog" signs with photos were placed at the entry of Charger and Pratt Blvds. for all to see, but no one claimed our prize. Lisa Wikholm, Assistant Admissions Director, was excited to take the precious cargo home for the weekend and planned to make him the family pet if no one came for him. On Saturday, Lisa, accompanied by her newfound friend, went to the Dave Moore Football Clinic on Haskell Field but still no owner came forward.
Shortly after leaving Shorecrest, parent Leah Adams passed a person placing "Lost Dog" posters with a photo that looked exactly like our "Found Dog." It was one and the same!

April and Eric Oremland of 61st Avenue NE spent an anxious night worrying when after returning home, their beloved "Snoopy" was not greeting them at the door with their other dog. The story has a happy ending with Snoopy's reunion with Mommy and Daddy who were so appreciative not only to Lisa, but also to everyone at Shorecrest who helped make Snoopy's adventure a safe and loving one. Snoopy came back to campus with parents in tow to present flowers and a fabulous poster.
Star Surgeon, by Alan Nourse, about teams of doctors traveling throughout the galaxy to heal diseases; also a story about overcoming prejudice. A good read even for a grown up.
- Parent
When I was really little I loved the Junie B. Jones books. Now I love The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.
- Book person
I definitely remember the Junie B. Jones series. You name it, I know it. I still will read it for pleasure and fun.
- Junie B.
Tristan and Iseult. I could not wait to see if the sail was white or black. Our fifth grade teacher kept us enchanted the whole way through the book.
- Mom
Little Moon, I think that is what it is called. I used to love that book.
- Student
I must have read The Boxcar Children, the first one where the mystery they solve is who their family is, close to a hundred times; I can't think about my childhood without it crossing my mind. But, I also loved all of the "Little House" books, with On the Banks of Plum Creek being my absolute favorite book from childhood. My mother read to me every night, and we went through that entire series two complete times, but I would have been just as happy reading about Nellie Olsen and the leaches every single night.
- Teacher
I remember Harry Potter.
- Harry Potta 4ev
Boomer Goes to School! It was about a yellow labrador named Boomer, who went to school with his 7 year old owner... I loved it so much that I even got my own Boomer!
- Frantic freshman
My favorite book growing up was The Bumper Book of Elmer.
- Seventh grader
My favorite book while growing up was The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
- Girl
The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
- Eighth grade blondie
The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings is my favorite book from childhood. I was thrilled to then visit Rawlings' home in Cross Creek where The Yearling was written. Every youngster should read this fine book.
I remember the novelized Godzilla series. Rawr!
- Godzilla fan!
All of the Madeleine and Babar books. I checked them out from the library numerous times.
- Alumna and parent
Is Your Mama a Lama?
- Child in mind
I remember Little Red Riding Hood.
- Third
I remember the book Today I Feel Silly. I reminisce about this book a lot. The thing I liked best about this book is that it taught me that I could have different attitudes every day.
- Girl
A series about Tom Corbett, space cadet. Yes, very apt.
- Dad
It is a tough decision because I have many favorite books from childhood, but I think I have to choose Corduroy. I now enjoy reading this book to my son!
- Parent of a book lover
I loved those books Pat the Cat and Pet the Bunny!
- Ninth grader
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie...
best book ever, hands down.
Goodnight Moon should be every child's first book. First, get the edition the kid can chew on, then move on to the nice one to read aloud.
- Father and uncle