Head of School Letter: Winter Community Events

As we launch this new year of 2025, I am looking forward to the many special community events that we have scheduled for the next two months. I feel so much gratitude for this community and am grateful for the chance to spend time with all of you. There are numerous opportunities for Shorecrest families to come together and I hope that you will join in the fun. Participation and engagement are what build the bonds of this school community. And if you have suggestions for other events, please let us know!

Tonight is Spirit Night, an action-packed evening with the chance to cheer on numerous athletic teams. Starting at 4pm, we will have giveaways, food trucks, photos with Sparky the Lightning Bolt, and a pop-up School Store in the Athletic Center. The drumline is back, along with our talented cheerleaders, while we cheer on our Chargers basketball and soccer teams and celebrate our State Championship athletes! The State Championship banners will be revealed and all are encouraged to come.

On Saturday, January 18, Shorecrest will be hosting the West Florida FIRST LEGO League Regional Championship. Over 40 teams from around the state will join our two Middle School teams to compete in this STEM and robotics challenge tournament. The Athletic Center’s two gyms will be chock full of competitors as students engage in research, problem-solving, coding, and engineering, building and programming a LEGO robot that navigates the missions of a robot game. There is always anticipation and excitement as our students experience the joy of success with their robot or the challenge when something goes awry. Please come cheer on our Chargers in the Crisp Gym during this spirited community event. Robot games will be running between 9am-2pm.

Later this month on Monday, January 20, we will continue our Shorecrest tradition of community volunteerism by providing service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Shorecrest strives to be exemplary in our commitment to others and extends that passion to our City of St. Petersburg by supporting the clean-up efforts at the conclusion of the MLK Dream Big parade. Each year a group of Shorecrest students, families, faculty and staff gather, wearing Shorecrest green and gold gear, to watch the parade together. After the parade is over, we grab gloves and trash bags and together clean up the debris that is left behind. It’s a small way to provide service to our city. 

February brings the much-anticipated International Festival, a beloved tradition organized by the International Connection group and supported by many dedicated volunteers, which will take place on Tuesday, February 25. This vibrant community event provides the chance for families to showcase the artifacts, cuisines, music and traditions of their heritage. Over 40 culturally diverse booths, staffed by parents, grandparents, and friends, will provide students with a meaningful opportunity to engage with the cultures of many Shorecrest families. The festival exemplifies the strength of our diverse community and reinforces our commitment to celebrating and uniting the richness of our community’s global traditions. 

The community can once again come together on Friday, February 28, to enjoy Disney's "Zootopia" at Movie Night presented by Kane's Furniture. Kick back with popcorn on your blanket under the stars and enjoy the award-winning, heartwarming comedy-adventure. 

With so many activities going on, I know how busy life can get. I hope that your family will have time to participate in some or all of these exciting Shorecrest community winter events. Happy New Year!

All the best, 

Nancy