Head of School Letter: Interlude
December 01, 2023
These three weeks between the return from Thanksgiving vacation to the start of the Winter Break are a unique time-period in the world of schools. So much happens in such a short span of time. Get ready for a fast-paced sprint!
Upper Schoolers use these next few weeks to present their end-of-semesters projects and prepare for their mid-term exams, which take place at the end of the first semester in mid-December. Experiential Schoolers are practicing hard for their winter performance in the JRT. Lower Schoolers are deep into their inquiry projects. The second graders are finishing their unit on Plants and Pollinators and will present their Project Shares in innovative ways. Middle Schoolers are completing their School Store projects. Working with RRI Director Earl Walton, they have researched and conducted surveys on cost and inventory, and are ready to present their suggestions to the School Store. (Spoiler alert: Necco Wafers are not selling well at all.)
Other exciting events include two “Code with Your Kid” Workshops for interested Shorecrest families in grades K-4. Parents are invited to learn alongside their Lower Schoolers as they explore a variety of programming applications and coding software.
Our fall athletic seasons closed with an incredible third consecutive State Championship for our Varsity Football Chargers just before Thanksgiving! For most of our winter athletic teams, this past week saw their first home competitions on Haskell Field and in Crisp Gym. Our soccer and basketball teams are off to an enthusiastic start, with exciting games, some winning results and lots more games to come. These next few weeks also bring numerous musical and theater performances. December events include the Winter Band Concert with performers from the Lower, Middle and Upper Schools, and an Upper School Rock Band concert. This is also the time of year for the “One Night Only” Thespian Showcase as the Upper School Thespians prepare to compete in the District Festival.
In the Raymund Center right now, the smell of winter wafts through the building. The annual SCA Greenery Sale kicks off the season, with bushels of bright red and white poinsettias, aromatic wreaths and joyful hardworking volunteers ready to assist with decorations and delivery. There were big smiles from the children at the Poinsettia Pick-Up party, complete with hot chocolate, cookies and storytime.
One of Shorecrest’s most important traditions takes place during this time: the Holiday Gift Drive, a SCA-sponsored, community-wide event. For over 25 years, the Shorecrest community has partnered with the Pinellas / Pasco Guardian ad Litem Foundation - now called Hero to a Child - to make the holidays a little brighter for abused, abandoned or neglected children in the Guardian ad Litem Program of Pinellas and Pasco Counties. The Holiday Gift Drive has been Shorecrest’s signature service event, with participation from families at every grade level, as well as alumni families and grandparents. Students bring unwrapped presents to school; SCA volunteers then organize the presents and on Saturday, December 9, volunteers coordinate with the guardians, who will deliver them to their many recipients. Many thanks to the volunteers who devote their time and energy to participate in the Holiday Gift Drive, which is a highlight of the school year. (Volunteers are still needed for Saturday morning.)
As these three weeks lead up to Winter Break, they also lead up to the end of the calendar year, which marks the end of our celebratory centennial year. Tomorrow the Centennial Gala takes place, honoring the School’s history and raising money for The Teachers Fund. We look forward to this special night. During the final week of school of 2023, we will host a Centennial Closing Reception on Tuesday, December 12 to officially close the year's celebrations. It will highlight the efforts of a number of students who devoted their time to archiving and documenting Shorecrest history. I hope you can join us.
It’s a busy time of year and I know that our students are excited for the many fun events and Shorecrest traditions. Thank you for your support!
All the best,
Nancy
Find details about these events and more right here in Ebytes and on the School Calendar.
