Farewell - Seacrest E-News 5/31/17

We Will Miss You!

Thank You for Five Years, Dr. Watson!

Dear Friends,

As I start to think about packing up my office, so many memories of the past five years come to light. Birthday cards and posters from kids. A megaphone from a basketball game. State medals from volleyball and baseball. The armoire that has traveled with us for the past twenty years. My Darth Vader Santa bobble head that has been a constant holiday decoration in my office for as many years as I can remember. Interesting and fun, but they are just things. My memories of the people who make up the Seacrest community are what I truly cherish.

I look forward to having more control over my time and to be able to more fully participate in the lives of our children and grandchildren. No big retirement trip planned as of yet, but smaller trips this summer focused on family in Michigan, Tennessee and California. Marco Island is now our home and where we will remain. That will make it easy for me to continue my involvement with Seacrest so you will undoubtedly see me from time to time next year and beyond. A bit of consulting with other independent schools will keep me busy, active and out of trouble. All in all, a pretty good plan.

Thank you for the past five years as Head of School at Seacrest. The pleasure has been all mine!

All my best,

John

Best Wishes to Mrs. Gardino!

Longtime Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Terry Gardino is retiring after 23 years at Seacrest. Mrs. Gardino's current class of students and parents arranged a surprise retirement party for her where they presented her with a professionally photographed book that included quotes from her Kindergartners about what an impact she made on them this year. After attending the Class of 2017 Commencement, Mrs. Gardino wanted to share her thoughts on how her last class at Seacrest has impacted her life.

"I realized that tonight was not my last graduation. It won't be until 2029 when this amazing Kindergarten class graduates as I plan to attend every graduation up to then. In the meantime, my wish for all of my students is that you embrace life's endless possibilities and that love and kindness fill your heart. Thank you for all the days I have spent with you as your Kindergarten teacher. And may you always know you will be in my heart. You have taught me probably more than I have taught you. And I know that as in the song 'What a Wonderful World'…."You'll learn much more than I'll ever know."

Terry

Happy Retirement Mr. and Mrs. DeSalvo!

Thank you to Jodie DeSalvo, Director of Choral Activities, and Bill DeSalvo, Director of Alumni Programs, Key Club Faculty Advisor and Director of Seacrest Enrichment Activities for devoting 10 years to the Seacrest community. Because of your efforts, our vocal performances achieved a whole new level of awesomeness and our students embraced a new opportunity to serve the community. Thank you for everything!

"Our careers at Seacrest have been so full, wonderful and exciting.
Thank you so much for welcoming us as a family ten years ago, for educating our son who is a wonderful young man that we are so proud of, and for making us a part of this community with generous open arms, love and joy.
We are so lucky to have been a large part of educating ten years of students here at Seacrest, and to make a difference in the classroom, as club mentors, touring Europe, and presenting our young adults out in the community in many performing venues. Now we are alumni parents, but always, Stingrays for life. We love you Seacrest, and always will!"

Good Luck on Your Next Adventure Ms. Arndt!

Upper School Theatre Director and Seminar instructor and Middle School History teacher Ms. Arndt is off to start a new community theatre in Massachusetts. We know she'll bring terrific productions up North just as she did at Seacrest!

"As I reflect on my time hear at Seacrest, what I take with me most of all is love. Love for my students, love for my colleagues, and love for this community. I have been truly blessed by all of the opportunities Seacrest has given me in the classroom, on the stage, and beyond. As I embark on my own artistic adventure, I hope the last lesson I can leave my students is also the first one I tried to teach: to take risks, follow your passions, and lead with love."

Farewell Seniors!

They will scatter across the globe in the fall, but the Class of 2017 came together one last time for a beautifully moving Commencement. In the midst of donning their caps and gowns, the 38 graduating seniors took a moment to breathe and soak in the moment. Here it is described by Mr. Schott, Head of Upper School:

"I do not think you will be surprised to hear that the Class of 2017 created a new tradition only minutes before graduation. They gathered in a circle in the Common Room and held hands. Each student turned to classmates on the direct right and left to say what they admired about them. No adult was involved in the idea or the implementation. A moving, meaningful, and apt concluding moment of togetherness for this special group."

Click Here to See More Pictures from the Big Day

8th Grade is Ready for Upper School

Full Story

Seacrest Junior David Morgan Named Boys Golfer of the Year

Full Story

Seacrest Baseball Loses Heartbreaker in State Semi-Final

Full Story

Students Head into the 'Real World' for Spanish Final Exam

Full Story

Back to School Splash!

What: All-School Welcome Back Event (formerly Stingray Picnic)

When: Friday, August 25 at 7 pm

Where: Golden Gate Pool

Super fun activities in and out of the water!

*Food will be generously supplied by Texas Tony's Rib and BrewHouse. Thank you to the Phelan family for once again providing an awesome dinner menu for this annual event.

4th Grade Loves to Read!

Congratulations to 4th Grade for having the highest participation in the Sunshine State Reading Competition!!

Seacrest Summer Office Hours

The Main office will be open from 9 am - 3 pm Monday through Thursday, closed Fridays.

The phones will be open from 10 am - 2 pm Monday - Thursday.

Messages will be taken at other times only when staff is available.

We are pleased to announce the appointment of the following new faculty members for 2017-2018:

Marc Barry – Mathematics and Robotics

A veritable jack of all math and engineering trades, Marc Barry actually joined us last fall to teach physics as a long-term substitute for Lisa McLaughlin. He soon became involved in the robotics program and led the team to its greatest success to date traveling to World Competition in Houston last April. A Program Director with the Boy Scouts of America since 1987, Mr. Barry was a math teacher in the Lee County School District from 2012-2016. Mr. Barry holds a BS in Secondary Education: Mathematics from Idaho State University, and is currently working on his Master's at FGCU.

Lisa Federico – MS & US Choral Music

Choral music and music theatre have been Lisa Federico's passion since childhood. Ms. Federico has taught music in the Collier County Public Schools since 1995, but that is only part of the story. Her background in musical theatre led her to become the musical director of Kidz Act at the Sugden Theater. As a performer, Ms. Federico has performed for many years with Opera Naples, the Naples Concert Band, Naples Players and the Philharmonic Chorale. Ms. Federico holds a Bachelor's of Music Education degree from Heidelberg College, and has studied performance at Ohio State University, Cleveland Institute of Music and Willoughby Fine Arts School.

Rebecca Best - MS & US Instrumental Music

An accomplished flutist and pianist, Rebecca Best comes to us from Cape Fear Academy, an independent day school in Wilmington, North Carolina. Ms. Best founded the instrumental program at Cape Fear in 1988 and built it into a wide-ranging music program that includes jazz band, pep band and numerous chamber groupings. She introduced music theory courses at Cape Fear and has been an AP Music Theory test reader since 2008. Ms. Best is excited to step into our growing program at Seacrest. Ms. Best has a BA in Music Performance and a MA in Music Education from the University of North Carolina – Wilmington.

Pre-Register for the Best Rate for Seacrest Summer Camp!

It is not too late to sign up for next week's Seacrest All-Sports and Specialty Sport Camp.

Pre-registration is $125 for a half day and $175 for a full day.

Walk-in registration is $200 for full day and $150 for half day.

In addition to the morning sports themes and afternoon specialized instruction, we have an outstanding staff of coaches and counselors including some of our best Seacrest Alumni/Student athletes: Valerie Gonzalez, Matt DiNorcia, Katie Ryan, Missy Ryan, Josue Rivera, and Erick Chavez. Feel free to contact Bill Carufe at 239-290-3430 with any questions.

Congratulations to the

Running Rays!

This hard-working bunch of students ran 2,411.5 miles this year.

The top three grade levels for the last quarter of school are:

3rd place - 3rd Grade with 547.25 miles
2nd place - 5th Grade with 622.5 miles
1st place - 4th Grade with 741.5 miles

Congratulations to 5th grader Elliott Solomon who logged 176.5 miles!

Missed the Baseball Pep Rally?

No Worries! Click on the video above to catch the whole team and some special guests in action! You won't want to miss these killer dance moves!

School Store Blowout Sale!

Everything up to 75% Off!

Cash, Check or Credit Card Only, Please.

Open for drop-off and pick-up this week.

Contact Cindy Weir at cweir@seacrest.org to schedule a time to shop.

Last Call!

Discounted Dinner and a Movie!

It's your last chance to take advantage of the Seacrest Parent Association promotion that gives you a discounted night on the town while helping Seacrest Country Day School.

Enjoy $50 to spend at THREE Naples restaurants - Pinchers, Deep Lagoon, or Texas Tonys - for just $40.

Dine-In only. Click here for a virtual tour of Pinchers!

Best of all, 100% of the sale goes to Seacrest!

And, don't forget about the Paragon Theater ticket promotion - for just $10 you can get tickets valued at $13.00.

Questions, please contact spafundraiser@

seacrest.org

MAY EVENTS:

JUNIOR CONVOCATION

6/2

1 pm

LS Gym

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL