Wildlife biologist and 2nd-grade parent guest speaker David Onorato from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spoke to our Lower School students about the importance of wildlife research globally and in our local communities. 

While passing around the preserved skulls of panthers and bears, students learned about the importance of field research for data collection. Mr. Onorato is a member of the field team that tags bobcats and panthers to observe their migration and breeding patterns in the Everglades. Today the only place with wild Florida panthers is right here at the southwestern tip of Florida.

The book Alice in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll, has been part of many children’s lives. It seems like a simple fairy tale, but it goes much deeper than that. Taking the perspective of Alice’s self-discovery, seniors in the Composition and Literature course read the novel to delve deeper into their self-reflection. 

Sure, Upper School students could write an essay after finishing this novel but thinking about the work creatively opens a new personal understanding and connection. 

“I want my students to walk away from my class being active readers,” Dr. Reese said. “Going beyond the lines in the book and discovering Alice’s journey towards self and using those same themes in their lives.” 

Seacrest Middle School students spend the third quarter studying The Holocaust. This quarter occurs between Holocaust Remembrance Month, in January, and Genocide Awareness Month, in April.