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The

Advocate
Official Newsletter of the St. Petersburg High School International Baccalaurate Program Winter 2014

IB Booster Board
Annual General Meeting/Elections
WHEN: Tuesday, April 8, at 6:00 p.m. WHERE: SPHS Little Theatre WHO: ALL IB Parents!
*************************************************************************************************************************
The IB Booster Board, the parent volunteer organization

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that supports our IB Program, needs you!

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Come out and run or vote for the assumes role of President in his/her Non-Elected Board Members
2014-15 IB Booster Executive Board. absence; and has signature authority (Committee Chairpersons)
All IB Booster members can run for IB Booster bank account.
and vote for office, and you can sign Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Open
up/renew your membership at the Secretary Hospitality . . . . . . . . . . Cindee Connon
meeting if needed. Elected Officers Keeps accurate records and minutes of
all meetings of the Booster Board and Graduation Celebration . . . . . . . . . Julie
must commit to one year of service
general membership; prepares minutes DelVecchio
starting July 1st.
of the meeting which are available Proctoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Open
With many officers and committee to all members; and conducts any
Pinning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dena Minning
heads being parents of seniors, we are correspondence or official business of
actively seeking to fill the positions the Booster Organization. If you are interested in running for
of President, Vice President, and any of these positions or serving as a
Communications and Proctoring Treasurer
committee chair, please contact Susan
committee chairs for next year. Below Creates and maintains an auditable set
Farias at farriass@pcsb.org before
are the officer positions and their of financial records; provides monthly
April 3, 2014, and your name will be
responsibilities: financial reports to IB Booster Board;
added to the ballot. You must be an IB
and has signature authority for IB
Booster member to run for office or
President Booster bank account. The Treasurer
serve as a committee chair.
Prepares agenda and runs the (or his/her designee) also attends the
IB Booster Board and General annual insurance workshop and files By getting involved, you will get an
Membership Meetings; assigns annual insurance with the President opportunity to connect with other
Treasurer to complete an annual audit and an annual Florida Corporation IB parents, the IB teachers and
of the finances; and has signature report. At the end of the school year, administrators, and create your
authority for IB Booster bank account. the Treasurer conducts an annual audit own memories of your student’s
of the bank account and provides an high school years. Your student will
Vice President annual report to the Executive Board, be gone before you know it, and
Recruits and manages IB Booster IB Coordinator and Principal of SPHS. volunteering will help keep you
Membership; assists President with
connected, so please join us!
Booster meetings and activities;
First Semester Disappointing? Resources
Abound to Help You Reach Success!
By the time you’re reading this either study a little longer everything will get Pre-DP students once each rotation,
you, the student; or your child, if you better. Essentially, these two practices twice for DP candidates), the classes
are a parent, has made it through are simply doing more of the same are interspersed with students of all
the first semester of the 2013-14 IB (see Einstein’s thoughts on this) and grades, which, if an industrious young
school year. With the first half of the at some point the law of diminishing student wants to take full advantage,
proverbial “war” in the books, it’s time returns sets in, leading to a much has a buffet of students to provide
to check for wounds and engage in a decreased return on the investment. assistance to the difficulties that he
moment or two of triage, laying out For some of the 9th graders, by the or she may be facing. Additionally,
the best plan of action to vanquish time they truly realize this it is too during these CTSS blocks, teachers
the enemy that still lies ahead: spring late, leading to their exodus from the lead students in spirited TOK-focused
semester (and unless this is the program. discussions which help stimulate the
senior year, more battles beyond this cognitive process which provides
one). During this short period of Leaving the program due to a lack of more thoughtful responses to the work
voluntary self-reflection, or perhaps success never needs to be the case; the produced during that class time.
less “voluntary” and more “outside only time that students in the infancy
motivated” (possibly driven by a of their IB tenure should withdraw Moving past the benefits most
strongly worded probationary letter is based on IB not being the right fit relevant to underclassmen, we arrive
from the IB office, a scolding from an for them. One of the predominant at perhaps the largest benefit of the
impassioned teacher, or a threat to reasons that the former is true is schedule, and certainly one of the most
take away social media by a parent) premised on the new schedule model underutilized: the ability for a student
many musings will come to mind as incorporated here. This meticulously to attend another course. Students are
to how to improve upon whatever the cultivated schedule was forged with able pre-sit a class that is going to be
outcome of the first semester was. The many factors considered; and at, or missed for any reason. If the course

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near, the top of the list was increased lines up exactly with a CTSS, then it is

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thing about these flights of fantasy is

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that often they will never manifest into student performance. Though there a simple matter of clearing that with

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action or purposeful decisions; instead, are certainly some inherent limitations both teachers (the CTSS instructor
many of the best laid plans to improve tied to the ability to truly take full and the teacher of the class to be
upon the works of the past become advantage of the schedule during pre-sat). However, the options are
“should’ves” or “could’ves.” But, it does the 9th and 10th grade years, the not this limited, as there is the ability
not have to be this way, and in reality, schedule does afford students at this to do a three-class move with relative
with the resources available it certainly highly impressionable stage of their ease. This fraction of a Rubik’s cube
should never be this way. academic journey the opportunity to is readily available but mostly remains
seek out additional support from their untouched by the student body.
One of the best ways to ensure teachers on a level that has previously
the highest chance of mediocrity been unheard of at this school, largely What has an even larger untapped
and lackluster results is to take a based on the restrictive nature of potential for students to find success
reactionary, “wait-and-see” approach. the traditional schedule that had where they may otherwise find
This affliction is oft most prevalent in been in place prior. As teachers feel difficulty and stress is the option to re-
the freshmen, as they come in as the less burdened in the day-to-day, the sit a class. Often students don’t know
former “big fish” expecting to produce efficiency level that they are able to what they don’t know until it’s too late.
the same results here during the Pre- bring heightens as does their ability to Realizing that the former statement
DP years as they had in middle school offer additional support outside of the sounds somewhat tautological, if the
while offering only that same level of specified classroom meeting time. initial conundrum of the “reactionary
effort. By now, however, the reality approach” to improving one’s
has set in for most 9th graders that The benefits of this schedule certainly academics is considered, then the idea
this is far from being true, yet there do not stop at the ripple-effect created takes a more tangible shape. When a
is a prevailing behavioral pattern that by decreased teacher stress, but rather, student listens to an in-class lecture,
has emerged that if the struggling they just begin at this point. During the gravity of that content is often not
students just read a little more or the CTSS block (which is available to fully embraced even when the student

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believes that she has a full grasp of the Thus far the schedule, increased opportunities, and seizing the chance

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material. This can easily be checked if faculty access, and interactions with to work with strong classmates among
the student goes home and reviews the IB classmates have been expounded other things, but, above all . . . above
notes taken for that day. If the material upon as avenues to strengthen the all, being proactive means embracing
then resembles Klingon more than it academics of students here. However, the belief that directed, efficient time
does English (or Spanish/French in the one thing that has been the root invested into academics early, and
a foreign language course), then the factor for success, and will remain that often, is exponentially more valuable
scholarly youth can easily arrange to catalyst, is the student himself. Being than the same time invested down the
re-sit the course and be able to focus proactive means doing more than road as a reaction to an outcome or
on filling in the holes and the cognitive feigning passion and commitment; obstacle.
reflection of the content without it means sending e-mails, asking
having to worry about writing down questions (even if that means “standing Todd Maxwell
the voluminous material—having done out”), following up with instructors, IB History faculty
that during the original sitting. taking advantage of extending learning

Student Achievement
Scholarship is worth up to $60,000
over four years of study at an
accredited U.S. college or university.
Each year, up to four winners are
selected from applicants who are high
academic achievers and have overcome
significant obstacles.

IB Juniors Shayn McClellan and


Adam Torres and IB Sophomore
Nathan Huynh had their artwork
selected for exhibition in the Pinellas
County Schools Administration
Building Annual Art Exhibition in
November. Additionally, the following
IB students had work selected for the
annual Scholastics Art and Writing
IB Senior Yuri Couto, a percussionist, online application and several videos Awards Exhibition, which will be on
was selected to participate in the that demonstrate their musical and February 11 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
prestigious U.S. Army All-American marching ability. at Gibbs High School:
Band that performed during halftime IB Sophomore Tiya Chounlamountry
of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl A video of the band’s halftime
performance and an interview – Honorable Mention, Jacqueline Frost
on January 4 at the Alamodome in
San Antonio, Texas. Only 125 band featuring Yuri may be viewed at the IB Junior Erika Riffe - Honorable
members from across the country are following links: Mention, Cold Shoulder
selected for this honor. www.youtube.com/ IB Junior Kayla Shirley - Honorable
The U.S. Army All-American Bowl watch?v=HwhOlWl7dfQ Mention, The Recurring Path
is the premier high school football www.youtube.com/
game in the nation, and the selection watch?v=YbXwZmKEzG4
to participate in the game’s band is a
yearlong process. The band members, IB Seniors Adela Lillolari and Noor
who are all seniors, are nominated Tasnim have been named semifinalists
by their band directors during their for the Barnes Scholarship awarded
junior year. They must then submit an by the Tampa Bay Times. A Barnes

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Club and Sports Activities
Debate: Two SPHS debaters Thespians: SPHS Thespians did Evan Snyder won a place in the All-Star

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qualified for the National Forensic an outstanding job during the three- Cast for his outstanding performance in

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League’s national tournament in June day District Thespian Competition in SPHS’s competition one act, “Pugilist” an

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at the Student Congress regional December. Over 50 students competed award winning play written by SPHS and
qualifying tournament in November. IB in the festival in over 27 individual IB alumnus Zack Hartman. Honorable
Sophomore Sam Joyce and IB Senior events, including auditions for Mention Awards for second place overall
Saagar Gupta took first and second scholarships. All three SPHS entries for were given to IB Sophomore Tucker
place in the Senate chamber, locking solo musical won superior ratings, the DeGregory and Asianna Williams in
up bids. Additionally, IB Senior Ben highest that can be received.  Dance, IB Junior Amanda Sherwin
Connelly and IB Sophomore Kevin in Dance, and Joey Evans in Student
Solomon each finished third in their IB Senior Anna Tobin was selected Directed Scene.
House chambers, making them second as Critic’s Choice (Best in Show) in
alternates for the national tournament. Only Solo Musical for the second year in a In addition, SPHS Thespians garnered
the top two Senate finishers and the top row, and she received a $1,000 Florida the following Superior (First Place) and
finisher in each House receive bids. State Thespian Scholarship. IB Junior Excellent (Second Place) marks in their
Meghan Cashmore also received Critic’s division:
February will be a very busy month Choice for costume construction.
for the Green Devils as they compete
in qualifiers for the Catholic Forensic SUPERIOR:
League’s national tournament. Also,
several debaters will be making the trip Solo Musical:..........................................Paige Crockett*, Trenton Sweigart*◊, Anna Tobin*◊
to Boston for the Harvard Invitational
Duet Musical: ......................................................................... Anna Tobin*, Trenton Sweigart*
over Presidents’ Day weekend.
Monologues:.................................................................................................... Lara McCallister*◊
Goldfever 2014: On Friday,
January 10th, many IB students put Ensemble Scene◊:............................... Tucker Degregory*, Lara McCallister*, Sara Cappelli
away the books and put on their dancing
Student Directed Scene: .............................................................................................Joey Evans◊
shoes for the annual Goldfever lip
synching/dancing competition among Small Group Musical◊: ..........Anna Tobin*, Sarah Rooney*, Zoe Turtle*, Michelle Lynch*,
SPHS clubs. The club teams put many Samantha Wassmer*, Connor Akers, Maude Murphy
hours into the choreography and
dance routines, with the Drama Club Publicity Design: ...................................................................................................... J.T. Hadley*◊
taking this year’s top prize.   See a mini
Costume Construction:.............................................................................. Meghan Cashmore*◊
documentary about Goldfever on You
Tube, “SPHS Goldfever 2104 Mini Mini Dance:..........................Tucker DeGregory* & Asianna Williams (duet), Amanda Sherwin*
Documentary.” The link is available on
IB Boosters Facebook group page. EXCELLENT:
Cross Country: The cross country Costume Construction: ....................................................................................Melissa Morgan
teams had another successful season,
with the girls’ team finishing 4th overall Small Group Musical:...... Anna Cappelli, Camille Torres*, Olivia Buckley*, Derek Hubler,
in the city championship, 7th overall Tucker DeGregory*, Michael Knapp, Joey Evans
in the county, and 5th overall in their
Ensemble Acting:........... Francis Phimphivong, Derek Hubler, William Gross*, Joey Evans,
district. The boys’ team was strong as
well, finishing 2nd overall in the city Playwriting:...................................................................................................Caroline Ramsburg*
championship, 3rd overall in county, 4th
overall in the district, and 6th overall in Duet Musical:............Connor Akers & Nyssa Hartman*, Brett Buchert* & Maude Murphy
the regional. The boys’ team qualified Duet Acting:.................................................................... Trenton Sweigart* & Michelle Lynch*
for the state meet for the second straight
year, where they finished 22nd. Members Large Group Musical:.Anna Cappelli, Lara McCallister*, Camille Torres*, Olivia Buckley*
of the boys’ team included IB Senior Michelle Lynch*, Danielle Sackett*, Asianna Williams, Maude Murphy
Declan Abernethy, who also received
* denotes IB student | ◊ denotes students or groups who will compete at the state festival in March
honorable mention all county honors.

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Class & CAS
Spanish: In late October, IB seniors you provided content and photos nonwestern points of view, and with
from Sra. Torres’ class visited The Dalí in addition to the initial and final Tai Chi as a CAS activity, get a chance
Museum and participated in a Spanish interviews. The websites, booklets to see its benefits firsthand. Jennie
tour given by Sra. Risco, a former and databases are excellent as usual; Mason practices Tai Chi daily for stress
Spanish IB teacher.  As a result of this hopefully you are as pleased with the relief and feels calmer and focused.
visit, an additional student was recruited results as I am!
to be part of the Dalí Docent Program.  The hardest part of practicing Tai
Psychology & CAS: IB Seniors Chi is clearing the mind! Achieving
Jennie Mason, Tien Weber, Kate serenity during Tai Chi practice
Kolarova, Nick Walker, and Azmeer requires effort to focus one’s breathing
Khamisani are taking on the ultimate and take the mind away from all the
CAS perseverance challenge by spending little things we must do each day.
a year studying the 108-move Yang
style Tai Chi form with IB Psychology Tai Chi movements take place in
teacher Jennie Jamison. Tai Chi for circular patterns representing yin and
CAS started when students studying a yang, coexisting opposite forces similar

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to day and night. Day turns into

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short segment of the form as a health

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psychology activity asked to learn the night and night turns into day. Both

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are necessary and represent balance,

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On December 13th, students from entire form and count it for CAS.

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Sra. Torres’ class observed a Day of something hard for westerners to
Solidarity (El Día de la Solidaridad) Tai Chi is a centuries-old discipline achieve. Yin and yang are everywhere
after completing a unit on La Guerra for health, relaxation, meditation, and relate to all aspects of life. For
Sucia in Argentina.  The students self-defense, and self-cultivation that example, the Internet is useful and
learned about the missing children promotes balance between body gives us more access to information,
and their families, and later selected a and mind through slow movements but its overuse contributes to stress
Spanish country to further investigate coordinated with the breath. It and even depression.
human rights violations.  Following helps students meet CAS action and
creativity requirements and targets Ms. Jamison likes sharing something
the step of Las Madres de la Plaza de she is passionate about with students
Mayo, they wore white handkerchiefs many learning outcomes, including
awareness, challenge, commitment, and providing an activity right after
with the name of the victim they school promoting the real spirit of
were representing.  Students spread global values, and learning new skills.
Tai Chi practice develops the IB CAS. Tai Chi is harder than it seems,
awareness of these cases throughout requiring the coordination of hands,
the school.  Learner Profile attributes “balanced” for
achieving well-being and “risk-taking” feet, and breath, and she hope students
for exploring new roles. It also increases become lifelong practitioners.
internationalism in SPHS’s IB program.

Further, Tai Chi for CAS is a natural


extension of studying psychology,
as a growing body of scientific
research shows that it reduces stress
and improves many conditions
including viruses, arthritis, heart
ITGS: A note of thanks from Carol disease, respiratory disease, anxiety,
Mathis to parents of ITGS seniors: depression, obesity, diabetes, pain,
balance problems, and multiple
As our months-long Internal sclerosis. Tai Chi training is an internal IB Seniors Tien Weber, Kate Kolarova, and
Assessment projects come to a close, style of training, meaning it cultivates Jennie Mason practice Tai Chi moves.
I would like to sincerely thank the inner energy, or chi, and moves it
many parents who served as clients for outward. Students analyze causes and
their students. Your time commitment treatments of health and mental health
did not go unnoticed as many of problems from both western and

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CALENDAR
February April May 20 Senior Celebration Committee
Feb 17 Professional Development Apr 8 IB Booster Board Meeting meeting – 6:30pm
Day – schools closed for 6pm- General Membership May 21 Senior Dinner 6pm-SPHS gym
students meeting 6:30pm election of (Traditional & IB)
new officers.
Feb 18 Senior Celebration Committee May 22 Yearbook Assembly and
meeting -6:30pm, Room 151 Apr 15-16* Passover (Observance yearbook distribution
Training to be an IB Proctor – begins at sunset April 14)
Cap & Gown distribution
6:30pm IB Office No IB exams on this date
Apr 18 *Eastern Orthodox Holy Friday
Feb 23 National College Fair 12-3pm *Good Friday May 23 Last day of IB exams
Tampa Convention Center Professional Development
(www.nacacnet.org) Day – no school for students May 26 Memorial Day – schools closed
Feb 26 Mandatory meeting for IB Apr 21-22 *Seventh & Eighth Day May 27 IB Seniors return to school
juniors and parents – SPHS of Passover Final Exams Day One**One 2
(college information) Apr 22 Senior Celebration Committee hour 15 minute exam
meeting -6:30pm- Room 151
March IB Proctor training – 6:30pm- May 28 **Two exam periods

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Mar 4 End of 4th six weeks IB Office IB Senior Celebration at The

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Coliseum

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Mar 5 IB Sophomore parent

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Apr 23 End of 5th six weeks

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meeting (mandatory meeting) May 29 **Two exam periods
6pm -auditorium Apr 26 Junior/Senior Prom -
Coliseum May 30 **Two exam periods
Mar 11 IB Booster Board Meeting –
6pm. May June
May 1 Report cards distributed Jun 1 Commemorative Sunday-3pm,
Mar 12 Report cards distributed National College Decision Day First United Methodist Church
Last day for IB seniors Jun 2 Move-Up Ceremony-auditorium
Mar 13 Mandatory parent meeting
for IB Seniors & Parents – May 2 Grad Bash-Universal Studios, Senior Graduation meeting
6:00pm-Cafeteria $105.00 for seniors only immediately following Move-Up
IB Freshman Award Assembly-
Mar 18 Senior Celebration Committee May 5-16 Advance Placement exam location TBA
meeting – 6:30pm- Room 151 session –various
IB Proctor training-6:30pm-IB locations Jun 3 SPHS Graduation - Tropicana
Office Field, 7:30am
May 5-23 IB Testing session,
Mar 20-22 Spring Musical USF – St. Pete Jun 4 Shavuot (Observance begins at
sunset on June 3rd)
Mar 24-28 Spring Holiday-school May 13 IB Booster Board Meeting 6pm Last day of school for students
closed

* Special Observance Day- The parent or guardian of notice of the student’s intent to be absent. The notice
a student who is to be absent on a designated Special shall contain the name and address of the student to be
Observance Day shall provide to the school, at least three absent and the date and/or time of the absence.
(3) days prior to the absence, a signed
** No abbreviated days for exams

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Thanks To Our Alumni News
Two 2013 IB graduates, both members
Shadow Keepers! of last year’s SPHS National High
School Ethics Bowl winning team,
Each year, scores of 8th graders visit Weston Willingham, Megan Wilgus, faced each other in the first round of
the IB Program to help decide if it is Emily Wilson, and Ally Zamitalo. the Southeast Regional College Ethics
right for them. Many of our freshman Bowl in November. Jared Morgenstein,
and sophomore students volunteer 10th Grade: Sead Alisic, Francis
captain of the St. Petersburg College
their time to serve as “Shadow Ameng, Caroline Barnett, Chloe
team, squared off against Deividas
Keepers,” accompanying the 8th Beaver, Amanda Bjurmark, Katie
(David) Gustanis on the University of
graders through a typical IB day. This Carroll, Bailey Coats, Kasee Connon,
Miami team. Jared’s SPC team defeated
year’s Shadow Keepers are: Monica Dang, Tucker DeGregory,
David’s UM team, and SPC went on to
Peter Franzek, Julia Gaesser, Matthew
win the regional championship. It will
9th Grade: Kylie Begin, MaKayla Hannan, Allie Hellier, Sonya Ivanova,
compete at the National College Ethics
Bender, David Buckley, Brenden Jordan Kriseman, Anna Larangeira,
Bowl next May. 
Burrows, Reid Carlisle, Maranda Maddy Lee, Gabe Lopez-Cecetazite, CJ
Centeno, Wehman Cohen, Tyler Macari, Ben Martin, Caitlin Maselli,
Crane, Paige Crockett, Minor Denson,
Hannah Deson, Kyle Fansler, Ericka
Lara McCallister, Mariana Ocano,
Param Patel, Sean Pittman, Riley
Faculty News
Gaye, Emily Goodis, Cristen Gunn, Redington, Daniel Segundo, Tysen IB Spanish teacher Gisela Torres is a
finalist for Pinellas County Educator

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Conlan Hale, Rachel Harvard, Jordan Singletary, Caroline Stroud, Gianna
Hessinger, Chloe Jackson, Emery Tsesmelis, Kayla Zavac, Tarek Ziad, of the Year. She is one of just 10
Jones, Ann Martin, Rose McCoy, and Abby Ziegler. teachers in the county chosen for this
Taylor McDonald, Darci McLellan, Joy honor. The winning teacher will be
Michael, Tricia Monte, Jared Peters, The IB Boosters will treat the Shadow announced on February 18.
Hunter Poirier, Olivia Prouty, Max Keepers to a pizza party to thank them
for their service. Also, the IB Program
Rothman, David Silverberg, Caroline
Stiles, Patrick Tobin, Owen Turtle, Jack wishes to thank Sheila Plant for all
of her assistance in scheduling the
Is There A
Wang, James Wang, Jamia Washington,
shadow visits.
Proctor In
Senior Celebration The House?
Before our seniors can celebrate, they

Reminders! must take their IB exams, which are


scheduled this year for May 5-23. We
Families of seniors, the end is near! Ticket sales will begin at the Senior need parent volunteers to proctor
And what better way to honor your Class Meeting on March 13 at 6:00 these exams. If you’ve already been
student’s completion of the IB Program p.m. in the Cafeteria. Seating is trained, you’re good to go! But if you
than with your attendance at the assigned by order of purchase, so buy haven’t, the next training session will
IB Senior Graduation Celebration? early for the best seats! be February 18 at 6:30 p.m. at SPHS.
This year’s event will be held at the Additional training sessions will be
Coliseum in downtown St. Petersburg In addition to attending the Senior scheduled prior to May.
on May 28, with doors opening at 5:45 Celebration, you also can honor the
IB graduates by purchasing a business If you have any questions, please
p.m. and the program beginning at
or personal ad in the Celebration contact the Proctoring chair, Sandra
6:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person
program.  More information on this Rosenthal, at arosenth@tampabay.
and there is no limit to the number
opportunity will also be available on rr.com. Since Sandra’s youngest child
you can purchase. As honorees, our
March 13. graduated from the IB Program last
senior IB students attend for free!
year and she graciously volunteered to
help us one more time, we are actively
seeking a new Proctoring chair for the
2014-15 school year.

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Non-Profit Organization
International Baccalaureate Program U.S. Postage
St. Petersburg Senior High School
2501 Fifth Avenue North PAID
Permit #5793
St. Petersburg, FL 33713
ST. PETERSBURG, FL

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