March & April IB Information

• CAS Project Information - Please join the Facebook Page, IB Helpin' You. This is a CAS project by IB junior Sarina Patel devised to help students and parents learn their way around Largo's IB program. Students and parents are welcome and encouraged to join the Facebook group. They can ask questions, read articles, and watch videos of what Largo's IB program is all about.
• Elections - Election time is just around the corner! We have openings on the board for Vice-President (2 year position), Treasurer (2 years), Student Representatives (1 year position), and Class Representatives (1 year) for next year. Interested parties should email us at largoibbooster@gmail.com to submit your name. Entries are due by May 3rd.
• 2016-2017 Freshman Candlelight Ceremony - Wednesday, April 20th at 6:00 pm. We will need parent and student volunteers that evening. Please email us if you are able to volunteer that night.
• SENIORS - Don't forget to purchase your Largo IB stoles to wear at graduation. Please see Mr. Liem in the office. Stoles are $25.
• End of the Year Breakfast - May 23rd from 7:30 - 11:00 am. in Largo Central Park. We are asking for donated food items. Please email us if interested in volunteering or donating.
• Leadership Pinellas - 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students can now fill out applications to join Leadership Pinellas and make a difference. See the website here for the application.
• General Meeting - Wednesday, May 11th at 6:30 pm. Come an join us for elections and a virtual tour of the new school!

IB Student Recognitions

Scholastic Art Award Winners

• Amanda Moody
• Sarah Nguyen
• Vanessa Garcia
• Celine Haddad
• Rachel Piper
• Malyna Reed

All-County Choir

• Fei Fe Hu
• Vanessa Garcia

HACK THE SACK...and the ACT too

Join author and tutor Eliot Schrefer

 as he reveals strategies and shortcuts for taking the college entrance exams!

February 21st at 2:00 pm.

Countryside Library

2642 Sabal Springs Dr.

Clearwater, FL

Eliot Schrefer, popular New York City novelist, National Book Award finalist, Countryside High Grad, Harvard University Honors Grad and in-demand SAT tutor, shares secrets of the college admission process. Schrefer discusses tips on how to improve your SAT scores from his book, HACK the SAT. Visit his website at eliotschrefer.com.

For more information, call 727-562-4970 or visit myclearwater.com/cpl.

Largo's IB Guidance Website

Largo's IB Guidance Counselor Mrs. Wolfe has created a new website for all things IB Guidance related. Check it out HERE!

General Meeting

The next General Meeting will be Wednesday, January 20th at 6:30 pm. in the school cafeteria. The meeting is open to all students, teachers, parents, and administrators in the IB program. This meeting will have pertinent information on various topics for all class grades and parents and students are urged to attend.

Topics include:

• CAS information for freshman and sophomores
• HL/SL class schedule information for freshman and sophomores
• The upcoming USF Field Trip for juniors
• Extended Essay information for juniors
• Proctoring for Senior Exams in May

There will as always be an Open Forum at the end of the meeting for questions or comments. There will be student and parent representatives, teacher representatives, and an administrator representative at the meeting to help answer any questions.

2015 IB Junior Pinning Ceremony

Our third pinning ceremony for the IB junior class was held November 18, 2015 at Crossroads Christian Church in Largo. IB Coordinator, Mr. Liem, took over the hosting duties this year as well as being one of the pinned recipients as our new IB coordinator. He was eloquent with a touch of humor that had everyone in attendance at ease.

Forty two students of the class of 2017 were given advice from fellow seniors Shay Bidani and Rachel Piper who both spoke to the students about staying true to themselves and to building the bridge from the old school to the new school due to open in August of next school year.

Largo Principal, Dr. Brad Finkbiner, was also in attendance. He thanked former IB coordinator, Adam Lane, who was in attendance and welcomed the class to the IB program. The IB teachers were called forward to be thanked and the new teachers to the program were pinned.

Teachers new to the IB program who were given pins were drama teacher, Mr. Durst, Spanish teacher, Ms. Parks, History teacher, Mr. Koehler, and Psychology teacher, Mr. Penberthy. Mr. Liem and Ms. Wolfe, the new IB guidance counselor, also received pins.

 

One by one, the students crossed the stage to a slide show of their baby pictures and received their pins from Mr. Liem and a congratulatory handshake from Dr. Finkbiner. The evening ended with a speech from 2015 IB graduate Brad Mostowski who is a Math major at the University of Southern Florida. He encouraged the students to not be afraid to take risks as they venture through the program and out into the world. 

IB Booster president Jyoti Patel closed the evening with a reminder of the goals of the organization and she thanked Pinning Chairwoman, Elizabeth Cottrell, for putting together the warm and wonderful evening. A reception was held afterwards. Click here for more photos of the evening.

October IB Information

Sunday, October 4th - 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Pinellas County College Fair - University of South Florida St. Petersburg Student Center - Visit with admission administrators from various universities and colleges.
Monday, October 5th -  6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. - Countryside High School College Fair - Visit with admission administrators from various universities and colleges.
Wednesday, October 14th - 9:00 a.m. - Largo IB Booster Organization Board Meeting
Saturday, October 24th - Tampa Bay Times Festival of Reading - University of South Florida St. Petersburg Campus - Free event open to the public that includes book signings, author forums, a book market, activities, and an outdoor food court.
Saturday, November 7th - 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - University of South Florida St. Petersburg Open House - Chat with college deans and professors, learn about admissions and financial aid, and tour our waterfront campus. -
Monday, November 9th - 8:00 a.m. - Eckerd College Open House - An Open House for students interested in Eckerd College - Click here for more info

Spanish Teacher Update

We currently have two substitute teachers teaching in IB Spanish. The freshman and sophomore classes will have their returning teacher, Ms. Olivero, in November after her maternity leave. The juniors, seniors, and those students coming from the Spanish immersion program will have their returning teacher, Ms. Hermann, as soon as the state deals with a certification issue. In the meantime, Ms. Hermann will be on campus as a volunteer starting this week. Both teachers are working closely with their substitute teachers and can also be reached by email.

September IB Information

We hope that everyone has gotten off to a great start so far this year. Each month our website will post dates and information of interest for all IB students and parents. Please check in with us to stay informed.

If you haven't sent in your IB Activity Fee, please do so quickly so that your email can be added to the mailing lists. Each month we email information concerning meetings and information so you are always informed.

September Dates

• Wednesday, September 16th - IB General Meeting - 6:30 pm. - Largo Cafeteria - The IB General Meetings are held three times a school year and is a great way to meet with representatives from the student body, the teachers, and administration. These meetings last one hour or less and include an Open Forum for questions and comments.
• Thursday, September 17th - IB CAS Meeting - 7:00 pm. - Largo Cafeteria - All junior students and parents will want to attend this meeting to get the latest information regarding CAS. Any Honor Option parents and students that are interested in learning what to expect in the junior year regarding CAS can also attend. CAS is a huge requirement of the IB program and knowing the ins and outs of what to expect is important for parents as well as students.
• Saturday, September 12th - What Colleges Want in an Essay - 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm. - Countryside Recreation Center, 2640 Sabal Springs Dr., Clearwater - Learn to write a creative, captivating personal essay that will be difficult for them to deny! The presenter for this afternoon will be Maria Gerakios (gerakiosm@pcsb.org), AP Literature and Honors English Teacher from Countryside High.
• Monday, September 21st - Clearwater High College Showcase - 6:30 pm. - 8:00 pm. at Clearwater High School Gym - Many college representatives will be there including reps from FASFA and Bright Futures.
• Sunday, October 4th - College Fair - 1:00 - 3:00 pm. - University of South Florida St. Petersburg, University Student Center - Meet with more than 70 universities for college information.  For more information click here or email sfinck@mail.usf.edu or call 727-873-4754.

2015-2016 Start of School

We hope everyone had a great summer, but the school year is fast approaching. The first day of school is Monday, August 24, 2015. Remember that the school is under construction so expect the first week of school to be a learning experience as everyone works to adjust to new schedules, new teachers, and portable classrooms. Below are dates and information pertaining to the upcoming school year:

• August 14th - Bus Information - The county will mail out the postcards with your student's bus number and bus schedule. These cards are white and the size of a postcard so look before tossing.
• August 10th - Parking Tags - The school will be selling parking spaces from 8:00 - 11:30 a.m. for $5.00. A valid driver's license is required. No reserved spots.
• August 20th - Freshman Orientation - 6:00 - 7:30 pm. in the E wing building (Formerly the Excel building and now the offices) - This informal meeting is for incoming freshman and parents. Students will receive their school schedule, a campus map, and any other information. IB Booster memberships ($25) and IB T'shirts ($15) will also be for sale. Checks and cash only.
• August 27th - Back to School Night - 6:30 pm. This is an evening for parents to walk their student's schedule, learn their classes, and meet their teachers. 
• September 16th - IB Booster General Meeting - 6:30 p.m. in the E Wing Cafeteria - The first general meeting of the IB membership is open to all parents and students in the Honors Option and IB program. There will be an Open Forum at the end of the meeting to ask questions.
• September 17th - CAS Meeting - 7:30 p.m. in E Wing Cafeteria - Confused about CAS? Join this informal meeting to learn all about CAS and what is expected of your student. All classes are welcome. CAS begins the junior year.
• November 4th - IB Pinning Ceremony - TBA - This ceremony is for those juniors who have committed to entering the IB program.