“Did you know that North Shore used to be called Coffee Pot Elementary? That tickles me,” says Monica Kile.
Kile is a local parent volunteer at the 1927 red brick school shaded by oaks in the Old Northeast area of St. Petersburg. Her love and intrigue for her neighborhood school is on full display as she helps plan the second annual Turkey Trot to benefit the school. She has not always been so enthusiastic. Two years ago it was a matter of convenience when her husband, Jon, faced a health crisis with a rare genetic condition that affects his arteries. They chose to send their son, James, to North Shore because it was close to home. Their daughter Anna enrolled two years later, and Kile realized she had fallen in love with North Shore Elementary. She became a strong advocate for a “bloom where you are planted” outlook toward their neighborhood school.
That’s What Friends are For
About a year before Kile arrived, Friends of North Shore Elementary (FNSE) was born of sidewalk conversations among parents, who saw families in the neighborhood sending their kids to ten different schools elsewhere. FNSE sought to boost morale and interest in North Shore by highlighting its small classes, great faculty and staff, and “B” rating.
This tiny gem of a school, home of the mighty Knights, is at 35th Avenue NE and Oak Street and has fewer than 400 students. The school’s rebirth is due to the tireless efforts of concerned parents partnering with North Shore’s dedicated teachers and staff. After hosting listening sessions, FNSE’s main focus has been preschool outreach to dispel the myth that private, fundamental, or charter schools are the only options for children in the area. FNSE provided generous “Classroom Boosts” funding for enhancements such as technology and supplies, implemented giftedprogram testing for all kindergarteners, and increased teacher-appreciation efforts. Two years after FNSE’s formation, kindergarten enrollment at the school increased by 20 percent.
Coffee Pot Turkey Trot
Now a believer, Kile became involved with the PTA. Recognizing that the closest Thanksgiving run was in Clearwater, the PTA saw an opportunity for a great neighborhood tradition and a promising fundraising possibility. This year, the PTA is hosting the second annual Coffee Pot Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning. Last year’s event was capped at 500; this year there is space for 2,000 runners. The city of St. Petersburg has partnered with the PTA to co-sponsor the event, bringing the marketing, planning, and logistical strength to the event. Parents on the PTA brought in local sponsors like LeavenLaw and business owners in the neighborhood such as Cycle Brewing and Skyway Capital. Funds raised will be used for a literacy program called “One School, One Book,” where every student receives a copy of the same book to read at home with their family, and the school engages in related enriching activities. The PTA also will invest in professional development for teachers, supply reimbursement, and afterschool programs. Known as “7th Hour,” the extracurricular programming includes chess, dance, drama, band, science, Spanish, and soccer. In addition, funds will also go toward community events such as the family barbecue, spaghetti dinner, and open houses.
Show and Tell
The community has much to learn from North Shore’s rebirth. “The lesson to be learned at North Shore is one that can be applied to any school, or really any community effort,” Kile said. “And that is activism, involvement, and effort will reap tremendous dividends in your own back yard. You just have to get busy.”
Fortunately for North Shore Elementary, local parents did just that. All neighborhood schools have the potential to experience a similar reinvigoration. The key has been family involvement and pride in community. In all their efforts, not only did parents help a neighborhood school regain its place in the community, but they also taught their children to take joy in where they live through volunteerism.
North Shore Elementary PTA invites you to its Coffee Pot Turkey Trot 5K along Coffee Pot Bayou at 7:45am on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22. Registration is open at www.runsignup.com/coffeepotturkeytrot. Contact Amber Brinkley at (727) 466-7695 for more information.
