Shorian Nation eNews
August 31st, 2025
Shorian Nation eNews | September 28, 2025 | Issue 3
Cup of Joe
Featured Story: Mrs. Pecoraro, HOCO Grand Marshal!
Celebrating Mrs. Pecoraro: 35 Years of Impact
Mrs. Pecoraro was surprised midday this past Wednesday by district administration and her family, then overwhelmed with joy as secondary superfans from Lake Shore High School and Kennedy Middle School arrived by bus to celebrate their favorite former teacher. One by one, students handed purple and yellow carnations to her as they reflected back just a portion of the warmth and kindness she has shared with them over the years.
After 35 years as a beloved teacher, Mrs. Pecoraro has been named Homecoming Grand Marshal! Her journey has taken her from 8 years in Mt. Clemens to building lifelong friendships and making Lake Shore feel like a second home. She currently serves as Physical Education teacher at Violet Elementary.
From teaching 5th grade, coordinating P2 certifications, sponsoring Student Council, directing talent shows, running VTV video, Mrs. Pecoraro has always been about helping students shine. Whether on the track, in the gym, or on skates, she encourages every student to discover their strengths—because everyone’s good at something!
Her impact goes beyond PE: she’s brought skating programs to the district, raised $30,535.59 for the Kids Heart Challenge in 2025, and inspired community service—all while sharing her love of exercise, crafting, music, and granddaughter Stevie Jo.
Junior Student Congress President Brielle Starks may have started at Masonic Heights Elementary, but she’s always been an honorary All-Star. Thanks to her Violet friends, she was introduced to Mrs. Pecoraro—and they instantly clicked!
Every time Brielle sees her during a show choir tour, Mrs. Pecoraro wraps her in a hug and says, “I’m so proud of you.” Even though she didn’t get to watch Brielle grow up from the very beginning, she’s been cheering her on every step of the way.
We are so proud to celebrate Mrs. Pecoraro and all the ways she has shaped our students and community! We can’t wait to cheer her on as she leads the 2025 Homecoming Parade! 🚗 Join us Friday, Oct. 17 at 6PM — starting at KMS and ending at LSHS.
Stay Updated
Save the Date: Elementary Color Runs
Get Ready to Run for a Great Cause!
Mark your calendars! On Friday, October 3rd, our incredible students at Masonic Heights Elementary and Rodgers Elementary will be celebrating their hard work and fundraising efforts with fun-filled Color Runs!
And the excitement doesn’t stop there — the celebration continues at Violet Elementary right after on Friday, October 10th!
Our elementary schools are currently raising funds to support school programs, resources, and activities — and they need your help to reach their goals! We’ve partnered with 99 Pledges to make donating quick and easy. Every dollar makes a difference!
Support your favorite school by clicking on the links below and sharing with family and friends:
Masonic Heights Elementary:
https://app.99pledges.com/fund/masonicheights25
Rodgers Elementary:
https://app.99pledges.com/fund/colorrun209
Violet Elementary:
https://app.99pledges.com/fund/violetelem2526
Let’s come together as a community and cheer on our young runners while helping them reach their fundraising goals.
Save the Date: Fall Fest
Join Lake Shore Public Schools on Saturday, October 11th from 12:30–4:00 PM at John U’Ren Stadium (Lake Shore High School athletic field at 22980 Thirteen Mile Road, St. Clair Shores, MI 48082) for an afternoon packed with music, food & fun!
FREE admission (donations welcome!)
Live performances from LSPS Bands & Choirs (1–4 PM), featuring:
- Elementary: Spooky Scary Skeletons, Ghost of John, Ghostbusters
- KMS Jazz Band: Jazz Hero and Quarterback Sneak
- KMS Choirs: Dark and Stormy Night
- LSHS Choirs: Danger Zone, Phantom of The Opera
- LSHS Marching Band: Highlights from their 2025 Show: "Let's Take a Road Trip!" - Life is a Highway, California Girls, Take me Home Country Roads, Georgia on My Mind, Detroit Rock City, Thanks For The Memories
Food Truck Rally – Delicious eats from local vendors
Petting zoo, pony rides, inflatables, and a DJ between sets!
Craft vendors and community partners
This is your chance to support our talented students, enjoy great food & entertainment, and connect with the Lake Shore community. We can’t wait to see you there!
Save the Date: Homecoming 2025
We're less than a month away from one of our favorite traditions — Homecoming at Lake Shore Public Schools!
Step onto the red carpet and into the spotlight as we roll out the glamour for A Night in Hollywood!
This year's Homecoming week of October 13th-18th transforms our schools into scenes straight from the silver screen—complete with glittering lights, paparazzi flashes, and the dazzling charm of Tinseltown.
Join Shorian alumni, students, and the entire St. Clair Shores community for the parade and an exciting football showdown vs. Cousino!
Your Most Asked Homecoming Questions—Answered!
Here's what you need to know:
- Powderpuff Game: Junior vs. Senior showdown on Monday, Oct. 13 @ 7PM
- Spirit Week: Check the attached graphic for theme days!
- Homecoming Parade: Friday, Oct. 17 @ 6PM — starts at Kennedy Middle School and ends at LSHS.
- Homecoming Game vs. Cousino: Kickoff at 7PM on Friday, Oct. 17. Halftime = Homecoming Court reveal!
- LSHS Dance: Saturday, Oct. 18 | 7–10PM in the performance gym. $20 tickets sold at the door only! Guest passes available in the main office and due Oct. 17.
- Grand Marshall Alert: Congrats to Lisa Pecoraro!
- All proceeds benefit the Paige DeVine Redlin Women Empowering Women Scholarship Fund: https://youtu.be/fp7n0bkU-2M..
- Questions? Reach out to Mr. Couck at rcouck@lsps.org
This Homecoming, the Lake Shore Marching Shorians are hitting the road with their 2025 show:
"Let’s Go On a Road Trip!" Featuring:
- Life is a Highway – Rascal Flatts
- Georgia on My Mind – Ray Charles
- California Gurls – Katy Perry
- Detroit Rock City – KISS
- Thanks for the Memories – Fall Out Boy
Let’s make this Homecoming unforgettable, Shorians!
Food Service
𝓛𝓪𝓴𝓮 𝓢𝓱𝓸𝓻𝓮 𝓟𝓾𝓫𝓵𝓲𝓬 𝓢𝓬𝓱𝓸𝓸𝓵𝓼 𝓲𝓼 𝓬𝓸𝓷𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓾𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝓮 𝓼𝓬𝓱𝓸𝓸𝓵 𝓶𝓮𝓪𝓵𝓼 𝓹𝓻𝓸𝓰𝓻𝓪𝓶 𝓽𝓱𝓻𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱 𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓵𝔂 𝓯𝓪𝓵𝓵 𝓸𝓯 2025 𝔀𝓱𝓲𝓵𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓢𝓽𝓪𝓽𝓮 𝓸𝓯 𝓜𝓲𝓬𝓱𝓲𝓰𝓪𝓷 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓴𝓼 𝓽𝓸 𝓪𝓭𝓸𝓹𝓽 𝓪 𝓫𝓾𝓭𝓰𝓮𝓽 𝓫𝔂 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓢𝓮𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓶𝓫𝓮𝓻 30𝓽𝓱 𝓭𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓮.
LSPS, in partnership with Chartwells Food Services, provides healthy meals to all children. Families can use our Nutrislice app for access to menus: https://lakeshoreschools.nutrislice.com/menus-eula.
You asked, we listened! Introducing Family Portal by Meal Magic for all things Food Service such as making deposits, transferring between students, viewing account history, setting daily spending limits or other restrictions!
Schools and households in Michigan rely on Education Benefits to receive additional services throughout the school year, which is why every household is being asked to complete income documentation for their district to continue to receive this funding.
The easiest way to apply is by visiting https://lakeshore.familyportal.cloud/.
Completed forms should be returned to your child's school.
Please have your child bring their Student ID as this identification will be utilized by our Food Service Department for all meals. It should be ready to be scanned when making food selections.
Contact Rosa Burg at (586) 285-8926 or rburg@lsps.org for questions or assistance completing the Eligibility Benefits Form. Chartwells Dining Service's goal is to serve up happy and healthy meals while making the cafeteria the happiest place in school.
Chromebook Insurance
🎓 Lake Shore is Powered by Technology! 💻
For the past 8 years, all Lake Shore students have had access to district-issued Chromebooks, helping them learn anytime, anywhere. These devices connect to Schoology, our learning management system since 2017 — chosen for its student-friendly design and flexibility for all teaching styles.
🛡️ Device Insurance Now Available!
We're partnering with Smart Tech to offer optional Chromebook insurance for the 2025-26 school year: 💲 $29 per device
✅ Covers:
• Accidental damage
• Liquid damage
• Battery failure
• Manufacturer defects
• Loss & theft
🚫 Does not cover: chargers, cases, or intentional damage
💡 No deductibles. No claim limits. One-time annual fee.
👨👩👧👦 Max family cost: $87 (must call Smart Tech to purchase multiple)
📅 Purchase Window:
Sept 1 – Dec 20, 2025
📆 Coverage lasts until Aug 30, 2026
⚠️ Without coverage, families are responsible for full repair/replacement costs:
• Chromebook: $300
• Screen: $75
• Battery: $40
• Hinges: $25
• Keyboard: $20
• Camera: $10
Costs without insurance will vary, as parts prices are subject to change.
Care Solace
Youth mental health is a topic of utmost importance, and we believe that by working together, we can create a supportive environment where our children can thrive.
As we start the new school year, we want to remind you of the invaluable resources available to our community.
In addition, Care Solace offers mental health care coordination services and can help connect you and your child with appropriate community-based providers. Whether it's counseling, therapy, or other mental health services, Care Solace can assist you in finding the support your family may need.
To access Care Solace's coordination services, simply reach out using the following options:
Call 888-515-0595: Their multilingual helpline is staffed 24/7/365.
Visit www.caresolace.com/lsps: On their website, you can explore mental health providers independently or click "Book Appointment" for personalized assistance through video chat, email, or phone.
By joining hands and working together as a community, we can provide a nurturing and inclusive environment that supports the mental health and well-being of our youth. Let's continue to prioritize their emotional growth, and together, we can create a brighter future for our children.
Thank you for being caring and involved parents and guardians in the Lake Shore Public Schools. Your dedication to supporting our youth is truly commendable.
Stay Informed
Upcoming Events
Lake Shore Adult and Community Education
Ready to take the next step in your education journey?
Lake Shore Adult & Community Education is here to support YOU with:
- GED Prep & Testing
- High School Completion
- ESL (English as a Second Language)
And we’re proud to share that we’ve been recognized with a Macomb Daily Readers’ Choice Best of the Best Award—a testament to our commitment to students and the community!
Registration is now OPEN: https://lsace.lakeshoreschools.org/
Join the award-winning LSACE program and invest in your future today!
Shorian Testimonials
Shorian Salute
If you observe someone who made a difference through proactive work, a focus on positive relationships or who supported educational excellence at Lake Shore, please share their stories with us.
We want to celebrate these individuals, but we need your help to do so.
Together, let’s continue to celebrate the accomplishments of our district team of staff, students, parents and community members and the difference they have made and will make in the future.
Positivity Project
P2 Calendar
Under the guiding principles of our districtwide initiative, the Positivity Project, the #PositivityInAction mindset is our top priority. Because of our goal to inspire students to build positive relationships and become their best selves, we invite you to follow this Positivity Project Calendar. Note: We have made a few changes to this calendar; All adjustments are located on our District Events Calendar.
This calendar outlines all 24 character strengths, 1 highlighted per week. Our teachers create engaging and impactful lessons — differentiated by grade-level — and share through presentations, student recognitions, classroom discussions, and building-specific displays.
This is our Intro Week - Other People Matter Mindset (OPM) and we're fortunate to shine the spotlight on Competitive Cheer Coach Sherri Taormina!
Congratulations to St Clair Shores Lake Shore Schools and Mrs. Sherri Taormina the Competitive Cheer Coach at Lake Shore High School, has been selected as the MHSCA State Competitive Cheer Coach of the Year. The selection and nomination for these awards comes from our coach’s constituent sport association and through the Michigan High School Coaches Association.
The MHSCA selection of Mrs. Sherri Taormina from Lake Shore Public Schools reflects positively on the school, and community. MHSCA State Competitive Cheer Coach of the Year selections have been based on the performance of their program over the years and/or their contribution to the sport, school, and community. These were some of the criteria to determine the selection. It is indeed an honor to have been selected as Michigan High School Athletic Coaches Association Competitive Cheer Coach of the Year from the entire State of nominees.
The MHSCA is a 70-year-old association with nearly 25,000 members serving as athletic administrators, and all levels as coaches in numerous high schools and junior high/middle schools throughout the Great State of Michigan. The Michigan High School Coaches Association works to promote the educational value of interscholastic athletics and the role of athletic administrators and coaches. The MHSCA and LSPS are very proud to spotlight Sherri Taormina – a person whose work and values best mirror those of the association.
Looking forward, we are excited to celebrate INTEGRITY and LEADERSHIP which will take place during the weeks of September 29-October 3 and October 6-10.
Stay Safe
OK2SAY Student Safety Program
See something? Say something.
OK2SAY is the student safety program which allows students to confidentially report tips on potential harm or criminal activities directed at school students, school employees, and schools. It uses a comprehensive communication system to facilitate tip sharing among students, parents, school personnel, community mental health service programs, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and law enforcement officials about harmful behaviors that threaten to disrupt the learning environment.
Anyone can report tips on criminal activities or potential harm directed at students, school employees, or schools. Tips can be submitted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
While continually evolving and reviewed annually, on this Safety and Security webpage you will find a list of recent and current safety measures implemented by Lake Shore Public Schools to provide the safest environment for our students and staff.
Lions Spirit Days
Lions pride runs deep at Lake Shore Public Schools!
We're showing off our Detroit Lions spirit by rocking Honolulu Blue, silver, black, and white all season long!
Mark your calendars for these Lions Spirit Days for several home games: 10/20, 11/21, 12/4
Rep your favorite players—Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Isaac TeSlaa, Terrion Arnold, Aidan Hutchinson, and more—and send your best Lions looks to social@lsps.org!
Inspiration
From Dots to Neon Nights: Shorians Shine Bright to Kick Off the Year!
Routines build community—and Ms. Wiseman's 1st graders, Ms. Amateis’ 3rd graders, Ms. Knipstein's 5th at Masonic Heights Elementary are off to a great start! Through explaining, modeling, and practicing procedures, they help students turn routines into habits, creating trust and a strong classroom family.
In the land of dots and afternoon yawns, our 1st graders planted their feet, took a deep breath, and found their calm! Ready to dream, dot, and dazzle 'til the final bell! "Dot Day" refers to International Dot Day, a global celebration of creativity, courage, and collaboration, inspired by Peter H. Reynolds' children's book, The Dot.
During morning meeting, 3rd grade students not only review the daily agenda but also connect through activities like Two Truths and a Lie. This fun game gave everyone a chance to share about themselves while practicing active listening and speaking skills.
Fifth graders worked together to create their own classroom contract, deciding what it really means to be safe, respectful, responsible, and kind. Their voices and ideas set the tone for a positive and supportive learning community!
Over at Rodgers Elementary, several 5th grade students were selected to help our Media Productions team create a special hype video for our upcoming home football game on September 26th themed Elementary Appreciation Neon Night. We bussed 10 special Rockets to Lake Shore High School to record footage at the stadium! Cool opportunity for a bunch of well-behaved kids!
At Violet Elementary, we caught students showing off their All-Star behaviors—walking quietly in the halls, raising hands politely, and leading by example!
What an amazing first month it’s been! From building relationships to practicing routines, our Shorians are off to a fantastic start.
Innovation
Senior Painted Parking Spots
A Shorian tradition since 2018: Senior Painted Parking Spots!
For the 7th year in a row, Lake Shore High School’s senior drivers have turned their parking spaces into personal masterpieces. From bold career dreams to vibrant Lisa Frank vibes, each spot tells a story—and we LOVE seeing the creativity shine through!
Madison Spry:
"My vision for my parking spot was all about plants and the color green—my favorite! I love nature, and my sister Kendre helped a ton, even sketching things out for me."
Alabama McWherter:
"My spot reflects two things I really enjoy—working on cars and flowers. I brought those together with my favorite colors, blue and purple."
Caden Catelier:
"My design was inspired by something simple—my love for Monster Energy drinks."
Tarynn Miller:
"My favorite color is pink, so of course I had to go all out with it! Plus, I love how my spot is super close to the front of the school."
Lily Wallace:
"My parking spot was inspired by Tangled! Rapunzel is my favorite princess, so I designed it to reflect the magic of her story."
Jack Pierce:
"My love for baseball is what inspired my spot. I started painting and ended up working for 12 hours straight. The coolest part? There was already a star cracked into the concrete—felt meant to be."
Luke Lemke:
"Basketball has been a big part of my life since I was 8 years old. I wanted my parking spot to show that passion—and include one of my favorite Bible verses to reflect my faith through it all."
89 spots were claimed this year! These photos represent a small sample of those painted parking spots; We invite you to walk the lot and spot your favorites!
Huge shoutout to the Class of 2026—and to our amazing staff and family and friend volunteers who helped make this possible!
Thanks for also giving our Spirit Rock a fresh new look!
Celebrating 238 Years of "We, the People" at Lake Shore
Happy 238th Anniversary to "We, the People"!
Constitution and Citizenship Day commemorates the day the US Constitution was signed in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787 and honors all who have become citizens. From classroom to classroom, teachers at Lake Shore highlighted the importance of this day.
https://x.com/myLSPS/status/1968369652675063934
In Ms. Srodawa's class at Violet Elementary, 1st grade students created their own classroom constitution. They came up with Be Kind, Be Safe, Be Respectful, and Be Trustworthy as their rules to lead the way. Coincidently, those are also key traits for being a Violet All-Star! Every student made a promise to uphold those actions by signing their constitution with their favorite Crayola marker.
Leaders in action Oliver, Lola, Ava, and Paris from Ms. Wiseman’s class at Masonic Heights Elementary helped shape their own classroom community by choosing the rules they felt mattered most. Their top picks? Walk, Pay attention, Be kind, and always R.O.A.R.!
Ms. Holtz, Ms. Gough, and Ms. Adamkiewicz from Kennedy Middle School celebrated Constitution Day with their students through videos and scavenger hunts. This approach allowed them to explore their own questions while gaining deeper insights.
In addition, Ms. Holtz's Broadcast class made a Constitution Day video to be played on the announcements!
https://drive.google.com/.../10pYOWkCPf-TtQ6K.../view...
In the end, students learned about amendments, congress, states that ratified the Constitution, and many other important facts together.
Food Service
Lunchtime at Lake Shore is more than just a meal — it’s an experience!
Our amazing Food Service Team served over 1,895 meals districtwide on the first day alone, including 276 breakfasts & 1,619 lunches!
From the delicious aromas to the vibrant new cafeteria spaces, students are welcomed into a space that fuels both body and mind. With fun programs like Global Eats, featuring dishes from around the world , there’s always something exciting on the menu!
As Director Tina Morris says:
"A whole new ambiance can be found inside the cafeteria — refreshed lines, colorful décor, and globally inspired meals!"
We even spotted several classes brainstorming in the "conversation cove" — a perfect place for creativity and collaboration!
And shoutout to our littlest leaders using the wagon system to safely deliver lunch boxes at the elementary level. It’s the small acts of kindness that keep our schools strong.
Celebration
National I.T. Professionals Day
In recognition of National I.T. Professionals Day, we are celebrating our technology staff.
Our support team leads teachers in implementing technology through coaching, demonstrations, and professional development. They serve as our help desk for our technology infrastructure, helping both staff and community with our digital learning platforms.
Meet Our Amazing Tech Team!
Shoutout to the incredible staff who keep our tech running smoothly across the district:
- Nicole Dombro – Technology Coordinator
- Bryan Huyghe – Lead Tech
- Laurie Cataldo – District Tech
- Andrea Borden – MTA @ LSHS
- Gabe Cerrasco – MTA @ KMS
- Dayna Winalis – MTA @ MH
- Taylor Brosnan – MTA @ Rodgers
- Debbie Krumholz – MTA @ Violet
Let's learn more about a few of them:
Meet Gabe Cerrasco — proud 2018 Lake Shore grad and a familiar face around the district!
Since 2021, Gabe has been making a difference as a paraprofessional, football coach, and media tech assistant at Lake Shore Public Schools. With deep roots here (his dad is also a teacher!), Gabe has taken on countless roles with energy and heart.
You’ll find him working at Kennedy Middle School and North Lake High School, where mentors like Chad Johnson, Steve Gaffigan, and Jeff Lip have inspired him to pursue a future in teaching.
One of Gabe’s favorite parts of his job? Building real relationships with students, staff, and administrators. Just recently, a chat with a Kennedy student about their pit bull pups reminded him how powerful and genuine teacher-student connections can be.
Outside of work, Gabe loves playing guitar, watching football & baseball, and spending time with friends and family.
We’re excited to also welcome Laurie Cataldo into her new role as LSPS Technician, bringing 7 years of dedication and a reputation for always going above and beyond.
Filling her shoes at Lake Shore High School is Andrea Borden, a proud Lake Shore grad with a bright personality, tech know-how, and a passion for helping others.
To learn more about our Technology Department, visit https://www.lakeshoreschools.org/departments/technology.
September P2 Recognitions
Congratulations to our September Positivity Project Honorees:
Lake Shore Early Childhood Center
Charlotte Censier - Zest/Enthusiasm
Masonic Heights Elementary
Mrs. Legato - Purpose
Carissa Hachey - Forgiveness
Mrs. Whateley - Teamwork
Rodgers Elementary
Santino Reedy - Other People Mindset
Weston Osborne - Kindness
JoMarie Ventimeglia - Other People Mindset
Violet Elementary
Piper Grogan - Self Control
Rocco Sayig - Leadership
Kennedy Corona - Enthusiasm
Kennedy Middle School
Charlie Hite - Kindness
Kai Seymour - Kindness
Eli Urbas - Perseverance
Madeline Calappi - Kindness
Lake Shore High School
Ashley Geib - Leadership
Aja Thompson - Kindness
David Dell - Kindness
Aniya Jackson - Other People Mindset
Sharon McPeak - Kindness
Amaria Goodwin - Other People Mindset
North Lake High School
- Londen McMurphy - Integrity
A huge thank you to our community sponsors:
- Virgil Johnson, 7-Eleven Store Owner
- Tony Zarife, EOS Cafe & Coffee House
- Ashleigh Larimer, North Shores Nutrition
- Amber Carlson, Chick-fil-A Roseville
- Vernon Mathews, Jet's Pizza General Manager
- Jessica Fortuna, J & W Ice Cream and Grill
Athletics
Athletics Website
We have built an online home for our athletic department. Our goal is to bring our athletic programs to life by sharing schedules, scores, and social media while ensuring our athletes get the promotion they deserve. Visit the Shorian Sports website for 24/7/365 access to the information you have always wanted and follow along with our sports action.
We have partnered with Kroger to help fund our athletics. Please read this letter from our Athletic Coordinator Rich Bowers.
We have finished uploading Fall 2025 schedules and rosters for Cross County, Football, Sideline Cheer, Soccer, Swim, and Volleyball! Team photos, video feed, and featured stories are on deck to be added. Stay tuned!
- Soccer Feature: Fueled by Family, Focused on Glory
- Sideline Cheer Feature: Inspired at 6, Leading at 16: Da’Ja Shines as a Cheerleader and Leader
We believe a balance of academics and athletics creates a well-rounded student. Students who participate in sports not only gain the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle, they also learn lessons about sportsmanship, leadership, teamwork, cooperation, respect, and knowing how to win and lose.
eNews
Lake Shore Public Schools will provide an exceptional education for all 3,220 students in a safe and nurturing environment.
Our guiding principles, Inspiration, Innovation, Celebration, are woven into the fabric of everything we do and will be the focus of every update. Expect an eNews email biweekly update as a reliable way to communicate with our stakeholders.
Connect With Shorian Nation
Email: social@lsps.org
Website: http://lakeshoreschools.org
Location: 28850 Harper Avenue, St. Clair Shores, MI 48081
Phone: (586) 285-8481
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myLSPS/
X: https://x.com/myLSPS
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mylsps/

