EXPERIENTIAL SCHOOL
2025-2026
Embedded Files
Experiential School News - February 23, 2026
Experiential School News - February 23, 2026
Letter from Mrs. Hollenbeck
Letter from Mrs. Hollenbeck
With over 100 3, 4 and 5 year olds in the building, observing and analyzing play is always part of the thinking process of each and every one of the educators at The Experiential School. There are multiple nuggets of information that emerge from play and guide our process.
We know that play is a vital source of creative energy—a transformative force and a democratic, safe context for constructing meaningful self-knowledge. It revitalizes the human spirit across the entire continuum of the human life cycle, serving as the essential place where the intersection of academic striving meets the overall striving to be psychologically whole. Far from a mere diversion - not that we have a problem with fun itself - play constitutes a specific attitude about life that rejects the will to dominate in favor of a communal spirit of exploration and meaning-making, conflicts included, of course!
Engaging in hands-on play and art-making with open-ended materials honors the "hundred languages" of the individual, reconnecting them with the early stages of human development through an active rather than passive engagement. This process functions as an internal, subterranean developmental network, where the individual spontaneously balances and strengthens the core virtues of hope, will, purpose, competence, fidelity, love, care, and wisdom. Such nurturance, both emotional and academic, is the context where love flourishes, and as Vygotsky suggests, these play-based learning processes stimulate and push forward the maturation process: one must play to grow up! It is as simple as that!
The play space is not a static environment but a co-constructed state of being, emerging from a continuous process of negotiation and democracy between players. It is built upon previous experiences and the specific levels of safety and trust—defined as the combination of care, commitment, knowledge, responsibility, respect, and trust—that players bring to the encounter.
As Dr. Walter Drew would say, experiences within the play space elicit a profound emotional response—a strong affect characterized by protectiveness and a yearning to return. This yearning represents a desire for a mutual pursuit of knowledge. Within this public space or forum, the desire for higher levels of understanding and self-awareness meets the courage to border-cross traditional frameworks, ultimately revealing a totally new landscape of human potential and self-discovery.
Class Picture Day
Class Picture Day
Group photos of each class in ES and LS will be taken on Wednesday, February 25. (MS is scheduled for Wednesday, March 4.) Photos are taken early in the day - please arrive on time!
Grandparents and Special Friends Day Dismissal Plan
Grandparents and Special Friends Day Dismissal Plan
It is important that families let us know their pickup/dismissal plan for each student on Grandparents and Special Friends Day. Please read and respond to the following easy form so we know who is going to carline, who will be picked up by a special visitor, etc.
Time Sensitive: RSVP for Experiential School Art Exhibit
Time Sensitive: RSVP for Experiential School Art Exhibit
On Wednesday, March 11, 5:30-7pm, the Experiential School will host an Art Exhibit Vernissage. This is an opportunity for parents and their children to appreciate the beautiful artwork created in our classrooms. It is important to highlight that this event is exclusive for Alpha and JK students and their parents. Small bites will be provided by SAGE Catering so we really need your help making sure you RSVP so we can have a headcount.
Please click on this link to RSVP to the early evening event.
For families who need child care assistance, here’s the link to the 2025/2026 Babysitters List, which includes contact information for Upper School students who might be available to babysit.
On March 12 and 13 during school hours, the Art Exhibit is open to the Shorecrest community, when family and friends are welcome.
Kindly,
Adriana & The Experiential School Team
Adriana Portella Hollenbeck
Head of The Experiential School of Tampa Bay
727-456-7541
Experiential School Classroom Volunteer Opportunities
Experiential School Classroom Volunteer Opportunities
Specific classroom opportunities and special projects will be communicated as the needs arise. Thank you for sharing your time and talents with the children!
Mark Your Calendars -
Mark Your Calendars -
Wednesday, February 25
Class Photos (first thing, please arrive on time!)
Saturday, March 7
Shorecrest Gala
Wednesday, March 11
Navigating Higher Education in the U.S.
March 16-20
Spring Break (NO SCHOOL)
Wednesday, March 25
The Future of Learning: Navigating the AI frontier at Shorecrest
Friday, March 27
Grandparents and Special Friends Day
ALL SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS
ALL SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Navigating Higher Education in the U.S.
Navigating Higher Education in the U.S.
Wednesday, March 11, 8:30–10am
in the Ohana Community Room on the 2nd floor of Charger Commons
College Counseling and Shorecrest International Connection are hosting an informal Q&A for international parents / guardians. This session is intended for parents/guardians who were educated outside the US and are navigating the education system for the first time with their student. Regardless of the age or grade level of your Charger(s), you are welcome to join us!
The Future of Learning: Navigating the AI frontier at Shorecrest
The Future of Learning: Navigating the AI frontier at Shorecrest
Wednesday, March 25, 8–9:30am
in the Ohana Community Room on the 2nd floor of Charger Commons
An evening session will also be offered via Webex for those that can not attend in person. Date to be determined.
Led by Dr. Anna Baralt and Christine Scoby.
How is Artificial Intelligence (AI) enriching the way our children learn, create and grow? Go behind the scenes and see exactly how we are incorporating AI into our classrooms to enhance teaching and learning while staying anchored to our Mission and Core Values.
Following an overview we will transition into smaller groups for deeper, age-appropriate discussions and Q&A.
Experiential & Lower School (ES/LS) - A focus on how faculty use AI to spark curiosity and personalize learning materials while ensuring the student experience remains hands-on and grounded in play and discovery.
Shorecrest Family Night at the Threshers
Shorecrest Family Night at the Threshers
Take me out to the ball game! Join SCA for a Family Night on Saturday, April 11 to cheer on the Clearwater Threshers!
Gates open at 5:30pm, game starts at 6:30pm
At BayCare Ballpark, 601 Old Coachman Road, Clearwater
vs. Tampa Tarpons
A $20 ticket includes your entry to the game and an all-you-can-eat buffet of hot dogs, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, peanuts, popcorn, chips, ice cream sandwiches, soft drinks & water.
Be sure to stay until the end of the game for a firework show with friends!
Grandparents & Special Friends Day: Notes for Families
Grandparents & Special Friends Day: Notes for Families
Grandparents and Special Friends of Shorecrest students are cordially invited to campus for a special program at the 41st Annual Grandparents & Special Friends Day on Friday, March 27 - presented by Bayway Dental. The event will run from 8am-1pm and will include a special program and lunch. There will be early dismissal for ES, LS and MS.
Reminders for Experiential and Lower Schools:
Experiential and Lower School students should be dressed in uniform (not spirit wear)
Dismissal for grades ES-4 is 11:45am
Lunch will be available on campus 11:30am-1pm for Grandparents / Special Friends who RSVP'ed to dine with students
Lower School students leaving with their grandparents must be signed out in the classroom before leaving campus
Experiential School families need to complete a Dismissal Plan Form, which is also shared on Schoology
Students who are registered for School Closed Child Care after lunch with a Grandparent/Special Friend need to be signed in for School Closed Child Care
Students who are registered for School Closed Child Care without a special guest will not attend the luncheon and should bring a packed lunch and snack
EVENT SCHEDULE -
8-9am: Check-in and breakfast at Charger Commons
9-9:45am: Program / Performances outdoors on the Gaffney Green
10-11:25am: Classroom Visits
11:30am-1pm: Lunch with students at Charger Commons
EVENT PARKING -
All available parking areas will be marked
Personnel will be on hand to help direct guests for parking and getting around campus
Please expect a high volume of cars and slower than usual traffic
If there is heavy rain prior or on the day of the event, the Event Parking field on the north side of campus will be closed. Grandparents & Special Friends may park in any parking lot on campus, except for the 1st Street lot, which is reserved for faculty.
This is not a day for parents to spend with their student(s), but some parent volunteers will be needed.
If you have any questions about the event please contact Samantha Cleveland at scleveland@shorecrest.org.
Shop the School Store for your Florida Winter Shorecrest gear!
Mon-Thurs 11:00am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm
Upcoming Special Event Hours -
February 18 - Open 8:30am-4:30pm for Conference Day
February 21 - Open for the Robotics Tournament
Credit cards, checks, and Apple Pay accepted (sorry, no cash or SAGE accounts). Students under grade 9 must have parent/guardian present to purchase during the school day.
All-School Calendar
All-School Calendar
Register Now for Summer at Shorecrest
Register Now for Summer at Shorecrest
Summer at Shorecrest offers a huge variety of exciting, enriching, and FUN summer programs for students in preschool-12th grade. Featuring classic summer day camp, STEM camps, Performing and Visual Arts, Sports Clinics, Academic Enrichment/College Prep...and so much more! View the full catalog and register at www.shorecrest.org/summer.
With extended day care, camps are available 8am to 5:30pm, June 8-July 31. Additional camp sessions are offered June 1-5 and August 3-7 from 9am-3:30pm.
Experiential School Contacts
Experiential School Contacts
Adriana Hollenbeck
Adriana Hollenbeck
Head of The Experiential School of Tampa Bay
727-456-7541
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