Experiential School News

EXPERIENTIAL SCHOOL

2025-2026

Experiential School News - October 6, 2025

Letter from Mrs. Hollenbeck

More Than a Look: The Power of Beauty in a Child's Education

Over my many years as an educator, certain books have become trusted companions, always offering a chance to learn something new. They are the kinds of books that either reinforce my deepest convictions or provide a fresh perspective on topics that still intrigue me. It’s both the blessing and the curse of being an educator: you’re never truly "there." There is always something new to understand, a concept to revisit, or an inspiration to explore.

I’ve found this to be especially true when studying philosophies from other parts of the world. It’s crucial to understand them in their original context and then find a way to make them relevant in our own. Years ago, I met researcher Louise Cadwell, who moved to Italy to fully immerse herself in the schools of Reggio Emilia. Her book, “Bringing Reggio Emilia Home”, has become one of my most treasured resources. Every time I open it, I discover a new layer of meaning.

My most recent reading of the book led me to reflect on the immense value that Italian educators place on beauty. When you think of Italy, beauty is everywhere—from stunning architecture and fine art to vibrant market displays and picturesque vineyards. This same intentionality is present in the schools of Reggio Emilia. Every material is thoughtfully chosen, and every display is meticulously arranged.

This cultural appreciation for aesthetics is something we deeply value at The Experiential School. We take great pride in creating an environment that communicates the joy, significance, and depth of learning that happens in our school every single day. We believe that an intentional, beautiful space isn't just nice to look at; it's a powerful tool for learning.

At our school, we look at children differently. We have high expectations for them and for ourselves, and we are deeply committed to offering countless opportunities for their full and joyful development.

So, when you ask, “Why Shorecrest?” this commitment to intentional beauty is one of the countless reasons. It’s a testament to our belief that children deserve to learn in a space that respects their curiosity, honors their creativity, and inspires their sense of wonder.

Yearbook Photos

Families should have received a link to view photos directly from Mr. KamraMan, the yearbook photographer. Purchases may be made online.

Every once in a while photographs from Picture Day do not come out well, or students are absent on picture day. We will have picture retakes on Wednesday, October 29. A registration link for retakes will be sent later this week directly from Mr. KamraMan, and if your student was absent they will be registered to be photographed on retake day automatically.

Fun Friday Farewell

Two of our Fun Friday Farewell events provided the children with a great opportunity to express themselves through dance, music and the Spanish language.

Both Ms. Jessica Taylor and Dr. Rosana Lastra, aka Pepe’s mom, brought rhythm and Hispanic Heritage to the littles at The Experiential School. Through Rosana’s salsa lesson, the children also learned the words ombros, caderas and pies corresponding to shoulders, hips and feet, which they moved and moved as they listened to “Chan Chan” by Buena Vista Social Club and “Vivir Mi Vida” by Marc Anthony. Dr. Lastra generously offered to share her knowledge of dance all Shorecrest families! If you and your child are interested in dancing more, contact Dr. Lastra directly.

Sincerely,

Adriana & The Experiential School Team

Adriana Portella Hollenbeck

Head of The Experiential School of Tampa Bay

ahollenbeck@shorecrest.org

727-456-7541

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!

Volunteer Sign Up Sheets

Mark Your Calendars -

October 10-13
Fall Long Weekend, No School Friday & Monday

Friday, October 17
Charger Chat with Nancy Spencer
Alumni Homecoming Tailgate
Homecoming varsity football game & Homecoming court crowning

Saturday, October 18
STEAMakers Open House

October 20-24
Homecoming Week Fun Days

Wednesday, October 22
International Connection Potluck

Saturday, October 25
Shore to Shorecrest 5k & Sparky Sprint

Wednesday, October 29
Picture Retake Day

Friday, October 31
Fall-O-Ween Parade & Fun Day - 11:30am Dismissal

Saturday, November 15
Electric Fall Festival

Homecoming Week Fun Days Details - October 20-24

Homecoming Week Fun Days for ES and LS - October 20-24

During Homecoming Season, the whole school celebrates in many different ways. The Experiential School and the Lower School will have some fun days so get ready for…

10/20 - Homecoming - Pajama Day
10/21 - Crazy Socks Day
10/22 - Fun Hair Day
10/23 - Favorite Sports Team T-Shirt Day
10/24 - Class Colors: In the spirit of school unity, all grades are invited to wear their class color on Class Color Day of Homecoming Week, which promotes class unity, and connection to older peers who share the same class colors. The class color travels with the student as they progress through Shorecrest. The colors assigned to be worn by each class are intentionally not Shorecrest green and gold, which are reserved for green and gold day celebrating ONE Shorecrest!

JK Class of 2039: PURPLE

Alpha Class of 2040: BLUE

Fall-O-Ween Details - Friday, October 31

Let's Celebrate Fall-O-Ween! - Details for Friday, October 31

Get ready to celebrate with your little ones! We're so excited to invite all our families to a special “Fall-o-ween" parade on Friday, October 31. This is also a wonderful opportunity to meet other parents and make some fun memories together.

A Note on Costumes:

We can't wait to see your child's creative costumes! To ensure all our students have a safe and comfortable day, please keep these guidelines in mind:

Keep it kid-friendly. No scary costumes, toy weapons, or masks that block your child’s vision.

Safety first! Please make sure your child can comfortably and safely walk the parade route in their costume. They should be able to walk on their own without needing help.

Event Schedule and Details:

Morning Drop-off: Students should arrive in their costumes during the regular morning carline. Please be on time so we can start our day together!
Class Photos: Immediately after arriving, a SCA/Shorecrest photographer will take class photos with a festive fall backdrop of hay bales and decorations.
The Parade: The parade kicks off at 8:45am. ES students will get to watch the Lower School students march before we follow behind them to close out the parade!
Parents are excused after the parade as students return to the building to continue their day.
Classroom Fun: After the parade, students will change into their regular play clothes or fall-themed outfits. Teachers will lead special activities to celebrate the season.
Early Dismissal: Please plan to pick up your child at 11:30am during the regular carline. If you need Extended Care, please contact Corinne Leavengood.

We look forward to seeing you there as we create new memories with our amazing community!

Joining Your Child for Lunch

Beginning October 6, you're welcome to schedule lunch dates with your children. Experiential School Lunch is from 12-12:30pm.

Important Notes:

To schedule a lunch date, contact your child's teacher directly.
You can only check your child out for lunch. All parents must sign in at an office to get a visitor badge before meeting their child.
After your lunch date, you'll need to sign your child back in at the ES office.
The designated area for lunch dates is at the picnic tables under the green canopy, outside the Lower School dining hall.

Special Lunch or School Lunch?

You're welcome to bring a special lunch from home or from your favorite restaurant, but if you'd like to eat the school lunch provided by SAGE, here's what you need to know:
- After you sign in at the office, you'll receive a card to present to a SAGE staff member at the dining hall checkout.
- You can pay for your lunch with cash or use MySchoolBucks.

2. Your child's school lunch will be in a to-go box so it's easy to transport from the building to the picnic tables.

To save time, we recommend getting your lunch from the dining room first and then heading to the ES building to meet your child. You can get your lunch as early as 11:30am.

Scholastic Book Fair Coming Soon!

Get ready–the Scholastic Book Fair is coming to Shorecrest! Find bestselling series and characters that students love from more than 100 publishers, plus every purchase benefits our school.

- Books for age 3 - grade 8. Some classes will have a sneak peek on November 7 to see what is available and make wish lists.
- Main days of sales are: November 10-14, 8am-4pm. The Book Fair will be open on Conference Day!
- St. Pete Public Library will be on campus during conference day to help any Shorecrest student sign up for a library card 8am-2pm. Students under the age of 16 need a parent/guardian present to sign up.

Book Fair Online Preview

Volunteer in Haskell Library

The shelves of the library could use some TLC, and you can help! The volunteer group, Library Shelfies, helps organize the library between class visits by shelving books and other special projects.

Volunteer with Library Shelfies

From the Clinic - Nut Allergy Awareness, Reminder

We are asking families to be mindful that we have many students with peanut and tree nut allergies which are life threatening. Please refrain from sending any peanut and or tree nut products to school for the safety of all the students. This includes but is not limited to peanut butter, Nutella, and granola bars containing any kind of nut. Thank you!

Kind Mouse Food Drive

At Shorecrest both The Experiential School and the Lower School support the Kind Mouse food pantry.

The Kind Mouse is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization based in St. Petersburg, Florida dedicated to feeding local children suffering from chronic hunger and food insecurities. Founded in 2012 by Gina Wilkins, The Kind Mouse is comprised of a passionate group of volunteers ranging in age from 5 to 93 who are committed to ensuring no child in Pinellas County goes hungry. Our mission is to assist families in transition and their chronically hungry children while developing the next generation of volunteers to carry on the mission of The Kind Mouse. No hardworking individual and their family should ever go hungry.”

Pictured are the most needed items:

If your family wishes to contribute, you may send the items with your child or drop them off at the bins located at the main entrance of The Experiential School.

Shorecrest Babysitting List

The Shorecrest Babysitting List is a list of Upper School students who are open to babysitting younger Shorecrest students. The list includes their full names, contact info, and any relevant babysitting / background information. This information is provided annually as a service to Shorecrest families and is not intended to be shared outside of our school community.

While Upper School student babysitters often appreciate referrals, please ask the student for permission before sharing their contact information with outside parties. Login to the Shorecrest Community Site with your Shorecrest-assigned login credentials to access the Shorecrest Babysitting List. The link will also be available in the Shorecrest Parent App.

Babysitting List (login required)

ES Extended Day Update

As of now space in Experiential School Extended Day is limited to those who have preregistered. Due to staffing shortages, we are unable to accept any children as drop-ins. Please check online at shorecrest.campbrainregistration.com to confirm that you have registered before leaving your child at school for Extended Day care. We will keep you updated as to when we are able to open additional spaces. Thank you for understanding!

- Dominique Hamm & Corinne Leavengood

ALL SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS

How to Order Yearbooks

If you or your child would like a copy of the 2025-2026 Crestviews Yearbook, which features the full Alpha-Grade 12 school, please place your online order using the link below. Yearbooks are $80. (Families of seniors do not need to order yearbooks. They are a part of the senior fee.)

Order Yearbooks

STEAMakers Open House - Saturday, October 18

Current and prospective families with toddlers through 4th graders are invited to experience the campus, classrooms, and hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math activities with their favorite Shorecrest teachers on a Saturday!

Attendees will also have the opportunity to chat with our Admissions team, meet Student Ambassadors and more in this family-friendly campus playdate. This is a great opportunity for current families to bring friends to experience Shorecrest!

Contact the Admissions Office for more information at admissions@shorecrest.org.

RSVP to STEAMakers

Director of Diversity & Inclusion Search - Share Your Insight!

Join Greg Otis of HKS Advisory Services to offer your perspective as we embark on the search for the next Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Shorecrest. The information gathered at these in-person sessions will help inform the position description, as well as the intended skills and experience of the individual who will fill this important administrative role at Shorecrest.

Any Shorecrest community member may attend the community engagement evenings on October 7 and 14, 6-7:30pm in the Ohana Community Room on the second floor of Charger Commons.

PERFORMING ARTS EVENTS

Middle School Musical

Shorecrest Middle School Performing Arts presents “All Shook Up - Young@Part” an Elvis-themed musical starring students in grades 6-8 on November 6-8 in the Janet Root Theatre. Ticketing information is coming soon.

Upper School Fall Play

Shorecrest Performing Arts presents "Vintage Hitchcock: A Live Radio Play" on Thursday, November 13 and Friday, November 14 at 7pm in the Janet Root Theatre. Ticketing information is coming soon.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

3rd Annual SHORE to SHORECREST 5K Run/Walk presented by Dermaclinique, Dr. Priya Nayyar, M.D.

Saturday, October 25
5k Start: 8am
Start Line: Flora Wylie Park
Finish Line: Shorecrest Campus

Also returning: the Sparky Sprint* for children 8 years & younger and the Wellness Village! Every participant receives:

commemorative race T-shirt
finisher’s medal
delicious breakfast to refuel and celebrate!

Race Registration and Details

Electric Fall Festival presented by the Cibran and Razook Families

Saturday, November 15, 5–8pm
in the Shorecrest Athletic Center

Get ready for an electric evening of fun for the whole family! Join us for Shorecrest’s Electric Fall Festival featuring music, games, and activities for all ages. Your $15 ticket includes a bounce house, DJ, golf, petting zoo — and that’s just the beginning! Food trucks will also be on site with delicious dinner options available for purchase.

COMING SOON... Purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win incredible prizes from Perry's Porch, the Vinoy, Hotworx, Pure Barre and more!

Get Fall Festival Tickets!

Charger Chat

Friday, October 17

A monthly series of casual chats with Head of School Nancy Spencer. After Lower School Town Meeting (roughly 8:30am) in the Raymund Center.

International Connection Potluck Lunch

Wednesday, October 22

Shorecrest adults are invited to come together for a potluck lunch. Share a favorite dish from your culture & celebrate community through food and friendship.

Register for the Sparky Sprint at the Shore to Shorecrest 5k!

Join us on Saturday, October 25 for the third annual Shore to Shorecrest 5k presented by Dermaclinique, Dr. Priya Nayyar, M.D. This event also features the Sparky Sprint for Chargers 8 and under!

The Sparky Sprint is a separate registration and fee from the official 5k and includes a separate bib number and commemorative medal. Sparky Sprint registrants may compete in the on-campus race even if their grown-ups aren't doing the 5k!

Learn More or Register

SCA Holiday Greenery
on Sale Now!

The SCA Greenery Sale offers a stunning selection of festive wreaths to elevate your holiday spirit. The deadline to order is November 3.

Gift Greenery for $25

Share the love by gifting a 22-inch Noble Fir Wreath to Guardian ad Litem! Greenery for Guardian ad Litem caretakers will be distributed at the Holiday Gift Drive event on December 13.

Shop Greenery

All-School Calendar

View All Events on the Shorecrest Website

2025-2026 General Calendar

The School Store

T-shirts, tote bags, plushies Sparky water bottles and so much more. Stop by and see what's new!

School Store Hours

Shop the School Store for Shorecrest spiritwear, gifts, snacks, drinks and more!

Mon-Thurs 11:00am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm

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.