Letter from Mrs. Hollenbeck

In our Experiential School learning community, we believe that education is far more than the transmission of facts; it is the intersection where academic striving meets the overall striving to be psychologically whole. We are inspired by a pedagogy that views every child as a competent, active participant in their own development. These past weeks, we have been celebrating a powerful milestone in this journey: our Alpha students have begun participating in the daily lunch routine walking through the lunch line.

A Step Towards Independence

One class per day, alongside their JK peers, our youngest learners are now walking independently to the lunch line. As they navigate the space, make their own food choices, and carry their trays back to the classroom they appreciate us for trusting their skills.

The Social Landscape of Learning

As they learn the specific language of the lunch routine—ordering their food, expressing preferences, and thanking the staff—they are also learning that their voice matters.

Building Community Through Food

Communities have gathered around food for centuries, and our lunch routine is no different. We view this special time of the day as a way to nurture the emotional growth of students, creating a context where a sense of belonging flourishes through care, respect, and trust.Whether a child is choosing between plain yogurt or a parfait, the act of making that choice within a supportive community is priceless. This "meaning-making" process transforms a simple meal into a living record of educational practice and a foundation for memories that will last a lifetime. We aren't just eating lunch; we are building our world together.

⚠️ 2026-2027 Class Placement

Parents often have inquiries regarding their child's class placement, and many may have preferences about which teacher they believe would be the best fit for their child, often influenced by discussions with other parents. It is important to understand that the process of creating class lists is complex and requires careful consideration of numerous factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, gender, age, individual personalities, cognitive and developmental stages, academic performance, and social interactions.

Our primary objective is to establish well-balanced classes that foster a cohesive learning environment, allowing students to work effectively both with their peers and their teacher. In order to incorporate teacher feedback effectively, we strive to complete most of this process before the conclusion of the current school year.

To provide insight into how class lists are formulated, here is an overview of the procedure. Each classroom teacher reflects on their current students and organizes them into groups that align with the number of classes available in the next grade level. This process involves balancing various factors such as gender, academic ability, and personality traits. Teachers aim to separate students who may not collaborate effectively while grouping those who have positive interactions. In certain situations, teachers may decide to separate close friends if their relationship hinders their academic progress or excludes other classmates.

Following this initial grouping, teachers from each grade level convene to review and merge their lists. They evaluate the same criteria, making necessary adjustments to ensure the best possible class compositions. These consolidated lists are then submitted to the Head of The Experiential School for additional review and refinement.

It is essential to understand Shorecrest's policy regarding class placement, which is outlined in the Family Handbook. This policy specifies that parents are not permitted to request specific teachers for their children. We always prioritize the unique needs of each child while striving to create a harmonious classroom environment. However, we encourage parents to voice any concerns or share their thoughts by contacting the appropriate school head at any time. This open line of communication allows us to address any issues while maintaining the integrity of the class placement process.

It is always important to remember that children will collaborate with students in the grade cohort and also with other teachers in the same grade, since no classes operate in isolation.

Thank you for trusting the process.

Discover Kindergarten Recording

On January 21, JK families were invited to “Discover Kindergarten” and learn more about the Lower School’s Kindergarten program. If you missed the program, a recording may be found here.

February 18 - Spring Conferences Sign-Up Links

Auker/Bell

Brunelle/Taylor

Sweet/Cooper

Thompson/Weaver

Markunas/Holliday

McCausland/Schnettler

Quraishi/Beggins

Summers/DiAngelus

Kindly,

Adriana & The Experiential School Team

Adriana Portella Hollenbeck

Head of The Experiential School of Tampa Bay

ahollenbeck@shorecrest.org 

727-456-7541

Mark Your Calendars - 

Friday, January 30
ES Studio Performance "Down by the Bay"

Wednesday, February 4
SCA Galentines Night

Thursday, February 5
International Festival

Friday, February 6
Shorecrest Movie Night

Friday, February 13
School Closed / Professional Development for Faculty

Monday, February 16
Presidents Day (NO SCHOOL)

Wednesday, February 18
Conference Day (NO SCHOOL Alpha-Grade 8)
SCA Uniform Sale

Saturday, March 7
Shorecrest Gala

SCA Uniform Sale - Wednesday, February 18

The next SCA Uniform Sale will be Wednesday, February 18 in the Athletic Center. The sale opens at 7:30am for faculty / staff and runs 8am-12pm for all Shorecrest families. Find used uniform pieces at steep price discounts!  

If you have clean used uniforms to donate, please drop them off at the Athletic Center (preferred) or one of the school offices. While you are going through closets, other clothing items your children have outgrown may also be dropped off to be donated to Clothes to Kids. Clothes To Kids, Inc. provides new and quality used clothing to low-income or in crisis school-age children, free of charge.

Director of Diversity and Inclusion - Meet the Candidates

We are excited to announce that we have reached the final stage of our search for a new Director of Diversity and Inclusion. As a valued part of our school community, your perspective is incredibly important to us during this selection process. We invite you to join us for the final "Meet the Candidate" session to hear from our finalist and share your feedback on Wednesday, January 28, 2:15–3:15pm in the Ohana Community Room on the second floor of Charger Commons.

Your input helps ensure we select a leader who understands the needs of our families and reflects the values of our community.

Please RSVP to Dr. Anna Baralt at abaralt@shorecrest.org. We look forward to seeing you there!

All-School Calendar

Experiential School Contacts