Letter from Mrs. Hollenbeck 

A Warm Welcome and a Joyful Beginning!

Dearest Experiential School Families,

A new season is upon us, and with it, the beautiful hum of our school coming to life once more! To our returning families, welcome back! Your presence is the heart of our community. To our new families, we extend the warmest of welcomes. It was so great meeting so many of you last Thursday and hearing stories about the littles!

We are so delighted to have you join us in this incredible community. This year marks a significant milestone, as we celebrate the highest enrollment in the history of The Experiential School. This is a testament to the belief you place in us, and we are profoundly grateful for your trust.

Every school year holds a special kind of magic. As children step through our doors—some for the first time, others returning to familiar faces—we are reminded of the profound potential that each day brings. We are at the start of a season that may just mark the beginning of new connections, the forging of deep-rooted friendships, and the foundation of a community built on dialogue, mutual respect, and a shared sense of belonging. The relationships we build, both among the children and with you, their families, are the true curriculum of our school.

Our classrooms have been thoughtfully designed to be a "third teacher," a beautiful and inviting environment that sparks curiosity, provokes inquiry, and encourages collaboration. As Loris Malaguzzi reminded us, "The environment should be a space that speaks, not one that shouts." This new space, with its open-ended materials and natural light, does just that—it speaks to the child's innate capacity for research and wonder. We extend our deepest appreciation to the school for this year’s significant investment in early childhood education. It speaks volumes about our shared belief in the competence and potential of every young child.

Returning families may have also noticed the remodeling process of our Experiential School kitchen area. This upgrade is not merely aesthetic; it is a commitment to improving the daily dining experience for our students. We believe that mealtime is a crucial moment for community building, conversation, and fostering healthy relationships with food. 

As we embark on this new school year together, let us hold fast to the idea that childhood is not a race, but a dance: a dance of knowledge, a rhythm of exploring, creating, and making meaning in a world full of possibilities. We are so excited to dance with your children and with you, their families, as we navigate the incredible adventure ahead. 

Experiential School Back to School Night - Tuesday, September 2

Back to School Night is Tuesday, September 2 at 7pm in the Janet Root Theatre. 

For those who are new to Shorecrest, this night is similar to a “curriculum night.” We start off all together in the theatre. The Head of School, Nancy Spencer, Assistant Head of School for Advancement, Michael Gillis, and the SCA Co-Presidents will greet you and share some community-wide information. Division Heads briefly talk about the teaching and learning in the Experiential School and new programs. After our time together in the JRT you’ll go to your children’s classrooms. In the classrooms your child’s teacher will provide an overview of the grade-level curriculum, expectations, and routines. 

This event is for adults only. We conclude around 8:45pm.

With warmth and immense anticipation, 

Adriana

Adriana Portella Hollenbeck

Head of The Experiential School of Tampa Bay

ahollenbeck@shorecrest.org 

727-456-7541

Mark Your Calendars - 

Monday and Tuesday, August 18 and 19
Listening Conferences

Wednesday, August 20
Opening Days - Modified Schedule

Thursday, August 21
Opening Days - Modified Schedule

Friday, August 22
First Full Day for 5-Day ES Students

Monday, September 1
Labor Day - SCHOOL CLOSED 

Tuesday, September 2
Back to School Night 

Carline Safety & Reminders

Officers from the St. Pete Police Department are on 1st Street every day that school is in session to help facilitate traffic turning into / out of campus and to keep our walkers and bikers safe. 

Please be sure to review arrival and dismissal instructions and video. 

We ask for your patience and understanding, particularly during the first weeks of school, as we welcome more than 1,000 students to campus each morning in under an hour.

After School Clubs - Registration Opens Thursday, August 21

Clubs are offered for Experiential and Lower School students with a variety of themes per session to keep students active and engaged after the school day is over. There are four six-week sessions offered throughout the year. Session 1 clubs begin on Tuesday, September 2. Preview the After School Clubs catalog here. 

Clubs will be available for Alpha students beginning in session 2 (October). It is important for Alpha students to have the time to adjust to their new teachers, friends, and school routines first in order to receive the greatest benefit from their experience. If you require after school care, please register for Extended Day! Extended Day mirrors and extends the school day in a way that helps maintain this consistency for our youngest Chargers.

Registration opens Thursday, August 21 at 6pm for After School Clubs: https://shorecrest.campbrainregistration.com

Clubs fill up quickly, so mark your calendar to register! 

Experiential School Orientation Slides 

Thank you to all of the new ES families who attended orientation on August 14th! Below are the slides from that event, should you need to refer back to them. 

Dads Night Out, August 27

Shorecrest Dads are invited to a casual meetup on Wednesday, August 27, 7:30–9:30pm at Three Birds Tavern, 1492 4th St N, St. Pete.

Dads Night Out holds informal get togethers most months, usually at the end of the month at 7:30pm at a local bar. Nothing fancy, these are not school-sponsored events. The intent is to provide an opportunity for dads to get to know each other in a casual and social setting. 

The first gathering of this year will be at Three Birds Tavern in the lower outdoor patio area.

Contact Frank to join the email reminder list: frank.casano@gmail.com 

All-School Calendar

Experiential School Contacts