ES News - August 25, 2025

EXPERIENTIAL SCHOOL

2025-2026

Experiential School News - August 25, 2025

Letter from Mrs. Hollenbeck

Dear Experiential School Families,

As I waited for a green light recently, Whitney Houston's iconic song, "Greatest Love of All," came on the radio. The lyrics,

"I believe the children are our future,
teach them well and let them lead the way,"

perfectly mirrored the excitement and anticipation I felt as we kicked off a new school year. In that moment, I was reminded of our shared purpose—to show our students the incredible potential they hold inside.

We are so thrilled to have the students back with us, and we are ready to help them discover the amazing individuals they are. This is a journey we'll take together, starting with small, meaningful steps, and we appreciate your partnership along the way.

The first six weeks of school are a critical period for us at The Experiential School. This isn't just a random chunk of time; it's a carefully protected foundation for the year ahead. We guide our work with the Responsive Classroom approach, which focuses on creating a joyful and secure learning environment. These strategies are based on research and evidence, ensuring we build a space where students and teachers feel safe and ready to learn.

These early weeks are a time of many introductions. We're not just introducing names and faces, but also our classroom community, the expectations we hold for learning, and the routines that help us all work together successfully. From the very start, we work to build an atmosphere of support and collaboration. This doesn't magically appear—it's carefully constructed, piece by piece, over these first six weeks.

We thoughtfully structure this time so that students can actively participate in building our community. They practice essential skills and behaviors, first with a great deal of guidance and then, as they grow more confident, with more independence. Our ultimate goal is for every student to feel a profound sense of belonging. The faces that were new just last week are already becoming familiar and full of confidence.

I witnessed this in a beautiful way on the playground recently. A student I remembered from her shadow day ran up and gave me a huge hug. She was comfortable, joyful, and clearly at home. It was a perfect reminder that Shorecrest is now, for her, a place where she truly belongs.

Morning Routine

Transitions are hard for some children and the first days of school present new challenges for all of us.

We ask that parents help us with the morning routine by dropping their children at carline and avoiding walking them into the building.

If you walk to school, or if you are a member of our Faculty/Staff, please drop your child off at the main doors of The Experiential School where a faculty member will greet them and make sure they get into their classroom.

We appreciate the many ways we can and will collaborate.

Children and faculty alike enjoy when parents sign up for a time in the classroom, but we aim for a regular and consistent morning routine for all children.

Your presence in the hallways or in the classrooms impacts not only your child at a moment they are separating from you, but other children as well.

It is important to remember that Shorecrest would not be able to accommodate a large number of visitors if parents decided to park and walk their children on a regular basis.

It is our intention to be respectful of all children, their feelings and needs, and of our school’s community agreements.

There will be so many opportunities for families to get involved.

Please understand that we take these routines very seriously and we ask that you do the same.

Thank you in advance for your collaboration.

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.

Sincerely,

Adriana

Adriana Portella Hollenbeck

Head of The Experiential School of Tampa Bay

ahollenbeck@shorecrest.org

727-456-7541

Mark Your Calendars -

Wednesday, August 27
Dads Night Out, August 27

Monday, September 1
Labor Day - SCHOOL CLOSED

Tuesday, September 2
Back to School Night

Wednesday, September 3
ES/LS Picture Day

Friday, September 5
Charger Chat with Nancy Spencer

Tuesday, September 9
International Connection Kick Off

Saturday, September 27
SCA Soiree Beneath the Waves: A Florida Cocktail Odyssey presented by Mann Orthodontics

Picture Day - Experiential & Lower School - Wednesday, September 3

Students, faculty and staff are photographed annually for the Crestviews yearbook. School picture day for students in Alpha-4th grade is on Wednesday, September 3.

Order forms will not be sent home in advance this year. All photo orders may be made online after photos are processed!

Carline Safety & Reminders

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

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.

Arrival & Dismissal Instructions / Video

After School Clubs - Registration Open

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.

ALL SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Early Experience with Shorecrest College Counseling

The Shorecrest College Counseling Office offers comprehensive programming to support students and families throughout the college search and placement process. While many College Counseling events are tailored toward particular grade levels, all interested Shorecrest families are invited to attend these College Counseling events this fall:

College Counseling Meet & Greet

Wednesday, September 3 @ 9:15am
Location: Ohana Room, Charger Commons - second floor
Casual conversation with the 4-person College Counseling team

First Year Foundation

Tuesday, September 9 @ 6pm
Location: Janet Root Theatre
Dedicated programming for ninth grade students and their families

Sophomore Strategies

Tuesday, September 30 @ 6pm
Location: Janet Root Theatre
Dedicated programming for tenth grade students and their families

The Shorecrest Advantage: Exploring Shorecrest's Upper School

Wednesday, October 15 @ 7pm
Location: Virtual
Dedicated programming for families of seventh and eighth grade students

Dads Night Out

Wednesday, 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. Meet in the lower outdoor patio area.

Charger Chat

Friday, September 5 *New Date*

The first of a monthly series of casual chats with Head of School Nancy Spencer. After Lower School Town Meeting (roughly 8:30am) in the Raymund Center. Hosted by SCA.

International Connection Kick Off

Tuesday, September 9

All adults in the Shorecrest community are invited to join for coffee after drop-off on Tuesday, September 9, 8:15-10am in the Ohana Community Room, 2nd floor of Charger Commons. Expect introductions, socializing, info about the group and how to get involved.

SCA Moms Night Out

Wednesday, September 10

A wonderful chance to relax, connect and enjoy a fun evening with friends new and old. Check out the new Savoir on Central from 6:30-9:30!

Tickets are just $20 and include light bites plus three drink vouchers.

Buy Ticket

Event / Visitor Parking

If you are visiting campus for an event during the daytime, please loop past the football field and Middle School to park on the event parking field adjacent to the softball field. The field should be open even if signs are not visible.

Please leave parking spaces labeled “Faculty” for teachers and staff who may come and go at various times. There are also additional visitor spots along the median outside of Charger Commons and outside of the MS Office. Note: in the event of heavy rain the field cannot be open for parking.

Welcome Visitors! Please Check In

All campus visitors are required to check in at the Raymund Center or division main office to receive a visitor badge during the school day. Visitor badges are required to be worn at all times when on campus.

If visitors do not have a visitor badge visible, Allied Security Officers may stop to offer mobile visitor check-in. Thank you for your cooperation with our campus safety and security protocols.

Share Your Photos & Story Tips with Shorecrest!

Let us know the wonderful things Shorecrest students are up to - both inside and outside of school! The Shorecrest Marketing and Communications department welcomes submissions of photos and story ideas about members of the Shorecrest community including students, faculty, and alumni. Submitted stories may be featured on social media, in the Shorecrest News biweekly newsletter, in the annual Shorecrest Magazine and through other school communication channels.

Snap great first-day photos at school or at home? Share them via the form below or tag us @shorecrestprep on social media for a chance to be featured!

Share Stories or Photos

SCA Soiree Beneath the Waves

A Florida Cocktail Odyssey presented by Mann Orthodontics

Saturday, September 27, 7-11pm at FloridaRAMA

You are formally invited to a sparkling evening at this year’s SCA Soiree – Beneath the Waves: A Florida Cocktail Odyssey presented by Mann Orthodontics on Saturday, September 27, at FloridaRAMA.

The event will feature delicious hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, and music. Adults only (21+).
(This is a night of building community. We’re saving the auctions for the springtime Gala.)

Dive under the sea and into the new school year at one of St. Petersburg’s most unique immersive experiences!

Buy Tickets

Coffee Cart Fridays on Campus

Join us Friday mornings for coffee on campus! Offered most Fridays throughout the school year, local vendors set up shop outside of the Raymund Center offering coffee drinks for purchase. Enjoy a coffee before Lower School Town Meeting, grab a coffee to go before a SCA meeting or Charger Chat, or take your coffee to shop at the School Store!

Coffee carts are available roughly 7:15-9:15am.

Download the Shorecrest Parent app

All families have free access to the Shorecrest Parent app via the App Store and Google Play. The Shorecrest Parent app allows families to access all of their FACTS Family Portal information, including a family directory, schedules, billing information, and more. The Shorecrest app is also a hub for Monday Division Heads Letters, Shorecrest News archives and all-school emails, lunch information, links to documents like Handbooks and curriculum guides, and more.

Download the App

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.