Letter from Mrs. Hollenbeck

Fun Friday Farewell

We did it again!!!

Thank you Dr. Alexander Dane for the amazing end of the day last week. He made magic in the Experiential School bringing his DJ equipment and changing our space into a mini disco club. The children danced and enjoyed colorful lights and very fun songs. They also had a chance to ask questions about the equipment and learned that Dr. Dane is a doctor and DJing is his hobby. How cool is that?!?!

I cannot forget to add that the teachers had extra fun too, dancing away and closing the week on a high note.

The Heart of Learning: Why Relationships, Mistakes, and Challenges Are the Core of Our Classroom

Dear Parents,

When you entrust us with your children each day, you are entrusting us with more than just their academic growth. You are sharing their hearts, their unique curiosities, and their boundless potential. In our classroom, we operate from a philosophy we call "Teaching with the heart"—a view of education that sees the child as a complete, complex human being. We believe the true foundation for learning isn't a textbook or a test score; it’s the relationships we build.

Building a Community of Love and Justice

Our Experiential School classrooms are designed to be a vibrant learning community, not just a collection of school furniture. Inspired by so many amazing educators, we understand that this process begins with love—not as mere sentiment, but as a deep commitment to the growth and well-being of every person. When a child feels truly seen, recognized, and valued by their teacher and their peers, a profound sense of psychological safety emerges.

This safety is the non-negotiable prerequisite for learning. It assures your child that they belong and that their voice matters. In a space built on mutual respect and justice, they can shift their energy from worrying about fitting in or being judged to focusing entirely on the joy of discovery.

Embracing Challenges and Taking Chances

How do children grow from what they can currently do to what they can do next? The answer lies in taking chances and seeking out challenges.

Think of a difficult task—say, learning to ride a bike. A child can't just wish their way to balancing. They need the supportive push and guiding hand of an adult—at least at first. In the classroom, we apply this same principle. We are constantly nudging your children to work on problems just beyond their current reach—in the space where learning is most dynamic.

This concept relies heavily on collective knowledge. When a child tackles a difficult task, they don't do it alone. They work with peers, share their initial thoughts, hear different perspectives, and use the teacher as a guide to articulate ideas and solve problems they couldn't manage independently. This is what it means to challenge themselves—to push past the comfortable and discover new competence, knowing the community is there to catch them.

As early childhood educators, we guide children to recognize that overcoming challenges and learning from mistakes are essential steps in their journey of growth. When children are given the space to make mistakes, they discover that learning is an adventure, filled with exploration, discovery, and practice. By encouraging children to embrace every part of that journey, including the moments when things don’t go as planned, we help them build confidence, resilience, and curiosity. We view a mistake as the start of a learning process, not the end. This provides children with a sense of empowerment, and inspires them to make positive choices, try new things, and approach challenges with enthusiasm rather than apprehension. We see mistakes as opportunities to develop a growth mindset, the understanding that abilities can grow through effort, reflection, and perseverance. When children learn to recognize their mistakes, reflect about what happened, and find new ways to try again, they build the foundation for lifelong learning. We can aid in nurturing this growth by responding to mistakes with love, patience, and respect. We guide children through reflection and problem-solving with gentle, thoughtful questions, helping them see that each challenge is the beginning of new learning. Through these meaningful experiences, children develop confidence in their own voices, strengthen their critical thinking skills, and gain a deeper sense of independence. By celebrating effort, persistence, and progress, we help them build agency and resilience, always leading with love and encouraging them to learn with both their minds and their hearts.

The Democratic Classroom: Challenging Themselves and Others

Finally, our classroom is a democratic space. This means we value dialogue and encourage your children to challenge themselves and others—not aggressively, but intellectually.

We empower students to:

• Negotiate Meaning: When working on a project, students are encouraged to debate ideas, respectfully question a peer’s approach, and advocate for their own thinking. This practice of dialogue is vital for developing critical thinking and collaborative skills.

• Make Their Thinking Visible: Inspired by approaches like Project Zero and Reggio Emilia, we frequently use pedagogical documentation (photographs, transcripts of conversations, displays of their work) to make the learning process visible to everyone—students, teachers, and parents. This documentation becomes a shared object of dialogue and interpretation, allowing students to review, contest, and ultimately transform their own understanding and the work of the group.

When children are given the authority to negotiate, question, and see their own efforts taken seriously, they develop a profound sense of agency. They learn that education is not about receiving information quietly, but about actively constructing knowledge, together.

We are partners in this journey. By trusting the relationships in our classroom and celebrating the mistakes, risks, and challenges your child embraces here, you help us continue to teach and learn with the heart.

Warmly,

Adriana Hollenbeck & Cat Tridas-Forbes

Charger Winnings

As part of Charger Winnings sold at the SCA Soiree, ES provided a Maker Experience with Mrs. Hollenbeck. Liam B. had the opportunity to decorate a wooden automata made with reclaimed wood from dismantled ES patio furniture, to make rod puppets using a dye-cut machine, and design his own T-shirt using a special iron-on vinyl. Liam went home filled with treasures and memories of a really fun day of making!

Sincerely,

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 - 

Monday - Friday, November 10-14
Book Fair

Wednesday, November 12
Fall Conference Day - No school for students; SCA Uniform Sale

Saturday, November 15
Electric Fall Festival 

Monday, November 17
Dads Night Out

Thursday, November 20
Keynote Speaker Sam Demma - Parent Performance

Mon. - Fri., November 24-28
Thanksgiving Break

Monday, December 1
Holiday Gift Drive Kick-off

Wednesday, December 3
SCA Moms Holiday Night Out
One Night Only: MS & US Thespians Showcase

Friday, December 5
Charger Chat with Nancy Spencer

Fun Days in December

Monday, December 15 - Pajama Day

Tuesday, December 16 - Fun Hat Day

Wednesday, December 17 - Book Character Day (No overwhelming Halloween costumes, please. Children will wear these clothes all day and should be safe, comfortable, and able to use the restroom independently.)

Thursday, December 18 - Ugly Sweater

Friday, December 19 - Fun Friday Farewell Celebration / Countdown Party - Children and teachers dress fancy/festive in gold, white or silver

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

Health Updates from the Clinic

Flu and respiratory illness season is here, and head lice has been found on campus. Practicing good health habits is more important than ever. It takes a community to keep us all safe. Get practical tips, resources and a refresher on Shorecrest policies regarding when children should be kept home from school.

SCA Used Uniform Sale, Nov. 12

The next SCA Used Uniform Sale will be Wednesday, November 12 in the Athletic Center. The sale opens at 7am for faculty / staff and runs 8-12pm for all Shorecrest families.  

If you have clean used uniforms to donate, please drop them off at the Athletic Center (preferred) or one of the school offices. 

New Student Applications to Shorecrest

Families who have students they wish to send to Shorecrest for the 2026-2027 school year who are not currently enrolled (e.g. younger siblings) now is the time to apply. The application deadline is February 1, in order to be considered for the first round of admissions decisions.  

The re-enrollment process for students who are currently enrolled to commit to returning for the 2026-2027 school year is in February. 

Share Your Voice: Head of Upper School Search

As we look ahead to build on the Upper School's strong foundation, we have engaged the search firm RG175 to help identify a visionary new leader for the 9th-12th grade Upper School to succeed Head of Upper School Erich Schneider in July 2026. There will be multiple opportunities for all community members to participate in the search process. 

On Tuesday, November 11, there will be three sessions for members of the community to meet directly with our search consultant, Adam Peichert of RG175.

1:30 – 2:30pm: Trustee Session in the Ohana Community Room
2:30 – 3:30pm: Parent/Guardian Session in the Ohana Community Room
3:30 – 4:30pm: Upper School Faculty Session in the Ohana Community Room

Thank you for taking the time to contribute your voice to this important process. Your insights will play a meaningful role in shaping the future leadership of the Upper School.

All-School Calendar

Experiential School Contacts