EXPERIENTIAL SCHOOL
2025-2026
Embedded Files
Experiential School News - October 14, 2025
Experiential School News - October 14, 2025
Letter from Mrs. Hollenbeck
Letter from Mrs. Hollenbeck
The Joy of Choosing: How "Exploring" Builds Confidence and Community
The Joy of Choosing: How "Exploring" Builds Confidence and Community
Dear Parents,
At its heart, "Exploring" is a celebration of the child as a protagonist in their own learning journey. It’s a time specifically designed for children in the same grade cohort (Alpha and JK) to exercise their independence and strengthen their sense of belonging within the wider school community.
What is "Exploring"?
What is "Exploring"?
During an "Exploring" session on Fridays, your child is given the wonderful opportunity to make a choice—a truly meaningful choice—about where and with whom they will spend their time. We open up multiple classrooms within the grade cohort, each curated with open-ended materials and a range of engaging activities.
Here’s the key: they are not limited to their home classroom. They are free to move between these spaces, to encounter different environments, to interact with other teachers, and, importantly, to forge connections with friends outside their usual small group.
The Power of Choice and Controlled Risk
The Power of Choice and Controlled Risk
Why is this simple act of movement and choice so vital?
Our beautiful school building, with all its possibilities, can feel big. For a young child, navigating the Experiential School space independently—even for a short time—is a significant achievement. By allowing them to safely move from one classroom to another, we are offering them a series of controlled, developmentally appropriate risks.
Growing Confidence: When a child chooses their destination, they are affirming, "I know what I want," and when they arrive safely and engage happily, they solidify the powerful realization, "I am capable." This independent decision-making is the very foundation of self-awareness and confidence. It's how they climb the next step on their developmental ladder, building a secure and capable sense of self.
Deepening Community: The experience naturally expands their social horizon. You’ll see some students prioritize a certain activity—a captivating light table, perhaps, or a nature-focused provocation—while others choose to simply walk hand-in-hand with an elected friend. These moments of shared exploration are essential. They find joy in simply being together, transcending the classroom walls and strengthening the fabric of their grade-level community. They learn to be relational subjects, interconnected with a wider web of friendships and different adults.
The "Exploring" model at The Experiential School showcases how our spaces are intentionally designed to be navigated, enjoyed, and ultimately, owned by the children. The opportunity to choose based on the environment's offerings fosters deeper engagement and personal connection to the school space.
This is more than just playtime; it's a profound exercise in citizenship, dialogue, and agency. It's where your child begins to understand that their voice—their choice—matters, and that they are a valued, competent member of our educational community.
It brings a smile to my face watching them walk with such purpose, completely absorbed in the joy of their own self-directed exploration.
Community Events Coming Soon!
Community Events Coming Soon!
There are a number of exciting and engaging community events coming soon for Shorecrest families. Details of each of these are below, but here is a quick cheat sheet for events to register for and attend this fall:
STEAMakers Open House - Saturday, October 18
STEAMakers Open House - Saturday, October 18
Current students and families in Alpha-4th Grade can visit and play in their classrooms and explore the grades above or below them! This is also an open house for prospective families. All are welcome! Join us and bring a friend to experience Shorecrest! [RSVP]
Shore to Shorecrest 5k / Sparky Sprint - Saturday, October 25
Shore to Shorecrest 5k / Sparky Sprint - Saturday, October 25
This year marks the third annual Shore to Shorecrest 5k! This is a casual fun run / walk from the School's founding location on North Shore Drive to our current campus. Everyone from serious runners to casual walkers with strollers enjoys this morning campus event. The Sparky Sprint is for kids 8 and under and Sparky Sprint registrants get a special medal! (You do not have to do the 5k to do the Sparky Sprint - they are separate registrations!). [REGISTER]
Electric Fall Festival - Saturday, November 15
Electric Fall Festival - Saturday, November 15
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. [BUY TICKETS]
Sincerely,
Adriana & The Experiential School Team
Adriana Portella Hollenbeck
Head of The Experiential School of Tampa Bay
727-456-7541
Experiential School Classroom Volunteer Opportunities
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!
Mark Your Calendars -
Mark Your Calendars -
Tuesday, October 14
DEI Search Community Session
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
Tuesday, October 21
Blood Drive
Shore to Shorecrest Packet pickup
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 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
Fall-O-Ween Details - Friday, October 31
Let's Celebrate Fall-O-Ween! - Details for 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
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!
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.
Yearbook Photos
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 was send directly from Mr. KamraMan via email. You may also register for retakes here (don't worry about the time slot, teachers will know who to send and when, based on your RSVP and their class schedule!)
If your student was absent they will be registered to be photographed on retake day automatically.
Volunteers Needed - Sign up to help today!
Volunteers Needed - Sign up to help today!
At the Shore to Shorecrest 5k: Packet pick-up, parking, making waffles, etc.
For Electric Fall Festival: Check-in, raffles, bounce house and more!
Library Shelfies help organize Haskell Library between class visits by shelving books and other special projects.
Kind Mouse Food Drive
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.
ES Extended Day Update
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
ALL SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sign Up For International Festival 2026
Sign Up For International Festival 2026
The annual parent-run International Festival hosted by International Connection will be Thursday, February 5, 2026. This exciting event brings our diverse community together to celebrate global cultures through food, music, dance, games and unique artifacts. Families will showcase souvenirs and traditional attire from their countries, creating a vibrant and educational experience for all.
Schedule -
Set-up 8-10am
International Festival 10am-1:30pm
Tear-down 1:30pm-2:30pm
We would love to have you join us in bringing this special event to life! This event is 100% organized by parent volunteers with the goal of showcasing as many countries as possible to celebrate and reflect the rich diversity of our Shorecrest community. Your support will play a vital role in creating an unforgettable experience not only for you, but for our students and staff.
The registration deadline is January 29, 2026.
Sign up to help manage a country's booth or volunteer with the Festival Committee! https://signup.com/go/bDdyFgo
If your country is not listed, please contact Tani Masvidal at msmartinoms@gmail.com to have it added.
Fall Sports Playoffs
Fall Sports Playoffs
Chargers Varsity Volleyball will play in the District Quarterfinal vs. Admiral Farragut Academy on Tueday, October 14 at 6pm at home in the Crisp Gym. Entry is $8.
The winner will play in the District Semifinals on October 15 & 17 at 7pm at Northside Christian. Entry is $8.
How to Order Yearbooks
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.)
STEAMakers Open House - Saturday, October 18
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.
Director of Diversity & Inclusion Search - Share Your Insight!
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 session on October 14, 6-7:30pm in the Ohana Community Room on the second floor of Charger Commons.
PERFORMING ARTS EVENTS
PERFORMING ARTS EVENTS
Middle School Musical
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
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
COMMUNITY EVENTS
3rd Annual SHORE to SHORECREST 5K Run/Walk presented by Dermaclinique, Dr. Priya Nayyar, M.D.
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!
Electric Fall Festival presented by the Cibran and Razook Families
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!
Charger Chat
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
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!
Register for the Sparky Sprint at the Shore to Shorecrest 5k!
Saturday, October 25 is 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 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!
SCA Holiday Greenery
on Sale Now!
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
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.
All-School Calendar
All-School Calendar
The School Store
The School Store
It's fall and hopefully that means cooler weather is on the way. Come by the School Store for long-sleeved shirts, jackets, hoodies and more.
School Store Hours
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.
Experiential School Contacts
Experiential School Contacts
Adriana Hollenbeck
Adriana Hollenbeck
Head of The Experiential School of Tampa Bay
727-456-7541
Page updated
Report abuse