EXPERIENTIAL SCHOOL
2025-2026
Embedded Files
Experiential School News - October 20, 2025
Experiential School News - October 20, 2025
Letter from Mrs. Hollenbeck
Letter from Mrs. Hollenbeck
Navigating the Invisible Walls: Understanding Personal Space for Three and Four Year Olds
Navigating the Invisible Walls: Understanding Personal Space for Three and Four Year Olds
As parents and educators, we watch in wonder as our three and four year olds explore the world, constantly learning new things. At The Experiential School we know that one of the trickiest, and most essential, areas of learning at this age is understanding and respecting the concept of personal space—the invisible wall we all carry around us.
This can be a truly challenging frontier for preschoolers, and it’s one that requires patience, understanding, and consistent effort from all of us—teachers and parents alike.
The Personal Space Puzzle
The Personal Space Puzzle
For a three or four year old, personal space is a complex idea that clashes with their stage of development:
Varying Boundaries: Not all children are the same! One child might be a “hugger,” relishing close physical proximity during play, while another might have a very strong need for distance and become overwhelmed or irritated when crowded. Their own comfort levels are already highly individualized.
Developing Social Cues: Children at this age are still learning to read the world. They haven't fully mastered the subtle art of body language. A tight jaw, a shift in weight, or a child backing away might not register as a clear "stop" signal the way an adult understands it.
The Language Barrier: The ability to translate a complex feeling—like "I feel crowded and need you to move back," or "I don't like it when you stand so close to me"—into clear, appropriate words is still in its infancy. When a child feels uncomfortable, scared, or violated, they often resort to the most immediate, instinctual reactions: a push, a shout, a grab, or a sudden withdrawal.
This is why, in a classroom or during a playdate, you often see moments that require adult intervention—a teacher gently stepping in to help two children resolve a conflict over proximity. All of this is truly about coaching.
How We Help Children Read the World
How We Help Children Read the World
Understanding personal space is a foundational social-emotional skill. It’s about recognizing that other people have feelings, needs, and boundaries that may be different from one's own.
This is why our social-emotional focus is so crucial at this stage. At Shorecrest this is a constant, gentle process of explicitly teaching and modeling these skills:
Naming the Feelings: We help children identify what they are feeling. "It looks like you were angry/sad/surprised when Sarah got so close. You can use your words and say, 'I need some space, please.'"
Teaching the “Tools”: We offer simple, clear language that can be used effectively: "Stop," "My turn," "Please move back," or "I need space." We practice using a "social distance bubble" so they have a visual representation of their space.
Reading the Reaction: When a child reacts physically, we help them connect the dots: "When you stood that close to Leo, he pushed you away. It seems he was telling you with his body that he needed more space. Next time, let's look for a step back."
These skills don't develop overnight. They are built through thousands of small interactions, guided by patient adults who help them pause, reflect, and try again.
And they will make mistakes. Lots of them!
Setting Them Up for Success
Setting Them Up for Success
When we dedicate time and effort to helping children navigate the boundaries of personal space, we are doing more than just keeping the peace in the classroom or at home.
We are setting the stage for future success:
Building Empathy: They learn to recognize that others have their own "invisible walls," which is the root of empathy.
Developing Self-Advocacy: They learn they have the right to their own space and how to communicate that need in a respectful way.
Stronger Relationships: By learning to respect boundaries, they foster relationships built on trust and mutual understanding.
It takes a village—and our commitment as parents and educators to model and coach these skills every day—to help our children at Shorecrest to learn to read the world and the people around them. Thank you for partnering with us on this vital journey!
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
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 -
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
Wednesday, November 12
Fall Conference Day - No school for students
Saturday, November 15
Electric Fall Festival
Monday, November 17
Virtual Open House (ES - Grade 4): Learn more about the opportunities your child can discover as a member of our Experiential School and Lower School communities at Shorecrest - age 3 through fourth grade. You’ll hear about the curriculum and student life. RSVP HERE
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!
Fall Conference Sign-Ups
Fall Conference Sign-Ups
Today a live link to the Fall Conferences Sign Up document is available on Schoology.
Please make sure you schedule a time to meet with the teachers and learn about your child’s progress.
This is such an important time and a wonderful opportunity to strengthen our partnership.
A document with all sign-ups is available for your convenience.
For questions regarding time slots, please contact the teachers directly.
Having Lunch With Your Child
Having Lunch With Your Child
Please help us guarantee proper lunch logistics by communicating with the teachers and planning your lunch visits ahead of time. It is very important that the teachers know you are coming and that you follow the ES schedule as well.
Review the Check-in Process for Joining Your Child for Lunch
Review the Check-in Process for 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.
Global Readers: A note from Rosana Lastra and Catalina Laringakis
Global Readers: A note from Rosana Lastra and Catalina Laringakis
🌍 Be a Global Reader! Friday, November 21 • 1:50–2:20 PM
Hi Shorecrest families!
We’re Rosana (Pepe's mom Alpha) and Catalina (Ari's mom JK), and we’re so excited to lead this year’s Global Readers program with the International Connections Group. We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join us in sharing the joy of storytelling and culture, and we’d love for you to be part of it!
What You’ll Do:
Read a children’s book in your own language and lead a short, engaging activity that helps students discover your country or culture. Volunteers will teach a few simple words in their language (like hello, goodbye, please, and thank you) and are encouraged to bring visuals or cultural items—such as flags, clothing, or music—to make the experience interactive and fun. You’re also welcome to decorate or set up the classroom to create a festive, one-of-a-kind atmosphere for your presentation.
When & Where:
📅 Friday, November 21
🕐 1:50–2:20 PM
📍 Experiential School classrooms
Note: We’re also welcoming backup volunteers who can step in if a main reader becomes unavailable, a great way to stay involved and support the event!
Next Steps:
We’ll need confirmed volunteers by November 3 for the first event so we can coordinate with each reader. Once confirmed, we’ll reach out to learn more about your chosen book and activity or help brainstorm ideas if you’d like suggestions. All materials will be reviewed and approved by Mrs. Hollenbeck before the event.
Sign up HERE
👉 https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E054BACA823A31-59726951-global
Future Date: May 1 (we're also already taking volunteers for this date)
Let’s fill this day with color, culture, and joy — we can’t wait to see the love and creativity you bring to share with the children!
Rosana & Catalina :-)
**Cake Decorating: Fun Friday Farewell Notice
**Cake Decorating: Fun Friday Farewell Notice
On December 5th, Pastry Chef Jovana Boksen, aka Cyler’s mom (Alpha - Thompson), will be our special guest for Fun Friday Farewell.
Jovana will talk to the children and do a Cake Decorating Demonstration.
Chef Erin Baehman, from SAGE, will bake cupcakes for the children.
We will be providing vegan cupcakes for the students with dairy and egg allergies.
Please let Adriana know if you have concerns or questions about this plan.
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
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.
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.
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.)
Fall Sports Playoffs
Fall Sports Playoffs
Chargers Swimming and Diving will be competing at the District level: Friday, October 24 is the District Diving Meet at Berkeley Prep. Saturday, October 25 is the District Swimming Meet at Berkeley Prep at 9am. More details 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!
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!
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.
International Festival
International Festival
The annual International Festival hosted by International Connection will be Thursday, February 5. This exciting event brings our diverse community together to celebrate global cultures through food, music, dance, games and unique artifacts.
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.
The registration deadline is January 29, 2026.
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.
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.
Keynote Speaker: Sam Demma - “Empty Your Backpack” - Thursday, November 20
Keynote Speaker: Sam Demma - “Empty Your Backpack” - Thursday, November 20
Shorecrest is pleased to welcome keynote speaker and author Sam Demma to campus on Thursday, November 20 for three unique performances - one for Middle School students, one for Upper School students, and an evening event for all Shorecrest parents/guardians.
A dynamic, high-energy performer known for his signature giant red backpack, Sam will guide students through his keynote “Empty Your Backpack,” a powerful message about overcoming fear, building resilience, and leading with empathy. Through stories, humor, and reflection, Sam encourages students to let go of what weighs them down and take small, consistent actions toward excellence and meaningful living.
Families are also invited to an evening parent session, “Lightening the Load: Helping Kids Build Resilience and Empathy,” where Sam explores how caring adults can help children navigate the pressures they carry and foster a family culture of understanding and connection.
Schedule of Events:
10:35-11:35am: Upper School* Assembly Performance (also open to parents)
*Thursday, November 20 will NOT be a late start day
2:15-3:15pm: Middle School Assembly Performance (also open to parents)
6:30-7:30pm: Parent Evening Performance [RSVP here]
Learn more about Sam Demma at samdemma.com/videos.
Donor support for this opportunity was inspired by the Pyxis Fund.
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
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