Letter from Mrs. Hollenbeck

Dear Experiential School families,

It's another happy day here at The Experiential School, and our classrooms are buzzing with the lively dialogue of young minds at work.

As you may know, we believe deeply in the power of the environment as the third teacher—a concept that comes to us from our colleagues in Reggio Emilia. For us, this isn't just about beautiful, well-organized spaces indoors. It's also about a conscious, intentional engagement with the world right outside our door, the vibrant, subtropical landscape that is uniquely and wonderfully Florida.

These photos are an invitation for you to take a closer look at something that is in the heart of our Exploratorium: our Florida Nature Wall. It's more than just a display; it's a living, breathing testament to the personality and exuberance of our local flora and fauna.

Florida is a place of incredible biodiversity and surprising resilience. The smallest lizard, the most unassuming wildflower, the most gnarled piece of driftwood—they all have a story to tell. Our nature wall is a place where these stories can be shared. A child might bring in a perfectly-shaped seedpod, and we'll marvel at its engineering. Another might find a faded feather, and we'll wonder about the bird who left it behind. Each object is a protagonist in its own right, a tiny ambassador for the natural world.

This wall is also an expression of our belief in open-ended materials. A pinecone is not just a pinecone. It can be a building block for a castle, a scoop for sand, or a fascinating specimen to study with a magnifying glass. The materials on our wall are an invitation to research, to wonder, and to create. They might become the beginnings of new projects and the sparks for new ideas. 

This is where you, our wonderful families, come in. We know how much you value our school and our shared community. We also know that you are our partners in this journey of discovery. When you are on a walk, at the beach, or even just in your own backyard, we would be so grateful if you would keep a thoughtful eye out for treasures that nature has lovingly discarded. A piece of sea glass, a twisted vine, a particularly interesting shell—any of these would be a beautiful addition to our collection.

We kindly ask that you and your children collect only what is no longer needed by the ecosystem. This practice of sustainable gathering reinforces our respect for the environment and its delicate balance. Please consider bringing a small brown bag on your next nature walk. It can be a special tool for your little one, a simple way to make the act of collecting a ritual of partnership.

Your child's contribution will be lovingly added to our wall, a part of our shared narrative and a symbol of our collective sense of belonging. Each piece, big or small, enriches our common space and deepens our children's connection to the world around them.

So, let's go on a scavenger hunt, shall we? Let's wander with a sense of purpose and a spirit of inquiry. Let's show our children that the world is a gallery, a workshop, and a friend, all in one.

With a grateful heart and a little bit of Florida dirt on my shoes,

Adriana

Adriana Portella Hollenbeck

Head of The Experiential School of Tampa Bay

ahollenbeck@shorecrest.org 

727-456-7541

Mark Your Calendars - 

Thursday, October 2
Dads Night Out

October 10-13
Fall Long Weekend, No School Friday & Monday

Friday, October 17
Charger Chat with Nancy Spencer; Alumni Homecoming Tailgate; Homecoming varsity football game and Homecoming court crowning

Saturday, October 18
STEAMakers Open House

October 20-24
Homecoming Week Fun Days

Wednesday, October 22
International Connection Potluck

Saturday, October 25
Shore to Shorecrest 5k

Wednesday, October 29
Picture Retake Day

Friday, October 31
Fall-O-Ween Parade & Fun Day - 11:30am Dismissal 

Saturday, November 15
Electric Fall Festival (More Info coming soon!) 

From the Clinic - Nut Allergy Awareness, Reminder

We are asking families to be mindful that we have many students with peanut and tree nut allergies which are life threatening. Please refrain from sending any peanut and or tree nut products to school for the safety of all the students. This includes but is not limited to peanut butter, Nutella, and granola bars containing any kind of nut. Thank you! 

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!

ES Lunch Dates

Beginning October 6, you're welcome to schedule lunch dates with your children. Experiential School Lunch is from 12-12:30pm. 

Important Notes:

1. To schedule a lunch date, contact your child's teacher directly.

2. 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.

3. After your lunch date, you'll need to sign your child back in at the ES office.

4. 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?

1. 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.

Save the Dates!! 

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

Shorecrest Vaccine Policy 

Recently proposed changes to State of Florida vaccine mandates do not apply to private schools. Shorecrest has no intention of changing its vaccine policy for students. 

All-School Calendar

Experiential School Contacts