LOWER SCHOOL
2025-2026
2025-2026
Dear Lower School Families,
Homecoming Week is finally here! After an incredible start, highlighted by last week's spirited pep rally, we are ready to dive into a week dedicated to building our community and igniting school pride. We hope you caught the energy at the big game on Friday. This week is all about keeping that momentum going, creating lasting memories, and celebrating our traditions together.
Experiential and Lower Schools students can choose to dress in the themes provided below.
10/20 - Pajama Day
10/21 - Crazy Socks Day
10/22 - Fun Hair Day
10/23 - Favorite Sports Team T-Shirt Day
10/24 - Class Colors
Class of 2034, 4th grade - red
Class of 2035, 3rd grade - purple
Class of 2036, 2nd grade - blue
Class of 2037, 1st grade -orange
Class of 2038, Kindergarten - red
“Mental strength, or resilience, is the ability to adapt to challenges, regulate emotions, and perform effectively under pressure. This capacity depends on the physical well-being and functional integrity of the brain.”
"Raising Mentally Strong Kids" book club meeting on Wednesday, October 22, 8:10 in the Ohana room. See you there! RSVP to Lbianco@shorecrest.org.
Kindergarten and first grade parents and caregivers should join Shorecrest Literacy Specialist, Kristin Silver and Assistant Head of Lower School, Sarah Palazzolo, for an interactive session focused on how children successfully learn to read.
We will provide a detailed overview of the research and specific methods behind our phonics instruction here at Shorecrest. You will gain practical insights as you participate in hands-on word work with letters and sounds, empowering you to better support your child’s development at home. See you Thursday 10/23, at 8:10am in the Ohana. RSVP to Sarah Palazzolo at SPalazzolo@Shorecrest.org.
Check out this article about AI in our children’s lives: click here.
“Jonathan Haidt (author of Anxious Generation) warns that curbing the popularity of artificial intelligence will be harder. Haidt says AI has the power to make content so much more addictive.”
“If we don't get a handle on this now, then I think Gen Alpha and Gen Beta after them are just going to be completely lost in the most entertaining content ever created ,” Haidt says.
‘The consequences are already here.”
Kate Fierce, presenting on the “Let Grow” initiative. Thank you to those who were able to join us.
Let’s keep the momentum going! We are all very proud of our students and the steps they are taking with you to be more independent and to grow in new ways.
Our Student Council did a great job introducing our food drive at town meeting.
We are collecting the following:
Fourth grade -- Jars of baby food for the Mouse Babies distribution.
Third grade -- Vienna sausages, single-serving pasta, tuna pouches or Beanee Weenees.
Second grade -- Pudding cups, jello cups and single-serve peanut butter cups.
First grade -- Granola bars, protein bars, and cracker packs (such as Lance).
Kindergarten -- Fruit snacks and individual size cereal.
By working together, we can give our children the powerful experience of coming together as a school community to help others in need and demonstrate what our caring community can accomplish.
Parents and Teacher Conferences are around the corner, Wednesday, November 12. Thus, as we approach our first round of conferences this school year, I want to emphasize just how important these meetings are. Conferences provide a valuable opportunity for teachers and parents to connect and partner in supporting their child’s development.
Teachers will have sign up sheets posted on their Schoology page today. The School’s expectation is that everyone will sign up.
At the conference, your child’s teacher will ask you how you feel things are going and give you an update on your child’s academic progress, classroom behavior, and social interactions with peers. You’ll hear about friendships they are forming, their engagement in class, things they like to do, and how they’re navigating the school environment. (Teachers will discuss areas of strength and concern.) This time is truly about partnering; we want to ensure we’re working together to support your child in the most meaningful ways.
I encourage you to come to the conference with any questions or insights you may have. These conversations are designed to be collaborative, and your perspective is just as important as what’s observed in the classroom. Together, we can create the best possible experience for your child’s growth and success.
Each week read your child’s teachers’ pages on Schoology to learn about what’s happening in the classroom. Read the Specialists' pages as well: Art, Music, STEAM, PE, Spanish, SEL and Library.
The community created a display to express how much we care about Señora Emili Jaime- Allwood. She felt the love.
Our Second Grade students, working side-by-side with their teachers and Farmer Ray, brought new life to the outdoor classroom garden this week. The children truly embraced the hands-on process, showing incredible ownership as they prepared the soil, dug, planted seeds, and watered plants. The collective sense of accomplishment and pride they shared in tending to the garden was wonderful. We can't wait to watch their garden grow!
October 20-24
Homecoming Week Fun Days
Tuesday, October 21
Blood Drive
Shore to Shorecrest Packet pickup
Tuesday, October 21
Parent presentation: Motivation led by Kim Granger
Wednesday, October 22
Book Group Meeting, “Raising Mentally Strong Kids” by Daniel G. Amen and Charles Fay; Lisa, Jennifer and Kate
International Connection Potluck
Thursday, October 23
Parent Presentation: Phonics and Word Study, Differentiated Instruction, led by Kristin Silver & Sarah Palazzolo
Saturday, October 25
Shore to Shorecrest 5k & Sparky Sprint
Wednesday, October 29
Picture Retake Day
Friday, October 31
Fall-O-Ween Parade & Fun Day - 11:45am Dismissal
Tuesday, November 4
Executive Functioning Skills in the Digital Age: How Parents Can Help Their Children
November 10-15
Book Fair
Wednesday, November 12
Fall Parent and Teacher Conferences (No School for Students)
Saturday, November 15
Electric Fall Festival
Wednesday, November 19
Math in Grades 2 and 3
Thursday, November 20
Keynote Speaker - Sam Demma
Friday, November 21
Fourth Grade Show
We are thrilled to invite you to our annual Fall-O-Ween Costume Parade, on Friday, October 31 starting at 8:45am. This event is an evolution of a cherished Shorecrest tradition that brings together Experiential and Lower Schools’ students for a fun-filled morning of celebration. (Note to returning families, some details of this event have changed from our former Fall Festival of prior years.) Please read the following details to ensure a safe and smooth event for everyone.
The school day begins as usual, but in costume. Drop your children off in carline wearing their costumes and with a change of clothes for later (fall themed top and denim jeans). By 8:35am, LS classes will start to line up, so please have your student dropped off by 8:00am. Then find parking if you plan to view the costume parade.
Families can view our Fall-O-Ween costume parade, go to work, pick up students for early dismissal (ES at 11:30, LS at 11:45am) and then have an amazing Halloween evening! After the parade, Lower School students will attend class studies as well as enjoy fall related activities.
Costumes should be appropriate for the school environment and considerate of young children. No scary costumes, toy weapons or sight-obstructing masks. It is important that your child’s costume allows them to comfortably and safely walk the distance of the parade route and back. When considering the choice of costume take into account your child’s ability to walk with their class and other children without costume support.
Please view the attached map for parking locations. Upper School parking spaces and event parking will be available. Staff will be directing cars. Please park only in designated areas - NOT in the front parking lot. Carpooling is strongly encouraged.
The costume parade will begin at 8:45am. ES and LS will parade together. Alpha and JK will start in front of Charger Commons at Charger Blvd. The Lower School will assemble beginning with Kindergarten and be joined by each of the Lower School grade levels in ascending order as they process. Check the map for great spots to view the parade. We will have photographers along the route.
If you require childcare after the early dismissal, Extended Care will be available from 11:30am-6pm at a cost of $70. Students must be pre-registered to attend. You can register at the following link under the “Extended Day” season: https://shorecrest.campbrainregistration.com
It will be a regular arrival drop off.
If there is rain, there will not be a costume parade. LS students should leave their costumes at home.
Students may wear fall themed T-shirts with uniform bottoms or jeans.
For more information or assistance, please call the Lower School office at 727-522-2111 ext.400. I look forward to seeing you on the morning of October 31st and your students in their costumes.
A field experience is being planned for Dublin, Belfast and Edinburgh in Summer 2026, and students in grades 2-5 are invited!
Khana Rebman is excited to tell you more about the trip she's planning with EF Tours, an educational travel partner. Please be sure to register for the info session on Wednesday, October 22, from 5:30-6:30pm to be considered for this opportunity: https://rsvp.eftours.com/vxmns6d
When students travel, they expand their knowledge of the world around them, discover more about themselves, and grow more confident. These skills are critical for creating the global citizens of tomorrow, and we would love to have your student join us on this adventure.
In this info session, we’ll talk about:
How this opportunity will benefit your student
What we’ll see and do on our trip
Everything that’s included in this experience
How we’re keeping this safe and affordable
How to enroll on this trip (before it fills up!) during EF’s risk-free enrollment period
There are limited spots on this trip, so we would love to have you attend this meeting to learn more about this exciting opportunity!
Please note this is a non-school sponsored trip.
Have your child’s teachers ever talked to you about the skills of task completion, emotional regulation, handling transitions, organization, and following directions? Join Miriam in a discussion about the importance of executive functioning skills to success in school (and life) and how they are impacted in our digital age. Leave the presentation with practical suggestions and strategies to help your entire family and partner effectively with teachers. This parent presentation is on Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at 8:10 in the Ohana Room. It will be led by Miriam Pardoll, Dean of Student Support Services for The Center for Academic Excellence and Student Well-Being.
Thank you to all who came for our parent workshop with Chase Piper, math consultant, coach, and educator. Mr. Piper shared a wonderful family site: mathathome.mathlearningcenter.org. Check it out.
Christine Oman, second grade teacher, and Jessica Ford, third grade teacher, will pick up where Chase left off; they will provide an overview of Bridges in Mathematics for grades 2 & 3 on Wednesday, November 19. Save the date and join us in the Ohana room at 8:10am. RSVP to LBianco@Shorecrest.org.
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.
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.
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.
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.)
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!
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!
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!
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.
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.
The SCA Greenery Sale offers a stunning selection of festive wreaths to elevate your holiday spirit. The deadline to order is November 3.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.