Letter from Dr. Bianco

Dear Lower School Families,

What an incredible start to the new school year! Thank you so much for your patience and for your partnership in making these first few days a smooth transition.

The children have been truly amazing; they have risen to every challenge with such grace. We know that getting back into a routine, especially with early mornings and carline, can be tough. But rest assured, the children are adjusting beautifully. 

It's been a true delight to see our young scholars stepping into their new classrooms, embarking on new adventures with their teachers and friends. We’ve seen so many big smiles and very few tears. 

In the first six weeks we set children up for success building community (getting to know each other), establishing routines, becoming familiar with their learning environment and using different materials and resources. Teachers are also learning more about each individual child; their interests, needs, passions, and background. 

We look forward to completing our launch of the new school year with you at Back to School Night this Thursday. See you there! 

Morning Drop-Off

Drop-off in the morning has been pretty good. The goal is to have children in their classrooms before the bell rings at 8am – that is when school starts. Students must exit their vehicles on the left side, closest to our sidewalk. Please do not let your children exit until adults are in place to supervise morning arrival, this includes fourth grade patrols. I always tell parents to take a few seconds to watch your child walk. Remember that we do not accept students at the front gate during carline.

Late Arrivals:  If you arrive after 8am and/or if there are no adults at drop-off to receive your student(s), please park and walk with them to the Lower School (LS) Office to complete the check-in process. This ensures that we have an accurate record of their arrival for the day.

Please note, there is NO visitor parking at the front parking lot along First Street. All the spots are assigned Faculty parking spots.

We're looking for Grade-Level Representatives!

If you're interested in being a grade-level representative, which is a parent who helps coordinate volunteers for class and grade level events, you can enter a classroom lottery at Back to School Night. Simply put your name in the class box, bowl or jar at Back to School Night in your child’s classroom. Your child's teacher will draw one name from the container at Back to School Night with everyone present; the name drawn will be the new class representative, but everyone can and should volunteer for school and class events. 

Schoology

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.

Lower School Parent/Guardian Book Discussion

Last year we had some great discussions around the book “The Anxious Generation.” This year we will start off reading “Raising Mentally Strong Kids” by Daniel G. Amen and Charles Fay. Jennifer Phelps, Kate Fierce and I will be guiding the discussion. The first meeting will be October 22.

Final Thoughts…

Last Thursday two classes were lined up in the first grade common area. One child waved across to his friend and said in a whispered voice "My teacher is so nice!" The other little boy responded with the same excitement, "Mine too!"

Shorecrest is a special school for many reasons, one being that it is a school where children are placed at the center of our decision making. Everything we do in the Lower School is for the benefit of our young students. I always say that being a student at Shorecrest means having powerful learning experiences in the company of exceptional teachers. 

I look forward to partnering with you and watching your child flourish at Shorecrest.

How are the children? All the children are well.

With great appreciation,

Lisa 

Dr. Lisa Bianco

Head of Lower School

lbianco@shorecrest.org  

727-456-7518

Lower School Town Meeting

Lower School Town Meeting is a weekly tradition that brings Shorecrest Lower school students, faculty and parents together. Each week during Town Meeting, classes or specialist groups take turns leading the event for their peers. Students and teachers share what they are learning, often in an engaging and participatory way, and each class has an opportunity to share. Parents and Shorecrest faculty and staff have an open invitation to attend. Town Meetings are on Fridays at 8:15am on the Weiss Family Pavilion. 

Friday, August 29 kicks off the first Town Meeting of the school year for Lower School students. This is a soft launch of Town Meeting to help student adjust or readjust to the weekly routine of gathering together. No students or classes will present at the opening Town Meeting. 

[KINDERGARTEN] Parent Presentation: Supporting Your Child's Early Literacy Development - September 11

Join us on Thursday, September 11 for a Kindergarten Parent presentation: “Supporting Your Child’s Early Literacy Development.” Presented by Literacy Specialist Kristin Silver and Assistant Head of Lower School Sarah Palazzolo. 

The event begins at 8:15am in the Ohana Community Room, 2nd Floor of Charger Commons.

[3rd - 8th Grade] Parent Presentation: ERB Testing Info Session - September 16

Join us on Tuesday, September 16 for a parent presentation for grades 3-8: “ERB Testing: Understand our school’s standardized testing and what this means for your child.” Presented by Assistant Head of Lower School Sarah Palazzolo and ERB Coordinator Mandy Howell. 

The event begins at 8:15am in the Ohana Community Room, 2nd Floor of Charger Commons. 

Carline Safety and Reminders

After School Clubs - Registration Open

Clubs are offered for Experiential and Lower School students with a variety of themes per session to keep students active and engaged after the school day is over. There are four six-week sessions offered throughout the year. Session 1 clubs begin on Tuesday, September 2. Preview the After School Clubs catalog here. 

Clubs will be available for Alpha students beginning in session 2 (October). It is important for Alpha students to have the time to adjust to their new teachers, friends, and school routines first in order to receive the greatest benefit from their experience. If you require after school care, please register for Extended Day! Extended Day mirrors and extends the school day in a way that helps maintain this consistency for our youngest Chargers.

Coffee Cart Fridays on Campus 

Join us Friday mornings for coffee on campus! Offered most Fridays throughout the school year, local vendors set up shop outside of the Raymund Center offering coffee drinks for purchase. Enjoy a coffee before Lower School Town Meeting, grab a coffee to go before a SCA meeting or Charger Chat, or take your coffee to shop at the School Store! 

Coffee carts are available roughly 7:15-9:15am.

All-School Calendar

Lower School Contacts