LS Town Crier - December 1, 2025

LOWER SCHOOL

2025-2026

Lower School Town Crier - December 1, 2025

Letter from Dr. Bianco

Dear Lower School Families -

I hope everyone had a relaxing week and a wonderful Thanksgiving. Like you, I cherish those times when my family can come together. There is nothing quite like gathering at the dining table with my parents beside me, watching generations of relatives laugh, catch up, and share favorite stories. Mila did all the driving on our travels; a new milestone. She is becoming one of my favorite people to drive with.

Today we kick off the SCA Holiday Gift Drive (yay!). This is a wonderful chance to have meaningful conversations with your children about why we support the Guardian ad Litem program, and how your contributions can brighten the holidays for children in need. You can find all gift drive info at www.shorecrest.org/giftdrive. In addition, families can go to https://scagiftdrive.square.site if they prefer to donate cash.

Below is a message from a student about the Holiday Gift drive.

Shorecrest Holiday Gift Drive: A Chance to Make a Big Difference, by Matilda Scully, fourth grade Student Council

Have you ever heard about a gift drive? It’s when you donate a gift that will be distributed to a child in foster care. Shorecrest will be having one starting in December! You may ask, “why have a gift drive?” Well, gift drives are important because they provide one of the main things that make holidays special! Presents! Lots of kids look forward to the holidays because of things like family and gift giving! But if their family can’t afford gifts, the child may feel extremely left out from all of the holiday excitement. Now here’s where the gift drive steps in… we can fix that! Each gift is one step closer. Imagine one kid who doesn’t expect gifts finding one! Now, imagine a whole school’s worth of donations! Woah! That’s a lot of kids having a joyful holiday! Donating could make a big difference in a kid’s life. Your Christmas gift could be the fantastical, happy, walking on a cloud feeling you get knowing you just made a child’s day. So, what are you doing? Go out there and make a change. Bring in a new, unwrapped gift this December. For you and your community, please remember to “work hard, have fun, and take care of each other!” (The Lower School motto.)

Book Discussion of “Raising Mentally Strong Kids”

Our book group will meet on Wednesday, December 3 at 8:10am in the Ohana Room. We will be discussing content through chapter 6; bring a copy of your book.

Winter Concert

On Wednesday, December 10 at 1:30pm our LS and MS bands and LS chorus will perform for Lower School students. Esther Brier, our Band Director, and Rose Supper, our Lower School music teacher and chorus director, are committed to nurturing a love of music and collaboration with our young students. This is where it all begins! Families may attend the concert on Thursday, December 11 at 7pm.

Half Time Competition for Third Grade

The Shorecrest vs. Keswick Boys Varsity Soccer game is scheduled for Friday, December 5 at 7pm, featuring a special halftime competition around 7:45pm when some third grade students will participate in a soccer dribbling and shooting contest. We are actively campaigning for all third graders and their families to attend and support both the soccer team and their competing classmates. Every attending third grader will have a chance to take a photo with Sparky and receive a small bag of candy, making it an exciting night for the whole community.

Fourth Grade Campout

We are excited to meet with our fourth grade families to discuss the Fourth Grade Campout. Since this is an overnight event, we encourage at least one parent/guardian to attend this meeting on Wednesday, December 3, from 5-6pm in the Ohana Room. The experience with Pathfinders at DaySpring is a field experience related to our upcoming sustainability study. We would like all students to participate. Please reach out if you have any questions.

The Kind Mouse Food Drive, by Zayden Abdul Jabbar, fourth grade Student Council

Thank you to everyone who helped with The Kind Mouse food drive. It felt amazing to watch the The Kind Mouse bins in the hallways fill up with donations. It felt really good to know that we are helping our community. I am proud of what we did together to help people in need. Thank you for making this Kind Mouse food drive a success.

Code with Your Kid Workshop

December 7-13 is Computer Science Education Week when we celebrate the Hour of Code. The Hour of Code is a global movement which reaches tens of millions of students in 180+ countries. Coding is not just for computer programmers anymore. Coding promotes critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity and communication skills.

Every year Ms. Deegan and Dr. Baralt host a “Code with Your Kid” workshop for interested families in grades 1-4. Learn alongside your child(ren) as they explore a variety of programming applications and coding software as part of Hour of Code. This workshop is open to students in grades 1-4 only. No younger siblings please. It will be held on Wednesday, December 10 from 3-4pm outside Charger Commons. Students should be picked up at the regular dismissal spot and then brought to the event.

Love and Logic

I am a big fan of the Love and Logic parenting blog. Check it out and tell me what you think.

Interesting Reads

For my fourth grade families, Middle School and the new phases of development are around the corner. Here are a few books you might want to check out to support our tweens and teens.

“The Disengaged Teen, AI’s Impact on Education,” by Jenny Anderson and Rebecca Winthrop
“Never Enough,” by Jennifer Wallace
“Untangled” and “Under Pressure," by Lisa Damour

I was the Mystery Reader in Ms. Sheppard's First Grade Class

Final thoughts - Fun Dress Days:

Every year we like to make the last week before winter break a little special. The week of December 15-19 the students may participate in some fun dress up/down days, but they can also choose to wear their uniforms.

Monday, Dec. 15 - Wear something plaid or a festive hat or headband
Tuesday, Dec. 16 - Wear something white and blue
Wed., Dec. 17 - Light up the day with lights or a shirt that makes people smile
Thursday, Dec. 18 - Wear your favorite holiday shirt/sweater or Hawaiian shirt and sun glasses
Friday, Dec. 19 - Wear your pajamas or spirit wear

Please reach out if you have any questions. We are here for you.

Have a great week.

With appreciation,

Lisa

Dr. Lisa Bianco

Head of Lower School

lbianco@shorecrest.org

727-456-7518

If your family is experiencing food insecurity due to the government shut down, please reach out to the School so that we may assist you. We have received a generous gift from a donor to provide Publix gift cards for Shorecrest families in need.

Contact Julie Meyer at jmeyer@shorecrest.org, who can provide more information. All requests will be kept confidential.

Mark Your Calendars -

Monday, December 1
Holiday Gift Drive Kick-off

Wednesday, December 3
Book Group: Raising Mentally Strong Kids
Campout Parent Information Meeting
SCA Moms Holiday Night Out
One Night Only: MS & US Thespians Showcase

Friday, December 5
Charger Chat with Nancy Spencer

Wednesday, December 10
Winter Band Concert for Lower School

Friday, December 19
Holiday Sing Along, Early Dismissal

Monday, December 22
Winter Break (through January 4)

Monday, January 5
Return to School

Monday, January 19
MLK Day of Service (NO SCHOOL)

Thursday, February 5
Third Grade Show for LS
Fourth Grade Campout Overnight
International Festival

Friday February 6
Third Grade Show for Families
Shorecrest Movie Night

Friday, February 13
School Closed / Professional Development for Faculty

Monday, February 16
Presidents Day (NO SCHOOL)

Author visit with Lindsay Currie

Students from Shorecrest Lower and Middle Schools (grades 3-8) will meet with author Lindsay Currie on Wednesday, December 3. She will also have lunch with the students who are participating in Battle of the Books.

Book Signing will be available:

Purchase any of Lindsay’s titles from her Amazon Storefront
Label book(s) with student’s first & last name, grade
Drop your book off at a Shorecrest Library for signing by Monday, December 1

ALL SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Financial Aid for the 2026-2027 School Year - APPLY NOW

The Financial Aid portal for the 2026-2027 school year is now open. Past recipients who wish to continue receiving financial aid must reapply annually. All families interested in receiving financial aid must submit an application through FACTS, the external tool used by Shorecrest and many independent schools to determine need.

The application fee is $45 and supporting documentation is required including past year's W2s and tax returns. The application also includes a place to share your family's extenuating circumstances confidentially with the Financial Aid Committee. The deadline to apply for aid for the 2026-2027 school year is January 31, 2026.

Apply Now for 2026-2027 Financial Aid

New Student Applications to Shorecrest

Families who have students they wish to send to Shorecrest for the 2026-2027 school year who are not currently enrolled (e.g. younger siblings) now is the time to apply. The application deadline is February 1, in order to be considered for the first round of admissions decisions.

The re-enrollment process for students who are currently enrolled to commit to returning for the 2026-2027 school year is in February.

Apply Now

Re-enrollment for Current Students

Re-enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year at Shorecrest will take place February 2-16, 2026. This is the time during which currently enrolled families with students who are eligible to return for the 2026-2027 school year are asked to complete their re-enrollment contracts and pay a non-refundable tuition deposit. This deposit and contract hold your child’s seat for the 2026-2027 school year.

Re-enrollment is completed through the FACTS Family Portal. New this year, re-enrollment packets will be assigned by family (not by student), meaning that families with multiple children re-enrolling at Shorecrest will have fewer steps to complete the re-enrollment process.

Volunteers Needed - Holiday Gift Drive, Greenery

Shorecrest volunteer needs can also be found by clicking Volunteer Info on the menu here, or on the Shorecrest Parent App.

Gift Drive Volunteering

Greenery Volunteering

Volunteer Needs

COMMUNITY EVENTS

SCA Moms Holiday Night Out

Wednesday, December 3 at 7pm

Celebrate the season with other Shorecrest moms! Your $35 ticket includes light bites and festive drinks. Holiday attire encouraged.

Buy a Ticket

One Night Only

Wednesday, December 3 at 7pm in the JRT

Shorecrest Performing Arts presents "One Night Only" - an Upper School Thespian Showcase with a special performance from MS Jr. Thespians.

This event is free and has open seating.

Charger Chat

Friday, December 5

A monthly series of casual chats with Head of School Nancy Spencer. After Lower School Town Meeting (roughly 8:30am) in the Raymund Center.

A Winter Jubilee

Thursday, December 11 in the JRT

Shorecrest Bands & Lower School Chorus present A Winter Jubilee! Get in the festive spirit at the concert starring students in grades 2-12.

This event is free and has open seating.

SCA Holiday Gift Drive

The Shorecrest Holiday Gift Drive benefiting Hero to a Child is here! For more than 30 years the Holiday Gift Drive has been the School’s signature service event with participation from students and families at every grade level and alumni families. Through the Holiday Gift Drive the Shorecrest community provides holiday gifts to over 270 underserved children through Hero to a Child, which provides advocacy and support for abused, abandoned or neglected children in the Guardian ad Litem Program of Pinellas and Pasco Counties.

Full Details

SCA Holiday Greenery

We are excited to inform you that our greenery order is on its way and should arrive this week! Once we have a specific time we will send out an email. We will also be in need of some volunteers so keep an eye out for some fun opportunities!

If you missed the window to place an order, you are in luck! We hope to have some gorgeous, extra wreaths for sale the same day.

Hanukkah Lunch

Wednesday, December 10

Shorecrest's International Connection is having a Hanukkah lunch in the Ohana Community Room. Learn about the festival of lights and enjoy a related meal. Thank you to Marti Kurland for arranging a great get together for our community!

RSVP required - limited seats.

RSVP

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.

This event is 100% organized by parent volunteers with the goal of showcasing the rich diversity of our Shorecrest community.

The registration deadline to feature your country is January 29, 2026.

Shorecrest Gala 2026: The View from Here

An evening of boundless connection awaits! The highly anticipated Shorecrest Gala presented by American Integrity Insurance Group is returning on March 7, 2026, to be held at the Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement.

Join the Shorecrest community for an unforgettable night of giving and celebration that invites you to look at The View from Here... Save your ‘seat at the window’ today.

To register your intent to purchase a table, please fill out this form.

Show Your Interest

Tables will be available for purchase starting on Thursday, January 8 at 8pm. A reminder email with the event ticketing site will be sent out in advance. Make a point to be prepared, as the event will sell out!

Call for Silent Auction Items - if you would like to contribute an item for the Silent Auction, please fill out this form. Thank you for your support!

Donate an Item

Event Sponsorship Opportunities:

To inquire about available Gala Sponsorship opportunities or to co-create your own, please contact Sarah Heibein, Associate Director of Advancement, Community Partnerships: sheibein@shorecrest.org or 727-456-7533. Learn about your tax-deductible support and qualified benefits today.

All-School Calendar

View All Events on the Shorecrest Website

2025-2026 General Calendar

The School Store

However you celebrate this holiday season, the School Store is here to help you equip your Chargers family!

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.