LOWER SCHOOL
2025-2026
Embedded Files
Lower School Town Crier - November 3, 2025
Lower School Town Crier - November 3, 2025
Letter from Dr. Bianco
Letter from Dr. Bianco
Dear Lower School Families -
The heart of literacy instruction at Shorecrest is developing students' lasting interest and passion for reading and writing. In the Lower School, we empower children to see themselves as capable readers and writers. From Kindergarten through Grade 4, students build a rich, genuine love for both fiction and nonfiction through exposure to a wide variety of books. Shopping for books in the classroom, going to the library, and even visiting local bookstores can be exciting for children; they thrive on the discovery and choice involved in finding books that genuinely interest them. This is one reason we enjoy curating a school book fair for our students.
The Book Fair will run next week, from November 10 to the 14. It will also be open on Conference Day, so parents and students can shop before or after their scheduled conferences. The Book Fair is a fun, hands-on way for children to independently discover their next great read and deepen their lifelong love of reading.
Mrs. V., our wonderful librarian, could use some volunteers. Please use this link if you would like to help out. Book Fair Volunteer Opportunities
Date Change for the Fourth Grade Campout
Date Change for the Fourth Grade Campout
The date for our Fourth Grade Campout has been moved back a week; we will be leaving the morning of Thursday, February 5 and returning around 1pm on Friday, February 6.
This outdoor education experience is one of the highlights of our fourth grade program and is an integral part of our curriculum. Fourth grade teachers have thoughtfully designed an experience that will deepen our students' inquiry into sustainability and foster student growth and development in ways that extend meaningfully. Ms. Palazzolo, Ms. Fierce, Ms. Granger and I will also be part of the learning, fun and supervision. We are beginning to prepare for this outdoor educational experience. More information for fourth grade families will be provided next week. We will also host an information meeting on Wednesday, December 3 from 5-9 – so mark your calendars!
Parent Teacher Conferences - Wednesday, November 12
Parent Teacher Conferences - Wednesday, November 12
Conferences are next week. We encourage you to sign up. There is a sign up doc on each teacher’s Schoology page. We are proud of your children’s growth and look forward to sharing their progress since the start of the school year.
Upcoming Parent Sessions
Upcoming Parent Sessions
Executive Functioning Skills in the Digital Age: How Parents Can Help Their Children (K-4)
Tuesday, November 4 @ 8:10am in the Ohana Room
Executive Functioning Skills in the Digital Age: How Parents Can Help Their Children (K-4)
Tuesday, November 4 @ 8:10am in the Ohana Room
Executive functioning skills are the mental abilities that help us plan, focus, remember instructions, manage multiple tasks, and control impulses. Basically all the skills students need to be successful in school. Join Miriam Pardoll, Dean of Student Support Services, for a critical discussion on the importance of executive functioning skills for success in school and life, and how they are impacted by our modern digital world. You will leave the presentation with practical strategies to help your entire family and effectively partner with teachers.
This event is on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at 8:10 AM in the Ohana Room; please RSVP to LBianco@Shorecrest.org.
Bridges Mathematics in Second and Third Grade (Grades 2-3)
Wednesday, November 19 at 8:10am in the Ohana Room
Bridges Mathematics in Second and Third Grade (Grades 2-3)
Wednesday, November 19 at 8:10am in the Ohana Room
Mrs. Oman and Mrs. Ford will provide an overview of Bridges Mathematics in second and third grade for our lower school families on Wednesday, November 19 at 8:10am in the Ohana room. RSVP LBianco@Shorecrest.org if you would like to attend.
The Kind Mouse Food Drive
The Kind Mouse Food Drive
Four hundred ES and LS students. If we all brought in one item each week, we could make a difference. Let’s help our local community. We are collecting the following:
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.
Meet the Lower School Student Council
Meet the Lower School Student Council
A few years ago, we started the Lower School Student Council to provide a formal platform for student voices and input. The council is composed of representatives from our third and fourth-grade classes. Each class selects one member through a unique process: students submit an anonymous paragraph detailing their desire to serve, and the representative is chosen by students based on that commitment. While we believe every student is capable of contributing, a smaller, focused group allows us to work more effectively on behalf of the entire student body. The Student Council’s core mission is to enhance the Lower School experience by sharing ideas, addressing concerns, and supporting initiatives that benefit everyone. Council members advise the Head of the Lower School and represent all students, ensuring both majority and minority voices are thoughtfully considered.
Third grade: Avelina, Sonia, Jules and Charlie
Fourth grade: Zayden, Teegan, Matilda, and Misha
Fourth Grade Show - November 20-21
Fourth Grade Show - November 20-21
The children have started to rehearse together for the Fourth Grade Show which is on Thursday, November 20 for the ES and LS students and Friday, November 21 for families. The show will begin at 8:30am in the Janet Root Theatre.
Final thoughts…
Final thoughts…
Our Fall-o-ween Costume Parade and Fun Day was a great success! We saw lots of smiles and truly appreciate everything that SCA, grade level representatives, Mr. Drew, Coach Fowell, and volunteers did, to make it such a wonderful morning. I loved seeing all the creative costumes. Thank you to everyone who joined us and served as such a great audience. If you have any feedback about the event, please share it with me.
Next up is the Electric Fall Festival. This new event, organized by the Shorecrest Community Association, will be held on Saturday, November 15. From everything I've heard, it's going to be a blast for the children!
Mark Your Calendars -
Mark Your Calendars -
Tuesday, November 4
Executive Functioning Skills in the Digital Age: How Parents Can Help Their Children
November 6-8
Middle School Musical "All Shook Up"
November 10-14
Book Fair
Wednesday, November 12
Fall Conference Day - No school for students; SCA Uniform Sale
Saturday, November 15
Electric Fall Festival
Monday, November 17
Dads Night Out
Wednesday, November 19
Math in Grades 2 and 3
Thursday, November 20
Keynote Speaker - Sam Demma
Friday, November 21
Fourth Grade Show
Mon. - Fri., November 24-28
Thanksgiving Break
November Parent Presentations -
November Parent Presentations -
Executive Functioning Skills in the Digital Age: How Parents Can Help Their Children (K-4)
Tuesday, November 4 @ 8:10am in the Ohana Room
Executive Functioning Skills in the Digital Age: How Parents Can Help Their Children (K-4)
Tuesday, November 4 @ 8:10am in the Ohana Room
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.
Mathematical Thinking and Development (2nd & 3rd Grade)
Wednesday, November 19 @ 8:10am in the Ohana Room
Mathematical Thinking and Development (2nd & 3rd Grade)
Wednesday, November 19 @ 8:10am in the Ohana Room
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.
Author visit with Lindsay Currie
Author visit with Lindsay Currie
Students from Shorecrest Lower and Middle Schools (grades 3-8) will meet with author Lindsay Currie on 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
ALL SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Last Day to Order - November 3
Last Day to Order - November 3
SCA Holiday Greenery
SCA Holiday Greenery
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.
Financial Aid for the 2026-2027 School Year - APPLY NOW
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 to 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.
New Student Applications to Shorecrest
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.
Fall Sports Playoffs
Fall Sports Playoffs
Shorecrest Chargers Golfers will compete in the Regional Tournament at Cove Cay Golf Club in Clearwater on Monday, November 3 (boys team) and Tuesday, November 4 (girls team).
Wednesday, November 5, Cross Country will run in the District Meet at John S. Taylor Park - 1100 8th Ave SW, Largo.
Members of the Chargers Swimming and Diving Team will be heading to the State Meet on Saturday, November 8 in Ocala!
Congratulations to:
Tristan Cooper '27, Ryan Flugel '27, Anton Ho '26, Leonardo Ho '28, Maddox Matyas '26, Milan Spodin '28, Stepan S. '30, Ethan Swann '26 and Aziz Trayer '28.
Share Your Voice: Head of Upper School Search
Share Your Voice: Head of Upper School Search
As we look ahead to build on the Upper School's strong foundation, we have engaged the search firm RG175 to help identify a visionary new leader for the 9th-12th grade Upper School to succeed Head of Upper School Erich Schneider in July 2026. There will be multiple opportunities for all community members to participate in the search process.
On Tuesday, November 11, there will be three sessions for members of the community to meet directly with our search consultant, Adam Peichert of RG175.
1:30 – 2:30pm: Trustee Session in the Ohana Community Room
2:30 – 3:30pm: Parent/Guardian Session in the Ohana Community Room
3:30 – 4:30pm: Upper School Faculty Session in the Ohana Community Room
Thank you for taking the time to contribute your voice to this important process. Your insights will play a meaningful role in shaping the future leadership of the Upper School.
SCA Used Uniform Sale, Nov. 12
SCA Used Uniform Sale, Nov. 12
The next SCA Used Uniform Sale will be Wednesday, November 12 in the Athletic Center. The sale opens at 7am for faculty / staff and runs 8-12pm for all Shorecrest families.
If you have clean used uniforms to donate, please drop them off at the Athletic Center (preferred) or one of the school offices.
Volunteers Needed - Sign up to help today!
Volunteers Needed - Sign up to help today!
Shorecrest and SCA Volunteer needs can also be found by clicking Volunteer Info on the menu here, or on the Shorecrest Parent App.
Coming up: Book Fair, Electric Fall Festival, Gift Drive
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.)
COMMUNITY EVENTS
COMMUNITY EVENTS
MS Musical: "All Shook Up" - this week only!
MS Musical: "All Shook Up" - this week only!
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.
This crowd-pleasing musical is inspired by Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and features the songs of Elvis Presley®. It’s 1955 in a small honky-tonk town, and a guitar-playing roustabout changes everything! He rides in on his motorcycle and sparks mistaken identities and people falling in love all over the place. “Come on everybody” and join us as the people of the town fight against the strict Mayor’s laws prohibiting loud music, tight pants, and…hand holding! All the while they are learning to love themselves and follow the music in their hearts.
This Young@Part more junior version of the original show, will get your blue suede shoes tapping and have you dancing in your seat to classics such as “Heartbreak Hotel” and “Jailhouse Rock.”
Tickets are $10. Tickets may be purchased online or by credit card or check at the Janet Root Theatre Box Office during Box Office hours. Seats will be assigned in the order of purchase. The deadline to purchase online is Thursday, November 6 at noon. Please visit our Box Office in person after that time. Click below for full details!
Scholastic Book Fair November 10-14!
Scholastic Book Fair November 10-14!
From picture books to paperback bestsellers, our Scholastic Book Fair will be curated from preschool up to 8th grade. Books also make great holiday gifts!
The Fair will be in the Raymund Center on Monday, November 10, to Friday, November 14 from 8am-4pm daily. The Book Fair will also be open during Conference Day on Wednesday, November 12!
We're also excited to host the Public Library on campus! Stop by their table on Wednesday, November 12, between 8am-2pm. You can easily sign up for your very own public library card right on the spot.
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.
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 & around 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.
WAIVER: Parents/Guardians MUST sign a waiver before ticket holders will be granted entry. You may sign for more than one child at a time but you must list all the children who are attending. If you are bringing a child who is not in your family, their parent must still sign the waiver to have it on file.
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.
This event is 100% organized by parent volunteers with the goal of showcasing the rich diversity of our Shorecrest community.
The registration deadline is January 29, 2026.
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.
Lower School Contacts
Lower School Contacts
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