Letter from Dr. Bianco

Dear Lower School Families,

Getting children ready in the early morning for school can be challenging at times. For years I’ve been commuting from Treasure Island with the goal of getting to school early. I never appreciated school uniforms prior to being a parent. Once I had a school-aged child, I loved the ease of getting my daughter, Mila, dressed in the morning in her Shorecrest uniform. 

Our Lower School uniform dress code allows for some choice, but also sets an expectation. We are going to be vigilant that everyone is following the dress code to make sure we are all on the same page. 

The following text is from our Family Handbook. Please take a moment now to review the dress code for Monday through Thursday as well as the guidelines for Friday Spirit Wear Day. 

From the Handbook

Our Lower School students are expected to arrive at school dressed in Shorecrest attire. Hair, whether long or short, should be worn so as not to hang over the eyes or in the mouth. Students need to be able to make clear eye contact with teachers and fellow students. We ask that children and parents review and discuss this information together, recognizing that grooming and dress are a joint responsibility. Families will be contacted if students are not wearing appropriate attire.

School uniforms must be purchased from Lands’ End. All shirts, sweaters and sweatshirts must have the school logo. Labeling your children’s items is a great idea.

Uniform / Dress Code Enforcement Policy
Students out of dress code will be asked to change and families will be called. 

Please help your child adhere to the uniform policy by providing the clothes and accessories permitted, checking for appropriate length, and making sure they are wearing appropriate footwear. It is embarrassing for the children when school personnel have to remind them of the school uniform policy. 

Very short and tight skirts and shorts are not acceptable attire for school. Parents and guardians are responsible for making sure their child’s skirts and shorts are no more than five to seven inches above the knee; mid-thigh length. (Children grow fast, and what may have fit right at one time could be considered too short a couple of months later.)

The following steps will be taken to support compliance:

• Discussion with student/reminder of The Lower School Family Handbook rules, potentially an email or phone call home, or

• Note to parent for signature, or

• Wait in the office for appropriate attire to be brought by parent or have student change into extra clothing we have

Thank you for your support.

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.

Fall-o-ween Costume Parade and Fun Day & “Electric” Fall Festival
At Back to School Night you learned from the video of our two SCA co-Presidents that we have moved our annual Fall Festival to Saturday, November 15. However, we will still have a “Fall-o-ween” costume parade and fun in our classrooms on Friday October 31. Families can view our costume parade, go to work, pick up students for early dismissal and then have an amazing Halloween evening.

Final Thoughts…

Elementary schools throughout the United States approach the topic of 9/11 with sensitivity, sharing the story in an age-appropriate manner. Various children's books have been written to help students gain a simple understanding of the events that unfolded on that day. 

Each year, we pause to acknowledge and remember the tragic events of September 11, 2001. This day of remembrance is a time to commemorate the lives lost, to offer support for their families, and to honor the selfless sacrifices of first responders, community members, and service men and women.

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. 

[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. 

Safety & Security Drills

A part of our routine is ensuring faculty, staff and students are prepared for an on-campus emergency. All of our teachers review and practice safety drills with students at the start of the year. We also conduct school-wide drills throughout the year to reinforce these important lessons.

We recently held a scheduled tornado drill. In the coming weeks we will be practicing our fire and lockdown drills. Our goal is to empower students with the knowledge of and confidence in our safety and security protocols. 

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. 

Early Experience with Shorecrest College Counseling 

The Shorecrest College Counseling Office offers comprehensive programming to support students and families throughout the college search and placement process. While many College Counseling events are tailored toward particular grade levels, all interested Shorecrest families are invited to attend these College Counseling events this fall: 

First Year Foundation

Tuesday, September 9 @ 6pm
Location: Janet Root Theatre 
Dedicated programming for ninth grade students and their families

Sophomore Strategies 

Tuesday, September 30 @ 6pm
Location: Janet Root Theatre
Dedicated programming for tenth grade students and their families

The Shorecrest Advantage: Exploring Shorecrest's Upper School

Wednesday, October 15 @ 7pm
Location: Virtual
Dedicated programming for families of seventh and eighth grade students 

Welcome Visitors! Please Check In 

All campus visitors are required to check in at the Raymund Center or division main office to receive a visitor badge during the school day. Visitor badges are required to be worn at all times when on campus. 

If visitors do not have a visitor badge visible, Allied Security Officers may stop to offer mobile visitor check-in. Thank you for your cooperation with our campus safety and security protocols. 

All-School Calendar

Lower School Contacts