MS In The Know

MIDDLE SCHOOL

2025-2026

Middle School In the Know - January 5, 2026

Letter from Ms. Grant

Good afternoon,

Happy New Year. I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday and break from school. We have a number of activities planned this month. In the coming weeks please read my letter carefully with an eye toward the schedule.

Eighth Grade Families

With re-enrollment approaching, the Upper School Administrative team would like to offer you an opportunity to learn about our Upper School program and to ask any questions you might have. Among the topics to be discussed are:

The Upper School Curriculum: What does a ninth grader’s schedule look like and what opportunities will be available to students as they move towards their senior year?
Who are we? What do we ask of our students and what do we hope to achieve in four years?
Student Life: Advisory, Morning Meetings, Clubs, Homecoming Week
Leadership opportunities: Ambassadors, Honor Council, Student Council
Service Week

We hope you can join us on Wednesday, January 14 at 8am in the Ohana Community Room, 2nd Floor of Charger Commons for an 8th Grade Parent Breakfast to learn more. Please RSVP to Fatima Morlando (fmorlando@shorecrest.org).

All Grades - College Counseling Webinars

The College Counseling Office has upcoming virtual events that all Shorecrest families are welcome to attend.

January 13 - College Counseling Showcase, 6-7:30pm: Learn about how the College Counseling Office supports Shorecrest students throughout their college search and application process. https://shorecrest.webex.com/shorecrest/j.php?MTID=mf7f5aea2dfbfbab0be62cba07f77f305

January 21 - Exploring Summer Program Options for High School Students, 12-1pm, https://shorecrest.webex.com/shorecrest/j.php?MTID=m10b9696ff0bc3ceabcf456f1f5a83b85

February 25 - Playing the Field, 12-1pm; Learn about College Athletic Recruitment and the Admissions Process, https://shorecrest.webex.com/shorecrest/j.php?MTID=m20f52207c8a7f5bdab3fa3c0d37b2807

March 25 - The Art of College, 12-1pm: Pursuing Performing and Visual Arts Programs, https://shorecrest.webex.com/shorecrest/j.php?MTID=mf85347b47ae5c39590b01098b3c04ac8

Snowflake Soiree

Seventh and eighth graders, save the date for the Snowflake Soiree on Friday, January 30, from 6-8pm in the MS Breezeway! More details to follow…

Have a great week.

Regards,

Kris Grant

Head of Middle School and Assistant Head of School

Have a great week,

Kris Grant
Head of Middle School
kgrant@shorecrest.org
727-456-7526

MIDDLE SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS & EVENTS

Mark Your Calendars -

Friday, January 9
Shorecrest Spirit Night

Wednesday, January 14
8th Grade Parent Breakfast

Friday, January 16
Charger Chat with Nancy Spencer

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

Friday, January 30
Snowflake Soiree (7/8th grades)

Thursday, February 5
International Festival

Friday February 6
Shorecrest Movie Night

Friday, February 13
School Closed / Professional Development for Faculty

Monday, February 16
Presidents Day (NO SCHOOL)

CAE / MS Math Lab

Math Lab is a new after-school math peer tutoring program designed to help Middle School students feel more confident and successful with their math work. The program provides a structured, supportive environment where students can complete homework, review concepts, and ask questions with guidance from trained peer tutors.

Students will work in small groups organized by grade level, allowing for individualized attention and targeted support. A staff member will be on site to oversee the program, manage sign-in and sign-out, and ensure a smooth and safe experience for all students. Peer tutors are Shorecrest Upper School students who have met special qualifications to participate in our peer tutoring program.

Math Lab will be offered Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3:30–4:30pm, beginning the week of January 19. Location TBD.

Math Lab is designed to reinforce classroom instruction, support homework completion, and give students a consistent, encouraging place to build math skills and confidence. Snacks will be provided, and the cost is $20 per student, per session. Families are required to sign students up weekly through a simple online form. Students who are not signed up will be sent to Middle School After Hours.

To Register click on "Student Support Registration and Details"

ALL SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS

2026-2027 General Calendar Published

The general calendar for the 2026-2027 school year is now published:

2026-2027 General Calendar

RSVP Your Attendance

Raising Financially Fit Kids: A Parent Education Morning with Joline Godfrey

Presented by Hancock Whitney Bank

Friday, January 9

9am | Ohana Room

Shorecrest is pleased to welcome Joline Godfrey, a nationally recognized leader in family financial education, for a special parent education session on Friday, January 9, 2026, at 9am.

Joline Godfrey is the founder of Bounce10™, an innovation that makes financial parenting the secret sauce of financial education. Bounce10 gives families and industry leaders unique tools and support to make a meaningful transfer of values and legacy—not just financial assets.

Her launch of FISH™ tools - financial, intellectual, social and human capital - helps families shift from a mindset of scarcity prevention to abundance management. Her introduction of MoneyScore™ gives children a metric; a tool of their own which changes the way families discuss money within the family system. [View the MoneyScore Quick Check Worksheet]

This Ross Roeder Institute program is open to the entire Shorecrest parent community, with content most relevant for parents of children from infancy through sixth grade. Expectant parents, prospective families and alumni are also encouraged to attend.

Shorecrest Spirit Night!

Friday, January 9

Starting at 4:30pm | Athletic Center + Haskell Field

Join us for Shorecrest Spirit Night on Friday, January 9, 2026, with giveaways, food trucks, a bounce house, and photos with Sparky the Lightning Bolt. Kick off the new year as a community cheering on our Girls Varsity Chargers soccer and basketball teams!

Festivities begin at 4:30pm.
Girls Varsity Soccer starts at 5pm.
Girls Varsity Basketball starts at 6pm.
Halftime Competition during the basketball game sponsored by SPOCS Orthodontics starts around 6:45pm.

Don't miss the fun!

Shorecrest College Counseling Showcase

Tuesday, January 13

6pm | Virtual via Webex

All Shorecrest families are invited to the College Counseling Showcase on Tuesday, January 13 at 6pm.

During this virtual event you will hear from members of the College Counseling Office, college admissions representatives, and current Shorecrest students about the benefits of Shorecrest's comprehensive 4+ year college counseling program.

The presentation will highlight the current college admissions landscape and the process Shorecrest’s College Counseling Office utilizes to advise and guide students during the college search and admission process.

Join the Virtual Event

Charger Chat with Nancy Spencer

Friday, January 16

8:30am | Raymund Center

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

MLK Day of Service

Monday, January 19

No School for Students

The Shorecrest Black Student Union (BSU) asks you to save the date for the MLK Dream Big Parade on Monday, January 19.

More details to come.

Dads Night Out Upcoming Events

Thursday, January 29, 7:30pm at Whiskey Exchange, 540 Central Ave, St. Pete. This has become a favorite spot for the Dad's Night Out based on turnout. (They have more than just whiskey.)

Thursday, February 19, 7:30pm Dads Night Poker Tournament at Win! Derby Poker Room 10490 Gandy Blvd N., St. Pete. This is always a fun night and we raise money for the School while having a pretty good prize pool.

Cash only $80 buy-in at the cage - just tell them you are there for the Shorecrest Tournament
Rebuys until ~8:45pm to allow for more fun-raising
Derby Lane bar will be open before and after with tableside service
Please arrive a few minutes early so we can shuffle up and deal at 7:30

Inspire the Next Generation at Shorecrest Career Day!

We invite current Shorecrest families, alumni, and valued community friends to share their professional journey as a presenter at Shorecrest Career Day. This is a wonderful opportunity to provide in-person (and virtual) mentorship to our Upper School students by hosting a 45- minute breakout session on your career path, industry insights and universal skills (like work ethic and tenacity) that lead to success.

Career Day is on Monday, April 13, from 8:30 - 3:30pm at Shorecrest

If you are interested in inspiring students and sharing your experience, please express your interest by completing a Speaker Interest Form.

DEADLINES & REMINDERS

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

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

Upcoming Special Event Hours -

January 9 - Spirit Night School Store Pop Up in the Athletic Center!
February 6 - Open for Movie Night
February 18 - Open 8:30am-4:30pm for Conference Day

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.