MS In The Know

MIDDLE SCHOOL

2025-2026

Middle School In the Know - February 23, 2026

Letter from Ms. Grant

Good afternoon,

This past weekend was an exciting weekend for the Middle School students. On Friday evening we held our annual Middle School Variety Show. The show was fantastic! It was so nice to see the students showing their talents outside of the normal school day.

On Saturday, Shorecrest hosted the Florida State FIRST LEGO Robotics competition. There were teams from around the state competing and our students demonstrated their hard work and dedication to robotics. Team 1448 “The Force” was third in the state and was invited to an international tournament called the Canada Cup of Robotics in Niagara 2026 this summer.

Class trips

This week our 8th grade students will be taking their annual trip to Washington, D.C. and the 7th grade will be headed to St. Augustine on Wednesday.

Dresscode change:

Students on campus may wear Spirit Wear tops with sweatpants, jeans or uniform bottoms the remainder of the week.

College Counseling Webinars

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

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

Class Picture Day

Group photos of each MS class will be taken on Wednesday, March 4. Photos are taken early in the day - please arrive on time! (ES and LS photos will be taken on Wednesday, 2/25.)

Have a great week,

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

MIDDLE SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS & EVENTS

Mark Your Calendars -

Wednesday, March 4
Class Picture Day

Saturday, March 7
Shorecrest Gala

Wednesday, March 11
Navigating Higher Education in the U.S.

March 16-20
Spring Break (NO SCHOOL)

Wednesday, March 25
The Future of Learning: Navigating the AI frontier at Shorecrest

Friday, March 27
Grandparents and Special Friends Day

Weekly Math Lab After School

Math Lab is a new peer tutoring program after school 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. Peer tutors are Shorecrest Upper School students who have met special qualifications. Students work in small groups organized by grade level, allowing for individualized attention and targeted support.

Math Lab is offered Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3:30–4:30pm in Ms. Stripling's classroom in the Sher & Razook Center's sixth grade hallway. A staff member is on site to oversee the program, manage sign-in and sign-out, and ensure a smooth and safe experience for all students. Snacks will be provided, and the cost is $20 per student, per session.

Sign Up Each Week:
Families are required to sign students up weekly through an online form (now shorter and easier!) Students who are not signed up will be sent to Middle School After Hours. Find the form on the CAE page of the Shorecrest website, and click "Middle School Math Lab Sign-Up".

ALL SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Grandparents & Special Friends Day: Notes for Families

Grandparents and Special Friends of Shorecrest students are cordially invited to campus for a special program at the 41st Annual Grandparents & Special Friends Day on Friday, March 27 - presented by Bayway Dental. The event will run from 8am-1pm and will include a special program and lunch. There will be early dismissal for ES, LS and MS.

Reminders for Middle School:

Middle School students should be dressed in uniform (not spirit wear)
Students signed up for MS After Hours without a special guest will not attend the luncheon and should bring a packed lunch and snack

EVENT SCHEDULE -

8-9am: Check-in and breakfast at Charger Commons
9-9:45am: Program / Performances outdoors on the Gaffney Green
10-11:25am: Classroom Visits
11:30am-1pm: Lunch with students at Charger Commons

EVENT PARKING -

All available parking areas will be marked
Personnel will be on hand to help direct guests for parking and getting around campus
Please expect a high volume of cars and slower than usual traffic
If there is heavy rain prior or on the day of the event, the Event Parking field on the north side of campus will be closed. Grandparents & Special Friends may park in any parking lot on campus, except for the 1st Street lot, which is reserved for faculty.

This is not a day for parents to spend with their student(s), but some parent volunteers will be needed.

If you have any questions about the event please contact Samantha Cleveland at scleveland@shorecrest.org.

Grandparent RSVP (by March 18)

Navigating Higher Education in the U.S.

Wednesday, March 11, 8:30–10am
in the Ohana Community Room on the 2nd floor of Charger Commons

College Counseling and Shorecrest International Connection are hosting an informal Q&A for international parents / guardians. This session is intended for parents/guardians who were educated outside the US and are navigating the education system for the first time with their student. Regardless of the age or grade level of your Charger(s), you are welcome to join us!

The Future of Learning: Navigating the AI frontier at Shorecrest

Wednesday, March 25, 8–9:30am
in the Ohana Community Room on the 2nd floor of Charger Commons

An evening session will also be offered via Webex for those that can not attend in person. Date to be determined.

Led by Dr. Anna Baralt and Christine Scoby.

How is Artificial Intelligence (AI) enriching the way our children learn, create and grow? Go behind the scenes and see exactly how we are incorporating AI into our classrooms to enhance teaching and learning while staying anchored to our Mission and Core Values.

Following an overview we will transition into smaller groups for deeper, age-appropriate discussions and Q&A.

Middle & Upper School (MS/US) - Explore how older students develop critical thinking skills through the use of AI as a sophisticated research partner. We’ll discuss "human-in-the-loop" writing, thus equipping students with the digital fluency needed to navigate a continuously evolving technological world.

Learn More

Shorecrest Family Night at the Threshers

Take me out to the ball game! Join SCA for a Family Night on Saturday, April 11 to cheer on the Clearwater Threshers!

Gates open at 5:30pm, game starts at 6:30pm
At BayCare Ballpark, 601 Old Coachman Road, Clearwater
vs. Tampa Tarpons
A $20 ticket includes your entry to the game and an all-you-can-eat buffet of hot dogs, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, peanuts, popcorn, chips, ice cream sandwiches, soft drinks & water.

Be sure to stay until the end of the game for a firework show with friends!

Buy Tickets Now

Shop the School Store for your Florida Winter Shorecrest gear!

Mon-Thurs 11:00am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm

Upcoming Special Event Hours -

February 18 - Open 8:30am-4:30pm for Conference Day
February 21 - Open for the Robotics Tournament

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.

Register Now for Summer at Shorecrest

Summer at Shorecrest offers a huge variety of exciting, enriching, and FUN summer programs for students in preschool-12th grade. Featuring classic summer day camp, STEM camps, Performing and Visual Arts, Sports Clinics, Academic Enrichment/College Prep...and so much more! View the full catalog and register at www.shorecrest.org/summer.

With extended day care, camps are available 8am to 5:30pm, June 8-July 31. Additional camp sessions are offered June 1-5 and August 3-7 from 9am-3:30pm.

View the Camp Catalog - Ages 5+