MIDDLE SCHOOL
2025-2026
2025-2026
Good afternoon,
This week is Homecoming Week and we have a modified dress code. Although we will modify the dress code, all of the various dress days should still remain within the spirit of the dress code.
During Homecoming Competition Week, Upper School students participate in themed, judged costume days. This tradition has led to dress-up days for all students, including a school-wide Class Color Day on Friday. Four class colors repeat throughout the student body and promote class unity and connection to older peers who share the same class color. (The class color travels with the student as they progress through Shorecrest.)
Tuesday, October 21: Dress Like Your Parent Day
Wednesday, October 22: Space Day (T-shirts, space characters, etc.) with uniform bottoms
Thursday, October 23: Green and Gold Day with uniform bottoms
Friday, October 24: Class Color Day
Fifth: Orange
Sixth: Blue
Seventh: Purple
Eighth: Red
We are excited to announce that Sam Demma will be coming to Shorecrest on Thursday, November 20 to speak with the Middle and Upper Schools during the school day and will have a special presentation to all Shorecrest parents/guardians at 6:30pm in the Janet Root Theatre.
Sam Demma is a best-selling author, entrepreneur, and highly sought-after keynote speaker, particularly within the education sector. He is the creator of The High Performing Educator multimedia platform.
In his book "Empty Your Backpack," Demma uses a powerful metaphor to address the burdens that hold individuals back from reaching their full potential. The "backpack," he explains, represents the accumulation of limiting beliefs, doubts, and the negative opinions of others that people unknowingly carry with them through life.
The core message of the book is a call to action: to consciously "unpack" these detrimental thoughts and replace them with empowering beliefs and consistent, positive actions. Demma emphasizes that achieving one's dreams is not about grand, sweeping changes, but rather the result of small, steady steps taken over time. This philosophy of "small, consistent actions" is a cornerstone of his teachings and is woven throughout the book.
We hope to see you there!
The transition to Upper School is an exciting moment! We invite you to schedule an 8th grade shadow visit to preview our Upper School. Students will have the opportunity to:
Visit classes to learn more about our balanced and individualized student experience
Meet knowledgeable faculty/staff committed to your academic and personal well-being
Learn more about our exciting clubs, enrichment trips, and leadership opportunities
Give your student a valuable, confidence-boosting look at their future. Available now through January 31, 2026.
The Shorecrest College Counseling Office offers comprehensive programming to support students and families. Last week they teamed up with Upper School Admin to present: “The Shorecrest Advantage: Exploring Shorecrest's Upper School.” If you missed this dedicated programming for families of seventh and eighth grade students, a recording may be found here.
During the second and third trimesters, students in 5th grade and students new to 6th grade may choose to participate in a non-competitive robotics club led by Mrs. Felicia Mendenhall. Students meet twice a week during study hall, either Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday. The club lasts the duration of one trimester. Trimester 2 runs from November 18 - February 13. Trimester 3 runs from February 23 - May 22. Space is limited to 20 students total. There is a $25 participation fee.
If you are interested in having your child participate, please sign up using this FORM. Any questions can be directed to Mrs. Mendenhall at fmendenhall@shorecrest.org.
We will be holding an informational St. Augustine Parent Meeting on Tuesday, November 4th, at 6:00 PM in Mrs. Berland's room (MSAS 101).
Calling all future scientists and explorers! 🔬🔭 Are you ready to dive into a world of discovery and hands-on experiments? Do you love asking "why?" and "how?" The 5th Grade Science Club with Ms. LoDico is the perfect place for you! Join us as we explore the amazing world around us, from building erupting volcanoes to creating our own slime. We'll learn how things work through fun, engaging activities and experiments that bring science to life. Get ready to mix, measure, and observe as we uncover the secrets of chemistry, physics, and biology together. From making slime to explosive reactions, join us to dive into the world of science. No prior experience is needed—just a big sense of curiosity and a willingness to get your hands a little messy. Come be a part of our exciting journey of scientific discovery! The club will begin on October 29 and meet on Wednesdays in the MSAS from 3:15 - 4:15pm.
Have a great week,
Kris Grant
Head of Middle School
kgrant@shorecrest.org
727-456-7526
October 20-24
Homecoming Week
Tuesday, October 21
Blood Drive
Shore to Shorecrest Packet pickup
Wednesday, October 22
International Connection Potluck
Saturday, October 25
Shore to Shorecrest 5k
Wednesday, October 29
Picture Retake Day
Wednesday, November 12
Fall Parent and Teacher Conferences (No School for Students)
Saturday, November 15
Electric Fall Festival
Thursday, November 20
Keynote Speaker - Sam Demma
Get ready–the Scholastic Book Fair is coming to Shorecrest! Find bestselling series and characters that students love from more than 100 publishers. Plus every purchase benefits our school.
Books for age 3 - grade 8. Some classes will have a sneak peek on November 7 to see what is available and make wish lists.
Main days of sales are: November 10-14, 8am-4pm. The Book Fair will be open on conference day!
St. Pete Public Library will be on campus during conference day to help any Shorecrest student sign up for a library card 8am-2pm. Students under the age of 16 need a parent/guardian present to sign up.
A field experience is being planned for Dublin, Belfast and Edinburgh in Summer 2026, and students in grades 2-5 are invited!
Khana Rebman is excited to tell you more about the trip she's planning with EF Tours, an educational travel partner. Please be sure to register for the info session on Wednesday, October 22, from 5:30-6:30pm to be considered for this opportunity: https://rsvp.eftours.com/vxmns6d
When students travel, they expand their knowledge of the world around them, discover more about themselves, and grow more confident. These skills are critical for creating the global citizens of tomorrow, and we would love to have your student join us on this adventure.
In this info session, we’ll talk about:
How this opportunity will benefit your student
What we’ll see and do on our trip
Everything that’s included in this experience
How we’re keeping this safe and affordable
How to enroll on this trip (before it fills up!) during EF’s risk-free enrollment period
There are limited spots on this trip, so we would love to have you attend this meeting to learn more about this exciting opportunity!
Please note this is a non-school sponsored trip.
Chargers Swimming and Diving will be competing at the District level: Friday, October 24 is the District Diving Meet at Berkeley Prep. Saturday, October 25 is the District Swimming Meet at Berkeley Prep at 9am. More details coming soon.
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.)
At the Shore to Shorecrest 5k: Packet pick-up, parking, making waffles, etc.
For Electric Fall Festival: Check-in, raffles, bounce house and more!
Library Shelfies help organize Haskell Library between class visits by shelving books and other special projects.
Saturday, October 25
5k Start: 8am
Start Line: Flora Wylie Park
Finish Line: Shorecrest Campus
Also returning: the Sparky Sprint* for children 8 years & younger and the Wellness Village! Every participant receives:
commemorative race T-shirt
finisher’s medal
delicious breakfast to refuel and celebrate!
Saturday, November 15, 5–8pm
in 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.
COMING SOON... Purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win incredible prizes from Perry's Porch, the Vinoy, Hotworx, Pure Barre and more!
Saturday, October 25 is the third annual Shore to Shorecrest 5k presented by Dermaclinique, Dr. Priya Nayyar, M.D. This event also features the Sparky Sprint for Chargers 8 and under!
The Sparky Sprint is a separate registration and fee from the 5k and includes a separate bib number and commemorative medal. Sparky Sprint registrants may compete in the on-campus race even if their grown-ups aren't doing the 5k!
Wednesday, October 22
Shorecrest adults are invited to come together for a potluck lunch. Share a favorite dish from your culture & celebrate community through food and friendship.
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.
We would love to have you join us in bringing this special event to life! This event is 100% organized by parent volunteers with the goal of showcasing as many countries as possible to celebrate and reflect the rich diversity of our Shorecrest community.
The registration deadline is January 29, 2026.
The SCA Greenery Sale offers a stunning selection of festive wreaths to elevate your holiday spirit. The deadline to order is November 3.
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.
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. Ticketing information is coming soon.
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.
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.
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.
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.