MS in the Know - August 25, 2025

MIDDLE SCHOOL

2025-2026

Middle School In the Know - August 25, 2025

Letter from Ms. Grant

Good afternoon,

Our first week was a success. We are all getting back into our routines. Back to School Night is in the books. This is our first full week of school and Day 1 for classes on our rotation calendar.

I mentioned this last week in my letter, but I wanted to repeat it in case you missed it. I have a formula for writing my letters so your job reading them is much easier. I like to be brief! I put the Middle School information and Grade Level information at the top of the letter and the All School information below that. If there is a lot of information to digest, I will ask you to read the details carefully. I am looking forward to this year. Please reach out to me or your student’s advisor if you have any questions.

Arrival and Dismissal

As we endeavor to make the carline as smooth as possible, please watch the videos about Arrival, Dismissal, Carline and Parking were sent out on Friday, August 15 (also linked below). Remember to pull all the way up even if it isn’t where your student would normally get out. We are in a small enough area that they can walk to their grade level location. Additionally, the video notes that drop off is at 7:40am. Students can’t arrive before 7:30am because there is no supervision, but they can arrive anytime before the first bell at 7:55am.

Special Note: Please put your student’s name tag on the driver's visor during dimissal. It keeps the carline moving!

Grade Level Representatives

Before Covid, Middle School had grade level representatives. This year the faculty and I decided that we would love the opportunity to have parents volunteer to help us during various grade level events. This is much different than it is in the Lower School. I am having a meeting with grade level representatives on Wednesday, August 27, at 8:15am in the MS Breezeway. If you are interested in helping out throughout the year please feel free to come. If you can’t make it, just stay tuned for different volunteer activities.

Sixth Grade Trip

Permission slips were sent for the Pathfinders Trip in October. Please fill them out and return them as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please contact your student’s advisor.

Have a great week,

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

MIDDLE SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS & EVENTS

Mark Your Calendars -

Tuesday, August 26 and Wednesday, August 27
MS Musical Auditions

Wednesday, August 27
Dads Night Out

Monday, September 1
Labor Day - SCHOOL CLOSED

Wednesday, September 3
Picture Day: Alpha - Grade 4

Thursday, September 4
Picture Day: Grades 5-11

Friday, September 5
Charger Chat with Nancy Spencer

Tuesday, September 9

International Connection Kick Off
First Year Foundation program with College Counseling

Saturday, September 27
SCA Soiree Beneath the Waves: A Florida Cocktail Odyssey presented by Mann Orthodontics

Middle School Musical Auditions, August 26-28

MS Musical Production of “All Shook Up - Young@Part”, open to students in grades 6-8

Auditions will be held in the MS Music Room:

Tues, August 26 3:15-5:30pm – Music/Movement
Wed, August 27 3:15-5:30pm – Acting for Roles
Thurs, August 28 3:15-5:30pm – Call Backs

Rehearsals begin Friday, August 29 from 3:15-5pm and run after school Monday through Friday as called.

Performances: November 6-8

More information will be on Schoology.

Picture Day - Middle & Upper School - Thursday, September 4

Students, faculty and staff are photographed annually for the Crestviews yearbook. School picture day for students in 5th-11th grades is on Thursday, September 4. Order forms will not be sent home in advance this year. All photo orders may be made online after photos are processed!

[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.

STEAM Club

The Shorecrest Upper School STEAM Club invites Middle School girls to join in an after school partnership with students from Academy Prep (http://academyprep.org/stpete/). Participants will:

Engage in a variety of STEAM-related activities led by the US STEAM Club, Dr. Baralt and Mrs. Giroud.
Work cooperatively on a variety of activities and challenges.
Talk with other girls who share similar interests in science, technology, engineering, art and math.
Spend time exploring and creating in the Shorecrest Makerspace.

There is no cost to join the STEAM Club; however, members will be determined by lottery as space is limited to sixteen Shorecrest girls.

Registration will be open through Friday, September 5, 2025.

Flyer with Full Details

Carline Safety and Reminders

Please be sure to review arrival and dismissal instructions and video.

Officers from the St. Pete Police Department are on 1st Street every day that school is in session to help facilitate traffic turning into / out of campus and to keep our walkers and bikers safe.

Arrival & Dismissal | Detailed Procedures

Athletics

Fall 2025 Sports Tryouts and Start Dates

Find details for fall sports for grades 6-12. Many teams hold tryouts or begin practice before school begins.

View Info & Start Dates

Mandatory Forms for Shorecrest Athletes

As mandated by the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA), every Shorecrest athlete must be cleared through the Athletic Clearance System at least 72 HOURS BEFORE tryouts or their first practice. All necessary forms are collected via the FHSAA Athletic Clearance Website. Step-by-Step instructions in our Athletic Clearance Guide make the Athletic Clearance process easy!

Follow the Athletic Clearance Guide

If you have any questions, first check the Athletic Clearance Guide. Then contact the Athletics office at athletics@shorecrest.org or call 727-456-7538.

Basketball Skills & Fun

Starting Wednesday, September 3, Coach Jonathan Tallon is supervising an Open Gym for all students who might want to participate in Chargers basketball at the MS and US levels this upcoming season. Come work on your skills!

The sessions will run Wednesday and Friday from 7-7:45am in the Rec Gym.
Dates: Sept 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26 and October 1, 3, 8, 10 and 15.

ALL SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS & EVENTS

Dads Night Out

Wednesday, August 27

Shorecrest Dads are invited to a casual meetup on Wednesday, August 27, 7:30–9:30pm at Three Birds Tavern, 1492 4th St N, St. Pete. Meet in the lower outdoor patio area.

Charger Chat

Friday, September 5 *New Date*

The first of a monthly series of casual chats with Head of School Nancy Spencer. After Lower School Town Meeting (roughly 8:30am) in the Raymund Center. Hosted by SCA.

International Connection Kick Off

Tuesday, September 9

All adults in the Shorecrest community are invited to join for coffee after drop-off on Tuesday, September 9, 8:15-10am in the Ohana Community Room, 2nd floor of Charger Commons. Expect introductions, socializing, info about the group and how to get involved.

SCA Moms Night Out

Wednesday, September 10

A wonderful chance to relax, connect and enjoy a fun evening with friends new and old. Check out the new Savoir on Central from 6:30-9:30!

Tickets are just $20 and include light bites plus three drink vouchers.

Buy Ticket

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:

College Counseling Meet & Greet

Wednesday, September 3 @ 9:15am
Location: Ohana Room, Charger Commons - second floor
Casual conversation with the 4-person College Counseling team

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

Event / Visitor Parking

If you are visiting campus for an event during the daytime, please loop past the football field and Middle School to park on the event parking field adjacent to the softball field. The field should be open even if signs are not visible.

Please leave parking spaces labeled “Faculty” for teachers and staff who may come and go at various times. There are also additional visitor spots along the median outside of Charger Commons and outside of the MS Office. Note: in the event of heavy rain the field cannot be open for parking.

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.

SCA Soiree Beneath the Waves

A Florida Cocktail Odyssey presented by Mann Orthodontics

Saturday, September 27, 7-11pm at FloridaRAMA

You are formally invited to a sparkling evening at this year’s SCA Soiree – Beneath the Waves: A Florida Cocktail Odyssey presented by Mann Orthodontics on Saturday, September 27, at FloridaRAMA.

The event will feature delicious hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, and music. Adults only (21+).
(This is a night of building community. We’re saving the auctions for the springtime Gala.)

Dive under the sea and into the new school year at one of St. Petersburg’s most unique immersive experiences!

Buy Tickets

Share Your Photos & Story Tips with Shorecrest!

Let us know the wonderful things Shorecrest students are up to - both inside and outside of school! The Shorecrest Marketing and Communications department welcomes submissions of photos and story ideas about members of the Shorecrest community including students, faculty, and alumni. Submitted stories may be featured on social media, in the Shorecrest News biweekly newsletter, in the annual Shorecrest Magazine and through other school communication channels.

Snap great first-day photos at school or at home? Share them via the form below or tag us @shorecrestprep on social media for a chance to be featured!

Share Stories or Photos

Download the Shorecrest Parent app

All families have free access to the Shorecrest Parent app via the App Store and Google Play. The Shorecrest Parent app allows families to access all of their FACTS Family Portal information, including a family directory, schedules, billing information, and more. The Shorecrest app is also a hub for Monday Division Heads Letters, Shorecrest News archives and all-school emails, lunch information, links to documents like Handbooks and curriculum guides, and more.

Download the App

Coffee Cart Fridays on Campus

Join us Friday mornings for coffee on campus! Offered most Fridays throughout the school year, local vendors set up shop outside of the Raymund Center offering coffee drinks for purchase. Enjoy a coffee before Lower School Town Meeting, grab a coffee to go before a SCA meeting or Charger Chat, or take your coffee to shop at the School Store!

Coffee carts are available roughly 7:15-9:15am.

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.