MS In the Know - January 20, 2026

MIDDLE SCHOOL

2025-2026

Middle School In the Know - January 20, 2026

Letter from Ms. Grant

Good afternoon,

I hope that everyone enjoyed the long weekend. As you saw in the letter I sent to families last week, this week we will welcome Third Nature to campus to work with our students and faculty. We are looking forward to bringing this innovative program to our Middle School.

All Grades - College Counseling Webinars

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

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

College Counseling Showcase (Recording)

Learn about how the College Counseling Office supports Shorecrest students throughout their college search and application process. Last week's event was recorded. Login here to view.

7th Grade

The St. Augustine permission slips were sent home last week. Please make sure that they are turned in as soon as possible. The permission slips require both parent/guardian signatures.

❄️ Snowflake Soiree ❄️

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

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 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)

Wednesday, February 18
Parent and Teacher Conferences (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: Ms. Stripling's classroom in the 6th grade hallway

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"

📢 Calling all Chargers & Fans! 📢

New from the Shorecrest Athletics Department, Chargers and Chargers fans have an updated online home for all things Chargers Athletics. This new online hub centralizes athletics information including:

Schedules for games and practices
Details about tryouts
Team rosters
Athletic Clearance Paperwork
Step-by-step Guide
SignUpGenius / Volunteering Link
Buy Tickets and Merch

How do you find the site?

Click Athletics on the School’s main website, Parent Pages, or Shorecrest Parent App. Or bookmark Shorecrest.org/athletics.

Please reach out to the Athletics Office with questions or feedback.

Visit the new Athletics Website

Winter Sports Playoffs

Catch Boys Varisty Soccer in the District Semifinals vs. Clearwater Central Catholic at home on Haskell Field Wed on Wednesday, January 21 at 7pm.Entry is $8. Watch the livestream here.

Girls Varsity Soccer will play in the District Semifinals vs. Berkeley Prep at Berkeley Prep on Thursday, January 22 at 5pm. More details coming soon.

Important New Athletic Requirement

Starting July 1, 2026, FHSAA will require the following students to obtain an electrocardiogram (ECG):

All incoming 9th grade student-athletes
Any student in grades 10–12 who has never participated in an FHSAA-sanctioned sport

ECG screening is non-invasive, painless and takes about 5 minutes. An ECG performed on or after July 1, 2024 will satisfy the requirement.

There is a free ECG Heart Screening event coming up on Saturday, February 7 at the Galen College of Nursing in St. Pete (10200 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N.) from 10am-1pm. This date is also National Youth Heart Screening Day so it will be a large community event!

Click here and scroll down to Register

Spring Sports Info

ALL STUDENTS WISHING TO PARTICIPATE IN A SPRING SPORT MUST BE CLEARED THROUGH THE ATHLETIC CLEARANCE SYSTEM* at least 72 hours BEFORE THEIR FIRST PRACTICE. Click here for the Athletic Clearance Guide to help you with this process.

*The Athletic Clearance system is used for collecting athletic physicals and other important Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) information for student participation in sports.

Spring Sports Details

ALL SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS

SCA Uniform Sale, Feb. 18

The next SCA Uniform Sale will be Wednesday, February 18 in the Athletic Center. The sale opens at 7:30am for faculty / staff and runs 8am-12pm for all Shorecrest families. Find used uniform pieces at steep price discounts!

If you have clean used uniforms to donate, please drop them off at the Athletic Center (preferred) or one of the school offices. While you are going through closets, other clothing items your children have outgrown may also be dropped off to be donated to Clothes to Kids. Clothes To Kids, Inc. provides new and quality used clothing to low-income or in crisis school-age children, free of charge.

Verify contacts for Grandparents & Special Friends Day

Grandparents and Special Friends Day presented by Bayway Dental is coming on Friday, March 27, 8am-1:30pm.

To be sure your family members receive an invitation, update grandparent contact information in FACTS by January 23.

How to:
Login to FACTS Family Portal > select Web Forms > click on SPS Family Demographics > and scroll to Grandparents Information.

Contact details for invitees who are not grandparents may be emailed to scleveland@shorecrest.org.

If your family is eager to RSVP now, they may do so here:

RSVP

International Festival

Thursday, February 5 on the Gaffney Green

The annual parent-run International Festival hosted by International Connection will be Thursday, February 5. This exciting event brings our diverse community together to celebrate global cultures.

The registration deadline is January 29.

Learn More

Movie Night featuring "Inside Out 2"

Friday, February 6, 6pm on the Gaffney Green

Join us for our annual Movie Night sponsored by Griffin Concierge Medical. Bring your family and cozy blankets or lawn chairs and settle in for an evening under the stars.

Food trucks will be on campus with dinner and snacks available for purchase.

RSVP

Learn More

Volunteer

Shorecrest Gala
Nearly Sold Out!

Saturday, March 7 at the Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement

Join the Shorecrest community for an unforgettable night of giving and celebration that invites you to look at The View from Here... Save your ‘seat at the window’ today.

Limited tickets remain:

Get Tickets

Director of Diversity and Inclusion - Meet the Candidates

We are excited to announce that we have reached the final stage of our search for a new Director of Diversity and Inclusion. As a valued part of our school community, your perspective is incredibly important to us during this selection process. We invite you to join us for two "Meet the Candidate" sessions to hear from our finalists and share your feedback on Tuesday, January 20, 2:15–3:15pm and Wednesday, January 28, 2:15–3:15pm in the Ohana Community Room on the second floor of Charger Commons.

These sessions will provide an opportunity for you to hear each candidate’s vision for our school and ask questions regarding their approach to fostering an inclusive environment for all students. Your input helps ensure we select a leader who understands the needs of our families and reflects the values of our community.

Please RSVP to Dr. Anna Baralt at abaralt@shorecrest.org. We look forward to seeing you there!

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

DEADLINES & REMINDERS

Summer at Shorecrest - Registration Opens January 20 at 6pm

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+

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

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 6 - Open for Movie Night
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.