MIDDLE SCHOOL
2025-2026
2025-2026
Good afternoon,
That is a wrap! Both the trimester and the musical have wrapped up. Congratulations to the Middle School cast members of "All Shock Up!" It was a fantastic show and fun was had by all. Our new trimester starts today.
Wednesday, November 12, is parent/student/advisor conference day. We look forward to seeing you. There is no school or child care for the students on that day.
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.
In case you feel like you need a refresher, I have attached a Schoology video that will refresh your memory on navigating, seeing your student’s grades and assignments on Schoology.
Shorecrest has welcomed nationally recognized friendship coach, educator, and author Danielle Bayard Jackson. Through four engaging workshops Jackson guided students in exploring topics such as navigating social dynamics, improving communication, and managing conflict with kindness. She will present to all middle school parents via Zoom on Tuesday, November 11 at 6:30pm. She will share the work that she did with students.
Zoom Link to tune in: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5443469644?pwd=WkZlRFRBRFVIMCtXbm5KZG93WmREdz09
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.
Have a great week,
Kris Grant
Head of Middle School
kgrant@shorecrest.org
727-456-7526
If your family is experiencing food insecurity due to the government shut down, please reach out to the School so that we may assist you. We have received a generous gift from a donor to provide Publix gift cards for Shorecrest families in need.
Contact Julie Meyer at jmeyer@shorecrest.org, who can provide more information. All requests will be kept confidential.
Monday - Friday, November 10-14
Book Fair
Tuesday, November 11
Upper School Heads Search Sessions
-AND- Friendship Coach Virtual Parent Session
Wednesday, November 12
Fall Conference Day - No school for students; SCA Uniform Sale
Saturday, November 15
Electric Fall Festival
Monday, November 17
Dads Night Out
Thursday, November 20
Keynote Speaker - Sam Demma
Mon. - Fri., November 24-28
Thanksgiving Break
Monday, December 1
Holiday Gift Drive Kick-off
Wednesday, December 3
SCA Moms Holiday Night Out
One Night Only: MS & US Thespians Showcase
Friday, December 5
Charger Chat with Nancy Spencer
Spring Sports Sign Ups are taking place in the Athletics Office Monday, December 8 through Friday, December 12. Any Upper School student wishing to participate in Baseball, Lacrosse, Softball, Tennis, and/or Track & Field should stop by the Athletics Office during break, lunch or after school to sign up. MS students will sign up during their PE classes.
These sign ups help coaches and the Athletics Office know how many students are interested in participating in a particular sport. The Athletics Office also double checks that the students who signed up have completed all their athletics paperwork before the first practice/tryout takes place. This helps to ensure that all students are eligible to participate from day one of the new season.
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.
Students from Shorecrest Lower and Middle Schools (grades 3-8) will meet with author Lindsay Currie on Wednesday, December 3. She will also have lunch with the students who are participating in Battle of the Books.
Book Signing will be available:
Purchase any of Lindsay’s titles from her Amazon Storefront
Label book(s) with student’s first & last name, grade
Drop your book off at a Shorecrest Library for signing by Monday, December 1
Flu and respiratory illness season is here, and head lice has been found on campus. Practicing good health habits is more important than ever. It takes a community to keep us all safe. Get practical tips, resources and a refresher on Shorecrest policies regarding when children should be kept home from school.
Shorecrest Chargers Cross Country boys will run in Regionals on Thursday, November 13 at Holloway Park in Lakeland. Entry is $12. Buy Tickets
The boys and girls golf teams will compete in the State Championship in Howey-In-The-Hills, on November 14 & 15. Admission is free but parking is not: Details
Chargers Varsity Boys Swim & Dive team members just competed at an extremely competitive State Championship and earned 111 Points with a 7th place finish. The 200 Free Relay (Anton Ho, Ethan Swann, Leonardo Ho, Maddox Matyas) placed 4th with a school record time of 1:25.68 and the 400 Free Relay (Anton Ho '26, Milan Spodin '28, Maddox Matyas '26, Leonardo Ho '28) also placed 4th with a school record time of 3:08.32. The 200 Medley Relay (Tristan Cooper '27, Milan Spodin '28, Stepan S '30, Ethan Swann '26) finished 13th. Maddox Matyas '26 was 6th in the 200 Free with a school record time of 1:39.99 and also made the podium in the 500 Free in 7th place. Anton Ho '26 broke the oldest record on the books (from 1988) in the 50 Free with a lead-off relay time of 21.41 and he broke his own 100 Fly record with a new time of 50.97. Coach Patty said, "This 1A State meet ranks as one of the best of all time for Shorecrest. I cannot say enough about the hard work, dedication and resilience of these young men and what they accomplished this past Saturday at the fastest, most competitive meet in Florida - if not the United States. Congratulations to our 1A State team!"
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 to 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.
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.
The next SCA Used Uniform Sale will be Wednesday, November 12 in the Athletic Center. The sale opens at 7am for faculty / staff and runs 8-12pm for all Shorecrest families.
If you have clean used uniforms to donate, please drop them off at the Athletic Center (preferred) or one of the school offices.
As we look ahead to build on the Upper School's strong foundation, we have engaged the search firm RG175 to help identify a visionary new leader for the 9th-12th grade Upper School to succeed Head of Upper School Erich Schneider in July 2026. There will be multiple opportunities for all community members to participate in the search process.
On Tuesday, November 11, there will be three sessions for members of the community to meet directly with our search consultant, Adam Peichert of RG175.
1:30 – 2:30pm: Trustee Session in the Ohana Community Room
2:30 – 3:30pm: Parent/Guardian Session in the Ohana Community Room
3:30 – 4:30pm: Upper School Faculty Session in the Ohana Community Room
Thank you for taking the time to contribute your voice to this important process. Your insights will play a meaningful role in shaping the future leadership of the Upper School.
Shorecrest and SCA Volunteer needs can also be found by clicking Volunteer Info on the menu here, or on the Shorecrest Parent App.
Coming up: Book Fair, Electric Fall Festival, Gift Drive
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.)
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.
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.
"Vintage Hitchcock: A Live Radio Play" is an evening of adaptations of three early films directed by Alfred Hitchcock: "The Lodger," "Sabotage" and "The 39 Steps." These stories come to life in the style of a 1940s radio broadcast, with 16 actors playing dozens of characters, live sound effects and musical underscoring.
General Admission tickets are $10. Reserve and pay in advance for your tickets with our easy, secure payment link! Seats will be assigned in the order of purchase. The deadline to purchase online is Thursday, November 13 at noon. Please visit our Box Office in person during Box Office hours after that time.
Tickets may also be purchased by credit card or check at the Janet Root Theatre Box Office during Box Office hours.
Purchased tickets will be available to pick up at the Box Office Will Call window prior to the show.
Box Office hours:
Tuesday, November 11, 3-5pm
Wednesday, November 12, 3-5pm
Thursday, November 13, 5:30-7pm
Friday, November 14, 5:30-7pm
If you have questions regarding tickets, please contact Stephanie McCarthy smccarthy@shorecrest.org.
From picture books to paperback bestsellers, our Scholastic Book Fair will be curated from preschool up to 8th grade. Books also make great holiday gifts!
The Fair will be in the Raymund Center on Monday, November 10, to Friday, November 14 from 8am-4pm daily. The Book Fair will also be open during Conference Day on Wednesday, November 12!
We're also excited to host the Public Library on campus! Stop by their table on Wednesday, November 12, between 8am-2pm. You can easily sign up for your very own public library card right on the spot.
Saturday, November 15, 5–8pm
in & around 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.
WAIVER: Parents/Guardians MUST sign a waiver before ticket holders will be granted entry. You may sign for more than one child at a time but you must list all the children who are attending. If you are bringing a child who is not in your family, their parent must still sign the waiver to have it on file.
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.
This event is 100% organized by parent volunteers with the goal of showcasing the rich diversity of our Shorecrest community.
The registration deadline is January 29, 2026.
However you celebrate this holiday season, the School Store is here to help you equip your Chargers family!
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.