UPPER SCHOOL
2025-2026
2025-2026
Dear Upper School Families,
Homecoming Week kicked off last Friday with an exciting pep rally hosted by Seniors Kaelie Dieter '26 and Braden Stone '26. With cheering from the Little Sparks, Middle School and Upper School cheerleaders, a storming of the gym through the locker tunnel by our fall sports teams, a faculty Masked Singer competition, and multiple competitive games with contestants from grades K-12, our students have been primed for a fun-filled and spirited week. A few hours later we hosted the big Homecoming Football event that doubled as Senior Night for our Cross Country, Golf, Cheerleading and Football Teams. Before our Chargers handily defeated Foundation Christian Academy, I had the privilege of assisting Head of School Nancy Spencer and outgoing Homecoming Queen Eve Bonnemort ‘25 with crowning our 2025 Mr. Spirit and Homecoming Queen during a half-time presentation. Congratulations to Mr. Spirit Asher Walton ‘26 and Homecoming Queen Kaelie Dieter ‘26 and to all of our amazing Homecoming Court nominees! We look forward to their reign over our upcoming Homecoming Week competitions!
Of special note, our final event of Homecoming Week will be the Homecoming Dance in the Rec Gym 8pm-10:30pm on Saturday, October 25.
Students must arrive by 8:30pm and stay until 10pm
If your child wishes to bring a guest who is not a Shorecrest student, a guest permission slip must be submitted by the October 23 due date
Last Wednesday was a day of academic testing for grades 9-11 as they sat to take the all-digital PSAT 9/9 and the PSAT. The all digital format of these tests went very well. Credit goes to Alice Hathcoat, our AP / PSAT Coordinator, for her organization, and to our tech team who ensured that students and proctors were prepared and had a glitch-free administration. We look forward to seeing the results of those PSAT exams. Meanwhile, our twelfth graders had an opportunity to bond at the St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club. This year’s group took their shuffleboarding seriously, playing right up until the end while also enjoying lunch and the opportunity to prepare for Homecoming events. Appreciation goes to Dean Alexander, Fatima Morlando and the twelfth grade Advisors for organizing and participating in that event.
For planning purposes, we would like to share information on Midterm Exams (Dec 15-19).
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!
Families should have received a link to view photos directly from Mr. KamraMan, the yearbook photographer. Purchases may be made online.
Every once in a while photographs from Picture Day do not come out well, or students are absent on picture day. We will have picture retakes on Wednesday, October 29. A registration link for retakes will be sent later this week directly from Mr. KamraMan, and if your student was absent they will be registered to be photographed on retake day automatically.
Have a wonderful week!
Erich Schneider
Head of Upper School
eschneider@shorecrest.org
727-456-7529
Student-specific announcements are shared by Student Council every Sunday in an email called "TWIUS" (This Week In The Upper School). This page is regularly updated by our Administrative Assistant, Fatima Morlando.
October 20-24
Homecoming Week Fun Days
Tuesday, October 21
Blood Drive
Shore to Shorecrest Packet pickup
Wednesday, October 22
International Connection Potluck
Saturday, October 25
Shore to Shorecrest 5k
Homecoming Dance
Wednesday, October 29
Picture Retake Day
Wednesday, November 12
Fall Parent and Teacher Conferences (No School for Students)
Saturday, November 15
Electric Fall Festival
You're invited to our space-themed Homecoming Dance on Saturday, October 25, in the Athletic Center Rec Gym. Join us for a cosmic night filled with music, treats, and an atmosphere that's truly galactic. Get ready for a night that's light-years beyond the ordinary!
The evening begins at 8pm and ends at 10:30pm. Students are encouraged to arrive by 8:30pm to ensure you don't miss a single moment of the cosmic fun (students must stay until 10pm)!
If bringing a guest who does not attend Shorecrest, students must submit your guest permission slip by the due date.
Tickets are $25 online, but $30 (cash) at the door. If students plan to bring an outside guest, all tickets must be purchased online.
ALL STUDENTS WISHING TO PARTICIPATE IN A WINTER SPORT MUST BE CLEARED THROUGH THE ATHLETIC CLEARANCE SYSTEM* 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.
Varsity Volleyball will play in the Regional Quarterfinal on Tuesday, October 21 at Tampa Prep at 6pm. Entry is $9.00. View online.
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.
Remember to turn in pink sheets and meet with your college counselor before submitting applications. All early applications (November 1 application deadline) pink sheets should already be turned in.
Consider applying for the Coolidge Scholarship which is a full-ride, presidential scholarship that covers a student’s tuition, room, board, and expenses for four years at any accredited college/university. Apply by December 16, 2025 @ Coolidge Scholarship
SAT
For the SAT taken on November 8, the deadline to register is October 24.
In order to attend visits with college representatives, your student must sign-up in Cialfo at least 24 hours in advance. Simply log-in and look for the list of colleges that will be joining us this fall. Check back often as the list continues to grow each day! Meeting with the visiting college reps is a great way to learn more about each institution and show your demonstrated interest. Many colleges track attendance at programs such as school visits.
College Visits:
When a student visits a college/takes a college tour, they must complete a College Visit form prior to the day they will be absent. These are located in the Shorecrest Community Page under Forms. This digital form is quick and easy to complete.
As a reminder, Juniors are allowed three college visit absences, Seniors are allowed five.
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.
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.)
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.