Letter from Mr. Schneider

Dear Upper School Families,

Semester Exams (Dec 15-19) are on the horizon. To assist students in their exam preparation, US Learning Specialist, Dr. Hart shared an excellent email with students last week. In addition to encouraging words, Dr. Hart included resources to help students in their preparation. These resources include a 5 Day Study plan, an assignment tracker and a document with preparation and review strategies. Please encourage your child to consider those resources in their preparation.

Meanwhile, there is no better week for the Upper School to host our Phone Free Challenge. This started on Monday and will run through Thursday. Participating students will drop their phones off in the Upper School office in boxes with their class designation and will leave them there the entire day in what will be a friendly class competition to win donuts and fruit on Friday. Please encourage your child to participate. Disconnect to Reconnect! 

Prison Narratives Gallery Walks: December 10

Seniors in Ms. Updike's English 12 Honors: Prison Narratives courses have been working all semester to create individualized, student-directed projects with an accompanying paper that speak to a problem and an actionable solution within the prison system based on various prison narratives. Please join us on Wednesday, December 10, 9:55-10:55am (during F Block) for a Gallery Walk where students will showcase their semester-long projects. Please view this detailed invitation. 

Athletic Eligibility

As we wrap up the first semester, I want to remind everyone that students’ grades play an important role in determining their eligibility to participate in athletics during the second semester, in accordance with FHSAA requirements.

Please keep in mind that final eligibility may not be determined until after grades are posted. This means some students may be able to try out for a team, but if their semester grades don’t meet the FHSAA academic standard, they may not be eligible to compete once the season begins. The FHSAA standard is that a student must have a cumulative unweighted 2.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale at the beginning of each semester. 

We encourage all of our student-athletes to finish the semester strong, because every grade matters. If you have any questions about eligibility or how this might affect your child, please reach out to the Athletic Office. We’re happy to help.

Winter Dance

The Upper School will host its biennial Winter Semi-Formal Dance on Saturday, January 31, 2026 from 8-10:30pm in the Athletic Center Rec Gym. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased here. Students bringing an outside guest must complete the permission slip form.

Have a wonderful week!

Erich Schneider
Head of Upper School
eschneider@shorecrest.org
727-456-7529

As a reminder as we head into Winter Break, if your family is experiencing food insecurity, 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. 

Mark Your Calendars - 

Thursday, December 11
Winter Band Concert: A Winter Jubilee

December 15-19
Semester Exams

Monday, December 22
Winter Break (through January 4)

Monday, January 5
Return to School

Monday, January 19
MLK Day of Service (NO SCHOOL)

Saturday, January 31
Winter Semi-Formal Dance

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)

Juniors

• We are beginning to schedule family college counseling meetings for families that have completed both the student and parent surveys in Cialfo. Be on the lookout for an email from your college counselor with details about scheduling. 

• 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.

Seniors

Remember to turn in pink sheets and meet with your college counselor to review Common App, STARS, and supplementals before submitting applications. If you need or would like progress/mid-semester/Q1 grades sent to any college, please fill out a gold sheet in the CCO.

SAT/ACT Practice Tests and Test Prep live online with Revolution Prep

• ACT Practice Exam: Saturday, January 24, 2026 |  9am-12:30pm

• SAT Practice Exam: Saturday, February 7, 2026 |  9am-12:30pm

Details & Register: Revolution Prep Shorecrest Page

Revolution Prep is offering a gift card up to $600 toward tutoring, which can be used for:

• Private tutoring in academic subjects or test prep (SAT/ACT/PSAT)

• Executive function coaching to improve organization, time management, and study skills

• Small group SAT/ACT/PSAT prep courses (24-hour)

Please note: The gift card must be claimed and used by December 19, 2025. Claim your gift card here: https://www.revolutionprep.com/hs/holiday-gift-card-2025-claim/?company_id=6684299700

College Reps Visiting Shorecrest

College visits have wrapped up for the fall. We may still get a few requests for spring visits. They will be listed in Cialfo as they are approved. 

Re-enrollment for Current Students

Re-enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year at Shorecrest will take place February 2-16, 2026. This is the time during which currently enrolled families with students who are eligible to return for the 2026-2027 school year are asked to complete their re-enrollment contracts and pay a non-refundable tuition deposit. This deposit and contract hold your child’s seat for the 2026-2027 school year. 

Re-enrollment is completed through the FACTS Family Portal. New this year, re-enrollment packets will be assigned by family (not by student), meaning that families with multiple children re-enrolling at Shorecrest will have fewer steps to complete the re-enrollment process. 

Volunteers Needed - Holiday Gift Drive

Shorecrest volunteer needs can also be found by clicking Volunteer Info on the menu here, or on the Shorecrest Parent App. 

How to Order Yearbooks 

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.)

All-School Calendar

Upper School Contacts