Letter from Mr. Schneider

Dear Upper School Families,

Our students are navigating a rapidly changing digital landscape, constantly challenged by new developments in technology and social media. It's difficult for anyone to keep up with the latest apps, updates, and the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

While AI offers incredible potential as a learning tool, its flip side presents significant new problems. We are now confronting the malicious use of AI to create highly realistic, fake, and damaging content, called "deepfakes." These fabricated images or videos can be used to bully, humiliate, and harass others, sometimes with devastating consequences.

We have recently hosted two special assemblies: one on the use of artificial intelligence in the academic setting and the other with Ms. Grant, Head of Middle School, Assistant Head of School & Shorecrest In-House Counsel, to discuss the ethical and legal implications of deepfakes and last week our 9th, 11th and 12th Advisories reviewed Digital Ethics topics. 

While we consistently educate students on digital citizenship, we cannot address this challenge without you. The safety of our students is our priority. 

We ask for your partnership in taking the following steps:

1. Monitor Your Student’s Device: This is not about a lack of trust; it is about safety. We strongly encourage you to conduct regular, open checks of your child’s phone and other devices. This includes reviewing their text messages, social media direct messages (DMs), photo albums (including the "recently deleted" folder), and the apps they have installed. Snapchat, among other apps, has the ability to completely create fake pictures.  For example, you can upload a regular picture of two people and manipulate it into a picture of them kissing.

2. Install: An app like Bark that helps you monitor your child’s devices.

3. Research: Please understand the apps that your student has and how they use them. 

4. Have Direct Conversations: Talk to your child about the permanence of online content and the real-world harm that can be caused by a single post, comment, or shared image. Discuss the reality of AI-generated photos and deepfakes. Equip them with the knowledge that not everything they see is real and teach them to never create or share such content.

5. Establish Tech-Free Times and Zones: Create expectations for when and where phones are put away, such as during dinner, homework hours, and overnight. Charging phones in a central location, like the kitchen, instead of the bedroom is a highly effective strategy.

6. Reinforce Reporting: Please encourage your child to immediately tell you, a school counselor, a teacher, or an administrator if they see something online that makes them uncomfortable, seems wrong, or is targeted at another student.

Thank you for your partnership.

Conference Day, November 12

This is a reminder that the Upper School Conference Day is scheduled for Wednesday, November 12. Please use this linked document to choose time slots to meet with one or more of your student’s teachers and view our Conference Day FAQs below:

Is conference day required?
No. Conference day is an opportunity for families to schedule time with the teachers they specifically need to see. Please do not feel like you need to have a conference with every teacher.

Should students attend with their parents?
Students do not need to attend. However, they are welcome to attend if parents believe it will be helpful. 

What if a teacher does not have a sign-up sheet?
You can email the teacher directly to set up a conference. The conference may be on a different day. 

What if I need to cancel last minute?
Please email the teacher and Ms Morlando (FMorlando@shorecrest.org) to let them know. 

How long are the sign up sheets available?
The sign up sheets will lock Monday, November 10 to provide teachers time to prepare. 

Midterm Exams Details

For planning purposes, we would like to share information on Midterm Exams (Dec 15-19). 

College Counseling: Money Matters, Nov. 18 (new date!)

College Counseling: Money Matters will now be held on Tuesday, November 18 from 6 – 7:30pm in the JRT. Learn more about financial aid and affording college from Shorecrest College Counseling and guests. For Upper School families.

Have a wonderful week!

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

Mark Your Calendars - 

Wednesday, November 5
Open House (Grades 5-12) starting in the Raymund Center

November 6-8
Middle School Musical - "All Shook Up" 

Tuesday, November 11
Upper School Heads Search Sessions

Wednesday, November 12
Fall Conference Day (No School for Students)

November 13-14
Upper School Play "Vintage Hitchcock"

Saturday, November 15
Electric Fall Festival 

Monday, November 17
Dads Night Out

Tuesday, November 18 - New Date**
College Counseling: Money Matters. Learn more about financial aid and affording college from Shorecrest College Counseling and guests. For Upper School families.

Thursday, November 20
Sam Demma Guest Performance; Not a late start day for students

Mon. - Fri., November 24-28
Thanksgiving Break

Fall Sports Playoffs

Shorecrest Chargers Golfers will compete in the Regional Tournament at Cove Cay Golf Club in Clearwater on Monday, November 3 (boys team) and Tuesday, November 4 (girls team).

Wednesday, November 5, Cross Country will run in the District Meet at John S. Taylor Park - 1100 8th Ave SW, Largo.

Members of the Chargers Swimming and Diving Team will be heading to the State Meet on Saturday, November 8 in Ocala!
Congratulations to:
Tristan Cooper '27, Ryan Flugel '27, Anton Ho '26, Leonardo Ho '28, Maddox Matyas '26, Milan Spodin '28, Stepan S. '30, Ethan Swann '26 and Aziz Trayer '28.

A Note from Dr. Jennifer Hart, Upper School Learning Specialist

Discover the Learning Lounge!

After struggling to grasp key concepts in class, a student began attending sessions in the Learning Lounge—where a peer tutor offered a fresh perspective and practical strategies that helped everything “click.” Their confidence and performance quickly improved.

Our goal is to ensure that every student has access to the support they need, when they need it. Here are several ways students can seek academic assistance:

• Faculty: Teachers remain students’ best resource and are often available before and after school for questions and extra help.

• Learning Lounge - Peer Assisted Learning: Open 7:30-8:30am and 3:30-4:30pm on Wednesdays in Haskell Library, Charger Commons. Students can drop in (check the schedule for subject availability), though we encourage you to make an appointment.

• Private Tutoring: Fee-based Subject and Executive Functioning tutoring are available. Complete the form on the CAE website, just click the dropdown arrow next to Student

• Support Registration and Details. CAE Schoology Course: A student resource hub for tools and strategies to boost academic success, including time management, planning, studying, accommodations, and overall well-being.

We are proud of the many ways our students support one another and grateful for our dedicated faculty who help make these opportunities possible.

Seniors

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

Juniors

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

Revolution Prep Virtual Events (9th, 10th, 11th Grade Families)

• PSAT, Now What?: Wednesday, November 12, 7pm-8pm 

• Digital ACT Practice Exam: Saturday, November 15, 9am-12:30pm

• PSAT, Now What?: Wednesday, December 3, 8pm-9pm 

Details & Register: Revolution Prep Shorecrest Page

Learn About Attending College in Ireland

Representatives from 3 Irish institutions will share everything you need to know regarding academics, applications, finances, student life and more - with plenty of time to answer all of your questions. This session is intended only for North American students and families applying as non-EU/non-UK applicants to Irish universities.
Webinar via Zoom: Wednesday, November 5, 7-8pm
Registration: https://tinyurl.com/DegreesinIreland2025

College Reps Visiting Shorecrest

There are still a few upcoming visits. In order to attend visits with college representatives, your student must sign-up in Cialfo at least 24 hours in advance. 

College Visits:

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 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. 

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. 

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