TWIUS - September 8, 2026

UPPER SCHOOL

2026-2027

This Week in Upper School (TWIUS) - September 8, 2026

Letter from Mr. Hoyle

Dear Upper School Families,

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for Upper School Back to School Night last week! I had a blast meeting families and getting to know the parents behind our awesome students. We had plenty of fun along the way, including a fantastic performance from our Varsity Cheerleading Squad, raucous cheers for each class, a special parent edition of “Hoyle’s High Fives” (more on those below!), and some truly adorable childhood photos of our faculty and staff (check out the collage below!)

Thank you to everyone who brought such great energy and helped make the night a success!

Here are some of our new traditions, and a few other things coming up in the Upper School:

Hoyle’s High Fives

Each week in Monday Morning Meeting, I’ll recognize a few students who have done something awesome with a “Hoyle High Five” that will include a prize, a sticker or button, and an energetic high five. Winners may have achieved a big accomplishment, committed a small act of kindness, taken a risk, or just brought great energy to our community.

Mr. Hoyle’s Morning Office Hours

Starting this week on Monday and Friday mornings from 7:50 - 8:20am, Upper School students can join me in the US Admin Office for music, games, treats, and time to hang out and connect.

Club Fair, September 11

Our annual Club Fair will take place during Community Time on Friday. Students can explore their options and then register online through September 15. Please encourage your student to review the Club Handbook ahead of time and think thoughtfully about where they want to invest their time and energy.

Service Week International Trips Info Meeting, September 14

Families interested in our Service Week international trips are invited to an information meeting in the Ohana Community Room on the 2nd floor of Charger Commons on Monday, September 14 at 6pm. Ivan Lopez from Go Journey Abroad will be on campus to share details about this year’s opportunities. (He will have already presented to students at Monday Morning Meeting.)

Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation, Costa Rica - Sunday, April 4 - Saturday, April 10

The Dominican Republic, La Foudacion Verde Profundo - Sunday, April 4 - Saturday, April 10

Summer Travel to Europe - Info Session, September 15

An amazing US international travel opportunity is ocming July 2027 for current 9th-11th graders. Students will have the opportunity to visit Vienna, Prague and Budapest. Interested parents/students should attend the trip information session on Tuesday, September 15 at 7pm in the Ohana Community Room on the 2nd floor of Charger Commons - or email Kayla Brazee at kbrazee@shorecrest.org.

Honors Tapping, September 16

Beginning this year, most Upper School Honor Society inductions are moving from sophomore spring to junior fall. As we transition to the new schedule, Robotics, Quill & Scroll, and Cum Laude will induct new members on September 16. Families of students being inducted will receive additional information directly.

Thanks again for a terrific Back to School Night and for your partnership as we get this school year underway!

Brendan Hoyle

Head of Upper School

bhoyle@shorecrest.org
727-456-7529

Campus Safety & Security: Planned Drills

Campus drills for severe weather, fire, and lockdowns are a regular part of our campus security initiatives. Drills allow us to test our communication systems and classroom and campus procedures. You should have received a text and an email following this morning's planned lockdown drill on Tuesday, September 8.

If you did not receive a text message from Shorecrest around 11am today, please text START to 31706 from the mobile number you have on file at Shorecrest to ensure you receive future text communications.

UPPER SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mark Your Calendars -

Wednesday, September 9: College Counseling Meet & Greet

Monday, September 14: Service Week International Trips Info Meeting

Tuesday, September 15:

First Year Foundation
Summer Europe trip info session

Wednesday, September 16: Honor Societies Tapping Assembly

Friday, October 9: School Closed, Professional Day

Monday, October 12: School Closed, Fall Long Weekend

Student Announcements

Student-specific announcements are shared by Student Council every Sunday on a site called "Student TWIUS" (This Week In The Upper School). This page is regularly updated by Dean Stacy Alexander.

Student TWIUS

College Compass

Get to Know the CCO!

All Shorecrest parents/guardians are invited to learn more at these upcoming events:

College Counseling Meet and Greet - Wednesday, September 9, 9:15-10:15am in the Ohana Community Room on the 2nd floor of Charger Commons
First Year Foundation - Tuesday, September 15, 6pm in the Janet Root Theatre. Geared towards families of the Class of 2030. [9th Grade Families - Save the Date!]

SAT/ACT/Test Prep

Revolution Prep offers several different test preparation options. Below are two free live practice exam options. Be sure to check the Revolution Prep landing page for Shorecrest for all upcoming test prep events.

PSAT/NMSQT Practice Exam: Saturday, September 19, 9am-12pm live online

Digital ACT Practice Exam: Saturday, September 26, 9am-12pm live online

Colleges Visiting Shorecrest

Juniors and seniors are welcome to attend in-person college visits during the school day. In order to attend college visits, you must sign-up in Cialfo (Visit tab) at least 24 hours in advance. 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.

View College Visits List

Tampa Bay Area College Events

Notre Dame Information Session - Wednesday, September 16 at 6:30pm at Jesuit High School.

- REGISTER

Washington University in St. Louis Information Session - Saturday, September 19 at 5-6pm at Tampa Preparatory School.

Duke, Georgetown, Harvard, and Howard - Tuesday, September 22 at 6:30-8:00pm at Brooks-Debartolo Collegiate High School.

Navigating College Costs - Hosted by Rice University - Wednesday, September 23 at 6pm at Cristo Rey Tampa High School.

Virtual College Information Sessions

Launch (Cornell University, Emory University, Pomona College, Rice University, Washington University in St. Louis) - September 16 at 8pm.

Peach State Tour (University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Georgia State University, Augusta University) - September 16 at 8-9pm.

Discover Upstate New York (Colgate, Hamilton, Skidmore, Syracuse, Union) - October 1 & 27 at 7pm, or October 27 at 8am.

ALL SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Athletics

Winter Sports Sign Ups are taking place in the Athletics Office Monday, September 14 - Friday, September 18. Any US student wishing to participate in basketball, soccer or cheerleading 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 are important as they 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 WINTER SPORT MUST SUBMIT THEIR REQUIRED ATHLETIC PAPERWORK INTO THE ATHLETIC CLEARANCE SYSTEM BY MONDAY, OCTOBER 5TH. Failure to do so may prevent a student from being eligible to participate in the first practice or tryout.

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.

2025-2026 Annual Report

Each year, this report gives us an opportunity to recognize the many donors and sponsors whose generosity strengthens Shorecrest. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who chose to support our community this past year and proud to celebrate the collective generosity that makes so much possible.

View the Annual Report

Download the Shorecrest Parent app

All families have free access to the Shorecrest Parent app via the App Store and Google Play. The Shorecrest Parent app allows families to access all of their FACTS Family Portal information, including a family directory, schedules, billing information, and more. The Shorecrest app is also a hub for Monday Division Heads Letters, Shorecrest News archives and all-school emails, lunch information, links to documents like Handbooks and curriculum guides, and more.

Download the App

Shorecrest Communications 101

SCA ANNOUNCEMENTS

Parents, please share this social opportunity with any local or visiting Grandparents!

Grandparent Gatherings

The Grandparent Gatherings group invites you to enjoy an informal evening to connect with fellow grandparents, make new friends, and share the joy of your grandchild’s journey at Shorecrest.

Wednesday, September 16, 4:30pm at Colony Grill, 670 Central Ave, downtown St. Pete

Please RSVP by Friday, September 11, to Sarah Heibein, Associate Director of Advancement-Community Partnerships at sheibein@shorecrest.org.

Dads Night Out new date!

Get together with fellow Shorecrest Dads to kick-off the new school year & NFL season! Nothing fancy, everyone buys their own drinks and such. The intent is to provide an opportunity for everyone to get to know each other in a casual and social setting.

Thurssday, September 10 at 7pm at Ferg's Sports Bar & Grill, 1320 Central Ave, St. Pete

RSVP to Wes Watkins at shorecrestdads@shorecrest.org. Not a school-sponsored event.

SCA Volunteer Fair

Learn how YOU can get involved with SCA this year. Coffee and lite bites provided!

Friday, September 11 at 8am in the MS/US Dining Room, Charger Commons.

International Connections Coffee Meetup

Friday, September 18, 8:15am at Foxtail Coffee Co. 730 4th St N.

Shorecrest's International Connection (I.C.) is hosting a coffee meet up after morning drop-off. Open to all parents/guardians, grandparents, faculty and staff interested in international culture and cultural enrichment, including families who were born outside the US, who have spent time living abroad, who speak different languages at home or simply have an interest in this topic.

SCA Moms Night Out

Wednesday, September 30 7-9pm at The Mandarin Hide: 231 Central Ave N, St. Pete.

Limited tickets available, click to get your today!

SCA Soiree: Game. Set. Soiree!

presented by Mann Orthodontics

Saturday, September 19, 7-11pm at St. Pete Athletic

Serve up the new school year in style at this year’s SCA Soiree: Game. Set. Soiree! presented by Mann Orthodontics on Saturday, September 19, 7–11pm at St. Pete Athletic. You are cordially invited to an evening inspired by timeless country club charm, classic tennis traditions, and the spirit of our SCA community.

Attire: Country club chic with a tennis-inspired twist. Think polished cocktail attire in crisp whites, classic greens, timeless burgundy, and collegiate navy. Tailored dresses, sport coats, blazers, pleated skirts, chic jumpsuits, loafers, and statement accessories are all welcome. Stay tuned for exclusive Shorecrest shopping opportunities with our official Styling Sponsor, Bay Club Women’s Boutique!

More Details

Get Tickets

School Store Hours

Mon-Thurs: 11am-4:30pm
Fri: 8am-4pm

Visit the School Store to find Spirit Wear for the whole family, including PE clothes, joggers, T-shirts, plus snacks and drinks!

The School Store is cash-free; credit cards, checks, and Apple Pay accepted. Students under grade 9 must have parent/guardian present to purchase during the school day.