This year begins our accreditation process, a quinquennial (every five years) process where Shorecrest is evaluated on all aspects of school life, as set by the standards established by the Florida Council of Independent Schools. The accreditation process begins with a year of self-study and will include a survey to members of the school community.

Shorecrest's Upper School Interact Service Club will host a car wash on Sunday, October 24 from 10:30am-12:30pm at the front of campus. Please come get your car washed and support the club!

Information about winter sports for students in grades 6-12 may be found here. If you are interested in trying basketball, soccer or MS Cheerleading - this is your chance!

PLAYING THE FIELD: Tuesday, November 9 starting at 7pm for students interested in pursuing sports in college.
THE ART OF COLLEGE: Thursday, November 11 starting at 7pm for students interested in pursuing Arts/Theatre/Dance in college.

Shorecrest Chargers in grades 6-8 will perform "Annie Jr." in the Janet Root Theatre on October 28-30. Based on the popular Tony Award-winning musical, "Annie Jr." features a wonderful score written by Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, including the Broadway smash hit, “Tomorrow.”

The WordFoto app is a fun and interesting way to practice spelling a name (or other words, depending on the child’s abilities) and creates a fun word cloud. This is an activity for adults and children to do together - a way for children to see parents as media mentors and also a way to spend quality time.

We are looking forward to this year’s Fall Festival and costume parade sponsored by the Shorecrest Community Association (SCA) on Friday, October 29. The Fall Festival Committee is excited to welcome families back on campus to celebrate this year!

The Homecoming Football Game was on October 15 against the Academy at The Lakes on Haskell Field. The Shorecrest Chargers won, 61-7! The team will play Ocala Christian Academy in the playoffs at Ocala Christian on Friday, October 29 at 7pm.

Shorecrest Chargers Boys Varsity Golf vs. Canterbury: Win
MS Golf Chargers vs. St. Raphaels and Canterbury: First place!

Congratulations  to Alex E. '26 who placed 2nd and Sabina S. '26 who took 5th place. The Boys Varsity team placed 3rd.

Shorecrest eighth graders celebrated the culmination of Hispanic Heritage Month with the presentation of their Language and Culture Exploration projects. 

Shorecrest is once again hosting a food drive to contribute Mouse Nibbles. The Lower School will be officially kicking off the drive on Friday, October 22, and The Experiential School will be part of the project too. The young Chargers will learn about how The Kind Mouse helps to feed food-insecure children in Pinellas County.

Shorecrest sophomores in Mr. Seymour’s English Honors class created games that use Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey or Monomyth and the plot and characters of “The Epic of Gilgamesh.”

The Happy to be SADD Club and Upper School Counselor Courtney Ellis '02 led the Shorecrest Upper School students in honoring Mental Health Awareness Week. Each day had a theme and activity.

Global Explorers is holding a contest to update their current logo with one created by a Shorecrest Middle School student.

The Middle School Girls and Boys Swimming Chargers raced at the Middle Division Championship Meet vs. Berkeley Prep, Trinity Prep, and Tampa Prep. The Shorecrest girls were 4th place, and the boys also came in 4th Place.

On Friday, September 10, seventh graders led a variety of breakout sessions for their peers during Community Time. Students who were interested in leading a workshop filled out a form in advance. The presenters then planned and designed content; and their classmates chose two sessions to visit that interested them the most. This put the students in charge!

Shorecrest Chargers Varsity Volleyball vs. Tampa Bay Heat: 2-3
JV Volleyball vs. Keswick: 2-0 
JV Volleyball vs. Northside Christian: 2-0
MS Green Volleyball vs. St. Pete Christian: 16-25 / 16-25
MS Green Volleyball vs. Tampa Bay Heat: 15-25 / 18-25

Sara Grindey was recently appointed the Assistant Director of Extended Day and is an ES Teaching Assistant.

If your student was learning virtually this fall and missed the opportunity to be photographed for the yearbook, our yearbook photographer will be back on Wednesday, October 27 from 8-10am in the Janet Root Theatre Lobby.

Homecoming is more than a dance, more than an assembly, more than a football game. It is a time for Chargers to build memories and spirit! Homecoming at Shorecrest is a week-long celebration and Upper School tradition that includes class competitions, costumed spirit days, a varsity football game, a dance, and more.

Pediatrician Dr. Kelli Cross will present on the health implications of the standard American diet - physically and psychologically. This will include the new movement of Nutritional Psychiatry and Integrative Medicine.

Experience the curriculum, community and opportunities available at Shorecrest at an upcoming open house. You’ll hear from the Head of School, Admissions Team, Parent and Student Ambassadors, and more.

SCA will be hosting a Uniform Sale on Wednesday, November 10 from 7:30am - 2pm in the Athletic Center Lobby.

The Upper School Performing Arts Department Faculty invites all Upper School students to audition for the 2021 Fall Showcase.

Head of School Nancy Spencer would like to invite all Shorecrest parents/guardians to campus to join us for 2021 Parent Socials. These adults-only events are great for getting to know fellow Shorecrest parents! Please save the date now for your division(s).

Dad's Night Out: Thursday, October 28 at 7:30pm
Alpha Parents Night Out: Friday, October 29 at 6pm
Mom's Night Out: Wednesday, November 3 at 7pm

Holiday greenery is a great way to support Shorecrest and the Shorecrest Community Association (SCA) while giving a wonderful gift to your family, friends, and business associates. Beautiful, fragrant products are on sale now!

Shorecrest Preparatory School is pleased to announce that it has been named an Ocean Guardian School, a school recognition program sponsored by the NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. Shorecrest received the designation for its commitment to keeping local waterways clean and promoting recycling on campus.

Each spring, Shorecrest students in grades 3 through 8 take the ERBs over the course of 4 days. The ERBs are a standardized assessment for high achieving students called the Comprehensive Testing Program (CTP5) written by the Educational Records Bureau (ERB).

When we listen to stories, whatever our age, we're transported mentally to another time and place — and who couldn't use that right now? Over the years teaching here and in Brazil, I have created a list of favorite stories, but I am always ready to come across a new story.

What a week it’s been! The tradition of Homecoming at Shorecrest is back in full, a week-long celebration of school spirit that culminates in tonight’s Homecoming football game and tomorrow’s Upper School Homecoming Dance which will be held outdoors at the Weiss Family Pavilion. While many of the events are focused on the Upper School, the excitement and enthusiasm can be seen all across campus as Chargers, young and old, embrace Spirit Days. It is also a special time to welcome Alumni back to campus and celebrate the generosity of the Shorecrest community as seen by a successful Giving Day.

Seventh graders created 3D posters to exhibit their independent reading books from Mrs. Brill’s English class.

Ava Johnson ‘24 has aspirations of being a leader in her community, possibly as a Florida state Senator. She will be able to get a glimpse of what this means when she shadows a Senator for a week during the 2022 Regular Legislative Session as part of the Florida Senate Page Program in Tallahassee in January.

In Shorecrest Upper School’s 9th grade Honors English course taught by Ms. Elouej, students recently practiced paragraphing and identifying literary elements in their latest class text, “The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter.”

Shorecrest's Upper School Key Club is extending an invitation to Upper School students to participate in upcoming service opportunities.

On Friday, October 8, the Varsity Football Chargers beat Old Plank with a score of 48-2.

Students observed differences in electron configurations by introducing metal ions to a flame.

MS Gold Volleyball vs. Pinellas Prep: 18-25, 25-23, 8-15 Loss
MS Green Volleyball vs. Pinellas Prep: 19-25 / 18-25
MS Gold Volleyball vs. St. Pete Christian: 14-25, 25-14, 15-9 Win!
Varsity Volleyball vs. Tampa Catholic High School: 0-3
JV Volleyball vs. Tampa Catholic: 0-2

The Varsity Boys Golf Chargers played in an exhibition match vs. North Tampa Christian Academy. The MS Golf Chargers played against Thurgood Marshall and LCC and came in 2nd place.

Chargers Girls and Boys were Runners Up at the City of St. Petersburg Championship Meet!  The Varsity Girls and Boys Swimming and Diving teams also competed vs. Northside Christian School. For both the girls and boys teams, all 3 relays took first place!

Parents/guardians and alumni are invited to the next Shorecrest virtual book club on Tuesday, October 26 at 7:30pm. Discussion will be of the book "Pachinko" by Min Jin Lee.

On October 8, the Varsity and JV Cross Country Chargers competed in the Tampa Bay Private School Invitational.

MS Football Chargers vs. Seffner Christian Academy: 54-24 Loss.

The Shorecrest “Crestviews” yearbook captures Chargers memories for Alpha - 12th grade. Sales are open now for the 2021-22 edition for $50.

The language arts program in Lower School at Shorecrest is based on a balanced literacy approach that couples instruction of strategies and skills with authentic reading and writing experiences.

While always leading the charge when it comes to school spirit, Shorecrest Chargers Varsity Cheerleaders have a new tool in their arsenal: a brand new fight song! Learn the lyrics here.

Shorecrest seniors Guthrie Braun '22 and Ethan Danielson '22 have been named Commended Students by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

As many of you are aware, the tuition that is charged to families does not cover the entire cost of a Shorecrest education, a fact that is consistent among most other private schools and colleges. There is a gap between the entire cost of operating a school and the revenue generated by tuition. Schools such as Shorecrest rely on the generosity of donors to bridge the difference, so that we can continue to provide academic excellence, offer varied and extensive programs to our students, and attract and retain the best faculty and staff. 

Shorecrest Preparatory School is proud to announce that Rob Grady ‘86 has been named the 2020-2021 Shorecrest Alumni Distinguished Achievement Award Winner. From Shorecrest, to Harvard, to Stanford, and on to leadership positions in some of the world’s leading businesses including P&G, Starbucks and Amazon; Rob has continued to model Shorecrest’s mission and core values in his professional and personal endeavors, and serves as an inspiration to current and future Shorecrest students. Rob was recognized at Shorecrest on October 7 at an Upper School assembly.

Congratulations to Maria Happ '24 for being a Prime Time Preps Player of the Week Finalist! Congratulations to Brooke Waldmann '22 and Kate Craig '24, who earned All Tournament Team awards! Click to read about this week's games and scores.

Are you curious about what it will be like to be a part of the Upper School community at Shorecrest? Then wonder no more! Starting the week of October 18 current eighth grade students are invited to shadow a current ninth grader for a morning to get a glimpse of life in the Upper School. Even if your child has attended Shorecrest for many years, they may not know all of the incredible opportunities that await them in the Upper School!   

Shorecrest Upper School's English 12 Honors: Dystopian Literature course taught by Ms. Updike encourages seniors to dissect lines between Apocalyptic, Post-Apocalyptic, Dystopian, and Utopian genres, often resulting in a blurring between these bleak realities and the search for hope.

Last Saturday a small group of Key Club Members from Shorecrest Upper School helped families who are food insecure by distributing supples at Tropicana Field through Feeding Tampa Bay.

Varsity Girls finished in 10th place and the Varsity Boys finished 13th.

Shorecrest Chargers Varsity Football vs. Four Corners High School: 38-0 Win

Varsity Boys Golf vs. Indian Rocks Christian: 136-151 (Win)
Varsity Girls Golf vs. Indian Rocks Christian: Win

Chargers vs. St. Pete Christian and Thurgood Marshall: 1st place

The Shorecrest Chargers Varsity Sailing Team opened its fleet racing season by placing 2nd of 17 schools at the SAISA South Points 1 regatta. 

The Lower School at Shorecrest embraces The Project Approach: an in-depth, interdisciplinary investigation of a topic worthy of study that allows children to follow their questions and interests.

Girls: Shorecrest 131, Admiral Farragut 39
Boys: Shorecrest 105, Admiral Farragut 68

Shorecrest student Mila Salamone '22 is a published writer for a series in the "Northeast Journal," a local neighborhood newspaper. The second installment of her series is now available in the September/October issue of the NEJ.

On Thursday, I was standing by the Experiential School gate when one of our Alpha students, Zinnia, walked in, carrying her lovie. She stopped, looked at me, and asked, “Mrs. Hollenbeck, did you see the moon?"

Shorecrest eighth graders have partnered with non-profit organization Creative Visions, Inc. for their first trimester Community Time activities. The program, called Rock Your World, guides students to identify universal human rights and / or sustainable development goals that matter to them, and then mentors them through the process of "creative activism" -- using art and media to offer solutions to, or raise awareness of, global problems.

Shorecrest Upper School students in Mrs. Brazee's U.S. History Honors classes recently started a four week exploration of the American Revolution. To understand the causes of the Revolution, namely the role of the Boston Tea Party, students were asked to create a political cartoon based on the December 20,1773, “Boston Gazette” headline "High Tea in Boston Harbor."

Shorecrest Upper School Outdoor Club members, led by Lou Richard '23, volunteered to clear the Lower School garden beds. “Farmer Ray” Wunderlich from Wunderfarms helped second graders get the gardens started.

Shorecrest Upper School’s eleventh grade American Literature course, taught by Ms. Updike, encourages students to creatively contextualize the historical realities of Puritanical life and the Salem witch trials during the study of Hawthorne's “The Scarlet Letter.”

Shorecrest students value their role as global citizens. Our school has a strong history of students and families embracing international opportunities, both as hosting visitors and as serving as ambassadors of the school and country abroad. In addition, we are fortunate to have families who are citizens of other countries choose to be a part of the Shorecrest community.

Shorecrest Chargers Varsity Sailing co-Captains, Guthrie Braun '22 and Ethan Danielson '22, have qualified to race for the Cressy Cup - the high school, single-handed sailing national championship.

The College Counseling Team is hosting its annual Junior Journey event for the Class of 2023 students and families on October 5 from 7-8 pm in the JRT. Don't miss out on this critical information about the college process.

Chargers Middle School Swim vs. Berkeley Prep, Canterbury & Tampa Prep
Girls: Tampa Prep 251, Berkeley Prep 152, Shorecrest 75, Canterbury 47
Boys: Shorecrest 223, Berkeley 154, Tampa Prep 126, Canterbury 102

Chargers Swim and Dive vs. St. Pete High and Seminole High
Boys: Seminole 72, Shorecrest 97 (W)
Shorecrest 63 , St. Pete 120 (L)
Girls: Shorecrest 88, Seminole 92 (L)
Shorecrest 65, St. Pete 114 (L)

From ages 3 to 18, students in St. Pete just received a huge upgrade to their education and schooling experience. Shorecrest Preparatory School celebrated the opening of Charger Commons last month, a massive, two-story multi-use facility that completes the school’s “Transform Campaign.”

Varsity Volleyball Chargers vs. St Pete Catholic: 3-0           
Varsity Volleyball Chargers vs. Northside Christian: 3-0
Varsity Volleyball Chargers vs. Seminole High School: 3-1
JV Volleyball Chargers vs. Northside Christian: 2-0
JV Volleyball Chargers vs. Seminole High School: 1-2
JV Volleyball vs. St. Pete Catholic: 0-2
MS Green Volleyball vs. Pinellas Prep: 12-25 / 21-25
MS Green Volleyball vs. Northside: 20-25 / 15-25

Chargers vs. St. Stephen's Episcopal School: 156-157 (win)
Chargers vs. Tampa Prep: 171-177 (win)
Chargers vs. Tampa Prep: 152-168 (win)
MS Chargers vs. St. Pete Christian and St. Raphaels: 1st place!

Chargers Middle School Football vs. Keswick Christian: 28-6 loss

Chargers Varsity Football vs. Canterbury: 36-0 Win!

After School Clubs will run a second six-week session starting at the end of October. Registration is open now!

Shorecrest students in grades 8-12 are invited to join Ron Heller, US History Teacher, on an exciting 2 week trip to Italy and Greece in early July 2023. Itinerary highlights include: Rome, Florence, Meteora, Delphi, Athens and a three day cruise to Santorini, Mykonos, Patmos and Kusadasi (Ephesus) in Turkey. 

Shorecrest is once again participating in the NFHS Network School Broadcast Program to livestream home games on Haskell Field and in the Crisp Gym. Regular season home games may be streamed free of charge.

On September 22, Sarah Palazzolo, Shorecrest Lower School Dean of Curriculum, hosted an information session for families regarding the ERBs. Watch a video of the session here.

On Friday, September 17, the Lower School kicked off their annual celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Throughout the Month, September 15-October 15, students will participate in a number of festivities, including special Town Meetings, classroom activities and discussion, Hispanic-inspired dishes from SAGE Dining and more!

The ERB tests are an assessment for high achieving students used by many independent schools. Watch a video of the Middle School Download: Understanding ERBs.

Last weekend, Natalia G '26 and Leila H '26 spent time together cleaning up the local environment. They were able to collect a total of 7.63 pounds of trash and even found a wooden footrest from someone's beach chair stuck in the mangroves.

When a student asks me a question, one of my favorite answers is another question: “What do you think?”

Varsity Girls and Boys Swim & Dive Relay Meet: Girls 6th place, Boys 3rd place.
Varsity Girls and Boys Swim at the Tampa Bay Classic Invitational Meet
Girls 4th place, Boys 6th place.

58-0 Win!

Shorecrest Chargers Varsity Boys Golf vs. Canterbury: Win!
Shorecrest Chargers Varsity Girls Golf vs. Canterbury: Win!

Varsity Girls: 6th. Varsity Boys: 8th.

This week, Lower School Shorecrest students enjoyed a presentation by visiting Argentinian student, Carmela.

Final score: 155, third place

3rd place out of 16 teams. Bella Hursey '24 and Maria Happ '24 were both named to the All Tournament Team. 

Shorecrest seniors Christian Bepler '22 and Emily Forney '22 have been named 2022 National Merit Semifinalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. The two Shorecrest seniors earned their semifinalist status with their exceptional scores on the 2020 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Semifinalists, representing less than 1% of U.S. high school seniors, include the highest-scoring entrants in each state.

Chargers Varsity Football vs. Riverside Christian: 28-18 Win

Since joining the community in 2002, Lisa Peck - Upper School science teacher, alumni parent and Shorecrest grandparent - has created a lasting legacy at Shorecrest. In 2016, Mrs. Peck and her husband John were instrumental in establishing Medical Sciences as a signature Upper School program at Shorecrest. In honor of the Peck family's dedication to the program, The Center for Medical Sciences has been renamed the Peck Center for Medical Sciences.

Today was the second of two Charger Chats, in person gatherings over coffee, hosted by me and the Board members of the Shorecrest Community Association (SCA). SCA is Shorecrest's version of a Parents' Association and these morning events were a chance for parents, new and returning, to learn more about SCA, Shorecrest volunteer opportunities, and how to take an active role in the Shorecrest community.

Dr. Pagano, an orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in spinal diseases/deformities at All Florida Orthopaedic - and Shorecrest parent - came and spoke to the Shorecrest Upper School Pre-Med Club members.

To help make their summer reading book selections more memorable, Shorecrest sixth graders made book trailers on iMovie to advertise the books. The interdisciplinary mini projects combined literacy with technology.

Seniors in Dystopian Literature Honors English class enjoyed presenting their idea of the worst apocalypse.

Now in its fifth year, Jack and Jill and its partners host the Tampa Bay Area's only HBCU College Fair. During the virtual college fair, attendees will have the opportunity to speak to alumni and admissions reps from colleges and universities, as well as to talk with dedicated experts about general college-related topics including the college admissions process, financial aid, scholarships, Greek life, and more.

Some minor adjustments to the Upper School daily schedule will go into effect on Monday, September 20.

One goal of The Experiential School of Tampa Bay is to help little ones develop language, literacy and math skills and concepts through scientific and social experiences and projects. One such project is happening right now in Junior Kindergarten - a color study unit.

Researchers all over the world have spent time understanding the relationship between spontaneous play and language / literacy development.

A delegation of Argentinian students arrived at Shorecrest this week to visit fourth, fifth and sixth grades, with their teacher Julieta Correas, who has brought Argentinian students to Shorecrest since 2004. Eight Middle School Chargers are acting as ambassadors for the visitors.

Chargers MS Golf vs. Canturbury, Thurgood Marshall and the Open team: 2nd place

The Varsity Girls came in 4th place. The Varsity and JV Boys both finished in 3rd place. 

Chargers Middle School Football vs. Indian Rocks Christian: Loss

Chargers JV Volleyball vs. St Pete High: 1-2 (20-25, 25-20, 15-6)
Chargers JV Volleyball vs. Keswick Christian: 2-0
Chargers JV Volleyball vs. Northside Christian: 0-2 Loss
Chargers Varsity Volleyball vs. Pinellas Park: 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-22)
Chargers Varsity Volleyball vs. Keswick Christian: 0-3
Chargers Varsity Volleyball vs. Northside Christian: 2-3

SCA volunteers lead and support many committees with various functions on campus. Find a list of SCA Committees and contacts and the best volunteering fit for you - go to www.shorecrest.org/SCA.

As testing season approaches, parents of students with learning differences should be aware that it may be necessary to apply for accommodations with the College Board and the ACT in anticipation of standardized testing.

Tomorrow will be twenty years since the terrorist events occurred which shocked America. Those of us of a certain age can well remember that beautiful blue-sky morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001, when the World Trade Center and Pentagon were attacked, effectively changing our lives and our society forever. Today’s Shorecrest students were not even born when the attacks on 9/11 took place, but it is safe to say that their world has been deeply shaped by the events and their aftermath.

On Friday, August 27, 2021, the Shorecrest Preparatory School community gathered to celebrate the opening of the second floor of Charger Commons, the final phase of the School’s most recent capital project. With the ribbon-cutting and reveal, the Transform Campaign was officially closed, ending the 3+ year journey to complete the Shorecrest campus master plan and bring the entire PK3-12 community together.

After a strenuous application and interview process with the local American Legion Post, Shorecrest Preparatory School senior Nathan Brown ‘22 was selected to spend time last June in Tallahassee as a member of the 77th Florida Boys State. To be selected as a delegate, applicants must be a high school junior who demonstrates strong academic performance, excellent interpersonal and leadership skills, and confidence while speaking publicly.

Click here to watch a quick video of tips on how to filter the calendar to find what you need quickly, or sync it to your device.

It is around this time of year - the second and third weeks of school - that Shorecrest teachers begin to conduct formal types of assessments for literacy (reading, writing and spelling) and math. The assessments are to help teachers learn more about each student -- not only their level, but what they know, how they learn, and what their needs are at this point in time.

Any Upper School students interested in playing basketball are invited to begin conditioning with Coach Bearden starting on Monday, September 13.

JV and Varsity Girls & Boys Cross Country teams ran in the IRC Invitational on September 2.

On Thursday, September 2, the Middle School Football Chargers played vs. Northside Christian and lost 38-14.

Chargers 140 - 1st place vs LCC, St. Petersburg Christian, St. Raphaels

On Friday, September 3, the Varsity Football Chargers lost to Lakeside Christian: 36-31.

Varsity Girls Golf vs. Tampa Prep: Won 170-180.
Varsity Boys Golf vs. Tampa Prep: Loss 176-161.

Boys: Shorecrest 66, Osceola 110 (Loss); Shorecrest 90, Boca Ciega 80 (Win)
Girls: Shorecrest 83, Osceola 102 (Loss); Shorecrest 122, Boca Ciega 45 (Win)

Varsity Volleyball vs. Academy of Holy Names: 0-3 (15-25, 14-25, 14-25)
JV Volleyball vs. Academy of Holy Names: L 0-2
Varsity Volleyball vs. ODA: 3-1 (25-18, 22-25, 25-19, 25, 13)
MS Gold Volleyball vs. Out of Door Academy: Win 25-15, 21-25

Is it your family's first year at Shorecrest? First-Year Families are invited to meet with key administrators including Alvanita Hope, Director of Enrollment Management & Financial Aid; Michael Gillis, Director of Advancement; and Stacy Alexander, Director of Alumni & Community Engagement, to openly discuss their Shorecrest experience. Meet and Greets will begin on August 30.

One essential aspect of working with loose parts is that they are developmentally inclusive.

Shorecrest has contracted with Total Transportation to provide one-way bus transportation from the Belleair Bluffs / Largo area to Shorecrest for K-12 students with an intended start date of Monday, September 13.

With the completion of the first few weeks of classes, members of the community are settling into their rhythm and routines. There are so many scenes of campus life that I want to share. These vignettes are just a snippet of the student experience, but they offer insight into the essence of Shorecrest, as the new school year unfolds.

Shorecrest fourth graders completed their first writing unit - memoir writing. They started the school year with this topic to build community by learning more about themselves and each other.

If your child is interested in being part of the fifth grade band, please register via CampBrain.

The Shorecrest experience gives students the opportunity to pursue their interests both formally and informally. For student musicians, that could mean creating an independent study like Wade LeCain ‘22 did, or sharing an original song during advisory like Mila Salamone ‘22.

Varsity Boys and Girls Swim and Dive vs. St. Petersburg Catholic & Indian Rocks Christian    
Boys: Shorecrest 104, SPC 68; Shorecrest 138, IRC 15  
Girls:  Shorecrest 134, SPC 37; Shorecrest 141, IRC 32  
Varsity Boys and Girls Swim and Dive vs. Berkeley Preparatory School    
Girls: (Loss) Berkeley 199.5, Shorecrest 94.5
Boys: (Loss) Berkeley 156, Shorecrest 134

Chargers vs. All Saints Academy: 35-34 Win (in overtime)

All Chargers Volleyball teams played Keswick Christian on August 27.

Varsity Volleyball vs. Northeast High: 3-0 (25-12, 25-18, 25-17)
JV Volleyball vs. Northeast High: L 2-1
MS Gold Volleyball vs. St. Pete Christian: Win! 16-25, 25-19, 15-5
MS Green Volleyball vs. St. Pete Christian: 13-25, 16-25

Registration for After School clubs is available now through September 10 at shorecrest.campbrainregistration.com.

During the 2020-21 school year, the Shorecrest Performing Arts production of the musical "Something Rotten!" was reviewed as part of the Broadway Star of the Future program. Cían McCarthy ‘22 was nominated for Outstanding Actor in a Musical and represented Shorecrest in a performance at The Straz Center on May 29. He received the award for Best Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of William Shakespeare in the musical. He was also offered a $60,000 scholarship to AMDA.

Join us in person, on campus, for coffee with Head of School Nancy Spencer to learn more about SCA.

The first match of the season was a great warm up for the Varsity Golf Chargers. No score due to weather.  
Varsity Girls Golf vs. Calvary Christian: Win
Varsity Boys Golf vs. Calvary Christian: Win

Shorecrest will offer a modified Flexible Learning program for the 2021-2022 school year for specific, documented medical reasons. Read about the two categories of Flex Learners for 2021-2022.

At 8:10am Friday morning, the entire Lower School community gathered outside of Charger Commons to celebrate the first Town Meeting of the 2021-2022 school year. This Lower School community tradition was especially joyful after hosting mostly virtual Town Meetings during the 2020-2021 school year.

Along with the excitement of a new academic year came the educational opportunity of a Mayoral Primary Election.

Upper School Art Teacher Casey McDonough will have his art featured this summer in the exhibit Skyway 20/21: A Contemporary Collaboration, June 14 – September 1, 2021, at the USF Contemporary Art Museum.

Children can spend a long time playing with ordinary objects such as boxes or rocks. What makes these simple materials so exciting is the fact that they create space for curiosity and give kids free rein to creativity and imagination. In the world of Early Childhood we call these materials loose parts.

Congratulations to Julianne Lurie '25, a participant in the US Equestrian Interscholastic Athlete Program.

Varsity Volleyball vs. Largo: 25-27, 25-12, 25-19, 25-17.
JV Volleyball vs. Largo: 25-18, 15-25, 15-13.

Parents of seniors are strongly encouraged to join College Counseling for Senior Launch on Thursday, September 2 from 6-7pm in the Janet Root Theatre.

Information is available for students rising into grades 6-12 interested in participating in Shorecrest Athletics in fall 2021.

This week The Experiential School opened its doors to students and their families for the 2021-2022 school year. Together they explored our flexible environment and used a variety of materials to engage in meaningful collaboration. The teachers were so happy to greet everyone and the students were thrilled to welcome their parents for our special activity.

Shorecrest Upper School opened the first day of the 2021-2022 school year with a tradition: Convocation.

Shorecrest is excited to announce new additions and changes to our faculty and staff for the 2021-22 school year.

Upper School Computer Science Teacher Melissa Estremera recently co-authored the 2022 edition of The Princeton Review’s “AP Computer Science Principles Prep” book. She has graded the Computer Science Principles AP exams nationally for 4 years, and has taught the course every year since it was released in 2016.

Shorecrest sixth, seventh and eighth graders are invited to audition for this year's Middle School Musical: "Annie Jr."

This summer, the Shorecrest chapter of the Business Professionals of America completed a group service project. The team built a turtle raft at Kelly Lake Park. Did you know basking in the sun is an important part of reptile maintenance?

After a very intensive application and selection process, Ethan Danielson ‘22 was selected by the Coolidge Foundation as one of only 100 Coolidge Senators. 

Miles F., a new fourth grader at Shorecrest, started a business a few years ago - Kids Saving Oceans (www.kidssavingoceans.com) - with the goal of raising money to save oceans, beaches, and marine life. On August 12, 2021, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in partnership with the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), announced the 2021 recipients of the President’s Environmental Youth Award (PEYA). Miles was awarded in Region 4, Award Category K-5!

A short video with tips for reading Ebytes each week to get all the news from Shorecrest.

Caleb Kravitz '20 will be competing in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – the premier swimming event to determine who will reach Tokyo and compete as a member of Team USA in July.

View a recording of our Charger Chat with Adriana Hollenbeck, incoming Head of The Experiential School.

Read the latest issue of Shorecrest Magazine, now available online!

Are you tired of searching for the perfect "3-prong, plastic folder with pockets?" SCA can help! Let us shop for your child's school supplies this year. SCA will gather school supplies and have them ready and waiting in your child's classroom - saving you time and money.
(NOTE: there are some supplies on each list SCA does not provide. Please read on and find the list for the grade your child(ren) will be entering.)

Shorecrest fifth grade Science Teacher Selene Willis is one of 18 K-12 STEM teachers in the US to be named a 2021-2022 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow. She and her fellowship cohort will spend 11 months in Washington, D.C. serving in a Federal agency or U.S. Congressional office engaged in national education initiatives. Ms. Willis has been selected to work with the NASA Science Mission Directorate Science Activation program.

The R2D2s were awarded the third place Champion Award for the state of Florida. Due to their high placement in the State of Florida tournament, they were invited to represent the Region at the FLL Virtual Open International Greece Tournament! The event will host 200 teams from across the globe to compete in an online event, while Greece celebrates 200 years of independence.

Fifth grade students presented projects representing their unit focused on the book "Willa of the Wood" by Robert Beatty.

Since January, second graders have been reviving the Lower School campus garden. Students selected plants, designed and planted the gardens, and were responsible for the upkeep of the space.

Tap into the many supports available to help your students look after their mental health this summer.

Third graders recently wrapped up a months-long interdisciplinary force and motion investigation project highlighting physics and STEAM skills. Teachers introduced the unit with a driving question: “How do things move?”

On Saturday, May 22, the 81-member Class of 2021 were the first at Shorecrest Preparatory School to receive their diplomas on the Charger Commons Greenspace. Among the graduating class were 7 students recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corp., 1 military appointment, 2 Presidential Scholar candidates, 3 NCAA committed student-athletes, many Thespians, at least 2 pilots and 4 sets of twins!

Each spring, the Shorecrest Community Association chooses a winner of the Janet Root Volunteer Service Award. The award is presented by past winners of this prestigious award to a volunteer who has made an impact on campus for many years. This year, the winner was presented with her award and a gift at a surprise gathering attended by many past winners along with Nancy Spencer, Head of School.

During the last month of the 2020-2021 academic year, students and faculty gathered to participate in Global Scholars Initiative thesis defense presentations. After each presentation, the Q and A session transitioned into extended academic discussions that continued well past the standard dinner hour. These organic moments of scholarly inquiry are a testament to the students and faculty in GSI.

A hub has been created on our website for members of the Class of 2021 as well as their friends and families: www.shorecrest.org/2021

TRP Insurance provides a 75% pro-rated refund upon a non-medical withdrawal, subject to conditions. July 31 is the deadline to purchase this plan for the 2021-2022 school year.

Summer Reading/Supply Lists will be published in the last Ebytes newsletter of the school year on Friday, May 28.

The theatre department recently celebrated the accomplishments of Upper School performing artists.

Upper School students, families, faculty and staff gathered to honor academic achievements and beyond on the Charger Commons Greenspace on May 21, 2021. Congratulations to all of our students for a very successful school year under extraordinary conditions!

This week’s Contributing Charger is Dr. Jean Spencer-Carnes, Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management. Since 1995, Jean has supported Shorecrest philanthropically and with her time and talent. We asked her to reveal a little about herself and why Shorecrest is important to her.

Graduation implies the completion of something, a phase of life that is coming to an end. We also use the word Commencement for this end-of-school ritual. The two words offer differing perspectives because Commencement means looking forward to a new beginning, commencing a new stage of life. Of course, Saturday night, Shorecrest seniors will experience both, as the Class of 2021 graduates, and commences on to new challenges.

Shorecrest Middle School held its annual Middle School Awards Assemblies in the Janet Root Theatre for students and livestreamed the events for families and friends. Awards were presented for academic achievement, Citizen of the Year, Spark Awards in each grade level, as well as the Harold Bruggeman Award and Garrett Staples Award.

The award-winning Shorecrest Middle School Thespians in grades 6-8 presented the play "Stone Soup" on May 13 and 14, 2021, at 6:30pm in the MS Quad at Shorecrest Preparatory School.

Members of the Middle School Rock Bands will have a showcase on Thursday, May 27 in the Janet Root Theatre at 7pm. Over the last two months they recorded the music that they've learned in the school's project recording studio and will be showcasing the product (like music videos of our students, by our students.)

Each fall the Sunshine State Young Reader’s Award contest is part of the literary curriculum offered to students in Shorecrest third and fourth grades. This year 36 third and fourth grade students voluntarily participated in the Sunshine State Young Reader's Award voting contest and read 3 or more of the books on the list.

Ms. Jeakle and Ms. Parrott applied through NOAA for Shorecrest to earn an Ocean Guardian School Distinction.

The SCA Nominating Committee is pleased to present the following slate of officers for the 2021-2022 school year.

Upper School chemistry students spent this semester working in small groups to research applications of chemical concepts outside of the classroom. 

A main topic of investigation for Junior Kindergarteners in Mrs. Rosas’ class throughout second semester was the zoo and the animals found there. JK teaching assistant Ms. Trayer, who has a background in animation, wanted to capture the ongoing narrative the children were creating about animals in the classroom. She taught them how to create a stop-motion video.

JK Families are encouraged to view a video that provides an overview of the Kindergarten curriculum and teaching practices - your child's next step at Shorecrest. The Lower School’s Kindergarten program is a continuation of all the play, inquiry, exploration, observation and project-based learning your child has experienced.

Middle School Spanish Teacher Señora Miller (nom de plume Nayka Barrios Jaén) recently published a book written with her students in mind. “Las Aventuras de Enrique en Panamá” is a comprehensible input reader, and the Shorecrest Preparatory School Class of 2025 were enthusiastic beta readers.

There are additional Yearbooks available for purchase ($50). Interested parties should email Casey McDonough at cmcdonough@shorecrest.org.

As the school year winds down and I look back at the past 11 months, I am filled with appreciation and gratitude. Thanks to the tremendous work of so many, this year has wildly exceeded our expectations. I am humbled by the amount of time and effort that it has required of faculty and staff, parents and students to have such a successful school year amidst the many challenges posed by COVID-19.

At Shorecrest, when fourth graders roll up to fifth grade, they actually take the leap from Lower School to Middle School. This is celebrated with a brief ceremony in the Janet Root Theatre each year that reflects on Lower School memories. The community is invited to virtually join the Fourth Grade Moving Up Ceremony on Thursday, May 27 from 8:30-9am. The event will be livestreamed via Webex.

The Intuitive Foundation provided Shorecrest Preparatory School with a grant to support a project that would provide women and other underrepresented communities with more opportunities to promote health, advance education and/or reduce human suffering. The expertise of dedicated members of the Upper School Girls STEAM Club was channeled into a student-produced podcast series focused on diversity and women in STEM-related fields.

During the 2020-21 school year, the Shorecrest Performing arts productions of the play "Our Town" and the musical "Something Rotten!" were reviewed as part of the Broadway Star of the Future program presented by the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts. The shows, casts and creative teams received high praise from the judges and multiple award nominations.

At the FHSAA 1A State Track and Field meet last week, the Girls Chargers finished in 11th place in the State and the Boys finished 21st in the State. Sonoma Kasica '24 was the State Champion in Javelin with a new school record!

Congratulations to Tatum Hostetter ‘22 for winning a $2,500 Hounchell Scholarship in Literary Arts from TBBCA (Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture and the Arts).

Ms. Janack’s fifth grade social studies classes have been connecting with pen pals globally via the Penpal Schools website. Pen pals connect through a variety of curriculum topics. Ms. Janack’s students connected through the World Explorer topic and are learning about foods, daily life, art, literature, and pop culture around the world via lessons and videos on the PenPal Schools website.

Dating back to Shorecrest’s first graduating class in 1976, Upper School faculty established a tradition of selecting an Outstanding Senior. The Outstanding Senior represents all of the best qualities and characteristics of a Shorecrest student: leadership, scholarship, mentorship and service. The Class of 2011 Outstanding Senior, Austin Fuss, will speak at the Commencement of the Class of 2021 this May.

Shorecrest has partnered with FACTS Tuition Management for billing and payments of tuition and related fees. All families are required to set up and maintain a FACTS account in order to be invoiced for the upcoming school year. Please set up your FACTS account ASAP if you haven’t already done so as 2021-22 tuition payments will be invoiced and due in May.

The Entrepreneurial Design Institute (EDI) is a new signature program for eighth graders at Shorecrest in which Chargers address community needs through entrepreneurial thinking. Students recently developed a business idea and explored a variety of tools to develop the venture while practicing the entrepreneurial mindset.

Little Mathletes Summer Camp: July 12-16, July 19-23.
Little Artists Summer Camp: June 14-18, July 5-9.

In honor of Mother's Day, I thought that it would be interesting to hear from my daughter, Sally Sandoval, in this week's Ebytes. Sally lives in New York City and works for the NBA. She is a graduate of Westminster School in Connecticut and Dartmouth College. 

May 1 is National College Decision Day, the day many colleges and universities request a commitment from incoming students. Members of Class of 2021, as well as faculty and staff, wore college T-shirts to campus on Monday, May 3, to celebrate the seniors. 

Congratulations to the Varsity Softball Chargers who fought hard in the Regional Quarterfinals this week. In the end they lost to Academy at the Lakes 9 to 3.

The Middle School robotics teams recently competed in the FIRST LEGO League Regional Championships. Team 1448, The Force, won a Breakthrough Award, celebrating their progress in confidence and capability in both the Robot Game and Innovation Project while acting as shining examples of excellent Core Values. Team 1449, The R2D2s, won the top Core Values Award and also had the second highest scoring robot with 355 points.

Congratulations to the Shorecrest students who participated in this year's Florida State History Day competition. Three projects have advanced to the virtual National contest in June!

National Geographic canceled this year’s national Geo Bee competition this year due to COVID-19. That didn’t stop the fifth graders from a fierce grade level geography competition. Walker was victorious, earning a first place medal and a party for his advisory.

Shorecrest Chargers student-athletes were named to the All-District Baseball team.

This week, the Charger Blvd. carpool lane became the scene of feats of balance, strength and determination. Our youngest Chargers showed off their skills on 2-4 wheels at three Alpha on the Go! events.

The Shorecrest Track and Field Chargers recently went down to Naples for the Regional track meet. After a long day of competition, Shorecrest had a number of athletes advance to the State meet in Jacksonville, including two Regional Champions!

Shorecrest Upper School Science Teacher Dan Burkett has been named a National Geographic Certified Educator. National Geographic certifies educators committed to making the world a better place by empowering students to be informed decision-makers equipped to solve meaningful challenges in their communities and beyond. For his capstone project, Mr. Burkett taught his Shorecrest Upper School chemistry students about ocean acidification. 

Shorecrest Upper School students in Mrs. Brazee's U.S. Honors History class participated in a Red Scare mock trial. AP Psychology students had the opportunity to observe the mock trial and relate it to concepts they are learning about in a unit on Social Psychology.

On Activity Day, students in junior kindergarten excitedly moved through different habitats.

Shorecrest junior kindergarteners were curious to learn about different animals and their habitats. As a representation of their research on a specific animal, they made a costume to exhibit for the grade.

Shorecrest Upper School students in Ms. Ekblad's Studies in Culture class studied the Lindy Hop vs. hip hop, looking at correspondences between the music, dance styles, and social role of these two art forms within their cultural contexts.

The Shorecrest Sailing Chargers travelled to Miami to compete in the SAISA District Team Race Championship and National Qualifier. The two-day event showed a broad range of sailing conditions from no wind to a steady 12 knot seabreeze towards the end of each day. Out of the 6 teams from the South Atlantic district that attended, Shorecrest finished 5th.

The award-winning Shorecrest Performing Arts Thespians were back in the Janet Root Theatre for the hilarious musical “Something Rotten!” Nominated for numerous Tony Awards^® including Best Musical, “Something Rotten!” was performed April 23 - May 1, 2021, at Shorecrest Preparatory School.

Campers rising into grades 1-4 can come experience Camp NOLA with LS Music Teacher Miss Marilyn this summer! Jazz, dancing, and Mardi Gras - OH MY!

This summer we have a fun Ukulele Camp for students rising into grades 4-6 with Marilyn Johnson, our LS Music Teacher! Experienced players AND brand new beginners can get a week of ukulele basics, two times during the summer. A personal ukulele is not required, there are more than enough on campus.

In addition to the exciting variety of specialized camps Shorecrest hosts all summer, campers rising into JK (age 4 years) through sixth grade can also enjoy Day Camp! Day Camp features activities with weekly themes, field trips, sports, games, arts and water fun.

A special thank you to Jeremy Reiskind '13, Alex Eaton '14, Sabrina Murphy '15 and Seif El Masry '16 for taking part in our first installment of our virtual Career Mini-Series. The goal of the Career Mini-Series is to provide an opportunity for current Shorecrest students to explore the breadth of career options available to them.

Sitting in the welcoming Janet Root Theatre, relishing the experience of watching our student performers in the hilarious musical “Something Rotten!” I was struck not only by the talent of our students, but also by the famous Shakespeare quotation from “Hamlet,” appropriated in the story line by Nigel, which declares, “To thine own self be true.”

In partnership with the James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art, Walker Willis '19 is hosting a virtual series with environmentalists to discuss their perspectives on wildlife conservation and how art can inspire the community to champion the preservation of habitat and biodiversity.

Kindergarteners were given wood forms of all shapes and sizes to use to construct sculptures of animal or human figures.

Shorecrest Performing Arts' “Something Rotten!” was reviewed last week as part of the Broadway Star of the Future program presented by the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts. The show, cast and creative team received high praise from the judges and multiple award nominations.

This spring students in The Experiential School of Tampa Bay have been exploring all properties of clay - from recycling clay back to its true form, to spinning clay on a pottery wheel, and more.

Kindergartener Loretta L. celebrated her recent sixth birthday by making a difference and helping the environment. 

Honors Chemistry students applied their knowledge of acid-base reactions, precipitation reactions, and redox reactions, to observe the copper cycle. 

Every year the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF) organizes a poster design contest for elementary and middle school students. Shorecrest seventh grader Gaston G. '26 won second place.

An historic season for the Varsity Tennis Chargers ended at the State Semifinal number 1 doubles team round. The Chargers boys number 1 doubles team of Stefan Bilanovic ‘23 and Tyler Del Zoppo ‘21 represented Shorecrest at the FHSAA State Championships end of season tournament held at Sylvan Lake Park on April 26-28 in Orlando.

Shannon Wright ‘20 has been selected as one of the Top 30 in the nation for collegiate submissions in Broadway’s “Next On Stage” Season 3 competition! The winner will be determined by vote... so please vote for Shannon!

If you have an interest in serving on the SCA Board for the next academic year, or know someone who would be a great fit, nominations and self-nominations are underway!

After an extensive national search, we are pleased to announce that Adriana Hollenbeck, a highly talented and experienced early childhood educator, has been named Head of The Experiential School of Tampa Bay. Beginning with the 2021-2022 school year, Adriana will ensure that our Experiential School program thrives and continues to provide the best educational foundation for our youngest learners.

Shorecrest Preparatory School senior Evan Hoefer '21, previously named a candidate as a 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts, has been notified of his selection as a semifinalist.

Art instruction is interwoven throughout the Shorecrest curriculum. To celebrate the lessons and skills taught all year, each spring we highlight Celebrate the Arts Week.

I recently learned of the death of Dr. Vartan Gregorian, noted academic, past president of the Carnegie Corporation, and 16th president of my alma mater Brown University. Of his many career accomplishments, what stands out to me the most was his advocacy for the New York City Public Library in the 1980s. He championed the importance of libraries as integral to the values of America, and he identified the impact of reading and education as central to his own story as an Armenian immigrant. As someone who spent so many happy afternoons of my own childhood at my local library, the legacy of Dr. Gregorian resonates strongly with me.

Listen in on a "SCA Zoom Call" to hear from the 2021 Big Event Committee.

To acknowledge Earth Day, the sixth graders built a piece of art with an Earth Day theme. Trader Joe's on Fourth Street will display some of the projects over the weekend.

Designed for high school graduates looking to better prepare themselves for college, the Shorecrest PG Program offers students a one year, personalized, accelerated curriculum with opportunities to engage in-depth in a student’s area of interest including Medical Sciences, Global Studies, STEM, Visual/Performing Arts, and more.

We are very fortunate to have this summer program run by Shorecrest Head Varsity Volleyball Coach Courtney Draper, who has over 20 years of NCAA College Coaching experience. Players will be divided by age and ability with everything from a beginners court to an advanced court. The varsity level players will have positional breakouts and the middle school courts will have an all skills development approach.

Save the date for Cheerleading Tryouts! The team is open to girls rising into 6th grade through rising into 12th grade.

One of Shorecrest's greatest assets is our Community, specifically our behind-the-scenes volunteers. We asked long time community member and SCA Board member, Mandy Rutledge, to share what it means to be a part of the Shorecrest Community.

The Chargers Varsity Tennis Girls team had a hard fought win over Tampa Prep at Regional Semifinals. They lost in the finals at Berkeley. The Chargers Varsity Tennis Boys team's season concluded with a strong showing in the Regional Semifinals and we are proud of them. The boys number 1 doubles team advances to the State Championship in Orlando.

St. Petersburg-based private school Shorecrest Preparatory School has launched a program intended to bring non-enrolled students to its school for a year.

Students rising into grades K-2 are invited to join Corinne Leavengood '14, Kindergarten Associate Teacher, this summer to explore the beauty of nature and art!

On Monday, April 12, the Athletic Department celebrated three Chargers from the Class of 2021 who will be continuing their athletic careers at the next level. Congratulations to our athletes, their coaches, and their families on being recognized for their dedication.

The Shorecrest Preparatory School Upper School Honor Society chapters inducted their newest members at a special assembly in the Janet Root Theatre Lobby and virtually this week.

After an extensive national search, Shorecrest is pleased to welcome Ms. Alvanita Hope as the incoming Director of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid. Currently the Director of Enrollment at The Friends School of Atlanta in Decatur, Georgia, Ms. Hope and her family will join the Shorecrest community in June.

One of my fondest early memories from childhood is of my father taking me and my twin brother Rob to school for our first day of Pre-K at Sheridan School in Washington, D.C. It was a busy morning drop-off, not unlike here at Shorecrest, and I remember my dad walking us into the school, and then kneeling down with one arm around each of us as we gazed wide-eyed around the cheerful classroom. Looking back at that moment, when I was surrounded by family, teachers and other students, I realize how many people have put their arms around me to support me throughout my school experiences. This first day of Pre-K is a special memory because I now know that this was my first experience of what it means to be a part of a school community.

Congratulations to the Chargers Varsity Girls Tennis Team for clinching the FHSAA 1A District 10 Championship yesterday! Congratulations to the Boys Tennis team who finished Runner-Up in the 1A, District 10 Championship, behind Calvary Christian. Both teams will advance to Regional competition on Tuesday, April 20.

Shorecrest is proud to announce that Mr. Marcus Holmes will join the Shorecrest Administrative team as Director of Facilities. Marcus has extensive experience in campus operations, safety and facilities management. He comes to Shorecrest from Christian Heritage School in Dalton, Georgia, where he serves as the Director of Facilities and Campus Safety. He begins his duties at Shorecrest in May. 

Through dreamy watercolors and poetic phrasing, Shorecrest parent Jon Hoefer’s latest book, “Avery’s Gift,” tells the story of little Avery who wakes up in the middle of the night with a serious problem! With the help of a fox, an owl and a boy named Dalton, Avery goes on a quest... and finds many meaningful things along the way. Mr. Hoefer shared an earlier version of his story with fourth graders this school year, and spoke with them about his creative process, writing, publishing and more. 

Fifth graders are busy ideating, designing and creating for their units on playwriting and puppetry in Ms. Nelson's Theatre class. They will make a variety of puppet types, including sock puppets, hand puppets, rod puppets and try their hands at shadow puppets.

In January, Shorecrest freshman Eric Heston '24 competed in the 2021 US Figure Skating Championship Series. He placed second in the country in his age group! His results qualified him for the 2021 National Development Team.

Please see the attached calendar for the 2021-2022 school year. This calendar is also posted at www.shorecrest.org/calendar. We strive to publish this information as early as possible to help faculty, staff, students and families plan ahead.

During Service Week, ninth, tenth and twelfth grade students at Shorecrest gave back to the community in ways they couldn’t recently, reinforcing empathetic and compassionate behavior.

One of Shorecrest's greatest assets is our Community, specifically our behind-the-scenes volunteers. We asked long time community member and this year’s SCA co-Secretary, Natalie Peck Spada ’96, to share what it means to be a part of the Shorecrest Community.

Join the fun and competition of Nike Volleyball Camps during Summer at Shorecrest!

Tune-up those fine motor skills this summer with Jessi Acosta, Shorecrest Kindergarten Associate Teacher.

In sixth grade art class, students are learning about pop artist and philanthropist Keith Haring.

I have lived in three different time zones in America. The seven states and District of Columbia that I have called home have been in vastly different climates: New England, the Mid-Atlantic, the Midwest, the Southwest, and now Florida. Spring arrives differently in varying parts of the country; the unfolding of this season makes me delighted to experience my first Florida spring as a resident.

Next week Upper School students and faculty will be participating in Service Week. The school expects that students choosing Virtual Service Week will spend the four days of Service Week (April 6-9) dedicated to serving others and their community. Students should report their hours by Friday, April 9 at 3pm.

Mrs. Palazzolo's fourth graders set up a chemical reaction science experiment for JK students.

Shorecrest Upper School Thespians received stellar results at the 2021 Florida Thespian Virtual State Festival.

The recent announcement of this year’s Academy Awards nominees has me thinking about the power of storytelling. I love going to the movies; it’s one of those activities that I have sorely missed and it is high on my to-do list post-COVID. In fact, the movies, TV shows and plays that I am most drawn to all tend to have compelling storylines. I simply love stories; I am curious about people, so being drawn into someone else’s life - on screen or in person - satisfies my urge to experience new things and see the world in a different way.

The Chargers Track and Field team had some impressive performances on Senior Night, March 25.  Across the board, countless athletes performed well and represented Shorecrest phenomenally.

Each fourth grader chose a musician from an extensive list of diverse musicians. They conducted research in music class to learn more about them. Students then selected a project type to showcase their learning: a newspaper article, a comic strip, a timeline or a poster about the musician.

We asked Upper School faculty member Charla Gaglio to reveal a little about herself and the subjects she teaches. Mrs. Gaglio is the Chair of the Visual Arts Department at Shorecrest and teaches classes for drawing & painting, photography, humanities, AP Art History and Intro to Women’s Studies.

Varsity Track and Field Chargers competed at Berkeley Prep on March 19. There were 3 team PRs set that day!

All staff, faculty and students who are fully vaccinated will NOT need to be quarantined after exposure to COVID-19 if they meet the criteria of being a close contact - unless they are exhibiting symptoms. Please send Nurse Conroy a copy of your documentation reflecting your dates of vaccination. This will be required to be deemed not a "close contact" during our contact tracing efforts.

Members of the Shorecrest second grade team provided a video preview of second grade. This presentation was designed specifically for parents/guardians of current Shorecrest first graders.

Members of the Shorecrest third grade team provided a video preview of third grade. This presentation was designed specifically for parents/guardians of current Shorecrest second graders.

Kristine Marquez Grant, Head of Middle School, and other members of the Shorecrest Middle School team, gave a preview of fifth grade.

This week 1,700 students received news of their recognition at the national level of the Scholastic Arts & Writing Awards program. Heidi Hicks '21 won a Gold Medal for her painting, "Perception."

The 2021 Florida State Thespian Festival was held virtually this year. Eighteen of Shorecrest's 23 Jr. Thespian Troupe 88197 members attended. Twelve Jr. Thespian acts received adjudication at the state level with the following results:

Congratulations to the Shorecrest Chargers who participated in this year's Pinellas History Day competition. 1st and 2nd place winners go on to compete at the state and national level. This year’s theme was Communication in History. 

Shorecrest Upper School French Cían McCarthy ‘22, Théo Simon ‘22, Johnny Elwyn ‘22 and Ben Neuhoff ‘22 won honorable mention in the AATF 2020 National French Week Media Contest. The students received $75, which they donated to students in Senegal to use towards purchasing school supplies.

One special tradition that has brought delight to students and their families over the past decade has been the Glow Eurovision flash mob dance—taught by Middle School’s Music & Chorus Teacher, Stephanie McCarthy.

This week’s Contributing Charger is Dr. Dan Prasatthong '84, an alumnus, a parent of alumna Senna Prasatthong-osoth ‘19, and a long-time supporter of the visual and performing arts at Shorecrest. His dental practice, Levitt and Prasatthong, DDS, PA, is once again our annual Premiere Visual and Performing Arts Sponsor and this week’s Giving Day Sponsor.

Seventh graders Gia B., Sally K. and Brecken P. worked hard on a Saturday with volunteers of the Junior League of St. Petersburg packing 2000 bags full of fun supplies for local children in need.

Shorecrest Upper School students in Spanish IV Honors wrote and illustrated alternative endings  for the Chicano story "Un oso y un amor (A Bear and A Love).”

The Middle School Track Chargers ended their season on Tuesday with a home meet. Even though it was a short track season for Middle School this year, the athletes put out some great performances. It was a lot of fun and everyone did their very best resulting in great improvements throughout the season across the board.

Shorecrest Junior Kindergarteners have been reading various pieces of literature, including "The Umbrella" by Jan Brett, to introduce the layers of the South American rainforest.

Mrs. Montoya's class cheered on a fellow Charger this week during a special moment. Seventh grader Lottie B. sang the national anthem with her father at the Opening Day of the Florida Senate in Tallahassee.

With a nod to The Grateful Dead, it really has been a long, strange trip around the sun this past year. Today’s Ebytes comes almost a year to the day when our lives took a pivot and everything changed. We all have our own stories of March 2020, and I would like to share mine.

Summer programs are a tradition at Shorecrest. A variety of programs are planned for students of all ages running June 7 - August 6.

This week’s Contributing Chargers are Dr. Allen Root, husband to former chair of the Arts and Humanities Department Janet Root H'16, and their family - Jennifer '81, Michael '85, and Jonathan. The Roots continue to support the foundation of success that Janet created during her 40 year span of volunteerism at Shorecrest.

As we use more technology and devices at school and home, students need to learn about navigating their online interactions more than ever. Shorecrest Lower School celebrated Digital Citizenship Week on February 22-26, and used the opportunity to remind our students how to be good digital citizens.

On a warm July afternoon, I climbed into Dave’s golf cart and he drove me all around Shorecrest’s 28 acres for a peek behind the scenes. We cruised from First Street to the pond behind the baseball field (no alligators are living in there right now, although there was one such inhabitant in years past they say…) We then headed towards the back side of campus, behind the football field, to see the Native Classroom.

On November 15, 2020, everyone present at the 1A State Swim and Dive Meet witnessed an incredible performance by Sarah Lankford '22! She earned 1st place in the 200 Free (1:49.21) and 3rd place in the 500 Free (4:55.36). We honored Sarah with the unveiling of a state championship banner which will be a constant reminder for all those who enter the Crisp Gym of her remarkable achievement.

On Saturday, February 20, the Shorecrest Varsity Sailing Chargers traveled to Miami for the first event in the limited SAISA South-points Series hosted by Ransom Everglades High School. The Chargers finished 1st overall out of 18 schools from Florida and the US Virgin Islands!

Please join Kristine Marquez Grant, Head of Middle School, and other members of the Sixth Grade team for a preview of sixth grade. The program is designed for parents/guardians of current fifth graders.

Like many of our beloved faculty members, Coach Cameron’s impact and ability to engage, inspire and lead is a testament to his care for his students and dedication to his profession. Richie Cameron joined the Shorecrest faculty in 2011, and has had the unique opportunity to work in the Lower School, Middle School and Upper School. For the last 5 years, Coach Cameron has been the Health and Fitness teacher in the Upper School, while also serving as Coach for our Track & Field team and the Strength and Performance Coach for all of our Athletic teams.

2-3 Loss to Canterbury Fort Myers. Finished the 2020-2021 season with a 7-6-1 record.

Junior kindergartener Remy H. '34 has been formally accepted into Mensa, the world's oldest high IQ society. At age 5, Remy is the youngest current member in the Tampa Bay Mensa chapter. 

Seven runs in the second inning led the Chargers past Indian Rocks Christian 8-1 on February 16. 

School Counselors Kate Fierce (grades K-8) and Courtney Ellis (grades 9-12) hosted a meaningful presentation and Q&A regarding the manifestation and effects of stress and anxiety in ourselves and children. 

Hailey Levitz '21 and Evan Hoefer '21, both graduating seniors at Shorecrest Preparatory School, have been named candidates for the 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

Jonathan Currie '21, Hailey Levitz '21 and Leddon Zwack '21 have been named National Merit Finalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. All three students were named National Merit Semifinalists and have advanced to the next round of competition. In addition, the Shorecrest Class of 2021 includes Semifinalist Matthew Lovelace and Commended Students Summer Ford, Zachary Hahn and Sam Herlihy.

For three days last weekend, Shorecrest delegates were on campus participating virtually in NAIMUN LVIII (aka Model UN). Committees this year ranged from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and ECOFIN, to historical committees such as the 1948 Politburo of the Soviet Union, 1960 Coca-Cola Board of Directors and the 1973 U.S. Senate. Each committee had a different online format. In addition, breakout rooms were used for lobbying and resolution merging.

Sixth graders in Ms. Williams’ class read “Midnight Without a Moon” by Linda Williams Jackson and created a history tour in their classroom on civil rights issues related to the book.

Shorecrest Chargers Varsity Girls Soccer beat St. Stephens 5-0 in the 2A Regional Quarterfinals. The Chargers move on to play on Friday, February 19 vs Indian Rocks Christian in the 2A Girls Soccer Regional Semi-Finals on Haskell Field at 7pm. More details here.

It is animation time in Lower School! All of the classes in kindergarten through fourth grade will be learning about stop motion animation in the next few months. They will use the Stop Motion Studio app, which can be downloaded for free. It is a fun and easy way to make animations. 

I love coffee. I enjoy the actual beverage itself (hot and cold) and I cherish the rituals and routines of making my own coffee. I especially enjoy meeting other people over coffee and I have spent many hours of my life happily ensconced in lingering conversations over a cup of joe. I am hosting a Carline Coffee on Saturday, February 20, from 9-11am. It’s a chance to say hello, catch up and chat in-person. I look forward to greeting everyone and you can bet that I will have my coffee mug by my side. 

Eighth grade families are invited to schedule a private tour of the Upper School.

Beginning on Wednesday, February 9, 2021, and running through Thursday, February 11, 2021, the Shorecrest Alumni Association asked Chargers Alumni to consider joining The Charger Challenge. 100 Alumni, Alumni Parents and Friends joined the Challenge!

With just 100 days left in the school year, graduation is close enough to taste! (And it’s pretty sweet... or is it bittersweet?) To honor this milestone on the calendar, the Shorecrest Alumni Association celebrated the Class of 2021 with some special treats on Landy Deck.

At the conclusion of the first grade inquiry into the human body, each student identified a part or system of the body they wanted to research, and created a visual representation of their learning. Then students presented what they learned to classmates and some members of School administration. It was a culminating time of critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving.

Shorecrest Upper School students in Honors Physics built energy cars with cardboard and rubber bands. Students took measurements that allowed them to calculate the speed and energy of their cars. Cars had to travel a minimum distance of 2 meters.

Fourth graders in Mrs. Weinkle’s class wrapped up their second Project of the year focused on Sustainability. As a class, they learned about and explored problems related to the environment such as deforestation, soil contamination, single-use plastic, overflowing landfills, and water/air pollution. To culminate this Inquiry work, students were tasked with selecting an area for which they felt they had a solution.

Shorecrest kindergartener Ana Sofia H. made Valentine’s Day cards for neighbors, all on her own. Along with a parent, she went door to door to distribute at least ten cards. Ana Sofia brought so much joy to her neighbors and it made her happy to make her neighbors happy.

Positive Coaching Alliance-Tampa Bay recently announced that Coach Draper has been named a winner of PCA-Tampa Bay’s Regional Double-Goal Coach® Award! The great honor is given to youth sports coaches who embody the ideals of a Double-Goal Coach: striving to win while also pursuing the important goal of teaching life lessons through sports. 

Shorecrest Upper School's French Club completed a special service project. With money the club raised in past years from activities and fees, they were able to make a donation to Excellence Elementary School, a West African primary school in Louga, Senegal, which admits low income families. Chargers were able to give 60 students packs of 10 notebooks each.

At the Pinellas County Art Region’s Virtual Awards Ceremony on February 10, Heidi Hicks '21 won a Scholastic Gold Key American Vision Award and received a cash prize. Only five students earned this prestigious local award, and at least one of them will earn a national Gold Medal!

Junior Kindergarteners in Mrs. Hahn's class enjoyed a celebration that was pretty in pink.

Projects and presentations are a big part of life at Shorecrest. I was recently able to join in and observe students from the Lower School to the Upper School presenting their cumulative projects. In first grade, I viewed their Project Share about the Human Body. I also sat in as English Honors tenth graders presented their “This I Believe” essays in the Janet Root Theatre. I was so impressed by their presentations and projects which exemplified our students’ originality and work ethic, their willingness to talk about their experiences, and the support that they received from their teachers to ensure success. We talk a great deal about project-based learning, and it was inspiring to see this process in practice.

Anyone who has watched my installation video from last August knows that I am a huge fan of Broadway musicals. However, I also love watching sports. Clearly the St. Petersburg-Tampa Bay area is a great place to be a sports lover, especially this weekend as we cheer on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who will play the first Super Bowl in a hometown stadium. I love watching a group of athletes working together to achieve a goal, feeling the intensity of competition, and observing (to date myself) “the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.”

Fourth graders in Ms. Stoddard’s class enjoyed turning the classroom into a pizzeria as they dove deep into their fractions unit.

Fifth grader Lola B. '28 crafted 100 ornaments during quarantine. She raised over $700, and dedicated the money she raised to "adopt" 16 Salvation Army Christmas Angels.

Seven Upper School students submitted short plays they had written to the regional Scholastic Writing Awards, presented by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers. Two Chargers were recognized by Scholastic for their impressive work.

Krish Patel '22 had his ceramic sculpture, entitled "Blue Coral," accepted for exhibition for the 2020 National Conference on Education in Ceramic Arts, and ultimately won an Honorable Mention. 

Chargers vs. Keswick Christian: 8-0 Win!

Please join the Shorecrest College Counseling Team on Tuesday, February 9 at 7pm via Webex.

The Shorecrest Chargers Middle School boys soccer team earned the title of Tampa Bay Interscholastic Soccer League Champion on Friday, January 29.

Last Saturday a dozen members of Shorecrest Upper School's Key Club withstood the chilly conditions of "Florida winter" to help neighbors who are struggling to feed themselves and their families. Over the course of four hours they directed traffic at Tropicana Field as volunteers of Feeding Tampa Bay and loaded cars and trucks with much needed supplies.

In recognition of institutional excellence in marketing and communications, Shorecrest's Health and Safety Statement was a winning entry in the 2020 CASE District III awards, receiving a silver award in the category of Communications Pivot. The CASE (Council for Advancement and Support of Education) District III award programs recognized the very best in advancement across the Southeast during a live, virtual Awards Presentation on Thursday, January 28, 2021.

As my first season of re-enrollment rolls around, I am thinking about the many conversations I have had with this year’s seniors, the only group that is not eligible to return for another year at Shorecrest. I have enjoyed their company over lunch, learned a great deal about the people in their grade, and gained a better understanding of why they love the School and appreciate their Shorecrest experience.

Third graders completed a special project share for their social justice unit. They researched and recorded oral biographies of six well known Changemakers. They also created video clips of illustrated lyrics for three meaningful songs. Each pre-recorded file was posted on a sign around campus using a QR code. On January 22, the Shorecrest Lower School was invited to attend a Children’s March for Social Justice. As K-4 classes followed the route around campus to each of the QR codes, teachers scanned them to share the stories with their students.

Chargers vs St. Pete Catholic: 4-3 Win.
The four senior girls - Lilliana Baralt '21, Lauren Epstein '21, Grace Keller '21, and Georgia Ofenloch '21 - were recognized for their contributions to the Chargers Athletics soccer program.

The path to success doesn’t always follow a straight line and our most recent featured Charger Alumna may be the first to agree with this statement. We recently spoke with Debra Geller, Ed.D. ‘83 about her career path to Associate Dean of Students at UCLA and the impact Shorecrest had on her life. With her unique perspective as a higher education career professional, we also asked Debra to share her advice for our soon to be college-bound seniors.

Start dates and Coaches for Spring Chargers teams.

How to watch livestreamed Haskell Field and Crisp Gym Chargers Athletics home games.

In a week when we have honored the birth of Civil Rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and observed the inauguration of President Joe Biden, the concept of perseverance has been on my mind. Recognizing the dedication of these two men, understanding the role that purpose has in our lives, and acknowledging the limitations of grit are ways that I make sense of perseverance.

Upper School honors chemistry students used the Dumas method to determine the molecular weight of an unknown volatile liquid.

Sixth graders finished up a unit on Chemistry in Mr. Cruise's science class by creating a short stop motion video on ionic bonding. The students used manipulatives and crafts to creatively film a video illustrating and narrating the concepts behind elements forming compounds.

During our distance learning days in spring 2020, Mila Salamone '22 wrote and recorded music with her dad (a former audio engineer). Her original song, "Away," is now available on Apple Music and iTunes.

When conducting technology-related professional learning experiences, I often start my sessions with the video “Know Your Why” by comedian Michael Jr. The lesson shared is that “when you know your ‘why’ then your ‘what’ has more impact, because you’re working towards your purpose.”

Chargers vs Calvary: 3-0 Win.
Chargers vs Largo: 1-3 Loss.

Starting on Wednesday, January 20, Mr. Duran-Medina, Shorecrest's Director of Service Learning, will be leading a service program called SAS (Service after School) for US students who want to earn service hours. 

Seventh grade English students created movie posters based on the independent reading books they read last month. Their posters had to "advertise" the books as if they were becoming major motion pictures. One movie poster - created by Luc H. ‘26 - was a hit with the author of the book, and she shared his work online.

Heather Vidal is a Literacy Specialist in The Learning Center at Shorecrest Preparatory School. She shared some of her tested techniques with other educators in a new book, “Teach Reading with Orton-Gillingham: 72 Classroom-Ready Lessons to Help Struggling Readers and Students with Dyslexia Learn to Love Reading.” The book offers research-based suggestions and lesson plans to make reading multisensory and engaging.

On behalf of the Thespian Faculty Sponsors, Cheryl Lee & Bill Leavengood '78, congratulations to Shorecrest's Troupe 3140 on an outstanding Regional Festival performance! Shorecrest Thespian Troupe 3140 received 25 Superior ratings (the most Shorecrest has ever received) and 12 Excellent ratings from their 37 events - including Top Honors (aka Critic's Choice) for two events.

The Pinellas County Art Region of the Scholastic Art Awards in the Visual Arts received 1,219 student submissions in 14 media categories which were adjudicated by six art judges in the very prestigious Scholastic national art recognition program. Click to view awards earned this year by Upper School Chargers.

After learning about the early Russian Empire, ninth grade Global Studies classes are taking virtual trips to Moscow, Russia, for five days. They are using Google Earth and Google Maps to “visit” Moscow’s major historical landmarks, tourist attractions, walk around the city, find restaurants, and observe modern Russia.

This week’s Contributing Charger is also this year’s 1923 Community Sponsor, St. Petersburg Skin & Laser. As a Tampa Bay Area native and Shorecrest alumna, Dr. Kat Kesty ‘06 and her husband, Will Taylor, are excited by the opportunity to partner with Shorecrest.

Change may be constant, but adaptability is a choice. This is especially true now, during this year of unprecedented change, more than ever before. Guided by our mission and core values, Shorecrest continues to adapt our teaching and learning to prepare lifelong learners for today and tomorrow in new and innovative ways.

Shorecrest is proud to announce the creation of the Doris and Donna Friendship Fund, supporting the opportunity for a full, four-year scholarship for a deserving student.

While gathering in-person for Grandparents and Special Friends Day has been a wonderful, long-standing tradition at Shorecrest, we have had to reimagine the event this year in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Our top priority is the health and well-being of our Shorecrest community members.

Shorecrest Director of College Counseling, Tiffany Blessing, has been invited to serve on Princeton University’s inaugural Princeton Counselor Advisory (PCA). PCA is an 15-member group of college access advisors and college counselors invited to work with the Princeton Office of Admission to live out the unofficial motto of Princeton: “In the nation’s service and in service of humanity.”

Shorecrest fifth grader Lucille P. won a full 4-Year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation from a statewide Hispanic Heritage Month student essay contest. Lucille detailed what an inspirational influence her tennis coach, Jorge, has been in her life.

As we move into 2021, I have been thinking about New Year’s resolutions, and what might be the best ways to journey forward into the new year. Like many of you, I am ready to start fresh, and approach 2021 with cautious optimism. Yet I know that there are still challenging times ahead, that the unrelenting stressors of the past year will remain with us for at least the next few months, despite the vaccine light at the end of the tunnel.

Global Explorers Chair and Lower School Spanish Teacher Emili Jaime-Allwood, along with her colleague Laura García Trinidad in Madrid, did not want their students to entirely miss out on the cultural experiences normally garnered from hosting students and traveling abroad. They ideated a secure, online environment called Global Links on which students can connect with schools from different parts of the world, with the objective of bringing global culture studies to curriculum.

Shorecrest sixth, seventh and eighth graders are invited to audition for the Middle School play "Stone Soup." 

Shorecrest senior Brenna Dukes '21 was honored with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy Scholar Citizens Award by the University of South Florida St. Petersburg campus. The purpose of the award is to honor high school students from throughout Pinellas County for embodying the values and ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through their commitment to community service, volunteerism, social justice and civil rights.

On January 6, Señora Miller's sixth and eighth grade Spanish students received Monedas de oro de chocolate (chocolate, gold coins) and learned about Spanish folklore for Día de los Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day or Three Wise Men Day), traditionally marked by spectacular parades throughout Spain and Latin-America. 

Chargers vs Berkeley Prep: 0-3 Loss

Chargers vs. Academy of Holy Names: 1-2 Loss

Shorecrest senior Evan Hoefer ‘21 has been named a 2021 National YoungArts Foundation Award winner for his exceptional achievement in Theater. As a YoungArts finalist, Evan is eligible to be nominated to become a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts, one of the highest honors given high school seniors bestowed by the President of the United States.

Shorecrest eighth grade families and prospective incoming Upper School families are invited to watch a virtual Upper School Curriculum Sampler.