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October 2024 Family and Community Newsletter

Superintendent's Message

We have just weathered a major hurricane, and while I am heartbroken by the devastation caused in ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ and beyond, I am inspired by the outpouring of support by our community for each other. I would like to thank our ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ administrators and staff who opened shelters to welcome and care for evacuees, as well as the many employees and community organizations who have stepped up to provide donations and supplies to those in need. Below, you can find a helpful link with resources that are available to you and others as we clean up and rebuild in the coming days.

Just before we closed for the storm, our students had completed over a month of school, and we issued the first progress report of the year. Please be sure that you are using your Parent Portal to stay up to date with your child’s progress. We believe that strong family partnerships are essential to the success of our students and our schools. Your involvement and engagement play a crucial role in fostering a positive and supportive environment for our children.

This month, I am asking families for support in discussing an important topic with your students: the seriousness of threats made to our school campuses. Whether online or in person, threats—real or perceived—disrupt the learning environment and create unnecessary fear and anxiety. In recent times, we have also seen the harm caused by the posting and reposting of such threats, often without understanding their validity. Even when these threats are not credible, they still have a significant impact on our school community, leading to interruptions in the school day and causing emotional distress for students and staff alike.

We ask that you be engaged, not only in your student's academic learning, but also in their social well-being. Talk with your children about the importance of thinking carefully before sharing or engaging with any posts that could cause harm. It's essential for students to understand the consequences of their actions, whether online or in person, and how those actions can affect others. Please encourage your child to report any concerning content to a trusted adult or school staff member rather than spreading it further on social media. Together, we can minimize disruptions and maintain a safe, supportive, and focused learning environment for all.

As a community, we share the responsibility of creating a safe and welcoming environment for our students. Thank you for your continued partnership in this effort, and for reinforcing the message that we must always prioritize the safety and well-being of our schools. Together, we can ensure that our district is World Class.

Featured Story

ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month is recognized nationally from September 15, through October 15. In August, our School Board approved a proclamation recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month at ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½...

Hispanic Heritage Month is recognized nationally from September 15, through October 15. In August, our School Board approved a proclamation recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month at ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½. ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ wanted to further extend the recognition of Hispanic Hertiage Month by submitting a resolution to the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Board of County Commissioners. The resolution was sponsored in September, which formally recognizes Hispanic Heritage Month in all of ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ County.

ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½, and partners Premier Community Healthcare and the Hernando Hispanic Heritage Network, will host a  at Rodney B. Cox Elementary School to honor the amazing contributions that the Hispanic and Latino communities have made in our world.

Please join us for an afternoon filled with fun, learning, food, vendors, and community resources.

When: Saturday, November 9, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: Rodney B. Cox Elementary School in Dade City

For more information, or to become a vendor or sponsor of this event, please contact our Community Engagement Specialist, Matthew Testoni at mtestoni@pasco.k12.fl.us

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Community Connections

Free Community Dinner at the Hudson Community Health and Wellness Center

Hudson Community Health and Wellness Center is offering free dinner to the community on October 11, 2024 and October 25, 2024, from 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. Come out and join us for a free meal and stay for the Hudson High School football game. 

Community Block Party

We are thrilled to announce that AmSkills, a dedicated supporter of our Advanced Manufacturing Programs at Anclote High School...

We are thrilled to announce that AmSkills, a dedicated supporter of our Advanced Manufacturing Programs at Anclote High School, is hosting a Community Block Party on November 9, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This exciting event is open to the public and will feature a variety of family-friendly activities, including robotic dog demonstrations, laser cutting, tours of the training center, 3-D printing, and career exploration opportunities. 

Join us at 4606 Darlington Road, Holiday, FL. 34690 for a day of fun and learning. For more information, contact AmSkills at 727-301-1282 or visit . 

We look forward to seeing you there!

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ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Partner Spotlight October

Gulfside Healthcare Services offers home health, palliative, and hospice support services in ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ County. Our four Gulfside Thrift Shoppes are a great place to fulfill student volunteer hours...

Gulfside Healthcare Services offers home health, palliative, and hospice support services in ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ County. Our four Gulfside Thrift Shoppes are a great place to fulfill student volunteer hours! Proceeds from the Gulfside Thrift Shoppes support services to patients and families in need. Find out more at .

Gulfside Healthcare Services | ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ County  (800) 561-4883

Find More Student Volunteer Opportunities Here

Looking to get involved with ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½? Follow the link to find out how you can get involved and partner with ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½! Get Involved!

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Employment Opportunities

Employment Opportunities with ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½

Are you interested in starting your career with ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½? Our District has opportunities for everyone across various...

Are you interested in starting your career with ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½? Our District has opportunities for everyone across various industries including teaching, transportation, food service, and more!  

To explore more opportunities with ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½, please .

Have a Bachelor's degree? You too can become a teacher! Connect with a Recruiter at work@pasco.k12.fl.us to learn how to start your teaching career today! 

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FAU Job Fair

On September 12, 2024, our Recruitment team attended the Career Fair at Florida Atlantic University to showcase employment opportunities...

On September 12, 2024, our Recruitment team attended the career fair at Florida Atlantic University to showcase employment opportunities available within ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½. The event proved to be highly successful, allowing us to engage in meaningful discussions and answer attendee inquiries. We are participating in career fairs at Florida A&M University on September 25, 2024, and the University of South Florida on October 3, 2024. We encourage you to visit our booths and inquire about career opportunities with ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½. We look forward to speaking with you!

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Family Information and Support

PMP Monthly Parent Progress Letters

If your child has been identified as having a substantial deficiency in ELA or math, your child will receive a Progress Monitoring Plan (PMP), which will outline the interventions aligned to your child’s specific academic needs...

If your child has been identified as having a substantial deficiency in ELA or math, your child will receive a Progress Monitoring Plan (PMP), which will outline the interventions aligned to your child’s specific academic needs, and how progress will be monitored in response to interventions. Each month you will receive a monthly progress letter, sharing data, resources to support at home, and the status of progress your child is making in ELA and/or math. These progress letters will be shared at the same time as progress reports and report cards, with the first one being October 23, 2024. 

If you have any questions regarding your child’s progress, please schedule time to meet with your child’s teacher. Thank you for your ongoing partnership and ensuring your child is college, career, and life ready.

 

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ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ County School Choice Expo Back for Two Nights in November

ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½’ annual ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Pathways Innovative Programs and School Choice Expo events are back and will be hosted at two locations. The district’s two expo-style events will inform families about the upcoming...

ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½’ annual ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Pathways Innovative Programs and School Choice Expo events are back and will be hosted at two locations. The district’s two expo-style events will inform families about the upcoming school choice application window and highlight the many innovative programs available in ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ County. 

ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Pathways Expo (night one) is on Nov. 12, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Gulf High School, 5085 Madison Street, New Port Richey. 

ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Pathways Expo (night two) is on Nov. 14, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Cypress Creek High School, 8701 Old ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Road, Wesley Chapel. 

The expos will feature informational sessions that cover the general application process for new student enrollment and school choice. In addition, many of ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ County’s world-class schools will showcase their unique educational options like STEM and STEAM magnets, Cambridge Program, International Baccalaureate, Career Pathways and more. Attendees will also have the chance to learn about Wendell Krinn Technical High School, Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation, Angeline Academy of Innovation, and Kirkland Ranch K-8. 

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Health and Wellness

Premier Mobile Dental Van Program

Dental health services are provided to kindergarten through 5th grade students. If you would like your student to be seen, please complete the . Upon completion of the form...

Dental health services are provided to kindergarten through 5th grade students. If you would like your student to be seen, please complete the . Upon completion of the form, Premier will send you a consent form for dental services which will enable your student to be seen on the dental bus. Complete the form and the electronic consent as soon as possible so your student can be scheduled for this important health service. Students must have a completed consent form to be seen on the Premier Dental Van. Paper consent will be available in your student's school clinic if needed. The mobile  can be found on the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Schools website.  

All students may be seen regardless of insurance status and in accordance with their insurance plans. For more information, call Mobile Manager at 352-518-2000 ext. 9753.

The following services are offered on the Mobile Dental Van: 

  • Cleanings 
  • Fluoride treatments 
  • Sealants

 

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Word Class Opportunities

New Worlds Scholarship Accounts

Effective July 1, 2024, the New Worlds Scholarship Accounts Program expanded eligibility to include VPK students as well as public school students enrolled in kindergarten through grade 5 who...

Effective July 1, 2024, the New Worlds Scholarship Accounts Program expanded eligibility to include VPK students as well as public school students enrolled in kindergarten through grade 5 who: 

  • have a substantial deficiency in either reading or mathematics; 

  • exhibit characteristics of dyslexia or dyscalculia; 

  • scored below a Level 3 on the statewide, standardized English Language Arts (ELA) or Mathematics assessment in the prior school year; or 

  • for VPK students enrolled in public school or private school programs, exhibit a substantial deficiency in early literacy skills based on the most recent progress monitoring results. 

What is the amount of a New Worlds Scholarship Account? 

For the 2024-2025 school year, the amount of the scholarship is $1,200 per eligible student. 

How do I apply for a New Worlds Scholarship Account? 

To apply for funding, a parent must submit an application to an eligible scholarship funding organization directly. 

For the 2024-25 school year,  will be the only scholarship funding organization administering this scholarship program. 

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R.A.C.E. to Read ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½! Update

We are off to a great start! In the first month of R.A.C.E. to Read ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½!, we have already surpassed the million minute mark! Students and staff have logged 1,975,513 minutes as of September 18...

We are off to a great start! In the first month of R.A.C.E. to Read ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½!, we have already surpassed the million minute mark! Students and staff have logged 1,975,513 minutes as of September 18.    

Visit our website for weekly updates. 

Please encourage your children to Read Across the County Every day! 

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ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Pathways Innovative Programs and School Choice

Mark your calendars for the application windows for the 2025-2026 school year. More information can be found on the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Pathways website...

Mark your calendars for the application windows for the 2025-2026 school year. More information can be found on the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Pathways website. 

  • Window 1: January 8, 2025 to January 21, 2025 

    • Notification and Acceptance Window - March 3, 2025 to March 12, 2025 

  • Window 2: April 7, 2025 to April 11, 2025  

    • Notification Dates: May 12, 2025 to May 16, 2025    

  • Window 3: June 16, 2025 to June 20, 2025   

    • Notification Dates: July 21, 2025 to July 25, 2025   

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Integrated Education and Training

Integrated Education and Training (IET) is an educational model where adult students receive simultaneous instruction in basic academics...

Integrated Education and Training (IET) is an educational model where adult students receive simultaneous instruction in basic academics, workforce preparation, and a specific occupation or industry skill. This approach equips students with the skills needed for success in today’s competitive job market and is available to all Adult Education students in ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ County. IET is about bridging the gap between learning and practical application. Additionally, IET is the core of collaboration between Adult Education and Career and Technical Education and is part of our mission to deliver a world-class education to all students for college, career, and life success!

If you are an adult who would like to earn a GED, Adult High School Diploma, participate in ESOL or Adult Basic Education classes while earning a career certificate in one of Marchman Technical College’s programs, the IET program model is for you! For more information, contact Dr. David Ester at dester@pascok12.fl.us.

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Important Safety Tips

Halloween Safety

Halloween is such a fun time for kids, but it’s important to keep safety in mind. Knowing where the danger lies is essential. Below are some valuable statistics gathered from the 2022 Consumer Product Safety Commission...

Halloween is such a fun time for kids, but it’s important to keep safety in mind. Knowing where the danger lies is essential. Below are some valuable statistics gathered from the 2022 Consumer Product Safety Commission:

  • On average, children are more than twice as likely to be hit and killed by a car on Halloween. There are approximately 2.6 child pedestrian fatalities each day, but on Halloween, that number more than doubles to 5.5.
  • Children at the highest risk of injury on Halloween are between the ages of 12 to 15 due to the lack of adult supervision. 32% of child fatalities on Halloween are between 12 and 15, and 23% are between 5 and 8.
  • The most Halloween pedestrian fatalities occur between 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, an average of 3,200 people visit the emergency room due to Halloween-related injuries. Those injuries break down as follows:
    • 55% are caused by pumpkin carving.
    • 25% are due to falls while trick-or-treating, from tripping on costumes, or while hanging decorations.
    • 20% are miscellaneous situations like lacerations, ingestions, and other injuries related to costumes, pumpkins, decorations, allergic reactions, and rashes.

Here are some tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable Halloween:

1. Costume Safety:

  • Choose costumes that are fire-resistant and fit well to prevent tripping.
  • Opt for face paint instead of masks to ensure clear vision.
  • Add reflective tape or stickers to costumes and bags to increase visibility.

2. Trick-or-Treating:

  • Always accompany children under 12 years old.
  • Carry glow sticks or flashlights to help kids see and be seen by drivers.
  • Stick to well-lit areas and familiar neighborhoods.

3. Traffic Safety:

  • Remind kids to cross streets at corners or crosswalks and to look both ways before crossing.
  • Drivers should be extra cautious and slowdown in residential areas.

4. Candy Safety:

  • Inspect all treats before allowing kids to eat them. Remove any choking hazards for younger children.
  • Be mindful of food allergies and check ingredient labels carefully

5. General Tips:

  • Discuss the difference between reality and make-believe to help younger kids manage fears.
  • Supervise all pumpkin carving activities closely.
  • Ensure older kids have a charged phone and stick to a pre-planned route if trick-or-treating without an adult.

By following these tips, you can help ensure that your 2024 Halloween is a safe and fun experience for everyone.

Office of Safety and Security

(Consumer Product Safety Commission, 2022)

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ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½: We exist to provide a World Class Education.

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