Pirate Press
Vol. 1, Edition 17
MSOL - IMPORTANT
Parents, everyone should have received communication from the district on Wednesday that stated the following:
Parent/Guardian:
On November 30th, the Florida Education Commissioner extended the Emergency Order that allows Florida school districts to continue offering mySchool Online in the second semester. As such, in the second semester, we will continue to provide three learning options while providing critical supports for all of our learners, especially those who may be struggling. We will also continue our measures for protecting the health and safety of our students and staff.
If your student is enrolled in the mySchool Online option or Pasco eSchool, in the coming days you can expect to receive a communication from your student’s school regarding your student’s academic progress and your decision to continue their enrollment in the MySchool Online option or in Pasco eSchool. Some parents may have received a call already. If your student is not making adequate progress, the state requires that your student enroll back in their traditional school setting.
Thank you for your continued support of our schools, students, and staff as we continue to navigate the uncharted territory of attending school during a pandemic for the second semester of the 2020-21 school year.
We sent emails today to some MSOL students using the parent email account. We will call any parents that we do not have emails for and try to get an email so you can have the letter today. Not all MSOL students will receive a letter. Only those students who are not making adequate progress as the district communication stated, will receive an email. If you aren't sure if you should receive an email. Please feel free to call the school or email any administrator and we will let you know. If you did receive an email, please make sure you read through it. We appreciate it!
Administrators emails:
Mrs. Tellez - AP for 6th graders - jtellez@pasco.k12.fl.us
Ms. Young - AP for 7th/8th graders - ayoung@pasco.k12.fl.us
Mrs. Johnson - Principal - dcastro@pasco.k12.fl.us
Rotation for 2nd semester
Early Release Days
On Early Release Days school lets out at 12:03 PM The early release days for the second semester are:
Jan. 13th
Feb. 3rd
March 3rd
April 7th
The most up-to-date school calendar can be found here.
Girls Soccer Tryouts
Boys Basketball Tryouts
Report an Absence
You can now report an absence online. The link is below and is also on our school website.
Congratulations to our Students of the Month and WICOR Students of the Month!
IMPORTANT: Testing Updates for MSOL & Traditional Students
- NWEA MAP Testing & District Finals Options: In-person on specified dates (see attached document) or Virtually.
- District Finals will account for 10% of the student’s current semester grade in the course. The letter further outlines the requirements for testing remotely and instances where a test could be invalidated.
mySchool Online (MSOL) students may take District Finals 2 ways:
1. Remotely using a secure online proctoring service called Proctorio. Proctorio is integrated into myLearning via quizzes. A student will start a myLearning quiz that will direct them to myProgress (the district’s assessment platform) to take the District Final. While they are taking the District Final, Proctorio will be monitoring the test experience via the student's camera, microphone, and monitor. While some information from the testing session will be recorded, Proctorio uses a zero-knowledge encryption method to ensure all data are safe and secure. Enrollment in the remote proctoring course is an agreement to abide by and accept all terms. If necessary, an Assessment Coordinator may approve for Zoom to be utilized for live proctoring of the assessment instead of Proctorio. If your child has IEP or 504 assessment accommodations that cannot be implemented due to the nature of the virtual platform, your child's case manager will be contacting you to discuss alternative testing arrangements.
District Finals must be taken on a computer device (not a tablet or phone) and will be required to have a webcam (USB or internal) and a microphone when taking the District Final. Students understand that this remote recording device is purchased and controlled by the student and that recordings from any private residence must be done with the permission of any person residing in the residence. Students must ensure that any recordings do not invade any third-party privacy rights and accept all responsibility and liability for violations of any third-party privacy concerns. Setup information will be provided prior to taking the proctored exam. Students utilizing remote access to coursework or testing are subject to all applicable provisions of the Student Code of Conduct and applicable provisions of School Board Policies.
Students will be provided an opportunity prior to testing to make sure their device meets the minimum requirements for the testing platform (myProgress) and Proctorio, when necessary. This opportunity will also ensure they are familiar with the myProgress platform and the tools they have available to them for the District Final.
MSOL Training Video for Proctorio District Finals: Video
2. In person at Pasco Middle School the week of 12/14-12/18. Please email ayoung@pasco.k12.fl.us if you need to reschedule or make up any MAP tests, district finals, or PSAT.
Please review the following policies with your student before testing:
■ Electronic Devices—If your child is found with ANY electronic devices (other than what they have been advised), including but not limited to cell phones and smartphones, at any time during testing OR during breaks (e.g., restroom, lunch), his or her test will be invalidated, which means it will not be scored.
■ Testing Rules Acknowledgment— Prior to testing, students will be provided the testing rules, and students will show acknowledgment that they understand the testing rules by proceeding with the assessment.
■ Discussing Test Content after Testing—As part of the testing rules provided to students before they affirm the acknowledgment states, “After the test, you may not discuss the test items with anyone. This includes any type of electronic communication, such as texting, emailing, or posting online, for example, on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Snapchat. If you are found in possession of or sharing information about test items or breaking any of the above-mentioned rules, even without the intent to cheat, your test may be invalidated.” If students are found sharing information about test items, even without the intent to cheat, their tests may be invalidated.
■ Test Invalidations—Students are responsible for doing their own work on the test and for protecting their answers. If students are caught cheating during testing, their tests may be invalidated.
2020 Winter Testing Calendar: Pasco Middle School
Please email ayoung@pasco.k12.fl.us with any questions
· 12/14 Monday:
o Science NWEA MAP testing for all grades
o PE District Finals - Starling
· 12/15 Tuesday: Makeup Testing
o PE District Finals – Lupinek
o Agriculture District Finals
· 12/16 Wednesday: Makeup Testing
· 12/17 Thursday: Makeup Testing
· 12/18 Friday: Makeup Testing
NJHS shirts ordered last year are in!!!!
Anyone who ordered shirts from NJHS and did not pick them up, please email Mrs. Watson at twatson@pasco.k12.fl.us to arrange pickup.
School Spirit Store
Calendar
Monday, December 14th:
"P" rotation day - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (lunch is based on the 4th-period teacher)
2:05 - Boys Soccer Practice
6:00 - Girls Basketball Game - Away - at Stewart Middle School - remember, only 2 spectators per player, you must socially distance, and you must wear a mask at all times
Tuesday, December 15th:
"I" rotation day - 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 1 (lunch is based on the 5th-period teacher)
2:20 - SAC Meeting
6:00 - Boys Soccer Game - Home (PHS) - against Cypress Creek - remember, only 2 spectators per player and you must wear a mask until you arrive at your seat and then again to exit the stadium
Wednesday, December 16th:
"R" rotation day - 3, 4, 5, 6, 1, 2 (lunch is based on the 6th-period teacher)
Pajama Day - wear your favorite winter pajamas!
2:05 - SIT meetings
6:00 - Boys Soccer Game - Away - against Weightman at WCHS - remember, only 2 spectators per player and you must wear a mask until you arrive at your seat and then again to exit the stadium
Thursday, December 17th:
"A" rotation day - 4, 5, 6, 1, 2, 3 (lunch is based on the 1st-period teacher)
Candy Cane Day - wear red and white!
6:30 - AVID Family Night
Friday, December 18th:
"T" rotation day - 5, 6, 1, 2, 3, 4 (lunch is based on the 2nd-period teacher)
Dress in your favorite sports team shirt/jersey.
End of 2nd quarter
End of 1st semester
No school for students starting December 21st. 3rd quarter starts for all students on Wednesday, January 6th!
Student Screener
COVID Tested
COVID Testing over holiday breaks
To continue to provide support and prevent the spread of COVID-19 over the holiday breaks, the COVID testing sites will be open November 23rd, 24th, 25th and December 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 28th, 29th, 30th. Staff and students will need to call the number on the holiday flyer to be screened by a Pasco County School Nurse to determine if testing is needed. If so, testing will be scheduled and the results be will provided by the Department of Health.