Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year at John Long Middle School! It is with great excitement and a strong sense of purpose that we invite you to join us on a journey themed "BELIEVE." This theme encapsulates our shared commitment to fostering an environment of belief in ourselves, in one another, and in the boundless potential of our students.

This year, we're dedicated to nurturing the seeds of self-belief that lie within each student. Our esteemed educators are geared up to provide not only academic excellence but also the emotional support and encouragement that help our students flourish. With a strong foundation of belief, they will conquer challenges and reach new heights academically and personally.

We acknowledge the strength of our incredible community and the belief that unites us. Through collaboration and engagement, we can create an environment where ideas thrive, and dreams are realized. Your presence, whether at PTA meetings, school events, or even in everyday interactions, showcases the power of belief in action.

This year will be a tapestry woven with moments of triumph. From the smallest steps of progress to the grandest achievements, we will celebrate them all. Through our academic endeavors, artistic expressions, and athletic accomplishments, we will demonstrate the remarkable outcomes that stem from unwavering belief.

Open lines of communication are pivotal to our shared success. We encourage everyone to engage through our digital platforms, newsletters, and community gatherings. Your insights, suggestions, and stories play a crucial role in enriching our tapestry of belief and contributing to a vibrant and inclusive school environment.

This academic year, let's embark on an adventure steeped in BELIEVE. Our united commitment to fostering belief within ourselves and those around us will shape the experiences of our students. As a collective force, we have the potential to inspire and empower, ensuring that every Longhorn becomes a confident and capable individual.

Thank you for being an essential part of the Longhorn community, where BELIEVE is not just a word but a guiding principle. Stay tuned for updates and stories that illustrate the magic that unfolds when we all believe in the extraordinary.

Sincerely,

JLMS Administration

P.S. Keep an eye out for forthcoming editions of our newsletter, where we'll delve deeper into the stories of BELIEVE that define us. Let's make this a year of remarkable growth and achievement!

IMPORTANT: Car loop is now one way only! Parents/Guardians should stay in the interior lane of the car loop closest to the sidewalk and pull all the way forward to the front of the car loop which is located right across from the band room. Students may only exit from the passenger side of the vehicle. Parents may not allow students to exit vehicles in the parking lot or in the exterior lane closest to the lot spaces. This is a major safety issue. Student drop off begins at 8:50 am.

Rycor via MyStudent Parent Portal Set-Up Steps

Interested in paying for things such as students fees, yearbooks, and field trips online in the comfort of your own home with a credit card?

Then follow the steps below to get started. Your MyStudent Parent Portal is also necessary to view your child’s attendance, progress reports, and report cards.

Rycor is a secure, streamlined system (replacing Acorn) and enables parents to add school purchases to their shopping cart for multiple children at different schools, and complete transactions through the use of a credit card. This does NOT include lunch payments.

Step 1: Set up a MyStudent Parent Portal Account
*In order to use Rycor (see Step 2) you need to give the system 24 hours to link your Parent Portal account to the Rycor system*

Step 2: Student Fees/Rycor (24 hours after initial set up in MyStudent Parent Portal)

• Go to https://www.studentquickpay.com/pasco/
• In the blue Parent Account Activation box, select “Continue”
• Enter the email address associated with your Parent Portal account and select “send email”
• This will generate an email that prompts you to activate your account
• Open your email and click the link
• Continue by creating your password and activating your account
• Once this is completed, you can view fees and items that can be purchased

Please note, this will NOT change the process for putting funds on your student’s meal account. In order to do so you will still go through MySchool Bucks.

Step 3: Ready to Use

• Sign into your MyStudent Parent Portal

Example of what you will see when you sign in:

You will then sign into Rycor, using the e-mail address associated with your MyStudent
Parent Portal account

• Select your child’s name from the tab next to the summary tab
• Scroll down to additional items and select the item you are wanting to pay for
• Follow check out directions (very similar to online shopping)

All enrolled students of Pasco County Schools are eligible to receive a healthy breakfast and lunch at school at no charge to their household for the 2023-2024 school year. No further action is required. Each student(s) will be able to participate in these meal programs without having to pay a fee or submit a meal application.

Food & Nutrition Services will continue to process Directly Certified (SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, Homeless, Migrant) students. These families will get a letter stating their Directly Certified status of free or reduced. This letter will not have any bearing on their meal cost for the 2023-2024 school year. However, this letter can be provided by the parent if they would like to see if they are eligible for other benefits (i.e. testing fee waivers).

A la Carte items including vending machines will still be available for purchase including additional meals and/or components of the meals.

Families can reach out to Food & Nutrition Services directly through Lets Talk, call FNS at 813.794.2480, or email FNS_Finance@pasco.k12.fl.us if they have any questions regarding this new program.

As we prepare to start the new school year, I want to remind everyone of the importance of

pedestrian safety at the start of the school day and at dismissal. This is especially important this school year, as we expect to have more students walking and riding bikes to school with the elimination of courtesy busing.

If you drive your student to school, please be extra careful in the school zone near our campus.

Students are often in a rush to get to school and they are often distracted, so drivers should

exercise a heightened sense of awareness.

Please join us in reminding your student of some basic rules of pedestrian safety.

•We will not have a crossing guard assigned to our school this year, so our students

should always use the marked crosswalks in front of our school.

• Do not cut between cars that are stopped in front of school.

• Eliminate distractions while crossing the street. Earbuds or earphones should be taken

off. Avoid reading or sending texts while crossing.

• Make eye contact with drivers to ensure that they see you before you cross the street.

With patience and with a commitment to following some simple safety rules drivers, cyclists,

and walkers can get where they need to go safely and on time.

These guidelines are in effect while on any District School Board of Pasco County school or campus, at any school function or on any school-sponsored transportation.

• Students must wear clothing that has fabric in the front, back and on the sides (under the arms)

• Shirts and dresses must have fabric in the front, back and on the sides (under the arms)

• Shirts must have straps and extend to the waist

• Clothing must cover undergarments (this includes straps and waistbands) • Fabric covering chests, genitals and buttocks must be opaque

• Clothing must be suitable for all scheduled classroom activities including physical education, science labs, wood shop and other activities where unique hazards exits

• Specialized courses may require specialized attire, such as sports uniforms or safety gear The following types of clothing, items, accessories and apparel are considered inappropriate for the school environment

• Any clothing that exposes underwear, body parts and/or skin in an indecent or vulgar manner

• Any clothing that substantially disrupts the school environment or causes safety concerns

• Any clothing that depicts profanity, drugs or alcohol, violent images or vulgarity in any form

• Any clothing that depicts sexually implicit or explicit images

• Any clothing that depicts gang-related images, indicates gang affiliation or antisocial group affiliation • Wallet chains, spiked jewelry, dog collars or similar items

• Slippers or similar shoes

• Pajamas or costumes (unless approved by school administration for special events, etc.)

• Hats, bandanas or head coverings (unless preapproved administratively for medical, religious reasons and/or for special school activities)

• Wearing clothing or accessories that depict a firearm or weapon or express an opinion regarding a right guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution is not grounds for disciplinary action or referral to the criminal justice or juvenile justice system under this section or F.S. 1006.13

Pasco County Schools SCOC - Cell Phone Policies Wireless

The use of Wireless Communication Devices (WCD’s), and electronics will be limited during school hours in order to protect students, staff, and the learning environment from the disruption the use of these devices may present. Devices issued to learners by staff are permitted as approved by teachers, or administration for instructional purposes only.

Possession of a WCD or electronic devices by a student at school during school hours, on transportation services, and/or during extracurricular activities is a privilege that may be forfeited by any student who fails to abide by the terms of this policy, or otherwise abuses this privilege.

If multiple violations of this policy occur, a student may lose his or her privilege to bring a WCD to school for a designated length of time or on a permanent basis.

Devices may be used in accordance with the following approved usage guidelines provided such use does not create a distraction, disruption, or otherwise interfere with the educational environment.

Approved usage of devices for Middle School Students:

· Before or after-school, on the school bus, during lunch and during after school extra

curricular activities.

· Instructional activities as approved by the classroom teacher and/or administration.

· For emergencies with permission from staff or administration