Pasco Post
November 2023 Monthly Family and Community Newsletter
Superintendent's Message
Hello Families and Community Members:
As we approach the Thanksgiving Break, I am filled with gratitude for the wonderful community that makes up our Pasco County Schools family. This past week, community members filled our schools, inspiring our students and staff, as part of the Great American Teach-In. We are so grateful for the relationships forged and the partnerships strengthened.
Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for the people and moments that enrich our lives. One of the greatest gifts we can give each other is the gift of time, and during this break, I encourage you to cherish quality moments with your loved ones. Whether it's sharing a meal, taking a walk, or simply enjoying each other's company, these moments create lasting memories.
Amidst the festivities, I would like to emphasize the importance of maintaining a balance between relaxation and preparation for the weeks ahead. As we celebrate the spirit of Thanksgiving, let's also make a commitment to continue fostering a love for learning in our homes.
Reading is a wonderful way to unwind and connect with one another. Consider incorporating a family reading time into your holiday traditions. Choose a book that everyone can enjoy, and take turns reading aloud. It's a simple yet powerful activity that promotes literacy and family bonding, as well as contributes to our district-wide reading challenge, RACE to Read!
As we return from the break, let's channel the positive energy from our time together into a renewed focus on academic success. Encourage your children to come to school everyday ready to learn. In the few weeks between Thanksgiving and Winter Break, students can master new content, build new skills, and have breakthrough learning moments. Stay focused!
I am grateful for the collective effort of our dedicated educators, students, and families. Together, we can create a supportive and enriching environment for every child to be a World Class learner. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to the success of our students.
Wishing you a joyful and restful Thanksgiving Break!
R.A.C.E. to Read, Pasco!
Pasco County Schools is very excited to announce the launch of a district-wide, PreK-12 reading challenge for the 2023-2024 school year. All students and staff are invited to participate! The challenge is to collectively read 15 million minutes between August 10, 2023 – May 24, 2024. Minutes will be logged via Beanstack, and celebrations will be school based.
Learn more here: https://www.pasco.k12.fl.us/events/page/race-to-read and track the progress of our district!
Get ready to Read Across the County Everyday!!
Family Engagement Month!
November is Florida Family Engagement in Education Month, a time to celebrate the crucial role parents and families play in their children's education. When schools work together with families to support learning, children are more motivated to succeed, not just in school, but throughout life.
Family involvement in a child's life is critical to his/her success as a student from preschool through college and sets the foundation for preparing Florida's students to be life-long learners and meaningful contributors to society. Connecting home and school makes us a great community of learners!
To read and learn more about this state celebration please follow this link for more calendars, ideas, and resources to help families engage with kids!
Resources for Families
Have A Parent Portal, But Can't See Your Child's information?
Do you have a parent portal but still can't see your student's information? Once you are in your portal, you will see "FORMS". Select forms, then select "Link My Student".
Here is an informational sheet that may help.
Premier Mobile Dental Van Program
The following dental services are offered on the Mobile Dental Van:
Cleanings
Fluoride treatments
Sealants
The dental health services are provided to Kindergarten through 5th-grade students. If you would like your student to be seen, please complete the Premier Dental Mach Form. Upon completion of the Mach 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 Mach 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 dental van schedule is located here.
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.
Now enrolling!
Mittye P. Locke Early Learning Academy offers FREE 3-hour Voluntary Pre-K (VPK) Monday – Friday for children 4-years-old on or before September 1, 2023. VPK students can attend the whole school day for $100/week.
Before parents can apply for enrollment at Mittye P. Locke Early Learning Academy, a valid VPK Certificate of Eligibility must be obtained from the Pasco Hernando Early Learning Coalition.
To apply for the Voluntary Prekindergarten Program and obtain your VPK Certificate of Eligibility, please visit the ELCs website, https://familyservices.floridaearlylearning.com prior to completing the Pasco Schools VPK application request for Mittye P. Locke Early Learning Academy.
The High Toll of Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a significant public health and safety issue in the United States. As mobile technology usage rises, so does the potential for driving distracted. Although lawmakers at the state, federal and local levels are examining a wide variety of issues related to driver distraction, the most common concern is the distraction caused by cell phones and other technology in the car. The most recent statistics from the Florida State Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) recorded nearly 48,500 distracted driving crashes in the state in a single year. Those collisions killed 300 people and left 2,700 more with serious bodily injuries.
Distracted driving is one of the major causes of accidents occurring within school zones. Many drivers involved in school zone pedestrian accidents did not realize they were driving through a school zone when the accident occurred. Texting, talking on the phone, listening to music and other passengers in the car are a few things that can distract a driver’s attention from the road.
It only takes a moment of distracted driving to cause a tragic crash. Looking down to read a text is like driving blind. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that sending or reading a text at 55 miles per hour is like driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed. While many of us believe we are safe drivers, about eight people die in crashes involving a distracted driver every day in the United States, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Pasco County Schools: We exist to provide a World Class Education.
Email: engagement@pasco.k12.fl.us
Website: www.pasco.k12.fl.us