Pirate Press
Vol. 1, Edition 24
We Want to Hear from Our Pasco County School Families: Parent & Community Review of Middle School ELA Instructional Materials for Upcoming ELA Adoption
It is our goal as a district to authentically engage our families in the educational opportunities we provide for our 75,000+ students. When teachers, school leaders, and district leaders collaborate with students, families, and communities as true partners, everyone reaps the benefits. We truly value your engagement.
We ask that you visit our Instructional Materials page on our Pasco County Schools website to review the potential books and texts your student(s) will be reading and discussing and the types of work they will be engaging in English Language Arts for the upcoming school year 2021-22.
Pasco County Schools Instructional Materials Website
At the middle school level, two publishers are under consideration: McGraw Hill StudySync and Savvas MyPerspectives. On our website you will find the usernames and passwords to access the digital resources for the two publishers. After careful review of the materials, we ask that you complete a brief feedback survey to share your thoughts and ideas related to the selection of literacy materials and qualities of the proposed publishers. The link to the survey is posted on the Instructional Materials website. It is also available below:
MIDDLE SCHOOL: Parent & Community Review of ELA Instructional Materials Feedback Form
All are encouraged to review the materials, however completing the feedback survey is voluntary. All information collected on the surveys is confidential and all comments will remain anonymous. We appreciate and value your input. This survey closes Friday, February 19, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. Thank you!
MAP Student Data and Growth Goals
To kick it off, students can ask an adult at lunch for a MAP data and growth goal sheet. Their scores for the Winter window for reading, math, and science will be provided, and there will be a place to write a growth goal. Once they've completed this step, students will return the datasheet to an adult at lunch and will receive their incentive (candy). Students who make gains on the Spring MAP will receive tiered incentives.
The morning news crew will explain this to students, so be sure to stay tuned!
Pasco County Schools College and Career Fair - Registration is now OPEN
College & Career Fair
Thursday, Feb. 25th
5:00-8:00pm
Pasco County Schools is hosting a virtual College and Career Fair. The purpose of this event is to ensure information is shared with families across the district as they plan for college entrance and/or careers after high school.
We will be hosting representatives from state and local universities and colleges, members of the U.S. Armed Forces, and community work force partners.
Registered attendees can sign up for presentations on the following topics:
- College Application Process
- Financial Aid & Scholarship Information
- Florida Bright Futures Program
- Collegiate Athletics
- Career Exploration Resources
- Options After High School
- Resources for Students with Disabilities
- ACT/SAT Test Information
Registration is now open!
https://www.pasco.k12.fl.us/oll/page/college-and-career-fair
Black History Month Essay Contest...Winners Receive 4-Year Scholarship!!
First Lady Casey DeSantis Announces 2021 Black History Month Theme and Student Contests
Student essay contest winners will receive a 4-Year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation
Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, First Lady Casey DeSantis announced that the theme for Black History Month in February will be “Community Champions – Celebrating the Contributions of African Americans in Florida’s Communities” and released information regarding the student art and essay contests and Excellence in Education awards.
“Countless contributions of Black Floridians continue to shape our communities statewide,” said First Lady Casey DeSantis. “During Black History Month, the Governor and I look forward to recognizing and celebrating these champions of service who have made Florida stronger. I encourage students from across the state to join in these celebrations and enter our art and essay contest, as well as educators that go above and beyond to serve our students.”
First Lady DeSantis is inviting students to participate in academic and creative contests based on theme, “Community Champions – Celebrating the Contributions of African Americans in Florida’s Communities.” Students in grades K-3 can participate in an art contest while students in grades 4-12 can participate in an essay contest. Additionally, students, parents, teachers and principals are invited to nominate full-time educators of all student grades for the Black History Month Excellence in Education Award.
About the Student Essay Contest
First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Black History Month Essay Contest is open to all 4-12 students in Florida. Each student will submit one essay no longer than 500 words based on this year’s theme. Three winners will be selected: one elementary school student (grades 4-5), one middle school student (grades 6-8) and one high school student (grades 9-12). Each winner will receive a 4-Year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation.
Contest Entries and Nominating Forms and Guidelines
Student contest forms and educator nomination forms must be mailed to Volunteer Florida or submitted online at www.FloridaBlackHistory.com.
Volunteer Florida
Black History Month Committee
1545 Raymond Diehl Road, Suite 250
Tallahassee, Florida 32308
All entries must be received by 5 pm (ET) on February 26, 2021.
For more information about the contests, please visit www.FloridaBlackHistory.com.
Positive COVID-19 Test result during the weekend
$10 to Decorate a Ceiling Tile
Attention 8th Grade: It's that time of year again!
8th Graders! Read below for information on submitting baby pictures and designing dedication space in the yearbook.
Dedication Space – Ad Builder – Contains information on how to buy, pricing, and how to design yearbook dedication space for your 8th grade student. Deadline - March 5th (8th GRADE ONLY)
It’s BABY PICTURE Time! (8th GRADE ONLY)
The moment you’ve been waiting for: sharing your cute little baby face with the world.
Our yearbook has always dedicated a space for our 8th grade students to submit their baby pictures as a fun way to recognize how far they’ve come and to honor where they’re headed.
Here’s how:
1) Select one picture, anywhere from birth to about 4 yrs.
2) To Submit a Print:
* With the print, please include student’s name and 1st period teacher
* Turn in your pictures to your 1st period teacher. Pictures will be returned to 1st period teachers as soon as possible.
To Submit a Digital Copy via E-mail:
* You can send a digital (.jpg) file or a scanned (.pdf) file as an attachment to
Mrs. Kassabaum at kkassaba@pasco.k12.fl.us
* Please include the student’s name in the subject line.
DEADLINE for SUBMISSION: March 5th
Pre-Order Your Yearbook Now
Calendar
Monday, February 15th:
No School
Tuesday, February 16th:
"P" rotation day - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (lunch is based on the 4th-period teacher)
2:05 - After School Detention
2:05 - Girls Soccer Practice
2:05 - Boys Basketball Practice
2:05 - Cheer Practice
2:20 - SAC Meeting
3:00 - Extended School Day
Wednesday, February 17th:
"I" rotation day - 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 1 (lunch is based on the 5th-period teacher)
2:05 - Girls Soccer Practice
3:00 - Extended School Day
Thursday, February 18th:
"R" rotation day - 3, 4, 5, 6, 1, 2 (lunch is based on the 6th-period teacher)
2:05 - After School Detention
2:05 - Boys Basketball Practice
3:00 - Extended School Day
6:00 - Girls Soccer Game - Away (Pasco High School) - against Centennial Middle School - remember only 2 people per athlete and you must wear a must while entering the stadium, going to the concession stand, going to the bathroom, and leaving your seat to exit the stadium. The only time you do not have to wear a mask is when you are sitting at your seat and socially distanced from other families.
Friday, February 19th:
"A" rotation day - 4, 5, 6, 1, 2, 3 (lunch is based on the 1st-period teacher)
Saturday, February 20th:
9:00 - Extended School DayRotation for 2nd semester
Student Screener
Interested in the AVID Elective for 2021-2022?
One School, One Book - Fish in a Tree
2020-2021 Physical Education Requirement - Waiver
Florida state legislation requires students in grades 6-8 to take at least one semester of physical education - PE each year. The legislation allows parents to waive the requirement if the student meets at least one of the following:
- The student is enrolled or required to enroll in a remedial course (waiver not required).
- The parent requests that the student enrolls in another elective course offered by the school at that grade level.
- The student is participating in equivalent physical activities outside of the school day.
***A student may still be assigned to PE unless there are documented health conditions & the waiver is completed.
COVID Tested
Report an Absence
You can now report an absence online. The link is below and is also on our school website.