PKS Newsletter
February 16th, 2024
MISSION STATEMENT
Monroe County School District
Mission: Working together to inspire and bring excellence to every student every day.
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
February 28th Heart Health Challenge
March 4th-8th, Say Something Week
March 6th, Symphony CSHS for 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade
March 11th, 6-8 STEM classes to Marine Lab
March 12th, 5th Grade to Everglades
March 13th, PTA & SAC Meeting
March 14th, Pi Day
March 15th, Band Competition at Universal Studios
March 28th, NJHS Field trip to Show Biz (Homestead)
SCHOOL-WIDE NEWS
PKS is #1 AGAIN!!
PKS achieved the highest number of Regional STEM Fair wins among ALL schools in the district.
In comparison to our local competitors, PKS's performance speaks volumes:
- PKS: 9 students placing; 2 special awards
KLS: 7 students placing; 2 special awards
OSCS: 5 students placing; 2 special awards
TVM: 7 students placing; 0 special awards
Below are some of our participants.
1st Place Engineering Category - Parks Dunn (8th Grade)
ELECTROMAGNETIC MASS DRIVER
*Special Award* - Howe & Howe Technologies: Innovation in Engineering Award
*Junior Division Grand Prize Winner*
**ADVANCING TO STATE COMPETITION* (...for the 2nd year in a row!)
We are excited to announce Parks Dunn's attendance at the 69th State Science and Engineering Fair of Florida 2024. The event is scheduled to take place from April 2nd to April 4th, 2024, in Lakeland, marking her return to the prestigious competition. Last year, Parks achieved the remarkable feat of being named the Best in Fair - Grand Award winner for her groundbreaking Microgravity vs Seed Germination project.
With her exceptional talent and dedication, we are confident that Parks will once again shine brightly at this year's fair. She will be competing in the Engineering Category, presenting her innovative Electromagnetic Mass Driver project. Parks' continued commitment to scientific exploration and ingenuity is truly inspiring, and we look forward to cheering her on as she showcases her remarkable talents in the state competition once more. Go Parks!
Microbiology Category 2nd Place
EMMA POWELL, NANCY ACS & SCOTLAND MCNEW (8th grade)
GMO: CREATE GLOWING BACTERIA
Earth & Environmental Science Category 2nd Place
ROMAN COLARUSSO (8th grade)
POLLUTANT PROBLEMS
Animal Sciences Category 2nd Place
EMMA STANFILL (6th grade)
LIGHTS CATCHING INSECTS
Physics & Astronomy Category 3rd Place
Physics & Astronomy Category
3rd Place
THEODORE SHUGARMAN (7th grade)
Biomedical & Health Sciences Category 3rd Place
CHARLIE GARGAN/VINCENT YANEZ (6th grade)
WRINKLE WORKSHOP
Earth & Environmental Science Category 1st Place
ISABELLA ALTHOUSE (5th grade)
WHAT IS THE QUALITY OF THE WATER WE DRINK AND SWIM IN?
*Special Award* - FAST: Florida Association of Science Teachers Award
Microbiology Category 1st Place
JACKSON BOALS & SEBASTAIN MAPLES (5th grade)
WHAT PLASTIC WRAP PREVENTS OXIDATION BEST?
Microbiology Category 3rd Place
KAYLEE EYSENBACH (4th grade)
CONDITIONS CAUSING MOLD GROWTH ON THE FASTEST ON BREAD?
Ms. Hutchison's Stem Class
Students are having a great time in Ms. Hutchison's STEM class! STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Every week, students learn about a different topic in STEM and engage in hands-on activities, ranging from designing and constructing marshmallow toothpick towers, building gear trains, classifying rocks, to studying chemical reactions. Through inquiry and investigation, students gain fundamental critical thinking skills while learning to work collaboratively with their peers.
Remember to stay tuned to the PKS newsletter for more updates like this one!
Also, The American Heart Association is excited to work with the NFL to support improving health outcomes at home and beyond through the Hands-Only CPR education. Students that complete the Finn’s Mission learning module will earn an entry for two tickets to Super Bowl LIX in 2025 in New Orleans and our school will be entered to receive a $10,000 fitness equipment makeover for every 18 completed Finn’s Mission.
I am so excited for our school to create a community of lifesavers and want every one of our staff, students, and families to join me by completing FINN’S MISSION.
Gratefully,
Amy Rembisz
PTA NEWS AND EVENTS
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HAPPENINGS
January Attendance Champions!
Our kindergarten students were awarded with Attendance Championship Ring Pops for having the best attendance in the school for the month of January! We're so proud of them!
VALENTINE'S SWEETHEART DANCE
Love filled the air at the PKS Safety Patrol's Valentine's Sweetheart Dance! It was a magical evening of laughter, dancing, and creating cherished memories. Mrs. Houston and our dedicated patrols poured their hearts into organizing this special event for our elementary girls and their special someone. Their hard work not only raised funds for their upcoming Washington D.C. trip but also ensured that everyone had a fantastic time!
MIDDLE SCHOOL HAPPENINGS
Class of 2024 Event
Calling all parents, families and supporters of the PARENT SPONSERED evet for Plantation Key School eighth grade class of 2024! So far we have one event planned for the graduating class and we need to raise $4000 to make it happen. This event will be held Tuesday May 21st from 6:30-9pm at the Founders Park pool. The funds will be used to pay for a DJ, catered food, t-shirts, decorations, lifeguards etc. This class missed out on so much due to Covid, please help us make their graduation festivities memorable!
Donations can be sent via Venmo to @Melissa-Matheis or we can pick up checks/cash.
7th Grade Visits Marine Lab
7th Grade students enjoyed an educational snorkel excursion with the Marine Lab in Key Largo. Students learned how to test the PH of ocean water, collect data and share it with the marine world! They were also able to see amazing marine life that the Florida Keys waters hold.
7th grade ELA made Valentine’s Day Trees for their loved ones
Vincent Van Gogh
Media Center/Readers are Leaders
Readers are Leaders: Challenge Update
The February Challenge is well under way!!!! We have many students who have already met the Challenge, and one student who wants to read another 3 books!
One update has been made to make it just a little easier for the younger students. Instead of reading the books in Tic-Tac-Toe order, they can pick any 3 titles from their sheets. Also, I added Chinese New Year’s as February events. Children have until the end of February to read their choice of 3 books.
Students in Grades 4 and 5 have a goal of 7 points this month, using any variety of topics. One book has to be a chapter book at their reading level.
Students who have completed the challenge include:
Layla, Ammy, Anastasia, Jaxson, Phoebe, Harper, Eddie, Charli, Jax and Kinsey.
Story Walk
In a recent Newsletter, I invited you to come read the Story Walk that was presented through the efforts of the Monroe County Library System. We have a delightful new book, Chickadee Criminal Mastermind by Monica Silvie. You can find the Story Walk on the fence that surrounds the baseball field. Please bring your child(ren) and enjoy reading the book!
I am looking for donations. Book one of Percy Jackson series, The Lightning Thief, is very popular now – it is a great series. Harry Potter is popular again, too. The series called I Survived needs donations!
I have all students, K – 8 and am out of tissues, Lyson spray (or other similar) and Wipes, I try to clean the desks several times a day.
PKS Counseling Corner
Career Exploration Fair
Thankyou to EVERYONE for all of your help, support to make this PKS event an awesome event. The students had a wonderful time!