December 2024 Family and Community Newsletter

Happy Holidays!

As we approach our winter break and the end of the first semester, Pasco County Schools would like to say “thank you” for a successful school year so far. We have faced some challenges this year as a community, but we have shown great resilience, unity, and support for each other.

From all Pasco County Schools employees, we want to wish you and your family a joyous and peaceful holiday season full of warmth, love and happiness.

See you in 2025!

Featured Story

Share Your Joy 2024!

Check out the wonderful "Share Your Joy" stories submitted to us this holiday season! Share a story about a person in our schools who inspired you, or who made a difference in your life or the life of your child...

The Pasco County School District welcomes you to "Share Your Joy" with us this holiday season. Share a story about a person in our schools who inspired you, or who made a difference in your life or the life of your child.

Let’s celebrate the joy in our schools by sharing your happy moments, big or small.

  • Share a photo! 
  • Tell your story! 
  • Spread the Joy!

We’ll feature your stories on our website to inspire the entire Pasco County Schools community. Don’t miss out, share your joy today before the deadline!

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Academics

Science Adoption Update

Pasco County Schools is engaging in a K-12 science adoption process for science instructional materials to be implemented in the '25-'26 school year...

Pasco County Schools is engaging in a K-12 science adoption process for science instructional materials to be implemented in the '25-'26 school year. The resources have been narrowed and schools will spend the month of January and February trying the resources in the classroom and voting on the resource they recommend to move forward for school board approval. We are seeking parent and community input on the resources narrowed. Please visit oiur current adoption page where you will find the narrowed resources and digital access login information. Additionally, you will find an input form to provide your feedback by February 19.  

We also invite you to attend two virtual adoption events. The virtual "Train the Trainer" night will take place on December 11, from 5 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. for secondary science, and 6:30 p.m. -7:45 p.m. for elementary science, where you'll get an overview of the school-based consensus building process. The virtual Science Vendor Night will take place on February 4, from 5 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. where you'll get vendor overviews of their resources. RSVP to attend either.

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Celebrate Literacy Week is January 27-31, 2025

Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! The theme is Building Literacy: Constructing the Foundation for Success...

Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! The theme is Building Literacy: Constructing the Foundation for Success.

With this theme in mind, we are encouraging schools to participate in reading books related to workforce education (e.g., architecture, construction, engineering) in an effort to connect Governor DeSantis’ "Get There" workforce education initiative. Be on the lookout for how your child's school will celebrate the week with some fun activities and accompanying Beanstack challenges!

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#PascoWinterBreakReads2024

Please be sure to celebrate Winter Break with a great read! Share the love of reading by encouraging your children to read during Winter Break...

Please be sure to celebrate Winter Break with a great read! Share the love of reading by encouraging your children to read during Winter Break and tag us so we can share in the excitement of reading alongside you. 

Be sure to tag us at: @PascoLiteracy #PascoWinterBreakReads2024

 
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December Reading Challenge

December is a great time to reflect on our favorite books of the past year and get excited about the new ones we will read in 2025...

December is a great time to reflect on our favorite books of the past year and get excited about the new ones we will read in 2025! Please encourage your children to read for pleasure every day and log their minutes in Beanstack. The Beanstack Reading Wrap-up challenge will be available on their MyPascoConnect dashboards December 1 - 31. Enjoying a good book is a great way to relax during Winter Break!

 
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College Board Webinar for Pasco Parents and Students

College Board will be holding a free webinar for students and their parents on December 5, 2025 from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. Topics will include SAT Suite of Assessments, Understanding PSAT, Student Score Reports, and AP Potential. If interested, please register for the webinar via Zoom.

PSAT 8/9 and PSAT NMSQT Score Release

PSAT 8/9 and PSAT NMSQT scores were released in October and November and are currently available to students....

PSAT 8/9 and PSAT NMSQT scores were released in October and November and are currently available to students.

Students can view their scores by signing into their College Board account. If your student has not set up an account, they can create one by using the same link.

PSAT 8/9 - Parents and students can access the following video to help explain their results and next steps. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4br6xV6YNeg

PSAT NMQST - Parents and students can access the following video to help explain their results and next steps. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJEeKZxLjpA

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Community Connections

Partner Spotlight

Fazoli's Fast, Fresh, Italian restaurant and Woodie's Wash Shack have joined our Pasco County Schools Community. Franchisee of Fazoli's...

Fazoli's Fast, Fresh, Italian restaurant and Woodie's Wash Shack have joined our Pasco County Schools Community. Franchisee of Fazoli's, Carlos Saenz, and Director of Business Development, Doug Hulburt, are passionate about supporting schools, students, teachers and their community. Woodie's Wash Shack and Fazoli's will be sponsoring our Pasco County Schools Volunteer of the Year recognition and supporting schools with family dine-out nights and fundraising efforts throughout the year. For more information you can connect with Fazoli's at CarlosSaen@MFHBrands.com and Woodie's Wash Shack at doughulburt@woodieswash.com.

 
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Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration

Pasco County Schools would like to thank Premier Community HealthCare, the Hernando Hispanic Heritage Network, Lowe's, The Outpost Network, and Bingham Realty...

 

Pasco County Schools would like to thank Premier Community HealthCare, the Hernando Hispanic Heritage Network, Lowe's, The Outpost Network, and Bingham Realty for sponsoring Pasco County Schools first community Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration at Rodney B. Cox Elementary School. The event was a huge success with a day full of family fun, learning, and an assortment of community resources provided for all of our Pasco County Schools families. We look forward to continuing this event in the coming year!

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Become a Mentor at Gulf Middle School in Pasco County

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of young students? Gulf Middle School is seeking dedicated mentors to join our community and help guide...

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of young students? Gulf Middle School is seeking dedicated mentors to join our community and help guide our students towards a brighter future. As a mentor, you'll have the opportunity to provide support, share your experiences, and inspire students to achieve their full potential. Whether you can offer academic assistance, career advice, or just a listening ear, your involvement can make a significant impact. Join us in fostering a positive and encouraging environment for our students. Together, we can help them succeed! 

For more information on how to become a mentor, please contact Liz Kuhns at ekuhns@pasco.k12.fl.us or Matthew Testoni at mtestoni@pasco.k12.fl.us

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AmSkills Community Event

We are thrilled to announce that AmSkills, a dedicated supporter of our Advanced Manufacturing Program at Anclote High School, is hosting...

 

We are thrilled to announce that AmSkills, a dedicated supporter of our Advanced Manufacturing Program at Anclote High School, is hosting a Community Block Party on December 14, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This exciting event is open to the public and will feature a variety of family-friendly activities, including robotic dog demonstrations, laser cutting, tours of the training center, 3-D printing, and career exploration opportunities.

Join us at 4606 Darlington Road, Holiday, FL. 34690 for a day of fun and learning. For more information, contact AmSkills at 727-301-1282 or visit www.AmSkills.org

We look forward to seeing you there!

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Employment Opportunities

Employment Opportunities with Pasco County Schools

Are you interested in starting your career with Pasco County Schools? Our district has opportunities for everyone across various industries including teaching...

Are you interested in starting your career with Pasco County Schools? Our district has opportunities for everyone across various industries including teaching, transportation, food service, and more!

Visit our job listings page to explore more opportunities.

Do you have a Bachelor's degree? You too can become a teacher! Connect with a recruiter at work@pasco.k12.fl.us to learn how to start your teaching career today!

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Transportation Job Fairs

We’re thrilled to share the incredible success of our recent Transportation Job Fairs! Thanks to these events, 26 bus drivers and 13 transportation...

We’re thrilled to share the incredible success of our recent Transportation Job Fairs! Thanks to these events, 26 bus drivers and 13 transportation assistants are joining our team this school year.

Are you interested in learning more about working at Pasco Cou ty Schools? We’ll be at the MacDill Airforce Base Career Fair, hosting more Transportation Job Fairs, and the UCF Knight Shadow Program on December 10. This opportunity will allow UCF students to learn more about the difference they could make if they selected to work with Pasco Schools post-graduation. Don’t miss your chance to discover how you can make a difference with Pasco County Schools. Email us today for more information at work@pasco.k12.fl.us!  

Stay updated - follow Human Resources at Pasco County Schools on social media. Let’s drive to success together!

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Family Information and Support

Premier Mobile Dental Van Program

The following services are offered on the Mobile Dental Van...

The following services are offered on the Mobile Dental Van: 

  • Cleanings 
  • Fluoride treatments 
  • Sealants 

The dental health services are provided to KG 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. View the mobile dental van schedule.

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.

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Parent Collaborative Network for Students with Disabilities

Location: Virtual

Topics in parent identified areas of need related to students with disabilities with an Individual Education Plan or Section 504 Plan. Learn more about upcoming events.

Work-Based Learning

Pasco County Schools Career, Technical and Adult Education (CTAE) department prides itself on the Work-Based Learning options available to all students...

 

Pasco County Schools Career, Technical and Adult Education (CTAE) department prides itself on the Work-Based Learning options available to all students. Work-Based Learning (WBL) is an interaction with industry or community professionals in real workplace settings, or simulated environments at an educational institution that foster in-depth, firsthand engagement with the tasks required of a given career field, that are aligned to curriculum and instruction.

In far fewer words: Firsthand work that develops relationships with industry professionals and is classroom integrated.

WBL programs can be supported in the school and at the work site. The three key components of a comprehensive WBL program are: 

  • Aligning classroom and workplace learning 
  • Applying academic, technical, and employability skills in a work setting 
  • Having support from classroom or workplace mentors  

Research shows that students who start WBL at an early age have better outcomes for postsecondary success and career readiness. Employers also benefit from WBL by helping to shape their future workforce.  

Work-Based Learning is broken down into three separate areas: Career Awareness, Career Exploration, and Work-Based Learning.  

  • Career Awareness begins as early as elementary school. Elementary students are exposed to career exploration through Guest Speakers, Great American Teach In, and Career Fairs. 
  • Career Exploration begins in middle school where students are given the opportunity to attend various events such as Business and Industry Tours and Field Trips. 
  • Work-Based Learning is implemented through a more hands-on approach. Students in Secondary and Post-Secondary programs may participate in Internships, On the Job Training (OJT), Simulated Learning, and more. 

For more information regarding Work-Based Learning, see the following resources: 

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General Information

Pasco Pathways School Choice Window

The K-12 Pasco Pathways School Choice Application Window for the 2025-2026 school year will be open from January 8 through January 21, 2025. The notification window is from March 3 through March 12, 2025. The programs/schools that will be listed on the January school choice application can be found by visiting the Pasco Pathways Innovative Programs and School Choice webpage.

 

Dual Enrollment Textbook Return and Pick Up

The dates for returning fall dual enrollment textbooks and picking up spring dual enrollment textbooks has been set. Please visit the Pasco DE website and find more information about dual enrollment under the "Textbooks" tab.

Navigate the Pasco Parent Page

Navigate the Pasco parent page for information and resources to support student academics, student support services, important parent information...

 

Navigate the Pasco parent page for information and resources to support student academics, student support services, important parent information, and community partner resources.

Within the "Navigating High School" and "Navigating Middle School" pages you will have access to informational videos by grade level to support in planning for each student's transition into that grade level. Check out the videos directly at the links below.   

Navigating Middle School

Navigating High School

 
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Important Safety Tips

10 Ways to Stay Safe as You Deck the Halls this Holiday Season

The holiday season is here, and Pasco County Schools’ Safety Department wants everyone to stay safe from home fires as they decorate their homes...

The holiday season is here, and Pasco County Schools’ Safety Department wants everyone to stay safe from home fires as they decorate their homes for the upcoming festivities.

Decorations like trees, lights and candles increase the risk of home fires during the holidays—with Christmas, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day being the top three days for home candle fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

Here are 10 simple safety tips, as you put up lights and ornaments, that may help prevent a fire in your home:

1. Check all holiday light cords to make sure they aren’t frayed or broken. Don’t string too many strands of lights together—no more than three per extension cord.

2. If you are buying an artificial tree, look for the fire-resistant label. When putting it up, keep it away from fireplaces, radiators, and other sources of heat.

3. If you are getting a live tree, make sure it’s fresh and water it to keep it fresh. Bend the needles up and down to make sure no needles fall off.

4. If using older decorations, check their labels. Some older tinsel is lead-based. If using angel hair, wear gloves to avoid irritation. Avoid breathing in artificial snow.

5. When decorating outside, make sure decorations are for outdoor use and fasten lights securely to your home or trees. If using hooks or nails outside, make sure they are insulated to avoid an electrocution or fire hazard.

6. If using a ladder, be extra careful. Make sure to have good, stable placement and wear shoes that allow for good traction.

7. Don’t use electric lights on metallic trees.

8. Don’t forget to turn off all holiday lights and extinguish all candles when going to bed or leaving the house.

9. Keep children, pets, and decorations away from candles.

10. If hanging stockings on the fireplace mantel, don’t light the fireplace.

Wishing you all a very happy and safe holiday season.

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Pasco County Schools: We exist to provide a World Class Education.

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