November 2026 Family and Community Newsletter

What could your student’s future look like? Join us at the Pasco Pathways Expo to meet school teams, explore innovative programs and learn about school choice, dual enrollment and early childhood opportunities.

Coming soon to these locations:

• Monday, November 9: Gulf High School, 5–8 p.m.
• Tuesday, November 10: Cypress Creek High School, 5–8 p.m.

LINKS:

View our online advertisement

Explore the Expo and sign up now! 

The ​​Spring 2027 PHSC DE Registration Worksheet​​ is now available and linked on our district Dual Enrollment webpage. 

• New Dual Enrollment students must complete an online application at https://apply.phsc.edu/apply/  
• The deadline for Spring 2027 dual enrollment applications is December 1, 2026.  Students who apply after this deadline will not be permitted to enroll in courses until the following semester.  New students need to have eligible test scores prior to applying. 
• Returning PHSC DE students do not need to complete another application. 
• Continuing in the Spring 2027 term, students will self-register for Pasco eSchool dual enrollment courses following the directions linked ​​here​ or you can view ​​​​this video​ that walks registrants through the process.  Students should still meet with their counselors and complete their dynamic forms to finalize the registration process for these courses. 
• ​​Fall textbook returns​ will take place at the student's designated hub location found ​​here​.  Students should return textbooks and unused physical access codes.  Students do not need to return used workbooks and access codes.
• ​​Spring textbook distribution​ will take place at the student's designated hub location. Students should review the ​​DE Book List​​ to determine if they need to pick up physical materials at their hub location or if the materials will be delivered to them electronically.
• The information on our Dual Enrollment website is updated regularly and serves as a valuable resource to help students and families navigate the dual enrollment process, understand requirements and deadlines, and access important program information throughout the year.

Questions?  dual_enrollment@k12-lets-talk.com 

Congratulations to Cypress Creek High School for being named a National Unified Champion School by Special Olympics!!!

Adults looking to earn their high school equivalency diploma or improve their English language skills are invited to register for Spring 2027 Adult Education classes beginning November 9, 2026. 

Pasco County Schools' Adult Education Program will offer GED® preparation classes and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes during convenient evening hours at two locations: 

• Fred K. Marchman Technical College 

• Wiregrass Ranch High School 

These affordable programs give adult learners the opportunity to build academic skills, prepare for career advancement, pursue postsecondary education, and build confidence in achieving personal and professional goals. 

The cost to participate is: 

• $30 Tuition 

• $12 Placement Testing Fee 

For more information, call (727) 758-2305

Pasco County Schools' Career, Technical, and Adult Education (CTAE) Department is proud to announce the 2026 Burger Bash on November 4. This unique culinary competition will bring together middle and high school culinary arts students from across the district at Bird Island Lake Ranch in Dade City. 

Hosted in partnership with the Pasco County CattleWomen’s Association, the event provides students with an authentic, real-world culinary experience where they will demonstrate food preparation, creativity, teamwork, and professional kitchen skills while showcasing one of Florida's most important agricultural products: beef. 

During the competition, student teams will develop and prepare original burger creations, applying industry-standard culinary techniques and food safety practices while competing before a panel of judges from the culinary, agricultural, and business communities. Judges will evaluate participants on taste, presentation, innovation, preparation methods, and overall execution. 

Representatives from the Pasco County CattleWomen’s Association will also engage with students throughout the event, sharing information about Florida's cattle industry and the role agriculture plays in supporting local economies and food production. 

As we prepare for an exciting Spring Sports Season, we encourage all interested student athletes to begin getting ready for tryouts. We are proud to offer a variety of athletic opportunities for both middle and high school students.

Middle School Sports

• Boys Basketball
• Girls Soccer
• Boys and Girls Track & Field

High School Sports

• Baseball
• Boys and Girls Lacrosse
• Boys and Girls Tennis
• Boys and Girls Track & Field
• Girls Flag Football
• Boys Weightlifting
• Softball

To be eligible for tryouts, all required athletic paperwork must be completed and approved through Athletic Clearance in Home Campus. Families are encouraged to complete these requirements as soon as possible to avoid delays when tryouts begin.

For information about athletic eligibility, required forms, and participation requirements, please visit the Pasco County Athletics website: https://www.pasco.k12.fl.us/athletics/

We look forward to another successful spring season and are excited to see our student athletes compete, grow, and proudly represent their schools.

Check out our Employee Testimonial video and discover why Pasco County School District is not just where we work — it’s where we belong!   

Meet Kylie McClelland, a 3rd Grade Humanities Teacher at Wesley Chapel Elementary School. In this episode of Work Pasco Voices, Kylie shares her journey from working as an Instructional Assistant to becoming a classroom teacher through Pasco County Schools' Teach Pasco Paid Pathway program.  

While working in a non-instructional role and pursuing her degree, Kylie was able to gain valuable classroom experience, receive financial support, and complete the requirements needed to become a certified teacher, all while continuing to serve students in Pasco County Schools. She reflects on how the program helped make her goal of becoming a teacher both achievable and rewarding. Kylie also discusses the support she received throughout the process, the benefits of completing her internship in Pasco, and why she encourages others interested in education to explore the pathway. 

Every day, our amazing bus drivers and transportation team roll in with patience, kindness, and a whole lot of heart. They keep our students safe, our routes running smoothly, and our community connected one mile (and one smile!) at a time.  

Now it’s your turn to spread love! Help us shine a spotlight on these everyday heroes by sharing a message of appreciation. Let’s lift them up and celebrate the people who keep our district moving forward.  

Share your message here: https://ryu.pasco.k12.fl.us/hreq-mform/view.php?id=226932  

Join the Team: Volunteer Opportunities Await!

Our volunteers are an invaluable part of the Pasco County Schools community. From supporting students and teachers in the classroom to assisting with school events and activities, volunteers help create positive learning experiences and strengthen our school communities. Your time, talents, and dedication make a lasting impact on the success of our students. 

We are excited to announce that our new Volunteer Application is officially open! 

If you would like to become a volunteer, please complete the application using this link. 

Please note: A background screening is required for all volunteers. 

Thank you for your interest in supporting Pasco County Schools. We look forward to partnering with you to make a difference in the lives of our students! 

Become a Student Peer Volunteer! New Forms Available September 1^st!

We are excited to launch the Parent/Guardian Permission for Student Peer Volunteer Participation Form in myStudent beginning September 1, 2026! 

Parents/guardians of students in grades 6-12 who are interested in participating as student peer volunteers must complete the permission form through the Parent Portal. Once logged in, the form can be found under Form Summary and will be listed as an Optional Form for eligible students in grades 6-12. 

In addition, students must complete the Student Peer Volunteer Application available on our website. 

Thank you for partnering with us to support meaningful volunteer opportunities that help our students grow as leaders and make a positive impact in our schools and community! 

Join Us: Upcoming Events and Career Opportunities!

We're bringing career opportunities directly to you! This November, our recruitment team will be attending several recruitment events, and we'd love the opportunity to connect with you. Whether you're looking to start a new career, grow professionally, or learn more about joining our school district, stop by and meet our team. Come discover the many ways you can make a difference with Pasco County Schools! 

Transportation Hiring Event 
November 4, 2026 
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM 
District Office Building 2 

Maintenance Trades Hiring Event 
November 10, 2026 
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM 
District Office Building 2 

We look forward to meeting you, answering your questions, and sharing the many rewarding career opportunities available across Pasco County Schools. 

Start a Rewarding Career Supporting Exceptional Students

Pasco County Schools has many exciting opportunities for you to join our world-class team. Some of these exciting opportunities include Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Teachers or Instructional Assistants positions. 

Why ESE: 

• Rewarding position, where every day you make an impact in the lives of children and families.  

• ESE Teachers in our self-contained units (IND/ASD/EBD) receive an additional $2,000 retention bonus on top of the base salary. 

• ESE Instructional Assistants receive an additional $.40 an hour.  

• Training opportunities for ESE Teachers. 

• Great opportunity to get started with Pasco County Schools. 

Position Requirements: 

ESE Teacher:  

• Bachelor's Degree 

• FLDOE Teaching Certification or are willing to obtain the required certification.  

ESE Instructional Assistant:  

• Associate degree 

• 60 credit hours, or 

• A passing score on the ParaPro Assessment 

Apply Today:  https://pasco.schoolspring.com/ 

Questions? Reach out to the Recruitment Team at work@pasco.k12.fl.us 

Have a Bachelor’s Degree? Become a Professional Guest Teacher!

Do you already have a bachelor’s degree and just need to obtain a teaching certificate? No problem, there is a pathway for you! 

Pasco County Schools has a Professional Guest Teacher (PGT) position. If you hold at least a bachelor's level degree, you would be eligible for the PGT role while you work toward your certification. As a PGT, you would be non-benefit earning and would receive $160 a day. Once you receive your certification, you will then be eligible to convert to the full teacher pay and benefits. 

 If this is something you are interested in, apply today! Teaching jobs, educator jobs, school jobs | SchoolSpring 

Teach Pasco Paid Pathway: Your Journey to the Classroom Starts Here!

Are you interested in becoming a teacher and need to obtain, or complete, a bachelor’s in education? Pasco County School’s Teach Pasco Paid Pathway, formerly SRP To Teacher, may be an option for you! 

As a member of the Teach Pasco Paid Pathway, you would be eligible to receive tuition reimbursement for a maximum of 18 credit hours a fiscal year. You may also be eligible to receive reimbursement for books, if listed as required in the syllabus. Another benefit of this program is that as a non-instructional Pasco employee, you will be eligible to continue receiving your pay while completing your internship hours with Pasco County. 

To be eligible for the Teach Pasco Paid Pathway, you would need to be working on a bachelor’s in education and have been employed with Pasco County Schools in a non-instructional role for one consecutive year. 

Review the full list of program requirements and guidelines at the link below! 

Teach Pasco Paid Pathway 

From Campus to Career: Internship Opportunities at Pasco Schools!

Are you a parent of a college student looking for meaningful career experience opportunities? Pasco County Schools offers internship opportunities in the Communications, Human Resources, and Legal departments, providing students with valuable hands-on experience in a professional environment. Interns work alongside experienced professionals, gain practical workplace skills, receive mentorship, and build connections that can help launch future careers.  

This internship program is an excellent way for students to strengthen their resumes, explore career interests, and develop skills that employers value. If your college student is interested in gaining real-world experience while contributing to one of the area's largest organizations, click the link below to learn more and express interest.  

Interested? Click the link below to get started!  

 https://ryu.pasco.k12.fl.us/hreq-mform/view.php?id=278572 

As Thanksgiving Break approaches, we hope our students and families enjoy a well-deserved opportunity to relax, reconnect, and create lasting memories with loved ones. While the holiday is a time for celebration and gratitude, it's also important to keep safety at the forefront of your plans.

✅ Travel Smart Whether you're heading across town or across the state, make sure everyone is buckled up and following vehicle safety rules. Remind children to stay close to a trusted adult when visiting busy public places, shopping areas, or family gatherings.

✅ Practice Safe Online Habits With extra free time during the break, students may spend more time online. Talk with your child about internet safety, including protecting personal information, communicating only with people they know, and reporting anything that makes them feel uncomfortable.

✅ Be Safe Around Holiday Activities Thanksgiving often means extra time in the kitchen. Children should be supervised around hot stoves, ovens, and cooking equipment. If you're decorating for the season, keep decorations away from heat sources and ensure smoke alarms are working properly.

✅ Make Healthy and Safe Choices Encourage children to follow household expectations, stay aware of their surroundings, and make responsible decisions wherever they are spending the holiday break.

A Thanksgiving Message from Our Department

We are thankful for the partnership and support of our families throughout the year. We wish all of our students, parents, and guardians a Thanksgiving filled with happiness, gratitude, and meaningful time together.

Have a safe, healthy, and Happy Thanksgiving Break! We look forward to welcoming our students back refreshed and ready to learn.