October 2024 Family and Community Newsletter

Hispanic Heritage Month is recognized nationally from September 15, through October 15. In August, our School Board approved a proclamation recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month at Pasco County Schools. Pasco County Schools wanted to further extend the recognition of Hispanic Hertiage Month by submitting a resolution to the Pasco Board of County Commissioners. The resolution was sponsored in September, which formally recognizes Hispanic Heritage Month in all of Pasco County.

Pasco County Schools, and partners Premier Community Healthcare and the Hernando Hispanic Heritage Network, will host a Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration at Rodney B. Cox Elementary School to honor the amazing contributions that the Hispanic and Latino communities have made in our world.

Please join us for an afternoon filled with fun, learning, food, vendors, and community resources.

When: Saturday, November 9, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: Rodney B. Cox Elementary School in Dade City

For more information, or to become a vendor or sponsor of this event, please contact our Community Engagement Specialist, Matthew Testoni at mtestoni@pasco.k12.fl.us

We are thrilled to announce that AmSkills, a dedicated supporter of our Advanced Manufacturing Programs at Anclote High School, is hosting a Community Block Party on November 9, 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!

Gulfside Healthcare Services offers home health, palliative, and hospice support services in Pasco County. Our four Gulfside Thrift Shoppes are a great place to fulfill student volunteer hours! Proceeds from the Gulfside Thrift Shoppes support services to patients and families in need. Find out more at www.gulfside.org.

Gulfside Healthcare Services | Pasco County  (800) 561-4883

Find More Student Volunteer Opportunities Here

Looking to get involved with Pasco County Schools? Follow the link to find out how you can get involved and partner with Pasco County Schools! Get Involved!

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 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 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 can be found on the Pasco Schools website.  

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.

The following services are offered on the Mobile Dental Van: 

• Cleanings 
• Fluoride treatments 
• Sealants

Effective July 1, 2024, the New Worlds Scholarship Accounts Program expanded eligibility to include VPK students as well as public school students enrolled in kindergarten through grade 5 who: 

• have a substantial deficiency in either reading or mathematics; 

• exhibit characteristics of dyslexia or dyscalculia; 

• scored below a Level 3 on the statewide, standardized English Language Arts (ELA) or Mathematics assessment in the prior school year; or 

• for VPK students enrolled in public school or private school programs, exhibit a substantial deficiency in early literacy skills based on the most recent progress monitoring results. 

What is the amount of a New Worlds Scholarship Account? 

For the 2024-2025 school year, the amount of the scholarship is $1,200 per eligible student. 

How do I apply for a New Worlds Scholarship Account? 

To apply for funding, a parent must submit an application to an eligible scholarship funding organization directly. 

For the 2024-25 school year, Step Up For Students will be the only scholarship funding organization administering this scholarship program. 

We are off to a great start! In the first month of R.A.C.E. to Read Pasco!, we have already surpassed the million minute mark! Students and staff have logged 1,975,513 minutes as of September 18.    

Visit our website for weekly updates. 

Please encourage your children to Read Across the County Every day! 

Mark your calendars for the application windows for the 2025-2026 school year. More information can be found on the Pasco Pathways website. 

• Window 1: January 8, 2025 to January 21, 2025 

  • Notification and Acceptance Window - March 3, 2025 to March 12, 2025 

• Window 2: April 7, 2025 to April 11, 2025  

  • Notification Dates: May 12, 2025 to May 16, 2025    

• Window 3: June 16, 2025 to June 20, 2025   

  • Notification Dates: July 21, 2025 to July 25, 2025   

Integrated Education and Training (IET) is an educational model where adult students receive simultaneous instruction in basic academics, workforce preparation, and a specific occupation or industry skill. This approach equips students with the skills needed for success in today’s competitive job market and is available to all Adult Education students in Pasco County. IET is about bridging the gap between learning and practical application. Additionally, IET is the core of collaboration between Adult Education and Career and Technical Education and is part of our mission to deliver a world-class education to all students for college, career, and life success!

If you are an adult who would like to earn a GED, Adult High School Diploma, participate in ESOL or Adult Basic Education classes while earning a career certificate in one of Marchman Technical College’s programs, the IET program model is for you! For more information, contact Dr. David Ester at dester@pascok12.fl.us.

Halloween is such a fun time for kids, but it’s important to keep safety in mind. Knowing where the danger lies is essential. Below are some valuable statistics gathered from the 2022 Consumer Product Safety Commission:

• On average, children are more than twice as likely to be hit and killed by a car on Halloween. There are approximately 2.6 child pedestrian fatalities each day, but on Halloween, that number more than doubles to 5.5.
• Children at the highest risk of injury on Halloween are between the ages of 12 to 15 due to the lack of adult supervision. 32% of child fatalities on Halloween are between 12 and 15, and 23% are between 5 and 8.
• The most Halloween pedestrian fatalities occur between 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, an average of 3,200 people visit the emergency room due to Halloween-related injuries. Those injuries break down as follows:
  • 55% are caused by pumpkin carving.
  • 25% are due to falls while trick-or-treating, from tripping on costumes, or while hanging decorations.
  • 20% are miscellaneous situations like lacerations, ingestions, and other injuries related to costumes, pumpkins, decorations, allergic reactions, and rashes.

Here are some tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable Halloween:

1. Costume Safety:

• Choose costumes that are fire-resistant and fit well to prevent tripping.
• Opt for face paint instead of masks to ensure clear vision.
• Add reflective tape or stickers to costumes and bags to increase visibility.

2. Trick-or-Treating:

• Always accompany children under 12 years old.
• Carry glow sticks or flashlights to help kids see and be seen by drivers.
• Stick to well-lit areas and familiar neighborhoods.

3. Traffic Safety:

• Remind kids to cross streets at corners or crosswalks and to look both ways before crossing.
• Drivers should be extra cautious and slowdown in residential areas.

4. Candy Safety:

• Inspect all treats before allowing kids to eat them. Remove any choking hazards for younger children.
• Be mindful of food allergies and check ingredient labels carefully

5. General Tips:

• Discuss the difference between reality and make-believe to help younger kids manage fears.
• Supervise all pumpkin carving activities closely.
• Ensure older kids have a charged phone and stick to a pre-planned route if trick-or-treating without an adult.

By following these tips, you can help ensure that your 2024 Halloween is a safe and fun experience for everyone.

Office of Safety and Security

(Consumer Product Safety Commission, 2022)