Pirate Press

Pirate Families,

We hope that you and yours made it through Hurricane Helene safely. If you experienced significant damage or loss due to the storm, please reach out to us and we will connect you to community resources for assistance.

Next week is FTE Week where student attendance is especially vital… for every student absent we risk losing that child’s allocated state funding for our school. Please do your best to ensure that students are in attendance all week. Next week is also the last week of 1st quarter. Please encourage your children to check with their teachers on any missing assignments that could increase their grades prior to final grades being submitted.

Lastly, we are excited to announce that we are continuing our partnership with the SVB Tennis Foundation this year! This FREE after-school program, exclusively for up to 30 Pasco Middle School students, will be focused on education and tennis programming, and will be held every Monday and Wednesday from 1:40-3:10, October 21st to December 18th. Registration will be completed online this year - the QR code and link are on the flyer in the Pirate Press. Waitlisted students will be contacted when spots open. To learn more about the SVB Tennis Foundation, please visit www.svbtennisfoundation.org.

Thank you for your support as we work together to ensure that our children have every opportunity to become college, career, and life ready!

Sincerely,

Ms. Gilbert

Our next Field Day event is scheduled for Wednesday, October 23rd! For this event, students need to qualify by attaining the following criteria:

1. No referrals from 9/20-10/22

2. No F's in any classes on their Report Card

3. 75 PBIS points

4. No more than 5 tardies from 9/20-10/22

What can you do as a parent or loved one to help your Pirate at home? Start with reminding them to ABC every night for each class. Ask them 3 questions:

1. What do you need to ARRANGE or organize in your materials?
2. What can you BROWSE or review from class today?
3. Is there anything you need to COMPLETE before tomorrow?

Wondering if it's too soon to start thinking about college? While exact plans don't have to be set, it's good to have an idea of what's available and what's required to make that goal a reality. From interest inventories to financial planning, it's a good idea to know things your family can consider now...because time flies, and high school graduation will be here before you know it!

Kendall is one of our 6th grade Pirates who knows what it means to have Pirate P.R.I.D.E.!

Congratulations, Kendall!

Pasco County has been my home since leaving my entire family and moving from my hometown of Port Huron, Michigan in 2007. I have a B.S. in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from the University of Michigan and a M.Ed. In Educational Leadership from USF St. Petersburg. I started my teaching career at Chester Taylor Elementary, and taught at Centennial and Watergrass Elementary Schools as well, spanning grades 2-5. I was an admin intern at Stewart Middle, an elementary AP at Watergrass Elementary for 1 year, and at West Zephyrhills Elementary as an AP for almost 6 years before becoming the proud principal of Pasco Middle in November 2021! I believe that we have the power to change lives and better our community, and I will serve and wear the title of Pasco Middle School Principal PROUDLY for as many years as I am allowed!!

I live in Wesley Chapel, splitting my time between my home and my Nigel's home until February 2025. I am most fortunate to get to be a part of his three beautiful children's lives (Amilia 19, Kieran 14, Aria 12) and have two four-legged children as well, Winnie (frenchie) and Boe (frenchie/boston mix). I love to bake and be creative, and have recently started experimenting with textured art ('painting/sculpting' with what is essentially joint compound). I am also waiting (a bit impatiently, possibly...) for Nigel to pop the question and am so incredibly excited about everything the present and future holds for me/us!

Fun fact about me: I can't visit my hometown without enjoying Superman ice cream, and have the fairly useless talent of being able to say the ABC's backward really quickly!

Mrs. Sjolander - 7th grade math students shared that Mrs. Sjolander is giving them opportunities to learn by helping them with notes and providing 3 attempts on questions to get it right. Juan said, "I like that if I miss the question, I have another chance to prove I get it with a different but similar problem."

Frida O - Frida comes to school ready to learn! She participates in class and engages with whatever task is in front of her. She's using her planner and keeping her materials organized!

Emanuel V - Emanuel is growing in confidence, especially in contributing to class discussions. He often raises his hand to offer his opinion and always speaks like a scholar by giving justification.

Aliyah H - Aliyah has been seen displaying SLANT in class to show her teachers that she is engaged in learning. She is making a good impression and proving that she is at school to learn!

Students will be selected at random using the spinning wheel. This selection will take place on a weekly basis. Spinning wheel prizes include: Pirate gear, snack coupons, PBIS points (25/50/75/100), Innovation Lab with 2 friends, Pirate Treasure Box, Kona Ice or Jackpot. We had several winners this summer and are excited to continue rewarding students for positive actions!

Parents, if you would like to get a detailed report of your child's FAST tests, please contact Mrs. Kassabaum at kkassaba@pasco.k12.fl.us to request an Access Code.

Visit this site https://fl-familyportal.cambiumast.com/#/ and enter the required information for the detailed Math & Reading report.

Students may only carry and self-administer medications with required documented authorization (medical provider & parent). The medication must be brought to school with the documentation by the parent. The child will be given a copy of the authorization to carry with the medication. The prescription labeled box or note from the medical provider is also required. Students may not carry medication that is not authorized or labeled.

Medication may also be accessible for your student in the school clinic, if needed. Parent should bring the medication, prescription label or note from the medical provider and then sign the parent medication authorization form. The student would then access the clinic for the medication.

Monday, September 30th :

"P" rotation day - 1,2,3,4,5,6 (lunch is based on the 4th- period teacher)

1:30pm-4:00pm- Football Practice

1:30pm-4:00pm- Cheer Practice

6:00pm- Volleyball Game vs. Pine View Middle School at PMS

Tuesday, October 1st:

"A" rotation day - 2, 3, 5, 4, 6, 1 (lunch is based on the 4th- period teacher)

1:30pm-3:45pm- Volleyball Practice

6:30pm- Football Game vs. Weightman Middle School at PHS

Wednesday, October 2nd:

"S" rotation day- 3, 5, 6, 4, 1, 2 (lunch is based on the 4th- period teacher)

1:30pm-2:30pm- 6th Grade Cambridge Club

1:30pm-3:45pm- Volleyball Practice

1:30pm-4:00pm- Cheer Practice

1:30pm-4:00pm- Football Practice

Thursday, October 3rd:

"C" rotation day - 5, 6, 1, 4, 2, 3 (lunch is based on the 4th- period teacher)

1:30pm-4:00pm- Football Practice

1:30pm-4:00pm- Cheer Practice

1:30pm-3:45pm- Volleyball Practice

Friday, October 4th:

"O" rotation day - 6, 1, 2, 4, 3, 5 (lunch is based on the 4th- period teacher)

1:30pm-3:45pm- Volleyball Practice

You can now report an absence online. The link is below and is also on our school website.

Report an absence

Fortify FL is a suspicious activity reporting tool that allows you to instantly relay information to appropriate law enforcement agencies and school officials.

CLICK HERE to submit a tip.

Students can also report a tip in their mypascoconnect dashboard using the Fortify FL icon.

Central State Glass stopped by to deliver some wonderful giveaway items for our staff! Thank you for your generosity and partnership! 👏