PATHS - PARENT'S NEWSLETTER

Dear PATHS Parents:

I have been at PATHS for four months now, and what an amazing four months it has been. I am beyond lucky to serve as the principal at such a unique and amazing school. I have gotten to know the teachers and staff and have learned what a dedicated group we have. They inspire me each and every day. I have held Student Focus Groups for a week; I wanted to view the school through a student's eyes and get their feedback on the pros and cons of our school. The students I met with were overall very happy at PATHS. They offered some insight, suggestions and feedback which in turn, I am relaying to staff in order to make some changes where applicable.

We have some new district initiatives this year including a district wide AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program and PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Support). Both of these programs have been in Osceola County for some time, but are brand new to PATHS. We are excited to infuse some of the AVID best teaching strategies into our curriculum and have trainings planned for each quarter on these practices. PBIS brings a positive spin on supporting students with a three tier framework. Our current focus is on tier one with teaching our behavioral expectations and rewarding those who apply our PRIDE expectations. Students earn Patriot Dollars and will be able to cash those in for various rewards throughout the year, including our first Fall Festival in November.

Please feel free to reach out to me at any time should you have a concern or need something! Looking forward to a wonderful rest of the year.

Mrs. Roman

We are proud of our teachers and the certification each one has through the state of Florida. Most of our teachers are "highly qualified" as it relates to NCLB legislation. We would like to inform you that your student is currently enrolled in a course taught by a teacher that is undergoing the professional teacher certification process but that is currently classified as "out of field": Winelys Lopez, Michelle Underhill, Esperanza Firpo and Fernando Moreta

PATHS After School Focused Tutoring:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

ON CAMPUS: 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
ON TEAMS: 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm (Bio/AP Bio)

Mrs. Darsch - Portable 24 (US History)
Mr. Lomax- Portable 20 (Algebra ! and Liberal Arts)
Mr. Moreta - 5-111 (ELA)

Mr. Taepke - %-116 (ELA)
Mrs. Rivera- 5-108 (Biology/AP Biology)

All students who need extra help are encouraged to attend. No sign up necessary.

1. During the lunch period counselors are available in their offices 4 days a week. (one day assigned to lunch duty)
2. Parents and Student have access to counselors Bookings page to schedule meetings in person or via TEAMS.
3. Students and parents are able to communicate via email, phone calls, and Remind.
4. Counselors have an open door policy and students are encourage to ask to go see their counselor anytime they feel the need

Senior Corner

Senior Tasks

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Senior Check-In: Credit Checks and Post-Secondary Planning discussions happening this month. If you have a class on campus I will be pulling you for this. If you are not on our campus during the school day, please book an appointment at the link below or email me to discuss an arrangement.

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FAFSA is open now! www.fafsa.gov – see our school website for helpful links and resources- book an appointment with Mrs. Crotty

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Bright Futures application (Florida Financial Aid Application, FFAA) is open NOW. You do NOT need the requirements to complete the application at this time. Contact Mrs. Crotty for more information or to discuss your evaluation status.

Upcoming Events

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Oct 19th- Lunch & Learn Workshop- College Admissions Essay Writing

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Oct 19th- Economics Classroom Lesson – FAFSA, Bright Futures and Scholarships

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Oct 20th- College Wednesday – Southeastern University visiting at lunch

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Nov- English 4 Classroom Lesson – Scholarship Essay Writing

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Nov 29th- Lunch & Learn Workshop- FAFSA & Scholarships

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Dec- FAFSA Night – stay tuned for date & info

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Dec 7th- Lunch & Learn Workshop- Career & College Research

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Dec 14th- Lunch & Learn Workshop- Scholarships

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Dec 14th- ASVAB testing

Contact Mrs. Crotty if you need any assistance with the above or if you’d like to discuss your students goals and progress!

· Morgana.Crotty@osceolaschools.net

· www.calendly.com/mrscrotty

Carl Martin A-L

Carl.Martin@osceolaschools.net

http://bit.ly/Martinbookings

Portable 32, Ext. 15302

Kelly Aycock, M-Z

Kelly.Aycock@osceolaschools.net

http://bit.ly/MsAycockBookings

Portable 33, Ext. 15301

Molly Crotty/College & Career/Senior Counselor

Morgana.Crotty@osceolaschools.net

http://calendly.com/MrsCrotty

Portable 31, Ext. 15304

Upcoming Testing:

• Thursday 10/28: PSAT Testing for all 9th graders
• Upcoming PERT testing for Dual Enrollment. Speak to your Guidance Counselor for more information and dates.
• Thanks to students and parents for a successful day of ACT testing on Wednesday 10/5! Over 130 11th graders successfully completed the test. Scores will be returned in 3-4 weeks!

AVID or, Advancement Via Individual Determination is an educational system that fosters a safe and open culture, high expectations for teachers and students, and collaboration in all classrooms. The essential focus of the program is post-secondary planning. For the 2021-2022 school year, we are incorporating AVID best practices into our Leadership and Personal Career Development courses. Due to our unique structure and block scheduling our schedule does not provide the opportunity for the AVID elective class, however we do not want our students to miss out! Currently, 9th grade students enrolled in the Leadership class are utilizing the AVID curriculum and working on time management skills and overall organizational skills; as this is a key foundational skill for 9th graders to leave. Currently, 12th grade students enrolled in the Personal Career Development course are working on college applications, FAFSA and scholarship essays. Our Personal Career Development course is also supported by the College & Career Counselor to provide more in-depth post-secondary planning. Lastly, all students have been provided a school agenda to align with the use of AVID binders. We ask that you please encourage your child to utilize the planner as a time management and organizational tool.

Positive Behavioral Interventions Support or PBIS is a proactive approach to improve student outcomes by supporting students with positive preventative behavior rather than punishment. For educators, it is not a curriculum to learn and teach but instead, a commitment to establishing behavioral and cultural supports needed for any student to achieve academic and emotional success. When implemented effectively, students experience greater academic success, schools experience less of a need for exclusionary practices like suspension or expulsion, and teachers and staff often feel more effective.

Fall Festival on Nov 5th will be our first PBIS event. Students are rewarded with Patriot Dollars that they can spend on events, items, and special privileges for displaying our PRIDE expectations. The event will cost students 10 Patriot Dollars and 5 Patriot Dollars for those who are half day. Off site students may volunteer for the event and get in for free for their dedication to school pride.

On November 6th we are having our PATHS Homecoming Night Under the Stars dance. Prices for the event are $10 from October 25-Nov 3 and $15 on Nov 5th and 6th

Each grade level can nominate and vote for their own class peers for homecoming court. Seniors: King and Queen, Juniors: Prince and Princess, Sophomores: Duke and Duchess Freshmen: Count and Countess.

Hispanic Heritage Month was proclaimed by former President George H. Bush on September 14, 1989.

Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter and Reagan gave annual proclamations for Hispanic Heritage Week between 1969-1988.