Message from our Principal & Assistant Principal
Dear Pride Families,
We are looking forward to several events in the coming weeks that will provide our families with opportunities to visit our school, meet other families, and enjoy some time together as a school family. Please join us for our Back-to-School Ice-Cream Social sponsored by our PTA on September 25th and encourage grandparents to join us for breakfast on September 9th or 10th. A link to RSVP for breakfast is included below.
IMPORTANT SAFETY REMINDERS
- For the safety of students and families, please DO NOT use cell phones in the car line!
- When picking up in the carline, please have your QR pick-up code ready to be scanned and keep your numbered car tag hanging on your rear-view mirror until your child is in your car. Please stay in the center of the drop off/pick up lane near the cafeteria, far to the left of the yellow line and AWAY from the orange safety cones. DO NOT PULL AWAY FROM THE CURB UNTIL THE SAFETY PATROL HAS CLOSED THE DOOR AND STEPPED AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE and do not pull around cars in the line that are still loading.
- Review safe walker/pedestrian and bike rider laws/rules/procedures with your children.
- Bike riders are required to wear helmets.
- Follow all traffic laws/rules and drive cautiously through school zones and in the neighborhood.
- Please do not drop students off in surrounding streets or park/drop students off in surrounding neighborhoods such as Stone Creek Townhomes.
- HOST students should not be picked up until 2:30 or later (after car line pickup is finished).
- You may reference our Quick Reference Guide for Parents (included in first day folders and on our website) for important information including detailed drop off and pick up procedures. Quick Reference Guide for Parents 2024.2025.pdf (hillsboroughschools.org)
Severe weather procedures are implemented when there is severe weather or when weather radar indicates that severe weather is quickly approaching our area. Parents completed a form at the beginning of the year indicating how students who are walkers/bike riders will be dismissed in the event of severe weather, either as a car rider or wait until the severe weather has passed and then walk or ride their bike. Of course, parents would need to come and pick up students in the event of an extended period of severe weather. In the event of severe weather conditions, car riders and bus riders will be dismissed when conditions allow students and staff to safely move from the building to cars and buses. Severe weather dismissal will generally proceed much more slowly than regular dismissal. We appreciate your patience and know that you understand that our priority is always the safety of our students and staff.
BE IN THE KNOW!!
Informational flyers are posted in the “peachjar," and this weekly newsletter is distributed via ParentLink email. IF you are not receiving weekly emails from Mrs. English or notifications of peachjar flyers, please email Deborah.Palmer@hcps.net and she will update your email address so that you will receive all important communication😊. Be sure to check out our school website (https://www.hillsboroughschools.org/pride) and our FaceBook page (Pride Elem).
Stronger together,
Paulette English, Principal
Heather Moncrief, Assistant Principal
Every Day Matters!
Every day matters when it comes to attendance! There is a strong link between regular attendance and academic success. Research indicates that missing 10% of the school year, which is 2 days a month, negatively affects a student’s academic performance. Compared to students who are chronically absent, students who attend school regularly have greater success in all grade levels. Elementary school students who regularly attend class are 1.7 times more likely to achieve grade-level scores in English Language Arts and 2 times more likely to achieve grade-level scores in Math. Chronic absenteeism (10% or more of school days) leads to students struggling to read proficiently. Please note that absences for vacations and family visits are considered unexcused absences. Whenever possible, please try to schedule these activities for when school is not in session. Teachers are happy to provide students with suggestions for making up missed assignments but cannot replicate all of the learning that takes place in the classroom.
Student Passwords Needed for Sign-in and Sign-out
IMPORTANT!
All parents and guardians should know their child's student number and password. We have a new system for signing students into school late and out of school early that requires this information. Please keep your child's student number and password handy for late arrivals and early check-outs. The ParentVUE app provides parents with access to your child's barcode for signing into school late or signing out early.
Passwords are usually set by the classroom teacher. They are secure but we encourage families to know this information so that students can access important online programs at home as well as at school. We prefer that these passwords are not changed at home. If you need to change your child's password, it is important to let your child's teacher know so that your child can continue to access programs at school as well.
Dear Grandparents
(& Grandfriends)
You are cordially invited to join your grandchild
for breakfast as we celebrate
our GRANDPARENTS at
PRIDE ELEMENTARY
GRANDPARENTS MAY REGISTER TO COME ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9th OR TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10th.
Breakfast will be served from 6:30-7:10.
Menu - Scrambled Eggs, Sausage, Country Biscuit, Grits, & Beverage
Cost: $4.00 per grandparent - CASH ONLY THE DAY OF BREAKFAST - no prepay can be accepted
(Students eat breakfast free as always.)
PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO RSVP BY WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28TH.
https://forms.office.com/r/u3UisAq1YK
Grandparents who RSVP will receive a parking pass to display on the dash of their vehicle which will allow them to enter through the back gate and park in the parking lot next to our cafeteria or in Cross Creek Park. Please encourage grandparents to arrive on time so that they will have plenty of time to enjoy breakfast with their special little Pride Lion(s).
Please visit Givebacks to order spirit shirts, purchase yearbooks, purchase birthday marquee messages, make donations, and join our PTA.
Zip Up Jacket Orders
Did we run out of your child’s size spirit shirt or zip up jacket during Meet the Teacher? Please visit our PTA store to preorder: https://pridetampa.givebacks.com/. We anticipate these will be delivered to classrooms by 8/30. Thank you! – Pride PTA
LUNCHROOM VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
We need volunteers to help in the cafeteria during lunch on a daily basis between 10:00 and 1:30. Ideally, we would like to have recurring volunteers, but any time you can help would be greatly appreciated! The role involves monitoring student behavior, assisting students with opening food items, escorting students to the bathroom or health clinic, helping with spills, etc.. Parents must have an approved volunteer application on file in order to volunteer. Please click on the link below to sign up!
Pride Elementary: Lunchroom Support Volunteers (signupgenius.com)
Meet our Principal, Mrs. English
As we gear up for another exciting school year, we’re happy to introduce our principal, Mrs. English, who is embarking on her 42nd year in education. With 16 years of experience as a school administrator and her role as principal of Pride Elementary since January 2020, Mrs. English brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to our school community.
Outside of school, Mrs. English cherishes time with her family, especially her two-year old grandchildren, Caroline and Liam. She also enjoys traveling, gardening, and neighborhood walks. Her love for new adventures fuels her excitement as we welcome back returning students and embrace the new faces joining Pride Elementary this year.
Meet our Assistant Principal, Mrs. Moncrief
We’re thrilled to introduce Mrs. Moncrief, our dedicated Assistant Principal, who is celebrating her 26th year in education! Now in her 4th year at Pride, Mrs. Moncrief is passionate about meeting new students and celebrating their learning and growth. In her free time, she loves reading and is excited to dive into all the SLAM books. Welcome back, Mrs. Moncrief—we’re looking forward to another exciting year!
About Us
Email: Pride.Elementary@hcps.net
Website: hillsboroughschools.org/pride
Location: 10310 Lion's Den Drive, Tampa, FL, USA
Phone: 813-558-5400
Facebook: facebook.com/PrideElem