Pirate Press

Pirate Families,

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.

This week we are also sharing information from Pasco High School about an opportunity for 8th graders and their families to learn about what Pasco High School offers and start planning for their future. This event will feature innovative and interactive activities designed to engage and inspire your children as they explore the many opportunities awaiting them in high school.

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

The rescheduled Home Volleyball game from the hurricane days will be held on 10/10/24.

VB vs. CSRMS 10/10/24 - Home Game

6pm Start Time

Students in Mrs. Mackenzie's ELD Class (English Language Development) have created some wonderfully visual impactful and informative posters to celebrate Latino Heritage Month. They feature information from Latin American countries, Portugal and Spain. Great job, Pirates!

Students in Mrs. Faneyte's Spanish classes have created some beautiful items in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month!

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 write in their planner every class, every day. What should or could they be writing?

1) What they did in class

2) What they need to do at home

3) Learning objectives or benchmarks

4) Upcoming due dates or tests

5) Extracurricular activities

6) Missing assignments

7) Supplies to organize at home

8) Reminders about speaking with a teacher

9) Grade tracking

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!

I have been teaching at PMS for almost 2 years, but part of the Pasco schools for 8 years! I live locally with my family, which is my husband, a son and a daughter. We have 4 dogs and 1 bunny. In my spare time I enjoy riding a bike, going to the beach and traveling. I love teaching Spanish to help enhance communication skills, help them further future career opportunities, appreciate other cultures, and make those life-long social connections with friends.

My name is Michelle Vasko and I have been a teacher at Pasco Middle School for 29 years. I graduated from the University of South Florida with bachelor's degrees in art education and studio art with a concentration in painting in 1995. I received my master’s in 2008 from National-Louis University in interdisciplinary studies. I have taught art, reading, gifted, course recovery, and various ESE positions in the co-teach and support facilitation models. I believe that all students can be motivated to do remarkable things, and I love to see our former students doing just that.

I sing karaoke, line dance, Jazzercise, garden, watch many movies and cook a lot. I just learned how to make cannoli shells from scratch, homemade ricotta cheese, vegan sausage lasagna, and homemade fettuccini noodles. I am taking a cooking class this weekend and will learn how to make vegan paella, tiramisu, ratatouille, and gambas al pil pil.

My passion is exploring and doing new things. I have partaken in the Mammoth Cave Wild Tour in Kentucky, ziplined through Belize and Roatan, hiked up Stone Mountain, rode a hot air balloon over Florida, snorkeled and participated in a kava ceremony in Fiji, and was able to rappel and cave swim in Rio Secreto earlier this year. I don't let my physical limitations stop me from adventuring. I believe that if you conquer your fears, you become invincible.

Fun Facts: Kristy Kassabaum and Jessica Sjolander are my former students.

I was a student at Pasco Junior High School (a.k.a. Pasco Middle)

I have taught at Pasco Middle School the longest....which doesn't seem right 😂

Mrs. Larkin - 6th grade ELA students shared that they can tell Mrs. Larkin is excited to teach them! They see that she wants to have fun learning and helping them. They also appreciate that she is very organized in how she gives them information. Moriah said, "I like how she gives us a lesson and goes over it with us and then sends us to practice on it. Then she reviews with us and explains how we got it wrong if we got it wrong."

Gael M - Gael is a scholar in every aspect! He contributes to class discussions and often volunteers to offer his opinions or thoughts. He is focused on learning and helps his classmates do the same.

Abbhy D - Abbhy is always responsible for taking care of her assignments. She remains in control in class and is engaged in learning.

Juan C - Juan is a quiet leader, and when he does speak up, it's important to listen because what he says is meaningful. Rarely does he need to be redirected because he is engaged in learning and has made a choice to be successful.

Diana J - Diana is actively engaged in all her assignments. She also did an excellent job on her Latino Heritage Month project and presentation! She is on the right path with grades and attendance!

Elizabeth P - Elizabeth is new to AVID but has already shown that she is an excellent note-taker. She listens to the information, writes it down in organized ways, and interacts with the content to make sure she is helping it stick in her brain!

Samuel De Jesus Da Annunciacao Oliveira - Samuel exemplifies all the PRIDE Expectations, especially being prepared and dependable. He is maintaining excellent grades in Cambridge courses because of his focus on his education.

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, October 7th :

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

6:00pm- Volleyball Game @ John Long Middle School

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

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

Tuesday, October 8th:

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

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

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

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

Wednesday, October 9th:

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

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

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

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

Thursday, October 10th:

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

8:15am- Fire Drill #3

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

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

6:00pm- Volleyball Game vs. Rushe at Pasco Middle School

Friday, October 11th:

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

End of 1st Quarter

Fall Picture Make-up Day

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! 👏