December 2025 Family and Community Newsletter
Featured Story
Thanksgiving at Lacoochee Elementary School
On Thanksgiving morning, led by principal, Latoya Jordan, and community members, Sierra Johnson and Ebony Pickett, Lacoochee Elementary staff, their family members, and Lacoochee community members prepared and delivered Thanksgiving meals...
On Thanksgiving morning, led by principal, Latoya Jordan, and community members, Sierra Johnson and Ebony Pickett, Lacoochee Elementary staff, their family members, and Lacoochee community members prepared and delivered Thanksgiving meals to the Lacoochee and Trilby area. Over 100 meals, complete with dessert, were served to LES families, neighbors, and friends as well as the homeless in the areas.
See more photos on our Facebook Page
Content courtesy of Lacoochee Elementary School Storyteller Savanna Harris
Academics
Assessment Resources for Families
The Winter/FAST PM2 testing window is now open, and we want to ensure families have the resources they need to support their children throughout Florida’s statewide assessments. The Pasco Assessment Resource site provides parents with easy access to essential information, including testing schedules, details about statewide assessments and computer-adaptive testing, graduation requirements, and preparation tools. You’ll also find guidance on understanding test results. Use the links below to quickly navigate to these helpful resources:
- District Testing Calendars
- Understanding Computer-Adaptive Testing
- Resources to Prepare for Testing (including links to sample items and released tests)
- Accessing Your Child's Test Results
- Interpreting Your Child's Test Results
- Graduation Requirements for Statewide Assessments
Scholarships for Graduating Seniors
Applications open December 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026!
With just one application, students can be considered for more than 60 different scholarships. Last year, we awarded over $400,000 to 2025 graduating seniors. Your turn could be next!
Explore available scholarships and start your application at:
www.pascoeducationfoundation.org/students/
Dashing into Career Exploration - Xello Challenge
We are excited to share information with you about our holiday Xello student engagement challenge! Dashing Through Career Exploration with Xello!
Student engagement within Xello is growing, and we want to continue to incentivize this positive momentum for all students in kindergarten through 12th grade over the Winter holiday break.
To participate in this challenge students must:
- Log into the Xello app on their myPascoConnect dashboard
- Complete at least two of the assigned lessons they find on their Xello homepage by the end of winter break (1/6/2026)
- With the completion of at least 2 lessons, students will be automatically entered into a drawing to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card
- Students who have completed their lessons prior to the start of the challenge will be included in the drawing
- Winners will be announced on January 14th, 2026, and the gift card will be delivered to the student at school following admin and parent notification
Students and parents will be notified of this opportunity through MyStudent on Monday, December 1st!
Here is a flyer with more information regarding the Xello Challenge.
Good luck!
Career Dual Enrollment Opportunities
Pasco County students have an exciting opportunity to get ahead through Career Dual Enrollment—a powerful program that blends high school and career training into one seamless experience. Students can earn technical skills and academic knowledge that prepare them for college, career, and life—all while still in high school!
Through partnerships with Fred K. Marchman Technical College (FKMTC), Pinellas Technical College (PTC), and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, students can explore career certificate programs in high-demand fields. Even better? Tuition and textbooks are completely free, saving families money while accelerating students’ paths to success.
Career Dual Enrollment students stay enrolled at their home schools while gaining hands-on experience and earning credentials that give them a competitive edge in the workforce or in future college programs.
For more information, please visit us Career Dual Enrollment page.
Seal of Fine Arts
The Department of Education introduced an exciting opportunity for high school fine arts students. The Seal of Fine Arts is available to high school seniors that meet the fine arts requirements. The Fine Arts Seal will become part of the student's permanent record and attached to their diploma upon graduation.
For additional details, please visit:
https://pasco.k12.fl.us/finearts/page/florida-seal-of-fine-arts
Introducing the AP Capstone Diploma and Bright Futures Pathway
We’re excited to share updates about the AP Capstone Diploma Program and its connection to the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship. The AP Capstone Diploma is a prestigious College Board program that develops research, collaboration, and communication skills through two core courses—AP Seminar and AP Research—plus four additional AP courses. Students who earn qualifying scores on these exams can receive the AP Capstone Diploma.
Recent legislation (House Bill 1105) now allows the AP Capstone designation to meet eligibility requirements for the Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) award under Bright Futures. While this pathway does not replace the standard high school diploma, it offers an exciting option for students to earn scholarship eligibility through AP achievement.
For details on specific requirements based on your student’s high school start year, please see the flyer.
Get Free Books with New Worlds Reading Initiative
The New Worlds Reading Initiative is a statewide program that helps VPK – 5th grade students who are not yet reading on grade level grow their personal libraries and encourage a love of reading through free books delivered every month.
Eligible families can register their student and begin receiving books. Learn more at www.newworldsreading.com.
Through New Worlds Reading:
- Enrolled students will receive 9 free books each school year through fifth grade in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole or braille!
- Children can choose the books they receive to help them build personalized at-home libraries and foster a love of reading.
- Books also come with literacy resources and activities for families and caregivers to engage with their children about reading to strengthen children’s literacy skills and reading confidence.
To be eligible, children must not yet be meeting grade level expectations in reading in Florida public or charter schools. Apply today!
Dual Enrollment Spring 2026 Registration
The Spring 2026 PHSC DE Registration Worksheet is now available and linked on our district DE webpage.
- New DE students complete an online application at https://apply.phsc.edu/apply/
- The deadline for dual enrollment applications is December 12, 2025. Students who apply after this deadline will not be permitted to enroll in courses until the following semester. New students need to have eligible test scores prior to applying.
- Returning PHSC DE students do not need to complete another application.
- The process for students to request Pasco eSchool courses for Spring has been updated. Please follow the directions linked here or view this video that walks registrants through the new process. Students should still meet with their counselors and complete their dynamic forms for these courses if they are interested in taking any Dual Enrollment courses.
- Students and families can also view this slide deck from our Dual Enrollment Spring 2026 Registration Information Session.
Please contact Heather Rulison with any questions.
Discover the Power of the Florida Seal of Biliteracy!
The Florida Seal of Biliteracy recognizes students who demonstrate high levels of proficiency in English and another world language. This distinction not only celebrates multilingualism but also opens doors to college, career, and global opportunities.
Learn how your school can support students in earning this prestigious recognition and showcase the value of language learning in today’s world.
Check out the attached flyer for key details and visit the official website for additional resources and guidelines: https://www.fldoe.org/academics/eng-language-learners/world-languages-foreign-languages.stml
Help your students earn this prestigious distinction and showcase the value of multilingualism and biliteracy in today’s world!
Family Information and Support
District-wide R.A.C.E. To Read update
As of November 17, 2025, Pasco County students have collectively read and logged 7,214,021 minutes toward our goal of 20 million!
The top 5 schools at each level are:
Elementary
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Moon Lake Elementary
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Sanders Elementary
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Chester Taylor Elementary
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Denham Oaks Elementary
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Pine View Elementary
Middle School
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Charles S. Rushe Middle
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Seven Springs Middle
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River Ridge Middle
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Angeline Academy
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John Long Middle
High School
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West Pasco Education Academy
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Angeline Academy
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Fivay High
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JW Mitchell High
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Wendell Krinn
We are very proud of our Pasco County readers! Please encourage your children to enjoy some reading time during their holiday break!
Parent Engagement Network Newsletter - Students with Disabilities
We are pleased to share the Parent Engagement Network Newsletter! In this edition you will find information on Volunteer Opportunities, Discipline Procedures, Community Health Center Supports, Tips for Supporting Diverse Learners, School-Based IEP/504 Contacts, and more!
General Information
Support Students While Enjoying Upcoming Shows!
Vinik Sports Group is offering a special ticket link for Pasco Education Foundation supporters. When you purchase tickets through this page, a portion of the proceeds comes right back to support Pasco County students:
www.gofevo.com/group/PascoTicketOffer
This offer includes popular upcoming events like Monster Jam, Ringling Brothers, and Disney On Ice. Enjoy a great show while giving back!
World Class Opportunities
We’re excited to welcome you to our upcoming events!
Every day, our amazing bus drivers and transportation team roll in with patience, kindness, and a whole lot of heart. They keep our students safe, our routes running smoothly, and our community connected one mile (and one smile!) at a time.
Now it’s your turn to spread the love! Help us shine a spotlight on these everyday heroes by sharing a message of appreciation. Let’s lift them up and celebrate the people who keep our district moving forward.
Share your message here: https://ryu.pasco.k12.fl.us/hreq-mform/view.php?id=226932
And that’s not all—we’ve got some exciting events coming up!
We’re excited to welcome you to our upcoming events! Join us for our Recruitment Office Hours on Friday, December 5th, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the District Office. This event is an excellent opportunity for individuals interested in pursuing a career with Pasco to meet with our recruitment team, ask questions, and learn more about current openings across our schools.
In addition, we will be hosting a Transportation Job Fair on Thursday, November 10th, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the District Office. We are actively recruiting Bus Drivers, Vehicle Technicians, and additional transportation team members.
Register Here: https://ryu.pasco.k12.fl.us/HREQ-mform/view.php?id=224984
What is Work-Based Learning?
Pasco County Schools’ Career, Technical and Adult Education (CTAE) Department prides itself on the Work-Based Learning options available to all students. Work-Based Learning (WBL) is an interaction with industry or community professionals in real workplace settings, or simulated environments at an educational institution that foster in-depth, firsthand engagement with the tasks required of a given career field, that are aligned to curriculum and instruction.
In far fewer words: Firsthand work that develops relationships with industry professionals and is integrated into the curriculum experience. WBL programs can be supported in the school and at the work site. The three key components of a comprehensive WBL program are:
- Aligning classroom and workplace learning
- Applying academic, technical, and employability skills in a work setting
- Having support from classroom or workplace mentors
Research shows that students who start WBL at an early age have better outcomes for postsecondary success and career readiness. Employers also benefit from WBL by helping to shape their future workforce.
Work-Based Learning is broken down into three separate areas- Career Awareness, Career Exploration, and Work-Based Learning.
- Career Awareness begins as early as elementary school. Elementary students are exposed to career exploration through Guest Speakers, Great American Teach In, and Career Fairs.
- Career Exploration begins in middle school where students are given the opportunity to attend various events such as Business and Industry Tours and Field Trips.
- Work-Based Learning is implemented through a more hands-on approach. Students in Secondary and Post-Secondary programs may participate in Internships, On the Job Training (OJT), Simulated Learning, and more.
For more information regarding Work-Based Learning, see the following resources:
Questions? You are welcome to contact Program Coordinator Angel Hernandez at ahernand@pasco.k12.fl.us.
Important Safety Tips
Electric Motorcycles - What you should know
With the increase of electric motorcycles on sidewalks and around schools, School Safety, along with the Pasco Sheriff's Office, would like to remind students and parents about importance of safely operating motorized scooters, mopeds, and other variations of electric motorcycles.
These vehicles resemble electric bicycles, but riders may not realize they’re actually riding a motorcycle. These vehicles can reach dangerous speeds, and when driven in an unsafe manner, can impact the safety of the rider and others. Electric motorcycles that do not have pedals are subject to the same rules as traditional motorcycles.
Click here to see PSO’s flyer about electric motorcycles. For more information, visit RideSmartFlorida.com.
Keeping Families and Kids Safe During the December Holidays
As December approaches, families begin preparing for holiday festivities, travel, and school breaks. While this season brings joy and togetherness, it also presents unique safety challenges—especially for children. Whether you're staying local or heading out of town, here are some essential tips to help keep your family safe and secure during the holidays.
1. Travel Safety
- Plan Ahead: If you're traveling, make sure your itinerary is shared with a trusted friend or family member. Keep emergency contacts updated.
- Vehicle Prep: Ensure your car is winter-ready—even in Florida, long-distance travel may take you through colder climates. Check tires, brakes, and fluid levels.
- Child Safety Seats: Double-check that car seats and booster seats are properly installed and age-appropriate.
2. Home Security
- Secure Your Home: If you're leaving town, lock all doors and windows, set alarms, and consider using timers for lights to give the appearance that someone is home.
- Package Theft Prevention: With increased online shopping, porch thefts rise. Use secure delivery options or have packages sent to a pickup location.
3. School Break Awareness
- Know Your Child’s Schedule: Stay informed about early release days and the official start of winter break. Communicate with caregivers or babysitters if your child will be home alone.
- Online Safety: With more free time, kids may spend extra hours online. Monitor screen time and talk to them about internet safety, especially on social media and gaming platforms.
4. Holiday Event Safety
- Crowd Awareness: If attending public events, establish a meeting point in case anyone gets separated. Teach children how to identify trusted adults (like police or event staff).
- Fire Safety: Be cautious with candles, lights, and decorations. Keep flammable items away from heat sources and never leave lit candles unattended.
5. Mental and Emotional Wellbeing
- Check In: The holidays can be stressful. Check in with your children emotionally. Maintain routines where possible and encourage open conversations.
- Community Resources: If you or someone you know needs support, many local organizations offer help during the holidays—from food assistance to counseling services.
December is a time for celebration, but safety should always be a priority. By staying proactive and informed, families can enjoy the season with peace of mind. Let’s work together to ensure a safe and joyful holiday for all.
Pasco County Schools: We exist to provide a World Class Education.
Important Links