May 2025 Family and Community Newsletter

Join us for the new VPK Summer Bridge Program at the following school sites:

• Fox Hollow Elementary
• Gulf Trace Elementary
• Odessa Elementary
• Rodney B. Cox Elementary

Enrollment is from April 16 to June 6, 2025.  The program is FREE for current VPK students, public or private school.

Eligibility Requirements:

• If your VPK child scored below the 10th percentile, they may be eligible to participate.
• If your child scored below the 10th percentile, they may be eligible for a $1,200 New Worlds Scholarship Account to be used for instructional materials, tutoring, or summer and after school educational programs.
• If your student scored below the 40th percentile, they are eligible to receive free books on a monthly basis through the New Worlds Reading Initiative.

Contact Early Childhood Programs at pascovpk@pasco.k12.fl.us to enroll!

Back by popular demand! We are excited to announce that the Extreme Summer Challenge is back! Pasco County Schools invites current PK - 11th grade students to participate in the Extreme Summer Challenge to increase literacy and mathematics skills.  

The goal is for students to increase their math and reading proficiency by practicing the skills tailored to each student with learning and practice exercises that fully engage the learner. Beanstack and Zearn will be utilized providing differentiated learning pathways to engage students in building knowledge and skills for math and literacy. Students may engage in one or both challenges for prizes.  

Who: All Pasco County students in current PK- 11th Grade  

What: Extreme Summer Challenge  

When: May 26 – June 29    

Where: Take the challenge by launching into the programs on your myPascoConnect dashboard in Beanstack and Zearn.   

Why: This challenge grows your brain AND you have the chance to win prizes! Some of the prizes include tech giveaways.   

New Worlds Reading provides free books for eligible students in Pre-K – 5th grade!

Eligibility for New Worlds Reading is as follows:   

1. Students in VPK-Grade 2 scoring below the 40th percentile on FAST Star Early Literacy/Reading;  
2. Students in Grades 3-5 scoring below Level 3; and  
3. Students in Grades K-5 receiving Tier 2 or Tier 3 Reading Intervention Support (as reported by districts in Survey 2 and Survey 3).  

To see if your child qualifies, please reach out to their classroom teacher. 

To apply, visit the New Worlds Reading website.

Adult Education in Pasco County Schools offers a range of programs designed to support lifelong learning and personal development for adults in our community. Our programs provide opportunities for adults to earn their high school diploma or equivalent, improve their English language skills, and gain essential job readiness and vocational training.

Our Adult Education GED Programs provide invaluable opportunities for adult learners to achieve their educational and career goals. By earning a GED, individuals can access better job prospects, pursue higher education, and gain a sense of personal accomplishment. These programs offer flexible schedules to accommodate busy lives, along with personalized support and resources to ensure success. Pasco County offers both in-person and virtual GED Preparation Programs. For more information regarding Adult Education GED Programs, please visit the GED Program Information page.

For more information regarding Pasco County’s Adult Education opportunities, please visit the Adult Education website.

The Pasco Education Foundation’s Wise Supplies Center is a free teacher resource store that helps alleviate the financial burden on families and teachers. During the summer months, Wise Supplies is out in the community collecting supplies and hosting events to support our teachers and students. Please check our website for event dates and contact us if you would like to be involved in our Summer Supply Drive efforts.

For more information, please visit our events page. 

If your family is looking for a fun and engaging experience for your K-5 child this summer, Pasco County Schools offers a full-time weekly program for only $139/week at a safe and inviting school location near you!

Our PLACE STEAMsational Summer program is designed to provide an active and enriching environment for kids who want to get off the couch, meet some friends, have some fun, (and maybe even learn a few things).

Join us this summer for many educational activities, outside playtime, free lunch (at some locations), and even free field trips to places like TreeHoppers Adventure Park, Fun Spot Kissimmee, and Busch Gardens Tampa.

We still have a few openings at the Deer Park Elementary, Cotee River Elementary, and Pasco Middle School locations. Register before May 5, 2025 to guarantee your spot for this summer!

For more information, and to register, please visit us at myasep.com/steamsational, or call us at 813-794-2298.

We look forward to seeing you this summer!

Join us for an exciting in-person educational event focused on digital safety for teens and their families on Tuesday, May 13, from 6:30 p.m., to 8:30 p.m., at Angeline Academy of Innovation (8916 Angeline School Wy, Land O' Lakes, FL 34638).

The event will be focused on digital safety, being a responsible and safe digital citizen, and bringing parents/caregivers together for open and positive conversations. Any student can attend, along with their parents/guardians. Students MUST be age 13 or older to participate in the full program!

There will be free food, door prizes, activities for younger children, and scholarship grant drawings for students and families in attendance. All students ages 13 and up who attend with their family will be entered into a drawing for a scholarship.

Agenda:

• 6:30 p.m. - Registration and dinner - all ages welcome

• 7:15 p.m. - Children under the age of 13 will transition to child activities

• 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. - Program - Welcome, Student Panel, Parent Panel, Joint Moderated Discussion, Prizes

See more information and RSVP by visiting the information and registration page.

E-bikes have seen a surge in popularity among students, particularly for commuting to and from school or exploring the local area. This popularity stems from several factors, including convenience, practicality, affordability, and environmental benefits.

While e-bikes offer numerous benefits, there are safety concerns, especially regarding young or inexperienced riders.

Statistics show that Hospitals reported treating 53,200 e-bike-related injuries from 2017 to 2022. Injuries increased from 3,500 in 2017 to 24,400 in 2022, according to a study by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The Pasco County School District wants all our students to be safe while riding e-bikes, so here are some safety tips on how to make riding them safer.

• Always wear a helmet: Helmets are crucial for protecting your head in case of a crash.
• Follow traffic laws: Obey all traffic rules and regulations, including stop signs, traffic lights, and signals.
• Be aware of your surroundings: Pay attention to other cyclists, pedestrians, and vehicles, especially in shared-use paths.
• Use lights and reflectors: Be visible, especially when riding at night or in low-light conditions.
• Use a horn or bell: Alert other road users of your presence, especially when approaching intersections or pedestrians.
• Ride in the right lane: Ride with traffic, not against it, and avoid weaving in and out of traffic.
• Keep your tires properly inflated: Properly inflated tires ensure better handling and control.
• Avoid distractions: Do not use electronic devices or earbuds while riding.
• Know the rules for e-bikes in your area: Some areas have specific regulations for e-bike operation, such as speed limits or restricted areas.

E-Bike battery fire concerns

• Overcharging: Continuing to charge a fully charged battery can cause it to overheat and potentially catch fire.
• Faulty or Unsafe Charging Equipment: Using an incompatible charger or one not designed for the specific e-bike battery can lead to a fire.
• Damaged Batteries: If the battery is physically damaged (swollen, bulging, cracked, etc.), it should be stopped from use and properly disposed of, as it increases the risk of fire.
• Internal Short Circuits: These can occur without external signs of damage and can lead to fires during charging.