November 2025 Family and Community Newsletter

They came. They played. They SWEPT. Sunlake Volleyball dominates Eastlake to clinch Regionals and is now STATE BOUND! Alivia Martin had an outstanding serving and defensive game and really helped the Seahawks get on the board early on! Sofia Sierra with an incredible ending in serving to help the Seahawks comeback and win the third set. Amelia Snider came out in full force with outstanding hitting and defensive performance.  #ProtectTheNest #SeahawkPride #RoadToStates

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 is being finalized. 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. More information to come.

Please contact Heather Rulison with any questions.

Pasco County Schools is proud to honor our Veterans through a special partnership with Brian Corley, Supervisor of Elections, for our 12th Annual Veterans Day Celebration. This year’s event will be held in person on Friday morning, November 7th, as we come together to recognize the service and sacrifice of Veterans from our schools and the greater Pasco County community.

You can find more details here: Veterans Day 2025.pdf  

This year’s celebration is especially meaningful as our nation prepares to mark the 250th anniversaries of the United States Armed Forces and the Declaration of Independence—two milestones that remind us of the lasting impact of those who have served and protected our freedoms. To ensure every student can take part in this important tribute, the event will be recorded and shared with all schools before Veterans Day (Tuesday, November 11th). Schools will have the opportunity to show the video so students can join in honoring our Veterans together.

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 (ERAU), 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. 

Pasco County Schools invites families to attend the Pasco Pathways Expo, returning for two exciting evenings this November! These events are designed to help families explore the many innovative educational programs available across the district and learn more about the school choice application process

• Monday, November 10, 2025 at Cypress Creek High School
• Monday, November 17, 2025 at Hudson High School
• Both events run from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Families will have the opportunity to:

• Meet representatives from Pasco County’s elementary, middle, and high schools
• Attend informational sessions on magnet programs, career academies, IB, Cambridge, and more
• Learn how to apply for school choice and explore pathways tailored to student interests

Whether you're looking for advanced academic programs, arts conservatories, or career-connected learning, the Pasco Pathways Expo is your gateway to discovering what’s possible for your child’s education.

For more details, session schedules, and to register, visit: www.pascoschools.org/expo

Our dedicated employee shares what her favorite part about working with Pasco County School District. Hear directly from our driver as she shares what it’s really like behind the wheel — the smiles, the stories, the teamwork, and the pride that comes from making a difference in our community.

Check out our Employee Testimonial video and discover why Pasco County School District is not just where we work — it’s where we belong!

Watch now: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGKds3q4w4/RGb99_Zn373VnTMNJBvXww/edit

We’re thrilled to announce our upcoming Recruitment Office Hours on Friday, November 14, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the District Office.

Whether you’re exploring a new career opportunity or have questions about current openings across our schools, this is the perfect time to stop by, connect with our recruitment team, and learn more about joining Pasco. 

But that’s not all! We're hosting our very own Transportation Job Fair on Thursday November 6, 2025 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at the District Office. We’re hiring Bus Drivers, Vehicle Technicians and more!

Register Here: https://ryu.pasco.k12.fl.us/HREQ-mform/view.php?id=218371

November is Career Awareness Month, and we are excited to highlight Xello, Florida’s official K-12 career planning and work-based learning coordination provider. Xello is an engaging, interactive platform designed to help students create personalized plans for their future. 

What is Xello? Xello is a comprehensive career planning tool that empowers students to explore their interests, skills, and career options. It provides a modern, visually appealing, and age-appropriate experience that guides students through career matching assessments, goal setting, and academic planning. 

Benefits of Xello: 

• Personalized Profiles: Students can build profiles showcasing their interests and abilities. 

• Career Exploration: Access to thousands of career profiles, labor market data, and postsecondary training opportunities. 

• Goal Setting: Tools to set and track both short-term and long-term goals. 

• Work Readiness: Resources to develop professional resumes, create portfolios, and apply for local work-based learning opportunities. 

Accessing Xello at Home: Students can easily access Xello from any device with an internet connection. Simply visit your myPascoConnect dashboard and log in by selecting the Xello app. This allows students to continue their career exploration and planning from the comfort of home. 

We encourage all parents and families to support their students in using Xello to plan for a bright and successful future! 

For more information, please reach out to Jenny Batchelor at jbatchel@pasco.k12.fl.us. 

Get familiar with the Gold Seal Vocational (GSV) & Gold Seal Cape (GSC) Scholars options for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program. Participating in one of Pasco Schools’ many CTE programs may lead to opportunities to help fund your postsecondary education!  

GSV requirements:  

• Submit the Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) no later than August 31 after high school graduation.   

• Graduate with a standard Florida high school diploma or its equivalent.   

• Achieve the required weighted 3.0 GPA in the non-elective high school courses.  

• Complete at least three (3) full credits in Career and Technical Education courses, earning a minimum of 3.5 GPA for these courses. 

• Complete at least 30 volunteer service hours, 100 paid work hours, or a combination that equals a minimum of 100 total hours.   

• Achieve the required minimum scores on one of the college entrance exams (SAT, ACT, CLT, or PERT) no later than August 31 of the year the student graduates from high school. 

GSC requirements:  

• Submit the Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) no later than August 31 after high school graduation.   

• Graduate with a standard high school diploma or its equivalent.   

• Earn a minimum of five (5) postsecondary credit hours through CAPE industry certifications that articulate for college credit.   

• Complete at least 30 volunteer service hours, 100 paid work hours, or a combination that equals a minimum of 100 total hours. 

Talk to your College/Career Specialist or School Counselor for more information. 

Florida Bright Future Scholarship Program 

The Holiday Season is upon us and Students will have some well-deserved Holiday Breaks from School. Here are a few Tips for parents to ensure their kids have a safe and fun Holiday-Break from classes. 

• While on Break Monitor Online Activity: Parents should limit screen time and monitor their kid’s online activity and the Apps they are using.
• Food and Kitchen Safety: Parents should supervise kids around the kitchen, storing certain ingredients out of reach along with Sharps (ie. Knives and other Utensils). Hand washing should be encouraged when kids are helping with preparing those special Holiday Dishes or Baking Cookies, Cakes, and Pie’s. Proper hand washing can help minimize the spread of germs which can lead to illness.
• Holiday Tree Safety: No matter what tree, live or artificial check your light cords to make sure they are not frayed or broken. If buying an artificial tree, ensure it is Fire -Resistant. If buying a live tree, make sure its fresh and watered regularly throughout the Holiday-Season. Trees should never be placed near Heat-Sources in the home.
• Be mindful of pretty but poisonous Holiday Plants which include Mistletoe, Holly, and Poinsettias. Always keep them out of reach of kids. Keep the phone number to Poison Control readily available (1-800-222-1222)
• Lastly if traveling for the Holidays staying with family keep in mind their home may not be “Child-Proof” so ensure you properly supervise your kids to ensure they are always safe during your visit.