lux

Volume  10,  Issue  1  

September  2016  

 

                         The Eag le Exp re ss  

District School Board of Pasco County

Superintendent of Schools

Mr. Kurt Browning

Deputy Superintendent Ray Gadd

Assistant Superintendent for

Student Achievement Vanessa Hilton

Area Superintendent

Southwest Tammy Berryhill

School Board Members

Allen Altman Joanne Hurley

Cynthia Armstrong Alison Crumbley

Steve Luikart

September

Labor Day, no school 5 Progress Reports go home 16 Athletic Schedule on page 4

Paul R. Smith Middle School 1410 Sweetbriar Dr. Holiday FL. 34691

Principal’s Desk

 Astro  Skate  Nights  

will  be  held  periodically  through  the  year.  This  month’s  

skate  night  will  be    

September  9th      

from  6:00  -­‐  8:00  pm  Entrance  fee  will  cost  $7  

then  stay  from  8-­‐11  pm  for  free    earn  money  for  your  school    

while  having  fun.  

SAC The  School  Advisory  Council  supports  family  and  community  involvement  in  Florida  public  schools.  The  SAC  will  assist  in  the  preparations  of  PRSMS  annual  School  Improvement  Plan,  the  expenditure  of  Title  1  funds,  and  determine  other  ways  to  improve  our  school.    SAC  members  are  required  to  attend  all  SAC  meetings.  Meetings will be held on the third Thursday of each month at 8:00 a.m. in the media center. Our first SAC meeting will be held on

Sept. 22, 2016

I  would  like  to  thank  our  students,  families,  and  staff  for  a  great  start  to  this  school  year.  Our  theme  this  year  is  for  our  Eagles  to  SOAR  for  success  and  we  will  have  many  school  activities  to  support  this  work.  Your  child’s  teachers  will  be  working  this  year  on  creating  engaging  and  exciting  lessons  that  are  directly  connected  to  the  Florida  State  Standards.  We  plan  on  academically  challenging  our  students  and  know  we  can  count  on  you  to  support  your  child’s  learning.    Additionally,  we  have  set  very  high  standards  of  behavioral  expectations  for  our  students.  During  the  first  few  weeks  of  school,  we  have  reviewed  our  district’s  student  code  of  conduct  as  well  as  our  school’s  expectations  for  a  safe  learning  environment.  We  know  we  can  rely  on  you  to  help  us  keep  our  school  a  safe  campus  for  all.    Our  Infinity  program  continues  to  grow  and  doubled  in  size  this  year.  This  blended  learning  program  is  unique  to  Paul  R.  Smith  Middle  School  and  allows  students  to  learn  and  SOAR  at  very  high  levels.  Please  contact  the  school  if  you  would  like  more  information  about  this  special  and  innovative  program.    Thank  you  to  all  of  our  families  that  were  able  to  attend  the  Title  1  Parent  Meeting  and  Open  House  on  August  25th.  It  was  a  great  event  and  demonstrates  the  power  of  the  school  –  Family  partnership.    Finally,  I’d  like  you  to  know  that  I’m  proud  to  be  an  Eagle  and  I  hope  you  are  too!  This  year  our  Eagles  are  going  to  SOAR!    Mr.  Di  Vincent  Paul  R.  Smith  Middle  School  Principal      

Dear  PRSMS  Parents,  Guardians,  and  Families,    Welcome  to  the  2016-­‐2017  school  year!  

 

Pasco  County  Schools  Civility  Policy    The  District  School  Board  of  Pasco  County  has  a  Respect  and  Civility  Policy  which  believes  that  a  safe,  secure,  nurturing  and  civil  environment  is  essential  in  accomplishing  its  mission  to  create  a  community  which  works  together  so  all  Pasco  County  students  will  reach  their  highest  potential.  Thank  you  parents  and  guardians  for  displaying  mutual  respect,  civility  and  orderly  conduct  with  PRSMS  administration,  staff,  and  teachers  when  you  are  calling  for  assistance.  This  policy  is  not  intended  to  deprive  any  person  of  his/her  right  to  freedom  of  expression;  but  rather,  it  is  intended  to  maintain,  reasonable,  safe,  harassment-­‐free  workplace  for  students,  families,  and  staff  that  is  free  of  disruptive,  demeaning,  intimidating,  threatening,  or  aggressive  behaviors.  

Make your student’s year unforgettable at Paul R. Smith Middle School        

Pre-­‐orders  for  the  2016-­‐2017  PRSMS  Yearbook  are  being  taken  right  now.    The  cost  is  $25  until  Thanksgiving  then  the  price  will  increase.    You  can  purchase  them  through  Schoolpay  or  see  Mr.  Heffron  in  room  3-­‐232  any  morning  before  school    

www.schoolpay.com      or  in  person  in  Mr.  Heffron’s  room  3-­‐232  any  morning    before  school  .    

                     

                           

Counselor’s Notes Welcome  to  the  2016-­‐2017  school  year!    We  hope  that  you  had  a  wonderful  summer  break.  

Our  student  services  team  is  excited  to  be  back  and  working  with  all  of  the  PRSMS  students  and  families.    Please  don’t  hesitate  to  contact  us  with  any  concerns  and/or  questions  you  may  have.  

    We  are  looking  forward  to  another  fun  year.    In  September,  we  will  meet  with  all  students  to  deliver  an  introductory  lesson.      We  will  be  providing  important  information  about  our  counseling  department.  We  look  forward  to  working  with  our  students  and  parents  to  make  this  year  a  great  one!    

School  Counselor  Contacts:      Mrs.  Thomas  McGoldrick  -­‐  6th  Grade  Counselor  -­‐  727-­‐246-­‐3231    Mr.  Julio  Cruz  -­‐  7th  Grade  Counselor  -­‐  727-­‐246-­‐3327  Ms.  Pauline  Christianson  -­‐  8th  grade  Counselor  -­‐  727-­‐246-­‐3233  

   

     

Be  There!    Being  in  school  all  day,  every  day,  helps  your  child  get  the  most  out  of  middle  school.    Encourage  good  attendance  with  these  ideas:    

• Point  out  that  there  is  no  substitute  for  being  in  class.  Your  youngster  needs  to  be  present  to  hear  teachers  explain  concepts,  to  participate  in  group  projects  and  class  discussions,  and  to  ask  questions.  

• Schedule  doctor,  dentist,  and  orthodontist  appointments  before  or  after  school  hours  whenever  possible.  If  you  can’t,  try  to  arrange  them  for  lunchtime.  

• It  will  be  easier  for  your  child  to  get  up  on  time  for  school  if  he  has  had  least  nine  hours  of  sleep.  Set  a  reasonable  bedtime,  and  make  sure  he  puts  away  electronic  devices  so  he  isn’t  tempted  to  stay  awake  to  read  messages  or  play  games.  

“The  time  is  always  right  to  do  what  is  right.”  Martin  Luther  King  Jr..  

 

Front office Notes  Front  office  hours  are  7:35-­‐3:30  Monday-­‐Friday  

Homework  may  be  requested  24  hours  in  advance.  

Absence-­‐  Students  should  turn  in  absent  notes  to  the  front  office,  for  an  absence  to  be  excused.  

Anti  Bullying  Plan  Anti  Bullying  Action  Plan  

Here  at  PRSMS,  we  believe  every  child  deserves  to  come  to  a  safe  school  for  learning.  Please  partner  with  us  to  make  sure  every  child  feels  safe  here  at  school.      Ways  To  Help  A  Child  Who  Is  Being  Bullied:  

Ø Tell  the  child  to  report  bullying  immediately  to  a  trusted  adult  

Ø Discuss  ways  of  responding  to  bullies  Ø Teach  the  child  to  be  assertive  Ø Tell  the  child  not  to  react,  but  to  walk  away  and  get  help  if  

he/she  is  being  bullied  Ø Make  sure  the  child  knows  being  bullied  is  not  his/her  fault  Ø Let  your  child  know  that  he/she  does  not  have  to  face  

being  bullied  alone  Ø Contact  the  Guidance  personnel  at  school  to  find  out  more  

about  their  efforts  to  prevent  bullying    

Math Lab Wednesdays

7:45-8:15 a.m. Room 3-104 ( Starting Wednesday, September 14th)

                     

                                                                                                                                           

               

           

 Paul  R.  Smith  Middle  School  Newsletters  will  be  available  at  

http://prsms.pasco.k12.fl.us/    ,  or  in  the  front  office.  

 

The  Box  Top  for  Education  program  is  an  easy  way  

for  you  to  help  support  our  school  every  time  you  

shop  for  groceries.  Clip  Box  Tops  for  hundreds  of  

your  favorite  products  and  have  your  child  bring  

them  into  school.  Each  Box  Top  coupon  is  worth  10¢.    

   

Opt  Out  Alternative  Fundraising  

 Students  can  choose  to  opt  out  of  fundraisers  for  just  $25  and  each  child  who  opts  out  will  receive  a  free  PRSMS  tee  shirt.  In  addition,  he  or  she  will  be  eligible  for  various  fundraiser  fundraising  

rewards,  and  any  activity  that  would  come  from  our  school-­‐wide  fundraisers.  We  will  remove  

their  name  (s)  from  the  school-­‐wide  fundraising  list  for  the  2016-­‐2017  school  year.    

 If  you  are  interested,  please  return  this  form  to  the  front  office  with  a  check  for  $25  or  go  to  

school  pay  at    https://www.schoolpay.com  

 Student  Name    

_______________________________________________________  Please  circle  Tee  Shirt  size  adult  size  Small  medium  large  extra  large  

     

Additional  students  are  just  $15    

Additional  student  Name  ___________________________________________________  

 Please  circle  Tee  Shirt  size  adult  size  Small  medium  large  extra  large  

 

Advertise your business while supporting Paul R. Smith Middle School. Check out our new “Banner and School Newsletter “ program.

If you would like to become a Business Partner, please email Jimmy Rodriguez

(jirodrig@pasco.k12.fl.us)

Thank you for supporting Paul R. Smith Middle School

Pa rtn ers in Bu sin ess

        Football  games  start  at  6:30  admission  is  $3.00,  home  games  played  at  Anclote  High  

Aug.  30th  Pre-­‐season  Blue  and  Silver  game    Sept.  7th  at  Seven  Springs  Sept.  13th  at  Crews  Lake  Sept.  20th  Home  VS  Hudson    Sept  27th  at  Chasco  Oct.  4th  Home  VS  Bayonet  Point  Oct.  11th  at  Gulf  Oct.  18th  Home  VS  River  Ridge  

 Volleyball  games  start  at  6:00  admission  is  $2.00  

Sept.    19th  at  Gulf  Sept.    21st  Home  VS  River  Ridge  Sept.    26th  Home  VS  Seven  Springs  Sept.    28th  at  Bayonet  Point  Oct.    3th  at  Crews  Lake  Oct.    5th  at  Chasco  Oct.    10th  Home  VS  Hudson  Oct.    12th  Home  VS  Gulf    

 

PRSMS Eagle Athletics 2016-2017 football and

volleyball schedules

Par e nt s n ee d t o k no w ACADEMIC  ELIGIBILITY:    In  order  to  participate  in  middle  school  interscholastic  athletics,  a  student  must  have  a  2.0  grade  

point  average  or  above  on  a  4.0  unweighted  scale,  for  the  previous  semester  in  order  to  be  eligible.  -  

- All  paperwork  needs  to  be  completed  prior  to  first  day  of  tryouts.  can  be  found  at  http://cis.pasco.k12.fl.us/SpecialPrograms/athletics.html  ,  or  in  the  front  office.)  

- PARTICIPATION  FEES  o Tryout  fee           $0  o First  Sport         $45  o Additional  Sport       $30  o Individual  cap       $75  

o Maximum  (per  family)*  $150,  *- if all attend the same school