Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Students on the beaches don't have to go to school on Monday, Feb. 18.
Public school students in the Pinellas beach communities won't have to go to school Monday in honor of Presidents Day. Pinellas County Schools are closed Monday, Feb. 18, for a professional development day for school employees. After that, next time Pinellas public school students will have an official day off will be for the start of the spring holiday, which lasts from March 25-29, according to the district's 2013 school calendar. Sign up for the Pinellas Beaches Patch email newsletter to stay connected to your community. Editor's note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that school was in session Feb. 18.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Time is running out for Pinellas County residents who want to obtain their GED using Florida’s old version of the test.
Pinellas beach residents who plan to get their GEDs might want to act soon before the state changes the test and its associated fees. The state’s current 2002 Series GED test runs its course at the end of 2013. Starting in January 2014, students will have to take the new, more costly 2014 GED test if they want to gain their high school credentials through this alternative means. Students who have taken the current version of the test but failed to pass all five parts need to sign up for retakes before 2013 ends, too. Those who don’t will find themselves having to take the entire 2014 test and pay the higher fees, according the Florida Department of Education’s website. It currently costs $70 for nonstudents in Pinellas to take the GED. The…
Thursday, January 24, 2013
The Pinellas School Board is considering hiring mental health counselors who would evaluate students identified as potential security risks and make sure they get treatment, TBO.com reports.
The Pinellas County School Board is considering hiring mental health counselors to evaluate students identified as potential security risks in an attempt to keep schools safer in the wake of the recent Connecticut shootings, TBO.com reports. Board member Renee Flowers, who floated the proposal at a board workshop Tuesday, told the news site the counselors would talk to students identified by school guidance counselors and follow up to be sure they get help if needed. The board has asked the school district to review its policies to see if such a proposal is possible, TBO reports. Flowers said officials would still need to figure out how to cover the cost for students who aren't covered by insurance, and that parents would need to give …
Monday, January 21, 2013
The application period to enroll your student at a magnet, fundamental or career academy program is Wednesday, Jan. 23. Pinellas County Schools is offering hands-on help all day Tuesday at its central office in Largo.
Parents, Wednesday is the deadline to submit applications to get your child into a Pinellas County magnet, fundamental or career academy program. The school district is offering hands-on help all day Tuesday for parents who may need hands-on assistance, according to a Pinellas County Schools news release. Drop by the Pinellas County Schools' Student Assignment Office, 301 4th St SW, Largo, between 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday. Parents may also call the office at 727-588-6210. The deadline to submit applications is Wednesday, Jan. 23. For more information visit the Pinellas County Schools website at www.pcsb.org.
Friday, January 18, 2013
College juniors and seniors majoring in political science, public administration or business administration, journalism or mass communications at an accredited Florida college could be eligible for a $1,200 scholarship.
College juniors and seniors majoring in political science, public administration or business administration, journalism or mass communications at an accredited Florida college could be eligible for a $1,200 scholarship. The Florida State Association of Supervisors of Elections, comprised of the 67 county supervisors, awards the scholarship. “College tuition continues to increase, and we are looking for eligible students who could benefit from this scholarship from our state association,” Deborah Clark, Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections, said in a release. Requirements including being registered to vote, letters of recommendation and financial need. The complete requirements are listed on the scholarship application and in the …
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Public schools are closed Friday for a Teacher Work Day and again on Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
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Thursday, January 17
Students can enjoy a four-day weekend leading up to Monday's observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. All of Pinellas County's public schools are closed Friday, Jan. 18, for a Teacher Work Day, and closed again Monday, Jan. 22, for the national holiday, according to the district calendar. Classes resume Tuesday for the start of the second semester. See the district's online calendar for the rest of the 2013 holiday schedule.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
On Monday, Pinellas County Schools Superintendent Michael A. Grego sent the following letter to Pinellas County Schools staff regarding school safety in response to the deadly shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT.
This letter from Pinellas County Schools Superintendent Michael A. Grego to Pinellas County Schools staff is also posted on the Pinellas County Schools website. Dec. 17, 2012 Dear Colleagues, Whenever something as tragic as Friday’s shooting in Newtown, Conn., occurs, especially when it affects innocent children and dedicated educators so similar to the ones in our own district, we can’t help but be affected. We naturally share a bond with members of our profession whose first priority is the students they serve, and our hearts ache when families and communities are in mourning. These incidents also direct our attention and cause us to reflect on the value of our employees – not only teachers and administrators, but every member of our …
People all over the world want to know how to help families affected by the shootings at Sandy Hook elementary.
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Tuesday, December 18, 2012
In the wake of the unimaginable tragedy at Sandy Hook School Friday, people from all over the world—in Connecticut, Florida, Canada and much farther away in Australia and India—sent an outpouring of support and want to know how they can help. If you want to be notified via email of ways to provide comfort and support during this difficult time, please visit the original story on Newtown Patch and post in the comments section: "I want to help." That story has more than 1,000 comments from folks pledging to help. Patch will continue to update that article with ways to help. As the article is updated and new comments added, commenters can get email notifications. Already the United Way of Western Connecticut, in partnership with Newtown …
Friday, December 14, 2012
Local and state police in Newtown, Conn. were called to an elementary school at about 9:30 Friday morning after a gunman opened fire at the school.
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Friday, December 14, 2012
Connecticut police said Friday afternoon that 26 people, including 20 children, were killed at an elementary school after a gunman opened fire. Another adult was killed at a second location. The Scene Police in Newtown, CT, were called to the Sandy Hook School at about 9:30 a.m. Friday, after receiving a 911 call. They alerted Connecticut State Police and authorities began an "active shooter" investigation once they arrived at the school, according to Connecticut State Police spokesman Lt. Paul Vance. Authorities said the gunman was found dead inside the school. He was allegedly armed with four guns and a high-powered assault rifle. Authorities said during a press conference that they have retrieved three weapons from the scene. A parent…
Today's shooting massacre at a Connecticut elementary school is a national tragedy. Protecting our schools and community is a No. 1 priority. How prepared are local schools to responding to a crisis?
Whether it is a public elementary school or a large high school, each Pinellas County school is required to have a security and crisis plan in place, in case of emergency. Madeira Beach Fundamental is no exception, nor are any of the public schools that serve students who live in Pinellas County beach communities. Crisis planning is updated yearly, according to Melanie Marquez, spokeswoman for the Pinellas County School District, which by law is exempt from sharing its security plans with the public and media. What Marquez was able to disclose is that each crisis plan is tailored to the individual needs and challenges of each public school in Pinellas County. In addition, each school is required to hold emergency drills for evacuating …
