English Language Arts

All you need to know about concordant scores on the road to graduation

This Math and ELA Level Up to Graduation virtual workshop will introduce students and parents to an ELP course in Canvas where students can get support toward earning a concordant score on the ACT or SAT. Students’ concordance scores will be reviewed, there will be a tour of the Canvas course and an explanation on how students can engage in the options to improve their chances for earning a concordant score. Target Group: Grades 9-12. Click here to watch the session.

Overview of services for parents with students new-to-gifted students

Parents of students who have recently been identified as gifted will be invited to attend a session that will overview the types of services, supports, curriculum, and resources available in Pinellas County. Parents will get an invite with their gifted eligibility paperwork. Target Group: Students in grades K-8. Quarter 1, Sept. 17, 2021; Quarter 2, Nov. 12, 2021; Quarter 3, Feb. 25, 2022; Quarter 4, May 13, 2022. All sessions are noon- 1 p.m. and will also be recorded. www.pcsb.org/NewToGifted

Middle School Parents: Accelerate Reading Growth by Practicing Productively

Parents of middle school students enrolled in Elevate reading courses will learn about the Elevate routine, goals of the course and two ways they can have their students practicing productively at home by interacting with the Elevate software. Target Group: Parents of students in grades 6-8. 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.,Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. Click here to join the session.

Want to elevate your research projects? Then sharpen your research skills

This session is for scholars in grades 8 through 12. Finding high-quality research sources doesn't have to be hard when you know how to use World Book Online and Gale Databases. Explore these two Clever apps that can help with research projects. Bronwyn McCarthy, Program Coordinator for Library Media, will host the session. Target Group: Students in grades 8-12. 6-6:30 p.m., Oct. 27, 2021. Click here to join the session

Read-at-home video series

These monthly videos will offer parents fun and engaging tips to support literacy in the home with a focus on oral language, phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.Target Group: Parents of students in gradesK-2. Monthly October-May. Specific dates, times and links to come.

"Hey Did you Know" self-paced enrichment Nearpods on a variety of topics are available on an open Canvas course

Students have a button in Clever titled "Hey Did You Know." Here, students can access self-paced mini-courses in a variety of topics and content areas. They can also suggest new topics. The mini-courses can be accessed in class as "early finishers" or from home any time. This feature is designed for gifted and talented learners but are accessible by all district students. Four new topics will be added each month starting in October. Target Group: K-5 Gifted. Access via Clever.

Math/Science/STEM

Biology Quarterly Climb - Part 2

Biology Quarterly Climb- Part 2: This self-paced Nearpod session will guide students through a review and practice of critical of quarter 2 of Biology. This Nearpod will not only reinforce concepts from quarter 2 but it will also prepare students for the Biology Cycle 2 assessment which is the Semester 1 Exam for the course. Use the School & Teacher Codes here for your school and teacher. Target group: High School Biology and Pre-AP Biology students. Friday, December 3 - Friday, December 17.

Semester 1 Middle School Science Review

For this semester's Level UP challenge, we want to make sure we are ready for Semester Exams. Content area background builder challenges have been designed to help you review and explore topics you covered during Semester 1. This Discovery Board has our top pick of topics. Something for everyone. Something for YOU. Connect, learn and share knowledge.  Participate in the Middle School Science Level UP, or the click the button on your Clever home page for links and directions. Target Group: Grades 6-8.

All you need to know about concordant scores on the road to graduation

This Math and ELA Level Up to Graduation virtual workshop will introduce students and parents to an ELP course in Canvas where students can get support toward earning a concordant score on the ACT or SAT. Students’ concordance scores will be reviewed, there will be a tour of the Canvas course and an explanation on how students can engage in the options to improve their chances for earning a concordant score.Target Group: Grades 9-12. 6-7 p.m. Watch the session here.

Middle School Mathematics: What Does the IXL Diagnostic Score Mean and What are the Next Steps?

The results of the initial IXL Diagnostic will be explained and parents/guardians will gain assistance in understanding their child's Diagnostic Action Plan.  In addition, parents will learn how IXL can help their student fill in any math learning gaps. The session will also support current learning. Target Group: Parents of students in grades 6-8. Watch the session here.

Critical Content for Quarter 1 Algebra 1 & Geometry

Algebra 1 & Geometry Quarterly Climb - Part 1: This session will guide students through an asynchronous review and practice of critical content from Quarter 1 of Algebra 1 & Geometry to prep them for Cycle 1 Assessments. Target Group: High School Algebra 1 and Geometry students September 27 - October 14, 2021. Geometry link: Cycle 1 Extra Practice Review.   Algebra 1 link: Cycle 1 Algebra 1 Extra Practice Review.  If a student is having trouble joining the Nearpod reviews, they can go to join.nearpod.com and the code for Geometry is F8E7M and the code for Algebra 1 is UQ8ZB. 

Parents' Night In: At home resources to support the learning of mathematics

Ready Classroom Mathematics is a robust mathematics program that will help your child become a strong, independent mathematical thinker. Parents will receive ideas and resources to use at home to support their child's learning of mathematics. In addition, parents will explore how Learning Games provide mathematics fluency and skills practice in a way that develops internal motivation while encouraging productive struggle. You also will be able to get answers to frequently asked questions.  Target Group: Parents of students in grades K-5. 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. or 6:30 -7:30 p.m, Tuesday Oct. 12 or Thursday Oct. 14, 2021. Click here to join a session.

Elementary Science Virtual Field Trips

Tampa Bay Watch - virtual presentations engage students in exciting topics and activities related to the Tampa Bay Estuary. Join in on a walkabout through estuarine habitats and meet some of the charismatic animals of the bay, or have an upclose interaction with our resident diamondback terrapin and learn about his unique adaptations. Target Group: Families. TBD.

DreamBox Family Math Night

DreamBox Math is a digital math program for grades K-8 that combines a fun and engaging math learning environment with a rigorous, standards-based curriculum.  DreamBox lessons are interactive experiences that promote active learning and independent critical thinking and respond to each student’s strategies and decisions in the moment. Parents and Learning Guardians will have an opportunity to learn how DreamBox Learning individually tailors the instructional experience for each student, get answers to frequently asked questions, and receive resources to use at home to support their child(ren)’s mathematical journey.  Target Group: Parents of students in grades K-5. 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. or 6:30 -7:30 p.m, Wednesday, February 16th. Click here to join a session.

World Languages

How to get the most from your World Languages Class

What can you do to make sure you get the most from your World Languages Class?  Whether you’re studying American Sign Language, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Italian, or Spanish, there are things you can do to make sure you’re acquiring the language.  This short session will help you understand the essentials so that you’ll soon be using your language skills in true contexts.  This session is good for any World Languages student in the district and for parents seeking ways to help their child succeed in acquiring a second language. Date: Dec. 2021-June 2022. Watch the session.

Early Childhood

Tiny Topics for Early Childhood

Yackety-Yak!  Please Talk Back!  

Oral language lays the foundation for the reading and writing skills children will develop as they progress through school.  Join us for some oral language fun! Watch the recording here.

Logos, Signs, and Symbols:  Reading the World Around Us  

Opportunities for reading are all around us.  Learn how to use logos, signs, and symbols to teach early reading skills. TEAMS Meeting Link:  Watch the recording here.

Learn more information about Early Childhood Education at www.pcsb.org/early

Social Studies

Online Civic Reasoning: Researching online responsibly

We ask students to conduct academic research online, but are we mindful of the pitfalls and common problems? This series of three self-paced Nearpod presentations will engage students with research-based lessons to evaluate online information that affects them, their communities, and the world. Students who complete all three presentations will earn a certificate. Target Group: 6-12 grades. Open now and closes October 31. Click here for the flyer and links to get started.

Night at the Museum: U.S. History EOC Review!

This collaborative with community partners Tampa Bay History Center, The Florida Holocaust Museum, The James Museum, and St. Petersburg Museum of History will provide virtual tours and presentations from a museum historian/ content expert for high school U.S. History students in preparation for the End-of-Course exam. 

• The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art, Watch a recording of the event.
  
• Tampa Bay History Center, Watch a recording of the event.
  
• St. Petersburg Museum of History, Watch a recording of the event.
  
• The Florida Holocaust Museum, Watch a recording the event.
  

Performing/Visual Art

The James Museum and artist Stan Natchez Virtual Art Field Trip

This interactive session will include stories of art-making adventures from a famous Native American Pop Artist with art exhibited in The James Museum. Online resources will be shared for students to create their own Pop Art!. Grades 4-8. Watch the session here. Access the self-paced Nearpod interactive presentation with linked online resources with student code: zg5ic.

Musical Instrument Museum Artist Performance

Join Grupo BombAZo and special guests Ivelisse Diaz and Marién Torres López as they explore Puerto Rican bomba. Students will drum, dance, and sing as they learn about the history and legacy of one of Puerto Rico’s oldest genres. Target Group: Familes of students in grades 6-8.  Now -Dec. 29. Join the session here.

Discover Free Online Art Activities

Parents and students will learn about producing art online at home. They will learn about exciting free online art learning and making applications that can be accessed with PCS Connects devices at home. Grades 4-8. Watch the Discover Free Online Art Activities session.

Physical Fitness

Bucs Fitness Drills. In partnership with the Tampa Bay Bucaneers, monthly physical fitness drills to get families moving will be provided via video. Each "Fitness Drill" video will include nutrition and various health tips. Target Group: K-12. Monthly. Link to come.

Industry Certifications/CTAE

Measuring 101: At home Nearpod

This Nearpod will give parents and students the opportunity to learn how to measure ingredients properly using the correct measuring tool. After learning how to measure properly, we hope students will help the family to prepare in cooking a meal. Target Group: Students and Parents in grades 6-12. October. Join the session here.

Culinary Chemistry: At home Nearpod

This Nearpod will give parents and students the opportunity to recognize how they have experienced chemical reactions in real life by exploring the chemistry of cooking, including the Maillard reaction. Students will realize chefs are chemists in disguise! Target Group: Students and Parents, grades 8-12. November. Join the session here.

Learn and enhance coding skills at your own pace using Code.org Express Course

Learn computer science by trying the lessons below at your own pace! Learn to create computer programs, develop problem-solving skills, and work through fun challenges! Make games and creative projects to share with friends, family, and teachers. Note: Express courses are available in English, Hindi, Italian, and Spanish. [code.org] Target Group: Students in grades 6-12. First Semester.

Exceptional Student Education (ESE)

Family Night: Developing Communication Through Shared Reading

This event is for families of children with limited speech and language skills: Join us to learn how to help your child develop communication and language skills. Even if your child has limited or no speech and language, you can teach your child to communicate and interact with you using a communication board. During this session, you will learn how to use this board to support communication throughout your child’s daily activities, as well as during a shared reading activity. Participants will take home a communication board, an individual daily routines/activities poster, and a shared reading book to help get started. For more information, goehrigl@pcsb.org. Two in-person events: Mid County – Jan. 19, 2022, Stavros Institute Aegon Room, 12100 Starkey Road, Largo; and South County – February 2, 2022, Disston Annex, 1001 51st Street S, Gulfport. Make sure to register: Link to Family Night Registration.

Let's Get Ready for College!

The Level Up Event, Let's Get Ready for College, is for high school students pursuing the Standard on Access Diploma or students who have deferred receipt of their Standard on Access Diploma and are enrolled with Extended Transition. USF UMatter and SPC Titans Up staff will be available to present information on application criteria, deadlines and program information. Staff will be available to answer questions students or families/guardians may have. Families are encouraged to register for the session here. Target Group: Grades 9-12. Date: Dec. 1, 5-6 p.m. Link: There are three places where families can access the session: USF UMatter or SPC Titans Up and a PCS General Link.

Ready Set Explore! 

Ready Set Explore is a Level Up Event for middle school students with disabilities, along with their families and guardians interested in finding out more about PCS District Application Programs. Prior to the event, students along with teachers and families/guardians can explore the county's various programs by visiting the Sway link that the PCS Secondary Team created. The night of the event, staff will be available to answer questions and help students and families/guardians navigate District Application Programs. Families are encouraged to register for the session here. Target Group: Grades 6-8 Date: Dec. 1,  6:30-7:30 p.m. Join the session here.