Principal Miller's Announcements

Weekly Updates 3/9/25

Good Evening Thunderbird Families,

I hope you are having a great weekend! We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow on time, in dress code, and ready to learn.

Yearbooks are still on sale until April 7. You can purchase using the link on the school website.

Additionally – we have some yearbook surveys on Clever until Friday March 14 voting for this year’s favorites and 8^th grade superlatives. And finally - students that want to be included in the Rewind section, can submit a picture from birth to age 5 on Clever. Submission does not guarantee inclusion, but the yearbook staff will do their best to represent our school. The yearbook is for everyone – please participate to make it memorable.

Just a reminder about dress code-students should not be wearing their hood on their head at any time while on campus, it is a safety concern. If your student has to be reminded to take their hood off multiple times, it will be confiscated and returned at the end of the school day. Headphones should be off and out of sight during the school day as well as cell phones. Headphones can and will be confiscated if they are out and be returned via parent pick up just like our cell phone policy.

Flag football tryouts for all grade levels will be March 10, 12, and 13 from 4:20pm-5:45pm. Please visit our school website or Facebook page for more information.

Enjoy your evening and Wings Up Thunderbirds!

Weekly Updates 3/2/25

Good Evening Thunderbird Families,

I hope you are having a great weekend! We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow on time, in dress code, and ready to learn. Just a reminder about dress code-students should not be wearing their hood on their head at any time while on campus, it is a safety concern. If your student has to be reminded to take their hood off multiple times, it will be confiscated and returned at the end of the school day. Headphones should be off and out of sight during the school day as well as cell phones. Headphones can and will be confiscated if they are out and be returned via parent pick up just like our cell phone policy.

Paperwork collection for flag football tryouts will be Thursday, March 6^th from 4:15-5:00pm. Tryouts for all grade levels will be March 10, 12, and 13 from 4:20pm-5:45pm. Please visit our school website or Facebook page for more information.

See Something Say Something Week kicks off tomorrow through Friday, March 8^th. Say Something programs teaches students to recognize the warning signs of someone at risk of hurting themselves or others & how to say something to a trusted adult to get help.

Enjoy your evening and Wings Up Thunderbirds!

Weekly Updates 2/23/25

Good Evening Thunderbird Families,

I hope you are having a great weekend! We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow on time, in dress code, and ready to learn.

Join us in cheering on our Thunderbird Track team at Pinellas Park High School on Wednesday, February25^th. The meet will begin at 4:45pm.

Applications for Pinellas County Schools Summer Camps are now open until March 9. Families can choose from more than 50 summer camp offerings, ranging from STEM to the arts to career exploration. The district is expanding camp opportunities and providing options in June and July. This year, camps will have a cost of $75 per session and a rate of $25 per session for students eligible for free- or reduced-price meals. Some of the many options include robotics, journalism, performing arts, mural painting, Italian cooking, AI comics and cosmetology. During your summer planning, please note that there will be changes to Summer Bridge eligibility. Summer Bridge programs will focus on helping students address academic challenges and continue to address achievement gaps. Middle school Summer Bridge programs will concentrate on credit recovery. Stay tuned for more information. Summer Camp space is limited so please apply early when applications open.

Enjoy your evening and Wings Up Thunderbirds!

Weekly Updates 2/16/25

Good Evening Thunderbird Families,

I hope you are having a great weekend! Just a reminder school is in session tomorrow as one of our Hurricane make-up days.

Join us in cheering on our Thunderbird Track team at Pinellas Park High School on Wednesday, February 19^th. The meet will begin at 4:45pm.

The 2025 PCS Stakeholder Survey is now open. Please take some time to complete the survey. It gives the school and the district valuable information to improve our schools. The survey can be accessed through the PPMS website and the Pinellas County Schools website. If you complete the survey your student is eligible for a homework pass or to wear pajama pants/sweats to school on February 21^st, be sure sign their incentive card and have them turn it into the office by Wednesday.

The open enrollment period for the Florida Prepaid College Plan is underway. PCS partner Florida Prepaid is encouraging families to start saving for college early. Prepaid Plans let families lock in the cost of college with fixed monthly payments. Enrollment is open through the end of April. Learn more on the Florida Prepaid website at https://bit.ly/3ZFa2KY.

Enjoy your evening and Wings Up Thunderbirds!

Weekly Updates 2/8/25

Good Evening Thunderbird Families,

I hope you are having a great weekend! We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow on time, in dress code, and ready to learn. Progress reports went home on Friday, please review your progress report with them. If your student needs tutoring, please reach out to the grade level school counselor.

The teachers have been conducting individual student data chats in Language Arts and Math, please be on the lookout for the family data chat letter that will be coming home from your student’s Language Arts teacher and Math teacher. We are asking that you sign it and have your student return it to the respective teachers.

We are having a Family Data Night this Tuesday, February 11^th at 6:00pm. We encourage you to attend to learn more about your student’s FAST data and how to support them at home.

Enjoy your evening and Wings Up Thunderbirds!

Weekly Updates 2/2/25

Good Evening Thunderbird Families,

I hope you are having a great weekend! We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow on time, in dress code, and ready to learn.

We are having a Family Data Night on February 11^th at 6:00pm. We encourage you to attend to learn more about your student’s FAST data and how to support them at home.

Parents a safety reminder-please do not drop off or pick up your students on the street. It is essential for the safety of everyone that you use the car circle.

Enjoy your evening and Wings Up Thunderbirds!

Weekly Updates 1/26/25

Good Evening Thunderbird Families,

I hope you are having a great weekend! We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow on time, in dress code, and ready to learn.

We are having a Family Data Night on February 11^th at 6:00pm. We encourage you to attend to learn more about your student’s FAST data and how to support them at home.

Parents a safety reminder-please do not drop off or pick up your students on the street. It is essential for the safety of everyone that you use the car circle.

Enjoy your evening and Wings Up Thunderbirds!

Weekly Update 1/19/25

Good Evening Thunderbird Families,

I hope you are having a great weekend! Just a reminder there is no school tomorrow, January 20^th, for observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. We look forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday on time, in dress code, and ready to learn.

I would like to introduce our new 8^th grade Assistant Principal, Mrs. Hilary Rubin. Mrs. Rubin will be starting with us at PPMS on Tuesday. We look forward to having her as part of our Thunderbird family.

Parents a safety reminder-please do not drop off or pick up your students on the street. It is essential for the safety of everyone that you use the car circle.

Track tryouts are Tuesday and Wednesday from 4:30pm-5:45pm. Students must have a participation from, physical, and school insurance to try out.

Enjoy your evening and Wings Up Thunderbirds!

Weekly Update 1/12/25

Good Evening Thunderbird Families,

I hope you had a great weekend! As we continue to enforce our expectations, please make sure your students are in dress code daily, the school dress code is posted on the school website for reference. An additional reminder about the district electronics policy-power down for learning-all phones must be off and out of sight, this means in a backpack or purse. Not in the pocket of your pants.

We will be testing in Civics on Monday and Tuesday, 8^th grade Science on Wednesday and Thursday, and Geometry on Friday this week. If your student has any of these classes, it is more important than ever that they are in attendance and arrive to school on time. Check out our Facebook page for the testing calendar.

Have a great evening and Wings up Thunderbirds!

Weekly Update 1/5/25

Good Evening Thunderbird Families,

Happy New Year! I hope that you’ve had a great holiday break! We are looking forward to welcoming our students back to school tomorrow, January 6^th, on time, in dress code and ready to learn.

When we return on January 6^th, we will be utilizing a new bell schedule. Students will visit all 8 classes daily. Please see the updated bell schedule on our school website, Facebook page, and attached to this email. Please have your student login to Focus to check their schedule for Semester 2.

Have a great evening and Wings up Thunderbirds!

8th grade Updates 1/3/25

Good Evening Thunderbird Families,

Happy New Year! I hope you’ve had a great holiday break. I am writing to share some updates that are specific to 8^th grade students only.

Effective January 6^th, Mr. Miller, our 8^th grade Assistant Principal will be leaving PPMS to become the Principal at Tarpon Springs Middle School. We wish him well. During this transition time, please contact the AP listed below for any issues or concerns.

Last Name A-L Suzanne Becker, 7^th grade Assistant Principal
Last Name M-Z Rebecca Sullivan, 6^th grade Assistant Principal

Just a reminder our NHJS induction ceremony is on Thursday, Jan. 9^th at 6:00pm. Students were notified prior to break if they were accepted into NJHS.

If your student is looking to apply to a District Application (DAP) program for high school and you need assistance with applying come to our District Application Program (DAP) assistance session on Thursday, Jan. 9^th from 4:30pm-5:30pm in the media center.

To be eligible to participate in the 8^th grade Dance, May 16 6:00pm-8:00pm, and the Gradventure Field Trip, May 9, (additional cost) students must meet the following criteria effective January 6, 2025.

No more than one processed Disciplinary Referral in Semester 2 from Jan. 6 until Day of the dance and/or Gradventure.
Maximum of two Tardy Referrals in Semester 2 From Jan. 6 until Day of the dance and/or Gradventure.
Good Academic Standing: Passing Grades in all subject areas: Grade average of C or higher Full Day of Attendance on Day of Dance and/or Gradventure-Please Be Aware it is A County Requirement that the student Attends School the Entire Day of the Dance/Gradventure
Follow Dance Dress Code (Business Casual, Formal/” Dressy”) and follow Gradventure Dress Code (required t-shirt and appropriate bottoms)
Free of Book and School Obligations (Fines Paid, Due Books Turned In, Computers Turned In)

Weekly Updates 12/20/24

Good Evening Thunderbird Families,

I hope you have a great holiday break.

Middle School Education is sponsoring a Winter Break Challenge. Please visit our school website or Facebook page for more information and to participate.

When we return on January 6^th we will be utilizing a new bell schedule. Students will visit all 8 classes daily. Please see the updated bell schedule on our school website, Facebook page, and attached to this email.

School is closed for Winter break from December 23-January 3^rd. Students will return to class and 2^nd semester on Monday, January 6^th.

Have a great evening and Wings up Thunderbirds!

Weekly Updates 12/15/24

Good Evening Thunderbird Families,

I hope you are having a great weekend!

We are finishing our FAST PM testing this week. Please visit our school website or Facebook page for your students specific testing day. Please ensure your student is in attendance and on time to school especially on their testing day.

Join us for some holiday cheer at our Band and Chorus concert on December 18^th at 6:00pm. The admission is canned food for the canned food drive the program is hosting.

School is closed for Winter break from December 23-January 3^rd. Students will return to class and 2^nd semester on Monday, January 6^th.

Have a great evening and Wings up Thunderbirds!

Weekly Updates 12/8/24

Good Evening Thunderbird Families,

I hope you are having a great weekend!

We are continuing our FAST PM testing this week. Please visit our school website or Facebook page for your students specific testing day. Please ensure your student is in attendance and on time to school especially on their testing day.

Yearbooks will be on sale next week in front of the media center for $25. The price goes up January 1, but they’re also available online until April 1.

Join us in cheering on our Thunderbird athletes tomorrow at the basketball game after school. The girls are playing at 4:45pm and the boys at 5:45pm.

Have a great evening and Wings up Thunderbirds!

Weekly Updates 12/1/24

Good Evening Thunderbird Families,

I hope you and your family had a great break. We look forward to welcoming our students back to school tomorrow in dress code and ready to learn.

Tuesday, December 3^rd – December 18^th we will be completing PM 2 testing. Please ensure your student is in attendance and on time to school.

Join us for Experience PCS! This free event will take place on Saturday, December 7^th from 10am-2pm at Clearwater High School. To learn more, visit pcsb.org/experience

Have a great evening and Wings up Thunderbirds!

Weekly Updates 11/22/24

Good Evening Thunderbird Families,

I hope you and your family have a great Thanksgiving break. Just a reminder there is no school next week. We will welcome back students on Monday, December 2^nd.

Thank you too all the families that donated a pie or sweet treat to our staff. They thoroughly enjoyed the surprise and treats.

Middle School Education is sponsoring a Fall Break Challenge. Please visit our school website of Facebook page for more information and to participate.

Tuesday, December 3^rd – December 18^th we will be completing PM 2 testing. Please ensure your student is in attendance and on time to school.

There is a wonderful scholarship opportunity available to future college bound Pinellas County students with good grades, behavior and attendance called Take Stock in Children. Check out our PPMS Facebook page for more information, the income requirements and the link to apply. Hurry! The deadline is November 30th.

Have a great break and Wings up Thunderbirds!

Weekly Updates 11/17/24

Good Evening Thunderbird Families,

I hope everyone is having a great weekend.

I want to give a special thanks to all the families that came out to our Family Resource Night and Art Show and volunteered for the Great American Teach In! We appreciate you.

We are thankful for our teachers! Please help us “treat” them by dropping off a store-bought pie or treat November 20 and 21 from 7:45am-4:30pm.

School picture retakes will be on Thursday, November 21^st. Students must be in PPMS dress code or their picture will not be taken.

There is no school November 25-November 29^th for Thanksgiving break.

Have a great night and Wings up Thunderbirds!

Weekly Updates 11/10/24

Good Evening Thunderbird Families,

I hope everyone is having a great weekend.

Just a reminder our PPMS Family Resource Night is this Tuesday, November 12^th at 6:00pm. We will be providing academic resources for families and having a student art show. We look forward to seeing you there!

We are thankful for our teachers! Please help us “treat” them by dropping off a store-bought pie or treat November 20 and 21 from 7:45am-4:30pm.

Paperwork for cheerleading tryouts is due on Monday. Tryouts are Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Please visit our school website or Facebook page for more details.

School picture retakes will be on November 21^st.

There is no school November 25-November 29^th for Thanksgiving break.

Have a great night and Wings up Thunderbirds!

Weekly Update 11/3/24

Good Evening Thunderbird Families,

I hope everyone is having a great weekend.

Please save the date for our PPMS Family Resource Night which will be on November 12^th at 6:00pm. We will be providing academic resources for families and having a student art show. We look forward to seeing you there!

District Application Program (DAP) booklets were given to 8^th grade students this week, it is time to start thinking about plans for high school. If you need assistance, please contact our 8^th grade school counselor, Ms. Diaz.

The Great American Teach In is just around the corner. If you are interested in volunteering during this event on November 13^th, please contact Ms. DeBoer in the front office or email her at deboers@pcsb.org.

School picture retakes will be on November 21^st.

Have a great night and Wings up Thunderbirds!

Weekly Update 10/27/24

Good Evening Thunderbird Families,

I hope everyone is having a great weekend. As we begin quarter 2, please stress to your student the importance of being in class on time and ready to learn. Report cards will be coming home on Tuesday.

Just reminder students are not permitted to wear Halloween costumes, masks, or bring candy to school on Thursday, October 31^st. All students should be in dress code.

Basketball tryouts are right around the corner. Please visit our school website or Facebook page for tryout information. To try out students need a participation form, a physical, and school insurance.

Have a great night and Wings up Thunderbirds!

Weekly Update 10/20/24

Good Evening Thunderbird families-

I hope that you are having a great and relaxing weekend.

Tuesday, October 22nd is school picture day. Students must be in PPMS dress code on picture day or their picture will not be taken. Paper order forms are available in the grade level offices and the front office. You can also pre-order pictures online. Visit our school website for information.

Come cheer on our Thunderbird athletes at the volleyball game on Monday, October 21^st in the PPMS gym. Cost for entry is $3.00.

Wednesday, October23^rd our 8^th grade students will be taking the PSAT. Please ensure your student is on time for school and please refrain from scheduling any appointments on this day.

Save the date for our Family Resource Night and Art show on November 12^th at 6:00pm.

Have a great week and Wings Up Thunderbirds!

Weekly Update 10/15/24

Good Afternoon Thunderbird Families,

I hope you and your family are doing well after Hurricane Milton. Please let the school know if you need assistance and/or resources. We are looking forward to welcoming our students back on campus tomorrow, October 16th.

Please see below for a few important updates:

Friday, October 18th- End of Quarter 1

Tuesday, October 22nd- School Picture Day-students must be in PPMS dress code

Wednesday, October 23rd- PSAT testing -8th grade only

Tuesday, October 29th- Report cards sent home

Have a great evening and Wings Up Thunderbirds,

Weekly Update 10/6/24

Good Evening Thunderbird families-

I hope that you are having a great and relaxing weekend.

Tuesday, October 8^th is school picture day. Students must be in PPMS dress code on picture day or their picture will not be taken. Paper order forms are available in the grade level offices and the front office. You can also pre-order pictures online. Visit our school website for information.

Come cheer on our Thunderbird athletes at the volleyball game on Wednesday, October 9^th in the PPMS gym. Cost for entry is $3.00.

Monday, October 14, a designated hurricane make-up day, will now be a student school day for all Pinellas County Schools to make up for instructional time lost during this past week. Additional make-up days, if needed, will be determined at a later date.

Wednesday, October16^th our 8^th grade students will be taking the PSAT. Please ensure your student is on time for school and please refrain from scheduling any appointments on this day.

Have a great week and Wings Up Thunderbirds!

Weekly Updates 9/30/24

Good Evening Thunderbird families-

I hope that you and your family are safe from the storm and had minimal impact. Please let the school know if you need assistance and/or resources.

Monday, October 14, a designated hurricane make-up day, will now be a student school day for all Pinellas County Schools in order to make up for instructional time lost during this past week. Additional make-up days, if needed, will be determined at a later date.

Each year, we request feedback from parents, students, staff, and community members to help guide our selection of library materials and resources. I would appreciate it if you could fill out this brief survey and to let us know of any materials you would like to see in our media center. The survey link is also available on our school website and Facebook page.

Tuesday, October 8^th is school picture day. Students must be in PPMS dress code on picture day or their picture will not be taken.

Wednesday, October 9^th our 8^th grade students will be taking the PSAT. Please ensure your student is on time for school and please refrain from scheduling any appointments.

Have a great week and Wings Up Thunderbirds!

Weekly Updates 9/22/24

Good Evening Thunderbird Families,

I hope you are having a great weekend. Just a reminder there is no school for students tomorrow, Monday, September 23^rd.

All schools are required to collect data from students, teachers and administration, parents and community members to inform library selection decisions. We appreciate your feedback on our school’s library media program. Please use this link to give your feedback https://forms.office.com/r/vrQcPMakPG.

School picture day will be on October 8^th. Students must be in PPMS dress code for picture day. To sign up for picture day notifications and emails regarding your student's school pictures please visit https://strawbridge.fotomerchanthv.com/clients/pinellas-park-middle-school/fall-pictures-10-8-2024-84/optIn.

Before school tutoring has started at 7:45am and will run Monday-Friday. Drop your student off at the front office if you wish for them to attend. After school tutoring is also available for select subjects/days. Please see the flyer on our school website or reach out to the grade level school counselor for details.

Have a great weekend and Wings Up Thunderbirds!

Weekly Updates 9/15/24

Good Evening Thunderbird Families,

I hope you are having a great weekend. I wanted to thank our students for doing a great job on their FAST PM 1 Reading test. This week students will be taking their FAST PM 1 Math test. 6^th grade will test on Tuesday, 7^th grade on Wednesday, and 8^th grade on Thursday. Please ensure your student is well rested and arrives to school on time ready for testing.

Start with Hello Week beings Monday and goes until Friday. Please visit our school website or Facebook page to see how we are celebrating each day.

School picture day will be on October 8^th. To sign up for picture day notifications and emails regarding your students school pictures please visit https://strawbridge.fotomerchanthv.com/clients/pinellas-park-middle-school/fall-pictures-10-8-2024-84/optIn.

Have a great weekend and Wings Up Thunderbirds!

Weekly Update 9/8/24

Good Evening Thunderbird Families,

I hope you’ve had a great weekend with your families. Thank you for your help making sure students arrive to school on time, in dress code, and ready to learn.

FAST Reading PM 1 testing is starting on Tuesday. Students in 6^th grade will test on Tuesday, 7^th grade on Wednesday and 8^th grade on Thursday. Please ensure your student has a good night’s rest and arrives to school on time.

Progress reports will be distributed on Tuesday. Remember you can always see the most up-to-date information in your parent FOCUS account.

Before school tutoring is beginning tomorrow at 7:45am and will run Monday-Friday. Drop your student off at the front office if you wish for them to attend. After school tutoring is also available for select subjects/days. Please see the flyer on our school website or reach out to the grade level school counselor for details.

Have a great weekend and Wings Up Thunderbirds!

Weekly Update 9/1/24

Good Evening Thunderbird Families,

Just a reminder that we have no school tomorrow, September 2^nd, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

We will continue to have FAST PM 1 testing on Tuesday, so please make sure your student has a good night’s sleep and breakfast.

Our Thunderbird sports are kicking off this week with a home volleyball game on Tuesday starting at 4:45pm. Our first cross country meet will be on Saturday, September 7^th at 9:45am at Cresent Lake Park. Come out and support our Thunderbird teams!

Morning tutoring will begin Monday, September 9^th at 7:45am Monday-Friday. If your student needs academic assistance, drop them off at the front office at 7:45 Monday-Friday for tutoring.

Just a quick reminder: our staff - including teachers, counselors, coaches, and others – can safely send you texts, recorded messages, and emails directly through FOCUS, our Student Information System. You can even reply with any questions!

To start receiving text messages, just use your cell phone to text “Y” or “yes” to the number 67587. Also, if you haven’t already done so, please log in to your Focus Portal at focus.pcsb.org to complete your back-to-school forms. It’s important we have your correct info in case we need to reach you.

Have a great evening and Wings up Thunderbirds!

Mrs. Miller, Principal

Weekly Update 8/25/24

Good Evening Thunderbird Families,

Thank you for another great week. Thank you for ensuring your students are arriving to school on time, in dress code and ready to learn each day.

If you have not completed your students back to school forms online, please do so as soon as possible. We are in the process of laptop distribution and the electronic opt in form on Focus must be completed for your student to receive a laptop. If you still have a laptop from elementary school, please bring it to us at PPMS. We can return it to the elementary school for you.

PPMS is looking for YOU to join the School Advisory Committee (SAC). The School Advisory Council (SAC) is a school-based group intended to represent the school, the community, and those persons closest to the students. The group shares responsibility for guiding the school toward continuous improvement, gives key input on decisions that help shape PPMS and is demographically comprised to represent our student population's demographics. Please use the following link to sign up if you are interested in joining the PPMS SAC: PPMS SAC Interest 24.25

Have a great evening and Wings up Thunderbirds!

Mrs. Miller, Principal

Weekly Update 8/18/24

Good Evening Thunderbird Families,

Thank you for a great first week of school. I just wanted to share a few important things happening on campus this week. On Thursday, August 22^nd we will be having Back to School Night for 7^th and 8^th students and families at 6:00pm. You will have the opportunity to follow your students' schedule and meet their teachers.

If you have not completed your students' back to school forms online, please do so as soon as possible. For 6^th grade students, we are starting to distribute student laptops this week and the electronic opt-in form on Focus must be completed for your student to receive a laptop. If you still have a laptop from elementary school, please bring it to us at PPMS. We can return it to the elementary school for you.

Have a great evening and Wings up Thunderbirds!

Mrs. Miller, Principal

Pinellas Park Middle

Home of the Thunderbirds

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