Pacetti Bay Middle School Wildcat Weekly
Volume 28
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Good evening Wildcat Nation! |
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After such a soggy week, I hope you had the opportunity to enjoy the sunshine today. It a wonderful time of year as we launch into the spring season. Speaking of seasons, this week is our Kindness Spirit Week. There have been amazing activities put forth by our WEB leaders and this is sure to be a treat. See the flyer below for themes for each day. Its also PSAT season for 8th graders who wish to take the PSAT. This is a paid assessment that is a good indicator of potential SAT performance in high school. There are limited spots, so first come, first served. There is a link below in assessment.
Its also the time of year when students have a long stretch without a day off. This can lead to some struggles in motivation. Please keep up with your child and their grades in HAC. If you have questions about his/her grades, please reach out to the teacher. We are all in this together.
Parents, we need your assistance. It's that time of year for the annual Parent and Student SAC surveys. These will be open for this month and provide valuable information and feedback to us as we plan for next school year. These surveys are very important. Please click here for a link to the PBMS SAC Survey.
For our 8th grade parents, scheduling will occur for Tocoi Creek and Nease High School next week. You should receive a direct email from your school. These scheduling meetings will be on campus.We will be sending out registration for our current 6th and 7th graders shortly after.
The faculty and administration wants to make sure that you have all of the information you need for your children to have great success and we believe this format will aid in the process. Please take a moment and register to receive the Wildcat Weekly at https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/IWZG0wo
Have a great week, Go Wildcats!
Respectfully,
Ted Banton, Principal
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Events for this Week and Beyond
- February 22nd- February 26th Kindness Spirit Week
- February 23rd - Battle of the Book; Needle Craft Club; HOME Basketball Game vs. Palm Valley Academy
- February 25th - HOME Basketball game vs Fruit Cove
- February 28th - Minecraft Club
- March 3rd 1:40 PM Student Council Virtual Meeting via Schoology Conference
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PPE Expectations
Students are to have their face masks or face shields on when arriving to campus and leaving campus. Please remind students to be diligent in keeping masks on and over both the mouth and nose. We have seen an increase in students placing the mask below the nose.
COVID Safety Procedures
Parents, please remember to check your child’s temperature before they depart for school. Remember that a student with a temperature of 100.4 will need to be picked up at school. In addition, please remember to ensure you go over the checklist below with your child each day.
Students are to have their face masks or face shields on when arriving to campus and will be directed by their teacher after their temperature is checked at homeroom.
SJCSD Microsoft Office 365 Offer
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SAC Parent & Student Surveys |
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Please take time to complete the SAC parent survey listed below. It provides valuable information and feedback to the school.
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Take the 2020-21 PSAT
With the PSAT you can:
- get ready for the SAT
- access personalized college and career planning resources and get AP potential feedback in My College QuickStart
- request information from colleges and universities
- assess your critical reading, mathematical reasoning, and writing skills
- get suggestions on how to improve your academic skills
Date: Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Time: 1:15PM -5:00 PM
Where: PBMS
Cost: $20 – SchoolPay only
Bring a mask please 😊
Sign up through SchoolPay by March 3rd. Limited space available. Signups on a first come / first served basis. No refunds.
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A message from the St. Johns County School District:
Florida Department of Education does not allow districts to provide a virtual testing option for the Florida Standards Assessment (FSA), Florida Standards Alternative Assessment (FSAA), or EOC’s for the 2020-2021 school year. According to the state Department of Education, “We are not considering remote proctoring or at-home testing for any of Florida’s K-12 summative or postsecondary assessments in 2020-21”.
The Florida Department of Education has in the past stated that by statute, “Participation in the assessment program is mandatory for all school districts and all students attending public schools…”.
St. Johns County School District does not have the statutory authority to exempt any student from required, state developed assessments, except as specified in Section 1008.212, F.S. which primarily addresses students with physical impairment or children who have a medical complexity as defined in Section 1008.22(9) F.S.
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The new link for attendance notes is now up and running! Visit the PBMS webpage under attendance link or click on the button. You can complete and submit all in one easy form! Any questions, please contact our attendance office at 904-547-8780
Please remember a photo ID is required for student check-out. This is for the safety and security of all children and Pacetti Bay Middle School.
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Overdue Books:
We are experiencing a high number of overdue books. There are many books are still owed from last school year, either to PBMS or your student’s previous school. Please return, or pay for those books if lost/damaged, to the Media Center as soon as possible. Our policy, as stated below, is that students need to take care of overdue books/fines before they can continue checking out new books.
If your student has overdue materials, please help them locate those items and put them in their backpack so they are prepared to return them. Thank you!
Zoom Conferences:
Having trouble conferencing with Zoom? We have added two Zoom troubleshooting guides to the PBMS Schoology Information webpage. Please check here first for Schoology related information and support. Also see Schoology sections below for previously posted information.
Welcome Wildcats!
We are so excited to be welcoming many of our Distance Learners to campus. Please bring the following items to school with you:
- Textbooks- You will need to return your black, hardcover Language Arts “Collections” textbook. You will hold onto your other textbooks to use in class or as directed by your teachers.
- Library books- Any outstanding library books need to be turned in to the Media Center. If you have lost or damaged books, please bring payment for those items. Checks must have two phone numbers written on them. If you owe books or payments to another SJCSD school, you may turn them in to us and we will forward them to the appropriate school for you. Please be sure to make checks out to the school owed.
- Technology- Borrowed laptops (including power cord) and hot spots are to be turned in when coming on campus.
Media Center Policy:
Our students are expected to check out books and read throughout the school year. Students are responsible for returning or renewing their library books and textbooks by the due dates given. Students will only be permitted to check out books if they do not already have an overdue book. Students, and their parents, are responsible for the replacement costs of any lost or damaged materials. If ordered, a yearbook will not be delivered to the student and the cost of the yearbook will be put towards the replacement cost of any lost or damaged materials. Students may be excluded from end-of-year activities with Media Center materials outstanding. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this policy, please contact our Media Specialist at Karin.gowens@stjohns.k12.fl.us .
eBooks:
Did you know we have eBooks? We have 1000’s of eBooks, including all of this year’s Sunshine State titles. You can access our eBooks by going to the Media Center website and clicking on the eBooks section or using this link: https://www-pbm.stjohns.k12.fl.us/media/ebooks/ . On the eBook’s webpage, you will find all the information you need to access and navigate our eBook platforms as well as information about eBooks/eResources available on the St Johns County Public Library website. This information has also been posted in each grade’s Schoology Media group under Resources. There is so much there to discover. Enjoy exploring and reading these digital resources!
Book Holds:
We encourage our students to place a hold in Destiny (our online library management system) on a book they want to check out when it is not immediately available for them to check out while they are in the Media Center. Students place a hold by logging into Destiny using their student number and district password. Directions on how to do this have been placed in each grade’s Schoology Media group under Resources. When the book becomes available, we send the student a message on Schoology. They have 3 school days to come pick it up in the Media Center, before we check it back in from them and make it available to the next student.
Distance Learners are welcome to utilize this hold system to check out books from our school library as well. Once they get the Schoology message that their book is available for them to pick up, they will have 3 school days to come pick it up in the front office between the hours of 8:00 am – 12:00 pm. Books are due 3 weeks from their checkout date. The due date is stamped in the back of the book. Distance Learners are still responsible for returning their books on time to the return bin outside the front office Monday-Friday 7:30-2:30 pm.
Schoology for Students:
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Click here for the “2020-21 Student Getting Started with Schoology Guide”. This shows students how to login, join their grade Media and Counselor groups, navigate the platform, and access the Schoology app if desired.
- Students can find a pink “Student Schoology Help Videos” folder in each of their Schoology courses under Materials to reference for additional support.
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Go to the PBMS Schoology Information webpage for more Schoology information and support resources, including Zoom troubleshooting guides.
Schoology for Parents:
- Parents may set up their own Schoology account if they choose. Parent letters, including your parent access code needed to set up and link your account to your student, went home the second week of school. Students who register mid-year will receive their Schoology parent letter when they come to pick up their textbooks in the Media Center. If you already have a Schoology parent account for another student, you can use this access code to add this student to your existing account.
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Visit the PBMS Schoology Information webpage for additional information and resources.
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Visit the SJCSD Schoology for Parents webpage for additional information and resources.
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Student Contest Opportunities |
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February’s contest of the month is a writing opportunity that could earn one of our kiddos a college scholarship!! In honor of Black History Month, the First Lady of Florida is sponsoring an essay contest. Students enter individually, but they must include a letter of recommendation and a personal statement along with their composition. The pdf with complete directions is attached, and here is the info page from the contest’s website: http://www.floridablackhistory.com/index.html
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Athletics and Physical Education |
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2020-2021 Pacetti Bay Basketball
The February 18th game was canceled and has been rescheduled for March 1st.
Go Wildcat Nation!
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PE Department Update
As we start into the 3rd 9 weeks, we have an updated expectation for PE.
Although we will still not be dressing out for class, we are asking that your child wear appropriate footwear in order to participate. Shoes should be athletic with laces. Inappropriate shoes for PE include but are not limited to: Crocs, sandals, and boots. Over the past semester, we have had a number of students injured trying to participate in this footwear. Please help us in supporting the safety of all students by making sure that your child brings/wears appropriate shoes to participate in class.
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Battle of the Books Club:
If you have been reading the Sunshine State books and are interested in being a part of our Battle of the Books team, please:
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Join the Battle of the Books Schoology group using this access code: KFNW-CGG5-GNVHH
- Plan to attend our Battle of the Books club meetings after school Tuesdays 1:50-2:45 in the Media Center. You must have transportation home at 2:45 to attend in person. I will also have a live Zoom conference for those who wish to attend virtually.
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Catan Club
When: Monday afternoons 2:00-3:30
Where: Room 495/6th grade pod
Sponsor: Mr. Cofield (Room 495)
All students are invited to come check out Catan Club. Settlers of Catan is a popular board that involves strategy, persuasion, skill, and quite a bit of luck. Don’t worry if you’ve never played, we will be happy to teach you! Come learn a new game while having fun with your classmates. Students can contact Mr. Cofield using Schoology; parents can reach him at brent.cofield@stjohns.k12.fl.us
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Applications to join National Junior Honor Society will be available after break. Current 7 th and 8 th graders are eligible to apply. Pick up applications from Mrs. Jones in room 260 or Mrs. Hicks in room 235. They will be due by January 29 th. Distance learners can access digital applications on the Pacetti Bay website or by emailing Ms. Jones at Emily.k.jones@stjohns.k12.fl.us starting on January 4 th. |
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Needle Craft Club
All Wildcats are welcome to join our Craft Club!
We will meet on Tuesdays in the Cafe Bump Out room from 2:00 to 3:00.
The cost of $20 includes all materials. https://qrgo.page.link/ZYnDP
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Minecraft Club
Minecraft club is a drop-in after-school club that meets every Friday from 1:50-2:30 in computer lab 311 in the 8th grade house. Students play Minecraft education cooperatively or on creative mode.
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Monthly Donations: The PTSO has begun monthly donation drives that will coincide with event specific expenses. Over the course of the school year we receive requests from the school to provide snacks, prizes, or other goods. We also want to make sure our teachers and staff feel appreciated and want to do an extra little something each month for them. By opening up these donation opportunities, it will enable you and your family to play a part in helping to meet these needs. You can donate anytime throughout the year!
We have set up a Venmo account to make things simple. You can find us at
PBMSPTSO (also listed as Pacetti Bay Middle School PTSO.)
Any help that you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or if you would like additional information. As always, we are grateful for your support.
PTSO Business Partners: More than ever, we are relying on the support and assistance of our local business partners and community to navigate the uncharted waters of the year ahead and help make it amazing for our school. Please visit our website for information regarding our 2020-21 Business Partners Program , and please feel free to reach out with any questions. We hope to have you join our Wildcats Family and help support our teachers, staff, and students through this school year and the challenges ahead. https://www.pacettibayptso.org/become-a-business-partner.html
Wildcats Announcement Marquee: This year, we are thrilled to share that the Wildcats Announcement Marquee is open for reservations! We hope you will join in the fun!
Your $25 donation provides a personal message on the Wildcats Announcement
Marquee outside The Bay. This is perfect for Happy Birthdays, Congratulations, or other
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High School and Academy Information |
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Links to the High Schools
Below are the links to the high schools that Pacetti Bay students typically attend. Please visit each of these school websites for more information.
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High School Information
Scheduling will begin in March for our 8th grade students.
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SUMMER MARINE SCIENCE PROGRAM
DO NOT MISS OUT ONLY 2 SESSIONS
Parents/Guardians,
Application directions for the summer Marine Science Program will be passed out by science teachers at all schools during the week of February 10th. Parents/guardians must complete part 1 of the application at our website. Application student essays, part 2, will be due back to science teachers by March 5th. Student essay forms can also be downloaded at any time from the website. Distance learners must return their essay to their teacher through Schoology or email. Please visit us at http://www-grms.stjohns.k12.fl.us/ and click on the Marine Science link. The link also will have a complete day by day curriculum for each grade level, parent information, and a video from last year’s program.
This summer program is available to all students currently in grades five through seven and has been sponsored by the school district since 1982. Hurry do not miss out, only two eight-day sessions are held at Gamble Rogers Middle School with bus transportation provided. The dates for the sessions this summer will be June 14th through June 24th and June 28th through July 8th (Monday-Thursday). Small classes of 12-15 students are separated by grade level. All instructors in the program are St. Johns County School District teachers.
The Marine Science Program is a carefully designed experience for responsible students who are interested in learning about our local marine environments. Learning is “hands on” in the field with students kayaking, canoeing, boating, hiking, snorkeling, sailing, windsurfing, surfing, SUP, (stand up paddle boarding), etc.
Marine Science Script:
Use former MSP students for Student A & B or good actors! If they have their t shirts from the program it would be great to wear or add props like a snorkel mask and shells.
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Pacetti Bay Middle School
245 Meadowlark Lane
St. Augustine, FL 32092
Main: (904) 547-8760
Fax: (904) 547-8775
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