Not for School, But for Life We Learn. -Seneca | |
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Good evening Falcon Families,
We are very hopeful you have had a wonderful weekend and are enjoying Super Bowl Sunday. We had another stellar week at PMHS. We are looking for a great week coming up as well. We have a number of events coming up and opportunities from our IB Boosters and our Athletic Boosters as well. Please see the flyer below as the IB Boosters are looking for donations for their annual teacher breakfast this week. Our athletic boosters are looking for volunteers for the annual car show this weekend. More information is listed under the athletics section.
Please make sure to read through the entire newsletter and please pay particular attention to the assessment section as we are starting the annual testing season. For senior parents, please make sure to read about upcoming events. Graduation details are being finalized and we should have details for rehearsal next week.
Counselors will continue to meet with students during English classes this week for scheduling for the 2024- 2025 school year. This process will continue until we have met with all 9th, 10th and 11th grade students. Please note that schedules will not be finalized until we are able to review final state assessment results. Please note that all of our school counselors are involved in this registration process, so please be patient with them in returning phone calls and emails.
We were also noticing an uptick in the appearance of cell phones during class time. Please remind your child, that there is to be NO cell phone usage during class times unless specifically directed by the teacher for instructional purposes. We are committed to protecting your child's instructional time.
Senior parents, please make sure to look through the entire newsletter as there is important information for the coming weeks. As of now, Senior Dues are open for payment. Please see the flyer below.
Please see the flyer below regarding digital IDs. These will be utilized this year for students in the media center, cafeteria, checking in and out and other school events. If your child does not have a cell phone, we do have alternative options. In addition, all students must complete the form below to access the SJCSD network and acknowledge access to the SJCSD student code of conduct.
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=V9CzsxL8P0-S9HK-boRDUeKKGqBOENVEqvS-DZFzgwNURFRJTEZEWjZVSVoxRlVaUTk1MVQ3UEo3Uy4u
Visitors to campus MUST complete a School Access Form which can be found on the SJCSD website at https://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/volunteer/.
- This clearance is for entry on campus during school hours such as a morning meeting with teachers or counselors, volunteering, or other events.
As the year progresses, the message will fill with information for our students, parents and our community. Please make sure to subscribe to The Menendez Message at the link below.
We look forward to unlocking the potential of each student and Menendez High School this coming school year. RISE UP FALCONS!
Respectfully,
Ted Banton
Principal
Pedro Menendez High School
| This past week, Mr. William "Bill" Mignon passed away. He was surrounded by friends and family. Mr. Mignon was our founding principal and I had the pleasure of teaching under his leadership. He had served as teacher and principal at a number of schools in our district including Hastings High School, Ketterlinus, R.B Hunt Elementary School, A.D. Nease High School and PMHS. Mr Mignon then served as board member for St. Johns County School District. He had an impact for so many in our county and he will be missed dearly. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family in this time of need. | |
- February 19th - No School
- March 4th- Prom tickets go on sale
- March 8th - 3rd quarter ends
- March 11th-15th - Spring Break
- March 18th - Teacher Planning Day - Student Holiday
- March 29th - No School
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The science department is currently in the process of textbook adoption. The process involves community input. We are currently looking for one parent and one community member to assist in the process. If you have interest in reviewing the resource materials for a particular science course, please contact Kristina Boss at Kristina.Boss@stjohns.k12.fl.us | |
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*CLT for invited Seniors only - Feb 15 in school at 9:30am (library)
*March 4-6 ALG/ELA10 FSA (Seniors only)
*March 26 ACT college reportable in school paid for by state (Juniors/Eng3 only)
*April 9 ACT NCR (Seniors by invite only)
ACT in school for Juniors/Eng 3
On March 26th, Juniors in Eng 3 for the first time (or Juniors in Eng Comp) will have the opportunity to take the ACT College Reportable Exam, an important test that provides many benefits that can help the students along the path to college. If the student is a junior, the ACT offers them the opportunity to take the ACT during the regular school day at no cost (paid for by the FLDOE). No registration is required from 11th grade students. To see where one tests, students can see schoology or the test location list in the library.
Gr 9, 10, 12 Student Information regarding March 26, 2024
The ACT is only available for PMHS Juniors on March 26th and St. Johns County School District has elected to provide all other students with a flexible learning day. This will be conducted virtually through Schoology. Teachers will be in communication of expectations online that day. Students that report to school that day will be held in room 300 for a study hall, go to C lunch once all testing has concluded, then gym until dismissal..
FAST BEST scores in HAC and https://flfast.org/families.html
PSAT Results
As this was the very first time giving the digital PSAT, we could only estimate the times/schedule. We are thankful for the opportunity to give students a Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test experience during the school day. Students entered an email or contact before the test began, that is where they will receive an email when scores are ready. It will also be in their HAC account under grades->test scores->psat nmsqt no later than Dec 21.
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Standard setting took place in Summer 2023 to establish a new B.E.S.T. scale. Starting in Winter 2023, scores are being reported on the new scale approved by the State Board of Education. The scale score ranges differ by grade and subject. Achievement levels describe a student’s success with the content assessed. As required by state law, achievement levels range from 1 to 5, with Level 1 as the lowest and Level 5 as the highest. For all assessments, Level 3 indicates "on grade level" performance. Higher expectations were established with the adoption of the B.E.S.T. Standards, which are more rigorous than the previous standards, the Florida Standards. The adopted cut scores for the FAST assessments and B.E.S.T. EOC assessments set higher expectations that bring us a step closer to ensuring all our students are prepared for postsecondary success.
Because the two scales were established for two different assessment systems aligned to different standards and the B.E.S.T. Standards are more rigorous than the Florida Standards, performance comparisons should not be made.
Your student received a score for a test on the provisional scale during the 2022–2023 school year or for a fall 2023 assessment (PM2, B.E.S.T. EOC, or FAST Grade 10 ELA Reading Retake), this score will update in the Florida Reporting System and Family Portal to reflect how your student would have scored on the new B.E.S.T. scale. The previous provisional scores are being provided on the B.E.S.T. scale for informational purposes only, so that you can make “apples to apples” comparisons to see your student’s progress over time. The converted score will look different because the provisional and B.E.S.T. scales use different number ranges, and the number ranges for B.E.S.T. are lower. This does not mean that the test got easier or that the standard was lowered. The new score is simply placed on a new range of numbers (325–475) vs. the provisional range (425–575).
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Last week, the School Counselors met with all seniors to have them apply for the Bright Futures scholarship. If your senior was absent or did not attend this event, they can apply for it themselves at home by going to www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org and clicking "Create a Student Account." Please make sure to record their username and password so they can log back into their application later when they've decided where they will be attending college. | |
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DUAL ENROLLMENT INFO
Any student planning on taking a Dual Enrollment class at SJRSC or online, you will need to make an appointment with your counselor beginning next week. Please view the course offerings on the SJRSC website prior to your meeting. This includes all Early college students.
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The college application season is in full swing and our School Counselors are here to help! The first step is for seniors to make a free account on www.commonapp.org where they can fill out one application that gets sent to multiple colleges which saves quite a bit of time and effort. Once they have done that, please have them make an appointment with their School Counselor to go over specifics with transcripts, letters of recommendation, and test scores, so we can make sure they have everything they need in a timely manner. We highly recommend all applications be submitted by November 1st as this is when most of the schools have set their priority deadlines. Check out www.naviance.com if your student doesn't know where they want to apply yet or is an underclassman looking for general information for the future - every student has a free account, they just need to log in with their S# and password - we can help get them logged in at school their first time if they need assistance.
The PMHS School Counselor Office looks forward to serving the academic and social needs of the students of PMHS. More information on services and supports can be found at https://www-pmhs.stjohns.k12.fl.us/guidance/
Stephanie Toffaletti
IB Coordinator
stephanie.toffaletti@stjohns.k12.fl.us
Meredith Masiak
Early College Students and Students with the last name A-E
meredith.masiak@stjohns.k12.fl.us
Kathy Hamill
Students with the last name F-M
kathryn.hamill@stjohns.k12.fl.us
Jacqueline Cruz
Students with the last name N-Z
jacqueline.cruz@stjohns.k12.fl.us
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The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) opened at the end of December - if your student is planning on attending any postsecondary institution after graduation, your family must complete this in order to be eligible for financial aid from the government! Mrs. Toffaletti is constantly posting scholarship opportunities on the Guidance Schoology page, so ask your senior to show you those if they haven't do so already. For additional information regarding Financial Aid for college, see the flyer below.
Financial Aid Info
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Registration
Please see the following information regarding registration dates for the upcoming school year.
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General New Student Enrollment for Early Childhood, VPK, Kindergarten and all other grades will open on March 1st
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Hardship Waiver / Employee Transfer Form will also open on March 1st
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Re-Enrollment option only (no change of address or transfer) will open on March 1st
- The following forms will be open simultaneously beginning March 1st:
- •New Student 23/24 and 24/25
- •Early Childhood 23/24 and 24/25
- •Hardship Waiver / Employee Transfer 23/24 and 24/25
- •Re-Enrollment/Transfer/Change of Address 23/24
- •Re-Enrollment ONLY 24/25
- Returning Student Verification will open mid-April.
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Parents, you may have received a letter recently regarding overdue books. Please return any library or textbooks owed. | |
Parents/guardians may limit what their own students can check out from the school library by filling out the Parental Choice Library Book Restriction Form. Restrictions from middle school are no longer valid. A new form must be filled out and returned to the high school to meet new state requirements.” | |
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Medication Given in School
Per school board policy, all medications must be brought into the clinic by a parent/guardian, not the student and requires the Medication Authorization Form to be completed (see below). Please include a Medical Management Plan if applicable (see below).
New bottles must be brought in by parents for each refill. Medication cannot be given from an old bottle.
All medication must be in their original containers, labeled with the student’s name, dosage, frequency of administration and physician’s name.
Medication should not be transported between home and school daily. Separate containers should be kept at home and at school.
Parents will be responsible for delivery and retrieval of medication to and from the school nurse.
Student Authorization to Self-Carry Medication
Per Florida Statue 1002.20, The Medication Authorization Form allows the student to carry their own emergency medication (Epinephrine Pen, Auvi Q, Glucagon or Inhaler) if and only if the parent and physician sign in the Florida Statute box on the Med Auth Form. This form must be returned to the school nurse before the student is allowed to carry prescribed self-administered medications.
Over the counter medications may be taken/given at school. They must be in the original container and be within the current expiration date. Please complete an Over-the Counter Form found below.
If you have any questions regarding medication to be taken/given at school, please contact Mrs. Parrey, RN, at 904-547-8672 or Rosemary.Parrey@stjohns.k12.fl.us. Additional medical forms can be found on our website under Clinic.
Medication-Authorization-form-
Allergy MMP2023-2024
Asthma-Medical-Management-Plan-MMP (2)
Over-the-Counter-Non-Medical-Form (1)
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The FFAA (Bright Futures) Application is now open. The FAFSA is scheduled to open at some point in December. Click here for more information on changes to the FAFSA and the reason for the delay in release. Please be mindful, that you must complete these applications in order to be evaluated for postsecondary financial aid eligibility.* | |
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All Senior YBK Dedication / ADS:
Please go to:
www.Yearbookordercenter.com
School Code: 15723
Complete directions for ADs
Full Page: $300; ½ Page: $200; ¼ page: $100
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All yearbooks: Price goes to $85 on 2/1/24
A Coupon code to save $10 starting 2/1/24 is: FALCONS
Please order at: www.yearbookordercenter.com
School Code: 15723
Supplies are limited.
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Book Club will be meeting this Monday, February 12th after school in the Media Center. We will be discussing some important information about the Battle of the Books competition coming up very quickly on March 7th, so if you are on one of the teams, SHOW UP!
p.s. There will be cookies! And we’ll talk about books too!
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The Spanish Club is collecting gently used eyeglasses as part of the Lions Clubs International eyeglasses recycling program.
Please help us contribute to this wonderful, worldwide program by bringing gently used eyeglasses that you don´t need any longer. Nonprescription sunglasses and over the counter reading glasses are very appreciated as well.
Look for the yellow collection boxes in the Media Center and the Guidance office.
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Chess Club & Model UN
Chess Club and Model UN Club will be on Mondays after school, room 660 or Library.
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Falcon Booster Club
The Falcon Booster Club is looking for volunteers for their Annual Falcon Booster's Car Show. There will be a volunteer meeting on Monday, February 12, 2024 at 6:15 in the PMHS Media Center. The event will take place on Saturday, February 17, 2024.
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Volleyball
Boys' volleyball tryouts 2/12 and 2/13. Athletic clearance must be up to date and cleared. Email alexis.crosby@stjohns.k12.fl.us with any questions.
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Tennis
Anyone interested in playing tennis this spring should see Coach Seymour (Rm 655) or Coach Melgard in the gym. Conditioning will start once you have completed athletic Clearence.
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Track & Field
The Pedro Menendez Track & Field Team will conduct strength training Wednesday mornings before school. If you have interest, please see Coach Ray in room 400 before school.
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The Menendez Athletic Department utilizes an online paperless registration system, AthleticClearance.com. The registration process is attached. Additional Menendez Athletics information, including coaches’ contact information, can be found at www-pmhs.stjohns.k12.fl.us/athletics/. Our expectation is that every athlete will be registered by their parent/guardian before their desired sport’s start date.
Athletic Clearance Instructions
Please ensure the following when completing the online process:
1. Student ID should be entered WITHOUT a preceding “S”. Numeric ID only!
2. Scan and upload physical as ONE document.
3. Ensure that student information is complete on page 4 of the physical (EL2).
4. Ensure that the MD has checked “Medically eligible for all sports without restriction” AND signed and dated page 4 of the physical.
5. Ensure that student and parent signature/date is completed on bottom of page 4 of the physical.
The only type of physical we accept is the FHSAA EL2 physical form. The updated physical form is 4 pages. Starting the 23-24 school year, the old EL2 form WILL NOT be accepted.
Please keep in mind that the FHSAA requires all student athletes to view free video courses on concussions, heat illness, and sudden cardiac arrest (see instructions below). Signatures on the EL3 form indicate that your athlete has completed these three video courses. The FHSAA also requires that all student athletes have at least a 2.0 unweighted GPA to be eligible for participation.
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Fall Sports Start Date - 7/31/23
Bowling
Cross Country - Boys
Cross Country - Girls
Dance
Football
Golf- Boys
Golf - Girls
Swim
Girls VB
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Falcon Pride Store
Baker’s Sports has an online store open again for Menendez Merch. Click the link below to see what’s available. Ships Directly to your house.
https://bakerssport-falconpride.itemorder.com/
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Above is the Volunteer Sign Up Genius for the annual Car Show that boosters and all sports put on together. Car Show is Saturday, February 17th. All athletes, students, parents and coaches are welcome to volunteer. Pedro athletes are asked to sign up as judges for their Team Car choice. Thank you in advance for your help! Any questions let me know.
We also ask each sport to donate a minimum of 1 CASE EACH (or more) OF PEPSI, DIET PEPSI, STARRY AND WATER. They can be dropped off in front office and marked “sport name” donation for car show.
Sent from my iPhone
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Looking to get your Learner’s Permit? Sign up for the Driver Education Program at Pedro Menendez High School. The program consists of classroom lecture designed to assist a student preparing to obtain a Learner Permit. The classes will be conducted prior to school from 8am-9am for a total of 10 consecutive school days. On the last day, students will be administered the Learner Permit Knowledge Exam that is required to obtain a Learner Permit. Parents may sign up by visiting the Tax Collector website and clicking on resources, or there is a link to driver ed on your school’s home page. Students may take this course if they are at least 14 ½, to prepare for a learner license that may be obtained at 15 years old. The cost is only 30.00, and that includes the DMV Test on the last day. Please see Mr. Tisdale in Portable 2 for more information. | | |
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600 State Road 206 West
St. Augustine, FL 32086
Main: (904) 547-8660
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