Pinellas County Schools Superintendent Dr. Michael Grego
ST. PETERSBURG — I could not be more excited to begin the 2021-22 school year! Our administrators, teachers and support staff are ready to welcome students and families back for what promises to be the best school year ever!
Thank you to everyone who had a hand in making last school year so successful, despite the challenges. We all learned so much and are ready to use that knowledge and experience to accelerate the educational experience for all Pinellas County Schools students. This year we are introducing many wonderful programs and initiatives for learners of all ages.
We are expanding the PCS Connects 1:1 digital device program and will issue more laptops to students in grades 3-10 so that they have access to learning beyond the classroom. We are reorganizing the Canvas Learning Management system so that online assignments, lessons and resources are easier to find, and we are continuing the Level Up program (pcsb.org/levelup) to provide students and families new, dynamic experiences and lessons that go beyond the school day.
We are adding 40 additional Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) classrooms throughout the district and providing free all-day VPK at 25 identified elementary sites. And we are opening new Centers for Literacy Innovation at Midtown Academy and Palm Harbor Middle School.
Access to rigorous, advanced classes is key to accelerating student achievement, so in middle schools we are adding Pre-AP World History and Geography at 10 schools (for a total of 21) and adding a Pre-Advanced Placement (AP) Art course at 7 schools (for a total of 12). Additionally, a Coding Fundamentals course will be offered at 18 middle schools aligning to industry certifications in Python computer programming language
In high schools, six new Pre-Advanced Placement courses (Algebra 1, Geometry and Statistics, English 1, English 2, Biology and Chemistry) will be offered for the first time at five schools. And College and Career Centers will be added to four high schools (East Lake, Lakewood, Osceola and Seminole), for a total of nine centers where students can go for assistance to pursue their postsecondary dreams.
Pinellas Park High School will launch its United States Coast Guard JROTC program, which is only the third such installation in the United States.
As you can see, we are leveraging what we’ve learned, along with state and federal recovery dollars, to advance Pinellas County Schools beyond its pre-COVID-19 status. And we can’t wait for you to join us!
Although we are focused on the future, the health and safety of our students and staff remains our highest priority and we will continue to collaborate closely with our medical advisory group. In accordance with Department of Health guidelines, we will maintain many of the layered mitigation strategies used last year and will monitor COVID-19 to ensure we are following best practices.
I sincerely appreciate your interest in Pinellas County Schools. On the following pages, you will learn more about our newest educational options and ways to connect with Pinellas County Schools. Be sure to visit the Pinellas County Schools website at www.pcsb.org and follow us on social media for the latest news about the school district.
As we proved last year, together we can accomplish anything. I look forward to our continued partnership to benefit the students of Pinellas County. Thank you.
