Discover a world of science, technology, engineering and mathematics at the 6th Annual Pinellas County Schools STEM Expo.
The event will showcase engineering design projects by more than 4,600 students from 98 schools. The keynote speaker will be Chris Fischer, founder and expedition leader of the shark research organization OCEARCH.
The event will be take place 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 27 at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg in the University Student Center, Building, 200, which is located on 6th Ave. S. See the STEM Expo flyer.
STEM Summer Camp registration open now
The school district is offering two types of camps where students can explore Science, Technology Engineering and Math. STEM Summer Camps are for students entering grades 2-7 next school year. During the four-day camp, students will solve daily STEM team challenges, build and program robots, participate in computer programming and take part in hands-on engineering design challenges. The cost is $100.
STEM Honors Summer Camps are for students entering grades 8 and 9 next school year. The eight-day camp will involve computer programming, multimedia productions, robotics and STEM career exploration. The cost is $150.
Both camps will take place in June. Learn more and apply at www.pcsb.org/STEM.
Pinellas County Schools takes board meeting on the road
Pinellas County Schools will host April’s school board meeting on Tuesday, April 23 at the City of Gulfport’s City Hall. The meeting will begin at 5 p.m. at Gulfport’s City Hall, located at 2401 53rd Street South, Gulfport.
The agenda for the meeting is available on the Pinellas County Schools website.
Learn about Cultural Arts and Gifted magnet programs at Midtown Academy
Families interested in the Cultural Arts or Gifted Studies programs are invited to attend the Midtown Academy Student Showcase. Explore gifted programs, and check out student science projects. Children will have opportunities to engage in educational games and arts activities. Learn more about one of our newest schools and find out how to apply. The showcase will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. May 7 at Midtown Academy Center for Cultural Arts & Gifted Studies, 1701 10th St S in St. Petersburg. The event will kick off with a question and answer session for interested families at 5 p.m.
Summer Bridge registration is underway
Registration for Summer Bridge began on Monday, March 25. Summer Bridge provides engaging activities to prepare students for maximum success when the next school year begins. Most elementary, middle and high school Summer Bridge programs will be June 11 to July 18. Programs will take place Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Learn more at www.pcsb.org/summerbridge.
Apply for PCS visual and digital arts camps this summer
Pinellas County Schools will offer four-day visual and digital art camps that will take place in June.
Elementary camps are for current third- and fourth-graders who will enter fourth and fifth grade next school year. Middle school camps are for current fifth-, sixth- and seventh-graders who will enter sixth, seventh and eighth grade next year. Lessons will be taught by certified art teachers. PCS Art Camps are offered at no cost to Pinellas County public school students thanks to the Referendum.
Digital Arts Camps
PCS will be offering three Elementary Digital Arts Camps and three Middle School Digital Arts Camps. Lessons will focus on various digital media, including digital drawing, painting, photography, comics, stop-motion animation and movie making. Art will be exhibited online in our Art Gallery and movies will be posted on our YouTube channel.
Visual Arts Camps
The district will also offer three Elementary Visual Arts Camps. Projects will focus on more “traditional” media, such as drawing, painting, sculpture and printmaking. Students will bring home their artwork at the conclusion of camp. Select works will be exhibited online in our Art Gallery.
There are only 30 seats at each of our nine camps. The camps are for students currently enrolled in the school district. The deadline to apply is April 19. Learn more and apply.
The late application period for Choice Programs is underway
Many magnet, fundamental and career programs have seats available for the 2019-2020 school year. Geographic application area restrictions for several programs have been lifted, allowing students who live in other areas of the county to apply. After parents apply, schools with available seats will contact parents to invite students to attend. Parents can also contact program coordinators to find out the status of their late applications. For information about Choice Programs visit www.pcsb.org/choice. If you have questions about the application process, contact Student Assignment, 727-588-6210.
Annual ESE Parent Survey is underway
It is time for the Florida Department of Education’s annual Exceptional Student Education Parent Survey. Each year, the department surveys parents of students with an individual education plan (IEP) who receive special education services to determine how well schools are partnering with them and promoting their involvement in their children’s education.
If your child attends a Pinellas County public school and receives special education services, please take the survey. Feedback helps the state and the school district improve educational services for children with special needs and their families.
Parents can take the survey at www.esesurvey.com. Or they can complete a paper survey distributed by their child’s school. If you have questions or need a paper survey, contact Tracy McMannus at 727-588-6062 or MCMANNUST@pcsb.org.
Kindergarten registration is underway
Parents can register their children for kindergarten for the next school year at https://reservation.pcsb.org. The school district is urging families to register their children by May 29, before the end of the school year. If your child is currently attending VPK within the Pinellas County school district, you will not need to register them for kindergarten for the 2019-2020 school year. Children currently attending VPK in the district will be automatically assigned to their zoned school in March. Learn more at www.pcsb.org/KG. If you have questions, call Student Assignment at 727-588-6210.
Help send your children to college with a prepaid tuition plan
The open enrollment period for the Florida Prepaid College Plan is underway. The Florida Prepaid College Plan allows families to lock in college plan prices and prepay the future cost of college tuition and fees. When students are ready for college, the plan pays costs covered under the plan at Florida colleges or universities. The enrollment period will close April 30. Learn more and apply at the Florida Prepaid website.
