Student editor: Elizabeth Freeman

Congratulations to our newly appointed EPEA newsletter editor: Liz Freeman!

Liz will use her editing and writing skills to keep our newsletter going.

December was a Career Month at EPEA. Many of our Tigers are going back to their zoned schools and it has been our goal to start getting them career ready.

An important step to being career ready is to have a good resume. Mr. Long and Mrs Brophy worked with a group of high school students to help them fill out a job application and explained the importance of having a well-written resume. They also refreshed the student's memory about John Holland's career theory and the importance of knowing their key strengths. Mrs Brophy also gave the students some job interview tips and shared some advice on how to stand out as a job applicant.

Research shows that students who participated in mock interviews had higher interview ratings and were more likely to be offered a job or a second interview than students who didn't participate. Some of our high school students sharpened their interview skills by participating in mock interviews with Mrs Brophy. The students did an amazing job practicing and were able to describe what went well and what could have gone better.

As part of our career exploration initiative we host guest speakers to help students learn about different careers. On Thursday, December 8th our students had a chance to hear from Mrs Sherri Spaw, a NICU nurse from Tampa General Hospital. Mrs. Spaw shared her knowledge about the medical field and the nursing profession and talked to the students about how the choices they are making now may affect their future as well as the future of those around them.

As a part of our career exploration initiative we had another special guest, Casey Armstrong from the Colorful Case visit our students to talk about the graphic design industry. She also shared some words of wisdom on starting and running your own business. The students were interested in the types of software Ms Armstrong used; what kind of degree she had to get to where she is at and how she found her clients.

Our Pass the Tiger tradition continues with the mighty roar. Congratulations to Ms Crane and Ms Davis, who received the tigers from Mr Mahon and Mrs Rodriguez! Both Ms Crane and Ms Davis are kind, loving leaders who go above and beyond for our students. Their positive attitude and hard work don't go unnoticed.

Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil. We are fortunate to have a garden on our campus so that the students can learn how grow hydroponically. Our students are working hard at getting our garden up and running. They are learning the technique of growing plants using a water-based nutrient solution rather than soil and are applying their knowledge to practice.

Our Citizen of the month award for the month of December goes to Patrick Scott!

Congratulations, Patrick! We are very proud of you and everything you have accomplished!

This month we also celebrated out Smart Cookies, students who completed their recovery classes, or a successfully completed FLVS high school courses this quarter. They enjoyed some cookies, hot chocolate and played Holiday Bingo.

Our gold and silver card students were rewarded with a portable escape room experience. They did amazing and had a lot of fun! Our teachers and staff were able to experience it as well.

This month our students have been busy creating gifts for the Royal Oak Nursing home residents. The residents were very grateful to receive the gifts. Great job, Tigers!

Many of our students love putting their knowledge to practice. This month our math and science students were working on building motors. The students had so much fun building and watching them work!

On December 15th our students were able to "shop" for their caregivers or family members. We are very grateful to the Rotary Club of Dade City for this heartwarming experience for the staff and the students. It was wonderful to see the students' excitement as they shopped for their loved ones. We also extend a special thank you to Cheryl Duke from the Rotary Club for sponsoring our middle school book club for the second semester.

We finished the year by having Smores with Santa and his Elf. Our students and staff wore their favorite pajamas too. What a great way to end the year!

December is always our most festive month of the year. Here are just some of the highlights from the celebrations and dress-up days we had. You can always view more pictures on our Facebook and Instagram pages.

To view our monthly College and Career Lab Newsletter, click the button below.

By Luke Mercado

The Winter holiday season is a favorite time of the year for many people. At our school students and teachers worked hard to decorate our campus and make it look festive. The students played some fun holiday games such as, Holiday Pictionary and Holiday Scavenger Hunt. We also made snowflakes and helped decorate our campus. As well as having a chance to dress up for the different holiday themes everyday and last but not least we had hot cocoa and candy canes to celebrate the season.

Holiday season means something different for everyone and everybody celebrates this holiday differently. For some people, the most important thing is getting together with their families, while others are excited about all the food. Some people just like to get days off for the holiday and kids like to get a break from school. Some people get excited about decorating their house or about receiving gifts. Many people like to go to church on Christmas, while others celebrate Hannukah or Kwanzaa.

Here are some examples of what the winter holiday season means to some people at our school. One of our teachers, Mr. Mahon says that he loves to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and he loves being with his family. Mrs. Brophy our career counselor said that she loves going to church on Christmas Eve for the candlelight service and spending time with her family, but the gift giving holiday in her culture is actually New Year's day. Their family exchanges gifts on New Year's eve. I like the winter holiday season and Christmas because my family gets together, we decorate our house, and we exchange gifts.

No matter what you celebrate and how, we wish you a happy, healthy, holiday season and a happy new year! Be safe, be the difference and goooooooooo Tigers!!!!!!!!!!!

This Christmas Season has been a very special one for me. I was undergoing health issues at the beginning of the year and have healed. Was able to return to work to deal with our students. As the semester progressed, I reflected on a couple of things. To be appreciative for the gift of life.

Having said this I am thankful that I can be here at East Pasco Education Academy and have been here for the last 18 years. I am blessed that I can establish relationships with students, teach them, make them laugh and feel their pain, at a time in their lives that is very turbulent. In other cases, they lack the basic love, resources, and understanding necessary. I tell adolescents that when we are born, we are like our parents and as we grow older, we need to cherish them for who they are despite not liking the way they may be. As you grow older, we become the decisions we have made. So, they can stop blaming their parents. This is where East Pasco Education Academy comes in. We have built a safe emotional nest for many of our students where we plant the seeds and nourish the roots for a better future. This is not hyperbole this is a fact. Our relationships with our students are what I am most thankful for. We have been blessed to be able to provide these things to those who need it the most. So, for me every day is the spirit of Christmas because we will give and give to those whom will be our future.

To the parents of our students, I would say that having adolescents is not an easy task, even when they are "perfect" children. We need to show consistency and weather the storm, because this too shall pass. Remember the adolescent is finding where they belong and where they would like to go in life. Our job as parents is to provide the love and support, they need for their emotional development, and at times to maintain our own sanity. Keep in mind this holiday season the memories of that original bundle of joy you brought home and the love you had for your child. This memory will allow you to get past the tougher times. Rest assured what today gets you angry, tomorrow it will make you laugh or smile.

Let us be thankful that we can connect to family, friends, colleagues, and students, because what we have should be enjoyed for the time that we are here with our loved ones.

Merry Christmas and have a Blessed New Year!!

Dr. J

Attention Seniors!

Don't forget to fill out The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)! Completing the #FAFSA is a requirement to be considered for federal aid such as PELL grants, work-study, federal student loans, and other targeted aid. Make sure to list all schools you’re considering! FAFSA may also be used for trade schools, as long as the school is accredited.

👉 Visit Federal Student Aid at studentaid.gov to unlock your path to college and career opportunities. *Make sure to complete your FAFSA as soon as possible because some financial aid awards are given on a first-come, first-serve basis.

https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

Students must wear the EPEA uniform shirt daily. Shirts can be purchased for $8 each.

Sweatshirts will also be available for $30, and students can wear the sweatshirts without the EPEA uniform shirt if they wear the sweatshirt all day.

Students are to abide by the dress code of Pasco County Schools.

Please note: Old JIEC shirts & sweatshirts WILL not be considered in dress code. ALL students must have an EPEA shirt or sweatshirt for this school year.

Electronics (cell phone, headphones, ear buds) will only be allowed for students who maintain C's or higher during each marking period so that the focus remains on academics without distractions.

Students who are on Red Card will not be allowed to have electronics.

Electronics will be collected each morning and kept in a secure location for student to receive back during dismissal.

Wireless speakers, video games, etc. should be kept at home and they are not permitted on campus. Students who bring them will surrender them at the beginning of the day and receive at the end of the day.

Backpacks, bags, purses, etc. should be left at home. Students who bring these on campus will turn them into staff upon arrival and receive at the end of the day.

Just a reminder: Students who are administratively placed at EPEA are not permitted on any Pasco County School campus during their length of stay.

Students will carry their point card with them around campus and be responsible for not losing it. All students will start on the Bronze level and then be able to move up to Silver and Gold. If students are not able to maintain points, they will drop down to Red level. On the Red level, students will not be able to have any electronics and they will attend academic lunch. Students who achieve Silver and Gold level will receive extra privileges, such as monthly ice cream socials, field day, etc.

This year Pasco County School District has selected Naviance by PowerSchool as its primary college, career, and life readiness education technology solution. Naviance is a college, career, and life readiness platform, that helps students uncover their strengths and interests to make more informed decisions about their futures. The app is located on the students' dashboards. We encourage all our students to take advantage of this great resource.

For more information on Naviance Platform, please click this link: https://www.powerschool.com/solutions/unified-communities/naviance/

Parents or guardians will bring student to the front office to check-in late. If the student is leaving early, photo ID will need to be shown for check-out.

It is important for students to attend school to stay on track. We understand that things may occur that will cause a student to be absent. Please contact the front office or fill out the Absence Report form on our website to report a child's absence. For it to be considered, excused we will need a doctor's note, court document, etc.

If your child takes medication, you will need to reach out to the Clinic. There are forms that need to be completed.

Medication must also be brought in person to the clinic.

Throughout the school year, parents may request to meet with your child's teachers to discuss academics and/or behavior.

At times, teachers may also request to meet to discuss academics and/or behavior.

Conferences will be held in the morning prior to school starting.

Want to have a voice about your child's school? We would love to have you join our School Advisory Council that meets every other month. School Advisory Council Meetings (SAC) will be held on: 9/23, 11/18, 2/17 & 4/21 at 9 am.

For families who are in need, we have support that can be provided through the Tender, Loving Care program. Our social worker has contacts in the community to help with food during the holidays, clothing, and school supplies. If you need any services, please reach out and we will see what we can do to assist.

School address - 35830 State Road 52 Dade City, FL 33525

Phone Number - 352-524-5700

Fax Number - 352-524-5791

Principal - Shelley Carrino E-mail - scarrino@pasco.k12.fl.us

Assistant Principal - Jessica Mitch E-mail - jeawilli@pasco.k12.fl.us

School Counselors - Tim Hall E-mail - twhall@pasco.k12.fl.us and Sherri Harris E-mail ssharris@pasco.k12.fl.us

Behavior Specialists - Jose Olmo (Dr. J) E-mail - jolmo@pasco.k12.fl.us and Travis Wisdom (SBP) E-mail twisdom@pasco.k12.fl.us

Social Worker - Michael Brooks E-mail - mlbrooks@pasco.k12.fl.us

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