THE MENENDEZ MESSAGE

Volume 2 Issue 75

https://www-pmhs.stjohns.k12.fl.us/

904.547.8660

Office: 8:30am- 4:45pm

Good afternoon Menendez families,

Interims were issued last Tuesday. Please take the time to review the current progress of your child. We have a host of supports on campus for students who are not earning the grades that they expect. These supports are excellent ways to elevate one's grades and understanding.

This week marks the beginning of some AP and IB examinations. We wish each of our students the best of luck as they sit for these rigorous examinations.

Senior Award Night is taking place this week as well. We are excited to recognize those who were invited for the awards and scholarships they have received. Our students are definitely making their mark locally, in Florida and nationally.

Thursday and Friday our band will host performances to highlight the end of the school year. Under the direction of Mr. Scaccia, we expect nothing less than an incredible performance.

#RISEON3 is our mantra for the year and it illustrates our focus for our students. We hope to elevate the mark in the follow areas for every student:

• Achievement (in every part of life)
• Attendance (being present and on time)
• Attitude (regardless of the situation, to exhibit an attitude of success and persistence)



This year these four tenets will serve as the foundation for Pedro Menendez High School.

• Communication
• Clarity of Standards/ Expectations
• Consistency
• Commitment



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.

#RISEON3!

Respectfully,

Ted Banton

Principal

Pedro Menendez High School

• April 29th - Senior Awards
• May 1st - STAR Awards
• May 5th - May 9th - Teacher Appreciation Week
• May 9th - Senior Debt Day
• May 19th - Graduation Rehearsal
• May 21st - Graduation
• May 30th - Last Day for Students

Congratulations to Caleb Jarrod for being awarded the Jaguar Foundation CTE Scholarship for $1,000 for going to UNF!

SCHOOL ACCESS

As we are in the last quarter of the school year, events will be taking place throughout our district. Everyone must have school access to go past the front office of any school. If you plan to go into a school, and have not completed a school access form in the past, it is highly recommended that you complete this form right away. The form can be found at https://stjohns.keepntrack.com/apply. Completion of background screening can take two weeks or longer. If you completed a school access form in the past and think your approval may have expired (approval lasts for 3 years), call your child’s school and they will provide your current information.  

Food Delivery

Students are not allowed to receive any food deliveries (Door Dash, Grub Hub etc..). Please do not order food via door dash or any other food delivery services for students.

HAC

Please make sure all parent information in Home Access Center is updated. This ensures all teachers and staff can contact families with information and updates.

As a reminder, the state of Florida has given every student free access to the Xello college and career planning website. We will be utilizing this tool to aid in applying to colleges (used alongside CommonApp) as well as researching careers, scholarships, etc. Parents and guardians were sent instructions on accessing their free accounts two weeks ago, let your student's School Counselor know if you did not receive yours or if you need help in accessing your account.

At the end of each quarter, the School Counselors mail letters home to seniors that are at risk of not graduating. If you receive one of these letters, please reach out to the office to schedule a meeting to discuss how your student can get back on track. Additionally, please reach out if you have any concerns regarding graduation ASAP!

Check out our academy newsletter for a glimpse into the great things our students are doing in their academies. https://www-pmhs.stjohns.k12.fl.us/academies/newsletters/

If your student is taking an IB class, even if they're not in the full IB Diploma program, they are required to complete all assignments in the class. This includes the Internal Assessments (IAs) and sitting for the exams. Any student who fails to complete all required aspects of the course(s) will be charged the $150 exam fee that the school covers for each student, as the student will no longer be able to test. If you have any question about where your student stands in an IB course, please reach out to the teacher-they can give you the timeline of due dates and progress your student has made. 

IB Exams Schedule

Yearbook preorders will be distributed starting Tuesday, April 29 during LUNCH ONLY in room 206 according to the following schedule:

Seniors: Tuesday & Wednesday

9^th-11^th grade: Thursday and Friday

Friday, May 2 students may also pick up their yearbook before school between 8:45 and 9:10. If a student needs to pick up their yearbook outside of the above timeframes, please contact Ms. Waters at Jordyn.Waters@stjohns.k12.fl.us to schedule a time to do so. Please do not call the school about yearbooks- all questions should be sent to the email address above.

We do anticipate having extra yearbooks for sale. Students may purchase one if they have not already done so beginning Wednesday, April 30 through SchoolPay. Yearbooks are $90. There will be no holds and sold on a first come first serve basis. 

Please return all library books and textbooks to the media center before May 23^rd. System messages will be sent out several times during the month to the parent emails on file regarding any books that are overdue or lost on a student’s account. Books owed to any school in the St. Johns County School District can be returned to the Pedro Menendez High School Media Center to clear the student’s account. Books that are lost/damaged can be paid for through SchoolPay by choosing the Library Book or Textbook cart option. Please contact the PMHS Media Center by phone or email the media specialist at lisa.greco@stjohns.k12.fl.us if you have any questions.

Book Club

The Book Club meet the second Monday of every month in the media center after school. Come join us to discuss books, practice for Battle of the Books, and share the joy of reading. We have cookies!

Stop by the media center or Mrs. Kennedy's classroom (rm 840) for a club permission slip for the new school year.  

Each year St. Johns County School District updates and revises the Student Code of Conduct. We would like your thought and suggestions during this process. Please take a few moments to complete the Student Code of Conduct Survey to help us prepare the 2025 Student Code of Conduct. The survey will remain open until April 11, 2025. 

It would be helpful to you if you have a copy of the current Code of Conduct with you as you respond to the questions. View the current Student Code of Conduct.

All students will start fresh at ZERO tardies at the beginning of term 4 for their tardies.

Pay to Play for the School year 24-25

$150.00 1^st Sport

$50.00 for any additional sports played.

Must be paid through SchoolPay PRIOR to sport start date. Please lest Students name and sport when paying. 

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.

Falcon Pride Store

Baker’s Sports has an online store open again for Menendez Merchandise. Click the link below to see what’s available. Ships Directly to your house.

https://bakerssport-falconpride.itemorder.com/

Florida Prepaid Open Enrollment Begins with Plan Prices Starting at Just $29/Month

Focused on encouraging families to save as early and affordably as possible, our partner Florida Prepaid College Savings Plans has reduced Prepaid Plan monthly prices for newborns and infants to the lowest in more than a decade.

Prepaid Plans allow families to lock in the cost of college with fixed monthly payments. A risk-free 1-year University Plan now starts at just $29/month for the Prepaid Plan Open Enrollment period from February 1 - April 30, 2025. The reduced prices result in savings of up to $850 per plan for a 1-Year University Plan – up to $3,400 in savings for four years.

Prepaid Plans are made to fit growing families:

• Use in-state or nationwide at public, private, trade and technical schools
• Complements scholarships and financial aid
• Transfer to another student or cancel anytime
• Earnings grow tax-free

Every child deserves higher education. Florida Prepaid’s goal is to make it possible for every Florida family to save simply and affordably. Learn more at https://bit.ly/41o9M4M

Parent Survey Exceptional Student Education

Each year, the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) conducts a survey designed to provide FDOE and the United States Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, with information on how well Florida’s schools are partnering with parents and promoting parent involvement in their child’s education. The survey is open to all parents of children with an individual educational plan (IEP) receiving ESE services from preschool age through grade 12.

The 2024/2025 ESE Parent Survey is open beginning February 2025 and will close on 6/30/2025. The survey can be completed on the web or mobile phone by visiting:

2025 ESE Parent Survey

Your responses will help guide efforts to improve services and results for children and families. All information provided will remain confidential. You may submit one online survey for each child receiving services.

Jessica Richardson

Senior Director, Exceptional Student Education

600 State Road 206 West

St. Augustine, FL 32086

Main: (904) 547-8660