Putnam County School District - Shaping the Future

🌶️🍴 All County FFA Chapters Chili Cook-Off Fundraiser 🍴🌶️ 📅 Mark Your Calendars: January 11th, 5–8 PM 📍 Location: Putnam County Fairgrounds 🔥 Come out and support our local AG programs! 🔥 Join us for an evening of family fun, great food, and community spirit as we raise funds for our PCSD AG youth. 🌟 Buy Tickets Now or at the Event! $20 Adult Tickets $10 Student Tickets FREE for kids 12 and under! Tickets include unlimited chili tastings plus drinks and dessert! 🏆 Vote for Your Favorite Chili! Taste the best chili recipes from across the county and cast your vote to crown the winner. 🎟️ Raffle Items: Don't miss your chance to win exciting prizes in our raffle! #ProudtobePCSD

January is National Mentoring Month. At its heart, mentoring ensures young people know they are cared for, supported, and valued. It provides a sense of connection, showing them they are not alone in facing life’s challenges. Research proves that quality mentoring relationships have a profound impact on young people, boosting their personal, academic, and professional growth. Mentoring bridges the gap to personal development, social belonging, and economic opportunity. 🌟 Make a Difference Today! 🌟 The Putnam County School District's Reach One Teach One Mentoring Program is looking for passionate individuals like YOU to invest in our youth. We’re asking for just one hour a week—a small commitment with a huge impact. 📧 Contact Justin Campbell 📨 jcampbell@my.putnamschools.org 📞 386-329-0532 Ext 1255 Be the reason a young person feels inspired and supported. #ProudtobePCSD

Celebrate School Board Appreciation Month with us! 🎉 We want to take a moment to express our gratitude to our dedicated school board members for their outstanding service to our schools and the students they support. Learn more about our Board here: https://www.putnamschools.org/page/meetings #ProudtobePCSD

Congratulations to Aiden Stewart, Putnam County’s Sunshine State Scholar, and Andre Mai, Runner-Up, both from QI Roberts Junior-Senior High School! These exceptional students will represent Putnam County in the prestigious Sunshine State Scholars program this April in Orlando. The two-day event honors Florida’s top 11th-grade STEM students and connects them with colleges, universities, and leading STEM professionals. 📖 Read more about their achievements and the program here: https://www.putnamschools.org/article/1949751 #ProudtobePCSD

This week, PCSD's Superintendent, School Board Chair, and Administrators had the privilege of meeting with our new legislator, Judson Sapp, and his aide, Shorty Robbins. Building relationships for a brighter future is at the heart of what we do. We are grateful for the opportunity to discuss the needs of our students, teachers, and community, and we look forward to working together to shape a bright future for education in Putnam County. #ProudtobePCSD

REMINDER! Friday, January 3rd, and Monday, January 6th, are District In-Service/ Virtual Teacher Planning Days which means NO SCHOOL for students! #ProudtobePCSD

Palatka Jr Sr High School recently participated in two events sponsored by Vystar Credit Union, one of our very active business partners for CTE. The first event allowed community leaders and PJSHS and CTE Leadership to meet and tour the Vystar branch located in and run by PJSHS students and their instructor, Andrew Moss. The second event, the next day, was Vystar's famous Reality Fair where students are given a career, a salary, and life circumstances. The students have to travel around the room to various "booths" using a budget based on their salary to purchase real life items like a home, a vehicle, insurance, daycare, and more. Over 225 PJSHS students participated in the event as well as various members of our local Vystar Branch! Thank you Vystar for making this happen! #palatkajrsrhigh #VyStar #business #careerandtechnicaleducation #futureofworkfl #GetThereFL #ProudtobePCSD

Recently our efforts to bridge the gap between CTE and academics was rewarded by Kaitlin Plante, our iCEV representative, who recognized our Environmental Science students and teachers at both Palatka Jr. Sr. High School and Interlachen Jr. Sr. High School for their success on the Ducks Unlimited Ecology and Conservation Management industry certification credential. Both schools were recognized at a recent school board meeting for their success in implementation in their first year last school year. According to iCEV, "The Ducks Unlimited Ecology Conservation & Management Certification verifies individuals have obtained knowledge and skills in the areas of ecological principles and wildlife management, as well as habitat, forest, grasslands, wetlands and waterfowl conservation and management." Congratulations to our favorited Rams and Panthers on a job well done!

Our Health Science students at Crescent City Jr. Sr. High School have been working as elves this last few weeks! With the help of several donors around the school, hey have been preparing gift bags for the 50 residents of Five Oaks Nursing Home in Welaka and the Crescent House in Crescent City! Five Oaks Nursing Home director said, "My goodness, students really went above and beyond. Thank you for blessing our residents. It is all so greatly appreciated!"

The Putnam County School District would like to wish you all a Happy Holiday and a Safe and Happy New Year! Students are out of school December 21st through January 6th for Winter Holidays. PCSD District Offices will be closed December 23rd through December 26th and again on January 1st. Students return to school on January 7th! #ProudtobePCSD

We are thrilled to announce that Laura France was honored as a Woman of Distinction Award Recipient at the DA Leadership Conference in Charlotte Harbor! 🏆 This prestigious national recognition celebrates her incredible work over the past eight years in turning our failing schools around and raising graduation rates. Please join us in congratulating Laura France on this remarkable achievement and thanking her for her dedication to transforming education. We're so proud of you! #ProudtobePCSD

Michele Knowles, QIRJSHS math instructor, was honored as Teacher of the Quarter yesterday. As Julianne Young, a board member of HCA Florida Putnam Hospital said of Michele, "Her passion for education creates an environment where students can thrive and reach their own potential." To find out more about Michele and her honor, visit our AVID page: https://www.putnamschools.org/o/pcsd/page/avid

The Pulse: PCSD Podcast Superintendent Rick Surrency discusses the importance of agriculture with QIJSHS's Kortni Rogers on this week's episode of The Pulse. Be sure to tune in weekly as we engage employees, students, and community members in topics surrounding education in Putnam County. Listen here: www.putnamschools.org/page/the-pulse Watch here: https://youtu.be/f8xaYL_b6c8 #ProudtobePCSD

PCSD schools will release 2 hours early tomorrow (Except QIRJSHS)! View the early release schedule here: https://www.putnamschools.org/page/school-times #ProudtobePCSD

School Board Meeting 12/17/2024 at 3:30PM. Join us in person or tune in LIVE via Youtube here: https://youtube.com/live/gCw3KS5sXT4 #ProudtobePCSD

🎉 CCJSHS senior Mithila (Mia) Paul received a heartwarming surprise as she was named a finalist for the prestigious Leaders for Life Fellowship! She’s one of 12 in Florida vying for this incredible opportunity. 👉 Read more and see pictures from the event: https://www.putnamschools.org/article/1918530 #ProudtobePCSD

The Pulse: PCSD Podcast Superintendent Rick Surrency sheds light on the exciting progress of PCSD's new schools on this week's episode of The Pulse. Be sure to tune in weekly as we engage employees, students, and community members in topics surrounding education in Putnam County. Listen here: www.putnamschools.org/page/the-pulse Watch here: https://youtu.be/xRG_vRV_YyM #ProudtobePCSD

Bonnie Putman: A True Champion for Putnam Virtual School Students Mary Wood, Principal of Putnam Virtual School, is proud to highlight Bonnie Putman’s outstanding contributions: "Bonnie’s unwavering love and enthusiasm for our students shine through in everything she does. As the Facilitator for Putnam Virtual School, she works tirelessly to provide valuable resources, speakers, and events that not only inspire our students but also help them make lasting connections with organizations. Her dedication is shaping their success now and preparing them for the future." 🌟 Bonnie’s commitment to empowering students truly exemplifies the spirit of PCSD. Thank you, Bonnie, for your passion and hard work! 💙 Learn more about the incredible work happening at PCSD by visiting https://www.putnamschools.org/page/proudtobepcsd. #ProudtobePCSD

Chuck McGuire: Finding His Calling in Education and Inspiring the Next Generation "Over two years ago, I started subbing for PCSD, and through that experience, I found my calling in education. After being hired as a paraprofessional at CCJSHS, Tim Adams took a chance on me and entrusted me with the opportunity to work with the school's new Aerospace program. Since then, I've had the privilege of growing alongside my students and supporting them in the same way that incredible educators like Mike Tomlinson and Leslie Scott once supported me when I was a student here." 🌟 Chuck McGuire’s journey from student to educator is a testament to the transformative power of education and mentorship. Thank you for inspiring our students and shaping the future of PCSD! 💙 Celebrate the educators and staff making an impact across PCSD at https://www.putnamschools.org/page/proudtobepcsd. #ProudtobePCSD

The Department of Federal Programs recently hosted an incredible Family Literacy Night for our PCSD families! A huge thank-you to Priscilla Perry, Program Specialist for Migrant Education, and Ramonda Clayton, ELL District Leader, for welcoming everyone and making this event so special. 🌟 We also want to recognize Joseph Cinney, President of Learn To Read, for his support and for providing a delicious taco dinner! 🌮👏 The evening was packed with engaging activities and resources for families: 📖 Reading Strategies for Helpers presented by Priscilla Perry ✍️ Interactive Centers featuring: Pre-K & Kindergarten: Letter Tracing, CVC Words 1st & 2nd Grades: Phonemic Awareness, Word Families, Sight Word Recognition & Fluency 3rd to 6th Grades: Prefix, Base Word, Suffix Thank you to ALL attendees who joined us for this night of bonding, learning, and making lasting memories. Together, we're building stronger readers and stronger families! 📚 #ProudtobePCSD