📵🌱 Digital Wellness Week Tip!
Raising digitally smart kids starts with conversation. Preparing students for the digital world means talking openly about online safety, digital footprints, and responsible choices — especially as they grow.
As part of this important conversation, we invite families to revisit a past podcast featuring Superintendent Rick Surrency, where he discusses online safety and supporting students in today’s digital environment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHBRnEe367Y
Thank you for participating in Digital Wellness Week. Let’s continue building healthy, safe digital habits together. 💚 💙
#DigitalWellnessWeek #ProudtobePCSD
📵🌱 Digital Wellness Week Tip!
Screens are everywhere — so balance matters. Too much or low-quality screen time can impact sleep, behavior, and social development, especially for younger children. Think of screens as a tool — not a babysitter.💚💙
#DigitalWellnessWeek #ProudtobePCSD
📵🌱 Digital Wellness Week Tip!
Healthy screen limits help kids thrive. As children grow, screen rules should grow with them — focusing on balance, sleep, and family connection. Bonus reminder: kids notice adult screen habits, too. 👀💚💙
#DigitalWellnessWeek #ProudtobePCSD
Quality over quantity matters when it comes to screen time. Educational, age-appropriate content — especially when families watch and talk together — makes screen time more meaningful.
A few small adjustments can make a big impact. 💚💙
#DigitalWellnessWeek #ProudtobePCSD
Cold weather advisories and freeze warnings are in effect for our area, with very cold temperatures expected tonight through Wednesday morning and chilly conditions lingering throughout the week.
The National Weather Service has issued:
• A Cold Weather Advisory from 10 PM tonight through 10 AM Tuesday
• A Freeze Warning from 1 AM to 10 AM Tuesday
• A Freeze Watch from Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning
Wind chills could feel as low as 16 degrees, with overnight temperatures dropping into the mid-20s.
We encourage families to dress students warmly for school with coats, sweaters, hats, and gloves. The safety and well-being of our students and staff remains our top priority. Stay warm, PCSD! 💙💚
You’re invited to join Superintendent Dr. Rick Surrency for our Superintendent’s Community Engagement Session on Thursday, February 5, at 5:30PM at Robert H. Jenkins, Jr. Elementary School Cafeteria (251 South SR 315, Interlachen, FL).
We’ll be sharing important updates and opportunities, including:
New Schools
Grant Funding
21st Century Program
Testing
Can’t attend in person? Tune in LIVE via YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/DFktr231Nic
We look forward to connecting with our families, staff, and community partners!
#ProudtobePCSD
January 26–30, PCSD is encouraging students, families, and staff to pause, unplug, and reconnect. Small changes can make a big difference — let’s build healthier digital habits together. 💚 💙
#DigitalWellnessWeek #ProudtobePCSD
Every school day is a chance for your child to learn, grow, connect, and feel supported. When students are present, they don’t just gain knowledge—they build friendships, confidence, and a foundation for a bright future.
Together, we can give our children the best start by making attendance a priority. Each day at PCSD includes learning, activities, opportunities, and nutritious breakfast and lunch to help students thrive.
🔗 Learn more about PCSD’s Attendance Initiative: www.putnamschools.org/page/attendance
#ProudtobePCSD #AttendanceMatters
School resumes tomorrow, Tuesday, January 6, and we’re ready to jump back in and finish the school year strong. We can’t wait to see our students as we continue shaping the future—together.
#ProudtobePCSD
Give your child the strongest start with PCSD’s FREE VPK program! 💙 Our classrooms are full of learning, laughter, and creativity — where certified, highly trained teachers help children explore STEM, art, early reading, and social skills every day.
✨ Why families choose PCSD VPK:
💙 FREE half-day program for every 4-year-old (includes breakfast!)
💚 Affordable full-day option — financial assistance available (includes breakfast & lunch and transportation!)
💙 Certified teachers with specialized early learning training
💚 Hands-on learning that builds confidence, curiosity, and social skills
💙 Students leave kindergarten-ready and more likely to stay on grade level!
If you know a child who’s 4 years old share this amazing opportunity! Learn more or register today at www.putnamschools.org/page/pre-k
Because strong starts happen here!
#ProudtobePCSD #ShapingTheFuture
Join PCSD for a LIVE parent event – Snapchat & Instagram Risks
Is your child begging for, or already using, Snapchat and Instagram? If so, join PCSD Superintendent Dr. Rick Surrency along with SmartSocial on Wednesday, November 5th at 7:00PM for a LIVE virtual event, designed to help parents learn why their kids want to Snapchat or Instagram and hidden risks you need to know about!:
These apps can be fun and creative, but big risks are hiding behind features like disappearing chats or “spam” and “finsta” accounts. What feels private to your teen can actually fuel comparison, anxiety, cyberbullying, and risky behavior.
Register here: https://www.smartsocial.com/event/snapchat-instagram-teen-risks?org=putnamcsd
#ProudtobePCSD
We’ll be sharing important updates and opportunities, including:
Building construction progress
Education Foundation initiatives
Attendance program efforts
21st Century Program
Can’t attend in person? Join us on Zoom:
🔹 Meeting ID: 705 941 2533
🔹 Passcode: 1234
We look forward to connecting with our families, staff, and community partners!
#ProudtobePCSD
Give your child the strongest start with PCSD’s FREE VPK program! 💙 Our classrooms are full of learning, laughter, and creativity — where certified, highly trained teachers help children explore STEM, art, early reading, and social skills every day.
✨ Why families choose PCSD VPK:
💙 FREE half-day program for every 4-year-old (includes breakfast!)
💚 Affordable full-day option — financial assistance available (includes breakfast & lunch and transportation!)
💙 Certified teachers with specialized early learning training
💚 Hands-on learning that builds confidence, curiosity, and social skills
💙 Students leave kindergarten-ready and more likely to stay on grade level!
If you know a child who’s 4 years old share this amazing opportunity! Learn more or register today at www.putnamschools.org/page/pre-k
Because strong starts happen here!
#ProudtobePCSD #ShapingTheFuture
Thank you to our families, students, and staff for making FTE Week a success. Because of your commitment to showing up, our schools are better positioned to receive the resources needed to support every student. 💙
Let’s keep this momentum going—attendance isn’t just important this week, it matters all year long! Every day counts toward student success.
#AttendanceMatters #ProudtobePCSD #EveryDayCounts
Let’s start strong—make sure your student is in school all week long! Together, we can give our kids the best.
#AttendanceMatters #ProudtobePCSD
In Putnam County, our principals do more than manage schools — they inspire futures. They guide teachers, encourage students, partner with families, and bring communities together so learning can thrive. Their leadership makes a lasting impact on every classroom and every child.
This month, and every month, we celebrate our PCSD principals for leading with heart, vision, and dedication. Thank you for helping us shape tomorrow, today. 💙💚
#ProudtobePCSD
Every student counts–literally! During FTE Week, the state of Florida calculates school funding based on student attendance. If a student is absent, they are not included in the count, and our schools lose vital funding for teachers, programs, and services.
Make sure your child is in school every day October 6–10! Together, we can give PCSD students the resources they need to succeed.
Learn more about PCSD's Attendance Initiative: www.putnamschools.org/page/attendance
#ProudtobePCSD #AttendanceMatters
We’re excited to share a special opportunity for students and families to explore the world of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)!
STEM on the Lawn
📍 Reitz Union North Lawn, University of Florida
📅 Saturday, September 27th | ⏰ 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM
💲 FREE for all K-12 students and parents!
Students will enjoy hands-on experiences with exciting STEM activities while learning about science, technology, engineering, math, and more.
📲 Learn more here: https://fsi.institute.ufl.edu/stem-on-the-lawn-presented-by-uf-fsi/
We hope to see many of our families there!
We're excited to share an opportunity from the Education Foundation of Putnam County, Inc. to celebrate outstanding students in our community! The Foundation is now accepting nominations for the "Successful Citizen Award." This award recognizes students in grades 6–12 who demonstrate:
No disciplinary referrals
Respect, compassion, empathy, and community engagement
A meaningful “passion project” that positively impacts others
Award: $250 per recipient
Deadline: October 10, 2025
Submit a nomination here: https://form.jotform.com/243393156596063
Nominations may also be mailed to PO Box 402, Palatka, FL 32178 or emailed to Info@TEFPC.com
This is a wonderful chance to highlight a student making a difference. Please take a moment to nominate someone deserving!
Attendance Matters!
September is Attendance Awareness Month.
Did you know that poor attendance can influence whether children read proficiently by the end of third grade or be held back. Research shows that missing 10 percent of the school, or about 18 days in most school districts, negatively affects a student’s academic performance. That’s just two days a month and that’s known as chronic absence.
Join us for our September Attendance Challenge. Students who are present and on time for the month of September will be entered into a drawing for their parents to win a gift card!
