Pride Elementary School
Sept 15-18: Start With Hello Week
Sept 18: Last day for Buddy A Thon!
Sept 26: Buddy a Thon Stuffing Event
Sept 30: Terrific Lions Assembly
Oct 10: End of First Grading Period
Oct 16: Conference Night
Oct 17: Picture Day
Oct 20-24: Book Fair
REMINDER- EARLY DISMISSAL EVERY MONDAY at 12:55PM
Dear Pride Families,
This week has been a bittersweet one for our school community. Due to unit losses, we are saying goodbye to two beloved staff members—Mrs. Thattil and Mrs. Perez—who will be continuing their teaching journeys at other schools. We are incredibly grateful for the time, care, and dedication they’ve given to our students, and we wish them all the best in their new roles.
These changes have also impacted many of our students. Kindergarten and fourth grade classes have been reshuffled, and our second grade students are welcoming a new teacher. The District’s timeline for these transitions was short, but our team worked diligently to make thoughtful decisions that prioritize student well-being and minimize disruption. Thank you to our families and community for your understanding and support during this challenging time.
On a brighter note, Grandparent’s Bingo Night was a huge success! The cafeteria was packed and buzzing with excitement all the way until 7:00 PM. Ms. McKernan and Mrs. Isaacs brought the energy with fun Bingo facts and creative ways to play. A big thank you to our amazing PTA for providing refreshments and helping make the night so special.
Morning Drop-Off Reminder: Starting this week, the gate to the back parking lot will close at 7:35 AM. It takes approximately 5 minutes for cars to loop around and unload. If your car has not entered the gate by 7:35, your child may not be unloaded until 7:40 and will be marked tardy. Thank you for helping us keep morning drop-off safe and efficient.
Buddy A Thon FUNdraiser Update: We’re in the final stretch—just one week left! We’re so close to our goal, and if every student raises just $10 more, we’ll make it! PTA has added a sweet incentive: the highest earning class in each grade level will win a popsicle party! Here are the current leaders:
Kindergarten: Garlinghouse
1st Grade: Brennen
2nd Grade: Dash
3rd Grade: Phillips
4th Grade: Camerino
5th Grade: Green
Let’s finish strong, Pride!
Ahoy, Mateys!
Friday, September 19th is International Talk Like a Pirate Day, and to celebrate, Captain Meyer has declared it Dress Like a Pirate Day! We encourage all students and staff to join the fun—eye patches, bandanas, and piratey flair are welcome (but no weapons, please!). Let’s make it a swashbuckling good time!
Yo-ho-ho and onward we go!
Mrs. Meyer and Mrs. Moncrief
Pride families, thank you for helping us start each day strong! Here’s an important reminder about morning arrival:
The warning bell rings at 7:35 AM.
Instruction begins promptly at 7:40 AM.
Students should be in their seats and ready to learn by 7:40 AM—not just arriving at the gate or getting out of the car.
We know our carline can be busy, and we’re actively working to improve procedures to help things move more efficiently. That said, we need your support to ensure students arrive with enough time to exit the car and walk to class before the bell rings.
To help with this:
The back gate will close at 7:35 AM, as it takes about 5 minutes for cars already in line to unload.
After 7:35 AM, Officer Nieves will direct all cars to the front office.
Please follow his instructions respectfully and do not attempt to go around him or through the closing gate—this is for everyone’s safety and ensures our staff can get to their classrooms on time to welcome students.
Students who enter through the front office before 7:40 AM will not be marked tardy and will be allowed to walk to class. However, students arriving after the 7:40 AM bell will be marked tardy.
Thank you for partnering with us to make sure every student starts their day on time, safe, and ready to learn!
We have extended the fundraiser through Thursday, September 18th.
This means everyone has a little more time for supporters to donate to our school so your student can earn their Buddy, outfits and other prizes! It’s not too late to help! If you haven’t already done so, you can still register and email and/or text family and friends for support. You can also add yourself to the email list so you can donate online as well.
Click on the link below to register: https://themegablast.com/join/PrideLions
Please make sure you select your Buddies/outfits using the link at the bottom of your profile. Once you reach your goal, these Buddies/outfits will be reserved for you on the Buddy Stuffing event day! Thank you for helping your student help our school! Every donation helps! Thank you in advance for your support!
All personal information is used for this ONE-TIME fundraiser only. It will be kept 100% confidential and will never be sold, reused, rented, loaned, or shared.
The second annual Kidical Mass Ride in downtown Tampa is on September 20th at 10a.m. Register to receive a free bike and helmet for the ride: https://forms.gle/v7NduWxyPA4ffuXp6
Mayor Jane Castor will launch the ride, led by Tampa Councilmember Lynn Hurtak. Snacks and drinks provided at the end of the ride, plus activities with Tampa Police Department and lots of giveaways, raffles, and games.
There are so many meaningful ways to get involved at Pride, and we truly appreciate every helping hand-it really does take a village! Below, you'll find several opportunities to make a difference, along with details on how to sign up for each one. We’re excited to partner with you and can’t wait to see you in action!
We need volunteers to help in the cafeteria during lunch on a daily basis between 10:00 and 1:30. Ideally, we would like to have recurring volunteers, but any time you can help would be greatly appreciated! The role involves monitoring student behavior, assisting students with opening food items, escorting students to the bathroom or health clinic, helping with spills, etc... Please click on the link below to sign up!
Explore everything related to HCPS and your students via the HCPS, Focus, and Canvas apps! Get informed, stay connected, and receive the latest updates. Download these essential apps today from the App Store or Google Play to enhance your experience.
HCPS—App Store: https://aptg.co/6nZQyH | Google Play: https://aptg.co/sG8Xg3
Focus—App Store: http://bit.ly/3IPcgCH | Google Play: http://bit.ly/4lJJamJ
Canvas—App Store: http://bit.ly/3IQ8ngL | Google Play: http://bit.ly/45ndbTr
Focus will sync parent accounts from Focus to Canvas within 24 hours of creation. Parents will use the same email to login to Canvas but must set a password before logging in the first time. To set a Canvas password, please access the Canvas Reset Password page.
About Us
Email: Pride.Elementary@hcps.net
Website: hillsboroughschools.org/pride
Location: 10310 Lion's Den Drive, Tampa, FL, USA
Phone: 813-558-5400
Facebook: facebook.com/PrideElem