PASADENA K5 SUMMER UPDATE • NEWS FROM SCHOOL PRINCIPAL ATEEK UPDATE 7.15.25 •

Hello Pasadena!

As you may have learned I’ve been tapped to lead your legendary school in the 2025-2026 school year. I am enthusiastic about this new opportunity and looking forward to join your team. I will work tirelessly to continue traditions of excellence that defines you as school community. I also recognize that school improvement happens when we embrace new ideas too.

This year will begin my 28th year in Pinellas County Schools. I’ve served Madeira Beach Fundamental School for the past 16 years where my focus has been student achievement, and sustaining a positive school environment. I want students to want to come to school! Earlier in my career, I served as principal of Lakeview Fundamental elementary school and a short stint as acting Principal at Pasadena. I was Assistant Principal at Southside Fundamental middle school and an elementary classroom teacher at Lealman and Maximo elementary.

I buy into the fundamental school philosophy and recognize that our success all these years is possible when students, families and staff work in concert with each other.

As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. Thank you, and best wishes as you begin your summer.

Mr. Chris Ateek

Principal

MEET THE TEACHER

8.7.25

K,1: 9A- 945A

2,3: 10A-1045A

4,5: 11A-1145A

This is a casual opportunity to come in and meet this year's teacher, see classroom space and connect with friends.

*****NOT FOR GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING CREDIT

2025-26 CREDITED PARENT MEETINGS (SAC AND PTA)/ EVENTS

Parents/guardians must attend eight (8) mandatory PTA or SAC parent meetings/events during the current school year. Parent meetings dates and times will be held at the locations listed below, unless otherwise updated by the school. Please make sure that you arrive early enough to find a parking place, sign in and are seated and ready to begin the meeting. Meetings will use a QR code to verify attendance. The parent meetings will not exceed 90 minutes. Parents/guardians have the option to send a representative to two of the meetings. Please note that once a family has been placed on probation, sending representatives is no longer an option. See the “Sending Representatives To Meetings” section below for explanation of representatives. Additional meeting/event credit opportunities may be available throughout the school year.

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING CREDITED ACTIVITIES

July (participating families will earn meeting credit for the month of November by attending a July event)

• 29 Fundamental Parent University, 9A and 6P
• 31 Yard Work party, 8A- 10A

AUGUST

• 20 Open House Required Parent Meeting (530P-615P Grades 1, 3, 5 and 630P-715P Grades K, 2, 4)
• 26 SAC Meeting at 6P

SEPTEMBER

• 4 PTA General Membership Meeting at Madbch 6P
• 16 SAC Meeting at 6P

October

• 7 SAC Meeting at 6P
• 14 PTA Panther Pride Night
• 23 PTA Fall Family Night/Book Fair at Pasadena 6P**

November

• 18 PTA Panther Pride Night

January

• 6 SAC Meeting at 6P
• 13 PTA General Membership Meeting at Madbch 6P

February

• 4 SAC Meeting/ Parent University at 6P
• 17 PTA Panther Pride Night

March

• 3 SAC Meeting at 6P
• 5 PTA Family Night/Book Fair at Pasadena 6P
• 24 PTA Panther Pride Night

April

• 7 SAC Meeting at 6P Media Center
• 16 PTA General Membership Meeting at Madbch 6P
• 24 PTA Panther Pride Night

All dates and events are subject to change. Parents will be notified when changes occur. Additional opportunities for meeting credit will be available throughout the school year.

1. Volunteer in the Café-2 volunteer hours=one meeting credit.
2. Volunteer with PTA -2 hours within the same month for meeting credit that month.

(All dates and locations are tentative and subject to change. Communication will be emailed to each family confirming location of the PTA events.)

Lack of attendance at parent meetings would normally result in the following steps:

1. After the first missed meeting, a warning letter will be sent home.
2. After the second missed meeting, a letter will be sent placing the family on probation. Once a family is placed on probation, a representative may not be sent to any meetings.
3. After the third missed meeting, the family will be referred to the Intervention and Appeals Committee for possible dismissal from Pasadena Fundamental.

DRESS CODE

Students are expected to dress appropriately to reflect pride in oneself and school, and to avoid social fads and disruptions to the school learning environment. The following expectations are in addition to the Pinellas County Student Code of Conduct.

SCHOOL-WIDE DRESS CODE/ APPROVED

• Khaki, black or navy-blue traditional “chino” style uniform shorts, fitted at the natural waistline and worn no lower than the bottom of the knee or higher than three inches above the knee.

• Khaki, black or navy-blue traditional “chino” style uniform joggers or pants, fitted at the natural waistline and worn no shorter than ankle bone in length.

• Solid khaki, black or navy-blue uniform skirt, the length worn no higher than three inches above the knee front and back (shorts may be worn under if covered by skirt or dress)

• Any solid-colored t-shirt, collared shirt, or blouse, with no designs or patterns; a small logo that reflects the clothing manufacturer or brand is acceptable. The logo should be less than two inches in diameter.

• Any solid-colored uniform dress, with no designs or patterns; a small logo that reflects the clothing manufacturer or brand is acceptable. The logo should be less than two inches in diameter.

• When layering shirts (long sleeve under short sleeve) both shirts must be a solid color.

• Students may wear jeans if they are wearing a Pasadena t-shirt.

• Students may wear jeans if they are wearing a Defend A Friend t-shirt.

• Athletic shoes (with rubber soles), with any style socks; Tights in any solid color

• Solid colored leggings under dresses or skirts only

• Any color/pattern jacket may be worn.

NO STUDENT MAY WEAR THE FOLLOWING

• Cargo or carpenter shorts/pants, capris, culottes, split skirts, denim shorts, athletic shorts or pants, sweatpants or any form of redefined shorts

• Form fitting leotard/spandex type clothing, tight knit pants, clinging pants or leggings/jeggings are not allowed unless proper outer garments cover to mid-thigh length or longer (i.e. worn under a skirt/dress)

• No garments that are see-through or mesh

• Shirts that show a child’s midriff when both hands are raised or that have sayings/images that are deemed inappropriate.

• Blouses, shirts, or dresses which are tank tops, halter tops, spaghetti straps, sleeveless, or low cut in front or back.

• All non-athletic shoes, such as sandals, thongs, flip-flops, shoes with wheels, spikes, cleats, clogs, boots or shoes that appear boot-like, croc-style shoes, or shoes without back strap.

• Clothing with holes, tears, any type of fraying, or are oversized.

• Hats, other head coverings, or sunglasses may only be worn during outside P.E. activities and may not be worn during any portion of the regular school day without the expressed permission of the principal.

For safety and prevention of overheating, it is a recommendation from the Physical Education staff that students (boys and girls) with longer hair and bangs, wear a wide headband, hair tie, hat, or visor to keep their hair out of their eyes and off their neck.

Students who come to school wearing inappropriate attire may be sent to the office to call a parent/guardian for acceptable clothing and will receive a Dress Code Violation. On the third violation, a Warning/Detention Notice will be given and for each additional dress code violation thereafter. After three dress code Warning/Detention Notices in an infraction period, the student will be referred to the Intervention and Appeals Committee (IAC).

T.H.I.N.K.

Please help us to reinforce the concept of the term. T.H.I.N.K. Teach our children to T.H.I.N.K. before they speak, write, or post.

Let's use words to lift others up instead of breaking them down.

T- Is what you are about to say True?

H- Is what you are about to say Helpful?

I- Is what you are about to say Inspiring?

N- Is what you are about to say Necessary?

K- Is what you are about to say Kind?

If not, it doesn't need to be and shouldn't be said!!!

Ask your students if they know what THINK stands for? Are you applying it to what they say to others?

Our character is not defined by grade point average, but by the way we treat each other.