Check Out Our 2012 Back-to-School Guide

Patch has everything you need to know about the start of the 2012-13 school year in Pinellas County.

School Report Cards: Two Maintain 'A', Some Drop a Letter

All Dunedin area schools earned passing grades this school year.

Dunedin area elementary and middle schools received their report cards today, and the results are mixed. The Florida Department of Education on Wednesday released letter grades for all schools except high schools. The grades take into account factors such as FCAT scores and end-of-year exams. At a glance: The letter grades reflect expected drops based on more rigorous standards and new achievement levels, according to a news release from Pinellas County Schools. The measurement changes have resulted in some controversy in how student progress should be assessed and how students should be taught. “What we have here is an accountability system in dire need of review and repair,” said Pinellas County Schools Superintendent Dr. John A. Stewart…

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School Lunch Prices to Increase

Lunch prices will go up for students as of July 1, but the universal breakfast will be free next school year for all students.

School lunch prices will increase as of July 1. The Pinellas County School Board improved the new prices at its May 8 meeting. It's the first time prices have gone up since the 2005-06 school year. Elementary students will pay $2, middle and high school students will pay $2.50. Lunches are currently $1.75 for elementary and $2 for middle and high school students. The lunch price increase is because a federal law requires school district to raise full-price lunches to equal the federal reimbursement for free lunches. Currently the federal government pays the county $2.72 per student on free lunch. The schools have until 2015 to be in full compliance, so lunch fees could go up again, according to a news release. Breakfast is free. While …

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Growing Minds

Dunedin Students Have Something to Say

It's time for our children to be heard. So listen up!

As I picked up Friday’s St. Petersburg Times, the first image that I saw was a bloodied corpse of Libya’s dictator Moammar Gadhafi. The byline described the brutal last moments of his life. Also on the front page were articles about a Florida senator’s racial slurs and a Hillsborough County sheriff who was shot three times. Now, with online media in the forefront, there is a news story out there for everyone which can be accessed by anyone — even our children.  As an elementary educator for the last 19 years, the last three teaching fifth grade at Dunedin's hidden gem San Jose Elementary, I have always shown the most interest in news stories on our public school system, the treatment of public school teachers, and children just like those …

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Five Dunedin Schools Earn Five-Star Award

The Florida Department of Education has recognized 30 Pinellas County schools for community involvement.

Five of Dunedin's public schools earned five-star status from the state, Pinellas County Schools reports. Schools receiving the 2010-11 Five-Star School Award award are: According to Pinellas County Schools, a school must meet 100 percent of the criteria in the following categories in order to qualify: The Florida Department of Education recognized 30 schools from the district (including the Dunedin five), which is Pinellas County Schools' highest number of winners in the past 12 years, according to the school district.

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