The Sunshine State Young Readers Award (SSYRA) Program is a statewide reading motivational program for students in grades 3 through 8. The purpose of the SSYRA Program is to encourage students to read independently for pleasure and to read books that are on, above, and below their reading level in order to improve their reading fluency. Sunshine State books are selected for their wide appeal, literary value, varied genres, curriculum connections, and/or multicultural representation. There are 15 books in total. The Sunshine State 2024-25 Books are listed here. If your child/ren is in grades Kindergarten through 2nd, and would like to read the Sunshine State Jr. books, you can find that list here.

Once students in grades 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade finish any of the books listed above, they can take that books test to test their comprehension. If the student passes with a 70% or higher (there are 10 questions on the test, the test is on paper), they will earn that books brag tag (a small book cover illustrated dog tag). If a student finishes all 15 Sunshine State books, they will be invited to the Sunshine State Celebration on May 7th after school until 4pm! See this flyer for details or contact Ms. Emmaline in the media center.

There is no school on Friday, April 18th and Monday, April 21st. Students and staff will return back to school, ready to learn, on Tuesday, April 22nd. (which is also Earth Day)!

In April, Autism Awareness Month celebrates and honors the experiences and identities of Autistic individuals. It emphasizes understanding, inclusion, and support, moving beyond awareness towards meaningful acceptance. Deer Park is proud to recognize and honor the experiences and identities of Autistic individuals. We appreciate our Coyote teachers and families who are apart of Deer Park!

Starting April 1st, Deer Park will be on an alternate schedule for testing! During this time, we ask that were are no lunch visitors or volunteers on campus during testing days. We appreciate your support and understanding. Please make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep, eats a hearty breakfast, and offer positive thoughts to help them do their best!

Testing Days:

April 1st, 2nd, 7th and 8th.

April 29th to May 30th.

The Physical Education department at Deer Park is hosting our annual Water Field Day on Thursday, April 17 2025! If you would like to volunteer for the event, you must be a registered volunteer. Please contact Mrs. Hammond in the front office for more details about volunteering for this event.

Shirts are being sold as a fundraiser to help purchase new PE equipment for our DPES PE department and help cover the costs of renting the water slides. Forms and payments were due by March 28, 2025 – there will be no late forms/money accepted.

For any questions about Field Day, please contact our PE department at 727-774-8928.

Please click here for a video program overview.

Eligibility for New Worlds Reading is as follows:  

1. Students in VPK-Grade 2 scoring below the 40th percentile on FAST Star Early Literacy/Reading;
2. Students in Grades 3-5 scoring below Level 3; and
3. Students in Grades K-5 receiving Tier 2 or Tier 3 Reading Intervention Support (as reported by districts in Survey 2 and Survey 3).

If you have any questions, please contact Heather Rulison at hrulison@pasco.k12.fl.us