Sunlake Weekly Update

Highest points of all traditional high schools in Pasco County!

Student Hours: 7:10 AM-1:44 PM

Email: kmerlin@pasco.k12.fl.us
Website: https://slhs.pasco.k12.fl.us/
Location: 3023 Sunlake Boulevard, Land O' Lakes, FL, USA
Phone: (813) 346-1000
Facebook: facebook.com/SLHSseahawk
Twitter: @SLHSseahawks

TESTING STARTS ON TUESDAY!!!

(See schedule change below)

Monday, Dec. 8th-

1:45 PM-2:30 PM- Spanish Tutoring: Room 3-113

1:45 PM-2:45 PM- AP Student Group: Room 10-106

2:00 PM-3:00 PM- ASL Honor Society: Room 3-109

3:30 PM-5:30 PM- AWAY Comp Cheer @ Mitchell High School

6:00 PM-11:00 PM- JV & World Color Guard Auditions: Sunlake Gym & Music Suite

Tuesday, Dec. 9th- Period 1 Test Day

7:50 AM-10:00 AM- Period 1 Testing Block

1:50 PM-3:00 PM- First Priority Meeting: 4 Right Commons

6:00 PM-9:30 PM- HOME Boys Soccer vs. Wiregrass Ranch High School

6:00 PM-8:00 PM- HOME Girls Basketball vs. SLAM (Varsity Only)

6:00 PM-8:00 PM- AWAY Girls Soccer @ River Ridge High School (JV Only)

6:00 PM-7:30 PM- Football FAFSA & Recruiting Night: Cafeteria

Wednesday, Dec. 10th- Period 2 Test Day

7:50 AM-10:00 AM- Period 2 Testing Block

6:00 PM-9:30 PM- AWAY Boys Basketball @ Wiregrass Ranch HS

7:00 PM-9:30 PM- HOME Girls Soccer vs. Indian Rocks Christian (Varsity Only)

Thursday, Dec. 11th- Period 3 Test Day

7:50 AM-10:00 AM- Period 3 Testing Block

12:00 PM-8:00 PM- AWAY JV Boys Wrestling @ Weeki Wachee JV Invitational

2:00 PM-3:00 PM- NHS: Media Center

4:00 PM-9:00 PM- JV & World Color Guard: Music Suite and Gym

6:00 PM-9:30 PM- AWAY Girls Basketball @ Springstead High School

6:00 PM-7:30 PM- HOME Boys Soccer vs. Mitchell High School (JV Only)

7:00 PM-9:30 PM- HOME Boys Soccer (Varsity Only) vs. Osceola High School

Friday, Dec. 12th- Period 4 Test Day

7:50 AM-10:00 AM- Period 4 Testing Block

11:00 AM-8:00 PM- AWAY Girls Weightlifting @ Disparti Invitational (River Ridge High School)

11:00 AM-8:00 PM- AWAY Boys Wrestling @ Weeki Wachee Invitational

6:00 PM-9:30 PM- AWAY Girls Basketball @ Countryside High School

Saturday, Dec. 13th-

8:00 AM-6:00 PM- AWAY Boys Wrestling @ Weeki Wachee Invitational

9:00 AM-9:00 PM- JV & World Colorguard Camp: Sunlake Gymnasium & Music Suite

9:00 AM-7:00 PM- Sunlake Winds WGI: Band Room & 400 Commons

Sunday, Dec. 14th-

9:00 AM-7:00 PM- Sunlake Winds WGI: Band Room & 400 Commons

Q: When do semester exams actually start?

A: This Tuesday, December 9th- this will be Day 1 of testing on the schedule above. (Tomorrow is NOT a testing day)

Q: What if my child is normally off campus for a period that is testing?

A: Students that are normally off campus during a period that is testing will report to the Cafeteria.

Q: If my student is normally off campus during a testing period may they leave campus during the testing period and then return for the remainder of their schedule?

A: No- once students are on campus they are expected to stay for the remainder of the day and must report to the cafeteria during the testing period if they normally do not have an on campus class during that period.

Q: What if my child misses a test due to illness or a pre-arranged absence?

A: Testing make-ups will be held on December 17th & 18th for District Finals (semester long courses) and FAST ELA PM2 (grades 9 & 10). It is imperative that students participate in these assessments.

Q: Who is the best contact for testing questions?

A: Tricky! This depends on the test...

District Finals & FAST ELA PM2: Mrs. Vanessa Cordt, Testing Coordinator (vcordt@pasco.k12.fl.us)

All other tests: Classroom Teachers

Smart glasses—sometimes called meta-glasses—are an exciting innovation. Think of them as the eyewear version of a smartwatch. Many models include tiny speakers near the ears, forward-facing cameras, and even heads-up displays like those found in some cars. Some companies now offer prescription lenses in these frames, making them look almost identical to regular glasses.

While the technology is impressive, smart glasses are not permitted at school. Here’s why:

• Academic Integrity: These devices can be used to access information during tests, which is considered cheating.
• Florida Law: Smart glasses are classified as wireless communication devices, making them prohibited in school settings.

We’re training teachers and test proctors to recognize these devices, but we also want families to be informed before investing in prescription smart glasses that students cannot wear at school.

What Parents Can Do-

• Double-Check Before You Buy: If your child needs new glasses, confirm with the retailer that they are standard prescription frames—not smart glasses.
• Talk to Your Child: Explain why these devices aren’t allowed at school and the importance of academic honesty.
• Know the Signs: Smart glasses often have small cameras or touch-sensitive areas on the frame. If you’re unsure, ask the optician or look up the model online.

Example Scenario-

Imagine buying a $500 pair of prescription smart glasses only to find out your child can’t wear them in class or during exams. A quick check now can save you money and frustration later.

Thank you for partnering with us to keep learning fair and focused!

Pasco County Schools is committed to listening to families and using their insights to enhance the educational experience for all students. This year there will be a district-wide survey available to families from January 6th-January 27th.

Sunlake's goal is to have greater than 25% family participation so please start spreading the word now and then be on the lookout for a link in the January 5th Weekly Update.

We apologize for the late notice about this amazing opportunity for students! Think of it as a surprise pop quiz—but the fun kind, where everyone wins. Thanks for your understanding and we hope some of you are able to take advantage of this unique opportunity!

If you would like to share your thoughts about a potential change in school start times you have the opportunity to do so between December 8th and December 19th. Use the link or the QR code to the side:

Start Time Survey

All voices welcome!

This is an incredible musical with many, many parts and our small and mighty Theatre Department would love to hear new voices and see new faces.

What is the best gift a Sunlake staff member can receive during the holiday season?

LOVE!

Excellence is expected, achieved and repeated at Sunlake!

Please use the link below to let us know about someone at Sunlake who made your day or your child's first semester the best semester yet because of EXCELLENT service, teaching or caring!

Excellence Shout-Out

GET A HEAD START ON YOUR FUTURE: USE XELLO

&

EARN A CHANCE TO WIN A $50 AMAZON CARD!

Our winter sports athletes are working hard and can't wait to see you at their events, We love when our community comes out to support our student athletes!

Please remember that good sportsmanship is the standard at Sunlake High School and the district Patron Code of Conduct below applies to students, parents and ALL spectators. We want everyone to cheer loudly for our Seahawks!!!

While we all get passionate about scores and poor calls from officials it is NEVER appropriate to call officials names, curse or make personal comments about the coaches or players. None of our supervising administrators likes to direct spectators to leave a game so we urge you to review the expectations below. If you observe any spectators engaging in unsportsmanlike conduct please contact the supervising administrator so that they can address the concern.

Sunlake Winter sports include:

Boys Basketball

Girls Basketball

Girls Soccer

Boys Soccer

Girls Weightlifting

Boys Wrestling

Girls Wrestling

Competitive Cheerleading

All tickets to sporting events are available via GoFan only and we do not have cash tickets available at the gate. Yes! You can purchase prior to arriving at the game using the link below or, better yet, add the app to your phone.

GoFan link

12/6/25- Sunlake STEM Fair

1/13/26- Roadmap to Tomorrow: K-12 Curriculum Showcase

4/17/26- GradBash

5/9/26- Prom

6/5/26- Graduation (6:30 PM)

Click Here for the College & Career Specialist Newsletter

This link will remain in all future issues of the Weekly Update.

https://sunlakeperch.com/

The link above will take you to Sunlake's very own virtual newspaper with articles written by our talented student journalists! This link will stay active all year and be posted at the bottom of each newsletter so be sure to check it out each week. Who knows? Your child may end up in a feature article!!

Sunlake Handbook Edition of Weekly Update

2025-2026