Sunlake Weekly Update
Issue 12- 2026-2027
Connect with us!
Highest points of all traditional high schools in Pasco County!
Student Hours: 7:05 AM-1:39 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
HISPANIC HERITAGE WEEK & RED RIBBON WEEK
Monday, Oct. 26th
8:00 AM-1:00 PM- Boys Golf Districts @ Saddlebrook
1:50 PM-2:30 PM- Spanish Tutoring: Room 3-113
1:45 PM-3:30 PM- Girls Basketball Tryouts: Gymnasium
6:00 PM-8:00 PM- Boys Basketball Tryouts: Gymnasium
6:00 PM-8:00 PM- AWAY Girls Soccer Pre-Season @ Land O'Lakes HS vs. East Lake HS
Tuesday, Oct. 27th
7:05 AM-8:05 AM- School Advisory Council Meeting: Admin Conference Room
8:00 AM- ACT Non-College Reporting Test- MATH: Media
8:00 AM-1:00 PM- Girls Golf Districts @ Saddlebrook
1:45 PM-2:30 PM- Bio-Engineer Student Group: Room 4-156
5:30 PM-10:00 PM- HOME Boys Soccer Monster Matchup Pre-season Tournament
6:00 PM-8:00 PM- Boys Basketball Tryouts: Gymnasium
Wednesday, Oct. 28th- EARLY RELEASE DAY
5:00 PM-7:00 PM- AWAY Girls Soccer Pre-Season @ Land O'Lakes HS
7:00 PM-9:30 PM- HOME Regional Volleyball Finals vs. Charlotte: Sunlake Gymnasium
7:30 PM-9:00 PM- Sunlake WGI Callback Auditions: Band Room
Thursday, Oct. 29th
8:00 AM- ACT Non-College Reporting Test- Reading Day 1: Media
10:00 AM-1:00 PM- The Rosebud Continuum Field Trip (Mr. Janes)
1:45 PM-2:30 PM- Faith & Purpose Student Group Meeting: Portable 3
1:50 PM-2:30 PM- Acts of Appreciation Student Group Meeting- Room 3-138
2:00 PM-9:00 PM- HOME Halloween Havoc Girls Weightlifting Invitational: Gymnasium
5:30 PM-10:00 PM- HOME Boys Soccer Monster Matchup Pre-season Tournament
Friday, Oct. 30th-
8:00 AM- ACT Non-College Reporting Test- Reading Day 2: Media
10:00 AM-1:00 PM- The Rosebud Continuum Field Trip (Mr. Janes)
2:45 PM- 4:30 PM- Cheer Practice: Gymnasium
6:30 PM-9:00 PM- AWAY Varsity Football @ Kipp Bold City High School (Jacksonville)
Saturday, Oct. 31st & Sunday, Nov. 1st-
Happy Halloween Weekend!
SUNLAKE HALLOWEEN REMINDER
Yes, you can wear costumes on Friday, October 30th! Please keep the "rules" below in mind while deciding on your school costume:
Dress Code Compliance
Costumes must follow the school’s regular dress code:
- No excessively short skirts/shorts/exposed undergarments
- Shirts/Tops must reach waistband of bottom layer, have straps and fabric on front and back
- No see-through clothing
Students should not wear full-face masks or anything that obscures their identity. Light makeup or face paint is usually acceptable.
No Weapons or Weapon Replicas
Even fake weapons (swords, guns, knives) are prohibited for safety reasons.
No Offensive or Inappropriate Themes
Costumes should not include:
- Racist, sexist, or otherwise discriminatory elements
- References to violence, drugs, or alcohol
No Costumes That Disrupt Learning
Outfits should not interfere with classroom activities or be distracting to others.
Footwear Must Be Safe
Students should wear shoes that are safe for walking and comply with dress code
Group Costume Guidance
Group themes should be inclusive and respectful of all students
WHEN YOUR CHILD FEELS ILL AT SCHOOL: WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW
At Sunlake High School, we want students to remain in class whenever they are healthy enough to learn while also ensuring that students who become ill receive appropriate care and documentation.
If a student begins feeling unwell during the school day, they should report to the school clinic and be evaluated by the clinic assistant. When a student is assessed through the clinic and determined to be ill enough to leave school, the early dismissal process can be handled appropriately through the school. This helps ensure student safety and proper documentation of the absence.
Students should not use their cell phones, smart watches, AirPods, or other wireless communication devices to call or text a parent for an early pickup due to illness. Sunlake's Wireless Communication Device policy requires devices to remain stored during the school day except during lunch or when specifically authorized by a teacher for instructional purposes.
It is also important to remember that, under our Early Dismissal Procedures, missed classes due to an early dismissal are considered unexcused absences unless a physician's or therapist's note is submitted the following day. If a student bypasses the clinic and arranges an early dismissal through a cell phone call or text to a parent, a physician's note would be required for those absences to be excused. For many minor illnesses such as cold symptoms, headaches, or an upset stomach, requiring a family to visit a physician simply to excuse an absence is often unnecessary and inconvenient.
The easiest solution is also the best one:
If your student is not feeling well while at school, they should report to the clinic and be seen by the clinic assistant.
This process supports student health, complies with school procedures, protects instructional time, and helps families avoid unnecessary medical appointments. Thank you for your partnership in helping us maintain a safe, orderly, and supportive learning environment for all students.
AND THE FALL 2026 FAMILY ENGAGEMENT SURVEY SAYS...
Our families do not like participating in surveys! 😉
The following results of the Fall 2026 Family Engagement Survey should be interpreted with extreme caution because only 5.4% of families responded, meaning that 94.6% of the target population did not participate.
Such a low response rate substantially increases the risk of nonresponse bias, where the views of respondents may differ systematically from those who chose not to respond. Research has consistently found that high levels of nonresponse can undermine the representativeness of survey results and limit the ability to generalize findings to the broader population. Nevertheless, a summary of the results is posted below along with a poll for further input.
SUMMARY
Participants mainly described Sunlake High as a strong, academically focused school with welcoming staff, good communication, and a generally positive environment for students. At the same time, written comments raised concerns about discipline fairness, bullying, cafeteria quality, traffic, substitute coverage, and counseling support, especially around dual enrollment and course planning. Many families said they did not need additional support, but a substantial number asked for more collaboration with teachers and clearer information on programs, events, and future pathways.
The survey was completed only for high school, specifically Sunlake High.
144 participants responded to the survey, and 117 of the 144 who responded went on to complete it.
1. Communication and Family Engagement
Participants repeatedly highlighted school communication as a strength but with mixed views on volume and clarity. Among the 129 participants who answered Q9, 51% strongly agreed and 36% agreed that the school communicates frequently enough to keep them well informed, while 13% disagreed or strongly disagreed. For communication quality at Q10, 45% of the 129 who answered strongly agreed and 41% agreed that messages are high quality, with 14% disagreeing or strongly disagreeing. Engagement data show many families feel adequately involved but others want more: of the 128 participants who answered Q19, 38% selected “Nothing additional is needed”, while 30% selected “Working together with teachers to support my child’s goals” and 22% selected “Having a voice in decisions that affect my child’s education” (Q19).
2. Academic Focus and Support
Participants widely see the school as academically driven, with several comments praising rigorous courses, AP options, and the aerospace program but also noting gaps in tutoring, substitutes, grading practices, and dual enrollment guidance. Among the 127 participants who answered Q21, 46% agreed and 44% strongly agreed that the school prioritizes academic performance, compared with 10% who disagreed or strongly disagreed. At Q22, half of the 127 who answered agreed and 31% strongly agreed that the school is effective in preparing students for the next academic level, while 19% disagreed or strongly disagreed. Perceptions of support for students needing extra help are more mixed: of the 127 who answered Q23, 51% agreed and 21% strongly agreed support is provided, but another 27% disagreed or strongly disagreed (Q23).
3. School Culture, Safety, and Discipline
Many comments describe a positive culture and strong relationships with staff, alongside concerns about bullying, bathroom behavior, drugs, fairness of consequences, tardy enforcement, and traffic and facilities issues. Among the 129 participants who answered Q15, 53% agreed and 33% strongly agreed that the school’s culture is positive, with 13% disagreeing or strongly disagreeing. Perceptions of physical safety and facilities are strong overall: of the 123 who answered Q32, 54% agreed and 35% strongly agreed that the school maintains a safe environment, with 10% disagreeing or strongly disagreeing; at Q33, 50% agreed and 41% strongly agreed facilities are well maintained and clean, while 9% disagreed or strongly disagreed. Discipline policies are generally seen as clear and fair, but not universally so: among the 123 who answered Q35, 51% agreed and 36% strongly agreed policies are fair, with 13% disagreeing or strongly disagreeing (Q35).
4. Student Services, Programs, and Overall Experience
Families commented on counseling quality, health services, and program access, especially ESE, ESOL, gifted, and dual enrollment. Experiences with specialized programs are mostly positive among those directly involved but reflect small groups: Q27 (ESE) was answered by 12 participants, with 67% of those agreeing or strongly agreeing services are effective and 33% disagreeing or strongly disagreeing; Q28 (ESOL) was answered by 8 participants, with 76% agreeing or strongly agreeing and 25% disagreeing (Q27, Q28). Overall sentiment about the school is notably positive: of the 123 participants who answered Q38, 89% reported an overall positive perception and 11% did not. At Q39, 92% of the 123 who answered said they wanted their child to attend this school based on the options available, while 8% did not (Q38, Q39). Health services receive favorable views from those who responded, with 64% of the 123 who answered Q36 agreeing and 30% strongly agreeing they support student wellness, and only 5% disagreeing or strongly disagreeing (Q36).
Areas to further investigate
Use of survey feedback and transparency: Among the 136 participants who answered Q8, 43% selected not recalling results being shared and 31% were unsure of actions taken. This suggests a need to clarify how feedback is used and communicated (Q8).
Handling and resolution of concerns: Of the 37 participants who answered Q18, responses were split across “Yes”, “No”, and “Partially” on whether concerns were effectively addressed. Combined with comments about unresolved issues, this points to inconsistent follow‑through (Q18).
Discipline, bullying, and fairness of consequences: Written responses cite fights, bullying, perceived unequal treatment, and concerns about bathroom and locker room behavior, despite most of the 123 who answered Q35 viewing policies as fair. Practice versus policy warrants closer review (Q35).
Counseling, course planning, and dual enrollment support: Multiple comments describe confusion and limited guidance around scheduling and dual enrollment, even though academic priority ratings are high. The school should examine counseling capacity and processes for informing families.
SEAHAWKS SOAR HIGH AT TARPON SPRINGS MUSIC FESTIVAL
History Made: Record 82.5 score at the Tarpon Springs Music Festival is the greatest score Sunlake has ever earned at this wildly popular competition.
In Class 3A your Seahawks earned:
1st Overall
Best Colorguard
Best Percussion
Best Brass
Best Visual
Best General Effect
On top of all these awards our Seahawks tied for 5th place overall out of 32 participating schools!!
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY FLIES HIGH IN CONFERENCE CHART
9 years of hovering at the top of the chart!
Congratulations to our Boys Cross Country Team for
earning the Conference Runner-Up trophy.
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY OUTRUNS THE COMPETITION
CONGRATULATIONS, LADIES!
Your running Seahawks outran the competition to claim the title of
Conference Champs!
3A DISTRICT GIRLS DIVING CHAMPION
Congratulations to Ashley Lavoy for earning the title of
CHAMPION!
BOYS & GIRLS SWIMMING DISTRICT RESULTS
CONGRATULATIONS!!
Your Sunlake Girls Swim Team earned the District Champion title
and
Your Sunlake Boys Swim Team placed 2nd overall!
3A DISTRICT BOYS DIVING CHAMPION
Congratulations to Weston Spiers for earning the title of
CHAMPION!
1st TEAM ALL CONFERENCE
CONGRATULATIONS
ANNA CONNETT!
1st TEAM ALL CONFERENCE
CONGRATULATIONS
ANA CECELIA MAIA MENARD!
1st TEAM ALL CONFERENCE
CONGRATULATIONS
COLLIN LANGSTON!
DUAL ENROLLMENT INFORMATION
Join us for a virtual dual enrollment parent information session on
November 5th,
from 6:00pm – 7:00pm!
This event will focus on the process students need to follow in order to register for Spring DE courses. RSVP by November 3rd by completing this form.
LEARN ABOUT THE REFERENDUM
The renewal of Pasco County Schools' Salary Referendum is on the ballot in November.
To learn how the Salary Referendum has impacted our schools, please visit
B Lunch Students ONLY
Yes, students with B Lunch may leave after their 6th period class instead of remaining on campus for lunch if...
- This is their regular disimissal plan
- The student is a car rider, walker, bike rider or scooter rider
- The student has a completed B Lunch Early Dismissal Form
11/17- Seahawk Showcase
5/8/27- Prom
6/2/27- Graduation (1:30 PM)
Shout-Outs Are Here To Stay!
Did a Sunlake employee make your day a little brighter? Go above and beyond to help a student, colleague, or family? Now’s your chance to share the appreciation!
Excellence Shout-Outs are a fun and easy way to recognize Sunlake employees who demonstrate excellence, kindness, teamwork, and dedication. Whether it was a small gesture or a big impact, your words of appreciation help celebrate the amazing people who make Sunlake such a special place to work and learn.
Take a moment to give a shout-out and help us recognize those who make a positive difference every day. After all, a little recognition can go a long way!
Once your shout-out is received it is printed on a certificate exactly as submitted, displayed on a board across from staff mailboxes then given directly to the employee after display.
College & Career Specialist Newsletter
Click Here for the College & Career Specialist Newsletter
This link will remain in all future issues of the Weekly Update.
The Perch
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!!
