August 9, 2026
Pepin Academies New Port Richey
Greetings, Families,
We have had a wonderful start to the 2026-2027 school year. As we head into our second full week of school and continue our positive momentum, I would like to remind everyone of several important policies and procedures.
Dress Code
Beginning this week, all students should arrive at school in the appropriate Pepin Academies uniform. This includes the correct shirt color, appropriate shorts or skirt length, and approved sweatshirts or jackets. If you need to review our dress code policy, please refer to the 2026-2027 Parent and Student Handbook, which is linked below. The dress code policy can be found on pages 14-15 and was acknowledged as part of the enrollment packet.
Morning Drop-Off Procedures
Only Pepin staff members are permitted on campus prior to 7:00 a.m. Before-care services are available from 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. for a minimal weekly fee. Students must be enrolled in advance to participate, as this is not a drop-in or as-needed service. The campus gate will open at 7:30 a.m. Please do not follow staff vehicles through the gate before that time. Please also note that the Main Office opens at 7:30 a.m.
Dismissal Procedures
Thank you for your patience as we worked through the implementation of our new dismissal system. Your cooperation has been greatly appreciated. To help ensure that afternoon carline continues to run as efficiently as possible, please keep the following guidelines in mind:
- Remind your child(ren) to remain attentive while waiting in the dismissal area. It is extremely helpful when students notify staff as soon as they see their vehicle.
- When the carline splits, please enter the appropriate lane. Families with at least one student in grades 2-7 should use the right-hand lane. All other families should use the left-hand lane.
- There are six loading spaces in each lane. As you enter the loading zone, please pull forward so your vehicle is completely within an available marked space.
- For safety reasons, students will only be loaded into vehicles that are in the designated loading zone.
- Once your student(s) have been loaded, please turn on your hazard lights. This helps staff quickly identify vehicles that are ready to move.
- Each lane will move once we have attempted to load all vehicles in that section. Please do not pull around other vehicles in the loading zone.
Inclement Weather Procedures
As many of you know, shortly after dismissal began this past Thursday, severe weather moved into our area. While most families were very understanding of the situation, I believe it is important to explain why dismissal was temporarily paused.
The safety of our students and staff is always my highest priority. I will never place students or staff in harm's way. The following information from the National Weather Service (2024) supports the decision to suspend outdoor dismissal activities during lightning-producing storms:
Florida consistently ranks among the states with the highest number of lightning-related fatalities. Many victims are children and teenagers who are participating in outdoor activities. Lightning can strike miles away from a thunderstorm, even when skies overhead appear clear. If you are close enough to hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.
Because outdoor activities are especially vulnerable to weather hazards, including lightning, the National Weather Service recommends that if thunder is heard or lightning is observed, all outdoor activities should stop immediately, and individuals should seek shelter in a grounded building. Activities should not resume until at least 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder.
Hopefully, this information helps explain why dismissal was paused. Should severe weather impact our campus in the future, please know that my decision will always be guided by the safety and well-being of our students and staff.
I encourage you to review the National Weather Service's additional lightning safety information by clicking the button below.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership.
Enjoy your week!
Kathy
AUGUST 2026
You can access the menus digitally through the SLA/Nutrislice website by clicking on the pizza icon to the right. Once on their site and viewing the Pepin Academies menus, you’ll have the option to see detailed nutritional and allergen information for each item.
We are currently accepting cash or check payments. Please include your student’s number on all payments.
**Additionally, please make sure to complete the Free/Reduced Lunch Application on the Pasco County Schools website. This not only helps with school funding but may also qualify your family for meal benefits.**
- 08/09/26 - Domino's Pizza Fundraiser Continues
- 08/10/26 - FAST PM1 Window Opens
- 08/11/26 - Meet the Teacher 4:00 - 5:00 pm
- 08/11/26 - Pepin FIRST meeting @ 5:30 pm
- 08/12/26 - Board Meeting @ 5:30 pm
- 08/13/26 - Prospective Family Tour 9:30 - 10:30 am
- 08/13/26 - Girls' Volleyball Clinic 3:30 - 5:00 pm
- 08/17/26 - MS Girls' Volleyball Tryouts & Practice 3:30 - 5:00 pm
- 08/19 & 08/20/26 - MS Girls' Volleyball Tryouts & Practice 3:30 - 5:00 pm
- 08/20/26 - Annual Title 1 Meeting 5:00 - 6:00 pm
- 08/24/26 - Teacher Work Day - No School for Students
- 08/28/26 - Student Fees Due - Pay via My School Bucks
- 09/02/26 - Senior Portrait Day
- 09/03/26 - Staff Picture Day
- 09/07/26 - Labor Day - School Closed
Mrs. Kathleen Neptune
Principal
Mrs. Carolyn Kinney
Assistant Principal
Fortify FL
FortifyFL is a school-related suspicious activity reporting tool that allows Florida students and the community the ability to instantly relay information anonymously concerning unsafe, potentially harmful, dangerous, violent or criminal activities, or the threat of these activities, to the appropriate law enforcement agencies and school officials.
Click on the #FortifyFL icon to report suspicious activity.
My School Bucks
Campus Family Resources
Report an Absence
Pepin Academies Canvas
Canvas is a course management system that supports learning and teaching. It allows teachers to post grades, information, and assessments online.
Pepin Academies School Board Parent Liaison
Crystal Deyo
