There is so much Panther Pride to celebrate this weekend! We are thrilled to congratulate Mr. Acosta on being named both the MCSD Elementary Teacher of the Year and the Overall MCSD Teacher of the Year!
This incredible recognition is so well deserved, and we are especially fortunate that Mr. Acosta gets to share his love of science with all of our Panthers through Related Arts.
Congratulations, Mr. Acosta! Your Pinewood family is incredibly proud of you! 🎉🏆
We are wrapping up our Thanksgiving Food Drive! 🥫🍂 Thank you to everyone who has already donated and helped us support families in our community. All donations are due by Tuesday, November 10th.
📅 Here’s What’s Happening This Week
Tuesday, 11/10: PTA & SAC Meeting at 5:30 PM in the Media Center
Wednesday, 11/11: 🇺🇸 Veterans Day, No School
Thursday, 11/12: 🐔 Chick-fil-A Night from 2:00–8:00 PM
Friday, 11/13: 📸 Picture Retakes & 💙 World Kindness Day
We are looking forward to another great week at Pinewood! Let’s make it a great week, Panthers! 🐾
¡Feliz domingo, familias Panther! 🐾💙
¡Tenemos mucho orgullo Panther que celebrar este fin de semana! Nos emociona felicitar al Sr. Acosta, quien fue nombrado Maestro del Año de Primaria de MCSD y también Maestro del Año de todo MCSD.
Este increíble reconocimiento es muy merecido, y somos especialmente afortunados de que el Sr. Acosta pueda compartir su amor por las ciencias con todos nuestros Panthers a través de las clases de Áreas Especiales.
¡Felicitaciones, Sr. Acosta! ¡Su familia de Pinewood está increíblemente orgullosa de usted! 🎉🏆
Estamos finalizando nuestra Colecta de Alimentos para el Día de Acción de Gracias. 🥫🍂 Gracias a todos los que ya han donado y nos han ayudado a apoyar a las familias de nuestra comunidad. Todas las donaciones deben entregarse antes del martes 10 de noviembre.
📅 Esto es lo que tendremos esta semana:
Martes, 11/10: Reunión de PTA y SAC a las 5:30 p. m. en el Centro de Medios
Miércoles, 11/11: 🇺🇸 Día de los Veteranos – No hay clases
Jueves, 11/12: 🐔 Noche de Chick-fil-A de 2:00 a 8:00 p. m.
Viernes, 11/13: 📸 Retoma de fotos escolares y 💙 Día Mundial de la Bondad
¡Esperamos con entusiasmo otra gran semana en Pinewood! ¡Hagamos que sea una excelente semana, Panthers! 🐾
We are SO proud to celebrate Rick Acosta, Pinewood Elementary’s very own Related Arts–Science teacher, on an incredible accomplishment!
🏆 PWE Teacher of the Year
🏆 Martin County School District Elementary Teacher of the Year
🏆 OVERALL Martin County School District Teacher of the Year!
What an amazing honor!
Since joining the MCSD in 2019, Mr. Acosta has inspired our Panthers through hands-on science, creative STEAM experiences, and a passion for helping students discover the world around them. From exciting classroom experiments to bringing the science of the Everglades to life, he makes learning an adventure!
His dedication, enthusiasm, and love for teaching have made a lasting impact on students and our entire school community.
Help us give Mr. Acosta a HUGE Panther-sized congratulations! 🐾💛🖤
Congratulations, Mr. Acosta! We are incredibly proud to have you as part of the Pinewood family!
Phone service has been restored and is back to normal operations. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we worked with our provider to resolve the issue.
#ALLINMartin
If your child was absent or needs to have a retake photo taken, please register your child at www.focusedonforever.com/retakes NO LATER than November 10th so that they appear on the list.
All retake proofs will only be delivered electronically, so you must register your child for them to be photographed and for your proof to be visible to you afterwards.
Pinewood families, it's time to spread a little Thanksgiving kindness!
Our AVID Ambassadors and Student Council are collecting food donations to help local families enjoy a special holiday meal.
Check out the graphic for our list of needed items!
Send donations to your child's classroom.
All donations are due November 9!
The classroom that helps create the most Thanksgiving baskets will receive a special surprise treat!
Every donation, big or small, makes a difference. Let's show our Panther pride and help make Thanksgiving brighter for families in our community!
FALL SCHOOL PORTRAITS — ORDER DEADLINE THIS FRIDAY!
Parents, this is a reminder that the deadline to order your student’s fall portraits is this Friday, November 6th. Proofs were sent home a few weeks ago, so if you haven’t had a chance to view your student’s portraits or place an order yet, now is the time!
· SAVE THE MEMORY, SUPPORT THE SCHOOL! When you purchase your student’s school portraits, you’re not only preserving a special memory — a portion of every purchase also goes back to support our school!
· READY TO ORDER? Visit www.focusedonforever.com/order and enter your student’s password. Your password may also have been sent to you by email or text.
· DIDN’T RECEIVE A PROOF OR CAN’T FIND YOUR PASSWORD? Visit www.focusedonforever.com/password to retrieve your student’s password.
· NEED A RETAKE? Visit www.focusedonforever.com/retakes to view the scheduled retake date and sign your student up to be photographed.
· HAVE QUESTIONS? Email schools@focusedonforever.com or call/text 772-283-6807.
Please be sure to place your portrait order by Friday, November 6th.
The girls track practice is canceled for today. We are looking forward to practice next week.
¡Buenos días!
La práctica de atletismo femenino queda cancelada por hoy. ¡Esperamos con entusiasmo volver a practicar la próxima semana!
MCSD Families: Schools and District offices will reopen tomorrow, Wednesday, Nov. 4.
We know how important it is for our schools to be open for students and families when we can do so safely. We also recognize that some families are still dealing with flooding, difficult travel conditions and other impacts from the weather. If that is your family, we understand and want you to have the flexibility you need.
Here’s what to know for tomorrow:
-Attendance: If weather-related conditions prevent your child from attending school or cause them to arrive late, the absence or tardy will be excused with parent/guardian notification to the school. We also encourage employees to let their supervisors know as soon as possible regarding their ability to report to work.
-Transportation: Families using District buses should expect delays. If you are able to safely transport your child to and from school, we encourage you to do so.
-After-School: Extended Day will operate as scheduled. All outdoor after-school activities remain canceled. Indoor activities may resume at the discretion of individual schools and coaches, with any cancellations communicated directly to families. Activity buses will not operate, so families of students participating in indoor activities should plan accordingly for transportation.
-Makeup Day: At this time, no decision has been made regarding a makeup day. We will provide as much advance notice as possible once a decision has been reached.
As we prepare to welcome our students back, our thoughts remain with the families and employees who are still dealing with significant impacts from this weather. Please make the decision that is safest for your family based on the conditions where you live and travel.
The safety and well-being of our students, staff and families remain our priority.
#ALLINMartin👊
Students made predictions, tested their predictions, and investigated the inside of a pumpkin to see what they could discover.
The best part, according to the kids? Counting all those slimy pumpkin seeds!
What a fun, hands-on way to learn, explore, and discover!
MCSD Families: As our community continues to navigate the impacts of the recent weather, the Martin County School District is closely monitoring conditions in Martin County and surrounding areas as we plan for Wednesday.
At noon today, school and District leadership teams will meet to review conditions across the region, assess our campuses and determine what is needed to support school operations tomorrow.
We know families and employees are making plans, and we will share an update on Wednesday’s school operations as soon as possible following today’s assessment.
We are especially mindful of our families and employees who are dealing with severe impacts from this weather. We hope you and your loved ones continue to stay safe. The safety and well-being of our students, staff and families remain our priority as we look ahead to tomorrow.
#ALLINMartin👊
Students began with a grocery list and became savvy shoppers, comparing prices at two stores, decomposing decimals, and determining the best buys.
Then the real fun began! Students measured, mixed, and created delicious Halloween sugar cookies while exploring the science behind physical and chemical changes. The magic happened when the cookies went into the oven and a chemical change transformed the ingredients into tasty treats!
From comparing prices to investigating matter, this hands-on STEM activity was packed with learning, laughter, and Halloween excitement. Best of all, students enjoyed sampling a cookie in class and took the rest home to share with their families.
#STEMFun #MonsterMatter #HalloweenScience #PhysicalAndChemicalChanges #5thGradeSTEM #GiftedLearners #LearningIsSweet
🚨WEATHER UPDATE: SCHOOLS CLOSED TUESDAY🚨
Due to the ongoing impacts of severe weather across Martin County and surrounding communities, all Martin County School District-operated schools will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, November 3. This includes all after-school activities.
In making this decision, the District considered conditions throughout the region, including significant flooding and difficult travel conditions in communities where many of our employees and families live. As conditions progressed throughout the day, we received reports of employees and families navigating floodwaters to get home, leaving vehicles behind and waiting for a ride because of impassable roadways, and making alternate arrangements for overnight accommodations because they can’t safely stay in their own homes.
Those impacts matter as we consider the safety of our employees traveling to and from our campuses and our ability to have the staff and resources in place to support students throughout the day.
The decision follows Governor Ron DeSantis’ declaration of a state of emergency for Martin County and surrounding counties.
Our thoughts are with our families and employees experiencing the impacts of the severe weather, both within Martin County and in surrounding communities. We encourage everyone to use caution and prioritize their safety as conditions continue to affect our region.
Continue to follow the District's social media and website for any updates.
#ALLINMartin👊
We are not allowing walkers and bikers to be dismissed. They will be coming to the front office and calling for a ride home. We will be dismissing bus riders and car riders. Thank you!
Padres y familias:
No se permitirá que los estudiantes que caminan o vienen en bicicleta salgan de la escuela de esa manera hoy. Estos estudiantes irán a la oficina principal y deberán llamar a un familiar para que los recoja. Los estudiantes que viajan en autobús y los que son recogidos en automóvil sí saldrán de la manera habitual. ¡Gracias por su comprensión!
Calling all young engineers and future innovators!
Pinewood Elementary is excited to share some upcoming hands-on STEM opportunities through Young Engineers! Students will explore creativity, engineering, building, and problem-solving while having fun.
Check out the programs available:
BIG BUILDERS – Kindergarten Only | $95 per child
BRICKS CHALLENGE – 1st–3rd Grade | $145 per child
GALILEO TECHNIC – 4th–5th Grade | $145 per child
📅 Thursdays: December 3, 10, 17 and January 7, 14, 21
⏰ Time: 2:10–3:10 PM
Registration must be completed directly through Young Engineers! Scan the QR code for your child's program on the flyer to register.
Visit https://treasurecoast.youngengineers.org/ for more information.
This is a great opportunity for parents and families to connect with community agencies, explore helpful resources, and gather information to support their child's success in school and prepare for life after graduation, including future education, employment, and adulthood.
📅 Date: Wednesday, November 18, 2026
⏰ Time: 4:30–6:30 PM
📍 Location: School Board Rooms 2 & 3
All parents are invited! Let's connect, collaborate, and work together to help every child reach their full potential!
📞 Questions? Call 772-219-1200, Ext. 30480
📧 Email: langloj@martinschools.org
We hope to see you there!
We recognize delays are inevitable, especially as we urge families to take it safe and slow when arriving. Tardies will be excused with parent/guardian notification.
Thank you for your understanding and patience.
🚨WEATHER UPDATE🚨
MCSD Families: With significant rainfall impacting parts of our county, we are closely monitoring conditions ahead of the school day tomorrow.
Families should plan for the possibility of traffic and transportation delays. Please allow extra time for the morning commute and, most importantly, be safe and do not rush. If weather conditions cause your student to arrive late tomorrow morning, the tardy will be excused with parent/guardian notification.
We will continue to monitor conditions and share updates as new information becomes available. Please monitor the District’s website and social media channels for the latest information.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we work to keep our students, families and staff safe.
#ALLINMartin👊
Please enjoy our November Panther Connection.
https://sway.cloud.microsoft/34oOLxCgQiycYPQD?ref=Link
¡Familias Panther! 🐾🖤💛
¡Esperamos que disfruten de nuestra Conexión Panther de noviembre!
https://sway.cloud.microsoft/3WMbOU1yJ15gx2Fq?ref=Link
These reading monsters set a goal together, worked hard as a team, and CRUSHED it! They earned an incredible 343.6 AR points and read over 2 MILLION WORDS!
Their teamwork, dedication, and love of reading paid off in a BIG way!
Way to go, Panthers! You proved that when we set goals and work together, MONSTER-sized accomplishments are possible!
#EFMC
