Administration - Ms. Colleen Carr

Dear Pinellas Park Elementary Families,

Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year! I hope your summer has been filled with joyful moments, meaningful family time, and opportunities to rest and recharge. It is truly an honor to welcome our returning families and extend a warm greeting to those joining the Pinellas Park Elementary family for the first time.

This year, our Bears are “Drilling to the CORE—On the Move to an A!” Our CORE focus will guide our teaching, learning, and school community throughout the year.

C stands for Commitment—giving our best effort and remaining dedicated to success.

O stands for Opportunities to Think—encouraging curiosity, problem-solving, and meaningful learning.

R stands for Rigor—challenging every student to grow and reach their highest potential.

E stands for Engagement—actively participating and taking ownership of learning.

Along with our CORE focus, we will continue teaching our students what it means to be a Pinellas Park Bear: Behave kindly, Engage in learning, Act responsibly, Respect others, and Strive for success.

Pinellas Park Elementary is a uniform school, and students are expected to follow the school’s uniform guidelines each day. However, to celebrate the excitement of moving into a new grade level, students may wear their new grade-level T-shirt over their uniform polo on the first day of school only. Please see the provided example for guidance.

Beginning on the second day of school, all students should report in the approved Pinellas Park Elementary uniform. Please see our posted guidelines.

Families, your partnership is essential to our success. By working together, maintaining open communication, and holding high expectations, we can create a safe, joyful, and academically strong environment where every child feels valued, supported, and inspired.

As we begin this new chapter, I encourage every student to enter the building believing, “I am capable. I am important. I belong here, and I can achieve great things.” Every day is a fresh opportunity to learn, grow, overcome challenges, and move one step closer to excellence.

We are excited to welcome our Bears back and cannot wait to see the energy, smiles, and school spirit they will bring. Together, we will drill deeply into the CORE of great instruction, strong relationships, and student success as we continue our journey on the move to an A!

With excitement and appreciation,

Coleen S. Carr, MSW, Ed.S.
Principal
Pinellas Park Elementary School

Go Bears!

 

Introduction to Ms. Carr and her vast experience. 

 I am genuinely thrilled to join you as your principal. After 25 years working in education—as a classroom teacher, team leader, assistant principal, principal, and district leader, I can tell you with certainty that this is where I belong. Education is my passion, and I am excited by the opportunity to serve alongside all of you.

Throughout my career, I have learned that when we build positive, collaborative cultures where students and staff feel valued and supported, something remarkable happens: our young people thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. That belief guides everything I do, and it will shape my work here at Pinellas Park Elementary.

My journey has taken me across the Southeast. Most recently, I led Liberty Hill Academy and served as Director of Acceleration Schools with Charleston County School District. Before that, I worked with Hillsborough County Public Schools supporting the College Fellows Program, and I spent several years as both Assistant Principal and Principal at Beth Shields Middle School. I also taught in Atlanta Public Schools, where I discovered my love for developing teacher leaders.

I hold a Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of West Georgia, a Master of Social Work from the University of Georgia, and a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of South Florida. These degrees reflect my deep commitment to understanding the whole child and building systems that support both academic excellence and student well-being.

I cannot wait to meet each of you and to learn what makes our community special. Together, we will create a school where every student feels known, challenged, and inspired to reach their potential.

Warmly, Principal Colleen Carr