Teddy bears aim to help ease trauma
Hillsborough County Public Schools has a new initiative called, The Elementary Teddy Bear Project. The HCPS security and emergency management office, in partnership with The Kiwanis Club, purchased more than 900 teddy bears for elementary school counselors to loan or share with traumatized students throughout the school year. Each elementary campus received four to five bears. The goal is to help children address unresolved emotional issues that could hinder the child’s socialization and learning processes. School security officers use the teddy bears as a way to build relationships with the most vulnerable students.
Info night at Stewart Middle
The Pasco County Schools afterschool enrichment programs department will have a community information night for a Century Community Learning Center grant-funded afterschool program on April 25 at 6 p.m., at Stewart Middle School, 38505 10th Ave., in Zephyrhills.
The district is preparing a grant proposal for the afterschool programs for students attending select elementary and middle schools.
Families are encouraged to come out to help develop the vision for the Century Community Learning Center.
Scholarship program expands
The North Tampa Bay Chamber is expanding its high school scholarship fund to include recipients from Cypress Creek, Wesley Chapel, Wiregrass Ranch, Freedom and Wharton high schools.
The chamber has partnered with the career counselors at each campus, where all students have applied by completing a comprehensive application, including a short essay.
Presentations for the ceremonial checks will take place as follows:
- Freedom: April 25 at 6 p.m.
- Wharton: April 25 at 6:30 p.m.
- Wiregrass Ranch: May 23 at 6 p.m.
- Wesley Chapel: May 28 at 7:30 a.m.
- Cypress Creek: May 28 at 9 a.m.
For information regarding the scholarship program, email .
Saint Leo commencements
Saint Leo will host its Baccalaureate Mass on April 26 at 4 p.m., in the Marion Bowman Activities Center, at 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo.
Following the Mass, “Saint Leo Under the Stars” will take place with campus tours, food, games, photo opportunities and fireworks.
And, on April 27, more than 1,250 students will receive degrees during commencement ceremonies for Saint Leo. The university’s Florida locations will all come together to celebrate at two ceremonies, at the Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. 301 in Tampa.
The morning ceremony will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., and the afternoon ceremony will be from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The guest speaker for the morning commencement will be former 6th Judicial Circuit Judge Lynn Tepper, and Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco will speak at the afternoon ceremony.
For more information, visit SaintLeo.edu.
Mobile dental services
The Department of Health Pasco County is partnering with the Pasco County School Board to provide preventive dental services for students in Title 1 schools in Pasco County.
The dental bus will travel to selected schools to give dental assessments, sealants, fluoride varnish, and education for the students.
The remaining school schedules for the East side of Pasco County are as follows:
- April 29 to May 2: West Zephyrhills Elementary
- May 6 to May 9: San Antonio Elementary
- May 13 to May 16: Quail Hollow Elementary
- May 20 to May 23: Lacoochee Elementary
In order for a child to be seen on the bus, the required forms must be completed and signed by a parent or guardian.
For more information, visit Pasco.FloridaHealth.gov and click on “Smile Care A Van.”
Steinbrenner gala
Steinbrenner High School’s football and cheerleading program will host a Leadership & Legacy Gala on May 3 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Cheval Clubhouse, 4312 Cheval Blvd., in Lutz.
This is a casual, family friendly event open to all. The gala will feature a live DJ, a live and a silent auction, a putting contest, hors d’oeuvres, a 50-50 drawing, a cash bar and a raffle.
The keynote speaker will be former Super Bowl MVP Dexter Jackson.
For sponsorship opportunities and tickets, visit SteinbrennerGalaAndGolf.com.
New tool for science teachers
Middle school science teachers now have a new tool from the University of Florida to teach students about pollinators and the role they play in producing food.
Nicole Pinson and Alicia Lamborn, horticulture agents with the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension in Hillsborough and Baker counties, respectively, helped to develop the new curriculum called “Pollinator Power.”
The curriculum contains three lesson plans and a variety of activities to introduce students to pollinators in fun, interactive ways.
It includes a Pollinator Power Safari Kit that contains bug jars, a butterfly net, magnifier, and insect and flower rubbing plates.
With the supplies, students can scout a garden or landscape for pollinator insects and animals.
Other activities let students “Be the Bee,” by hand-pollinating squash or zucchini flowers, and construct a ‘bee hotel’ to set up in a pollinator-friendly part of the school.
For educators with students who are afraid of bees and wasps, the program can help those students better appreciate the insects and their benefit.
To order the Pollinator Power curriculum, visit the UF/IFAS bookstore website at IFASBooks.com.
