Board reappointment
Gov. Ron DeSantis has reappointed Marilyn Pearson-Adams to the Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) District Board of Trustees (DBOT). Pearson-Adams is the president and owner of Century 21 Alliance Realty of Spring Hill. She is the current chair of the PHSC DBOT, chair of the Florida Realtors’ Legislative Think Tank, and a past chair of the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce. Pearson-Adams was inducted into the National Association of Realtors Hall of Fame in 2020.
Vaccination incentives
Hillsborough Community College (HCC) has rolled out a new incentive program that provides an opportunity for HCC students vaccinated against COVID-19 to receive $300 in rent credit to be used toward on-campus student housing and a $2,000 incentive, according to a news release.
“We want everyone on campus to feel safe, and that includes not just our students, but our faculty and staff as well. The vaccines have proven to be safe and the best defense against the virus. These new incentives are an added measure to ensure our students are taking every action available to keep not just themselves safe, but our entire community safe, too,” said Dr. Ken Atwater, HCC president, in the release.
All residents of Hawks Landing, the student-affiliated housing located on the HCC Dale Mabry Campus, who show proof of full vaccination by Oct. 31 will receive a $300 rent credit for the month of November.
Currently enrolled HCC students who show proof of full vaccination by Nov. 5 will be entered into a drawing to win an incentive of $2,000. Fifty students will be awarded through the raffle and will be notified by Nov. 30.
Instructions on how to submit proof of vaccination status will be communicated to students directly via their HCC student email, HawkMail.
Mini-seminar offered
Saint Leo University’s Tampa Education Center will host a free, hybrid mini-seminar about Social Emotional Learning (SEL), for parents and guardians of children in kindergarten through fifth grade.
The seminar, “Social Emotional Learning: Tools for Parents/Guardians of K-5 Learners,” will be on Oct. 1 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the center and via Zoom. A limited number of people will be able to attend in person.
Those attending can learn how to help children make good decisions and have positive classroom experiences.
Topics will include the use of children’s books/literature through the instructional practice of “Read-Alouds,” to engage children in conversation about social emotional learning topics.
There also will be discussion on the stages of learning to understand how children develop socially and emotionally, as well as hands-on culturally responsive activities.
Register for this free webinar at https:/saintleo.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_l487Wk-BTx2qdqaGEk5WcA.
For information, email , or call (813) 226-2777.
Early release days
Pasco County Schools again will utilize a monthly, early release time to allow for staff to engage in professional development aligned with student needs, and district and school priorities.
Upcoming early release dates are: Oct. 6, Nov. 10, Dec. 8, Jan. 12, Feb. 2, March 9 and April 13.
On each of these days, students will be released two hours early.
The bell times, including the early release times for each school, can be found online at Pasco.k12.fl.us/site/pcs_bell_schedule.
Social work conference
Saint Leo University will host its seventh-annual Social Work Conference on Oct. 8, using a virtual platform, for both established professionals and those interested in the field.
The theme of this year’s conference is “Social Workers are Essential.”
Those attending can learn the ways in which social needs and social work practices have evolved and changed since COVID-19.
There will be a keynote panel at 9 a.m.
Other speakers and session presenters will share information on issues including: mental health and substance abuse; trauma and sexual assault response; social work and counseling needs in public schools; patterns evident in school shootings; food insecurity; improving cross-cultural connections; and more.
Sessions will end around 3:30 p.m.
Admission is $20. Admission and continuing education credit will be available for $40 (payment accepted online).
Saint Leo students and alumni will be admitted free, but must register.
To learn more and to register, visit SaintLeo.edu/annual-social-work-conference.
Substitute teachers needed
Pasco County Schools currently is hiring substitute teachers.
A high school diploma is required.
Apply at ESS Pasco County, Jobs.willsubplus.com/jobs?districtIds=1466.
