• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About Us
  • Videos
    • Featured Video
    • Foodie Friday
    • Monthly ReCap
  • Online E-Editions
    • This Week’s E-Editions
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
  • Social Media
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
  • Advertising
  • Local Jobs
  • Puzzles & Games
  • Circulation Request

The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

       

Click to join our weekly e-newsletter

  • Home
  • News
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills/East Pasco
    • Business Digest
    • Senior Parks
    • Nature Notes
    • Featured Stories
    • Photos of the Week
    • Reasons To Smile
  • Sports
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills and East Pasco
    • Check This Out
  • Education
  • Pets/Wildlife
  • Health
    • Health Events
    • Health News
  • What’s Happening
  • Sponsored Content
    • Closer Look
  • Homes
  • Obits
  • Public Notices
    • Browse Notices
    • Place Notices

Gearing up for the new school year

August 2, 2022 By B.C. Manion

As students in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area head off to school for the 2022-2023 academic year, those arriving at Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation will be helping to usher in the new school’s traditions.

Kirkland Ranch, at 32555 Innovation Drive in Wesley Chapel, is a magnet school that will specialize in preparing students in career fields and technical trades such as automotive maintenance and repair, including diesel; biomedical sciences; building trades and construction technology; cybersecurity; digital media and multimedia design; engineering and robotics; welding; electricity; and, patient care technology.

Students at Saint Leo University, 33701 State Road 52, in St. Leo, will have an opportunity to learn in the school’s new robotics and artificial intelligence lab, on the first floor of Kirk Hall.

Dr. Monika Kiss explains some of the features of Saint Leo University’s new Robotics and AI Lab. (Courtesy of Chad Gonzalez/University of Saint Leo)

The lab is part of the university’s new School of Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Data Science (CARDS), which brings together several popular areas of study and degree.

At Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel, 33347 State Road 54, a new middle school building will help to accommodate students at the growing charter school.

Those are just a few changes that await, as a new academic year gets into full swing soon.

The first day of school for students is Aug. 10 in Pasco and Hillsborough public schools.

The beginning of the school year varies for private schools, Pasco-Hernando State College, Saint Leo University and the University of South Florida, as well as for home-schooled and online students.

Typically, the beginning of the school year means that families are doing some shopping, or taking advantage of school supply giveaways.

For those still needing to shop, the Florida Back-to-School sales tax holiday remains in effect through Aug. 7. In general, the tax holiday means no taxes are due on the retail sale of:

  • Clothing, footwear and some accessories (selling for $100 or less per item)
  • Certain school supplies(selling for $50 or less per item)
  • Learning aids (selling for $30 or less per item)
  • Personal computers and certain computer-related accessories for personal use (selling for $1,500 or less)

Public school students in Lutz and Odessa attend schools in either Hillsborough or Pasco, depending whether they live north or south of the county line. Some Hillsborough students also attend Hillsborough schools in New Tampa.

Students in Central Pasco attend schools in Odessa, Lutz and Land O’ Lakes, while those in East Pasco attend schools in Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, Dade City, St. Leo and San Antonio.

There’s some overlap between communities, since the shapes of school zones vary and there are magnet schools that draw students from beyond traditional boundaries.

As the school year kicks in, the impact on area traffic will be noticeable, as students, teachers, cafeteria workers, assistant principals, principals and other staff members make their way to their respective campuses.

And before heading back, it’s a good idea for students and parents to do a little homework to find out more about what to expect in the coming school year.

School websites often offer a wealth of useful information about school rules and expectations, how to sign up for various activities, fees that are due, and so forth.

Be sure to check the Twitter and Facebook social media channels for individual schools and your school district, too, to see if there’s any current news that’s helpful to you.

For instance, those following the Pasco County Schools’ website would know that the federal government is ending free meals it had been providing for all because of COVID-19 relief funding.

Some students will qualify for free or reduced price meals. But here are this year’s charges for paid and reduced price meals.

Elementary: Breakfast: $1.60 paid, 0.30 reduced; lunch, $3 paid, 0.40 reduced

Middle: Breakfast: $1.75 paid, 0.30 reduced; lunch, $3 paid; 0.40 reduced

High: Breakfast: $1.75 paid,  0.30 reduced; lunch, $3.75 paid; 0.40 reduced.

As the new school year begins, both Pasco and Hillsborough public schools continue to work to fill staff vacancies.

The school boards in both districts also are urging voters to approve a tax increase that they say will help them to attract and retain quality staff.

In Pasco, the ballot question asks for a yes or no vote on whether to levy an additional tax, not to exceed 1 mil, beginning July 1, 2023 and ending no later than June 30, 2027.

The proceeds, according to the ballot question, will be used “for essential operating expenses to maintain salaries competitive with the market, attract and retain high-quality teachers, bus drivers and other non-administrative school support employees.”

In Hillsborough, the tax increase also would last four years, unless extended by voters, according to the district’s website.

At least 75% of the proceeds would go for increased compensation for teachers, counselors, media specialists , bus drivers and transportation assistants, classroom assistants, and other non-instructional support staff.

Hillsborough also would use proceeds to protect and expand art, music, physical education and workforce education.

Voters will decide the outcome of the ballot initiative, in their respective county, during the Aug. 23 Primary Election.

Published August 03, 2022

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Email
  • Print

Like this:

Like Loading...

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

Search

Sponsored Content

6 Reasons to Consider Remodeling your Bathroom with CMK Construction

March 21, 2023 By Kelli Carmack

Have you wanted to remodel your bathroom for a while now, but need that little extra push to make your decision? Check … [Read More...] about 6 Reasons to Consider Remodeling your Bathroom with CMK Construction

Avalon Applauds African American Club of Pasco

March 7, 2023 By Kelli Carmack

One of Avalon Park Wesley Chapel’s main missions is being a champion for culture. “Celebrating culture is a vital … [Read More...] about Avalon Applauds African American Club of Pasco

More Posts from this Category

What’s Happening

03/23/2023 – Betmar Chorus

The Betmar Chorus will perform its annual Spring Concert on March 22 at 2 p.m., and on March 23 and March 24 at 7 p.m., at Betmar Acres, 37145 Lakewood Drive, Clubhouse 2, in Zephyrhills. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. The choir will perform a variety of show tunes, hymns, spirituals and classics. Tickets will be available at the door for $5. For information, all 810-837-0520. … [Read More...] about 03/23/2023 – Betmar Chorus

03/23/2023 – Free Food Distribution

The Pasco Sheriff’s Office, Farm Share, Veteran’s Memorial Park, the Gentlemen’s Course, Samaritan Corporation of Pasco County Inc., and the Pasco County NAACP will team up for a free community food distribution on March 23 at Veterans Memorial Park, 14333 Hicks Road in Hudson. The food will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis from 9 a.m., until the items run out. … [Read More...] about 03/23/2023 – Free Food Distribution

03/23/2023 – Paint with Puppies

B Creative Painting Studio, 6013 Wesley Grove Blvd., Suite 103, in Wesley Chapel will host “Paint with Puppies” on March 23 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., in support of the Mercy Full Project. Guests can get creative and cuddle with puppies. Only 50 spots available. An RSVP and $5 deposit is required online at tinyurl.com/PaintWithPuppy. Balance will be due at the event. The total cost of $50 includes a dog bowl, paint, glaze and fire of the bowl. … [Read More...] about 03/23/2023 – Paint with Puppies

03/23/2023 – Puzzle Club

The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will host a Puzzle Club on March 23 at 4:45 p.m., for ages 18 and older. Bring some friends. Puzzles will be provided. For information, call 813-929-1214. … [Read More...] about 03/23/2023 – Puzzle Club

03/25/2023 – America is Awesome

Lucas, Macysyzn & Dyer, Injury Lawyers and the Lucas, Macyszyn & Dyer Community Foundation will host an “America is Awesome Celebration” on March 25 from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 9426 Little Road in New Port Richey. The event will include live music from 5 Shades of Grey and Southbound 75; fireworks; a DJ dance party, silent auction; raffles; 50/50; car show, food and drink; and more. All proceeds will benefit K9 for Partners and local law enforcement. General admission is free. VIP tickets are available. Donations for parking will be accepted. For information, visit America is Awesome Celebration on Facebook. … [Read More...] about 03/25/2023 – America is Awesome

03/25/2023 – Arts Benefit

The Pasco Fine Arts Council will host a Benefit for the Arts & Silent Auction on March 25 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Pasco Arts Gallery, 4145 Fairford Drive in New Port Richey. Wine and heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served. For information, visit PascoArts.org. … [Read More...] about 03/25/2023 – Arts Benefit

More of What's Happening

Archives

 

 

Where to pick up The Laker and Lutz News

Copyright © 2023 Community News Publications Inc.

   
%d bloggers like this: