These coyotes are tops
Every semester, Cypress Creek Middle High School recognizes its students who excel, during a Howl-a-bration. The school’s mission is to ‘H.O.W.L.’ — Have a growth mindset, Own your education, Work as a community and Lead responsibly. Seventh-grader Jacob Valdes (left) proudly holds his certificate, while Matthew Vreeland (right), also in seventh grade, accepts his outstanding student award from Jena Ferry, assistant principal HS 216. (Photos courtesy of Eliza Passardi)
Literacy book drive
Goodwill’s BookWorks childhood literacy program starts Feb. 1 and runs through March 15. People are encouraged to donate children’s books in good condition or to make a donation to purchase books for the program.
The BookWorks program promotes literacy by giving books to children from families with low incomes. Goodwill volunteers read to children at Head Start centers and other locations, and then present each child with a personalized book to take home.
Last year, BookWorks presented books to more than 41,000 children.
To donate books, attach a note indicating they are for “BookWorks,” and drop the books off at any Goodwill-Suncoast store or donation site in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Hernando, Sumter, Marion or Highlands counties.
For locations, visit Goodwill-suncoast.org, or call (888) 279-1988.
Science & engineering fair
The Pasco Secondary Regional Science & Engineering Fair will take place Feb. 2 at Thomas E. Weightman Middle School, 30649 Wells Road in Wesley Chapel.
Judging will be from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Public viewing will be open from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. An awards ceremony will take place a 3 p.m., at the Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel, 30651 Wells Road.
Students in the regional fair have won their school science and engineering fair competition.
If they place in the regional fair, students are eligible for a variety of prizes, and top winners move on to the state competition.
Guest teacher hiring event
Qualified applicants who want to substitute teach in Pasco County can attend the “Guest Teacher Hiring Event” Feb. 6 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at the Pasco County Schools district office complex, 7227 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Building 2, in Land O’ Lakes.
Pasco Schools is looking for guest teachers and professional guest teachers.
Qualified applicants can interview on-the-spot.
A high school diploma or GED is required to be a guest teacher. Pay depends on level of education and length of substitute teaching assignment.
All guest teachers must complete a 20-hour training course, work a minimum of 10 days per semester, and be available to work on short notice.
Professional guest teachers must have a minimum bachelor’s degree in a certified subject and have a current teaching certificate. The professionals fill in for teachers on leave for 30 days or more.
Anyone interested should preregister at HirePasco.eventbrite.com.
Dean’s List honorees
- Lauren Dobles, of Lutz: Emerson College (Boston, Massachusetts)
- Carson Oakes, of Odessa: Berry College (Rome, Georgia)
- Sarah Sprague, of Lutz: Berry College (Rome, Georgia)
- Mariela Deynes Tofani, of Lutz: Emerson College (Boston, Massachusetts)
Essay contest
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s offices are accepting entries for an essay contest, for Pasco County’s high school students in grades 9 to 12.
Students of Pasco County’s public/charter, private, parochial, non-public and home-schools can enter.
In 500 words or less, students should answer the question, “Should property taxes be raised or lowered? What would be the impact of whichever decision you make?”
Entries will be judged by a panel of directors from the tax collector’s office, and will be reviewed on how well the student communicates the response to the question, as well as overall essay structure, appearance and readability.
All entries must include the student’s name, school, grade and contact information.
Students should submit essays to their principal, who will then forward it to the tax collector’s office.
Those in private, parochial, non-public or home-schools can send essays directly to Greg Giordano, assistant tax collector, Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office, P.O. Box 276, Dade City, FL 33526.
Entries also will be accepted by email to .
The deadline to enter is 5 p.m., Feb. 28.
The winner will be notified by telephone no later than March 22.
Scholarships for women
GFWC Florida will award two $3,000 scholarships to women returning to college who need financial assistance for education to achieve their goal to gain employment and become self-sufficient.
Recipients must be a Florida resident and attend an accredited Florida public college, university or technical school as a full-time student.
The recipient’s application, personal statement and two references must be submitted by email to .
The application and recommended forms are available online at GFWCFlorida.org, under Member Resources, Grants, Scholarships and Awards.
The deadline for applications is March 1.
For more information about the program, contact Candi Aubin at (850) 508-3107 or .
