The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

Chalk Talk 01/20/2021

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Shoe drive
Victory High School, a recovery high school that provides mental health resources and recovery support in addition to academics, will host a Shoe Drive Fundraiser on Jan. 30 at Calvary Chapel Worship Center, 6825 Trouble Creek Road in New Port Richey.

Donations of new or gently used shoes can be dropped off between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

For information, visit VictoryHighSchool.net.

Virtual summit
Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) will host a virtual “Linking in Faith and Education (LIFE), Spirit, and Wellness Support and Resource Summit: Equity and Advancement of Minority Males in America” on Feb. 1 from 10 a.m. to noon.

The summit will bring together individuals, behavioral health communities, career resources and congregations to discuss social justice and equality issues as they relate to Black and brown underrepresented populations.

There will be a panel discussion on equity and advancement of minority males in America, followed by breakout sessions on leadership/mentoring; politics, policing and civic responsibility; life skills; and, mental health and spirituality.

The event will be presented by PHSC LIFE and Success Academy, and cohosted by Eastern Florida State College and the Florida African American Student Association.

The first 200 registrants will receive a free lunch from Grubhub, sponsored by Humana Bold Goal.

To register, visit PHSC.edu/about/events.

Early release days
During the second semester, Pasco County Schools will implement a two-hour early release day every month, each day falling on a Wednesday. There will be no early release day in May.

The early release days, which were implemented for the first time last school year, provide teachers with an opportunity to complete professional development and experience training that will help increase effective instruction and ultimately will benefit students.

Students who are registered in the district’s PLACE program will be able to stay the extra two hours with no additional charges. School buses will operate two hours earlier during early release days. The routes and bus stops will not change.

Upcoming early release days are Feb. 3, March 3 and April 7.

The bell times, including the early release times for each school, can be found at Pasco.k12.fl.us/site/pcs_bell_schedule, or on the Pasco County Schools’ Facebook page.

Free webinar
Saint Leo University’s Tapia College of Business will present “Re-Imagine Your Future Under Subchapter V: A Chapter 11 Survival Tool for Small Businesses” on Feb. 3 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The free webinar will explore Subchapter V as an option for small businesses severely affected by the current pandemic.

Dave Jennis, a bankruptcy attorney, will discuss key considerations for bankruptcy and lead participants through the process, from filing to when companies emerge from bankruptcy.

Small business owners and the general public can attend the webinar.

The registration link can be found at SaintLeo.edu/business-events under the Webinars-Surviving the Pandemic category.

Student achievements

  • Michelle Graham, of Lutz: President’s List at Mercer University – School of Engineering in Macon, Georgia
  • Emily Leonard, of Wesley Chapel: President’s List at Mercer University – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, in Macon, Georgia
  • Dylan Schaffer, of Lutz: fall Dean’s List at Rockhurst University, Kansas City, Missouri
  • Brett Allen Taylor, of Land O’ Lakes: Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care from Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas
  • Jonathan Young, of Wesley Chapel: President’s List at Mercer University, Stetson-Hatcher School of Business, in Macon, Georgia

Graduation rates
The Pasco County Schools graduation rate continues to improve, rising to 89.9% in 2020, a 1.6% improvement over the previous year.

Pasco’s graduation rate has improved nearly 14 percentage points since 2013.

“Year after year, we are seeing steady progress,” said Superintendent Kurt Browning. “I’m so proud of our students for their hard work. All our teachers from kindergarten through high school can share the credit because it takes a team effort to prepare students for college, career, and life.”

Cypress Creek High School led the way among Pasco high schools with a 99.5% graduation rate, up 3.5 percentage points.

For more information on Pasco’s school graduation rates, visit Pasco County Schools on Facebook.

Student aid programs
The federal government offers various financial aid programs to help students and families pay for college.

Applying for the programs requires submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

These summaries listed, from the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA), describe the more common federal grant and loan programs. Grants generally do not have to be repaid, but loans do.

  • Federal Pell Grant: Pell Grants provide up to $6,345 per year for undergraduates with financial need. That amount is expected to increase for the 2021-2022 school year.
  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant: These grants provide up to $4,000 per year for undergraduate students who have exceptional financial need.
  • Direct Loans: These loans are available to undergraduate, graduate and professional students. The amount students are eligible to borrow depends on their year in school.
  • Federal PLUS Loans: Parents of dependent undergraduate students may qualify for PLUS Loans, contingent upon the parents’ credit ratings. The amount available depends on how much other financial aid the student receives. Graduate and professional students may apply for PLUS if they have exhausted their Direct Loan eligibility.

The KHEAA is a public, nonprofit agency that helps to improve students’ access to college. It provides financial aid and financial literacy information, at no cost to students and parents.

The agency also helps colleges manage their student loan default rates and verify information submitted on the FAFSA.

For more information, visit KHEAA.com.

Bridging Freedom is charity of the month

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Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano has named Bridging Freedom, an organization dedicated to ending human trafficking and assisting survivors of that crime, as its charity for the month of January.

Bridging Freedom aims to combat sex-trafficking of minors by bringing restoration to those who have been rescued. And, the organization educates the community and works with partners to increase awareness of this “pervasive and often ‘invisible’ criminal operation,” according to a news release.

During the month of January, all tax collector office locations will be accepting donations to help Bridging Freedom in its mission to assist as many victims as possible, and to educate the public, local businesses and others about the importance of recognizing human trafficking for the crime it is.

“Children, both girls and boys, have their childhoods stolen from them by traffickers and buyers. Bridging Freedom, a safe campus, restores those stolen childhoods with a safe environment, therapy, life skills and a caring community,” Alan Wilkett, retired Pasco Sheriff’s law enforcement officer, said in the release.

For information about Bridging Freedom and its services, contact Wilkett at 813-474-4673.

For more about the tax collector’s charitable campaigns, call Assistant Tax Collector Greg Giordano at 727-847-8179.

Health News 01/13/2021

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Father Randall Meissen, Saint Leo University chaplain, blesses the beam before it is hoisted into place at the top of the school’s new 59,000-square-foot Wellness Center building. (Courtesy of Renee Gerstein, Saint Leo University)

Saint Leo Wellness Center
Saint Leo University marked a construction milestone with a topping-off ceremony for its new Wellness Center, according to a school news release.

The facility, on the west end of the campus by Lake Jovita, will create an environment for holistic health and well-being that integrates student recreation, fitness, health services, counseling services and campus ministry. The center is expected to be completed in the fall.

The bond-funded Wellness Center will feature:

  • Resort-style pool with two lap lanes, an area for volleyball and basketball, and a shallow area for lounging
  • Patio and pool deck with a 180-degree view of Lake Jovita
  • Fitness area with cardio equipment, free weights and machines, as well as a dance studio, yoga studio and cycling center, all with a variety of scheduled class programming
  • Health Services, University Ministry, Counseling & Prevention Services, and Recreation services
  • Multipurpose gymnasium with an indoor walking track that can be converted for a variety of events

• Café offering healthy food options, an outdoor poolside barbecue and seating area with a gas grill and fire pit

Vaccines for seniors
At this time, AdventHealth is not providing vaccines to the general public, including those age 65 and older, at any hospital, AdventHealth Centra Care or AdventHealth Medical Group practices, according to a Dec. 30 news release.

AdventHealth has vaccinated more than 4,000 West Florida team members to date. Vaccinations for frontline AdventHealth team members are underway at the hospital locations in Carrollwood, Connerton, Dade City, Lake Placid, North Pinellas, Ocala, Sebring, Tampa, Wauchula, Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills.

All information on vaccine distribution for the public will be posted online at CoronavirusVaccineFacts.com.

Those interested can go to CoronavirusVaccineAlerts.com, to sign up for email updates on when vaccines will be available from AdventHealth.

Chalk Talk 01/13/2021

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Student reminders
Pasco County schools went back in session for the second semester on Jan. 6, and here are some reminders for in-person and virtual learning for students, and parents:

  • Check your parent and student portal. If you have not yet done so, parents should create a portal account. Visit PascoSchools.org and click on the myStudent link.
  • Make sure portal contact information is correct (phone number, email and mailing address). If not, file an update.
  • Attendance is taken regularly for both in-person and virtual learning, and is a priority for Pasco County Schools.
  • Read the Spring 2021 Education Plan for information related to the health and safety of students.
  • Review the Student Self Screener link.
  • If help is needed for login, devices, meals, health and mental health, text 813-320-3004.

For additional information and more details, visit Pasco.k12.fl.us/news.

School Choice
The Pasco County Schools’ school choice application window opened on Jan. 7 and will close at 4:30 p.m., on Jan. 21.

The application is available through the myStudent parent portal. Parents who do not have a portal can establish an account at PascoSchools.org, and clicking on the myStudent link.

This will be the only application window for all grade levels and contains all school choice options, including STEAM magnet schools, Starkey Ranch K-8, International Baccalaureate, and the Cambridge Programme.

Parent Connect
The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative will offer these online Parent Connect meetings:

  • Jan. 19 at 6:30 p.m.: Pre-K and elementary school, for caregivers of children ages 3 to 9
  • Jan. 20 at 6:30 p.m.: Middle and high school, for caregivers of children ages 10 to 18.

Participants must register through the calendar feature at HCPLC.org.

Virtual summit
Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) will host a virtual “Linking in Faith and Education (LIFE), Spirit, and Wellness Support and Resource Summit: Equity and Advancement of Minority Males in America” on Feb. 1 from 10 a.m. to noon.

The summit will bring together individuals, behavioral health communities, career resources and congregations to discuss social justice and equality issues as they relate to Black and brown underrepresented populations.

There will be a panel discussion on equity and advancement of minority males in America, followed by breakout sessions on leadership/mentoring; politics, policing and civic responsibility; life skills; and, mental health and spirituality.

The event will be presented by PHSC LIFE and Success Academy, and cohosted by Eastern Florida State College and the Florida African American Student Association.

The first 200 registrants will receive a free lunch from Grubhub, sponsored by Humana Bold Goal.

To register, visit PHSC.edu/about/events.

Student achievements
Andrew James, of Lutz, was named to the fall Dean’s List at Piedmont College in Demorest, Georgia.

Riley Wood, of Land O’ Lakes, was named to the Honor Roll at Bethel University’s College of Arts & Sciences and College of Health Sciences, in McKenzie, Tennessee, for the fall semester.

In-person courses
Pasco-Hernando State College, in accordance with CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines, will offer a select number of courses for in-person learning in the spring.

Each class will allow up to 12 students in the classroom, with social distancing applied to each space.

Remote learning and hybrid courses still will be available as the school continues to add more in-person courses in the coming months, with safety at the core of the plan.

A full list of in-person courses can be found at PHSC.edu/in-person.

The college’s re-entry plan can be viewed at tinyurl.com/ybj5cuym.

Snickerdoodle loves his bunny friends

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Snickerdoodle is a 9-month-old Holland lop bunny. He likes to go for walks in his stroller and visit with his bunny neighbors, Reeses and S’mores. Snickerdoodle likes to eat celery and bananas, and likes chewing on his wood toys and relaxing under the Christmas tree. Snickerdoodle resides with Amy Neumann and her daughter, Hannah, in Wesley Chapel.

Soaking up the sunshine

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Kurtis Sprung, of Zephyrhills, caught this alligator sunning itself along the Hillsborough River. To warm up, alligators bask in the sun, which is when they are frequently observed on the banks of water bodies. On hot summer days, they can sometimes be seen basking with their mouths open, which is a cooling mechanism equivalent to a dog panting.

Health News 01/06/2021

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Vaccines for seniors
At this time, AdventHealth is not providing vaccines to the general public, including those age 65 and older, at any hospital, AdventHealth Centra Care or AdventHealth Medical Group practices, according to a Dec. 30 news release.

AdventHealth has vaccinated more than 4,000 West Florida team members to date. Vaccinations for frontline AdventHealth team members are underway at the hospital locations in Carrollwood, Connerton, Dade City, Lake Placid, North Pinellas, Ocala, Sebring, Tampa, Wauchula, Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills.

All information on vaccine distribution for the public will be posted online at CoronavirusVaccineFacts.com.

Those interested can go to CoronavirusVaccineAlerts.com, to sign up for email updates on when vaccines will be available from AdventHealth.

Credit union donation
Suncoast Credit Union will donate $550,000 to hunger and mental health organizations throughout Florida that have seen increased needs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a news release.

Food organizations across the state have been severely impacted by COVID-19. Organizations that will benefit from this round of funding include Meals of Hopes, United Food Bank of Plant City and the Harry Chapin Food Bank, all three of which have seen a 50% increase in demand this year.

The credit union will donate $385,000 to food organizations to combat the needs. The funds will enable the organizations to purchase food, help reduce operational costs, support in-school programs (hot breakfast and lunches, weekend meals), and fill emergency food pantries.

Mental health also has been significantly impacted by COVID-19 and Suncoast will contribute $165,000 to 11 National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) affiliates throughout Florida.

The donation is the second of its kind this year for Suncoast, following its $1 million donation to hunger, health care and educational organizations for COVID-19 relief efforts this past May.

Nurse manager honored
Kimberly Demers, nurse manager of the Emergency Department at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Lutz, has been honored with the Patriot Award from the Department of Defense’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) program.

The award recognizes Demers’ support of her employee’s participation in the National Guard and Reserve.

According to the ESGR website and a news release, the Patriot Award reflects an employer’s “….efforts made to support citizen warriors through a wide-range of measures, including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families and granting leaves of absence if needed.”

Health and safety plan
Amalie Arena, home of the Tampa Bay Lightning, unveiled a comprehensive, world-class health and safety management plan, which features extensive measures aimed at reopening the facility in a responsible manner.

In recognition of the organization’s work, it has become one of the first in professional sports to earn dual certification from both the International WELL Building Institute and the Global Biorisk Advisory Council for excellence in COVID-19 safety preparedness and protocols, according to a news release.

Amalie has addressed several key areas, including cleaning and sanitization processes and procedures; emergency preparedness programs; health service resources; and, air and water quality management, technology and innovation.

The efforts have been part of a comprehensive overall plan, devised in conjunction with local health care and government officials, to ensure a safe and healthy reopening of the facility for fans and staff.

Following a controlled query entry into the arena, fans will notice increased measures to promote physical distancing, including at all gates, concessions and restrooms.

Concession and retail stands will be cashless and contactless, with plexiglass barriers.

A total of 220 wall and freestanding hand sanitizing stations have been installed throughout the facility, and team members will increase the frequency of cleaning and sanitation in all areas being used, with an emphasis on seats, handrails and bathrooms.

Other safety measures include:

  • Extensive signage
  • Physical distancing measures
  • Ultraviolet disinfectant lights above handrails at escalator locations
  • Elevator occupancy limit
  • Mobile ticketing
  • Cashless, contactless parking lots
  • Face covering (over the nose and mouth) requirement in all the areas of the arena, except when eating or drinking

Two campaigns, “Wear Your Mask” and “How We Play It Safe” have been established to help protect fans.

Gulfside fundraisers
Due to the current pandemic, the third annual Charity Casino Night to benefit Gulfside Hospice has been rescheduled to Jan. 30, at the Heritage Springs Golf & Country Club in Trinity.

All proceeds will provide patient care and bereavement support in Pasco County through Gulfside.

For tickets and sponsorship information, visit CharityCasinoNight.org.

Also, due to the ongoing health and safety challenges, Gulfside postponed The Candace Glewen Charity Fashion Show, originally scheduled for Dec. 3.

The fundraiser was to bring people together in honor of Candace Glewen, a longtime board member of Gulfside Hospice until her recent passing, and to support the patients and families served by Gulfside.

Instead of a winter-themed fashion show, the event will now feature the latest 2021 spring looks on May 4, at Spartan Manor in New Port Richey.

Chalk Talk 01/06/2021

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Superintendent Kurt Browning, right, surprises Yan Li Gazda, recognizing him as Pasco County Teacher of the Year. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

Teacher of the Year
Seven Springs Middle School’s foreign language teacher Yan Li Gazda was named Pasco County Schools 2021 Teacher of the Year.

Yan Li Gazda, who goes by Mr. Li, is a Chinese immigrant who has been teaching for six years, all in Pasco County Schools.

During the surprise visit, which included Superintendent Kurt Browning, school board members Colleen Beaudoin and Megan Harding, and Education Foundation Director Stacey Capogrosso, Mr. Li commented on how he believes the honor is shared with all the other amazing teachers in Pasco County, and expressed gratitude at all the opportunities he has had in his adopted country.

“So many teachers do so many great things in their own classrooms,” Mr. Li said, in a news release.

New chaplain
Saint Leo University has announced that Rev. Randall Meissen recently joined the school as university chaplain to lead the University Ministry team.

Rev. Randall Meissen (Courtesy of Saint Leo University)

“As the university chaplain, I’m very conscious of serving two segments of the university,” Meissen said in a news release.

“One side is the important duty that is ministerial sacramental life, and supporting the spiritual needs of our vibrant community. The other is the openness and receptivity to the whole university. I am not here only to say Mass and hear Confession. I’m also here to support the broader university – a pluralist, multi-faith community,” he said.

Meissen is a member of the religious order, the Legion of Christ, and was ordained as a priest in 2014.

Prior to coming to Saint Leo, Meissen served as sacramental associate at Our Savior Parish and the University of Southern California (USC) Caruso Catholic Center in Los Angeles, California.

He also is a doctoral candidate in the history department at USC.

Meissen earned his Bachelor of Arts in biology and classics in 2003 from Rice University in Houston, Texas. He also earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy in 2008 and in theology in 2014 from the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome, Italy.

In 2012, Meissen earned a master’s degree in Latin from the University of Florida and in 2016 a Master of Arts in history from USC.

In-person courses
Pasco-Hernando State College, in accordance with CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines, will offer a select number of courses for in-person learning in the spring.

Each class will allow up to 12 students in the classroom, with social distancing applied to each space.

Remote learning and hybrid courses still will be available as the school continues to add more in-person courses in the coming months, with safety at the core of the plan.

A full list of in-person courses can be found at PHSC.edu/in-person.

The college’s re-entry plan can be viewed at tinyurl.com/ybj5cuym.

Fee adjustments meeting
Pasco-Hernando State College’s District Board of Trustees (DBOT) will meet to consider adjusted course-related fees at its Jan. 19 board meeting, at 6 p.m., at the North Campus in Brooksville.

If the meeting goes virtual, details will be available on the school’s website at PHSC.edu.

Fee adjustment proposals are reviewed and approved for DBOT consideration by PHSC’s Council of Academic Affairs, a committee that includes representation by administrators, deans, academic department chairs, program directors, faculty and staff.

Many fee adjustments relate to vendor increases for workforce courses, laboratories, and program testing.

For details regarding proposed fees adjustments, justification for the fees, and fee implementation details, visit Policies.phsc.edu/policies-and-procedures/public-disclosure.

August loves people

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Adopted from the animal shelter, August is adorable and possibly a pit-boxer mix. He loves to play fetch and chew on his toys. August’s favorite treats are ice cubes and carrots. In the evening, he likes to go for long walks and cuddle on the couch afterward. August loves most other dogs and lives with Sara Porter in Wesley Chapel.

An iconic, vocal bird

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Nicole Magazu, of Land O’ Lakes, enjoys taking pictures of birds and she was thrilled to capture this Northern Mockingbird with a berry in its beak. The Northern Mockingbird is one of the most iconic birds of the South, and it is probably the bird that people see the most. It is also the state bird of Florida. The mockingbird is very vocal and can imitate the songs of at least 50 or 60 other species of Southern birds — they even mimic car horns and car alarms.