The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

Library services still available, in a different way

By

Hillsborough County libraries have a number of online services and resources available to support and enhance student eLearning.

With schools closed at least through April and teachers doing lessons remotely, online traffic to the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative’s website has surged.

These are some of the offerings available to help students learn from home:

  • Tutor.com: Take the guesswork out of homework with a live tutor. One-to-one help is available daily from 2 p.m. to midnight.
  • Call the library: Got a question? Call (813) 273-3652, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Ask a librarian: Chat with a librarian from your computer or mobile device about homework or educational needs. The service is available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

To access more educational online resources to support student success at home, visit the public library website at HCPLC.org.

Published April 15, 2020

In search of the next meal

By

Karen Whitenton, of Lutz, often sees a Mallard duck family in her yard eating sunflower seeds the birds have dropped. However, this time she caught them in the Willow Bend subdivision pond looking underwater for things to eat.

Health News 04/15/2020

By

Area Agency on Aging updates
The Area Agency on Aging Pasco Pinellas (AAAPP) has given these recent operational updates, in an April 6 press release.

  • All AAAPP offices are closed and staff is working remotely. All critical services will continue to be available by phone.
  • The Helpline and Intake/Screening/Medicaid teams remain open during normal business hours. For out-of-area callers, dial (800) 963-5337 or (727) 217-8111.
  • Nutrition providers remain available. Home meal deliveries are being completed with 6 feet of distance to protect the elderly. Congregate dining has transitioned into drive-thru dining services. Drive-thru meal options are available for any adult age 60 and older. To sign up, Pasco residents can call (727) 834-3340. In Pinellas, call (727) 573-9444.
  • The SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) and the Senior Victim Advocacy/Elder Abuse teams are available for support and assistance by telephone only, through the numbers listed above.
  • Case management teams are continuing to coordinate and provide services wherever possible to individuals, using extra precautions to avoid the spread of COVID-19.
  • Adult day care, senior center programming and other community sites are largely suspended. Check with the direct provider or municipality for updates on site closures.

For more information, visit AgingCareFl.org/covid-19-updates-and-information/.

Telehealth service launched
In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Premier Community HealthCare has launched its telehealth service for established adult patients seeking care.

The software is user-friendly, accessible, and seamlessly integrates with Premier’s electronic health record system, according to a news release.

Additional telehealth services for pediatrics, behavioral health, women’s health, and dental services are also in the process of being developed.

All Premier offices (except the Brooksville Dental Center) will remain open for emergency services, five days a week.

Currently, Premier’s waiting room capacity is limited to five patients, with the option for patients to wait in their car.

“Our clinics are forced to evolve in ways much faster than we are financially ready for, but this is what community health is about. We will keep moving forward and adapt in innovative ways to care for our community,” said Delisa Heron, Premier Community HealthCare’s chief  medical officer, in the release.

For information, visit PremierHC.org.

Keep kids safe from traffickers
In Our Backyard links arms across Oregon and America to fight human trafficking through education, mobilization and partnership.

The organization offers these tips for parents to protect their kids online from traffickers.

  • Educate your kids about human trafficking: That it exists, what it looks like, and to talk to you or another responsible adult if they think they have been approached by someone online.
  • Children should not accept friend requests or chat with someone online (gaming systems, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, etc.) that they have not met in person. Even if it is a friend of a friend.
  • Make sure your children do not post personal information about where they go to school, or any contact information (phone number, email or home address) or pictures with geo tags of places they hang out.
  • Set up parental controls so it’s harder for children to get access to something they shouldn’t see.
  • Know your kid’s passwords. Your child’s privacy is important, but so is their safety.
  • Set time limits for device usage.
  • Make a rule that devices can only be used in common areas of your home.
  • Communicate with your kids and let them talk to you without judgment. They need to know they are safer with you than anywhere else.

For more information, visit InOurBackyard.org.

Pasco Kids First recognized
Pasco Kids First has been awarded re-accreditation by the National Children’s Alliance, following an extensive application and site review process.

Pasco Kids First was established in 1989 with the mission to assist in the protection of children from the devastating effects of child abuse and neglect, providing services for 30 years to children and families.

The Children’s Alliance awards various levels of accreditation and membership to centers responding to allegations of child abuse in ways that are effective and efficient, and put the needs of child victims of abuse first.

Accreditation is the highest level of membership with the National Children’s Alliance and denotes excellence in service provision.

Accredited children’s advocacy centers must undergo a re-accreditation process every five years to ensure that best practices are continually being applied.

With standards being updated in 2017, Pasco Kids First’s re-accreditation reflects its commitment to providing evidence-based methods practice.

Tobacco-free policy encouraged
The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County’s Tobacco Prevention Program has worked closely with local worksites to encourage them to adopt a Tobacco Free Grounds Policy.

It is estimated that smoking costs Florida billions of dollars a year in workplace productivity losses, premature deaths and direct health care expenditures. Tobacco use is a leading contributor to lost productive work time.

Tobacco Free Florida recommends that employers implement a worksite model, which includes these three principles:

  • Provide employees with access to proven successful tobacco cessation medications and counseling
  • Create a supportive workplace environment that makes it easier for your employees to quit tobacco
  • Evaluate your progress and success, and adapt your plan accordingly

The Tobacco Prevention Program recently acknowledged Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point in its efforts to maintain a Smoke Free Campus policy, in which the hospital’s staff is leading by example.

Tobacco Free’s Quit Your Way program offers free Phone Quit, Group Quit and Web Quit services, in addition to individual tools like text support, a Quit Guide and helpful emails.

Free nicotine replacement therapy (patches, gum or lozenges) also are available to tobacco users age 18 and older, if medically appropriate.

For information, visit TobaccoFreeFlorida.com/quityourway.

Chalk Talk 04/15/2020

By

From left: Heather Fiorentino, Katherine Johnson, Madeline Pumariega, PHSC president Timothy L. Beard, Carol Morsani, Tonjua Williams and South Campus Hillsborough Community College president Jennifer Wells China. Not pictured: Susan Duval. (Courtesy of Pasco-Hernando State College)

Women in education
Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) honored six women with Trailblazer awards at the Empowered! PHSC Women in Education Conference.

The awards recognize women who have made a different in education within the community or their profession.

The honorees were:

  • Susan Duval, board chair of the Hernando County School Board
  • Heather Fiorentino, former superintendent of Pasco County Schools
  • Katherine Johnson, Ed.D., president emerita of PHSC
  • Carol Morsani, director of the Frank and Carol Morsani Foundation, and a philanthropist and community leader in the Tampa Bay area
  • Madeline Pumariega, Ph.D., executive vice president and provost of Tallahassee Community College, and former chancellor of the Florida College System
  • Tonjua Williams, Ph.D., president of St. Petersburg College

Paying it forward
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce presented a combined $14,250 in donations to local youth groups, civic clubs and scholarships at the annual Pigz Pay it Forward Dinner. The event takes place every year to recognize volunteers and sponsors involved in the Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Fest.

The chamber will give out $5,000 in scholarships to Zephyrhills High School graduating seniors, which will include a $1,000 performing arts scholarship, a $1,000 Turn Around scholarship, and six academic scholarships.

Classroom grants awarded
ArtsFirst, the public-private collaboration between the First National Bank of Pasco and the Pasco County School Board, has distributed the first and second quarter fine arts classroom grants to 13 area schools.

The first-quarter grants were given to Dr. John Long Middle School in Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills High School, Rodney B. Cox Elementary School in Dade City, Sanders Memorial Elementary School in Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel High School, and Pasco Elementary and Pasco Middle schools in Dade City.

The second-quarter grants were awarded to Veterans Elementary School in Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes High School, Schraeder Elementary in Bayonet Point, the Harry Schwettman Education Center in New Port Richey, Calusa Elementary School in New Port Richey, and Pine View Middle School in Land O’ Lakes.

Grant funds were used to purchase a wide variety of fine arts tools, supplies, technology, and even costumes.

Student achievements

  • Kaylyn Burroughs, of Odessa, was initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at the University of Tampa
  • Emily Gerber, of Odessa, was selected for inclusion on St. Lawrence University’s Dean’s List for academic achievement. Gerber is a member of the Class of 2020 and is majoring in conservation biology. St. Lawrence University is in Canton, New York.
  • Kayla Whittyngham, of Lutz, was initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at the University of Tampa

Saint Leo reschedules commencement

NOTE: Commencements have since been canceled for June 1.
As a result of stronger guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding large group gatherings, Saint Leo University’s commencement ceremonies, originally scheduled for May 2 at the Florida State Fairgrounds, have been rescheduled for June 1.

The Saint Leo Under the Stars graduation celebration and Baccalaureate Mass have been rescheduled for May 31.

Due to the ever-changing dynamics of the pandemic and its ramifications, visit SaintLeo.edu/coronavirus for updated information.

Virtual MOSI
As Virtual MOSI (Museum of Science and Industry) enters its third week, The Imagine School of Land O’ Lakes has started using the program as part of engagement curriculum for the second grade.

JoAnn Slay, second-grade math and science teacher at the school, said, in a release, “MOSI in Motion has been a great addition to our online science experience. By adding the MOSI in Motion link to my Google Classroom page and encouraging the kids to view the daily experience, my kids have started exploring other science topics on their own. They are becoming more curious and more involved in their own learning.”

The children leave comments about the videos, and the first experiment about gravity aligned with the unit the class was starting on forces and motion, Slay said.

MOSI will continue to produce content for its Virtual MOSI program as long as needed during these unusual times.

Content plans also included a Forensics Week and a Chemistry Week.

For information, visit Facebook.com/MOSIinMotionTampa.

Louis is a feisty one

By

Louis is a 13-year-old Pomeranian. He is very sweet and always has a smile on his face. Louis loves to run around the house barking and enjoys playing with his toys. He lives in Tampa, but has a very special bond with his grandma, Patty Lohn, of Wesley Chapel. Louis visits often, unless there is a pandemic.

Voicing its opinion

By

Ring-billed gulls often congregate around humans, parking lots, at garbage dumps, and freshly plowed fields. While the species is common on coastal beaches, particularly during winter, many ring-billed gulls lead inland lives, never setting eyes on the sea. This ring-billed gull, taken by Lillian Cucuzza of Land O’ Lakes, looks like it’s voicing its opinion on a touchy subject.

Health News 04/08/2020

By

New appointments

Dr. Rosario Tucci

• Access Health Care Physicians appointed Dr. Rosario Tucci, primary care physician, to its staff. Dr. Tucci received her medical degree from Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Facultad de Medicina de San Fernando, Lima, Peru. She completed her medical internship at Hospital del Maestro in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

She also is fluent in both her native Spanish and English, and conversationally skilled in American Sign Language.

Dr. Tucci will practice in Hudson and can be reached at (727) 378-8503.

• North Tampa Behavioral Health’s newly appointed leadership started at the facility last December:

Clint Hauger, CEO, has more than five years of experience as a behavioral health executive, and spent the last five years as the CEO of Palmetto Lowcountry Behavioral Health in Charleston, South Carolina.

Lorenzo Rivera, director of human resources, previously served as the manager of human resources at Belmont Behavioral Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He has more than eight years of experience as a human resources professional in behavioral health care.

Dr. Joseph Pino

• Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point has appointed Dr. Joseph Pino has program director for hospice and palliative care, and as site director for geriatrics in the hospital’s Graduate Medical Education Program.

Dr. Pino has served the community since 1984, first as a practicing physician. He is board certified in family medicine, geriatrics, and hospice and palliative medicine.

In December 2013, he became the first chief medical officer at Bayonet Point, a position he has had until now.

 

Organ donations
LifeLink of Florida provided a record number of organs for transplant (756 organs transplanted in 2019) because of the generosity of 262 organ donors and their families. This marks the most organ donors facilitated by LifeLink of Florida during a year, with nearly a 7% increase over last year, according to a LifeLink news release.

LifeLink of Florida credits the support of donor families, the forethought of individuals who chose to join their state donor registry, continuously improved processes, staff commitment to excellence, strong hospital relationships and education, and community partnerships and public education.

Chalk Talk 04/08/2020

By

Seth Mann
Ron May

New leadership
The Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) Foundation has elected new leaders for the Board of Directors for 2020.

Officers serve a voluntary two-year term, while new members are appointed to annual terms.

Ronald May, of Trinity, was nominated chair, and R. Seth Mann, of Dade City, was elected as vice chair.

The PHSC Foundation Board also welcomed two new directors, including Morris Porton, of Spring Hill, and Ashley Policastri, of Tampa.

Tips for learning disabled students
With schools now shuttering for extended periods due to the coronavirus disease-19 pandemic, public and private schools are using distance learning as “Plan B” for educating kindergarten through 12th grade students.

For the students receiving special education services for specific learning disabilities, the change can prove particularly jarring, according to a news release from Beacon College in Leesburg.

“Learning how to learn in a new way is often more difficult for them than the material they are trying to master,” said Dr. Nicki Nance, a licensed mental health counselor and associate professor of human services and psychology at Beacon College.

Nance, along with Dr. Oksana Hagerty, an educational and developmental psychologist at Beacon’s Center for Student Success, developed a list of 10 tips to help students adjust to this new reality.

  • Maintain a healthy balance between consistency and flexibility. Establish times for schoolwork, but give the child some freedom regarding what, in what order, or how to do the work.
  • Be specific. Avoid directives, such as “Start on Page 5 and finish in the evening,” which can add anxiety. Draft a straightforward to-do list and ask the child to check or cross off each completed item.
  • Press replay. Be prepared to repeat information, as well as skills, several times if necessary.
  • Expect evaporation. Be prepared to see information or skills fade after a few days. Just remember to press replay.
  • Take time for adventures. Stage a waste basket 3-point shootout, play a game of “Name That Tune,” or plan a treasure hunt, and then provide a special treat.
  • Establish rewards at short intervals. Parents can give praise, offer a treat or a break, or take a selfie when a certain task has been completed.
  • Provide reassurance. Assure the child that most, or all, of the struggles are less related to the learning difference and more related to the fast change everyone is facing.
  • Be transparent about your own struggles. If you are working from home, tell the student about your struggles. Children learn from watching you.
  • Listen. Ask your student for ideas about what might make the work easier.
  • Take breaks. A child needs breaks in order to focus, and you will need breaks in order to be there and be present for the child.

Cambridge cancels exams
Cambridge International has announced that the May/June examinations for Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge O Level, Cambridge International AS & A Level, Cambridge AICE Diploma and Cambridge Pre-U will not take place this year due to the coronavirus disease-19 pandemic.

Cambridge will be working with schools to assess students’ achievements using the best available evidence.

Students will receive a grade and a certificate from Cambridge International, given the knowledge and skills they have acquired in their programs of study. This will ensure students do not face disadvantage as a result of these extraordinary circumstances.

Also, Cambridge will provide guidance to schools on how students will receive the grades. It is talking to universities worldwide and is factoring these unprecedented circumstances into admission decisions, so students can continue with their education journeys as soon as possible.

Pasco leadership and Cambridge teachers are in communication with Cambridge, regarding specific details on Florida Bright Futures and college credit.

Private school honor
Academy at the Lakes, an independent and nondenominational private school in Land O’ Lakes, was voted the Most Loved Private School in the Wesley Chapel-Lutz area for 2020 by Hulafrog, a local website for parents.

“We are excited to be voted the ‘Most Loved Private School’ by Hulafrog,” said Mark Heller, the head of school, in a release.

“Our parents’ support is everything to us and we want to thank everyone who voted for us. We always strive to give our kids the best,” Heller added.

The goal of Academy at the Lakes’ curriculum is to help students develop their skills in six key areas that are necessary for success in academics, the workplace and the global market. These areas are: citizenship, collaboration, communication, creativity, critical thinking, and character.

Hulafrog is a nationwide network of local websites for parents and covers the best local events and kid-friendly activities for parents and students.

To learn more, visit Hulafrog.com.

Veterans breakfast hosted
Saint Leo University recently hosted the Empowering Pasco’s Veterans breakfast and fundraiser.

The school serves close to 5,000 student-veterans and military affiliated students, said Dr. Jen Shaw, vice president of Student Affairs, in a news release.

More than 50 veterans, as well as multiple Pasco County leaders and businesspeople attended the event.

Saint Leo was ranked No. 1 in the United States for educating veterans in Military Rimes Best for Vets: Colleges 2020.

Superintendent honored
Hillsborough County Public Schools Superintendent Jeff Eakins received the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA’s 2020 Community Impact Award, for his dedication and positive impact on Tampa Bay residents.

Previous recipients included U.S. Rep Kathy Castor, Jeff and Penny Vinik, Doretha Edgecomb, Richard Gonzmart, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, Hillsborough County Commissioners Ken Hagan and Sandra Murman, former Florida CFO Alex Sink, former Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio and former Hillsborough County Superintendent MaryEllen Ella.

Tax collector suspends lobby service

By

As of March 24, lobby service at all five locations of the Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office has been suspended, temporarily, according to a news release.

Due to the severity and uncertainty of the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) outbreak, no in-person transactions will be conducted.

In lieu of lobby service, the five offices has begin to provide certain transactions through drive-thru services. These transactions are limited to automobile, boat and mobile home registration renewals, property tax payments and disabled parking permit applications.

Dealers may drop off work and expect it to be ready within 48 hours.

Customers should look for signs indicating the drive-thru area at each office.

Drive-thru services will be available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

The countywide tax collector’s call center will continue to operate during the time of the lobby closures, with the same hours as the drive-thru services.

For call center assistance, dial (727) 847-8032, (813) 235-6076 or (352) 521-4338.

Since most driver’s licenses and state-issued identification cards require an in-person transaction, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has issued an executive order that grants a 30-day extension of the due date for renewing those documents, which may currently be set to expire on or before April 15.

Any stops or holds that are currently on a driver’s license will not be removed by this executive order.

Customers are encouraged to utilize mail and online services, whenever possible.

To renew automobile registrations, visit PascoTaxes.com or GoRenew.com.

Published April 1, 2020