Mary Rathman

Students take part in ‘read-off’ to solve crime
Eighth-grade students at Pine View Middle School participated in a “read-off” to help solve a crime in the book “The Tell Tale Heart” by Edgar Allen Poe.

Corporal Elissa Elders briefed the students on a crime that happens in the book, and the students worked together to figure out the clues to solve the crime. Once all the clues were located, students found a key to a locked toolbox, which contained the necessary items to complete a project.

 

Lillian Reinisch receives education scholarship
More than 100 students in East Carolina University’s College of Education received a record

amount of scholarship support for this academic year.

The awards range from $250 to $20,000 with some open to all education students, while others are earmarked for specific education majors or programs.

Lillian Reinisch, of Land O’ Lakes, was a recipient of the Hattie M. Strong Foundation Scholarship, given to students enrolled in teacher-training programs.

‘Top dogs’ recognized

The Pilot Club of Zephyrhills hosted a luncheon to honor the First Quarter Top Dogs, recognized for the students’ academics and leadership roles in their schools.

The students who received a certificate and gold Top Dog tag were Quinton Graham, Diannette Fernandez, Dylan R. Johnson, Jacob Smith, Jainesse Lazu, Isabel Lugo, Collin Lindsey, Adela Reynel and Autumn Bayless.

Wiregrass Elementary dedication
Wiregrass Elementary School, 29732 Wiregrass School Road in Wesley Chapel, will host a dedication ceremony on Dec. 1 at 6 p.m.

There will be a short program, student performances and refreshments.

Fifth-grader selected for All-State ensemble
Luci Rhode, a fifth-grader at Land O’ Lakes Christian School, has been accepted to participate in one of two All-State elementary music ensembles.

Rhode will perform with the FEMA All-State Elementary Orff Ensemble on Jan. 13 at the Tampa Convention Center. She was chosen through a competitive audition process among more than 875 elementary school students from across Florida.

The performance will take place as part of the Florida Music Educators Professional Development Conference (Jan. 11 to Jan. 13), where there will be more than 8,000 music educators, music students, music exhibitors and music advocates, including more than 250 clinic sessions, concerts and exhibits.

Student gets NASA scholarship
Pasco-Hernando State College student Desirae Binney, of Hudson, received a scholarship to participate in a five-week online course offered by the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars, and to attend a hands-on workshop at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Kennedy Space Center in Port Canaveral.

During the online course, Binney planned a robotic rover mission to Mars. At the workshop, she received hands-on experience to develop problem-solving skills as a team member.

Binney plans on completing her associate in arts degree, with an emphasis on STEM courses, followed by studying aerospace engineering or astrophysics at the university level.

Gulf High hosts World F.A.I.R.
Gulf High School, in New Port Richey, hosted the 2016 World F.A.I.R. (food and art for international relief) on Nov. 11 in the school’s activity center.

The student-led event educates students about other cultures and customs to broaden their horizons and expose them to how people in other countries live.

The students operated individual country booths that displayed factual information. Participants dressed in their country’s traditional clothing, performed dances and dramatic readings, and made or purchased food and souvenirs from all over the world.

Elementary and middle school students in the Gulf High feeder pattern attended by grade level during the day.

Proceeds from the event benefited local charities.

The Laker/Lutz News likes to spotlight local school news in our Chalk Talk section every week. Send us your photos, events, accomplishments, etc., so our communities can see what your school is up to! Submissions can be emailed to .

Raymond visits Lutz students
The Tampa Bay Rays’ mascot, Raymond, paid a visit to McKitrick Elementary School in Lutz for a school program/pep rally in October. Raymond hams it up with student Jacob Babajanof, who wrote a letter to the Rays organization.

 

 

 

 

 

Instructional job fair
Pasco County Schools will host a job fair for teachers and student services employees on Nov. 10 from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Anclote High School, 1540 Sweetbriar Drive in Holiday.

Positions are available at the elementary, middle and high school levels in these areas: reading, math, science, school nurse, behavioral analyst, and emotion and behavioral disorders/autism spectrum disorder. There are also other positions available.

Applicants can get on-the-spot interviews and prizes for participating.

For information, visit PascoSchools.org/HR.

PHSC honors patriots
Pasco-Hernando State College will host an “Honor Our Patriots” program at the East Campus in Dade City, 36727 Blanton Road, on Nov. 10 at 11 a.m.

The program will include a salute to the flag, followed by a panel discussion on military experiences and the transition back to civilian life. Local veteran services and resource organizations will be in attendance.

Light refreshments will be served. Admission is free.

For information, visit PHSC.edu/calendar.

Literacy coach training
Bee Bully-Free will offer free literacy coach and child protection training on Nov. 13 at 3 p.m., at Goin’ Postal HQ, 4941 Fourth St., in Zephyrhills, for ages 18 and older. Participants can learn to build children’s reading prowess, confidence and social skills through this volunteer program. No experience is necessary.

Class size is limited. For information or to RSVP by Nov. 11, call (813) 782-1500, ext. 104, or email .

Free college workshop
The New Tampa Regional Library, 10001 Cross Creek Blvd., will offer “College Matters: Avoid Costly Mistakes and Discover Funding” on Nov. 14 at 6 p.m. This is a free educational workshop designed for parents of high school students.

For information, visit HCPLC.org.

IB programme info nights
The Land O’ Lakes High School International Baccalaureate Programme will host these community information nights for prospective applicants.

Parents and guardians of current eighth-grade public, charter and private school students can attend. All the sessions are from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• Nov. 14 at John Long Middle School, 2025 Mansfield Blvd., Wesley Chapel, in the cafeteria
• Nov. 17 at Weightman Middle School, 30649 Wells Road in Wesley Chapel, in the cafeteria

For information, contact Jeff Morgenstein at (813) 794-9429 or .

Mathematics competition
The American Mathematics Competition 8 will take place at Saint Leo University, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo, on Nov. 15 at 6 p.m.

The competition, developed by the Mathematical Association of America, challenges middle-schoolers to apply problem-solving skills with 25 multiple-choice questions to be answered within 40 minutes.

Questions may cover percentages, estimation, elementary geometry, graphs and other topics.

Those interested in participating, can contact Monika Kiss at (352) 588-8836, or , with the phrase “AMC8” in the subject line.

Scholarship fundraiser
The GFWC Tampa Junior Woman’s Club will host “LuLa with a Cause” on Nov. 16 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., at 2901 Bayshore Blvd., in Tampa. A portion of the proceeds from sales will benefit the club’s TIGER Scholarship, awarded yearly to assist a Tampa Bay area person in furthering their education.

For information, call Heather Coil at (813) 435-8449.

School board names new schools
The District School Board of Pasco County has named the new elementary school under construction in Land O’ Lakes “Bexley Elementary School” and the new high school under construction in Wesley Chapel “Cypress Creek High School.”

The board approved both school names unanimously.

Suggestions were accepted from the community for school names from Aug. 29 through Oct. 1. There were a total of 23 submissions for the elementary school and 70 submissions for the high school.

Bexley Elementary is scheduled to open in August on Ballantrae Boulevard, in the Bexley Ranch community.

Cypress Creek High also is scheduled to open in August on Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel.

CareerSource Pasco Hernando receives grant
The United States Department of Justice and Labor announced CareerSource Pasco Hernando as one of 10 awardees for Project Re-Start. The nearly $500,000 grant represents a partnership between CareerSource Pasco Hernando and the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center to provide marketable skills and job searching pathways to individuals approaching release.

To increase and improve re-entry outcomes for current and former incarcerated individuals, each will be required to participate in a 20-hour work maturity skills training, which combines computer-based and instructor led materials.

The two-year grant provides current and former incarcerated individuals with job ready skills, and provides them an opportunity to develop new skills, such as typing, Microsoft Suite, QuickBooks, and Certified Production Technology to enhance employability.

Saint Leo honored for community service
Saint Leo University has been named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for 2015, for measurable acts of community service by students, faculty and staff.

The honor roll is part of the Corporation for National and Community Service’s strategic commitment to engage millions of college students in service and celebrate the critical role of higher education in strengthening communities, according to its website.

Saint Leo’s core values are excellence, respect, integrity, personal development, responsible stewardship, and community. These values are built into the students’ courses, as well as everyday life.

Adult education info session
Saint Leo University’s Adult Education Center will host an information session at the Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel on Nov. 3 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The session is open to anyone interested in learning more about Saint Leo University. Admissions representatives and advisors will be on site to discuss the various degrees offered.

Registration is taking place for the Spring 2 semester that begins Jan. 9.

For information, call Brooke Paquette at (352) 588-8879.

Scholarship fund auction
The second annual Sean Bartell Memorial Scholarship Quarter Auction will take place on Nov. 5 at 6 p.m., at Wolf’s Den diner on State Road 56 in Wesley Chapel. Paddles are $10 and bids are 25 cents, 50 cents, 75 cents and $1. All money raised will be donated to the scholarships given out at Wesley Chapel, Wiregrass Ranch and Zephyrhills high schools.

or information, contact Paul Bartell at (813) 416-9238 or .

Berkeley Prep open houses
Berkeley Preparatory School, 4811 Kelly Road in Tampa, will host these Admissions Open Houses:

• Nov. 6 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., for middle and upper divisions (grades six to 12). Registration begins at 1:30 p.m., followed by a program at 2 p.m., in The Lykes Center for the Arts.
• Nov. 10 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., for lower division (prekindergarten to grade five). Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., followed by a program at 9 a.m., in the Lower Division Activity Center.

For information, visit BerkeleyPrep.org/openhouse.

Mock debate/election
Saint Leo University students are participating in the Fall 2016 Alternate Reality Learning Experience, “The Presidency.”

Students from various disciplines created campaigns for a mock presidential election, including campaign managers, news media, party chairman and more.

The public is invited to this presidential debate and election on Nov. 7 at 6 p.m., in the Student Community Center boardrooms.

For information, email Jeff Borden at .

IB programme info nights
The Land O’ Lakes High School International Baccalaureate Programme will host three community information nights for prospective applicants.

Parents and guardians of current eighth-grade public, charter and private school students can attend. All the sessions are from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• Nov. 7 at Land O’ Lakes High School, 20325 Gator Lane, in the mini-theater
• Nov. 14 at John Long Middle School, 2025 Mansfield Blvd., Wesley Chapel, in the cafeteria
• Nov. 17 at Weightman Middle School, 30649 Wells Road in Wesley Chapel, in the cafeteria

For information, contact Jeff Morgenstein at (813) 794-9429 or .

Instructional job fair
Pasco County Schools will host a job fair for teachers and student services employees on Nov. 10 from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Anclote High School, 1540 Sweetbriar Drive in Holiday.

Positions are available at the elementary, middle and high school levels in these areas: reading, math, science, school nurse, behavioral analyst, and emotion and behavioral disorders/autism spectrum disorder. There are also other positions available.

Applicants can get on-the-spot interviews and prizes for participating.

For information, visit PascoSchools.org/HR.

Mathematics competition
The American Mathematics Competition 8 will take place at Saint Leo University, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo, on Nov. 15 at 6 p.m.

The competition, developed by the Mathematical Association of America, challenges middle-schoolers to apply problem-solving skills with 25 multiple-choice questions to be answered within 40 minutes.

Questions may cover percentages, estimation, elementary geometry, graphs and other topics.

Those interested in participating, can contact Monika Kiss at (352) 588-8836, or , with the phrase “AMC8” in the subject line.

Center for Arts opens
The Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel Inaugural 2016-2017 Season Art Gallery Exhibition kicked off on Oct. 27 with a ribbon cutting and opening reception. The dedicated art gallery will feature rotating student artwork.

The first exhibition will display artwork by Wesley Chapel High School students and will be on display through Nov. 19.

For information, call Sharon Strubbe at (813) 794-8747.

Citizens of the Month honored
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce recognized these students as Citizens of the Month for September: Koral Shirbach, Academy at the Farm; Sarah Thompson, East Pasco Adventist Academy; Grace Quinn, Saint Anthony Catholic School; Emma Buchanan, Centennial Elementary; Jacob Gamez, Lacoochee Elementary; Breanna Nicole Myers, Pasco Elementary; Jancarlos Sequen, Rodney B. Cox Elementary; Bellamy Buchholz, San Antonio Elementary; Jonathan Ponce, Centennial Middle School; Kellen Kender, Pasco Middle; Zoe Gaskins, James Irvin Education Center; and, Mariana Escudero, Pasco High School.

No hurricane makeup day for Pasco
The Pasco County Schools’ office for Information Technology Services reviewed the current bell schedules for each district school and determined that no instructional time will have to be made up relative to the hurricane day that occurred on Oct. 7.

Pasco County Schools officials canceled three days of school over concerns about severe weather associated with Hurricanes Hermine and Matthew. After cancelling school for two days because of Hermine, the district determined that there was enough instructional time built into school calendars to avoid makeup days.

Officials were unsure the third day could be absorbed, but determined that with some adjustments to schedules, all schools have a sufficient level of instructional seat time to meet statutory requirements, and students will not have to attend school during Thanksgiving break to make up for the Oct. 7 hurricane day.

However, if school is canceled another day prior to the break, a makeup day will be scheduled for Nov. 21.

Manufacturing Day tours
The Pasco County Schools Career and Technical Education Department partnered with the American Manufacturing Skills Initiative and Pasco-Hernando State College for middle and high school student manufacturing tours.

On Oct. 14, students from Sunlake High School visited Bay-Tech Industries and Pharma Works in Odessa.

On Oct. 28, students from Centennial Middle School will visit Nestle Waters in Zephyrhills.

Each group participates in a behind-the-scene tour, gains insight from managers, and interacts with shop workers on the floor.

Ninth-grader visits White House
Logan Beatty, a ninth-grade Land O’ Lakes High School International Baccalaureate student, visited The White House on Oct. 21, as one of President Barack Obama’s Kid Science Advisors.

The White House chose Beatty based on his Kid Science Advisor Initiative Essay Contest entry. He participated in a roundtable discussion about future STEM ideas with The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, senior administration officials, pioneers of scientific discovery, and other Kid Science Advisors.

Elementary STEAM night
Pasco-Hernando State College, along with the Pasco County School District, will host an “Elementary School STEAM Night” on Nov. 1 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the East Campus, 36727 Blanton Road in Dade City.

Students from Rodney B. Cox Elementary School and their families can participate in educational fun related to science, technology, engineering, arts and math.

The program, with hands-on activities, will include “Build a Body,” “Rocket Blast-Off,” “3-D Printer” and more.

National Merit Scholarship recognitions
The National Merit Scholarship Cooperation has recognized these local Pasco County high school students as National Merit Scholarship semifinalists or commended students.

Land O’ Lakes High School semifinalists: Carter Bright, Michael Gendreau, Navya Jampani, Maxwell Keenan and Nicholas Riley

Land O’ Lakes High commended: Isabella Brown, Evan Caine, Angela Fadil, Holly Galluppo, Simon Geller, Isabelle Langner, Lawrence Miller, Alyssa Nguyen, Ashley Rocks, Shivania Saini, Alexis Schuler and Jessica Twitmyer

Sunlake High: Karine Armas, National Hispanic Recognition Program

Wiregrass Ranch High semifinalist: Lauren Payne

Wiregrass Ranch High commended: Rachel Sawah

Zephyrhills High commended: Sarah First

Denham Oaks seeking partners
Denham Oaks Elementary School, 1422 Oak Grove Blvd., has been in the Lutz area for more than 20 years and is looking for businesses to support the school.

Sponsorship opportunities start at $25, and allow the business to build its brand among local residents while supporting education.

There also are opportunities to join the School Advisory Council or serve as a judge for the student arts contest.

For information, visit DOES.my-pta.org, or email .

Lights on Afterschool event

The Pasco County Schools’ PLACE afterschool program will host its fifth annual “Lights on Afterschool” event at Fivay High School, 12115 Chicago Ave., in Hudson, on Oct. 20 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The Pasco Learning and Activity Centers of Enrichment (PLACE) celebration will include the River Ridge High School JROTC’s color presentation, a parade of PLACE program students, activities for children and a student art exhibit.

The guest speaker will be Florida Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Sharon Carie. There also will be food and refreshments available for purchase to support several school-based organizations.

For information, call Maree Marian at (813) 794-2124.

Boundary committee meetings

The High School GGG Boundary Committee has added two additional meetings and a parent information night to its schedule, to review maps and demographics of affected schools and work on potential boundary options for the school under construction on Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel.

Committee meetings will be on Oct. 20 and Dec. 2 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

A parent meeting will take place on Nov. 29 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Boundary committee meetings are public meetings. Members of the public may attend as observers only.

All meetings are at Wesley Chapel High School, 30651 Wells Road.

To see documents considered by the committee, visit PascoSchools.org, and click on the Rezoning link on the right.

Bishop McLaughlin open house

Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School, 13651 Hays Road in Spring Hill, will host an admissions open house on Oct. 23 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Registration starts at 1:30 p.m., followed by a program at 2 p.m.

For information, call (727) 857-2600, ext. 244.

Bridge breaking at Saint Leo

Saint Leo University, 33701 State Road 52, in Lewis Hall, in St. Leo, will host its annual bridge-breaking contest on Oct. 26 at 7 p.m.

Students of all ages can watch the competition between other students in physics and engineering classes.

Saint Leo students have worked in teams to construct model bridges made with standard-issue kits of lightweight wood sticks and glue. The students bring the bridge entries to the competition, where faculty judges test how much stress and weight the bridges can bear. All the bridges break apart in a dramatic and entertaining testing process.

Admission and parking are free.

For information, contact Shawn Weatherford at (352) 588-8373 or .

Rasmussen career fair

Rasmussen College, 18600 Fernview St., in Land O’ Lakes, will host a free Community Career Fair on Oct. 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The event is open to students, graduates and community members, and is designed to help those in attendance advance their career.

Job-seekers will have the opportunity to network with potential employers, such as Walgreens, Women’s Care Florida and Access Health Care Physicians.

To learn more, visit Rasmussen.edu/student-life/events/careerfair.

Student-athlete named

Quentin Poteralski, of Lutz, has been named a student-athlete at Union College in New York.

Union College athletes are committed to the pursuit of academic and competitive excellence on the field and in the classroom.

Poteralski is a member of the football team.

Denham Oaks seeking partners

Denham Oaks Elementary School, 1422 Oak Grove Blvd., has been in the Lutz area for more than 20 years and is looking for businesses to support the school.

Sponsorship opportunities start at $25, and allow the business to build its brand among local residents while supporting education.

There also are opportunities to join the School Advisory Council or serve as a judge for the student arts contest.

For information, visit DOES.my-pta.org, or email .

Sponsor Student of the Month program

The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce has promoted the Student of the Month program for more than 20 years. Chamber businesses partner with local schools to encourage youth.

In most cases, the schools choose one student each month from September to May to be the winner of a trophy and T-shirt recognizing their achievement.

The business name is listed on the T-shirt, and the schools typically provide the business with the opportunity to visit the school each month and present the award.

The cost of a company to be a sponsor is $250 for the year.

Those interested in sponsoring a school or continuing a sponsorship from the previous year, can email the chamber office at , or fax to (813) 909-0827.

Donate shoes and socks for students

The Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office is participating in the new shoes and socks collection campaign to assist local students and families in need. A collaborative effort between Pasco County government and the school district, the “Two Good Soles” campaign, is seeking to collect as many new pairs of shoes and socks as possible.

All five tax collector’s offices will be collection sites for donations until Oct. 25, and will have a labeled collection box near the door.

For information and office locations, call Greg Giordano at (727) 847-8179.

Early childhood program

Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, 2348 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes, offers an Early Childhood Center through the state funded VPK program.

This is a faith-based structured preschool learning environment. The program starts at age 2, and focuses on phonetic awareness, letter recognition, writing skills, reading strategies and problem solving activities.

There are two sessions: a morning preschool program and an afternoon program. Extended hours are offered, if needed.

For information, contact Corrine Ertl, center director, at (813) 948-5999 or .