Mary Rathman

Pasco eSchool awarded $250
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point presented Pasco eSchool with a check for $250, for having the largest number of participants in this year’s Heart Walk. Shown, from left: Shayne George, CEO of Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point; and, teachers Deann Newton and Jeannie McDougal.

 

 

 

Lacoochee students surprised with clothing
Lacoochee Elementary School, in Dade City, and COPE/Shoes for Schools partnered to ensure the school’s students were prepared to return for the new school year in style.

The school and its staff surprised the students on the last day of summer school with donations — students could choose a free pair of shoes and clothing. Any leftover items were added to the Lacoochee’s Boys and Girls Closet, a year-round resource for students who need clothing items.

COPE/Shoes for Schools, a local nonprofit, provided the shoes, and Lacoochee Elementary and Seven Oaks Elementary School PTA members provided the clothing donations.

Fifth-graders prepare to lead
Oakstead Elementary School, 19925 Lake Patience Road in Land O’ Lakes, will host a Fifth Grade Leadership Retreat on Aug. 4 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Students will learn about leadership characteristics such as open-mindedness, integrity, authenticity and generosity. Fifth-grade Otters will participate in interactive team-building activities, analyze personality traits and learn what it means to pay it forward.

Students also will receive a T-shirt to wear on Fridays reminding them to be responsible leaders. The school is hoping to get a grant approved to purchase copies of “Pay It Forward” by Catherine Ryan Hyde to give to each fifth-grader.

For information, call Sandra Stine at (813) 346-1510.

School immunizations
These Florida Department of Health in Pasco County’s clinics will be open for back-to-school immunizations on Aug. 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — 10841 Little Road in New Port Richey and 4717 Airport Road in Zephyrhills.

No appointment is needed. For information, call (813) 364-5812, or visit Pasco.FloridaHealth.gov.

HopeFest in Wesley Chapel
The Freedom Center in Wesley Chapel will host “HopeFest” on Aug. 6 from noon to 4 p.m., at 27221 Foamflower Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

There will be free backpacks and school supplies, haircuts, face painting, a kids’ zone, raffles and food.

For information, call (813) 414-1664, or visit FreedomIsHere.org.

Backpack Bash
The Turning Point Church, Harvest Christian Fellowship, and the Dade City Youth Council will host a “Back to School Backpack Bash” on Aug. 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Turning Point Church, 14312 17th St., in Dade City.

There will be backpacks, school supplies, games, bounce houses, music, food and drinks, health resources and haircuts.

For information, call The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce at (352) 567-3769.

Health & Safety Fest
Premier Community Healthcare will host its third annual “Health & Safety Fest” on Aug. 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Lewis Abraham Boys & Girls Club, 38724 Mudcat Grant Blvd., in Dade City.

There will be free book bags with supplies to the first 250 students. The event also will include refreshments, giveaways, face painting, entertainment, health screenings and resources, and school physicals (limited slots available).

For information or to schedule a physical, call (352) 518-2000, ext. 9228.

New teacher breakfast
Cindy Stuart, school board member District 3, will host a “Welcome Back Breakfast” for new Carrollwood teachers at Gaither High School, 16200 N. Dale Mabry Highway, on Aug. 8 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.

The breakfast is sponsored by the Carrollwood Area Business Association. Sponsorships for the breakfast are available. Volunteers are appreciated. Donations also will be accepted for raffle prizes.

For information, contact Cindy Stuart at (813) 505-9590 or .

Woodland Elementary orientation
Woodland Elementary School will host a Meet the Teacher/Orientation Day on Aug. 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The school is currently registering new students.

Due to construction on the Woodland campus, registration will take place at West Zephyrhills Elementary, 37900 14th Ave., in Zephyrhills, Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Students entering kindergarten for the first time must be 5 years of age on or before Sept. 1. Prekindergarten and Head Start/Early Start programs are available to students who will not make the deadline.

For information about Woodland Elementary, call (813) 794-6400.

For information on students entering a Florida school for the first time, visit Pasco.k12.fl.us.

PHSC ranted in top ten
Pasco-Hernando State College was ranked as one of the top 10 two-year colleges in Florida, according to a newly released 2016 rankings from BestColleges.com.

PHSC was rated seventh on the list of Top Two-Year Colleges in Florida, which included both public and private institutions.

Affordability, enrollment and graduation rates, student outcomes, and other statistical data from the National Center for Education Statistics were taken into account.

For information, visit PHSC.edu.

Saint Leo names new director
Retired U.S. Army Col. Pamela Martis is the new director of Veteran Student Services for Saint Leo University.

Martis brings more than 25 years of leadership experience to the university, along with a desire to serve fellow veterans and their families.

Martis retired from active duty in 2013, having served 28 years. She was commissioned from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, Class of 1985, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in operations research management.

Martis earned a Master of Arts degree in Russian, Central European, East European and Eurasian studies from the University of Kansas. She also received a master’s degree from the National Defense University, Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

Following her graduation from the U.S. Military Academy, Martis served 4 ½ years in the artillery before transferring to the Military Police Corps.

Cox Elementary 90th
R.B. Cox Elementary School, in Dade City, is preparing for its 90th year celebration for alumni, current students, current and former staff, families, and the Dade City community, and is asking for photos and memories. The school also will create a montage video, and are looking for alumni interested in being interviewed.

The first event of several celebrations will be the “90th Year Celebration Kickoff” on Sept. 30 at the elementary school.

If you would like to share photos, memories or be interviewed, email .

For information about the celebration, call Margaret “Megan” Fortunato at (727) 644-8561.

Chamberlain High 50th
The Chamberlain High School Class of 1966 is planning a 50-year class reunion on Oct. 14 and Oct. 15. The committee needs help locating the Class of 1966 graduates.

If you graduated in 1966 and would like to have your name included for future updates and information, send your name (including maiden name), email, current address, home and/or cellphone number, and spouse’s name to

If you know anyone else in the class who has not yet been contacted, email their name and contact information to the same email address.