The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

Chalk Talk 12/20/2023

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The Montrond family received a red carpet welcome when they moved into a home provided through PulteGroup’s Built to Honor program, in partnership with Building Homes for Heroes. (Courtesy of Building Homes for Heroes)

Gold Star daughter graduates
Nazeraeh Montrond, a Gold Star daughter who received a brand-new, mortgage-free home in Wesley Chapel in August 2022, graduated from the University of South Florida on Dec. 8.

Nazeraeh lost her father, Army Sgt. Alberto Montrond, in February 2006 to an IED explosion in Afghanistan. In March 2021, Nazeraeh’s mother passed away after a two-year battle with cancer, leaving her the primary caregiver to her three siblings.

Nazeraeh graduated with a bachelor’s degree in health sciences, while raising her two brothers and sister and managing the demands of a full-time job.

She plans to begin her occupational therapy doctoral program at Nova Southeastern University next summer.

Internships at USF
The University of South Florida researchers are looking for University Area Community residents, ages 16 and older, to become paid interns, to help clean up and redevelop Aaran’s Pond at the corner of N. 15th Street and 131st Avenue in Tampa.

Interns can learn how to study water quality, explore new technologies for treating pollutants, and discover preferences for pond redevelopment. There is a flexible schedule of 10 hours per week, from January to May.

For more information, call 813-974-2337, or email .

Pasco County Schools maintain B grade
Pasco County Schools maintained a B grade for 2023, according to the district grades and school grades released by the Florida Department of Education (DOE). These are informational baseline grades. Pasco has maintained a B grade since 2017. 

“I’m pleased to see what our schools have accomplished, and two (50%) of our schools are no longer at an F status,” said Superintendent of Schools Kurt Browning, in a news release.

“Now that we have the baseline grades, our teachers and administrators are focused on these data and planning for greater accomplishments based on this mid-year reflection. These data will help us to make informed decisions about improvements for the remainder of the year.”

Seventy-seven percent of Pasco schools earned an A, B or C grade, and half of Pasco’s schools earned As and Bs. Of the district’s 94 schools, 26 received an A. Three of the schools moved up from a B to an A. Other highlights this year include 12 schools increased their overall grade, the release says.

Six schools received an “I” (incomplete). Pasco County Schools will be looking at appeals for these schools and will know more information about why they received an “I” once the data file is received. Often, an “I” is given to schools that do not meet the participation rate.

For more information on school-by-school and district level grades, visit FLDOE.org/accountability/accountability-reporting/school-grades/theFlorida.

(Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

Delivering cheer during the holiday season
Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club delivered Christmas bundles of gifts for distribution to families in need at three local schools: Denham Oaks Elementary (shown here), Miles Elementary and Lutz K-8. For more club information or membership opportunities, visit FWCLutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org or its Facebook page.

Student achievements
-Abigail Greene, of Lutz, was named to the fall Dean’s List at Pennsylvania Western University, California, Pennsylvania.
-Maxwell Gebhart, of Wesley Chapel, earned his Master of Science in Biology from Minnesota State University-Mankato. The school awarded 1,772 degrees to 1,617 students at the end of the fall 2023 semester.

Best College Towns
WalletHub released its report on 2024’s Best & Worst College Towns & Cities in America, as a follow-up to its College & University Rankings.

The top Best Large College Towns, ranked from first to 10th: Austin, Texas; Orlando; Tampa; Las Vegas, Nevada; Raleigh, North Carolina; Atlanta, Georgia; Miami; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Columbus, Ohio; and Seattle, Washington

The Best Mid-size College Towns, from first to 10th: Scottsdale, Arizona; Gainesville; Boise, Idaho; Tempe, Arizona; Charleston, South Carolina; Salt Lake City, Utah; St. Petersburg; Tallahassee; Cary, North Carolina; and Irvine, California.

The only city in Florida to make the top 10 in Best Small College Towns was Boca Raton, in the 10th spot.

WalletHub also offered these tips to finding a good college town:

  • Check out school rankings.
  • Don’t focus only on academics.
  • Consider the costs.
  • Talk to alumni.

For a full report, visit WalletHub.com/edu/e/best-worst-college-cities-and-towns-in-america/8974.

Pasco Citizens Academy
The Pasco Citizens Academy is for those interested in gaining a deep understanding of Pasco County’s budget development, the county’s structure and the essential functions of its constitutional officers and departments. Students of the academy will engage directly with elected officials, state agency partners, department directors and county staff.

Participants can become well-informed ambassadors for the community and eligible to serve on advisory boards and volunteer.

The Spring 2024 session is limited to 25 participants. Apply online at PascoCountyFl-services.app.transform.civicplus.com/forms/26223.

For information and questions, call 727-847-8115, or email .

Santa and his Elf help to make spirits bright

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(Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club wrapped up its 44th annual Arts & Crafts Show on an upbeat note. Large crowds came out for Christmas shopping and fun, despite some threatening clouds. The Carrollwood Cultural Center orchestra played holiday favorites and visitors enjoyed an array of foods. Local artist Terry Smith was awarded Best of Show in the juried art show. Proceeds from the event will benefit the community through the woman’s club. Here, the club’s own Santa (Les Saland) and his elf helper wife (April Saland) take a quick break for a photo.

Health News 12/13/2023

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Staff announcements
HCA Florida Bayonet Hospital, 14000 Fivay Road in Hudson, announced Ken Holder has joined its team as the director of Communications and Community Engagement.

Ken Holder

Holder comes to the facility with 45 years of experience in professional federal and corporate communications, strategic communications and public affairs/community outreach, and most recently worked for Vistra Communications.

His career including tours of duty with the U.S. Army Recruiting Command, Headquarters Department of the Army, U.S. Army Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (USASDDC), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and Installation Management Command.

Adam Copher

He is the recipient of many honors, including Department of Defense awards, the Public Relations Society of American Silver Anvil, the USACE Public Affairs Officer of the Year Award and the Department of the Army Superior Civilian Service Awards (three times).

Holder also was selected by the Under Secretary of the Army for Civil Works to head up communication efforts following the effects of Hurricane Sandy on the Northeast.

The hospital also has named Adam Copher as its new chief nursing officer. Copher will provide strategic leadership for the hospital’s nursing department, manage clinical quality and patient safety, and direct the recruitment, training and professional development of its growing nursing staff.

The Bayonet facility continues to add registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and other essential staff. The hospital this year has hired 111 full-time nurses.

Prior to joining Bayonet Point Hospital, Copher served as chief nursing officer at HCA Florida Pasadena Hospital in St. Petersburg.

Copher joined HCA Healthcare in 2017 as a nurse director for multiple acute care units at HCA Florida Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville. He was later promoted to associate chief nursing officer at HCA Florida Trinity Hospital.

Caregiving survival tips
The holidays add expectations to the average person — preparing holiday meals, buying gifts for the family, traveling to visit loved ones — which can put a strain on caregivers who plan the celebrations for their loved one’s needs.

Setting realistic expectations for the holidays is important because increased demands can lead to burnout. It is important to remember the holidays may never look the same and to create new traditions.

Jennifer L. FitzPatrick, founder of the full-service health care education organization Jenerations Health Education Inc., has more than 20 years of experience in health care, according to a news release. She is a gerontology instructor at Johns Hopkins University’s Certificate on Aging program. Her mission is to help health care organizations and professionals grow while empowering patients and their caregivers, the release says.

FitzPatrick offers these tips for caregivers during the holidays:

  • Buy pre-prepped food or food already prepared.
  • Plan flexibility into your holiday schedule.
  • Keep celebrations small so as not to overstimulate your loved one.
  • Be patient.
  • Watch for signs of cognitive decline in loved ones you haven’t seen.
  • Plan extra time for loved ones to get dressed in their best.
  • Have a backup plan if your loved one isn’t feeling up to it.
  • Make arrangements with care homes, hospitals or doctors in advance.
  • Prepare food your loved one can eat ahead of time if they have dietary restrictions.
  • Anticipate any other guest’s experience, such as autism, grief, allergies, etc.
  • Make time for yourself and your needs.
  • Instruct guests on accommodations, such as putting things in certain places for blind family members or avoiding sudden loud noises that could trigger meltdowns.
  • Don’t take your loved one’s reaction to the holidays personally.

Chalk Talk 12/13/2023

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Savory networking for students
Chad Mallo, Angeline Academy of Innovation business instructor, wanted his Entrepreneurship Academy students to have the ability to augment what they have learned in the classroom about focus groups and surveys and be able to apply that knowledge by networking with local startup companies.

He took the opportunity to have a local business owner come to the school to simulate what they learned in their textbook and make it real-world.

Mallo was able to leverage the standards that his students learn in the classroom and provide the students with an authentic real-world experience by networking with Pasco Economic Development, Dan Mitchell with SMARTstart Incubator and local start-up Dre’s Island Food Services, when students taste-tested a brand new sauce from Dre’s.

Angeline Academy of Innovation students taste-tested a brand-new sauce with business owner Chef Keary Simms of Dre’s Island Food Services, and EDC SMARTstart Program Director Dan Mitchell, along with business teacher Chad Mallo. (Courtesy of Chad Mallo)
Alexander Brigagao, center, expresses his excitement to taste-test a sauce sample.
Angeline Academy student Lucca Woodard, center, samples an item from Dre’s Island Food Services.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Teen study session
The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12119 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, will host a Teen Time Study Session on Dec. 20 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., for grades eight to 12. Students can link up with a peer or simply make use of a quiet place to study. For information, call 727-815-7126.

Congressional Award bestowed
Alyssa Hayman, of Steinbrenner High School in Lutz, has been awarded the Congressional Award Bronze Medal — Congress’ highest recognition for civilian youth. The medal honors youth for their commitment to voluntary public service, as well as personal development and physical fitness, according to a news release.

Hayman earned the medal by completing at least 100 hours of voluntary public service (sharing their time and talent for the betterment of the community), 50 hours of personal development (developing social and life skills as well as interests), and 50 hours of physical fitness (spent in any way to improve their health and quality of life). Additionally, participants must spend at least two days and one night exploring a new environment or culture.

Hayman has been working to achieve the award for more than seven months, the minimum time frame to earn the Bronze Medal.

Any interested motivated student, age 14 through 24, can participate in the award program by setting and achieving individual challenge goals as listed above. The award adapts to meet the needs of every participant as they set goals according to their own interests and level of abilities.

Congressional Awards are earned, not “won,” the release says.

For more information about the program, call 202-226-0130, or email .

Keelin Dailey (Courtesy of Dawn Dailey)

Student enters National All-American Miss
Keelin Dailey, an eighth-grader at Pine View Middle School, represented Land O’ Lakes in the National All-American Miss pageant in Orlando, in the preteen age division. Dailey placed as third runner-up in the nation in the Photogenic category.

Dailey said she started entering pageants to boost her confidence, to learn important life skills like public speaking and interviewing, to have fun dressing up in fancy outfits, and to make new friends around the state and around the country.

Dailey noted the act of kindness she experienced from other pageant contestants inspired her to create Keelin’s Be Kind project — she visits the elementary school across the street from Pine View Middle and has been invited to elementary schools around Pasco County to read books to kindergarteners and first-graders.

The student said, “Pageants are an amazing way I can express myself for who I am!” in an essay she wrote for her yearbook advisor.

Dailey also loves to travel, shop, go mudding, and is a black belt in Taekwondo.

Cyberbullying doesn’t stop during holiday break
Students may go on holiday break, but cyberbullying won’t, according to a news release from Stand for the Silent, an organization on a mission to help eliminate bullying nationwide. Kirk and Laura Smalley founded the group after their child took his own life due to bullying.

Cyberbullying can kick into high gear over the holidays with most kids having access to platforms where the bullying can take place and others getting new electronic devices as gifts.

Kirk noted in the release that parents must know about cyberbullying to prevent it, and to put an end to it when it does occur.

“It is an issue that we all need to know about because we are just about all online at one point or another,” said Kirk.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in six high school students report having been cyberbullied. Students in middle school tend to experience the highest amounts of cyberbullying, followed by those in high school. Elementary students do not experience it nearly as much, but the issues and concerns stretch across all academic years.

Parents are urged to know the dangers and realities of cyberbullying and to learn how to identify it taking place and what to do about it.

These are signs that may point to a child being cyberbullied, according to the release:

  • Pulling away from using technology when they used to like it
  • Being secretive about being online or on their phone
  • Quickly turning off a screen when a parent enters the room
  • Behaving nervously when using technology
  • Begins avoiding usual behaviors that they typically enjoy
  • Being upset or mad after using their phone
  • Withdrawing from their family or friends
  • Deleting their social media accounts or creating new ones
  • Noticeable changes in their mood or having difficulty sleeping

Those interested in getting involved can start a chapter in their group, get free curriculum at StandForTheSilent.org/schools/bullyfreeclassrooms/, host a presentation at their school, or donate to help support the cause. For more information, visit StandForTheSilent.org.

Dobby is the sweetest dog

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Dobby was adopted in July 2022 from the Mercy Full Project in Tampa that rescued him from a not-so-loving home. He is named after the elf from Harry Potter. Dobby plays all day and gets a lot of treats, and he just wants to be loved. Dobby lives with his proud parents, Tyler Staggs and Noel Damouni, in Land O’ Lakes.

Nature at its best

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A roseate spoonbill and a white ibis stopped by in the early morning hours in Bonnie Caston’s backyard in Zephyrhills. It appears the pair may have been discussing plans for the day! 

Postal Service launches Santa Letter Adoption campaign

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The United States Postal Service (USPS) has launched Operation Santa Letter Adoption for those interested in sending children and families some holiday magic this season.

The campaign turns 111 years old this year and relies solely on random acts of kindness and the generosity of strangers, according to a USPS news release.

(Courtesy of United States Postal Service)

The operation allows people to help children and families have a magical holiday when they otherwise might not – safely and securely. Santa Letter is not a guaranteed gift-giving program.

Since Sept. 18, the postal service has received letters from across the country and has been delivering them to Santa’s U.S. workshop, 123 Elf Road, North Pole 88888. Letters sent with First-Class Mail postage and complete, accurate and legible return addresses have been opened, reviewed and posted on USPSOperationSanta.com, the release says.

Those interested in the program can begin reading and adopting letters now.

Potential adopters must visit USPSOperationSanta.com to register and have their identity verified. Once verified, the adopter will receive a welcome email with detailed information on how to participate in the program. Adopters can read letters and choose one or more to fulfill.

Once a letter is chosen, adopters must follow the directions they receive in their welcome email to ship gifts. (Adopters are responsible for postage fees to ship the packages.)

Letter adoptions began Nov. 20; Dec. 11 is the last day to send letters to Santa; and Dec. 18 is the last day to adopt letters and the recommended date to ship packages.

For details about the program and how to get involved, visit USPSOperationSanta.com.

Published December 06, 2023

Daystar thrift store announces new hours

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Daystar Hope Center of Pasco has announced new hours for its thrift store this winter season, as its inventory must be reduced for remodeling.

(Courtesy of Daystar Hope Center of Pasco)

The store will be open the first Saturday of each month, from 9 a.m. to noon. Items for sale include clothing, baby/kid stuff, electronics, home entertainment, exercise equipment, sporting goods, furniture, household items, tools, and more, according to a news release.

Daystar is a local charity dedicated to serving the disadvantaged people of the area. At present, more than 500 families are provided with food, clothing, medicine, rent assistance, utilities assistance, temporary housing, transportation assistance, referral assistance with governmental agencies, and more, according to its mission statement.

Daystar Hope Center is located at 15512 U.S. 301 in Dade City, 1.3 miles north of downtown Dade City, at the northeast corner of U.S. 301 and Pioneer Museum Road. Additional overflow parking is available across the street at the Dade City Business Center.

The thrift store will operate with its normal hours on weekdays — Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon.

For more information, contact Glen Thompson at 352-567-7449 or .

Health News 12/06/2023

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Trinity hospital garners 47 awards
HCA Florida Trinity Hospital, 9330 State Road 54 in Trinity, announced its 2024 recognitions released by Healthgrades, according to a news release. The recognitions reflect the Trinity hospital’s dedication to delivering better-than-expected clinical outcomes categories, the release said.

  • Best Specialty: America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Orthopedic Surgery; America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Vascular Surgery; America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Gastrointestinal Care; America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Gastrointestinal Surgery America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Critical Care; America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Surgical Care
  • Cardiac: Five-Star Recipient for Coronary Interventional Procedures; Five-Star Recipient for Treatment of Heart Attack
  • Orthopedics: Orthopedic Surgery Excellence Award; 2024 Joint Replacement Excellence Award; Top 5% in the Nation for Overall Orthopedic Services; 10% in the Nation for Overall Orthopedic Services; Top 10% in the Nation for Joint Replacement; Five-Star Recipient for Total Knee Replacement; Five-Star Recipient for Hip Fracture Treatment
  • Neurosciences: 2024 Stroke Care Excellence Award; Top 10% in the Nation for Treatment of Stroke; Five-Star Recipient for Treatment of Stroke
  • Pulmonary: Five-Star Recipient for Treatment of Pneumonia
  • Vascular: Vascular Surgery Excellence Award; Top 5% in the Nation for Vascular Surgery; Top 10% in the Nation for Vascular Surgery; Five-Star Recipient for Repair of Abdominal Aorta; Five-Star Recipient for Carotid Procedures
  • Gastrointestinal: Gastrointestinal Care Excellence Award; Gastrointestinal Surgery Excellence Award; Top 5% in the Nation for Overall GI Services; Top 5% in the Nation for Gastrointestinal Surgery; Top 10% in the Nation for Overall GI Services; Top 10% in the Nation for Gastrointestinal Surgery; Top 10% in the Nation for GI Medical Treatment; Five-Star Recipient for Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeries; Five-Star Recipient for Colorectal Surgeries; Five-Star Recipient for Treatment of GI Bleed; Five-Star Recipient for Treatment of Bowel Obstruction; Five-Star Recipient for Treatment of Pancreatitis; Five-Star Recipient for Gallbladder Removal Surgery
  • Critical Care: Critical Care Excellence Award; Top 5% in the Nation for Critical Care; Top 10% in the Nation for Critical Care; Five-Star Recipient for Treatment of Sepsis; Five-Star Recipient for Treatment of Pulmonary Embolism; Five-Star Recipient for Treatment of Respiratory Failure; Five-Star Recipient for Treatment of Diabetic Hospitalization
  • Surgical: Surgical Care Excellence Award; Top 5% in the Nation for Surgical Care; Top 10% in the Nation for Surgical Care

Health insurance assistance
Premier Community HealthCare’s ACA navigators and certified application counselors offer free help to determine coverage needs, choose and enroll in a health plan, and provide free assistance with Florida KidCare and Medicaid applications. Health insurance open enrollment is until Jan. 15. Act before Dec. 15 for coverage starting on Jan. 1.

To schedule an appointment, call 352-518-2000, ext. 9904. For information, visit PremierHC.org.

Hospital safety grades
All AdventHealth West Florida Division hospitals in the Tampa Bay area have earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, according to a news release.

Leapfrog is a national nonprofit watchdog organization that sets standards for excellence in patient care and assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over 30 national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm to patients.

The recognized area hospitals include: AdventHealth Carrollwood, AdventHealth Dade City, AdventHealth North Pinellas, AdventHealth Tampa, AdventHealth Wesley Chapel and AdventHealth Zephyrhills.

As part of AdventHealth’s commitment to providing the highest standard of care, its hospitals are actively recruiting the best and brightest clinicians and team members.

To see AdventHealth West Florida’s full grade details and to access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org or follow The Leapfrog Group on Twitter, Facebook or via its newsletter.

Lung cancer screenings too low
The American Lung Association in Florida released its 2023 State of Lung Cancer report, which finds that the rate of lung cancer screening in Florida is far too low at 2.4%, compared to the national average of 4.5%, according to a news release.

The data underscored the need for more high-risk people to be screened to increase survivorship. If lung cancer is caught early before it spreads, the likelihood of surviving five years or more improves to 63%, the release said.

The annual report highlights the toll of lung cancer in Florida and examines key indicators including new cases, survival, early diagnosis, surgical treatment, lack of treatment and screening rates.

The report found that Florida ranks as follows:

  • 20 out of 48 in the nation for rate of new lung cancer cases at 54.7 per 100,000
  • 14 out of 42 in the nation for survival at 27.6%
  • 37 out of 47 for early diagnosis at 24.9%
  • 42 out of 51 for lung cancer screening at 2.4%
  • 20 out of 47 for surgery at 20.6%
  • 43 out of 47 for lack of treatment at 25.6%
  • 29 out of 51 for smoking at 14.7%

For more information, visit Lung.org/research/state-of-lung-cancer.

Chalk Talk 12/06/2023

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Museum prepares to welcome more students
The Tampa Museum of Art will welcome nearly 15,000 additional students in Hillsborough County Public School’s Transformation Network next year as part of a new Community Arts Education Initiative supplementing the museum’s existing school tour programs.

A group of students learn the art of critiquing at the Tampa Museum of Art. (Courtesy of Tampa Museum of Art)

A federal grant of $1.9 million for the museum and the Straz Center for the Performing Arts will provide local students with experiences critiquing works of art, as well as practicing critical thinking skills that will help students in many different subjects, according to a news release.

“All Hillsborough County students should have an opportunity to develop creative skills and enjoy the arts in partnership with the expanding Tampa Museum of Art education initiative and local cultural arts centers. I am proud to champion federal support so that a greater number of Hillsborough students can engage, grow and thrive through arts education,” said U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, in the release.

The federal grant funding will support an 18-month cycle of staff training, curriculum development, school visits, teacher and facilitator training, and assessments to determine the impact of the arts experiences on the students’ critical thinking skills.

In addition to the federal funding secured by Castor, the education initiative also made possible the museum’s recent Centennial Renovation project, which doubled the size of the gallery space and opened the Vinik Family Education Center, the release says.

The number of students the museum can serve will continue to grow with the upcoming Centennial Expansion.

Student Illustrative Contest
B&B Theatres in Wesley Chapel invites students to submit original artwork for its illustrative contest entitled, “Enjoy the Magic of the Movies.”

Artwork should feature one of the movie titles listed below, using any art medium, limited to 11-inch by 14-inch size.
Entries should be submitted with the student’s name, school and grade level, and delivered to the theater, 6333 Wesley Grove Blvd., in Wesley Chapel. The deadline for submissions is Dec. 14.

Works of art will be featured in the theater and the winners will receive a popcorn party in January for their class, as well as a movie pack for two.

Movie titles to select from are:

  • “Disney’s Wish”
  • “Wonka”
  • “Migration”
  • “Aquaman & the Lost Kingdom”

Student volunteers needed
The Concourse, 11919 Alric Pottberg Road in Shady Hills, is looking for student (and adult) volunteers for its 2023 Celebration of Lights that will run on select dates through Dec. 30. The drive-thru light display includes a holiday train and Pasco Safety Town features Santa Claus. For more information or to sign up, visit tinyurl.com/2bwppzpt.

(Courtesy of The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce)

Student Citizens recognized
The East Pasco Chamber Foundation in partnership with The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce honored 11 students as Student Citizens of the Month for November. Students are chosen by the teachers and administrators of their individual schools for exemplary effort, achievement and contribution to their school, family and community. Back row, from left: Chick-fil-A cow; Yirer Hernandez, Raymond B. Stewart Middle School; Chief of Police Derek Brewer, Zephyrhills Police Department; Melonie Monson, Zephyrhills mayor; and Karly Jarrett, Jarrett Ford Dade City. Center row, from left: Justin Cleary, Children’s Educational Services Secondary Campus; Anjolaolywa Olatunji, Zephyrhills High; Dustin Simons, Academy of Spectrum Diversity; and Ashley Breaux, marketing coordinator, AdventHealth Dade City and AdventHealth Zephyrhills. Front row: Chris Sarhaddi, West Zephyrhills Elementary; Tayze Smith, Zephyrhills Christian Academy; Mia Cortez-Hernandez, Woodlands Elementary; Katalia Arriaga, Heritage Academy; Duane Clower, Chester Taylor Elementary; and Liela Villanueva, Raymond B. Stewart Middle).

Pasco Citizens Academy
The Pasco Citizens Academy is for those interested in gaining a deep understanding of Pasco County’s budget development, the county’s structure and the essential functions of its constitutional officers and departments. Students of the academy will engage directly with elected officials, state agency partners, department directors and county staff. Participants can become well-informed ambassadors for the community and eligible to serve on advisory boards and volunteer.

The Spring 2024 session is limited to 25 participants. Apply online at PascoCountyFl-services.app.transform.civicplus.com/forms/26223.

VPK program applications
Pasco County Schools’ Early Childhood Programs will begin accepting applications for the free Voluntary Prekindergarten Program (VPK) for the 2024-2025 academic year, beginning Jan. 8 during the School Choice open application window.

The VPK Program offers three free hours of instruction Monday through Friday, at select school sites. Extended hours are available for an additional fee.  VPK extended hours will follow the school site’s regular bell schedule. Partial-day VPK will take place the first three hours of the school day.

To be eligible to participate in VPK, children must be 4 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2024. A Certificate of Eligibility/Voucher must be obtained from the Early Learning Coalition of Pasco and Hernando prior to completing the Pasco County Schools VPK application.

The Pasco Schools’ sites for the 2024-2025 school year are:
VPK Inclusion Site (VPK & ESE Students) – Bexley Elementary, Centennial Elementary, Chester Taylor Elementary, Connerton Elementary, Denham Oaks Elementary, Double Branch Elementary, Gulf Highlands Elementary, Gulf Trace Elementary, Hudson Primary Academy, James Marlowe Elementary, Lake Myrtle Elementary, Longleaf Elementary, Oakstead Elementary, Odessa Elementary, Quail Hollow Elementary, Seven Springs Elementary, Seven Oaks Elementary, Schrader Elementary and Watergrass Elementary.
VPK Site (VPK students only) – Kirkland Ranch K-8, Mittye P. Locke Early Learning Academy, Trinity Elementary and Veterans Elementary.

For additional information, contact Mikesha Hayes, VPK coordinator, at 813-794-2730, or email ">.