The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

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 ">.

Woman’s club is keen on promoting early childhood literacy

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(Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

The Education Committee of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club assembled 130 “Snuggle Bunnies” containing a fleece blanket, a flashlight, book, pencil and a bookmark. Each first-grader at Denham Oaks Elementary School in Lutz received a ‘snuggle.’ A parent shared this photo with the club of her son already enjoying his book bundle after ‘lights out.’

Baby Girl celebrates her third birthday

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Baby Girl is a cocker-poodle and perfectly sized at 12 pounds. She has warmed the hearts of all her neighbors and has ‘socialized’ dogs that originally didn’t want to mingle.
She comes out of the house on her leash and looks right and then left — her mission is to head for someone to pet her or ‘sniff her.’ Baby Girl has brought joy and love to her two moms, Mary and Helen Lewandowski.

A hawk of the woodlands

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Barbara Craig often hikes at the Cypress Creek Preserve in Land O’ Lakes and snapped this photo of a red-shouldered hawk off the 4-mile trail. The bird of prey sat for about 15 minutes on a branch over a creek that flows through the park, giving Craig the chance to get a good photo.

National Chocolates Day is Nov. 29

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There are many creative ways to celebrate National Chocolates Day, including: Eating chocolates, making home-made chocolates, creating a chocolate-themed playlist, hosting a chocolate-themed party, watching a chocolate-themed movie, and sharing chocolates with others.

Grady has a ‘famous’ namesake

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Grady is a 3-year-old ‘teddy bear,’ full-bred registered red male shih tzu, born in Bradenton. Grady was named after the famous sheriff from Polk County, Grady Judd. It was love at first sight when Grady’s mom adopted him and brought him home. Grady is beautiful, brave and makes everyone smile. He likes humans and loves to make people happy. Grady is very soft and loves hugs, so humans love to hold him. He lives with his mom, Terry Warner, and family in Wesley Chapel.

A rascally redhead

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This house finch was perched on a palm tree near the front door of Steve Vinik’s home in Lexington Oaks, Wesley Chapel. The bird was hanging out with a few other red-feathered friends, too. Vinik said it’s wonderful when you can sit inside your air-conditioned home and capture an image like this on the other side of your window.

Health News 11/29/2023

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St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Lutz earned another top grade from the Leapfrog Group. (Courtesy of St. Joseph’s Hospital-North)

Hospital earns ‘A’ in patient care and safety
St. Joseph’s Hospital-North has earned the top “A” grade three consecutive times from the Leapfrog Group, a national organization that sets a standard for excellence in patient care and safety. The Lutz hospital received another “A” grade in Leapfrog’s Fall 2023 Hospital Safety Grades released Nov. 6, according to a news release.

St. Joseph’s Hospital-North also earned an “A” in Leapfrog’s spring 2023 and fall 2022 grades. Leapfrog releases grades twice annually.

The Leapfrog Group collects and analyzes data about infections, accidents, injuries, and errors at nearly 3,000 general hospitals, and assigns letter grades ranging from “A” to “F,” releasing the grades to the public.
“This accomplishment, attained for three consecutive ratings periods, exemplifies the dedication, focus and attention to detail that our hospital applies to patient safety,” said Sara Dodds, St. Joseph’s Hospital-North president, in the release.

“I congratulate our team members and medical staff for putting patient safety at the forefront of our priorities and responsibilities. The consistent “A” grades in this national report card reflects their efforts and is a strong representation to patients, their families and the public of the quality, safe care we provide at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North,” Dodds said.

(Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

A walk with a purpose
Members of the GFWC Woman’s Club participated in the annual Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, along with the Juniorette Club, Little Women of Lutz. The women also manned the Welcome Booth and distributed water to participants. A donation of $1,500 was made to the American Cancer Society in support of medical advances in eradicating breast cancer. For more information about the club, visit GFWCLutzLandOLakes.org or its Facebook page.

Family autism training
The University of South Florida (USF) CARD center’s (Center for Autism and Related Disabilities) Baby Bulls virtual training series is for parents and caregivers of children ages 1 to 6 with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or who are in the process of determining a diagnosis of ASD.

The goal of the virtual series is to help prepare families to be active participants in a child’s positive developmental growth.

Some of the topics include: Understanding autism, understanding and preventing problem behavior, promoting communication and social engagement, advocacy and understanding benefits, and safety and the child with ASD.

The next session is Dec. 12 at 6:30 p.m. Families must be registered with CARD USF (http://card-usf.fmhi.usf.edu/). To register for the meeting, visit tinyurl.com/zwtstw59.

Renovations were made at AdventHealth Heart of Florida in Davenport to help streamline the outpatient and emergency registration areas. (Courtesy of AdventHealth)

Upgrades elevate emergency care
AdventHealth Heart of Florida in Davenport recently completed a multimillion dollar renovation to elevate the level of emergency care the hospital offers to the community. Hospital, business and community leaders celebrated with a ribbon-cutting on Nov. 8.

Ten new rooms have been added to the emergency room providing more comfort and privacy for patients and their families, bringing the total number of ER beds to 37, according to a news release.

The expansion also includes renovations to the outpatient and emergency registration areas to streamline the process, enabling patients to be seen and treated quickly.

This hospital renovation is a key part of AdventHealth’s growth strategy to increase access to high-quality health care options in Polk County and the surrounding communities, the release said.

The project also includes updating the façade of the hospital and adding a new, larger chapel next to the main entrance.

A tranquility garden will be accessible to visitors, patients and team members from the chapel to provide a place of reflection, peace and serenity while they are at the hospital.

Chalk Talk 11/29/2023

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(Courtesy of Jason Lambert)

Marching band is best in state
Wiregrass Ranch High School was recently honored as the best in the state in the 4A Class of the Florida Marching Band Championships.

The Wiregrass Ranch band program has more than 150 students, and includes the marching band, three concert bands, one jazz band, two competitive colorguards, and indoor percussion. 

The band consistently earns superior ratings at Florida Bandmasters Association Music Performance Assessments for Marching Band, Concert Band and Jazz Band, according to the program’s website.

The Marching Bulls have been Florida Marching Band Championship finalists four times (2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019) and in 2019 became the first band in Pasco County history to win a State Championship. 

The colorguard and indoor percussion have had similar success and have medaled several times at FFCC Championships.

Vienna Jedrzejczyk, left, and Lyaddie Smart celebrate with the Marching Bulls. Both girls are in percussion-front ensemble. (Courtesy of Larissa Smart)
The silhouette of Charlie Jorgensen, drum major and senior. (Courtesy of Jennifer Roos)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Academy hosts Santa
The East Pasco Education Academy, 35830 County Road 52 in Dade City, will host a “Cookies with Santa” fundraiser on Dec. 5 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is free to visit with Santa and to decorate cookies, as well as play holiday games. Tickets can be purchased for the Polar Express, Snowball Fight and other Christmas surprises. There also will be opportunities for holiday photos. All proceeds will benefit the students of the academy.

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 Patricia Serio)

Lifting spirits for Thanksgiving
The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club donated enough Thanksgiving ingredients to provide a dinner to each of 15 families of students at Miles Elementary School in Tampa, for a brighter and bountiful Thanksgiving Day. From left: Linda Mitchell, Marcy Edmondson, school staffer, Pam Blumenthal and Melba Pineira. For more information on the woman’s club, visit GFWCLutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org or its Facebook page.

Student achievements
–Caitlyn Culpepper, of Odessa, was welcomed into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honor societies for all academic disciplines. Culpepper is majoring in biochemistry at the University of Mississippi.
-Jace Druschel, of Lutz, was among more than 140 transfer students welcomed to the Baldwin Wallace University (Ohio) campus who claimed more than $1.7 million in merit scholarships based on their previous college accomplishments. Druschel, a graduate of Steinbrenner High School majoring in exercise science, earned a $15,000 Transfer President’s Scholarship.
-Julie Rand, of Odessa, attends the University of South Florida and was named to the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.

Certificate of Achievement
Donovan Garrido, an eighth-grader at Lutz Preparatory School, has received a Certificate of Achievement and a letter of congratulations from Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr., in recognition of the perfect score he achieved on the Civics EOC Statewide Assessment. Donovan also is the president of the National Junior Honor Society, has a 4.0 GPA, has been named to the Principal’s Honor Roll 18 consecutive times, and is an accomplished baseball player. The student is currently applying for admission to Jesuit High School and the Aerospace Career Academy at Sunlake High School.

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 .

Tax collector’s office offers season of giving opportunities

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Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano has announced his office will sponsor these events, to help the community give during the 2023 holiday season:

  • Be a Santa to a Senior — Participants can drop off a personal care item for a local senior citizen (such as toiletries, bath sets, greeting cards, stationery, stamps, etc.) in any of the collection boxes in each of the five tax collector office locations until Dec. 15.
  • Toys 4 Tots — Each of the tax collector’s five locations are drop-off sites for the U.S. Marine Corps League’s annual toy drive. Toys will be collected until Dec. 15.
  • Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Drive — The Gulf Harbors and Wesley Chapel offices will be Red Kettle donation sites on Dec. 9 and Dec. 16 from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
  • 29th Annual Holiday Food Giveaway — Fasano and other officials will distribute food to those in need on Dec. 15. Collection jars will be on display in December in each of the tax collector’s five offices. Donations made will help to purchase fresh food and other items for families in need during the holiday season and into 2024. Donations also can be made online at GovHub.com/fl-pasco/tc-gives/donate.

“Please join the staff of the Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office as we celebrate the holidays by reaching out to those most in need,” Fasano said, in a news release.

“Your support of these wonderful local programs will help countless people enjoy the holidays this year. Your gift of any amount will go a long way toward helping our community have a joyous holiday season,” he added.

For the list of office locations, visit PascoTaxes.com.

For more information, call Greg Giordano, assistant tax collector, at 727-847-8179.

Published November 22, 2023