The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Pasco schools get good news in reading, science

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Florida schools are transitioning into the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards, and some proof of the success of that move already is showing up in the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test scores.

Pasco County schools showed improvement in reading and science, but has room for improvement when it comes to math, based on test details released by Pasco County Schools on Friday.

“We are seeing that what we are doing is starting to pay off,” said Vanessa Hilton, director of teaching and learning with the school district, in a release. “We are starting to see strengths in the cohorts of students who have been receiving instruction based on the new Florida Standards as they progress from grade to grade.”

Several schools demonstrated significant improvement on the FCAT 2.0 Reading sections in 2014 compared to the year before. The biggest increases came from local elementary schools like Taylor, Pasco, Cox, New River, West Zephyrhills and Watergrass. They also improved with seventh graders at Academy at the Farm, and underclassmen at Pasco eSchool and Wesley Chapel High School.

For science, 52 percent of students in fifth grade were performing at or above satisfactory scores, while 52 percent of students in eighth grade had similar results. This is up 49 percent from the previous year in fifth grade, and 48 percent in eighth grade.

A little more than 25 elementary schools in the county maintained or increased the percent of students scoring at or above satisfactory levels, joined by 11 middle schools. Odessa, Pasco, Seven Oaks and Watergrass elementary schools were some of the local schools that had significant improvement in science, along with Pasco and Stewart middle schools.

The picture wasn’t so rosy when it came to math, however. The percentage of elementary school students in Pasco scoring at satisfactory levels was below the statewide percentage. However, some schools had some marked improvement in math, including Centennial, Odessa, Cox, New River, San Antonio, Taylor, Watergrass and West Zephyrhills elementary schools. Pasco and Long middle schools also had strong improvement in math, as did Academy at the Farm.

“This was a year of transition, and we know that our teachers have been focusing on the new Florida Standards in the classroom,” Pasco superintendent Kurt Browning said, in a release. “It will be important for us to consider not only these scores, but also additional data that our schools have been collecting to make decisions as we move forward.”

Fish next two weekends without a license

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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is allowing fishers to take to the waterways without the need for a recreational fishing license.

Saltwater license-free fishing is available June 7 and June 8, while freshwater license-free fishing will take place June 14 and June 15.

The program is designed to introduce people to fishing, without having to go through the licensing process just to check it out, Gov. Rick Scott said, in a release.

“These designated license-free fishing days are a great opportunity for Floridians to celebrate summer with their families and loved ones, enjoy the freedom of the great outdoors, cast a line and get hooked on fishing,” he said.

These license-free fishing days fall near National Fishing and Boating Week, a national observance of fishing and boating, which runs through June 8. The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation’s website is place the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recommends people can learn about events sponsored by businesses and communities throughout the week. It also has local fishing sites, helps identify recreational species, and even provides fishing tips.

June is not the only time fishers can grab their pole without a license. The first Saturday in September and the first Saturday after Thanksgiving have also been designated as license-free saltwater fishing days, and the first full weekend in April is a designated license-free freshwater fishing weekend.

All bag limits, seasons and size restrictions still apply, however.

HART wants public input on Route 51X changes

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Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority is hosting two community meetings and a public hearing about changes the organization expects to make to a popular bus route that links Pasco County to downtown Tampa.

HART has three options that it’s considering for its Route 51X. The first would be to continue morning and afternoon express service between Pasco and downtown Tampa, providing hourly midday service between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., between HART’s University Area Transit Center and southern Pasco via Bruce B. Downs Boulevard.

The second option would be to discontinue direct express service between Pasco and downtown Tampa in favor of continual hourly midday service between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. along a similar route. Those riders wishing to go downtown can use other routes that would take them from the University transit center.

The final option would be to still discontinue direct express service in favor of continual hourly midday service between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m., with additional stops at the University of South Florida. Once again, riders who want to go downtown could take another bus from one of those stops.

The changes are being made based on ridership trends, and to help improve cost-efficiency of the system, according to a release from HART.

The first open house is planned for June 10 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at New Tampa Library, 1001 Cross Creek Blvd. the second open house is set for June 17 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at New Tampa Community Center, 17302 Commerce Park Blvd.

A public hearing is scheduled for July 8 beginning at 5 p.m. at New Tampa Library.

Riders also can email comments to .

Recommendations will be made to the HART board of directors in September, with implementation set for November.

Maps for the proposed changes to Route 51X can be found by clicking here.

For more information, call (813) 254-4278.

 

School sends eighth-graders out to discover the world

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A dozen eighth-graders at Countryside Montessori Charter School have experienced something few, if any, of their peers have in the Land O’ Lakes area.

The soon-to-be-graduates were among the first to take on the task of interning at local businesses throughout the week of May 19. They spent several hours of their day at a variety of businesses in the local area, from schools to pet day care centers.

Ashley Schrader, an eighth-grader at Countryside Montessori Charter School in Land O’ Lakes, chats with The Laker/Lutz News senior account manager Terri Williamson, during her recent internship at the paper. (Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)
Ashley Schrader, an eighth-grader at Countryside Montessori Charter School in Land O’ Lakes, chats with The Laker/Lutz News senior account manager Terri Williamson, during her recent internship at the paper.
(Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)

The students developed their own internship preparation while their teacher, Bobbianne Grant, implemented the idea of gaining real-world experience in a range of professional settings.

This particular program was the first time the school has allowed students to participate in internships with a goal of achieving a better feel for their future professions.

Based on its success this year, Countryside plans to continue the internship program next year for seventh and eighth graders.

“The internships give the eighth-grade students the opportunity to experience the work force before going into high school,” said Grant, the Countryside teacher leading the project.

Grant gave these students, including this writer, the ability to successfully experience different work atmospheres and assist in each company’s needs.

Many students said they had a positive experience and learned a great deal of work skills. Their feedback has given the school valuable input to help its students in future internship programs in high school and college.

The students who participated in the program said they appreciated the opportunity that was given to them, and hope they will be able to engage in a similar task in their futures.

“Internships are like an opportunity for us to see the real world,” said Devyn Dacus, 13, one of a dozen students that participated in the internships. “Since we are not yet adults, internships are one of the few chances we have to see the work force.”

Dacus interned at Countryside Montessori Academy, one of two preschool and kindergarten divisions related to the Montessori program. It’s located on Carson Drive, a few miles from the main charter school campus at Ehren Cutoff.

“At the preschool I was interning at, I had a great experience,” Dacus added. “It made me realize how tedious it actually is to care for toddlers.”

Her classmate, Abby Kuskin, did her internship at Grace Family Church in Lutz and Black Saddle Stables in Odessa and Land O’ Lakes. She said the experiences were cool and interesting, and it could help her achieve a dream of owning her own nonprofit children’s ministry home.

The school’s seventh graders also were allowed to participate in internships by shadowing the elementary school teachers at Countryside and experiencing a school day from the teacher’s point of view.

“The shadowing was a great experience,” said Julia Leck, one of the participating seventh graders in the project.

The program — led by Grant and her colleagues at Countryside — allowed the interns to gain experiences and memories they can apply to their own future careers.

Ashley Schrader spent a week as an intern at The Laker/Lutz News as part of Countryside Montessori Charter School’s careers project.

The businesses that participated in the Countryside Montessori Charter School internship program, and the students who interned, included:

• A Perfect Smile, Natalia Estrada
• Victory Lane Motorcars, Dinah Miranda
• Central Bark Doggie Day Care, Jayden Trenchik and Katie Champion
• Countryside Montessori Academy, Devyn Dacus
• On Your Toes, Brianna Lusk
• MediTech Medical Center, Sam Talero
• Grace Family Church and Black Saddle Stables, Abby Kuskin
• Quality Pet, Owen Robison
• The Laker/Lutz News, Ashley Schrader

By Ashley Schrader

Published June 4, 2014

USAA among those honored with national award

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The more than 1,200 new jobs at New Tampa’s USAA location didn’t go unnoticed by the company’s development peers at the national level, as the United Services Automobile Association has helped Florida win another Silver Shovel award for job creation.

The award, which is given by Area Development magazine, recognizes state economic development agencies that drive significant job creation through innovative policies, infrastructure improvements, processes and promotions that attract new employers and investments in new and expanded facilities, according to a release from Gov. Rick Scott’s office.

The awards are presented annually to states that have achieved significant success in terms of job creation and economic impact.

USAA, which is expanding its existing Bruce B. Downs Boulevard campus into Brandon, will create an estimated 1,215 jobs through a capital investment of $164.3 million. Only Navy Federal Credit Union in Pensacola is bringing in more jobs — 2,200 after a capital investment of $206 million.

“Florida continues to draw the attention of business leaders and site selectors across the nation, and this recognition will certainly shine a light on the work we’re doing to tell the state’s business story,” said Gary Swoope, the president and chief executive of Enterprise Florida, in a release. “Florida’s resources and pro-business climate allow us (to) compete for community-changing projects, and we’re thrilled so many industry leaders have chosen to locate or expand in the state. The future is bright for business in Florida.”

All 50 states were invited by the magazine to submit information about its top 10 job creation and investment projects started in 2013. Those states were then rated based on direct jobs creation, new jobs per capita, amount of investment, number of projects creating high value-added jobs, industry diversity, and number of new facilities.

Based on its score, Florida won one of three Silver Shovel awards for significant job creation and economic impact.

Enterprise Florida, which received the award on behalf of the state, is a partnership between Florida’s businesses and government leaders, and is the principal economic development organization for the state. Enterprise Florida facilitates job growth for Florida businesses through recruitment and retention, international trade and exporting, sporting event promotion, and capital funding programs to assist small and minority businesses.

Summer Haul Pass makes it cheap for teens to take the bus

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Pasco County Public Transportation is offering students in the county a chance to ride the bus all summer for $20 in a special rate through Aug. 31.

“Students who have summer jobs can use the bus and save a lot of money this summer,” said Mike Carroll, PCPT’s transportation manager, in a release. “It sure beats spending their hard-earned money on gas, and if they can’t afford a vehicle. The student fare is a great choice to meet their transportation needs.”

Passes are sold at all county libraries as well as the Pasco-Hernando State College bookstore.

Fixed-route transit buses operate throughout east and west Pasco, and along State Road 54. PCPT also operates the county’s para-transit service for those unable to ride the bus because of a verifiable disability, environmental barrier or distance from a route.

For more information on the Summer Haul Pass, call (813) 235-6073.

Old-fashioned service for printing and shipping

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Terry and Jo Anne Moses moved their business to their current location in October 2013 and changed their name to Express Shipping and Business Solutions. Their former business was named Creative Printing, which they started in 1988. It was located just down the road in a building now housing a winery.

Terry and Jo Anne Moses
Terry and Jo Anne Moses

Since moving into their new location, they’ve expanded their printing and shipping services, put in private mailboxes and added a Federal Express drop. They’re working to add a UPS drop and also a U.S. Postal Service drop soon.

Express Shipping is a full-service printing company. They have wide-format printers capable of scanning, and printing blueprints up to 36 inches wide x 5 feet. They also enlarge prints and photographs and have created collages of photographs for both personal and professional customers. High-speed copying is available for color, and black and white, up to 11 x 17 two-sided. They have a graphic artist available to design custom artwork and logos.

“We’ve put lots of photographs onto wide-format prints for our customers,” says Jo Anne. They also design and print business cards, novelty items, signs, magnetic car signs and vinyl road signs. A notary service and fax machines make this a one-stop shop for all of your printing and shipping needs.

Packing supplies are available for customers who pack their own boxes. In addition, they will pack items for you. “We like to think of ourselves as an old-fashioned general store for printing and shipping,” says Jo Anne. “Come in more than twice and you’ve become a friend.”

Terry and Jo Anne go above and beyond to help their customers. The atmosphere is warm and friendly. They pride themselves on fair pricing and outstanding personal service. Many family members work in the store alongside Terry and Jo Anne. They bought their home in Land O’ Lakes in 1987 and started their printing and shipping business in 1988. Jo Anne says they don’t plan on retiring anytime soon. They expect to be servicing customers in the Land O’ Lakes area long into the future.

They are very involved in the local community and have contributed to numerous local organizations. Terry is a past president of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce and has been the Chairman of the Board a number of times. They also sponsored Dancing with our Stars for the last two years.

Terry was on the board of directors for the United Cerebral Palsy Organization for almost 10 years.

Terry and Jo Anne are both long time members of Sertoma (which stands for Service to Mankind) and their clubs provide both volunteer service and raise thousands of dollars for local charities each year.

Terry and Jo Anne have been married for 32 years. Terry was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease 10 years ago, but that has not stopped him from actively participating in their business.

Next time you’re in need of printing or shipping services or supplies stop on in and talk to Terry and Jo Anne Moses at Express Shipping. You’ll be glad you did.

Express Shipping & Business Solutions is located at 4710 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Suite 17. They can be reached at (813) 996-6530.

– Mike Matthew

This story is a feature of the advertising department.

Lower your insurance premiums

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Front row, from left: Jennifer Juranko, Mandy Stephens; back row, from left: Lisa Walker, Daryl Patrick, Ryan Southerland and Carmen Rairigh
Front row, from left: Jennifer Juranko, Mandy Stephens; back row, from left: Lisa Walker, Daryl Patrick, Ryan Southerland and Carmen Rairigh

Daryl Patrick, owner of Tampa Bay Insurance Center in Wesley Chapel, is confident that he can save you money on homeowner’s insurance. He is a property and casualty agent representing 37 homeowner insurance carriers, eight auto carriers, and 100 commercial insurance carriers. Every carrier is demotech A rated in Florida.

“We find ways to help save people money,” says Daryl. “There are ways to get credits for your home that many agents don’t tell their customers. Getting certain inspections will lower your premiums. We had one customer who saved $800 by getting a single inspection.”

Most inspections are good for five years, so the cost of the inspection will usually pay for itself many times over. Homes built in 2002 or later automatically qualify for wind mitigation credits. Anything older requires an inspection in order to receive a credit. Even condo owners can get wind mitigation credits.

Your agent should be asking you a lot of questions. Do you live in a gated community? Are you retired? Do you have an alarm system? These questions may lower your insurance premiums. Your agent should be working for you first.

“Most homes have credits in them,” says Daryl. “The homeowner may just not know it. We make sure they receive the credits available to them. For example, a single-entrance neighborhood gets you a credit.”

Anyone buying a home or with a renewal coming up should get in touch with Daryl’s office and either he or one of his wonderful staff members will be glad to assist you. It takes about five minutes over the phone. Daryl can shop for the best rate from all of his carriers and get you a quote in 15 or 20 minutes. The process is the same for auto and commercial insurance.

“There’s no risk in trying to save money,” says Daryl. “We get in touch with our customers at every renewal. We stay on top of changes in the industry that can save our customers money on their premiums. We can shop all of our carriers at every renewal if the customer wants.”

“We counsel new homeowners to get the proper inspections and make sure they’re submitting the necessary forms with the right information,” says Daryl. “Sending too much information or the wrong information can adversely affect your premiums and even delay your approval.”

Tampa Bay Insurance Center has been in business for five years. They moved to Wesley Chapel in November 2013 due to the phenomenal growth in the area. The employees love the area. They’re all very involved in community activities and events. They provide property and casualty insurance, specializing in personal coverage, and also provide commercial coverage for those who need it.

Daryl asks that anyone who has their homeowner’s coverage through Citizens Insurance call him immediately. “You have much better options,” says Daryl.

Tampa Bay Insurance Center is located at 3822 Turman Loop, Suite 101, in Wesley Chapel. They can be reached at (813) 805-8740.

– Mike Matthew

This story is a feature of the advertising department.

In Print: Ice, summer school and young interns

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Last week was a big one for Pasco County, especially the Wesley Chapel area, when developer Z Mitch LLC unveiled its plans to build a 150,500-square-foot ice and sports complex just off State Road 56.

It shows how far this stretch of road between Bruce B. Downs Boulevard in New Tampa and State Road 54 on the edge of Land O’ Lakes has come in the past decade or so since it was first built. And it’s just one piece of a rather large and prosperous future for the area.

Pasco County commissioners Pat Mulieri, left, and Ted Schrader listen as commission chair Jack Mariano introduces the new ice and sports complex planned for Wesley Chapel. (Photo by Michael Hinman)
Pasco County commissioners Pat Mulieri, left, and Ted Schrader listen as commission chair Jack Mariano introduces the new ice and sports complex planned for Wesley Chapel. (Photo by Michael Hinman)

The new facility will feature four ice pads — two of them designed to NHL standards, while another will be at Olympic standards — as well as other courts for sports like basketball, a restaurant, and even a second neighboring hotel. It’s a way to bring in people from all over the region, just like what similar ice complexes in Brandon and Oldsmar do there.

“Two rinks would’ve been great, three rinks is phenomenal. But with four, everyone is going to want to come here and play this from all around the world,” Pasco County Commission chair Jack Mariano said during a press event last week attended by reporter Michael Hinman. “If you had to go to Canada or down here to play hockey, where would you want to go?”

The answer to that question seems obvious, but read the full story in this week’s print edition of The Laker/Lutz News, or read the free e-edition by clicking here.

The ice complex is at least a year away, and summertime is here, and ice is the last thing on most people’s minds. Instead, some kids might have to think about summer school.

Those programs through Pasco County Schools will cost $1.3 million, but serve 6.580 students — including younger children.

“The need is there,” school board member Steve Luikart told reporter B.C. Manion. “We’re doing everything we can to help more kids.”

This year’s classes will include two pilots addressing literacy and mathematics, which will help nearly 800 students primarily from economically challenged neighborhoods.

To read more about the program, pick up this week’s print edition of The Laker, or check out our free e-edition right here.

This week, the Lutz News begins its profile series by reporter Michael Murillo looking at each of the candidates running for the honorary office of Guv’na.

This ceremonial role is a way for the Lutz community to raise money for charities. And candidate Jerome Smalls might not live in Lutz yet, but feels the community has given so much to him that it’s time to give back.

“The people are probably the No. 1 thing,” Smalls said of those residing and working in Lutz. “The people are really friendly and outgoing.”

What does Smalls have planned for his run at the Guv’na position? Find out in the print edition of the Lutz News, or read our free e-edition by clicking here.

Finally, Ashley Schrader is just 13 years old, but you wouldn’t know it by her professional attitude and excitement about jumping into a journalism career.

Schrader was an intern recently at The Laker/Lutz News through a program set up by Countryside Montessori Charter School — one of several eighth-graders checking out the real world from the business perspective.

“Internships are like an opportunity for us to see the real world,” Devyn Dacus, 13, told her classmate, Ashley. “Since we are not yet adults, internships are one of the few chances we have to see the work force.”

What else did these interns learn? You’ll just have to pick up this week’s print edition of The Laker/Lutz News, or read our free e-edition right now by clicking here.

All of these stories and more can be found in this week’s The Laker/Lutz News, available in newsstands throughout east and central Pasco County as well as northern Hillsborough County. Find out what has your community talking this week by getting your local news straight from the only source you need.

If The Laker/Lutz News is not coming to your door, call us to see where you can get your copy at (813) 909-2800, or read our free e-edition by clicking here.

Animal shelter offering cat adoption for $15

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Throughout June, Pasco County Animal Services has reduced the adoption fees for cats and kittens to $15.

It’s part of a “Pasco Saves Lives” promotion to save lives and find homes for abandoned, and otherwise unwanted, cats and kittens.

“We are now in ‘kitten season’ when there is a surge of adorable kittens entering animal shelters that are already full with cats needing homes,” said Mike Shumate, director of Pasco County Animal Services, in a release. “With a goal of finding forever homes for the homeless cats and kittens in our shelter, we are encouraging people to seriously consider adopting their first cat or adding another to their family.

“We also have a shelter full of adoptable puppies and dogs just waiting for their new families to pick them up.”

Among the other adoption specials in June include those honoring Father’s Day and volunteers.

Pasco County’s adoption center is located at 19640 Dogpatch Lane in Land O’ Lakes. It’s open noon to 4:30 p.m., every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Thursday hours are from noon to 6:30 p.m., to accommodate working families.

For more information, visit PascoCountyFl.net/PAS, or call (813) 929-1212.