The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Education

New charter school won’t open until 2017

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Several families in the Lutz and Land O’ Lakes area were anticipating Sunlake Academy of Math and Science to open in time for the 2016-2017 school year, but that isn’t going to happen.

Instead, the public charter school, which is being built at 18711 North Dale Mabry Highway in Lutz, is set to open in August 2017.

This is a prototype of what Sunlake Academy will look like once it’s complete. The 40,000-square-foot facility expects to accommodate 1,150 students, from kindergarten through eighth grade. (Photos courtesy of Charter School Associates)
This is a prototype of what Sunlake Academy will look like once it’s complete. The 40,000-square-foot facility expects to accommodate 1,150 students, from kindergarten through eighth grade.
(Photos courtesy of Charter School Associates)

The school, operated by Charter School Associates (CSA), scheduled a Parent Information Session on April 11, expecting to open for the 2016-2017 school year. But on April 27, Michael Strader, president of Charter School Associates, addressed a letter to parents and guardians, saying, “the opening of Sunlake Academy of Math and Science will be deferred to August 2017.”

He explained the delay this way: “Although the property developer and general contractor were originally confident that our new school would be ready for the Aug. 10 opening date, we recently learned that delays in the receipt of various building and site permits will push the completion of the school past that date.”

In an interview with the Laker/Lutz News, Strader indicated his group tried finding a temporary facility to hold classes until construction was complete, but to no avail.

“We couldn’t find an existing facility nearby that would be within a reasonable commute—like people who live close to where the school is planned—that would accommodate the number of students that made applications,” Strader said. “We really…examined a number of options, including area churches. We looked to see if there were any hotels with large conference facilities or meeting facilities in the immediate area, and there just seemed to be none available that we could schedule for several weeks.”

The highway entrance of Sunlake Academy, at 18711 North Dale Mabry Highway in Lutz. Up until April 27, the school advertised it would open in August 2016.
The highway entrance of Sunlake Academy, at 18711 North Dale Mabry Highway in Lutz. Up until April 27, the school advertised it would open in August 2016.

Several parents suggested the possibility of utilizing portable classroom buildings in the short-term. However, Strader noted portable classrooms weren’t really a feasible option, either.

“The only thing with portables is they require many of the same infrastructure that a permanent building would require with utility connections, hard roads for life safety vehicles — fire trucks, ambulances — so portable classrooms aren’t as simple as just bringing them in and setting them up,” Strader said.

Sunlake Academy was originally proposed to be located on an 8.4-acre piece of land at the southwest corner of Lutz Lake Fern Road and Sunlake Boulevard. However, those plans changed after objections from nearby residents and numerous conditions attached to the county’s approval for the site.

Changing locations and obtaining site permits for the North Dale Mabry location has been an ongoing process, Strader acknowledged.

“I understand that (the North Dale Mabry) area is going through a whole new floodplain recalculation by the Southwest Florida Water Management District, so that had some kind of impacts on it, and we were just later than anticipated in receiving all the site permits, and that’s what ultimately put the project behind,” the CSA president said.

Once open, the 40,000-square-foot, two-story charter will be large enough to accommodate about 1,150 students, from kindergarten through eighth grade. The charter, which will be tax-funded and tuition-free, is expected to pull students from within a 5-mile radius of the school’s location, which is about a half-mile north of Exciting Idlewild Boulevard.

It will have a focus on STEM curriculum, which stands for science, technology, engineering and math. It also will offer an interdisciplinary approach to learning, in which lessons will emphasize the interrelationships between various subjects.

The school’s features will include a library and media center, science laboratories, computer labs, art rooms and an area for outdoor activities.

Despite the school’s deferred opening, Strader said he’s had conversations the school’s developer, Charter School Properties, to ensure construction isn’t delayed even further, “so that prospective parents could certainly see a building there and have confidence that the school will indeed be ready for August 2017.”

According to Strader, the school was expected to be built in two phases, progressively adding more students during each phase. Now with the additional construction time, both phases should be complete for the 2017-2018 school year.

“There was a lot of interest in the school and we had done quite well with interested parents,” he said. “So, if the demand is still there next year, we’ll have the facilities to grow…beyond the initial 600 students that we’d anticipated for this year.”

Published May 11, 2016

Carrying a torch for peace

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‘Peace

Such a wonderful thing

It makes you think of a bell’s ring’

The message of peace in Jonathan Fields’ poem hung in the air.

It was written on paper, dangling on a string — reminiscent of  a knitted square in a quilt of poetry made by students at Learning Gate Community School.

Natabara Rolloson of the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Peace Run leads Learning Gate students on a race across the campus. (ourtesy of Pierre Lantuas-Monfouga)
Natabara Rolloson of the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Peace Run leads Learning Gate students on a race across the campus.
(Courtesy of Pierre Lantuas-Monfouga)

About 600 students at the Lutz-based charter school shared artwork, poetry and songs of peace with the North American torch relay team from the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Peace Run.

About a dozen relay runners dropped by both Learning Gate campuses on May 3.

The kindergarten through sixth grade school is on Hanna Road. The school for seventh- and eighth-graders is on Lutz Lake Fern Road.

The torch runners also made visits to a school and neighborhood center in Pinellas County before heading to Alabama.

The team is on a 10,000-mile North American relay that began in New York City in mid-April and will finish in New York in mid-August. Members represented several countries including the United States, France and Hungary.

The “Peace Run” is the inspiration of Sri Chinmoy, an athlete, philosopher, artist, musician and poet who organized the inaugural run in 1987 to promote international friendship. Since then more than 5 million people have participated and runners have visited more than 140 countries, according to the website for the Peace Run foundation.

Cathy Oerter, left, gave certificates of excellence from the Al Oerter Foundation to Learning Gate students, Simon Noguerol and Kaitlyn Detuccio. Al Oerter was a four-time Olympic gold medalist. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photos)
Cathy Oerter gave certificates of excellence from the Al Oerter Foundation to Learning Gate students Simon Noguerol and Kaitlyn Detuccio. Al Oerter was a four-time Olympic gold medalist.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photos)

To prepare for the visit, Learning Gate students wrote poems. First-graders created paper chains with messages for peace. Students also practiced songs to perform for their guests.

“Each student wrote a way they show peace to each other,” said first-grader Margo Armstrong who read from a statement from classmates on why they made the peace chain.

“You children are definitely the voices of the world,” said Cathy Oerter.  “It’s all about the journey of self-discovery.”

Oerter’s husband, Al Oerter, was a four-time Olympic gold medalist in the discus throw. He was the first athlete to win gold at four consecutive Olympic games, setting records each time.

He died in 2007 but his nonprofit Al Oerter Foundation continues to promote character and integrity through support for sports and the arts.

His wife said the foundation often partners with the Sri Chinmoy relay runs.

She presented certificates of excellence to two Learning Gate fifth-graders Simon Noguerol and Kaitlyn Detuccio.

Several students read their poems.

Learning Gate fifth-grader J. B. Montague, holds the relay torch with Andran DeAngelo, captain of the relay team for the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Peach Run.
Learning Gate fifth-grader J. B. Montague, holds the relay torch with Andran DeAngelo, captain of the relay team for the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Peach Run.

Fourth-grader J.B. Montague shared his mathematical prowess, detailing his classmates’ accomplishments in March, the national month for reading awareness.

He added up more than 12 million seconds spent in reading.

The motto for the bi-annual torch relay is ‘Peace begins with me.”  The run promotes the universal connections among people around the world, said Arpan DeAngelo, the United States team captain.

Besides the North American relay, a second team began a 16,000-mile run in Portugal in February and that will conclude in Rome in October. A third relay in the South Pacific begins this month.

Relay runner Natabara Rolloson led students on a brief race as a “peace train” across campus, leading the way and carrying the flaming torch. At the end, students were invited to walk up, touch the torch and make a wish for peace.

“It helps children and adults to realize that peace is very natural to anyone of any age,” said DeAngelo.

For information, visit PeaceRun.org.

Published May 11, 2016

 

Dim those lights — and sleep better at night

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Imagine creating a device that would help people sleep better at night.

A trio of local girls came up with a prototype for an invention that would do just that.

Their idea – and the entry it generated — garnered a second place prize in the the Bright Schools Competition, a national contest co-sponsored by the National Sleep Foundation and the National Science Teachers Association.

Sarah Szymanski, a teacher at Pine View Middle School, left, coached Grace Nobles, Catie Tomasello and Sophia Nobles in the Bright Schools Competition. The team finished second in a competition that included students from across the U.S. and Canada. (Courtesy of Heather Tomasello)
Sarah Szymanski, a teacher at Pine View Middle School, left, coached Grace Nobles, Catie Tomasello and Sophia Nobles in the Bright Schools Competition. The team finished second in a competition that included students from across the U.S. and Canada.
(Courtesy of Heather Tomasello)

The team of middle schoolers, made up of Catie Tomasello, of Land O’ Lakes and Grace and Sophia Nobles, of New Tampa, called themselves Team iLUMENate and submitted a project called “The iLUMENate Prototype.”

In essence, the prototype uses a light tracker, a cell phone app and a Smart Home system to monitor the amount of light a user receives throughout the day. The device adjusts the user’s environment to provide the proper amount of blue light exposure, for optimum light and sleep.

Besides creating the prototype, the team wrote a brief research paper and created a video for their prototype.

“Blue light is essential for regulating your circadian rhythm. You get too much of it at night, it prevents the body’s producing of melatonin. It makes it hard to sleep,” 14-year-old Grace Nobles explained.

“They say an hour or two before bed to stop using your devices. Teenagers, especially, have an issue with getting enough sleep,” she added.

Twelve-year-old Sophia Nobles designed the virtual floor plan that was used to demonstrate the concept in the project.

Catie Tomasello created a video to show how their prototype would work. It shows a Smart House, where lights are dimmed to reduce light exposure.

The girls began working on their entry at the beginning of the school year and invested between 40 and 50 hours on the project, said Heather Tomasello, Catie’s mom.

They bounced their ideas off of Sarah Szymanski, a teacher at Pine View Middle School, who was their coach. She also reviewed their research and their video, Heather Tomasello said, noting Szymanski was Catie’s former teacher.

The girls, who are homeschooled, decided to enter the contest after Heather Tomasello saw it on a list of contests sponsored by the National Science Teachers Association.

The Bright Schools Competition was open to students in sixth- through eighth-grade in the United States and Canada.

For their second-place finish, the girls each earned a prize of $2,500.

Their coach will receive an all-expense paid trip to the NSTA conference and membership to the NSTA.

The moms were delighted with the contest results.

“I was very excited,” said Shawn Nobles, who is Grace and Sophia’s mom.

“I was blown away,” Heather Tomasello said.

These girls are no strangers to achievement in academic circles.

Sophia took part in the White House Science Fair last year.

And all three girls have been on successful teams in the Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision competition.

Both Sophia and Grace have competed in ExploraVision three times and their teams have won honors twice. Catie competed on five teams and won honors four times. Last year, her team took the top national prize.

Published May 11, 2016

Saint Leo offers new creative writing program

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Poet and soon-to-be-published novelist Steve Kistulentz is a man enjoying a year of firsts.

He is the director of Saint Leo University’s first low-residency graduate program in creative writing.

The launch begins with an eight-day residency from July 16 to July 23. Enrolled students will attend seminars and writing workshops. And, they will hear readings from awarding winning writers, Jesse Goolsby and Tom Piazza.

The program will offer a special track toward a graduate degree for students interested in war literature written for or by veterans.

Poet and novelist Steve Kistulentz is director of the graduate program in creative writing and associate professor of English at Saint Leo University. (Courtesy of Saint Leo University)
Poet and novelist Steve Kistulentz is director of the graduate program in creative writing and associate professor of English at Saint Leo University.
(Courtesy of Saint Leo University)

In 2017, the publishing house of Little & Brown will release the 50-year-old Kistulentz’s first novel, “Panorama,” which tells the story of a New Year’s Eve plane crash and what happens to its survivors.

Before that, he will launch the new writing program at Saint Leo.

“I want to show the non-traditional student that no matter who you are or where you are or what you are doing, there is a path to success and a way to be mentored there through this program,” said Kistulentz, who also is an associate professor of English at the university.

The program confers the Master of Arts degree and is intended for completion in two years. It includes 36 hours of graduate study in fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction.

Those who want to write about war can choose among those genres and take specific courses that tackle wartime or post-war experiences.

Following the initial residency, semester work will be done largely online, with mentoring from writers with national reputations. In total, students will complete four semesters of course work, three summer residencies, and submit a book-length thesis.

Tuition is $595 per credit hour for the 2016-17 academic year. Unsubsidized loans may be available. Accreditation for the program is pending with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

The special track aimed at veterans who may want to write about their war experiences is unique to Saint Leo.

“We wanted to capitalize on Saint Leo’s long-time commitment with the men and women of our armed services,” Kistulentz said.

Saint Leo also continues its tradition of reaching out to nontraditional students.

Kistulentz took his own nontraditional path toward poetry and fiction writing.

He had a nearly 17-year career as a political consultant for national campaigns and wrote speeches, television commercials, promotional materials and magazine articles.

“I have written in just about every genre,” Kistulentz said.

He was director of a similar creative writing program at the University of Tampa.

But at Saint Leo he is building the program from scratch.

“I have always known that this is always what I wanted to do, a Saint Leo-type program,” he said.

Kistulentz is taking the best of what he learned from other creative writing programs including the Creative Writers’ Workshop at the University of Iowa. He was at the university from 2003 to 2005 and earned a Masters in Fine Arts.

His first book of poetry, “The Luckless Age,” won the 2010 Ben Saltman Award. His second poetry book, “Little Black Daydream,” came out in 2013.

The fact that he is a college professor is to him something of a miracle. He grew up in a family of sharecroppers and coal miners.

It was the GI bill that put his father through college, and set him on a path toward higher education.

“I was the first generation in my family expected to go to college, and then continue on with my education,” he said.

But he didn’t follow a traditional path toward a writing career.

That’s what is so satisfying to him about Saint Leo’s commitment to nontraditional ways to help its students.

“I think it’s important to note that Saint Leo is one of the real innovators in providing alternative learning solutions for people with careers and family commitments who wouldn’t otherwise be able to attend a graduate program,” Kistulentz said.

For information, on the program and the application procedure, visit www.saintleo.edu/admissions/graduate/creative-writing.aspx.

Published May 11, 2016

Chalk Talk 05/11/2016

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Faculty and staff art show
Pasco-Hernando State College’s Rao Musunuru, M.D. Art Gallery will present the seventh annual Faculty and Staff Summer Art Show. An opening reception, sponsored by the PHSC Chapter of the Association of Florida Colleges, will be held in the art gallery on May 18, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. The exhibit, which features photography, textiles, clay, ink, pencil drawings, acrylics and other forms of art, will run through Aug. 3. Summer gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday. There is no admission charge. For more information, call (727) 816-3231

Bundled online classes
Pasco-Hernando State College, in partnership with Ed2Go, is now offering new “bundled suites” of noncredit online courses. The instructor-led, comprehensive programs combine similar courses to enhance the learning experience. Students receive expert instruction and the opportunity to interact with fellow participants.

“Bundled suites” topics include entrepreneur, business and leadership suites; creative writing, grant writing, photography, web design and more.

The new courses begin May 18.

To view a complete list of all PHSC Ed2Go courses, or to register for the noncredit online courses, visit Ed2Go.com/phsc.

Saint Leo adult education
Saint Leo University’s Adult Education Center at University Campus will hold an information session on May 19, from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Pasco County School Board office at 20425 Gator Lane, Portable A, in Land O’ Lakes. Another session is scheduled for May 21, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Saint Leo University, 33701 State Road 52 in TECO Hall in the School of Business building at the university’s main campus in St. Leo. A 10 percent discount is offered for all bachelor’s degree programs through the Pasco County School Board corporate partnership with Saint Leo University.

Prom Promise at Wiregrass Ranch
Prom Promise brings together local first responders who visit high schools during prom season to inform students of the importance of making good decisions on prom night.

Using student actors from each high school who are dressed in prom attire and splattered with fake blood, the first responders illustrate the tragic events that can occur when a student gets drunk at the prom, and then drives away and crashes into another carload of prom-goers.

After the crash, the firefighters, paramedics and police officers converge on the scene, and students see the intense activity that follows, including a Bayflite helicopter ready to transport the trauma patients.

The presentations are coordinated with school SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) groups and the school resource officers.

Prom Promise will make an appearance at Wiregrass Ranch High School, 2909 Mansfield Blvd, in Wesley Chapel, on May 20 at 8:30 a.m., in the stadium.

Virtual school opens enrollment
Florida Virtual School Full Time, a statewide online public school, will open enrollment for grades six to 12 on June 1.

Combining Florida-certified teachers, a proven curriculum, technology tools and community experiences, FLVS Full Time delivers a high-quality, online education to students who benefit from an individualized approach to learning.

Parents can enroll students online at FLVSFT.com.

Summer VPK enrollment
Primrose School at Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes, will offer a summer PVK (Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten) program for eligible families and children. This is a free program for children who have not yet used a VPK voucher and turned 4 years old before Sept. 1, 2015.

Classes will begin on June 14 through Aug. 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with an hour rest at 12:30 p.m.

To learn more about Primrose School and how to enroll your child in the free VPK program, call Angella Hart at (813) 242-7800.

Pasco Education Foundation is charity of the month
During the month of May, the Pasco Education Foundation/Take Stock in Children program is the charity of the Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office.

The Pasco-based organization provides scholarships and related services to students who attend Pasco County schools, and money raised can also be used to supplement student services and provide grant opportunities for teacher development

There are three ways for customers to make a donation to the program: check the charitable organization’s box on the back of an automobile renewal notice, purchase a “Support Education” license plate, or make a cash donation at any of the five tax collector locations in Pasco County.

For information, visit PascoTaxes.com.

50-year class reunion
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.

Chalk Talk 05/04/2016

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Manufacturing job fair
Pasco-Hernando State College’s career and testing services, and CareerSource Pasco Hernando, will host a manufacturing job fair on May 11 from 9 a.m. to noon, at the West Campus, 10230 Ridge Road in New Port Richey.
All manufacturing related job seekers should bring plenty of resumes. Participants will have the opportunity to visit with local manufacturing companies that will be on hand for questions and on-the-spot interviews.
Job seekers must register at www.PHSC2016Manufacturing.eventbrite.com.

Bundled online classes
Pasco-Hernando State College, in partnership with Ed2Go, is now offering new “bundled suites” of noncredit online courses. The instructor-led, comprehensive programs combine similar courses to enhance the learning experience. Students receive expert instruction and the opportunity to interact with fellow participants.
“Bundled suites” topics include entrepreneur, business and leadership suites; creative writing, grant writing, photography, web design and more.
The new courses begin May 18.
To view a complete list of all PHSC Ed2Go courses, or to register for the noncredit online courses, visit Ed2Go.com/phsc.

Prom Promise at Wiregrass Ranch
Prom Promise brings together local first responders who visit high schools during prom season to inform students of the importance of making good decisions on prom night.
Using student actors from each high school who are dressed in prom attire and splattered with fake blood, the first responders illustrate the tragic events that can occur when a student gets drunk at the prom, and then drives away and crashes into another carload of prom-goers.
After the crash, the firefighters, paramedics and police officers converge on the scene, and students see the intense activity that follows, including a Bayflite helicopter ready to transport the trauma patients.
The presentations are coordinated with school SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) groups and the school resource officers.
Prom Promise will make an appearance at Wiregrass Ranch High School, 2909 Mansfield Blvd, in Wesley Chapel, on May 20 at 8:30 a.m., in the stadium.

Virtual school opens enrollment
Florida Virtual School Full Time, a statewide online public school, will open enrollment for grades six to 12 on June 1.
Combining Florida-certified teachers, a proven curriculum, technology tools and community experiences, FLVS Full Time delivers a high-quality, online education to students who benefit from an individualized approach to learning.
Parents can enroll students online at FLVSFT.com.

Summer VPK enrollment
Primrose School at Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes, will offer a summer PVK (Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten) program for eligible families and children. This is a free program for children who have not yet used a VPK voucher and turned 4 years old before Sept. 1, 2015.
Classes will begin on June 14 through Aug. 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with an hour rest at 12:30 p.m.
To learn more about Primrose School and how to enroll your child in the free VPK program, call Angella Hart at (813) 242-7800.

Anthony Brown wins poetry award
Pasco-Hernando State College student Anthony Brown won the Poetry Award at the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society of Florida Regional PTK Convention in Fort Lauderdale. Members from each campus PTK chapter represented PHSC at the convention attending various academic workshops and leadership development events.
Other regional winners included PHSC East Campus Chapter, Alpha Zeta Epsilon, named Most Improved Chapter. The West Campus Chapter also won the wild-card drawing and a scholarship to the Honors Institute at Wake Forest University. Both chapters received scholarships of $895 to cover tuition, and room and board.
Phi Theta Kappa is an international honor society whose members are guided by hallmarks of scholarship, leadership, service and fellowship.

50-year class reunion
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.

 

 

 

Making music under the stars

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Pine View Middle School is continuing its tradition of bringing the musical arts to the community of Land O’ Lakes, with its eighth annual “Night Under the Stars” music festival.

The school uses the event to showcase its various music programs, to give local performers a musical venue, and to raise money for needed instruments and uniforms.

Pine View Middle Music Director Amarilys Barbosa said the event comes at a crucial time in the school’s history.

“Our school is going through a change,” Barbosa said.

Pine View Middle has begun a quest to become the first school in Pasco County to offer a Middle Years Programme, under the auspices of the International Baccalaureate Organization.

As a result, more students have enrolled in the school’s music programs, creating a shortage of instruments.

Volunteer Sue Castellano and Pine View Middle School Music Director Amarilys Barbosa stand near some band instruments and uniforms. The school’s music programs have grown, and it needs to add more instruments and band uniforms. (File photo)
Volunteer Sue Castellano and Pine View Middle School Music Director Amarilys Barbosa stand near some band instruments and uniforms. The school’s music programs have grown, and it needs to add more instruments and band uniforms.
(File Photo)

When the band puts on a concert, there’s a good chance it will be borrowing some of the instruments.

The school also could use some more band uniforms.

The upcoming benefit will help address some of those needs, but that’s not the only reason the school puts it on, Barbosa said.

“We could do many different types of fundraisers, and we could be successful. We chose to do this because there is a huge support for the arts in our community, and we want to continue to foster that and get everyone involved,” she said.

The school has a beginning band, intermediate band and advanced band. It also has a chorus, a show choir, a jazz band, a percussion ensemble, a drumline and a color guard.

All of those groups will be performing at the event, which is slated for April 30, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

Other local groups will be performing, too, Barbosa said.

“It’s not just to showcase us. It’s also to give an opportunity to the local bands to kind of get their name out,” she said. The three acts that will be performing that night are Crossing The Tangent, Eden Shireen and Beyond Chaotic.

“We’re really excited to have them. They’re going to be playing throughout the evening, at 6, 7 and 8 o’clock. They’re going to be the headliners,” Barbosa said.

Parking and admission are free, and food will be available for purchase. There’s also going to be a kids’ zone, which requires a $5 band for entry. The zone will feature bounce houses, slides, an obstacle course and outdoor laser tag.

Additionally, there will be door prizes, and people will be able to make bids on silent auction baskets.

There are about 30 auction baskets, said a volunteer Sue Castellano, who has organized the gift basket effort. “The students and the business community have donated all of the items in the baskets.

“She (Castellano) is my basket queen,” Barbosa said, obviously grateful for Castellano’s efforts.

Those attending will be able to bid on baskets of wide-ranging themes.

There’s a perfume basket, valued at around $250, and there are baskets with sports memorabilia. There’s a grill that people can bid on, too.

“We have something for girls. We have something for boys. We have a family adventure night out. We have a cat basket. We have a dog basket. We even have a baby basket,” Castellano said.

The value of the baskets ranges from around $50 to more than $500, she said.

Besides being a great way to raise money, it also gives the school a chance to show parents what it has to offer.

“If you have young parents that may come out, maybe they have children in elementary school that are starting to move up — it’s going to show them the different types of instruments, the different type of music that’s played and what their children will be able to learn,” Castellano said.

Even if they can’t make it to the event, there are other ways to help, Barbosa said. The school still needs more instruments.

Musicians or former musicians who have instruments to spare are encouraged to donate them to the school, the musical director said. The school needs clarinets, flutes and trumpets.

If the program receives donations of smaller instruments, it can focus on purchasing larger instruments, Barbosa said.

“We’re hoping to be able to buy a couple of more tubas,” she said.

‘Night Under the Stars’ music festival
Where: Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes
When: April 30, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
What: Performances by Pine View Middle School’s bands, drumline, color guard and choruses, plus appearances by local musical acts. There also will be a silent auction, food available for purchase and a kids’ zone.
How much: Parking and admission are free.

Published April 27, 2016

 

Converting caps into love, through service project

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The culmination of donations over eight months was quite a sight at Saint Leo University recently.

Dozens of students, faculty and staff gathered on April 18 at the university’s northeast campus parking lot to witness 14 pallets — containing 8,000 pounds of plastic bottle caps — being loaded onto a 53-foot trailer, and sent to Bluegrass Recycling in Kentucky.

This school year, the university collaborated with Caps of Love, a Florida-based, nonprofit organization that recycles three grades of plastic caps and lids that are sold to the Kentucky-based recycling company.

All proceeds from the recycling are used to purchase new and refurbished wheelchairs that are donated to children in the United States with mobility disabilities.

(Kevin Weiss/Staff Photo) Students gather to see pallets full of bottle caps loaded onto a 53-foot truck that will send them to a recycling center in Kentucky. They have been collecting caps since August.
Students gather to see pallets full of bottle caps loaded onto a 53-foot truck that will send them to a recycling center in Kentucky. They have been collecting caps since August. (Kevin Weiss/Staff Photo)

Since 2014, Caps of Love has provided 32 wheelchairs to people under the age of 21, that are in need.

The charitable organization was founded over nine years ago by Valerie Mathieu of West Palm Beach, and it received its 501 (c) (3) status about four years ago.

After learning about a similar charity overseas, Mathieu figured she’d bring the program to the U.S. She was impressed by both its environmental and humanitarian components.

“It’s primarily an environmental charity and educating children on how to recycle properly—how to identify what is recyclable,” Mathieu said. “Our country is not really good at recycling, so this is an easy way to learn how to recycle and identify the different grades of plastic. …At the same time, we have the humanitarian side where we’re providing wheelchairs for handicapped children in the U.S.”

With many wheelchairs ranging from $5,000 to well over $22,000, the expense is often a financial burden for families with special needs children, Mathieu said.

“Insurance gives them a basic wheelchair, and they only receive wheelchairs every couple of years, so they outgrow it, and it’s up to the parents to just purchase a new one,” Mathieu said, noting her organization will soon give out 70 more wheelchairs. ”We also have a lot of families in this country that do not have insurance, and their children do not get wheelchairs, so that’s where we come in,” Mathieu said.

The program’s simplicity and purpose made it an ideal fit for the university to participate in the philanthropy project, satisfying its ‘community’ core value, said Heidi D’ Ambrosio, senior coordinator for Residence Life.

“We’d have competitions at the (residence) halls of who could collect the most caps,” D’ Ambrosio said. “We’d have sorting events, and we’d spend hours sorting them, because they have to be in three different grades.”

The three grades of plastic caps they recycled were polypropylene No. 5, and polyethylene No. 2 and No. 4 plastic caps, which are valuable in bulk.

“The most important thing is getting the three different grades collected correctly,” Mathieu said. “All three grades have about the same value and are sold by the pound, but when they’re mixed together, they have no value.”

With over 14 collection sites throughout the Saint Leo campus, the program quickly spread through word of mouth, as Greek Life organizations and student affairs staff members got involved.

“It (became) a constant thing that when you have a bottle cap, you put it in the basket,” said Ashley Montas, a freshman criminal justice major. “It’s pretty easy.”

Ryliegh D’ Ambrosio, a freshman psychology major, said the program helped unite the university.

“I feel that it brought sororities and (other) departments all together on campus for a good cause,” she said. “I didn’t realize how many (caps) it was until we finished.”

Community service hours were calculated based on the number of caps brought in. For example, if a student brought in 100 caps, they were rewarded with one service hour, and if they brought in 200 caps, they received two service hours.

“We’d like to continue this because we have so many people now that want to get involved with it,” D’ Ambrosio said.

For more information about Caps of Love, visit CapsOfLove.com.

Published April 27, 2016

Chalk Talk 04/27/2016

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Women who have ‘broken the ceiling’
Saint Leo University’s Adult Education Center at University Campus hosted its second Criminal Justice Speaker Showcase on April 7. The guest speakers were women who have advanced in their law enforcement careers. All the speakers advised the students and adult learners to follow their passion, continue their education, and to read and keep learning.

Timothy Beard inauguration
Pasco-Hernando State College will host inaugural events with the theme “Defeating the Odds…Achieving the Dream” for Dr. Timothy Beard’s investiture.
• May 2 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., “Celebrating the Dream” at Grace World Outreach Church, 20366 Cortez Blvd., in Brooksville
• May 6 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., presidential inauguration at the West Campus, 10230 Ridge Road in New Port Richey; 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., celebration reception in the physical fitness center at the West Campus
Guests are encouraged to bring a new or lightly used book – or any bookstore gift certificate – to any event to benefit students in need at local schools.
For information, visit PHSC.edu/inauguration.

Kindergarten preregistration
Pasco County Schools kindergarten preregistration is scheduled for May 2, at all district elementary schools.
Families interested in preregistering children should contact the school in their area for details about orientation activities and times. For a list of schools with addresses and phone numbers, visit Pasco.k12.fl.us/schools. A link to school attendance boundaries also can be found on the page.
Preregistration requirements include:
• Child must be 5 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2016
• Child’s birth certificate or other proof of birthdate

  • Health examination – HRS Form 3040
  • HRS Certificate of Immunization
  • Proof of Florida residency, such as current utility bill (electric, water, etc.), lease agreement, driver’s license, or state ID card

For information about kindergarten, call Courtney Lough at (813) 794-2780, (727) 774-2780 or (352) 524-2780.

Art night at Locke Elementary
Mittye P. Locke Elementary School, 4339 Evans Ave., in New Port Richey, will host an art night on May 5 at 5:30 p.m., to showcase a 30-minute Odyssey of the Mind team performance as a fundraiser for the team’s upcoming trip.
The team recently won the state championship and will attend the World Finals at Iowa State University.
Donations will be accepted in lieu of an admission fee.
For information, call Tisha Newton at (727) 458-9690.

Register for summer terms
Registration for three summer sessions at Pasco-Hernando State College is underway. Currently enrolled and returning students should register as soon as possible. The summer course schedule is online at Info.PHSC.edu/course-schedule.
New students interested in taking summer or fall classes should apply online at PHSC.edu/admissions.
Summer sessions include one 10-week term and two six-week terms. Term IIIA and Term III begin on May 9. Term IIIB begins on June 21.
Students who do not register before the first day of classes will incur a late registration fee of $20.
For information, visit PHSC.edu.

Local residents inducted to Phi Kappa Phi
Founded in 1897 at the University of Maine and headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline honor society. Membership is by invitation and requires nomination and approval by a chapter.
These local residents were recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi:

  • Stephanie Balasco of Odesssa, The University of Tampa
  • Tyler Hernandez of Lutz, UT
  • Cary Bame of Lutz, Florida State University
  • Emily Higgins of Lutz, FSU
  • Todd Nanni of Lutz, FSU
  • Morgan Austin of Lutz, University of South Florida
  • Joseph Brackin of Lutz, USF
  • Katlyn Dady of Lutz, USF
  • Stephen Herkert of Lutz, USF

Primrose School receives accreditation
Primrose School at Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes, has been awarded accreditation by the National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs.
As an accredited center, the school has been recognized as an early care and education program exemplifying excellence in the care of young children. Primrose School provides a high-quality program for children, professional development opportunities for staff, and an environment for children that is conducive to individual growth and development that exceeds state licensing requirements.
The accreditation process includes a self-study by administrators, staff and parents, and an onsite observation by an early childhood professional.
For information, visit EarlyLearningLeaders.org.

50-year class reunion
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.

 

 

 

Next up: competing at internationals

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Nine students from Torchbearer’s Christian Academy, in Dade City, have qualified for the 2016 International Student Convention (ISC), sponsored by Accelerated Christian Education.

The convention, held at the University of Central Missouri from May 21 to May 26, typically draws more than 4,000 youth worldwide to face off in approximately 150 events in the categories of music, oratory, art, athletics and academics.

Nine students from Torchbearers’ Christian Academy qualified for the 2016 International Student Convention, sponsored by Accelerated Christian Education. From left, Assistant Sun Coast Regional Coordinator Todd Smith, students Joshua Piankowski, students Kevin Hernandez, Jonathan Garza, Jose Hernandez, Gavin Womack, Savannah Jones, Roberto Garza, Rebeka Torres and Jesus Avila, and Sun Coast Regional Coordinator Tim Smith. (Photos courtesy of Torchbearers' Christian Academy)
Nine students from Torchbearers’ Christian Academy qualified for the 2016 International Student Convention, sponsored by Accelerated Christian Education.
From left, Assistant Sun Coast Regional Coordinator Todd Smith, students Joshua Piankowski, students Kevin Hernandez, Jonathan Garza, Jose Hernandez, Gavin Womack, Savannah Jones, Roberto Garza, Rebeka Torres and Jesus Avila, and Sun Coast Regional Coordinator Tim Smith.
(Photos courtesy of Torchbearers’ Christian Academy)

The event is deemed to be the highlight of the school year for hundreds of schools and home-schools who follow the Accelerated Christian Education curriculum.

To qualify for the international convention, Torchbearers’ students had to place in the top six in at least one event category at the Sun Coast Regional Student Convention, held from March 28 to April 1 in Hudson. They competed against hundreds of 13-and-older students from 23 other schools across the state.

Ninth-grader Rebeka Torres fared particularly well at regionals, placing first in four individual categories: Social Studies Research, Website Design, Watercolor Art and Vocal Female Solo. She also placed second in the Scrapbooking category

“I had a great time,” Torres said. “I think it was a really good experience, and it creates a lot of responsibility for what you’re doing, and it builds your character in what you can do…for the future.”

Torres competed in regionals two years ago, recently becoming more comfortable in the art events.

Ninth-grader Rebeka Torres placed first in four individual events at the Sun Coast Regional Student Convention in Hudson.
Ninth-grader Rebeka Torres placed first in four individual events at the Sun Coast Regional Student Convention in Hudson.

“In the beginning, you’re sort of hesitant in the art,” she said. “I actually messed up once, so I had to do it all over again. I think once you start laying out the colors and matching them, I think it’s easier.”

Another Torchbearers’ student, 11th-grader Roberto Garza, stood out at regionals. Garza placed first in two individual categories: Science Exhibit Research, and Pen and Ink Art. He also finished second in the Vocal Male Solo.

“It was my first time, and I was pretty nervous,” Garza said. “It makes you overcome your fear of being on a stage in front of people. It pushes you to your limits, because you don’t know you’re able to do (something) until you start.”

Despite being a small school with an enrollment of about 70 students, Torchbearers’ puts a “big spotlight” on the fine arts, according to Principal Jan Yarbrough.

“The greatest importance is sometimes they carry this through,” Yarbrough said. “They’ll find that they’re good in art and they can go into commercial art, or they find out they’re good with singing.”

In preparing for regionals, Yarbrough said many of the students would practice at nights, balancing busy schedules to keep up their academics.

“It’s a lot of pressure,” she said. “You find out those that have integrity and are going to stick with it.”

Eleventh-grader Roberto Garza placed first in two individual events, including the Science Exhibit Research category.
Eleventh-grader Roberto Garza placed first in two individual events, including the Science Exhibit Research category.

Torchbearers’ elementary teacher Natalie Ocampo, who participated at both conventions a decade ago, guided the students in their projects throughout the school year.

“I did it when I was their age…and it was wonderful to see them develop their talents,” Ocampo said. The competitions also let students meet others who share the same interests, she said.

“I think it helps with their confidence—a lot of them come in very shy and into themselves not thinking they can do it,” she said.

The International Student Convention brings students together from several different countries, including the Philippines, South Africa and Canada.

Assistant principal Shalom Ocampo noted it’s encouraging for Torchbearers’ students to meet and compete with others who come from different backgrounds, yet follow a similar curriculum.

“This curriculum, because it’s so individualistic and unconventional, sometimes you tend to feel like, ‘Oh, I’m the only one,’ but thousands of students are using the same curriculum,” he said. “It opens up your mind …and you feel the camaraderie and that same desire to make sure you do excellent work.”

Even though nine students qualified, the school officials are unsure if they’ll actually make the trip to Missouri this year due to the expenses involved.

In 2014, they sent three students to ISC, which was held at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Torchbearers’ Christian Academy
Nine students qualified for the 2016 International Student Convention, held in Warrensburg, Missouri, from May 21 to May 26. They recently competed at the 13-and-over Sun Coast Regional Student Convention in Hudson.
The winners were: Jesus Avila, Jonathan Garza, Roberto Garza, Jose Hernandez, Kevin Hernandez, Savannah Jones, Joshua Piankowski, Rebeka Torres and Gavin Womack.

Published April 20, 2016