Education

Chalk Talk 02/03/2016

February 3, 2016 By Mary Rathman

Trade instrument for free concert ticket
Barry Manilow has launched The Manilow Music Project, a grass roots organization helping to provide musical instruments to middle and high schools, and to provide music scholarships at universities.

Anyone who brings a donation of a new or gently used musical instrument to the ticket office at Amalie Arena will receive two free tickets (valid for preselected seat locations) to Manilow’s “One Last Time!” concert on Feb. 4.

Instruments can be dropped off at the ticket office Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

CDS to host TEDx event
Carrollwood Day School, 1515 W. Bearss Ave., in Tampa, will host “TEDxCarrollwoodDaySchool” on Feb. 4 from 8:30 a.m. to noon, in the CDS theater. The theme of the event is “Create, Engage, Innovate.”

TED (technology, entertainment, design) is a nonprofit organization devoted to ideas worth spreading. The speakers will include inspiring adults and students.

All CDS middle and high school students will attend the event. A limited number of guest tickets are available to the community, on a first- come, first- served basis. Admission is free, but reservations are required.

For information and tickets, visit CarrollwoodDaySchool.org, and click on the “community” link.

Open house at St. Anthony’s
St. Anthony Catholic School, 32902 St. Anthony Way (formerly Massachusetts Avenue) in San Antonio, will host an open house Feb. 4 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

For information, call (352) 588-3041.

Saint Leo hosts all-sports clinic
Saint Leo University’s athletics will recognize National Girls and Women in Sports Day on Feb. 6 with an all-sports clinic and a presentation by Beth Bass, former CEO of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association.

The clinic, for elementary and middle school students, will take place from noon to 1:45 p.m., at Turf Stadium. Each participant and one parent will receive free admission to the Saint Leo basketball doubleheader against Lynn University starting at 2 p.m. Check-in for the clinic starts at 11:30 a.m.

At halftime, Bass will speak on the theme of building self-esteem through sport.

After the women’s game, there will be a reception on the lawn adjacent to the breezeway entrance to the Marion Bowman Activities Center.

For information, contact Erin Mykleby at (352) 588-8223 or .

Catholic Schools Week celebrated
Catholic schools in the Diocese of St. Petersburg celebrate Catholic School Week from Jan. 31 to Feb. 6. This year’s theme is “Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service.”

Schools observe the celebration with Masses and activities for students, parents and the community.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School, on St. Timothy’s Catholic Church campus in Lutz, will have students write letters to their parents thanking them for the gift of a Catholic education. The students also will select a service activity to complete.

Other schools will create relief bags for homeless shelters, make cards for the troops, create Valentine’s Day cards for veterans, make care bags for families at the Ronald McDonald House, host a blanket drive, and create bags of food and care packages for families in need.

Fifth-graders need your votes
The fifth grade Media Club students from Veterans Elementary School in Wesley Chapel were voted into the top 10 contenders (for the second time in three years) for the Scotties’ Trees Rock video contest.

The school with the most eligible votes will receive $10,000 to use toward a sustainable project, such as tree plantings, outdoor classrooms, playgrounds, athletic fields, gardens and greenhouses. Winners will be announced Feb. 15.

Veterans Elementary is currently in fifth place.

The deadline to vote is Feb. 7. The videos can be viewed at ScottiesTreesRock.com.

Steinbrenner hosts teen panel
Steinbrenner High School, 5575 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road in Lutz, will host “The World of a Teen” on Feb. 9 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., in the auditorium.

A panel of experts will touch on the challenges facing today’s teens, including dating, drugs, alcohol, stress, social media, peer pressure and more.

There also will be a general PTSA meeting at 5:30 p.m., preceding the program.

Free math circle program
Saint Leo University, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo, is offering its free, weekly Math Circle program for area middle and high school students. The program includes hands-on activities that engage young people and help them sustain an enthusiasm for mathematics.

Sessions are on Thursdays, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., through May 12 in Lewis Hall, Room 207. There will be no class on March 17, due to Spring Break.

For information, contact Monika Kiss at (352) 588-8836 or .

Local students make Dean’s lists
The following schools have named local students to the Dean’s List for the 21015 fall semester.

Belmont University: Sarah Fechtel of Lutz, Katelyn Prieboy of Lutz, and Katie Wynn of Lutz
Berry College: Carson Oakes of Odessa, and Kathleen Quintana of Lutz
Chatham University: Sivan Nizan of Dade City
Greensboro College: Caroline Meisner of Lutz, and Amanda Owens of Lutz
Harding University: Calee Ash and Cami Ash of Lutz
Lehigh University: Danielle Campbell of Lutz
Newberry College: Christina Linton of Odessa
Samford University: Sarah J. Korta of Lutz
University of Dayton: Nathan Mansour of Odessa, and Jacob Mocny of Odessa.

Recycling and fun are major themes at Learning Gate

January 27, 2016 By B.C. Manion

The seventh- and eighth-graders were so revved up, it seemed like they were competing for a big cash prize.

But, they were battling for something that has no price tag.

Plastic trays, garden hose, plate liners and tin molds are used to bring life to the side of a storage shed at Learning Gate Community School’s seventh- and eighth-grade campus. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photos) — Plastic trays, garden hose, plate liners and tin molds are used to bring life to the side of a storage shed at Learning Gate Community School’s seventh- and eighth-grade campus.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photos)

They were going after bragging rights during a physical challenge at Learning Gate Community School, at the school’s seventh- and eighth-grade campus at 207 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road.

The kids were clearly having a blast, as they crab walked, kangaroo hopped, buzzard circled, salamander slithered, inch walked and piggyback rode through a relay race in the school’s auditorium.

The place was rocking with cheers and laughter, as teams raced back and forth.

The relay race is just one of the challenges that students have participated in this year, said Principal Michelle Mason said.

The challenges vary. Sometimes they’re physical. Other times they’re academic or have another focus.

“We make sure everybody has a chance to be the star and use their natural gift,” Mason said.

The students are competitive, she said.

But, points can be earned in other ways, too, the principal said.

Teachers can reward students that they notice are going above and beyond — academically, socially or behaviorally.

“We try to make sure that we encourage them in all different ways,” she said.

Although the elementary school and the middle school are on two different campuses, the school makes it a point to build on the curriculum, to give students a seamless education, she said.

The school places a heavy emphasis on environmental education and has won national recognition.

It received a 2014 Best of Green Schools award from the U.S. Green Building Council for the annual EcoFest that the school organizes.

Originally held on the school’s campus in Lutz, the event became so popular that it was moved to Tampa’s Lowry Park.

The event brings together businesses, organizations and individuals from Tampa Bay dedicated to the principles of sustainability.

The elementary campus has a sizable garden, and the seventh- and eighth-grade campus will be adding one.

This is the first year that the seventh- and eighth-graders have been housed at the Lutz Lake Fern Road campus, in a building that previously housed Hand in Hand Academy.

The seventh- and eighth-graders had been attending classes in an office building on Florida Avenue, but that was always intended as a temporary location.

At Learning Gate Community School’s seventh- and eighth-grade campus, the words ‘upcycle’ and ‘recycle’ are part of the school’s daily life. They’re reusing an old building for their school and are using ingenuity to create outdoor décor. Spray paint and hubcaps can be transformed into outdoor whimsical décor.

The charter school had been seeking to build a school for grades six through 12 off U.S. 41, but those attempts were abandoned after community opposition to the proposed site.

The Lutz Lake Fern Road location gives the students what they need, Mason said.

“We spent all summer getting this in shape for the kids to come in. We made it work for us,” she said.

“We’ve kind of been using the whole theme of recycling,” she said. “We’ve recycled and reused this older building.”

Outside, spray-painted bicycle rims and old hubcaps have been transformed into flowers, and a shack is decked out with flowers, featuring recycled items and green garden hose.

This campus has 176 students and can accommodate up to 205.

The school originally wanted up to 250 students, but agreed to compromise with community representatives for a maximum of 205.

“I think it was a good compromise,” Mason said.

Published January 27, 2016

Chalk Talk 01/27/2016

January 27, 2016 By Mary Rathman

Lacoochee students to learn street hockey
The East Pasco Family YMCA in Zephyrhills has partnered with the Tampa Bay Lightning and JP Morgan Chase for “Street Lightning Presented by Chase Bank” on Jan. 28 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., inside the Y’s gymnasium.

Up to 80 students from Lacoochee Elementary School will participate in the program that teaches the rules of hockey, team participation, teamwork and sportsmanship. Math and science also will be worked into the lessons.

Pasco Honor Choir Concert
The Pasco Honor Choir Concert will take place Jan. 30 at 2 p.m., at the Wesley Chapel Performing Arts Center, 30651 Wells Road in Wesley Chapel.
The concert will feature both the middle and high school Honor Choirs.

Land O’ Lakes Christian open house
Land O’ Lakes Christian School, 5105 School Road in Land O’ Lakes, will host an open house on Jan. 31 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

For information, call Melissa Ackerson at (813) 995-9040.

Application deadline for STEM magnet schools is Jan. 31
The application period for Pasco County Schools’ two new STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) middle magnet schools — Bayonet Point and Centennial — ends Jan. 31. The deadline for Sanders is the same day.

Applicants can access the application on the district website at PascoSchools.org, by clicking on the banner for the two STEM middle magnet schools. Families should complete a separate application for each child.

Student selection will be based on a randomized lottery. Those selected for acceptance into a magnet school will be notified on Feb. 12. The offer to accept a school invitation will be sent via email, and families will have six business days to respond. Invitations will be sent until all available magnet seats are filled.

Saint Leo mathematics contest
Saint Leo University will host the free American Mathematics Contest on Feb. 2 at 5:30 p.m., for students in ninth and 10th grade. The contestants will be asked to solve problems using algebra and geometry concepts, within a 75-minute timeframe. The 25 questions will be presented in a multiple-choice format.

The competition is sponsored by the Mathematical Association of America to identify, encourage and reward interest in math.

To participate, email Monika Kiss at , with “AMC” in the subject line.

The test will take place in TECO Hall, in the Donald R. Tapia School of Business building, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo.

CDS to host TEDx event
Carrrollwood Day School, 1515 W. Bearss Ave., in Tampa, will host “TEDxCarrollwoodDaySchool” on Feb. 4 from 8:30 a.m. to noon, in the CDS theater. The theme of the event is “Create, Engage, Innovate.”

TED (technology, entertainment, design) is a nonprofit organization devoted to ideas worth spreading. The speakers will include inspiring adults and students.

For information and tickets, visit CarrollwoodDaySchool.org, and click on the “community” link.

Open house at St. Anthony’s
St. Anthony Catholic School, 32902 St. Anthony Way (formerly Massachusetts Avenue) in San Antonio, will host an open house Feb. 4 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

For information, call (352) 588-3041.

Steinbrenner hosts teen panel
Steinbrenner High School, 5575 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road in Lutz, will host “The World of a Teen” on Feb. 9 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., in the auditorium.

A panel of experts will touch on the challenges facing today’s teens, including dating, drugs, alcohol, stress, social media, peer pressure and more.

There also will be a general PTSA meeting at 5:30 p.m., preceding the program.

Sessions are on Thursdays, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., through May 12 in Lewis Hall, Room 207. There will be no class on March 17, due to Spring Break.

For information, contact Monika Kiss at (352) 588-8836 or .

Chamber honors students
The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce has supported more than 1,500 students for more than 15 years with the help of its business and school partners.

These students and programs were recognized in November and December.

Turn Around Student Program, Denham Oaks Elementary School; Gabriella Kokoszka, Lake Myrtle Elementary; Jeff Weight, Land O’ Lakes Christian; Hailey Stircker, Oakstead Elementary; Arjay Todd and Jayden Waynick, Odessa Elementary; Tabitha Vinson, Sanders Memorial Elementary STEAM Magnet School; Leroygotti Thomas, Shady Hills Elementary; Kayla Lamb, Charles S. Rushe Middle; Kyle Clark, Pepin Academy Pasco; Jarell Caballer, Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High; Bethashley Cajuste, Land O’ Lakes High; Peer Mediator Program, Pine View Elementary; #IBStrong, Pine View Middle; and Connerton Elementary, Sunlake High and Odessa Christian.

Local students vie for $10,000 video prize

January 20, 2016 By B.C. Manion

The fifth-grade media club at Veterans Elementary School is vying for the $10,000 grand prize in the annual Trees Rock video contest sponsored by Scotties Tissues.

The club’s video has been deemed a top 10 finalist in a national competition.

The contest calls for videos that explain the importance of trees. The $10,000 prize is intended for use in a sustainable project, such as tree plantings, outdoor classrooms, greenhouses, gardens and so on.

Gadiel Ramirez records the sportscast featuring Jack Carbone as Jack Woodchuck, and Alyssa Bollent as Alyssa Leaf. (Photos courtesy of Veterans Elementary School) — Gadiel Ramirez records the sportscast featuring Jack Carbone as Jack Woodchuck, and Alyssa Bollent as Alyssa Leaf.
(Photos courtesy of Veterans Elementary School)

Students led by club co-advisers Susan Forgas and Mario Pineo worked on the video for weeks.

The students came up with the ideas for the segments, wrote the scripts, created costumes, filmed the segments and edited the three-minute video.

The video is based on the concept of someone flipping through the channels at night, landing on commercials or previews of shows.

“The kids kind of brought their own ideas,” Pineo said. “They sort of had an audition. Then we brainstormed how we would put those together and which ones we would include, and which ones made sense,” he said.

One segment is a portion of a mock sportscast hosted by Jack Carbone, playing the role of Jack Woodchuck, and Alyssa Bollent, playing the role of Alyssa Leaf.

Carbone also wrote the script for the segment, and Gadiel Ramirez shot the video.

Bollent also wrote the script for “Jennie the Genie,” with assistance from Caitlan Jamison and Julia Rosenberg.

Caitlan Jamison plays the role of Jennie the Genie, and Siena Bracciale plays the role of Sarah, in a segment called “Jennie the Genie.”

Jamison played the role of Jennie, Siena Bracciale played Sarah, and Yasmin Fajardo worked the camera.

Isaac Machado played the role of Slash and also wrote the script for “Slash vs Arbor Girl.” Rosenberg played Arbor Girl, Joie Goletz was Woodchuck, and Ava Shortt shot the segment.

Alyssa Forgas, who is Susan Forgas’ niece, handled the camera for the “All Spice” advertisement, which also featured Ella Jennette and Lauren Rossman as rock stars and Lauren Carulli as a makeup artist. Carulli and Jennette co-wrote the ad.

Griffin Roberts played the role of Daniel Wood in one segment. He also created a Twitter page @VoteVes, to help attract votes for the video.

Isaac Machado plays Slash, a villain in a segment called “Slash vs. Arbor Girl.”

Throughout the process, students handled a variety of chores, shooting video, editing, writing scripts and coming up with costumes.

If the school wins, the students want to spend the money on the butterfly garden, an edible garden and a sensory garden, featuring plants that have scents.

This isn’t the first time Veterans Elementary has had success with the contest.

In 2013, Ryan and Rachel Mish, a brother-and-sister team from the school, placed in the top four.

During the next phase of the contest, which runs through Feb. 7, the public will have a chance to view the videos and vote to determine who wins the grand prize.

To view and vote for Veterans Elementary School’s video, go to ScottiesTreesRock.com.

Published January 20, 2016

Porter campus provost is promoted

January 20, 2016 By B.C. Manion

Dr. Stan Giannet, the founding provost at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, has been promoted to a vice president’s post at the college.

Giannet wrapped up his last day at the Porter Campus on Jan. 15. He assumed his new role, based at the college’s West Campus in New Port Richey, on Jan. 19.

Stan Giannet, the founding provost of Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch has been promoted to a vice president for Pasco-Hernando State College. His last day at the campus was Jan. 15. His new role began Jan. 19. (File Photo) — Stan Giannet, the founding provost of Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch has been promoted to a vice president for Pasco-Hernando State College. His last day at the campus was Jan. 15. His new role began Jan. 19.
(File Photo)

The new vice president is eager to embrace the challenges of his new role, but said he will miss the staff, students and community at the campus he has led since its beginning.

Previously the provost at the college’s North Campus in Brooksville, he took over the leadership role at the Porter Campus in July of 2013.

Giannet selected the campus’ inaugural staff, and directed the school’s opening and subsequent growth.

“For this term, our full-time enrollment, we are up 4.5 percent,” he said.

“We continue to have strong programs. We continue to have classes from 8 o’clock in the morning until 9:40 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and a vigorous selection of classes on Fridays, from 8 (a.m.) to 4:30 (p.m.),” he said. “Almost all of those classes are full.”

Giannet has been named the college’s new vice president of academic affairs and faculty development/college provost.

“This will give me an opportunity to work closely with the president and the faculty to strengthen our existing programs and academic activities,” he said.

The role involves strengthening communication and collaboration among the departments, and developing the faculty, he said.

Previously, the provosts reported to the president, but now they will report to Giannet. Academic deans also will report to Giannet.

The new structure will foster opportunities for closer collaboration, Giannet said.

He said he will be striving for consistency across the college’s campuses.

He also wants to be sure the college is listening to students, supporting the faculty and serving the community.

“There’s going to be a heavy focus on community initiatives,” said Giannet, who was deeply involved in that type of work at the Porter Campus.

“What makes this a truly extraordinary place of learning and work is the family, the people we have here,” Giannet said.

He said he knows the campus is positioned well to continue to thrive.

“I’m leaving behind a solid foundation of people, who do outstanding work,” Giannet said.

He also expects continued partnerships, as the community grows.

The campus gave Giannet a send-off, which he characterized as “deeply touching, deeply moving.”

Dr. Bonnie Clark, who has been named vice president of distance learning and provost of Porter Campus, is Giannet’s successor.

Published January 20, 2016

Chalk Talk 01/20/2016

January 20, 2016 By Mary Rathman

Gulf Coast students pay it forward to NAMI
Students of Gulf Coast Academy and Gulf Coast Middle Schools paid it forward by raising $1,431.70 to support NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Hernando, and the residents of the community living with mental illness. NAMI Hernando invited the students to the Beautiful Mind Center for a pizza party to thank them for their efforts. While there, the students decorated the center for the holidays. Shown, front row from left, Tiffany Egli, Geri Anderson and Heather Phillips. Back row from left, Ethan Egli, Lisa Anderson, Gabrielle Anderson, Kara Peters, Cheryl Peters, Rayna Phillips and Aiden Phillips. For information about NAMI Hernando, call (352) 684-0004, or email .

Peguero receives inauguration scholarship
Jessica Peguero, a Center for Online Learning student with Saint Leo University, was named a recipient of an inauguration scholarship, which were provided to deserving students. Peguero, of Land O’ Lakes, is pursuing a degree in psychology. She will graduate in in April.

The inauguration scholarships are the result of Saint Leo University President William J. Lennox Jr.’s decision to forego a formal inauguration ceremony, and instead, provide 20 inauguration student scholarships.

Saint Leo has awarded five $2,500 scholarships each to students from University Campus, the Center for Online Learning, education centers, and graduate programs.

These one-time scholarships are funded and provided by a donor to the university.

Sessions are on Thursdays, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., through May 12 in Lewis Hall, Room 207. There will be no class on March 17, due to Spring Break.

For information, contact Monika Kiss at (352) 588-8836 or .

Sunshine Book Club discussion
The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will host the “Taste of Sunshine Book Club” on Jan. 21 at 5 p.m., with a discussion on “Athlete vs. Mathlete” by W.C. Mack.

Each month, there will be a discussion on one of the third through fifth-grade books, a craft and a snack.

Registration is required. For information or to register, call (813) 929-1214.

Countryside Montessori open house
Countryside Montessori Charter School, 5852 Ehren Cut-Off in Land O’ Lakes, will host an open house for the 2016-2017 school year, on Jan. 21 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., for first through eighth grade.

Students and families can tour the campus, and meet the teachers and staff.

For information, call (813) 996-0991, or visit CMCSMontessori.com.

School Choice Week is Jan. 24 to Jan. 30
Students, parents, teachers and community leaders are planning more than 15,000 events during National School Choice Week, including open houses at schools, rallies, roundtable discussion, school fairs and more.

School choice means empowering parents to select the best education environment for their children. These options include traditional public schools, public charter schools, magnet schools, private schools, online learning, and homeschooling.

All 50 states offer parents the freedom to educate children in the home.

All 50 states have public magnet schools, which focus on subjects such as math, science and the arts.

Forty-six states allow some type of public school open enrollment program, so parents can choose the right traditional public school, regardless of location.

Forty-three states allow for the creation of public charter schools, which are innovative, tuition-free public schools.

Thirty states offer full-time, tuition-free online academies.

And, 27 states offer private school scholarship or tax-deductible programs to help make private school more accessible.

To learn more, visit News.SchoolChoiceWeek.com.

Land O’ Lakes Christian open house
Land O’ Lakes Christian School, 5105 School Road in Land O’ Lakes, will host an open house on Jan. 31 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

For information, call Melissa Ackerson at (813) 995-9040.

Fifth-graders break into top 10
The fifth grade Media Club students from Veterans Elementary School in Wesley Chapel were voted into the top 10 contenders (for the second time in three years) for the Scotties’ Trees Rock video contest.

Students were encouraged to be creative by creating a poem, a play, a speech, a song, or a dance on the importance of trees to themselves, their school and their community.

The school with the most eligible votes will receive $10,000 to use toward a sustainable project, such as tree plantings, outdoor classrooms, playgrounds, athletic fields, gardens and greenhouses.

Veterans’ club coordinator, Susan Forgas, helped the students create a mock newscast intermixing sports, news and reality television between tree facts. If the school wins, it will use the winnings to further their efforts in expanding its butterfly sanctuary and edible gardens, along with adding a sensory garden.

Winners will be announced Feb. 15.

The videos can be viewed at ScottiesTreesRock.com.

Area events honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

January 13, 2016 By Kathy Steele

The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lives on each year as communities nationwide celebrate the birth of the civil rights leader with parades, community service days and reflections on his message of non-violence.

The official holiday honoring King will be Jan. 18.

In Pasco County, celebrations will be take place throughout the week, including a first-time parade in Lacoochee on the official holiday.

The parade came at the suggestion of the young people in the Boys & Girls Club of Lacoochee, said Lorenzo Coffie, who is helping organize the parade and a scholarship breakfast for the MLK Program Committee.

“We thought it was an exciting idea,” Coffie said.

Area colleges and civic groups also are planning events.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his stirring ‘I Have a Dream’ speech during the 1963 March on Washington. (FIle Photo) — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his stirring ‘I Have a Dream’ speech during the 1963 March on Washington.
(FIle Photo)

Pasco-Hernando State College will host the 31st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Lecture Series on Jan. 20 and Jan. 21, on its various campuses around the county.

The guest speaker will be Mark Anthony Neal, a professor of black popular culture in African-American Studies at Duke University in North Carolina and director of the Institute of Critical US Studies.

The theme of Neal’s lectures will be “Hip Hop, Civil Rights and Social Media.”

King’s legacy is in civil rights, but also social justice, and this year’s theme focuses on the synergy between the two, said Imani Asukile, director of Global & Multicultural Awareness at PHSC.

Neal also brings expertise in social media and its cultural influences. His articles have been published in the Washington Post, Emerge Magazine and The Chicago Sun-Times.

He is author of four books, including his most recent, “New Black Man: Rethinking Black Masculinity.”
Neal has described himself as a black feminist male.

At Saint Leo University, there will be a Spring Community Service Day on Jan. 18.

Florida Supreme Court Justice Peggy Quince will be the guest speaker at noon in the Student Community Center boardroom, discussing King’s efforts to end childhood poverty.

Quince became the first African-American woman appointed to a state appeals court when she was selected to serve on the Second Court of Appeal in 1993. She was elected to the position three years later.

Gov. Lawton Chiles and Gov.-elect Jeb Bush appointed her to the Florida Supreme Court in 1998. She served as chief justice from 2008 to 2010, making her the second African-American and third woman to hold the position.

Following her talk, a free children’s fair will be on campus. There will be face painting, sand art and several inflatables. Faculty, students and student clubs will host the activities.

In Lacoochee, the Boys & Girls Club of Lacoochee, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, local churches, schools, area businesses and the MLK Program Committee plan two days of activities.

On Jan. 16, a Scholarship Breakfast program will take place at the Boys & Girls Club of Lacoochee. Donations of $10 for adults and $5 for students are requested. The funds will provide scholarships to area high school students.

On Jan. 18, a parade will be held, followed by a program at the Boys & Girls Club of Lacoochee, with the Rev. Deundrick Reed as keynote speaker.

The MLK Program Committee enlists different hosts each year for festivities. Coffie said the committee members appreciate the enthusiasm of the youth at the Boys & Girls Club who wanted to stage a parade.

Pasco County Sheriff’s Cpl. Jessica Hammond, known as Officer Friendly, also encouraged the parade, he said.

The theme is “The Dream: One Nation Under God.”

“(Dr.) King was a reverend. That was his forte,” said Coffie. “His ministry was based on nonviolence and equality for all.”

Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations:

Activities at Pasco-Hernando State College
Who: Guest lecturer Mark Anthony Neal, professor of black popular culture in African-American Studies at Duke University
What: Lecture on “Hip Hop, Civil Rights and Social Media”
When: Jan. 20 at 10 a.m., in Room B-303, Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, 2727 Mansfield Road, Wesley Chapel and at 6 p.m. in Room A-240, East Campus, 36727 Blanton Road, Dade City.
Neal also will speak on Jan. 21 at 9:45 a.m., via web telecast in B-104/105, North Campus, 11415 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Brooksville; at 9:45 a.m., in Performing Arts Center, West Campus, 10230 Ridge Road, New Port Richey, and at 7 p.m., in Room B-105, Spring Hill Campus, 450 Beverly Court, Spring Hill

Activities at Saint Leo University
What: Speech by Florida Supreme Court Justice Peggy Quince
Where: Student Community Center boardroom
When: Jan. 18 at noon

What: Children’s fair
When: Jan. 18, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., on the green between the Student Activities Building and Kirk Hall.
Saint Leo University is at 33701 State Road 52, four miles east of Interstate 75.

MLK Program Committee Activities

What: Scholarship Breakfast Program
When: Jan. 16, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., at the Boys & Girls Club of Lacoochee, 38724 Mudcat Grant Blvd., in Lacoochee.
How much: Tickets are $10 for adults, and $5 for students

MLK parade
When: Jan. 18 at 9 a.m.
Where: Starting in Lacoochee at Cummer Road and U.S. 301, ending at Boys & Girls Club of Lacoochee. After the parade, there will be a MLK Commemorative Program at 11 a.m., at the boys and girls club, where the Rev. Deundrick Reed will be the keynote speaker. There will be refreshments at Stanley Park after the program.

Published January 13, 2016

New charter school to open in Lutz

January 13, 2016 By Kevin Weiss

If all goes smoothly, Sunlake Academy of Math and Science will open for the 2016-2017 school year.

The eight-acre site for the school is on North Dale Mabry Highway, about a half-mile north of Exciting Idlewild Boulevard.

Construction for the 40,000-square-foot, two-story charter will break ground sometime within the next month, and is expected to be completed over the summer.

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.

Sunlake Academy will look similar to Valrico Lake Advantage Academy. (Courtesy of Charter School Properties) — Sunlake Academy will look similar to Valrico Lake Advantage Academy.
(Courtesy of Charter School Properties)

Developed by Charter School Properties (CSP), Sunlake Academy will be large enough to eventually accommodate up to 1,150 students, from kindergarten through eighth grade. 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.

In creating the school, Charter School Properties, which also developed Valrico Lake Advantage Academy, is working closely with Charter School Associates, the school’s Education Management Organization.

“We’re pleased to be bringing the local community new educational opportunities with this state-of-the-art building and a proven, high-tech STEM curriculum,” Joseph Rauenhorst, president of Charter School Properties, said in a release. “Partnering with Charter School Associates and other leading charter school operators, we focus on creating stimulating, nurturing environments that maximize each child’s achievement and develop the skills needed to succeed today.”

The company and its site engineer, Chris McNeal, are currently working through the site permitting process with several Hillsborough County agencies and the Florida Department of Transportation.

“We hope to have it wrapped up soon to start with building,” said McNeal, founder of McNeal Engineering, Inc. “Since it’s properly zoned already for the use, there’s no public hearings or anything like that. It’s straight to construction.”

According to Cindy Hughes, Charter School Properties’ director of operations, the local school district approved the charter in November. Since then, getting the charter up and running has been an ongoing process.

“There’s two moving parts,” Hughes said. There’s the construction of the building by the developer who also has to get all approvals running, then the school is required to get all their FEA (Florida Education Association) things handled, hire teachers and do their end of it. Then it all comes together.”

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, the piece of property has not yet been sold to the developer.

Hughes said the property is “still an option” for building a charter school in the future.

“We’re still in negotiations, so nothing’s for sure yet,” Hughes said.

Hughes added that if a charter were built there, it would most likely have a different managing operator than CSA, which will run Sunlake Academy.

Last year, several Lutz residents voiced their concerns about building a school at the Sunlake and Lutz Lake Fern Road location. They cited traffic congestion, interference of wetlands and natural habitats, and possible flooding as potential issues that could arise if a school was established there.

“It’s an inappropriate project in scope and size for that proposed location,” said Mike White, founder and president of the Lutz Citizens Coalition. “That’s the type of thing that brings local neighborhoods to their knees. The new location is off of Dale Mabry Highway, so it’s not as impactful to the local area as it would have been.”

White said the citizen’s group is closely monitoring the project at North Dale Mabry Highway, but currently has “no issue” with it and has not been asked to intervene by members of the Lutz community.

“The main thing that we’re looking at right now is access to that project,” White said. “Right now, it’s designed for Dale Mabry primarily, and that’s fine. That’s really what Dale Mabry was built to do. However, if they change it to where they’re coming out on Van Dyke Road or rural two-lane roads, which would dramatically impact our local neighborhood, then we would step in and get involved.

“It’s a large school, but if they were to keep access limited to Dale Mabry, then you know, Dale Mabry can handle it.”

Published January 13, 2016

School renovations under way

January 13, 2016 By B.C. Manion

Saint Anthony Catholic School, in San Antonio, celebrated a milestone in its history last February, when it dedicated a new classroom building.

Now, it’s in the midst of a $1.7 million renovation of the three-story brick building that formerly housed the school.

The current project, which began in June, involves a complete overhaul.

The top floor will be a cafeteria and a recreation space, said Sister Alice Ottapurackal, the school’s principal.

The second floor has a media room, a computer lab, an art room and a Spanish classroom.

The ground floor has a music room, two extra classrooms and storage space.

Work is under way on a $1.7 million renovation project at Saint Anthony Catholic School in San Antonio. The project follows the construction of a new three-story classroom building that was completed last year. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo) — Work is under way on a $1.7 million renovation project at Saint Anthony Catholic School in San Antonio. The project follows the construction of a new three-story classroom building that was completed last year.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

Children will be able to have recess and physical education inside, on the top floor, when it is too cold or rainy to go outdoors, Ottapurackal said.

“They are excited about that, and me, too. They need that time to relax and get that physical activity,” she said.

The new construction completed last year has allowed the school to enhance its programs and this renovation will, too, Ottapurackal said.

The school uses technology in each classroom.

The computer lab is intended to allow an entire class to work on projects at the same time, and also will give children an opportunity to bolster their computer skills, Ottapurackal said.

While appreciating the value of technology, the principal said the school focuses on giving students good foundational skills in reading, writing, spelling and mathematics.

The principal believes that children can quickly learn how to use computers. She wants to be sure that the school’s students know how to read, write and communicate and are able to tell if the information they find on the Internet is credible.

The classroom building completed last year allowed the school to enhance its science program, Ottapurackal said.

The renovation under way will provide more space for the music and art programs, she said. Instructional minutes for those programs won’t be increased, but the teacher will have more time to teach because the larger spaces reduce the need for taking out and storing materials before and after each class.

Like many schools, Saint Anthony Catholic School is placing an emphasis on science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics. The principal said it also adds another area of emphasis: religion.

The school has 217 students, in kindergarten through eighth grade.

Ottapurackal hopes it will have between 230 and 235 students next year. It has the capacity to serve 270 students.

While the Diocese of St. Petersburg supported the construction of the new classroom building, the renovation project is being paid for by community donations.

So far, $1.4 million has been raised for the project.

“We wanted to give everyone an opportunity to participate in this project. So, we had fundraising from $50 to $500,000.”

“The community here — people are so generous. It’s their school. It’s been here since 1884,” she said.

Anyone who would like more information about the school, or who would like to help in the fundraising campaign, can email .

Published January 13, 2016

Pasco school growth expected to continue

January 13, 2016 By B.C. Manion

Pasco County is expected to add a total of 1,673 students in public and charter schools next year, based on projections compiled by Pasco County Schools.

That’s an increase over last year’s growth, which was 1,517, and brings the figure to nearly 3,200 in two years.

The bulk of the growth is coming in the State Road 54/State Road 56 corridor, said Chris Williams, director of planning for Pasco County Schools.

The growth is coming, he said, from “all those new developments springing up along the 54 corridor — Wiregrass. Bexley Ranch. Starkey Ranch.”

“Everything between Trinity and Wesley Chapel, along the 54 corridor,” Williams said.

There’s development in the Sunlake area, and Connerton is building again, too, Williams said.

The school district planner broke down the enrollment growth by grade levels.

“This year, we grew by a little bit under 500 elementary kids. Next year, we’re projecting 555 in the elementary, which is about 73 percent of an elementary school,” Williams said.

“We’re projecting 346 (additional students) for middle, and 709 (more) for high school,” he said.

The district picks up a sizable number of private school and charter school kids at the high school level, Williams noted.

“We have to be cognizant of that when we’re doing our projections. We can’t just take our eighth-grade population and assume that’s what our ninth-grade population is going to be,” he said. The district has to add to that.

This will be the third year in a row that the district has experienced enrollment growth, Williams said.

Growth projected for next year is substantially less than in 2004-2005, when enrollment grew by almost 3,200, he said

But, the expected growth is significantly more than in 2008-2009, when enrollment grew by 280; 2009-2010, when it grew by 327; 2010-2011, when it declined by 252 and, 2011-2012, when it dropped by130.

The district’s projection for this year was for 69,475, but it expects to come in higher — at 69,633, Williams said.

Its projection for next year is 71,306.

The district tries to be cautious in its projections, Williams said.

“We don’t want to overbuild,” he said. On the other hand, “We also don’t want to fall way behind, either.

“We’re trying to be smart about where we’re putting schools,” he said.

“We built W because it was centrally located and allowed us to relieve Double Branch, Seven Oaks, that area,” he said.

With all of the construction activity, there’s no doubt additional schools will be needed, Williams said. The question is how many?

“Everybody is restarting, and they’re all going at once. The question is how sustainable is that? Are they competing for the same customers, or is there enough demand to buy all that they’re going to build? And, I don’t know the answer to that,” Williams said.

Published January 13, 2016