The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Education

Chalk Talk 11/11/15

By

IB programme info sessions
The Land O’ Lakes High School International Baccalaureate Programme will host three community information nights for prospective applicants seeking ninth grade admission in the 2106-2017 school year.

Parents and guardians of current eighth-grade public, charter and private school students can attend. All sessions are at 6:30 p.m.

  • Nov. 12 at John Long Middle School, 2025 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel
  • Nov. 17 Weightman Middle, 30649 Wells Road in Wesley Chapel

For information, contact Jeff Morgenstein at (813) 794-9429, (352) 524-9429 or .

Hockey clinics for students
The Tampa Bay Lightning will host Street Lightning Hockey Clinics for the fourth and fifth graders at these schools:

  • Nov. 13 at 9:50 a.m.: Pine View Elementary School in Land O’ Lakes
  • Nov. 16 at 8:50 a.m.: Sanders Memorial Elementary School in Land O’Lakes

Every participating student receives a hockey stick and a Lightning game voucher.

For information, call Amy Lipovetsky, Office for Teaching and Learning, at (813) 794-2246.

PHSC book drive
The Pasco-Hernando State College Synergy Sociology Club will host its annual “Plant a Seed Book Drive” through Nov. 13. The club is looking for new and gently used books for ages 3 to young adult, with appropriate content. Collected books will be donated to local Title I schools, youth shelters, and Big Brothers and Big Sisters throughout Hernando and Pasco counties.

Donation boxes will be located in the student activities office, library and student lounge on each of the campuses:

  • East Campus, 36727 Blanton Road in Dade City
  • West Campus, 10230 Ridge Road in New Port Richey
  • Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., Wesley Chapel
  • Spring Hill Campus, 450 Beverly Court

For information, visit PHSC.edu.

Perry Outreach Program
The Medical Center of Trinity is collaborating with the Perry Initiative to present the Perry Outreach Program on Nov. 14 at the Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54.

The program is a free, one-day, hands-on experience for high school and college-age women who are interested in pursuing careers in medicine and engineering. Students will hear from women leaders in these fields and try it for themselves by performing mock orthopedic surgeries and biomechanics experiments.

Participants should be in grades 10 and higher with an interest in science, medicine and/or engineering.

Applicants should fill out an online application in advance of the Nov. 14 program. Applications can be found at PerryInitiative.org/programs/student-online-application.

For information about the Perry Initiative, visit PerryInitiative.org.

Middle school math contest
Saint Leo University, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo, will host the American Mathematics Contest 8 for middle school students Nov. 17 at 5:30 p.m., in TECO Hall in the School of Business.

Parents, teachers and students interested in this opportunity should contact Monika Kiss of the Department of Mathematics and Science. She can be reached at (352) 588-8836 or .

Citizens of the Month
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce recognized student Citizens of the Month for September and October.

Those honored in September were Madison Gunn, Academy at the Farm; Alexandre Isaac, East Pasco Adventist Academy; Landry Samuels, Saint Anthony Catholic School; Cassidy Grubbs, Centennial Elementary School; Johana Morales Perez, Lacoochee Elementary School; Angelita Capetillo-Navejar, Pasco Elementary; Alexis Tillis, Rodney B. Cox Elementary; Joseph Hancock, San Antonio Elementary; Abagahale Wincott, Centennial Middle; Nashaw Roberts, Pasco Middle; Cheyanne Stone, James Irvin Education Center; and Hannah White, Pasco High.

Students honored in October were Bryce Hewell, Academy at the Farm; Elizabeth Franklin, East Pasco Adventist Academy; Faith Quinn, Saint Anthony Catholic School; Hannah Ditomasso, Centennial Elementary; Hailey Hitts, Lacoochee Elementary; Adrian Sandoval, Pasco Elementary; Jair Pantoja, Rodney B. Cox Elementary; Logan Dyal, San Antonio Elementary; Anissa Wilson, Centennial Middle; Juan Pablo Benavides, Pasco Middle; Diamond Diaz-Cherry, James Irvin Education Center; and Yocia Abney, Pasco High.

Winter Art Showcase and Book Fair
Wiregrass Ranch High School will have a “Winter Art Showcase and Book Fair” at Barnes & Noble at The Shops at Wiregrass on Dec. 3 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be a jazz quartet, carolers and drama performances, “Artist in Action,” storytelling, face painting, art exhibits, free gift wrapping and more. Come and show your support and win prizes like a GlowLight Nook, PTSA gift bag and original paintings.

If you cannot make the event, shop online from Dec. 3 to Dec. 7, using voucher code 11704327 at BN.com/bookfairs, and a percentage of your Barnes & Noble purchases will benefit the fine arts department at Wiregrass Ranch High School.

Mock debate and election
Students and residents interested in national electoral politics are invited to see a mock presidential debate Nov. 13 at 7 p.m., in the Greenfelder-Denlinger Boardrooms of the Student Community Center, Saint Leo University, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo. Two student debaters are playing the roles of fictitious Republican and Democratic presidential candidates.

This debate culminates a semester project shared among nine different college classes involving students in realistic roles, including campaign strategists, media representatives, and debate moderators. The audience gets to vote at the end.

To find out more, contact Greg Kunzweiler at (352) 588-6578 or .

Corbett Prep open house
Corbett Preparatory School of IDS, 12015 Orange Grove Drive in Tampa, will have an Admissions Open House Nov. 17 at 8:30 a.m.

Headmaster Dr. Joyce Burick Swarzman will discuss academic curriculum, fine arts, sports and STEM programs. Swarzman also will explain how and why Corbett Prep uses brain-based teaching strategies in classrooms and the regular in-house and national training for teachers.

For information or to RSVP, contact Jennifer Clark at (813) 961-3087 or .

Admissions open house
Academy at the Lakes, 2331 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes, will host an Admissions Open House for grades 5 to 12 on Nov. 18 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., on the McCormick Campus.

To RSVP, visit AcademyAtTheLakes.org/rsvp-open-house.

For information, call (813) 909-7919.

School for grades six through 12, under way

By

Drive down Old Pasco Road, and there’s not a lot of traffic to contend with — yet.

That’s likely to change when the combination high school-middle school being built by Pasco County Schools opens, slated for August 2017.

Crews have cleared the trees and prepped the land for a school now known as High School GGG, but it will actually serve students in grades six through 12.

Crews are doing earthwork at the new site, which will be home to a Pasco County school for grades six through 12. (B.C.Manion/Staff Photo)
Crews are doing earthwork at the new site, which will be home to a Pasco County school for grades six through 12.
(B.C.Manion/Staff Photo)

The district needs to relieve crowding at Wiregrass Ranch High School and Wesley Chapel High School, and may even send some students from Pasco High School to the new high school, once it opens, said Ray Bonti, assistant superintendent of support services.

But, it also needs to reduce crowding at John Long and Weightman middle schools.

Since the district can’t afford to build a new high school and a new middle school, it has decided to share the facilities at the new school, which will be located on the west side of Old Pasco Road, near Overpass Road.

The school is being built for 1,900 students and carries a price tag of $62 million.

A committee will be meeting in about a year to recommend boundaries for the new school.

The district has a couple of hundreds of acres at the site, so it has plenty of room to build a middle school there, once it has the money.

Crowding is so significant at Wiregrass Ranch High that it went to a 10-period day this year, to manage the number of students who are on campus at the same time.

Published November 11, 2015

 

Cybersecurity opportunities expand at Saint Leo

By

In a world where new cyber threats constantly emerge, a new agreement between Saint Leo University and (ISC)2 will expand opportunities at the university in the arena of cybersecurity.

(ISC)2 is a nonprofit organization that primarily focuses on education and certification in the field of cybersecurity.

Saint Leo University has recently joined (ISC)2 in a Global Academic Partnership.

USF and Polk State College are other institutions in the region that also joined (ISC)2’s Global Academic Partnership.

Students are busy during a cybersecurity class at Saint Leo University. The field of cybersecurity requires technical skills, but is both financially and professionally rewarding, said Dr. Vyas Krishnan, of Saint Leo University. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Students are busy during a cybersecurity class at Saint Leo University. The field of cybersecurity requires technical skills, but is both financially and professionally rewarding, said Dr. Vyas Krishnan, of Saint Leo University.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

“This is one of the largest and most respected organizations that operates in this field,” said Dr. Vyas Krishnan, assistant professor of computer science at Saint Leo University.

“It’s sort of a gold standard,” he added, noting the organization boasts a membership of more than 110,000 cybersecurity professionals worldwide.

“They also offer some of the most highly respected certifications in the field of cybersecurity,” Krishnan said.

The university benefits because the partnership provides Saint Leo students access to educational modules and certification opportunities that (ISC)2 provides for professionals, he said.

“Since we are a Global Academic Partner, our faculty, ourselves would be providing workshops, seminars and training for some of those certifications,” Krishnan said.

That will enable Saint Leo students to work with the same faculty that they’ve been taking classes from at the university, he noted.

Additionally, the partnership will give students a chance to interact with working professionals, Krishnan said.

The cybersecurity field is constantly evolving, and it’s a field that offers significant employment opportunities, Krishnan said.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 37 percent increase in demand for cybersecurity specialists in the next 10 years, he added.

Jobs in this field pay well. Experts can earn from $75,000 to $125,000, with five to 10 years of experience, and the proper certifications, Krishnan said.

Many of the certifications required in job postings are certifications provided by (ISC)2, he noted.

Through the agreement, (ISC)2 will provide thousands of students and professionals across the states of Florida, Virginia and Georgia, and online students from across the country with the opportunity to gain knowledge, skills and certifications.

(ISC)2 also sees a benefit by partnering with Saint Leo, because working professionals must earn continuing professional education credits to keep their certifications current.

Another benefit is that through interactions between the university, the working professionals and the (ISC)2 consortium, knowledge can be shared in the evolving field, Krishnan said.

The interactions will provide a broad view, and raise awareness about emerging threats and new ways to mitigate them.

Cyber criminals are constantly coming up with new ways to steal data or stymie systems.

“The frequency is going up. Cyber criminals are becoming more sophisticated,” Krishnan said.

At the same time, companies and organizations recognize that steps must be taken to ensure that data is protected.

“Upper management has fully realized the gravity of the situation, how important it is to protect the assets because there could be legal implications and there could be financial implications, reputation hits, things of that nature,” Krishnan said. “The ramifications are huge.”

The cybersecurity profession is highly technical, Krishnan said. But he added: “It’s also challenging and exciting.

“It’s a lot of cat-and-mouse kind of games.

“You can see the tracks that they leave behind. You can see how they’re impacting your network, but you cannot see the person. A lot of times, you may not even know where they’re located.”

Published November 4, 2015

Pasco County is seeking to fill teacher shortages

By

Pasco County Schools is hosting a job fair in an effort to fill teacher shortages in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The job fair will be on Nov. 12 from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., in the gymnasium at Wiregrass Ranch High School, 2909 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, according to a district news release.

The district is inviting college graduates and soon-to-be graduates to attend the job fair, and it also is extending the invitation not only to education majors, but also to people who have degrees or are seeking degrees in the shortage areas identified.

The district has a Professional Development Certification program, which allows individuals who possess a bachelor’s degree, and who qualify for a temporary certificate under Florida law, to receive professional preparation and experience required to earn the Florida Professional Certificate.

The district’s benefits and certification staff will be at the event to give candidates a better understanding of the process, the news release says.

To make the event even more enticing, those attending the job fair also will be eligible to win a pair of tickets for a Tampa Bay Buccaneers football game and an iPad Mini.

The district has cast a wide net, specifically inviting students from these universities:

  • Barry University
  • Bethune Cookman University
  • Florida A&M University
  • Florida Atlantic University
  • Florida Gulf Coast University
  • Florida International University
  • Florida Memorial University
  • Florida State University
  • Saint Leo University
  • St. Petersburg College
  • St. Thomas University
  • University of Central Florida
  • University of Florida
  • University of Miami
  • University of North Florida
  • University of South Florida
  • University of Tampa
  • University of West Florida

For more information, visit PascoSchools.org, and click on the job fair banner at the top.

Published November 4, 2015

Chalk Talk 11/04/15

By

IB programme info sessions
The Land O’ Lakes High School International Baccalaureate Programme will host three community information nights for prospective applicants seeking ninth grade admission in the 2106-2017 school year.

Parents and guardians of current eighth-grade public, charter and private school students can attend. All sessions are at 6:30 p.m.

  • Nov. 9 at Land O’ Lakes High, 20325 Gator Lane in Land O’ Lakes
  • Nov. 12 at John Long Middle School, 2025 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel
  • Nov. 17 Weightman Middle, 30649 Wells Road in Wesley Chapel

For information, contact Jeff Morgenstein at (813) 794-9429, (352) 524-9429 or .

Veterans Day at Heritage Elementary
Heritage Elementary School, 18201 E. Meadows Road in New Tampa, will host a Veterans Day program on Nov. 9.

The school will serve breakfast for veterans and their families starting at 8 a.m. At 8:45 a.m., there will be a veterans program with the Wharton High School band, Wharton’s NJROTC, veterans from the Gunn Highway Memorial American Legion Post, guest speaker Colonel Jeremy Schroeder, and the Heritage chorus.

For information, call Debbie Wheeler at (813) 740-4580, ext. 240.

PHSC book drive
The Pasco-Hernando State College Synergy Sociology Club will host its annual “Plant a Seed Book Drive” through Nov. 13. The club is looking for new and gently used books for ages 3 to young adult, with appropriate content. Collected books will be donated to local Title I schools, youth shelters, and Big Brothers and Big Sisters throughout Hernando and Pasco counties.

Donation boxes will be located in the student activities office, library and student lounge on each of the campuses:

  • East Campus, 36727 Blanton Road in Dade City
  • West Campus, 10230 Ridge Road in New Port Richey
  • Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., Wesley Chapel
  • Spring Hill Campus, 450 Beverly Court

For information, visit PHSC.edu.

Perry Outreach Program
The Medical Center of Trinity is collaborating with the Perry Initiative to present the Perry Outreach Program on Nov. 14 at the Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54.

The program is a free, one-day, hands-on experience for high school and college-age women who are interested in pursuing careers in medicine and engineering. Students will hear from women leaders in these fields and try it for themselves by performing mock orthopedic surgeries and biomechanics experiments.

Participants should be in grades 10 and higher with an interest in science, medicine and/or engineering.

Applicants should fill out an online application in advance of the Nov. 14 program. Applications can be found at PerryInitiative.org/programs/student-online-application.

For information about the Perry Initiative, visit PerryInitiative.org.

Middle school math contest
Saint Leo University, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo, will host the American Mathematics Contest 8 for middle school students Nov. 17 at 5:30 p.m., in TECO Hall in the School of Business.

The test lasts 40 minutes and has 25. It encourages students to maintain an interest in mathematics.

Parents, teachers and students interested in this opportunity should contact Monika Kiss of the Department of Mathematics and Science. She can be reached at (352) 588-8836 or .

‘Made in Florida’ tours a success
CareerSource Pasco Hernando, Pasco-Hernando State College and the Florida TRADE Grant announced that more than 500 students from 16 schools in Pasco and Hernando counties participated in 25 “Made in Florida” industry tours. The tours included several high-tech manufacturing sites. Local site tours included companies such as Adam Arms, Pharmaworks Inc., American Aviation, Alumi-Guard, and CEMEX USA.

Pasco County Schools and Hernando buses provided transportation for the tours. Participating manufacturers provided lunches and T-shirts.

Florida hosted more registered events than any other state during the 2014 National Manufacturing Day. This year, Pasco and Hernando counties had three times the participation from last year.

Winter Art Showcase and Book Fair
Wiregrass Ranch High School will have a “Winter Art Showcase and Book Fair” at Barnes & Noble at The Shops at Wiregrass on Dec. 3 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be a jazz quartet, carolers and drama performances, “Artist in Action,” storytelling, face painting, art exhibits, free gift wrapping and more. Come and show your support and win prizes like a GlowLight Nook, PTSA gift bag and original paintings.

If you cannot make the event, shop online from Dec. 3 to Dec. 7, using voucher code 11704327 at BN.com/bookfairs, and a percentage of your Barnes & Noble purchases will benefit the fine arts department at Wiregrass Ranch High School.

New Phi Kappa Phi member
Leah Harmon, of Odessa, was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. She was initiated at University of Florida. She is among approximately 32,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year.
Membership is by invitation, and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors, having at least 72 semester hours, are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff, and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

Mock debate and election
Students and residents interested in national electoral politics are invited to see a mock presidential debate Nov. 13 at 7 p.m., in the Greenfelder-Denlinger Boardrooms of the Student Community Center, Saint Leo University, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo. Two student debaters are playing the roles of fictitious Republican and Democratic presidential candidates.

This debate culminates a semester project shared among nine different college classes involving students in realistic roles, including campaign strategists, media representatives, and debate moderators. The audience gets to vote at the end.

To find out more, contact Greg Kunzweiler at (352) 588-6578 or .

 

Chalk Talk 10-28-15

By

Saint Leo appoints Sheri Neshiem
Saint Leo University has appointed Sheri Neshiem as associate vice president of Human Resources.
Neshiem has more than 20 years’ experience in human resources senior management, and has worked in the fields of higher education,

Sheri Neshiem

professional employer organizations, military training and education, health care and finance. For the past two years, Neshiem has been the owner of Tampa Bay Total HR Consulting Services, and before that she spent more than 12 years as the vice president of Human Resources for the Argosy University System.
Neshiem earned an associate degree in communications applications technology from the Community College of the Air Force in Montgomery, Alabama, and a bachelor’s degree in management studies from the University of Maryland University College (Asian Division in Tokyo, Japan).
She went on to earn her master’s degree in management, with dual concentrations in health care and human resources management, from Troy University in Alabama.
Neshiem served in the U.S. Air Force for six years and currently is in the U.S. Navy Reserve.

Rasmussen College career events
Rasmussen College will host career fair events open to students, graduates and community members.
• Oct. 28 from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m., at the Tampa/Brandon campus, 4042 Park Oaks Blvd., Suite 100, in Tampa. The theme will be “Workshops: Dress for Success, Creating a LinkedIn & Social Media Presence and How to Make the Most of a Job Fair.”
• Oct. 29 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the Land O’ Lakes/East Pasco campus, 18600 Fernview St. The theme will be “Employer Tabling and Networking.”
For information, visit Rasmussen.edu.

Pasco-Hernando State College gets scholarships
Florida Gov. Rick Scott presented a check for $28,000 to the PHSC Foundation last week while visiting the Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, according to a Pasco-Hernando State College news release. The Helios Education Foundation, Florida Blue and Bank of America contribute yearly to the Florida College System Foundation (FCS) to support scholarships that benefit students at Florida’s 28 state colleges. Morton Plant North Bay Hospital and Hernando Healthcare Foundation Inc., are the local match partners for the Florida Blue Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship, providing more than 35 scholarships to students enrolled in health programs at PHSC.

Bishop McLaughlin open house
Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School, 34610 Hays Road in Spring Hill, will host an Admissions Open House on Nov. 1 with two sessions: 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The school offers college prep, honors and AP courses with small class sizes; 17 FHSAA sports, including junior varsity teams; variable tuition rates; Step Up and McKay scholarships accepted; family tours and individual shadow visits, and a state-of-the-art performing arts center.
For information, call (727) 857-2600, ext. 244, or visit BMCHS.com.

Saint Leo info sessions
Saint Leo University, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo, will host these information sessions about the university’s programs:
• Nov. 2 at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., at Pasco-Hernando State College West Campus, 10230 Ridge Road, New Port Richey
• Nov. 3 at 6 p.m., and Nov. 4 at 11 a.m., at PHSC Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., Room C-505, in Wesley Chapel.
• Nov. 3 at 2 p.m., and Nov. 5 at 6 p.m., at PHSC Spring Hill, 450 Beverly Court
• Nov. 4 at 2 p.m., at PHSC Brooksville, 11415 Ponce de Leon Blvd.
For information or to RSVP, call (352) 588-7544.

IB programme info sessions
The Land O’ Lakes High School International Baccalaureate Programme will host three community information nights for prospective applicants seeking ninth grade admission in the 2106-2017 school year.
Parents and guardians of current eighth-grade public, charter and private school students can attend. All sessions are at 6:30 p.m.
• Nov. 9 at Land O’ Lakes High, 20325 Gator Lane in Land O’ Lakes
• Nov. 12 at John Long Middle School, 2025 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel
• Nov. 17 Weightman Middle, 30649 Wells Road in Wesley Chapel
For information, contact Jeff Morgenstein at (813) 794-9429, (352) 524-9429 or .

Veteran’s Day at Heritage Elementary
Heritage Elementary School, 18201 E. Meadows Road in New Tampa, will host a Veteran’s Day program on Nov. 9.
The school will serve breakfast for veterans and their families starting at 8 a.m. At 8:45 a.m., there will be a veteran’s program with the Wharton High School band, Wharton’s NJROTC, veterans from the Gunn Highway Memorial American Legion Post, guest speaker Colonel Jeremy Schroeder, and the Heritage chorus.
For information, call Debbie Wheeler at (813) 740-4580, ext. 240.

PHSC book drive
The Pasco-Hernando State College Synergy Sociology Club will host its annual “Plant a Seed Book Drive” through Nov. 13. The club is looking for new and gently used books for ages 3 to young adult, with appropriate content. Collected books will be donated to local Title I schools, youth shelters, and Big Brothers and Big Sisters throughout Hernando and Pasco counties.
Donation boxes will be located in the student activities office, library and student lounge on each of the campuses:
• East Campus, 36727 Blanton Road in Dade City
• West Campus, 10230 Ridge Road in New Port Richey
• Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., Wesley Chapel
• Spring Hill Campus, 450 Beverly Court
For information, visit PHSC.edu.

Perry Outreach Program
The Medical Center of Trinity is collaborating with the Perry Initiative to present the Perry Outreach Program on Nov. 14 at the Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54.
The program is a free, one-day, hands-on experience for high school and college-age women who are interested in pursuing careers in medicine and engineering. Students will hear from women leaders in these fields and try it for themselves by performing mock orthopedic surgeries and biomechanics experiments.
Participants should be in grades 10 and higher with an interest in science, medicine and/or engineering.
Applicants should fill out an online application in advance of the Nov. 14 program. Applications can be found at PerryInitiative.org/programs/student-online-application.
For information about the Perry Initiative, visit PerryInitiative.org.

Middle school math contest
Saint Leo University, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo, will host the American Mathematics Contest 8 for middle school students Nov. 17 at 5:30 p.m., in TECO Hall in the School of Business.
The test last 40 minutes and has 25. It encourages students to maintain an interest in mathematics.
Parents, teachers and students interested in this opportunity should contact Monika Kiss of the Department of Mathematics and Science. She can be reached at (352) 588-8836 or .

‘Made in Florida’ tours a success
CareerSource Pasco Hernando, Pasco-Hernando State College and the Florida TRADE Grant announced that more than 500 students from 16 schools in Pasco and Hernando counties participated in 25 “Made in Florida” industry tours. The tours included several high-tech manufacturing sites. Local site tours included companies such as Adam Arms, Pharmaworks Inc., American Aviation, Alumi-Guard, and CEMEX USA.
Pasco County Schools and Hernando buses provided transportation for the tours. Participating manufacturers provided lunches and T-shirts.
Florida hosted more registered events than any other state during the 2014 National Manufacturing Day. This year, Pasco and Hernando counties had three times the participation from last year.

Lutz student earns President’s Award
Gleb Barkovskiy, of Lutz, was honored with the President’s Award for Distinguished Academic Achievement at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.
The award is given annually to students who demonstrate the highest level of academic achievement by attaining a cumulative GPA of 4.0 on a scale of 4.0.
Barkovskiy is in Bucknell’s Class of 2017.

Kirk leaves his mark on Saint Leo

By

Whenever students, faculty, staff and visitors walk across the campus of Saint Leo University, they’ll see a permanent reminder of Dr. Arthur Kirk.

Kirk Hall, dedicated in a ceremony on Oct. 15, is the kind of academic space that Kirk, who retired in the summer of 2015, thinks is important for teachers and students to have.

It is equipped with tools designed to prepare teachers to make maximum use of technology, and what’s known about how students learn.

For instance, there’s a lab where education students can interact with avatars, enabling them to practice teaching techniques and receive immediate feedback.

The building is far different than the facilities that Kirk encountered when he arrived 18½ years ago, on the university’s main campus on State Road 52.

Dr. Arthur Kirk speaks at the dedication of Kirk Hall on Oct. 15. (Photos courtesy of Saint Leo University)
Dr. Arthur Kirk speaks at the dedication of Kirk Hall on Oct. 15.
(Photos courtesy of Saint Leo University)

At that time, enrollment was in decline, there were leaking roofs, and air conditioning equipment that was expected to last 20 years, was 37 years old.

In short, the list of challenges was long.

Kirk took the job anyway.

He was attracted to the mission of leading a Catholic, student-centered, university.

And, he said, “I also saw enormous potential, because it had some exceptional people that believed passionately in the institution.

“It looked like the right set of ingredients,” he said.

Kirk Hall is just the latest new building erected during Kirk’s tenure.

All together, the university added more than 1 million square feet of space and completely renovated four buildings, Kirk said.

But, buildings are just one sign of the university’s progress.

“I had an expression that ‘the anthropology was more important than the economics’,” Kirk said.

In other words, “it’s a lot easier to reverse the enrollment problems and financial problems and so forth, than it is to change the culture and build a culture that sustains excellence and success,” he said.

Cindy Brannen, past chair of the Board of Trustees; Beverly Kirk; Dr. Arthur F. Kirk Jr., president emeritus; Dr. Maribeth Durst, retired vice president of Academic Affairs; Charles ‘Chuck’ Fisk, retired economics faculty member (husband of Dr. Durst); Dr. William J. Lennox Jr., president, Saint Leo University; and Dennis Mullen, chairman, Saint Leo University Board of Trustees.
Cindy Brannen, past chair of the Board of Trustees; Beverly Kirk; Dr. Arthur F. Kirk Jr., president emeritus; Dr. Maribeth Durst, retired vice president of Academic Affairs; Charles ‘Chuck’ Fisk, retired economics faculty member (husband of Dr. Durst); Dr. William J. Lennox Jr., president, Saint Leo University; and Dennis Mullen, chairman, Saint Leo University Board of Trustees.

Kirk said he stayed at the university because he enjoyed creating that culture, and he enjoyed working with the university’s staff.

But, as much as he enjoyed that, he also knew there would be a time when it was time to go.

“There is the potential of staying too long. That’s not good for the individual or the organization. That was something that was on my mind for several years,” he said.

Before he left, it was important to him to complete a number of priorities, including the academic building — now called Kirk Hall.

“I really felt that all of the students and all of the faculty deserved that kind of academic facility,” Kirk said.

Over the years, there have been many gratifying moments, Kirk said.

He’s pleased by the results of a survey of the Best Colleges to Work For, conducted by The Chronicle of Higher Education.

“They survey the faculty and staff randomly at the institutions,” he said. “And, if you score in the top 10 percent of more than one of their 12 categories, you are placed on the honor roll for Best Colleges to Work For.

“We scored in the top 10 percent of 10 of the 12 categories,” he said.

Those results are particularly meaningful, he said, because of the progress that has been made.

Kirk Hall, on the University of Saint Leo campus, will serve as a permanent reminder of Dr. Arthur Kirk’s contribution to the university.
Kirk Hall, on the University of Saint Leo campus, will serve as a permanent reminder of Dr. Arthur Kirk’s contribution to the university.

“When we started, we had a fractured culture. So, to have that strength of culture, and organization and people that are very committed and happy to work there, was extremely important to me,” Kirk said.

Raising the university’s profile was important, too, Kirk said.

When he arrived at Saint Leo, he was surprised by how little people knew about the university.

“People who live in Dade City and drove by the campus all of the time didn’t know we were on 16 military bases in six states,” Kirk said.

“That was certainly a surprise and increased the challenge a little bit. Support follows understanding. If they don’t know who you are, where you are and what you do, they’re not going to give very much support,” Kirk said.

The retired university president said he would run into people in Tampa who would say: “Saint Leo, I’ve heard of it. Where is it?”

That has changed over time.

Now, for instance, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn mentions Saint Leo University in the same breath as the University of Tampa, the University of South Florida and Hillsborough Community College, Kirk said.

Kirk also is pleased that core values adopted by the university in 1998 have become part of the university’s way of life.

Those values — community, respect, responsible stewardship, excellence, personal development and integrity — are taken seriously, Kirk said.

“Each one is defined as a personal expectation of everyone,” he said. “One of those core values is taught very intentionally in every single course in the curriculum, at every level.

The core values, he said, “have become very much part of the (university’s) DNA.

“When I walk around and hear students and faculty talk about the core values, and how important they are, I feel really, really good about that.”

Perhaps one of his most special memories, though, will be the one where, surrounded by family, students, faculty and staff, Kirk saw an academic building named in his honor.

“It was a joyous occasion,” Kirk said.

Published October 21, 2015

Denham Oaks is celebrating 20 years

By

The year was 1995.

Bill Clinton was in the White House.

Forrest Gump won Best Picture.

The San Francisco 49ers won the Super Bowl.

And, Denham Oaks Elementary School opened in Lutz.

The school, which will celebrate its 20th birthday on Oct. 30, has been the home of thousands of school children over the years — and has had six staff members since the beginning.

They stayed because they felt a sense of connection with the school, the staff and the students.

From left, Karen Anair, Kristen Eales, Shannon Presson, Mary Jane Kranendonk, Cathy Cohen and Susan Green have been on Denham Oaks Elementary School’s staff since it opened 20 years ago. The school plans a pep rally and birthday cake on Oct. 30 to celebrate. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
From left, Karen Anair, Kristen Eales, Shannon Presson, Mary Jane Kranendonk, Cathy Cohen and Susan Green have been on Denham Oaks Elementary School’s staff since it opened 20 years ago. The school plans a pep rally and birthday cake on Oct. 30 to celebrate.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

“It’s a sense of family. I am comfortable here,” said Kristen Eales, a first-grade teacher, who spent most of her time at the school teaching kindergarten.

“It feels like home to me,” added Susan Green, who is now the school’s bookkeeper.

“I definitely feel a sense of ownership. We put the desks together here. We saw the walls. We came in construction. You always just felt like it was your school,” said Shannon Presson, who teaches fourth grade.

Mary Jane Kranendonk, the school’s physical education teacher, marvels at the beauty of the school’s setting.

“It’s a nature’s paradise out there. We’ve had owls, hawks,” she said.

Cathy Cohen, the school’s custodian, lives in Carpenter’s Run. She enjoys living near enough she can walk or bicycle to school.

“I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else,” said Karen Anair, who teaches children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

All of those staff members, except Green, have had their children educated at Denham Oaks Elementary, at 1422 Oak Grove Blvd., in Lutz.

“Having my children go to school here, I always knew they were going to get phenomenal teachers,” Kranendonk said.

The elementary school began classes at its Lutz campus on Oct. 31, 1995.

Denham Oaks began the school year on double sessions with Lake Myrtle Elementary because of issues between the school and Mad Hatter Utilities.

The yearbook cover from Denham Oaks' first year, 1995. (Courtesy of Meagan Rathman)
The yearbook cover from Denham Oaks’ first year, 1995.
(Courtesy of Meagan Rathman)

The opening day at the new campus was particularly memorable for Cohen’s twin sons, who were 8 and were going into third grade.

“It was their birthday, Halloween,” she said.

The area around the school has changed enormously, the six women said.

State Road 54 was a two-lane road.

Oak Grove Boulevard didn’t exist.

And, there were no large commercial ventures anywhere nearby.

But, there were cow pastures and plenty of critters.

“The first year, the cows escaped, and they went across our whole campus. Cow poop everywhere!” Kranendonk said.

Snakes slithered into classrooms, and there was even a 5-foot alligator that got into a classroom.

“Not only did we stir up the wildlife with the school being built, but homes started being built,” Eales said.

Many other changes have occurred, as well.

In those early years, the majority of parents would pack their child’s lunch, Cohen recalled.

And Rosie Capehart, the lunchroom manager, was known for her tasty meals and for her bread, which not only tasted delicious, but also filled the campus with the aroma of freshly baked bread.

“I have great memories of Rosie’s lunches,” Kranendonk said.

Over the years, scores of happy memories have been made, the women said.

There have been field trips to Sea World and to the Ford/Edison Estates, and a Renaissance festival at the school.

There are also school traditions, including the annual Fall Festival and the Storybook Parade.

And, there have been changes, too.

The age of accountability has meant more structure and testing.

Technology has made impacts, too.

Now, the school can make automatic calls to parents, and can use Facebook, Twitter and its website to communicate what’s happening.

It was a lot different, when Green was working as a secretary in the school office.

“When there were notes going home, you’d have to make a 1,000 copies for these kids to take home,” she said.

Of course, many students have come and gone, and staff members have changed through the years, too.

When the school opened, Ruth (Biggs) Reilly was the principal.

And, she’s expected to attend the school’s celebration.

She’ll be among hundreds of students, staff members and invited guests for the festivities, which call for a pep rally, a birthday cake, a slide show and most likely, a rendition of “Happy Birthday.”

It promises to be a big day.

Published October 21, 2015

Porter Campus hits 3,000-mark

By

Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch has hit another milestone.

The campus hit the 3,000 mark for enrollment for the coming term. Stan Giannet, provost at Porter Campus, announced the milestone during a town hall session sponsored by the college and the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce on Oct. 14.

The campus opened two years ago, with 1,800, exceeding its expectations at that time, Giannet said, in an interview after the town hall session.

From the beginning, the campus has been entrepreneurial with its scheduling, he said.

Stan Giannet, the provost at Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, is enthused about the growing development near the campus, which he sees as future job opportunities for students on his campus. (File Photo)
Stan Giannet, the provost at Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, is enthused about the growing development near the campus, which he sees as future job opportunities for students on his campus.
(File Photo)

“We opened very aggressively, with an opportunity for students to take classes from 8 o’clock in the morning until 9:40 at night, Monday through Thursday, and from 8 o’clock until 4:30 on Friday, with a generous opportunity for online sections and hybrid sections,” Giannet said.

“We continued to build on that schedule, with community needs, student needs, student feedback and faculty feedback, of course, in our schedule building – and what our students are telling us they need,” he said.

The college keeps a close eye on projected work force needs, and offers courses designed to help students be prepared for those opportunities, Giannet said.

The college has added a program that helps licensed paramedics make the transition to becoming nurses.

It also is planning to add the CISCO Academy certification courses, a prestigious designation in the Information Technology field.

That program exists at PHSC’s West Campus, but is being brought to the Porter Campus as well, Giannet said. Wiregrass Ranch High School, which is right behind the Porter Campus, has an IT academy.

“You know, with the proliferation of new businesses coming to the Wesley Chapel area, that networking, IT, will be very fruitful for potential graduates,” Giannet said.

Giannet said the college is seeking to prepare students to take advantage of the new opportunities that are coming to Wesley Chapel.

“We’re excited about all these things that are happening – the expansion of Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, (the opening of) Tampa Premium Outlets, more and more medical establishments coming to the area, the hotels and hospitality, the hockey rink, the schools, the new subdivisions and the development,” Giannet said.

“Those will just give opportunities for our students to be on the front line of employment opportunity.”

Published October 21, 2015

Chalk Talk 10-14-15

By

Inauguration scholarships available
Saint Leo University’s ninth president, William J. Lennox Jr., decided to forego a formal inauguration ceremony in order to provide 20 inauguration scholarships, worth $2,500 each, to students.

The scholarships will be awarded to five students each from University Campus, the Center for Online Learning, education centers, and graduate programs. These one-time scholarships will be funded and provided by a donor to the university.

Students can apply online at SaintLeo.edu, and click the links to Student Financial Support Center, Financial Aid, Types of Financial Aid, and Saint Leo Privately Funded Scholarship Opportunities.

Applications must be submitted prior to Oct. 30.

PHSC offers Basic Life Support courses
Pasco-Hernando State College will offer Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers courses throughout the fall term. Sessions will be at the Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, the East Campus in Dade City, the North Campus in Brooksville and the West Campus in New Port Richey.

The courses are designed to provide a variety of health care professionals with the ability to recognize life-threatening emergencies, provide CPR, and relieve choking in a safe and timely manner. The instruction is delivered in a variety of in-hospital and out-of-hospital settings.

Students must pass a written exam and skills test to quality for a BLS for Health Care Providers course completion card.

For cost, dates and locations, and to register for the four-hour course, contact Dallas Crick at (727) 816-3119 or , or visit PHSC.edu/aha.

Saint Leo info sessions
Saint Leo University, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo, will host information sessions about the university’s programs on Nov. 3 at 6 p.m., and Nov. 4 at 11 a.m., Pasco-Hernando State College Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., Room C-505, in Wesley Chapel.

For information or to RSVP, call (352) 588-7544.

(Courtesy of Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce)
(Courtesy of Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce)

Citizens of the Month honored
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce recognized students as Citizens of the Month for September at a breakfast on Sept. 30.

The students honored were Madison Gunn, Academy at the Farm; Alexandre Isaac, East Pasco Adventist Academy; Landry Samuels, Saint Anthony Catholic School; Cassidy Grubbs, Centennial Elementary School; Johana Morales Perez, Lacoochee Elementary; Angelita Capetillo-Navejar, Pasco Elementary; Alexis Tillis, Rodney B. Cox Elementary; Joseph Hancock, San Antonio Elementary; Abagahale Wincott, Centennnial Middle; Nashaw Roberts, Pasco Middle; Cheyanne Stone, James Irvin Education Center; and Hannah White, Pasco High.

PHSC book drive
The Pasco-Hernando State College Synergy Sociology Club will host its annual “Plant a Seed Book Drive” through Nov. 13. The club is looking for new and gently used books for ages 3 to young adult, with appropriate content. Collected books will be donated to local Title I schools, youth shelters, and Big Brothers and Big Sisters throughout Hernando and Pasco counties.

Donation boxes will be located in the student activities office, library and student lounge on each of the campuses:

  • East Campus, 36727 Blanton Road in Dade City
  • West Campus, 10230 Ridge Road in New Port Richey
  • Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., Wesley Chapel
  • Spring Hill Campus, 450 Beverly Court

For information, visit PHSC.edu.

Legislators visit aeronautics academy
State Sen. John Legg, and State Reps. Danny Burgess and Amanda Murphy, joined Pasco County Superintendent of Schools Kurt Browning and Pasco County School Board members Allen Altman, Cynthia Armstrong, Alison Crumbley, Joanne Hurley and Steve Luikart for a tour of the Tampa Bay Regional Aeronautics Academy at Sunlake High School.

The tour included a visit to the flight simulator classroom for a demonstration of mapping and flying skills, and the robotics classroom where students worked on and demonstrated a robot that responds to voice commands.

The tour ended with FlyMotion co-founders Ryan English and David Stratchko demonstrating the drone technology being used with the academy students.

(Courtesy of Gary Hatrick)
(Courtesy of Gary Hatrick)

Student Citizens recognized
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce recognized Student Citizens at a September ceremony in their honor. Each month, one student from 10 area schools is selected for exemplary effort, achievement and contribution to their school, family and community.

Student Citizens honored were Emma Brown, Woodland Elementary School; Hannah Hoskins, Raymond B. Stewart Middle; R.V. Aguillon, East Pasco Adventist Academy; Logan Hononsee, The Broach School; Jackson Mills, Hope Ranch Learning Academy; Delaney Copeland, Zephyrhills High; Larence Graham, West Zephyrhills Elementary; Mariah Smith, Heritage Academy; and Lilly Howard, Chester Taylor Elementary.

Pasco merit scholarship semifinalists
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced that nine Pasco County high school students have been named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists.

The designation recognizes high school seniors with the highest scores on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test who meet published program participation requirements. The semifinalist and his or her school must submit a detailed scholarship application that includes the student’s academic record throughout high school, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, and honors and awards received. The student also must be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn an SAT score that confirms the earlier performance on the qualifying test.

The students recognized were Grace Dietsch and Rea Rupani, Wiregrass Ranch High School; Melodie Spiegel, River Ridge High; and Aimee Fernandez, Maya Henning, Alyson Logrono, Emily Luo, Grace Park and Francisco Pineda, all of Land O’ Lakes High.

The semifinalists are now eligible to compete for one of 7,400 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $32 million.

Madrigalian concert at St. Pete College
St. Petersburg College, 6605 Fifth Ave., N St., in St. Petersburg, will present “The Madrigal in Autumn,” an evening of seven classics of literature, from folk yarns to fairy tales, Oct. 23 at 7:30 p.m.

Admission is free, but donations will be accepted to SPC Choral Activities.

For information, visit SPCollege.edu/events/default.aspx.