Education

Fresh faces on school campuses

July 29, 2015 By B.C. Manion

As students head back to school this fall, they may see a few unfamiliar faces.

Pasco County Schools has transferred or appointed new administrators at several school campuses across the district.

In some cases, administrators are being promoted from another position, are returning to a campus where they worked before or are being elevated where they already work.

So, here’s a rundown on some of the recently appointed principals and assistant principals in schools serving Central Pasco and East Pasco schools:

Angie Stone, principal at Zephyrhills High School
Jeff Wolff, principal at Pasco Middle School in Dade City
Kim Anderson, principal at San Antonio Elementary School
Kara Smucker, principal at Quail Hollow Elementary School in Wesley Chapel
Jason Petry, principal at Sanders Memorial STEAM Elementary in Land O’ Lakes
Phillip Bell, assistant principal at Sunlake High School
Deborah Collin, assistant principal at Dr. John Long Middle School
Trudy Hartman, assistant principal at Lake Myrtle Elementary School
Eric McDermott, assistant principal, Zephyrhills High School
Kyle Ritsema, assistant principal at Pine View Middle School
Shannon Schultz, assistant principal at Land O’ Lakes High School
Scott Davey, assistant principal at Wesley Chapel High School
Nena Green, assistant principal at Pasco Elementary School
Timothy Light, assistant principal at Wiregrass Ranch High School
Heather Ochs, assistant principal at Sunlake High School
Pio Rizzo, assistant principal, Pine View Middle School

Students in the Pasco public school district will begin their first day of classes on Aug. 24.

Besides new administrators, there are a few other new things in store.

For one thing, the district is opening its first magnet school, which is located at Sanders Memorial Elementary and will focus on science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics. The school building has undergone a massive renovation, which has included remodeling some buildings and constructing new ones. When it opens, the school will feature the latest in technology and will foster a collaborative learning environment for students and teachers.

Wiregrass Ranch High School also will experience some major changes this year, as the school adopts a 10-period day. The arrangement is aimed at managing a student enrollment that is expected to approach 2,500. By having more periods, the school can stagger student starting times to limit the number of periods when the entire student body is on campus.

Quail Hollow also will begin the school year with an entirely remodeled building, complete with classrooms that have doors and windows. It also will be equipped with updated technology.

Published July 29, 2015

Higher school impact fees coming to Pasco?

July 22, 2015 By B.C. Manion

A discussion has begun in Pasco County that could lead to higher impact fees paid by new residential development to address growing demands for school construction.

Increased school impact fees might provide a source of revenue that could help plug the growing gap between the revenue the district receives and its construction needs, according to district officials.

But the idea of an increased school impact fee is a long way from reality.

The swarm of students passing through school corridors at Wiregrass Ranch High School is like a traffic jam. (Courtesy of Wiregrass Ranch HIgh School) — The swarm of students passing through school corridors at Wiregrass Ranch High School is like a traffic jam.
(Courtesy of Wiregrass Ranch HIgh School)

Any increase would have to be recommended by the Pasco School Board and adopted by the Pasco County Commission.

The last time the school board sought a school impact fee increase in 2007 it fell flat.

The current rate is $4,356 per single-family unit. A recommendation was made in 2007 to increase the single-family home impact feet to $8,606.

That proposed increase was rejected.

No new rate has been proposed yet, but the district has hired Tischler Bise, to conduct an impact fee update study.

Tischler Bise has done work on these issues for a number of Florida school districts, including DeSoto, Lee, Manatee and Seminole counties. It also did the Pasco school district’s study in 2007.

Carson Bise of Tischler Bise gave school board members an overview of the current situation at a July 7 workshop.

The district’s school construction funding has been declining for a variety of reasons, Bise said.

Property value declines have led to lower revenues, he said. For instance, in 2007-2008, the district received $42.3 million for capital projects, compared to the $32.4 million in 2014-2015, Bise said.

Other sources of state funding have been cut drastically, or eliminated entirely, he added.

The sluggish economy also reduced Penny for Pasco proceeds, Bise said.

The first time the optional penny sales tax passed, the school district’s share yielded $145.1 million.

The second penny, which took effect in 2015, is expected to generate about $226 million. But, that money cannot be spent on new school construction. It can only be spent on maintenance and new technology.

School impact fees, which are collected only from new residential development, can be spent to purchase land, to buy buses, furniture and portables, to construct facilities or for debt service.

As of the end of 2014, the district has collected $120 million in school impact fees.

Since 2002, however, the district has built 22 new schools at a cost of $301 million, Bise said.

Oakstead Elementary, Dr. John Long Middle, Double Branch Elementary, Charles S. Rushe Middle, Wiregrass Ranch High, Sunlake High, New River Elementary, Veterans Elementary, Watergrass Elementary and Connerton Elementary schools are the new schools that have opened in The Laker/Lutz News’ coverage area since 2002.

Elementary School W in Wiregrass Ranch is slated to open in 2016, and Elementary B in Bexley Ranch South and High School GGG on Old Pasco Road are scheduled to open in 2017.

Bise told officials that impact fee revenue must earmark money for specific capital projects, which encourages disciplined capital improvement planning.

He also noted that the revenues help to ensure adequate public facilities, which is a plus for homebuilders who are seeking to attract buyers to a particular market.

“In our experience, the smart developers like impact fees because it (the fee) guarantees that they’re going to be in business,” Bise said. “They get the fact that having a great school system, or a great road network or a great park system makes the community attractive and makes their product marketable, and also helps from an economic development perspective, as well.”

It’s not difficult to see that more schools will be needed, as growth ramps up in Pasco County.

During a discussion of the district’s construction plan, immediately prior to the impact fee workshop, school board member Alison Crumbley voiced concerns about providing schools for children who will be living in the new subdivisions that are on the drawing boards, or sprouting up in the county’s State Road 54/State Road 56 corridor.

Superintendent Kurt Browning echoed those sentiments.

Even without that new construction, the district is feeling the squeeze.

This fall, Wiregrass Ranch High School is expected to have around 2,500 students. It is going to a 10-period day to help manage the number of students on its campus. The entire student body will be there just three periods of the day, with the impacts lessened because roughly 500 of those students will be eating lunch during any particular time.

Deputy Superintendent Ray Gadd told school board members that district already is making efforts to ensure that the building community is part of the impact fee discussion.

Bise also reminded school board members that even their support would not be enough.

“Although you are your own taxing entity, you don’t control your destiny in terms of impact fees. The Board of County Commissioners sets that rate for you,” he said.

He also noted that Florida is the only state where his firm does impact fee studies where that’s the case.

Published July 22, 2015

Chalk Talk 07-22-15

July 22, 2015 By Mary Rathman

(Courtesy of Florida School Boards Association)

Cindy Stuart becomes certified board member
Cindy Stuart, a Hillsborough County School Board member, was recognized as a certified board member at the annual summer conference, in June, sponsored by the Florida School Boards Association. Stuart earned the distinction by completing a minimum of 96 hours of training in 12 areas focusing on the governance roles and responsibilities of school board members.

PHSC names building after Katherine Johnson
Pasco-Hernando State College hosted a dedication ceremony in June for the Katherine M. Johnson Administration Building at the Porter Campus of Wiregrass Ranch, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

The PHSC District Board of Trustees selected the Porter Campus administration building to honor Johnson in consideration of the significant role she played in establishing the Porter Campus in Wesley Chapel.

Community members, faculty, staff and students attended the event honoring Johnson in recognition for her decade of excellence in serving the college.

Johnson retired on June 30 after serving as college president since 2005.

POP 21 bus making stops for students
Pasco County school students who are taking advantage of the free summer lunch bus meals also will get free books.

The POP 21 bus (Power on Pasco) will depart from Pasco Middle School at 9:35 a.m., July 28, to hand out free books to those students.

Schools and individual staff members donated thousands of used books, and the district purchased around 700 new books from Scholastic.

The stop locations are:

Arbours Apartment Complex, near 12861 Stately Oak St., in Dade City, from 11:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Dade Oaks Apartments, near 37455 Acorn Loop in Dade City, from noon to 12:45 p.m.
Lake George Apartments, near 15246 Davis Loop in Dade City, from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Lecture-style art workshop
The Encore Academy at Pasco-Hernando State College is offering a travel art workshop on the East Campus in Dade City, 36727 Blanton Road. The lecture-style workshop on July 30 will focus on the must-see art of France.

PHSC art instructor Charlene Jones will highlight paintings, sculptures and other works for those planning to travel abroad or for armchair travelers.

The workshop costs $12. Registration deadline is three days prior to workshop date.

For more information about this and other Encore Academy workshops and memberships, call (352) 797-5167, or visit PHSC.edu/encore.

Teacher boot camp at Saint Leo
The undergraduate Education Department at Saint Leo University will host local school district teachers at its annual Beginning Teacher Boot Camp program July 31 from 9 a.m. to noon, in the Student Community Center at the campus, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo.

Beverly Ledbetter, a 37-year veteran teacher, will lead the training, which will include:

classroom management strategies
contract rights and responsibilities
workplace acronyms new teacher don’t yet know
what new teachers can do to find out how school support personnel and fellow teachers work together on practical matters

To attend, email with “Beginning Teacher Boot Camp 2015” in the subject line.

Stuff the Bus volunteers needed
The United Way of Pasco County will host the 5th Annual Stuff the Bus for Teachers July 31 to Aug. 2, at various Walmart and Publix locations, and is looking for volunteers.

There are three-hour shifts available: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

To sign up, visit tinyurl.com/stuffthebus2015 or UnitedWayPasco.org.

For information, call (727) 835-2028.

Volunteer day at Sanders
The community is invited to take part in the STEAM Team Volunteer Day at the new Sanders Memorial Elementary STEAM Magnet School, 5126 School Road in Land O’ Lakes, on Aug. 6 at 9 a.m. Volunteers will help new teachers set up their classrooms.

The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the event.

For information, call Sandy Graves at (813) 817-3011.

Sponsors needed for Back to School Bash
Cobb Theatres Grove 16, 6333 Wesley Grove Blvd., in Wesley Chapel is looking for sponsors for its seventh annual Back to School Bash on Aug. 15. The event, themed after the movie “Fantastic Four,” will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Programs at the event include activities like face painting and games to haircuts, health screenings and school supply giveaways.

If interested in becoming a sponsor or partner, call Demene Benjamin at (813) 948-5445, or email .

Academy at the Lakes tours
The admissions office at Academy at the Lakes, 2331 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes, will offer campus tours throughout the summer. Tours are scheduled Monday through Friday during school hours. There are small group tours on a weekly basis. Children are welcome. Tour groups are limited to 10 people. For information, call (813) 909-7919.

Preventing that summer slide
Fox Hollow Elementary School teachers are volunteering their time and hosting a Summer Slide camp every Tuesday during the summer from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The program is designed to prevent the summer slide of academics for students.

Using the American Reading program, teachers meet with individual students, collect reading data and set power goals so students have a purpose for reading.

Students also can check out books from the media center, have independent reading time, and complete 30 minutes of I-ready lessons. I-ready is an online program that offers personalized instruction to unique areas of need.

Fox Hollow also is part of the summer feeding program, and serves breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday to children up to 18 years of age. Breakfast is available 8:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m., and lunch is available noon to 12:15 p.m.

Pasco County Schools provide free summer lunches
Pasco County Schools and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and local agencies are partnering for the 2015 Summer BreakSpot Summer meal program.

The program was established to ensure that low-income children receive nutritious meals when school is out for summer. Meals and snacks are provided at no charge to children ages 18 and younger.

To learn more about Florida’s Summer BreakSpot sites and to find a location, visit SummerFoodFlorida.org.

Matthew Tapie is new director for Catholic-Jewish Studies
Saint Leo University President Arthur F. Kirk Jr., has appointed Matthew A. Tapie as director of the Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies at Saint Leo University, effective July 16.

Tapie comes to Saint Leo from The Catholic University of America, where he was a visiting professor of theology and religious studies, and a research fellow at CUA’s Institute of Interreligious Study and Dialogue.

Tapie succeeds Michael Anthony Novak, who has served as interim director of the center for the last year.

Growth spurs school construction

July 15, 2015 By B.C. Manion

When Pasco County School Board member Alison Crumbley considers anticipated growth along the State Road 54/56 corridor, she said, she is “taken aback.”

She worries about the school district’s ability to provide schools for all of the students who will be moving into the new communities that are taking shape along that corridor.

Construction continues at Sanders Memorial Elementary School, which is set to focus on science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photos) — Construction continues at Sanders Memorial Elementary School, which is set to focus on science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photos)

Superintendent Kurt Browning shares that sentiment.

“That 54 corridor concerns me greatly,” Browning said, during a recent school board workshop on the district’s construction plans.

“Our need certainly outpaces our resources,” the superintendent said. “When you look at the 54 corridor, from really, Little Road to just beyond Wiregrass, that’s Curley Road — there is so much growth and projected growth.

“Even up on Curley, there’s master-planned communities.

“As superintendent, it concerns me, because I know moms and dads don’t want their kids in crowded classrooms. And I don’t want their kids in crowded classrooms.

“Nor, do I want to build new schools and, the next thing you know, you see portables being pulled up on those school campuses,” Browning said.

The lack of revenue has prompted the school district to launch an impact fee study, which could lead to higher school impact fees paid for new construction of residential properties in Pasco County.

Meanwhile, the district is engaged in numerous construction projects and have others planned in the near future.

Chris Williams, director of planning, outlined those projects during the board’s workshop. He also provided additional details during a separate interview.

Crews at Sanders Memorial Elementary School work to ensure that the county’s first magnet school opens on schedule in August.

Sanders Memorial Elementary School is getting a massive makeover — and the Land O’ Lakes Elementary School is getting more than a brand new look. It is also becoming Pasco County’s first magnet school.

When Sanders opens in the fall, it will offer a curriculum that emphasizes science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics.

Quail Hollow Elementary, set to reopen in August, has a new floor plan that established individual classrooms in the formerly “open” school. The school also will have updated building systems, technology on par with any new elementary school in the district and a new cafeteria with a stage.

The school district also is in the process of designing three new schools, Elementary W in Wiregrass Ranch, Elementary B in Bexley Ranch, and High School GGG on Old Pasco Road, which will open as a school for sixth grade through 12th grade.

The district also is planning additional schools in the Wesley Chapel area.

“Elementary W is the first of potentially three or four in Wiregrass,” Williams said during the board workshop.

The district is working on a new design for Elementary B in Bexley Ranch, because it wants the school to accommodate more students than a typical district elementary school, Williams said.

Bexley Ranch will provide substantial relief for Oakstead and Odessa elementary schools, Williams said.

Other future schools are proposed for the Bexley Ranch area, and a future elementary school is planned for Starkey Ranch. A future middle school is also proposed for Starkey Ranch, Williams said.

The district also already has purchased land for a future school on the south side of State Road 54.

The biggest concern about middle school capacity is in the Wesley Chapel area, Williams said.

High School GGG, which will serve grades six through 12, will provide significant relief to Wesley Chapel area middle schools and high schools.

Wiregrass Ranch High has so many students, it is going to a 10-period day for the next two years to manage the number of students on campus at one time.

High School GGG will have a capacity of 1,900 students. It is expected to draw students from areas now assigned to Wiregrass Ranch and Wesley Chapel high schools, and Weightman and Long middle schools.

The district is using this approach because it can’t afford to build both a high school and a middle school. As population grows and demand increases, the district plans to build Middle School HH at the same location.

The boundary process for High School GGG and Elementary School B is expected to begin in about 18 months, the planning director said.

Williams said he is concerned about the ability of Mitchell, Sunlake and Land O’ Lakes high schools to absorb anticipated future enrollment.

“Land O’ Lakes (High), hopefully, when we remodel that school, we can add some capacity. It’s not going to be enough for long-term,” Williams said.

“We do have a high school site promised to us in Bexley Ranch. That potentially is going to have a big impact, especially on Sunlake.

“I continue to look for two additional high school sites, one in the Land O’ Lakes area and one in the (State Road) 54/Suncoast Parkway area,” Williams said.

But he added: “Those are hard to come by.”

“There is a high school site promised in the River Landing area, that could potentially impact Wesley Chapel, Wiregrass and Zephyrhills,” Williams said.

“It would be along the extension of State Road 56. It would be east of Mansfield, but on the west side of Morris Bridge Road. Zephyr Egg Property, if you’d ever heard of that,” he said.

School Board member Allen Altman said he’s worried that the increasing need to spend money on new construction will make it that much harder for the district to maintain the buildings it has.

It’s a known fact that proper maintenance saves taxpayers money in the long term, but the district doesn’t have a choice. It must spend money to provide school capacity, he said.

While the district considers its long-range plans and short-term needs, construction continues.

Elementary W, being built between John Long Middle School and Wiregrass Ranch High, is set to open in 2016.

When it opens, it will be possible for students to attend elementary school through college on the same street, since Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch is just down the road.

Williams expects the school boundary process for Elementary W to begin in October or November.

That school will help relieve crowding at Seven Oaks and Double Branch elementary schools, but the particulars of how that will be achieved have not been determined yet.

“Seven Oaks really popped this year,” Williams said.

Meanwhile, in East Pasco, the school district will be building a new cafeteria, and doing parking and traffic improvements at Cox Elementary.

Pasco Elementary also is getting some improvements, as plans call for remodeling several buildings, Williams said.

Published July 15, 2015

Peering into the world of medicine

July 8, 2015 By B.C. Manion

Students who are interested in potential medical careers had a chance to get an up-close look at them during the B.E.S.T. Academy Camp Program at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills.

Greg Mathis, program director for the B.E.S.T. Academy Camp Program at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, poses with student Emily Daffron, one of 20 students taking part in the academy. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photos) — Greg Mathis, program director for the B.E.S.T. Academy Camp Program at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, poses with student Emily Daffron, one of 20 students taking part in the academy.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photos)

The camp, which concluded on June 26, gave 20 students a chance to work side-by-side with experienced health care professionals to see for themselves if the world of medicine is right for them.

The students were selected through a competitive process, said Greg Mathis, of Pasco County Schools, the program coordinator for the B.E.S.T. program in Zephyrhills.

“The program is new here in Pasco County. It’s been in Hillsborough County for 10 years,” Mathis said.

Dr. Dexter Frederick initiated the program at Florida Hospital Tampa because of a desire to give kids a chance to enter the arena of medicine to see that it’s a dream they could make come true for themselves, Mathis said.

It was expanded to Florida Hospital Zephyrhills this year, after Camille Watkins, assistant principal at Zephyrhills High School, inquired into the possibility of bringing the program to Pasco County students.

Watkins’ twin sons, Abera and Addelove, both attended the Florida Hospital Tampa program last year, Mathis said.

TeNiiyah Gore, a participant at the B.E.S.T. Academy Camp Program at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, said the program ‘gives us a chance to discover what we want to be.’

Both said they benefited from the experience they had in the B.E.S.T. Academy Program at Florida Hospital Tampa last year. And, they helped with the program at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills this year.

Abera Watkins said he wants to specialize in pediatrics, while his twin brother, Addelove, wants to specialize in cardiology.

Both of them said they are willing to do the work and take on the debt to make those dreams a reality.

Early exposure to potential health care career options is critical, Mathis said.

“Kids may never even think about medicine, because mom and dad didn’t go to college,” Mathis said.

But, he added, if they become aware of options they want to explore, they can be sure to take the proper classes to enable them to lay the groundwork for those careers.

The Zephyrhills program accepted freshmen through seniors, who were selected through a process that considered a variety of factors, including their academic record and interviews with them and their parents, Mathis said.

Students taking part in the Pasco program came from Zephyrhills, Pasco and Wiregrass Ranch high schools.

Joan Conrad, director of patient experience at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, coordinated the hospital’s participation.

Program participant Alexayra Classen enjoyed observing the hospital’s operating room. ‘It’s really fast. No one bumps into each other. That was interesting, how they all kind of work around each other,’ she said.

“I think it’s fantastic,” Conrad said. It can help give kids a road map to pursuing their dreams, she said, noting some kids know they want something, but have no idea how to pursue it.

By observing and talking to people who work in the field, students get a real feel for possible careers in health care, Conrad said. In some cases, they may find out that a field they thought they wanted to pursue isn’t exactly what they had pictured. In other cases, they may be exposed to a career that they find captivating.

Mathis, who is a teacher for Pasco County Schools, is delighted with Florida Hospital’s support of the program.

“I can’t say enough about Florida Hospital, and what they’re doing. I am thrilled, overwhelmed,” Mathis said.

Activities in the program included hospital rotations, classroom instruction, guest speakers and workshops on health careers and health issues.

“The good thing is that now we have a lot of kids who say, ‘This is possible.’ ” Mathis said.

“It’s a lot of hard work. That’s been stressed. Don’t think that anything you feel is worthwhile in life is going to be easy,” Mathis said. “We’re not only preaching medicine, medicine, medicine. We’re preaching professionalism, courtesy, hard work.

“It’s hands-on. That’s the beautiful part of it,” Mathis said.

The students are exposed to different health careers and different options, to see which one best fits them.

“Like today, we have kids in the OR (operating room), OB (obstetrics), ICU (intensive care unit), post-cardiac care, dietary. They’re everywhere,” Mathis said.

Jenny Craig, will be a sophomore at Pasco High, was enjoying the experience.

Jenny Craig said she took part in the program because she thought it ‘would be a great opportunity to get some experience in OB (obstetrics), as well as the other departments.’

“I’ve always been interested in medicine. I thought this would be a great opportunity to get some experience in OB (obstetrics), as well as the other departments.

“Today, I was on a PT (physical therapy) rotation. I thought it was really cool,” she said.

TeNiiyah Gore, will be a junior at Zephyrhills High School, said the experience is beneficial for students.

“I think it gives us a chance to discover what we want to be. It helps us to see what it’s like to be in the medical field and whether you want to be here or not,” Gore said.

Alexayra Classen, who will be a senior at Pasco High School, said she’s leaning toward a career in neonatal nursing.”

She enjoyed observing the way things work in the hospital’s operating room.

“It’s really fast. No one bumps into each other. That was interesting, how they all kind of work around each other,” Classen said.

Emily Daffron, who will be a senior at Zephyrhills High School, knows that her future holds a career in the health care arena.

“I’m really dead set on pursuing a medical career. I don’t have any other backup plans,” Daffron said. “I really want to be a nurse. I want to interact with patients and I want to have an impact on their lives.”

In addition to gaining from the experience, the students got scrubs with the B.E.S.T. logo on them, and also a medical starter kit.

The starter kit contains thermometers, litmus testers, gloves, a stethoscope and other medical equipment.

The two-week B.E.S.T. program began on June 15 and concluded with a graduation ceremony on June 26.

B.E.S.T. Academy participants
These students took part in the inaugural B.E.S.T. Academy program at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills: Lyndsey Lee, Alexayra Classen, TeNiiyah Gore, Eve Faison, Sandra Garcia, Janessa Barbar, Jamiqua Mutcherson, Keith Brockington, Nora Ripley, Alec Troidl, Jamie Howard, Tabria James, John First, Bailey Douberley, Kiaria Singleton, Dahian Iozada, Jenny Craig, Maycalla Hicks, Emily Daffron and Christy Saji.

Published July 8, 2015

Chalk Talk 07-08-15

July 8, 2015 By Mary Rathman

Top Dogs at Stewart Middle
The Pilot Club of Zephyrhills honored the Top Dog winners for the fourth quarter from Stewart Middle School. Students were chosen for academics and leadership roles in the school. Those recognized were Autumn Bayless, Jaylen Tucker, Ja’Varrius Wilson, Joseph Game, George Kohler, Victoria Pelfrey, Sophie Patino, Cortney Fishback and Lyric Dixon-Seal.

Battle of the Belts winners
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point awarded a $500 prize to the students of Land O’ Lakes High School for the most improved safety belt use while driving in the Battle of the Belts.

The program, with its partner Safe Kids of Pasco County, promotes seatbelt use among teens and was initiated in an effort to change statistics and increase safety belt use among teenagers.

There were several award categories including highest seatbelt use, most improved seatbelt use, best school campaign, best public service announcement, best poster and best essay.

Land O’ Lakes High School had the highest percentage of increased safety belt use in Pasco County. The trauma center at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point sponsored the prize for the most improved seatbelt use.

Columbiettes award scholarships
The Columbiettes of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church in Land O’ Lakes awarded scholarships to local students during a reception in June.

Students receiving the scholarships were Catherine Cole, Florida State University; Lisa Goldsworthy, graduate of Sunlake High School; and Rose Kabat, graduate of Land O’ Lakes High School.

The scholarships were made possible through sponsors and proceeds from The Columbiettes’ annual fashion show.

Special Olympics World Games
The Land O’ Lakes High School Unified Special Olympics Soccer Team will represent the United States at the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles July 25 through Aug. 2.

The team will depart Land O’ Lakes High School on its journey to the World Games on July 20. Fans are encouraged to participate in a send-off at noon that day. Interested fans should gather by 11:45 a.m. Parking is available to the southeast of the school. The goal is to line Gator Lane with cheering fans as the team departs.

The Land O’ Lakes High School Unified Soccer Team consists of 12 members. Seven members are Special Olympics athletes and five are partners. They practice Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Center, 3032 Collier Parkway. The team is coached by state 3A girls soccer coach of the year Vicky King, and assistant coaches Phyllis Crain from Land O’ Lakes High School and Meghan McLean with Special Olympics Florida.

Using the American Reading program, teachers meet with individual students, collect reading data and set power goals so students have a purpose for reading.

Lecture-style art workshops
The Encore Academy at Pasco-Hernando State College is offering a series of three travel art workshops on the East Campus in Dade City, 36727 Blanton Road, on Thursdays, July 16 to July 30 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

These lecture-style workshops will focus on the must-see art of Greece on July 16; the must-see art of Italy on July 23; and the must-see Art of France on July 30.

PHSC art instructor Charlene Jones will highlight paintings, sculptures and other works of art in each country for those planning to travel abroad or for armchair travelers.

Each workshop in the series is $12 and may be taken independently.

Registration deadline is three days prior to workshop start date.

For more information about these and other Encore Academy workshops and memberships, call (352) 797-5167, or visit PHSC.edu/encore.

The program was established to ensure that low-income children receive nutritious meals when school is not in session. Meals and snacks are provided at no charge to children ages 18 and younger when school is out for the summer.

To learn more about Florida’s Summer BreakSpot sites and to find a location, visit SummerFoodFlorida.org.

Charter school finds a home

July 1, 2015 By B.C. Manion

Garden Montessori Charter School has signed a five-year lease on a new 22,000-square-foot home in a former fitness facility in Wesley Chapel.

“It’s a beautiful property,” John Selover, a consultant for the charter school said. “We’re really excited about it.”

Garden Montessori Charter School has signed a five-year lease on the property now known as Sports and Field, at 2029 Arrowgrass Drive. (Photos courtesy of Garden Montessori Charter School) — Garden Montessori Charter School has signed a five-year lease on the property now known as Sports and Field, at 2029 Arrowgrass Drive.
(Photos courtesy of Garden Montessori Charter School)

In addition to the building at the Sports and Field Inc. location, at 2029 Arrowgrass Drive, there’s a large fenced play area, Selover said.

“When we move in there this year, we’ll have temporary walls and partitions, with the idea that we’ll make that more permanent down the road,” he said.

The school is opening this fall with an enrollment of around 215 children, in kindergarten through second grade.

Selover said many people believe that Montessori education is a private-school only type of situation.

But Garden Montessori School is a charter school, meaning there’s no tuition for children attending the school.

The Sports and Field building, which has been leased to Garden Montessori Charter School, has an exterior rock wall.

The same is true for Countryside Montessori Charter School, which is located in Land O’ Lakes.

Garden Montessori School has its roots in a private preschool and kindergarten that has been offering the Montessori approach to education since 2009.

Parents of some of those children were interested in continuing to pursue that type of education in elementary school, and the school sought permission from Pasco County to open a charter elementary school.

There are still some seats available at Garden Montessori Charter School.

General information and enrollment details can be found at GMCSWC.weebly.com.

Published July 1, 2015

Chalk Talk 06-24-15

June 24, 2015 By Mary Rathman

Rotary club donates $500 to Lutz Elementary
The Rotary Club of Lutz donated a $500 Barnes & Noble gift card to the Lutz Elementary School media center. The schoolchildren signed a thank you card presented by Julie Hiltz, Lutz media specialist, to Valerie Andrews, president of the Rotary Club of Lutz. Also at the presentation was Mary Fernandez, principal of Lutz Elementary.

To learn more about Florida’s Summer BreakSpot sites and to find a location, visit SummerFoodFlorida.org.

Rasmussen College offers new health sciences programs
Rasmussen College will launch three new health sciences programs including a health and wellness bachelor’s degree, a medical administrative assistant certificate and a pharmacy technician certificate.

All three programs are currently enrolling for the summer semester, starting July 6.

For information, visit Rasmussen.edu/degrees/health-sciences/.

Girls’ robotics camps
Saint Leo University, 33701 State Road 52, will offer day camps on robotics during July for girls entering grades five through eight, generally ages 8 to 14.

The camps are tentatively scheduled for the weeks of July 13, July 20 and July 27, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The camp fee of $120 covers the cost of materials, lunch, snacks and a field trip to the Museum of Science and Industry.

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

Summer career camps
Pasco-Hernando State College will offer academic career-themed summer camps for middle and early high school students.

Each camp will run for four half-days, Monday through Thursday, at the East Campus in Dade City, 36727 Blanton Road.

STEAM Career Camp: July 13 to July 16 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Fire Science Career Camp: July 27 to July 30 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Each camp session is limited to 15 students. Additional camps are available at the West Campus in New Port Richey.

For information and costs, or to register, visit PHSC.edu/summercamp, or call (727) 816-3256.

Pasco students earn merit scholarships
Two Pasco County school students have been awarded the College-Sponsored National Merit University of Central Florida Scholarship.

Lisa Goldsworthy, Sunlake High School, is considering a career in health care.

Emily Suvannasankha, Land O’ Lakes High School, is considering a major in writing.

For information on the National Merit Scholarships, visit NationalMerit.org.

Suellen Smith receives humanitarian award
Suellen Smith, cafeteria manager at Zephyrhills High School, received the Community Humanitarian Award from the Florida School Nutrition Association at the 2015 FSNA Annual Conference in Daytona Beach.

The award recognizes an individual who has applied his or her knowledge and expertise to help others in their community in a humanitarian effort.

Throughout the year, Smith has collected clothing and accessories for students who cannot afford prom and homecoming attire, organized the collection and distribution of new backpacks filled with toiletries, food and basic school supplies, and served as homecoming coordinator.

Smith’s latest project is a student-mentoring program. She also raised $3,500 for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

Justin Lyles graduates from Thomas University
Justin Lyles, of Land O’ Lakes, graduated from Thomas University with a bachelor of science in business administration-marketing.

Lyles was one of 285 students receiving degrees during the annual commencement ceremony.

Thomas University is located in Thomasville, Georgia.

Stepping away, after a decade of progress

June 17, 2015 By B.C. Manion

When Katherine Johnson came to Pasco County a decade ago, the educational institution she was leading was known by a different name.

It had fewer campuses, fewer students and a smaller endowment fund, too.

When Johnson came on board, the college was known as Pasco-Hernando Community College and had three campuses.

Pasco-Hernando State College President Katherine Johnson poses with members of the Porter family during a school celebrating the new campus. From left are J.D. Porter, Bill Porter, Johnson, Don Porter and Quinn Miller. (Courtesy of Pasco-Hernando State College) — Pasco-Hernando State College President Katherine Johnson poses with members of the Porter family during a school celebrating the new campus. From left are J.D. Porter, Bill Porter, Johnson, Don Porter and Quinn Miller.
(Courtesy of Pasco-Hernando State College)

In 2010, the college added its Spring Hill campus, and in 2014, it opened Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch.

The college also added baccalaureate degree programs in 2014 and changed its name to reflect its four-year degree programs.

During the past decade, the college increased its graduation by 43 percent — a statistic that is perhaps most meaningful to Johnson, who herself graduated from what was then called a junior college.

Johnson continued her education to complete a doctorate and become a college president, but it all began with the opportunity offered at the junior college.

She is passionate about the educational opportunities offered by institutions like Pasco-Hernando State College.

“My father couldn’t afford to send me to college. He was a railroad worker. My mother was a homemaker, and I didn’t have stellar grades. I wasn’t a poor student, but I wasn’t a stellar student, either,” she recalled.

“Sometimes, community colleges are viewed as the red-headed stepchild — that we take any and all (students) — but quite honestly, I think that’s a wonderful mantra.”

She believes that community colleges are sometimes the first option, sometimes the only option and sometimes the last option.

Some students choose to attend a community college because they are on scholarship. Others choose it because it’s their only feasible option. And, sometimes they choose it because they can’t get in any other postsecondary institution.

“We are an open-door institution,” Johnson said.

Besides being an option for students on a traditional path, schools like PHSC offer opportunities for people who are in the work force or who have lost their jobs and need to develop new workplace skills.

“We’ve had to adjust our programs of study, not just here at PHSC, but everywhere due to technology, the changing work force, certainly, the economics, particularly crawling out of this recession,” Johnson said.

Katherine Johnson, president of Pasco-Hernando State College, retires on June 30, after a decade of leading the school. (Courtesy of Pasco-Hernando State College) — Katherine Johnson, president of Pasco-Hernando State College, retires on June 30, after a decade of leading the school.
(Courtesy of Pasco-Hernando State College)

“People had to learn to be flexible. They had to come back and learn new skills. And, so I think that the nimbleness of our institutions has provided access to perhaps many students who never even thought about coming back to college,” Johnson said.

She uses these three As to describe PHSC’s mission: “It’s accountability, accessibility and affordability. Those three As truly make an equation for success,” Johnson said.

“Those are the three As that I’ve always tried to tie our mission to, so that we don’t lose our way,” she said.

The college is focused on providing educational opportunities.

“Students, students, students – are at the heart of what we do,” Johnson said.

While she has played a visible role in steering the college through change and growth, she is quick to point out that there are many people behind the scenes who have played a vital role in the college’s daily operations, and its long-term success.

As Johnson prepares to leave her post, she’s delighted that the administration building at Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch will bear her name.

“I was shocked that that would be a recommendation by the board, and that it would be so warmly engaged and approved by the board. I’m obviously humbled and honored to have my name on one of the buildings at Porter,” she said.

She recalled meeting Don Porter on her first day as college president.

At that very first lunch, Porter told Johnson about his vision for higher educational opportunities for students living in the community. The family’s later contribution of 60 acres for the campus played an instrumental role in making that vision come true,

“Don Porter has to be smiling from up above because this was his vision. This was Tom’s vision, God rest his soul, as well, and certainly Bill and J.D.”

The campus could not have happened without the Porter family, Johnson said.

“We couldn’t have afforded to buy that land,” she said, and she thinks it is fitting that the campus bears the family’s name.

“To know that that gift, for perpetuity, will forever change lives of students is a pretty strong legacy that we’re delighted to have associated with the Porter family,” Johnson said.

Now, the campus serves not only students living in Pasco and Hernando counties, but also students from Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

“We certainly have picked up tremendous enrollment from our sister counties,” Johnson said, noting that the campus is convenient and offers attractive programs.

As PHSC looks to the future, it will be under the direction of Tim Beard, who becomes the college’s fourth president, effective July 1.

Johnson plans to move to Gainesville to join her husband, who has already moved to their retirement home.

She plans to sit out a year because of the state retirement system requirements, but after that, she’s interested in working part-time training potential college administrators through the Institute of Higher Education at the University of Florida.

“I don’t see myself being idle,” Johnson said.

As she reflects upon her life as an educator, she said she’s grateful for both its challenges and opportunities.

She said she couldn’t have asked for a better career.

Retirement receptions for Katherine M. Johnson
Pasco-Hernando State College will host several upcoming farewell receptions for president Katherine Johnson:

Wednesday, June 17
9 a.m., West Campus in New Port Richey, 10230 Ridge Road

9 a.m., West Campus in New Port Richey, 10230 Ridge Road
12:30 p.m., North Campus in Brooksville, 11415 Ponce de Leon Blvd.
4 p.m., Spring Hill Campus in Spring Hill, 450 Beverly Court

Thursday, June 18

9 a.m., East Campus in Dade City, 36727 Blanton Road
12:30 p.m., Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch in Wesley Chapel, 2727 Mansfield Blvd.
4 p.m., West Campus in New Port Richey, 10230 Ridge Road

A decade of progress
During Katherine M. Johnson’s 10-year tenure, Pasco-Hernando State College has:

° Increased its graduation rate by 43 percent

° Increased its foundation’s assets by 50 percent

Added the Spring Hill and Porter at Wiregrass Ranch campuses
Transitioned to a state college offering baccalaureate degrees.

Published June 17, 2015

Students help ‘Lost Boys of Sudan’

June 10, 2015 By Kathy Steele

The Skype call from Salva Dut, one of the “Lost Boys of Sudan” is likely something the sixth-graders at Pine View Middle School will never forget.

Social media for 15 minutes linked two worlds – the one of privilege in America and the other of poverty in South Sudan.

Jackson Hilborn, left, McKenzie Lee, Hannah O’Conner, Destini Randall, and on the front row, Aimee Fuss, all age 12, were among Pine View Middle students who collected money to help the nonprofit Water for South Sudan. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photo) — Jackson Hilborn, left, McKenzie Lee, Hannah O’Conner, Destini Randall, and on the front row, Aimee Fuss, all age 12, were among Pine View Middle students who collected money to help the nonprofit Water for South Sudan.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)

About 40 students filled the seats in the media center to listen to Dut and ask him questions about his life and his nonprofit, Water for South Sudan.

Pine View Middle was among more than 80 schools worldwide to accept the Iron Giraffe Challenge. The students collected more than $1,300 in donations to aid in drilling wells that deliver safe drinking water to villages in South Sudan.

As one of the top donors, the school was placed in a drawing. The prize was the Skype call from Dut.

Their funds are part of nearly $75,000 collected in total from all schools. The Iron Giraffe is the nickname, given by Sudanese children, to a drill used to bore wells.

“It kind of made me feel good to help people who aren’t as privileged as we are,” said 12-year-old Jackson Hilborn. “I didn’t know much about Sudan. It really helped me learn about other cultures and how they live.”

Hilborn and others in sixth grade language arts classes had read “The Long Walk to Water, “ a book by Linda Park that includes a biography of Dut as well as a fictional story of a young Sudanese girl. They also studied water issues, viewed a documentary on the Sudan and the Lost Boys, and saw the movie, “The Good Lie”, starring Reese Witherspoon.

“We were super psyched about the Skype,” said sixth-grade language arts teacher Chrissy Arrington.

Students delved into a culture they never knew existed.

“They are so in a bubble here,” Arrington said. “It’s opened their eyes where they see how much water they use and what other countries have.”

The fundraising by the students will help many people, Dut said. “You should be proud of yourselves,” he told the students.

He also spoke briefly about his experiences as a “lost boy” and answered questions posed by students.

The “lost boys” were orphans who fled the fighting that overtook their villages during Sudan’s second civil war from 1983 to 2005. Some were as young as age 5. They endured violence and years of hardships at refugee camps.

His story was inspirational to the students.

“He had a rough start to life, but he has changed things to where he’s doing something great,” said 12-year-old Hannah O’Conner.

Dut fled to Ethiopia, then led 1,500 lost boys to a Kenya refugee camp. In 1996, he was among 3,000 lost boys chosen to relocate to the United States. He went to school, found work and became an American citizen.

“The United States was different,” Dut said. “It was a cultural shock for me.”

Adjusting to cold weather was a particular challenge. But the abundance in America also was revealing. “Just going to a grocery store where you can see all the food and eat three times a day was awesome,” he said.

Dut thought all his family had died. But nearly 20 years after he escaped from the war, he learned his father was alive in South Sudan but ill from a water-borne disease. Dut returned home and started his nonprofit to bring clean, drinking water to people who had no access to water.

“I drilled one well. That was that,” said Dut who now has dual citizenship. But “good people” pushed him to do more.

Now more than 257 wells are pumping water to serve about 500,000 people.

“He doesn’t want other people to go through the same thing,” said 11-year-old Destini Randall. “It made us happy that we got to help out and saved people so that they can get healthy.

Published June 10, 2015