Education

Survey meant to help identify educational priorities

October 9, 2014 By B.C. Manion

The survey form posted on the Pasco County Schools’ website was brief and easy to complete.

It had just three multiple-choice questions.

One asked parents to identify what learning opportunities they think would increase their child’s engagement in the learning process.

A second question asked parents to identify what technology they’d like to see more of in their child’s classroom. The third queried parents on what type of technology their child has access to in their home.

Each question was followed by a list of responses, which parents could check off. And, they also had the option of adding comments.

For instance, district officials wanted to know if students would be more likely to be engaged if they participate in goal-setting and making learning decisions.

Would collaborating with others to solve problems help? How about connecting with global resources to enhance learning?

Parents had the option for each question to check as many boxes as they wanted, and they could add whatever observations they wanted to make, as well.

The survey was offered as part of the school district’s effort to prepare for a digital classroom grant submission, said Vanessa Hilton, director of the office for teaching and learning for Pasco County Schools.

Each of the responses about preparing 21st century learners to compete globally is important, according to research, Hilton said.

“All of those things will lead to building a 21st century learner,” Hilton said. “But what does the community feel is really important now?”

When it comes to technology, the district must use it to prepare students for the work place and life, Hilton said. But, she added, “Do we think (computer) tablets will meet the needs for our kids?” Or, do parents think the district needs to equip students with more sophisticated equipment?

Finally, the district wants to gain a better understanding of the types of technology that students have access to at home.

Published October 8, 2014

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Chalk Talk 10-01-14

October 2, 2014 By Mary Rathman

Saint Leo Mud Endeavor V0
Saint Leo University Veteran Student Services are partnering with Mud Endeavor to sponsor Mud Endeavor V, an obstacle course race, Oct. 4 at 29251 Wildlife Lane in Brooksville.

All proceeds from those who preregister will benefit the school’s Veteran Student Services and Military Education Excellence.

Waves of participants will start with competitive runners at 9 a.m. Participants must be at least 13 years old.

Preregistration is $45, with promotional code STLEOVETS.

To register, visit MudEndeavor.webconnex.comme5.

For information, call Tedd Weiser at (352) 588-8234.

Monks create sand mandala for Peace Week
In celebration of Peace Week at Pasco-Hernando State College, Buddhist monks are constructing a sand mandala, which is a circle, in the third floor lobby at Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

Visitors can view the creation Oct. 6-9 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Upon completion, Drupon Thinley Ningpo Rinpoche will offer a sand mandala teaching Oct. 9 at 3:30 p.m., followed by a dissolution ceremony to signify spreading kindness and compassion at 6 p.m.

There will also be a Peace Festival Oct. 9 from noon to 3:30 p.m.

For information, visit PHSC.edu/peace.

Academy at the Lakes info sessions
Academy at the Lakes, 2331 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes, is hosting ‘coffee and conversation’ groups for anyone interested in learning more about the school.

All sessions are from 10:30 a.m. to noon at these locations:

• Oct. 6, Tampa Palms Swim Clubhouse, 16402 Tampa Palms Blvd., in New Tampa

• Oct. 27, Seven Oaks Community Center, 2910 Sports Core Circle, in Wesley Chapel

• Nov. 3, The Lodge at Wilderness Lake Preserve, 21320 Wilderness Lake Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes

• Nov. 10, Grand Hampton Clubhouse, 8301 Dunham Station Drive in Tampa

For information, call Luci Ward at (813) 909-7919.

Nursing info session at PHSC
Pasco-Hernando State College will host an information session on its new Bachelor of Science in nursing degree Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. at the West Campus, 10320 Ridge Road in New Port Richey.

The new online program provides additional management, leadership, theory and research training to licensed registered nurses holding an Associate in Science in nursing degree.

Admission is free but seating is limited. To RSVP, visit PHSC.edu/rsvp.

For more information, call (727) 816-3274.

Book fair at Denham Oaks
Denham Oaks Elementary School, 1422 Oak Grove Blvd., in Lutz, is having a Family Book Fair Night Oct. 9 from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

For information, call (813) 794-1600.

Student video challenge
The Florida Coordinating Committee of the Informed Voters Project of the National Association of Women Judges is inviting all Florida residents, especially high school, college and law students, to participate in the 2014 Constitution Day Florida Video Challenge.

The challenge aims to allow participants to express their interest in the missions of the Informed Voters Project (IVP) through the creation of a short film.

Videos must be based on any or all of the following topics:

• The qualities that make a good judge

• What our legal system would be like if our judiciary was not fair and free

• The importance of an informed electorate in voting on judges

Participants can enter as individuals or in teams up to five people.

Submissions will be accepted through Oct. 17.

Viewing and voting will take place between Oct. 18-Nov. 17.

There is a $1,000 first place cash prize with recognition on the IVP website and lunch with Florida Supreme Court Justice Barbara Pariente.

Second place is a $500 cash prize.

Third place is a $100 cash prize.

For contest rules and to participate, visit Facebook.com/informedvotersproject.

For information on IVP, visit IVP.NAWJ.org.

Students recognized as National Merit scholars
Five Pasco County high school students in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area have been named as National Merit Scholarship semifinalists.

National Merit Scholarship Corporation officials recognized high school seniors with the highest scores on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test who met published program participation requirements.

The local students are:

• Brendan Foley, Pasco High School

• Lisa Goldsworthy, Sunlake High School

• Veronica Grady, Land O’ Lakes High School

• Emily Suvannasankha, Land O’ Lakes High School

• Olivia Sunna, Wiregrass Ranch High School

Library of Congress offers free interactive e-books
The Library of Congress is offering students a set of free interactive e-books for tablets.

The new Library of Congress Student Discovery Sets bring together historical artifacts and one-of-a-kind documents in a range of topics from history to science to literature.

Interactive tools let students zoom in for close examination, draw to highlight interesting details, and make notes about what they discover.

The first six Student Discovery Sets are available now for iPad, and can be downloaded for free on iBooks. These sets cover the U.S. Constitution, Symbols of the United States, Immigration, the Dust Bowl, the Harlem Renaissance, and Understanding the Cosmos.

For information, visit LOC.gov/teachers/student-discovery-sets/.

Big turnout reveals heavy interest in Pasco’s first magnet school

October 2, 2014 By B.C. Manion

More than 200 parents and children turned out to a community meeting to find out more about Pasco County Schools’ plan to open the district’s first magnet school in Land O’ Lakes.

Sanders Memorial Elementary School, scheduled to open next school year, will be known as a STEAM school, which stands for science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics.

Construction workers are busy getting the new Sanders Memorial Elementary School built in time for the 2015-16 school year. (Fred Bellett/Photo)

Unlike other district schools, this one won’t have an attendance boundary, Superintendent Kurt Browning said.

Applications for the school will be accepted for students throughout the county, but the district is considering whether to give preferential admission to students living within one mile of the school — students now attending Connerton or Oakstead elementary schools — and those who have siblings that have been accepted. Both Connerton and Oakstead are overcrowded and need relief, Browning explained, so the district may use Sanders to help address that issue.

While Sanders will open next year, the district has not yet decided how it will handle transportation to the school, Browning said. It may continue to send buses through neighborhoods to pick up students in the morning and drop them off in the afternoon. Or, it may establish a hub system, where parents take children to a location where district buses pick up and drop off children.

The district hopes to have the principal for Sanders named by November and to have the teaching staff selected by February or March, Browning said.

Sanders will be different from other schools in many respects. For one thing, the school’s design includes large spaces next to classrooms. They are intended to encourage collaboration between students, between teachers and students, and between classrooms.

Even the school’s furniture will accommodate a greater degree of teamwork. The chairs and desks will move easily to accommodate clusters of learners tackling various tasks.

Sanders also will feature the latest in technology. And, every student will be equipped with an electronic device.

The district hasn’t decided yet whether all of the students will have the same kind of device, or if kindergarten through second-graders will have iPads, and third- through fifth-graders will have laptops.

“We know that this generation of children already has advanced ability in the use of technology,” said Dave Scanga, executive director of the Central Region of Pasco County Schools.

Sanders will infuse technology into every aspect of learning. The school also will give students more opportunities to do environmental observations, as the school takes advantage of a wetlands area to help nurture a deeper understanding of nature.

It’s not clear yet whether Sanders will open with a fifth-grade program, Browning said. The district plans to survey parents of fourth-graders to see if there’s enough interest to open the school with fifth grade, or to wait a year for that grade.

The superintendent said he understands that parents may be reluctant to move their child to Sanders during their final year of elementary school, so the district wants to find out what parents think before making that decision.

Like other public schools, Sanders will have children from diverse economic, ethnic and racial backgrounds. It also will have students with varying degrees of ability.

Sanders will adhere to Florida’s educational standards, Browning said. It also will offer a fee-based childcare program, before and after school.

Sanders is Pasco’s first magnet school, Browning said, but it won’t be its last.

“Parents want choices about the way their kids are educated,” the superintendent said. Schools like Sanders give parents another option.

The district also understands that children who attend Sanders for elementary school will need to transition into a middle school program that meets their needs, and work is under way to address that issue, Browning said.

Sanders will have a capacity of 762 students, and the school district will accept applications throughout December.

The school district funded the redesign of Sanders in 2008, but the project was put on hold because the housing market crashed.

When completed, Sanders — located at 5126 School Road — will be almost entirely new. Just three of the former school’s buildings remain on site. The rest were demolished.

Besides being the district’s first magnet, Sanders also will benefit from an agreement between the school board and Pasco County government officials. The arrangement aims at providing more recreational opportunities for schoolchildren and the community at large, while also broadening learning opportunities and providing a venue to accommodate community gatherings.

The Pasco County Commission has approved spending $2.4 million to improve the Land O’ Lakes Community Center at 5401 U.S. 41. That center is adjacent to the Sanders property. The improvements include the construction of a restroom, concession area and meeting room, a picnic shelter, sports fields, a basketball court, parking, and a trail.

Sandy Graves, president of the Heritage Park Foundation, is pleased with the county’s funding, but said work continues to raise about $200,000 needed to build a stage on the park property, next to the community center, that could be used for large community events.

Graves hopes a major sponsor will step forward to make a sizable donation, which could be matched through community fundraising efforts.

Graves has pushed this project for years, and is confident that eventually the vision will become a reality.

“It will be built,” Graves said.

Published October 1, 2014

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Pasco union leader seeks to unite, engage district workers

October 2, 2014 By B.C. Manion

Kenny Blankenship’s earliest recollections of union activity go back to his childhood, when his dad — a member of the United Steel Workers — would take him to the Tampa Theatre for annual holiday parties.

Kids would leave the theater with bicycles, toys and other presents, Blankenship said.

But he also recalls seeing his dad on the picket line.

Those early images of union life aroused Blankenship’s desire to join a union when he got a chance, and that happened in 1997 when he became a teacher at Land O’ Lakes High School.

Over the years, Blankenship’s involvement in the union grew, and in March, he was elected president of the United School Employees of Pasco.

As its new leader, Blankenship is encouraging Pasco County Schools employees to become more involved in union activities. He also wants to build stronger relationships between the district’s instructional staff and non-instructional employees.

“We want to work to strengthen our organization and the unity between the two units, because we’re not just a teachers’ union,” Blankenship said. “We’re wall-to-wall. We’re bus drivers, instructional assistants, secretaries, food service workers, the maintenance crews, custodians.”

Many people view unions as organizations that protect the weakest link, but that isn’t true, Blankenship said. However, the union does make sure the employees it represents are given due process.

“A lot of people don’t get that,” he said. “The union is there to protect your contractual rights, and to ensure that you get a fair shake.”

And while that’s important, it’s far from everything that a union has to offer for employees, Blankenship added.

The union lobbies to represent employees on important education issues. It negotiates wages and working conditions. It provides support for members needing help with classroom management, curriculum issues and working conditions, Blankenship said.

The union advocates “for the best working conditions possible, because our working conditions are our students’ learning conditions,” Blankenship said.

Along those lines, the union lodged a complaint in March with the Florida Public Employee Relations Commission over teacher planning time. The complaint alleges that teachers are spending so much time in meetings with their professional learning communities that it is usurping time intended for individual planning.

That issue remains unresolved. But in recent negotiations, the district has agreed to increase the protected planning time for teacher’s individual planning activities. That increased time, Blankenship said, “should provide some relief for our teachers.”

Planning time is crucial for teachers to prepare for lessons, Blankenship said. It allows them to secure materials to support lessons that bring learning to life and help students gain understanding.

Blankenship uses the analogy of a football game to help explain the importance of planning.

“How much practice goes into preparing for a Friday night football game?” Blankenship asked. In the same way that coaches prepare for games, teachers must prepare to deliver quality instruction.

While planning their lessons, teachers must consider the unique needs of every student in their classroom, Blankenship said.

“You’ve got to think about, Johnny over here has dyslexia. MaryAnn has auditory processing issues. Somebody else has cognitive issues,” he said. “And then, Jose just moved in from Mexico and can’t speak a lick of English.”

Teachers have to figure out how to reach those kids, while not overlooking students who are lagging behind, or making average progress or even excelling, Blankenship said.

“That’s what goes into planning,” he said.

Blankenship blames policy decisions by the Florida Legislature and budget cuts by Gov. Rick Scott for leaving public schools in a financial lurch.

“Right now, funding is less per student than it was in 2007,” Blankenship said.

Blankenship points to a move to “privatize public education” through charter schools and vouchers, which he said dilutes financial support for public education.

“The fact is that the political climate in Tallahassee is pretty much anti-public schools and anti-union,” Blankenship said.

Funding is so tight that teachers lack adequate supplies, Blankenship said.

“They don’t have the books for kids,” he said. “Last year, my daughter was a senior. I told the governor this: ‘My daughter is a senior at Land O’ Lakes High School and she can’t take a book home to study for her American government class or her economics class because all they’ve got is enough for a class set.’

“That’s frustrating for teachers. I know that’s frustrating for students,” Blankenship said. “And, it’s frustrating for parents because they want their kids to succeed in the classroom.”

The union leader also thinks there’s too much standardized testing in the schools.

“I think the amount of standardized testing that we’re forced to do is nothing short of emotional and psychological abuse of our students and teachers,” Blankenship said.

On the other hand, there is not enough opportunity for students who are not college-bound, Blankenship added.

“We’re not meeting the needs of those students,” Blankenship said. “Where’s pipe-fitting? Where’s welding?

“When I was in high school. Every school had a shop class, a building trades class, a drafting class – which would be CAD (computer-aided design) now,” he said.

It’s true that employees don’t have to be members for the union to bargain for their wages and working conditions, Blankenship said. To be represented individually by the union, however, an employee must be a member.

Despite difficulties that teachers face, being an educator remains a rewarding career, Blankenship said. That’s because teachers can make a real difference in the lives of their students.

“People like John Benedetto, Al Claggett, Max Ramos and Nancy Browning — those are teachers who inspired thousands, upon thousands of students,” Blankenship said.

In much the same way, the union wants to do what it can to help employees build on their professional strengths, Blankenship said. It also wants to help employees see the value of becoming a member.

“We invest in our clothes. We invest in our vehicles. We invest in our homes,” Blankenship said. “Why wouldn’t we invest in our profession?”

Published October 1, 2014

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Internship takes local student to Amazon jungle

September 25, 2014 By Michael Hinman

Those first nights in the Amazon rainforest were tough ones for Kenny Quayle. Especially when he was trying to get a few hours of sleep.

“There are strange sounds that come from the jungle, and some of them were from animals I never wanted to come face-to-face with,” he said. “There were thousands of bugs everywhere at night, and you could hear each and every one of them.”

Kenny Quayle, a junior at Academy at the Lakes, spent part of his summer as an intern in Peru, working in the Amazon. The trip included adventures, like this fishing trip on the Tahuayo River. (Courtesy of Kenny Quayle)

Quayle spent a month in Peru living on the edge of the Amazon. He was there working on a conservation team that was part of Amazonia Expeditions, an adventure company led by local biologist Paul Beaver, and his wife Dolly.

But Quayle is no scientist. He wasn’t even an adventure tourist. He’s a 16-year-old who just started his junior year at Academy at the Lakes.

The Beavers offer the internship to one student each year, creating an opportunity of a lifetime. Quayle had such a desire to make the trip that he applied his freshman year, but lost out to an older student. That changed his sophomore year when he made it in, and found himself on a plane to South America that summer.

“You write a small essay on what you want to do with the knowledge you gain from going there, and what you expect to draw from the experiences,” Quayle said. And that part was easy for him, since his goal is to eventually become a journalist, working for publications like those owned by National Geographic.

And while he was among tourists and researchers, this wasn’t a trip to Disney World. There was no air-conditioning, no hot showers, and bugs were the size of softballs. The average temperature is 81 degrees, but the humidity is so high, it puts Florida to shame.

“The locals there, they don’t sweat,” Quayle said. “If you sweat, you just get hotter, because of all the humidity. You learn to sit in places with a good breeze, and you learn to survive on cold showers.”

Quayle woke up at 6 a.m. daily and hiked for a few hours. He primarily cleaned out camera traps that are used to capture wildlife on film in its native habitat for researchers. He brought protein bars with him to keep his energy up, because breakfast wasn’t served until he returned to camp.

“I actually dropped 15 pounds while I was there,” Quayle said. “We would eat well, but it was a lot of plantains and a lot of rice, as well as some fresh vegetables.”

Usually, afternoons were spent working with tourists who would visit the Tahuayo Lodge and the Tahuayo River Amazon Research Center, located about 30 miles south of Iquitos, Peru’s fifth-largest city, in the Loreto Region.

The forests, as nearly anyone would imagine, were dangerous. Quayle almost had a fatal run-in with a fer-de-lance, a highly poisonous snake that can disguise itself well to look like a rock.

“It does swim, and it likes to hunt near the water,” Quayle said. “We were on the shore, and lucky the person I was with noticed it, because I almost walked into it.”

But not all of Quayle’s encounters with the wildlife had happy endings. He was stung by a tarantula hawk — a spider wasp that is so aggressive that it hunts tarantulas. Its sting is considered to be the second most painful in the world, second only to the bullet ant.

“You would have these flying roaches all over the place, and so you’re constantly swatting them away,” Quayle said. “We were out spear fishing, and a bug landed on my back. I swatted it, and didn’t realize it was a tarantula hawk.”

Back home, Quayle is on the Academy at the Lakes football team, and spends time playing the cello. His parents are Kevin and Kathy Quayle, who own All Season Air Conditioning & Heating in Tampa.

Before going to Peru, Quayle was only out of the country three other times, and two of those were cruises. But that might change now that he’s had a taste of the world outside of North America, and has made new friends around the globe.

“I am very interested in traveling, and I’ve always loved traveling,” he said. “My parents, not so much.”

With two more years left to his high school career, Quayle’s not even looking to wait until he’s in college to try to head out again. He’s already applying for a chance to take care of a baby orangutan in Borneo for two months next summer. And he’s getting ready for a trip to England and France with his European studies class.

“There is so much worldly knowledge out there that I want to collect, before I have to sit down and really take in all that scholarly knowledge from college,” Quayle said. “There is just so much to see, and so little time to do it in.”

Want to read more about Kenny Quayle’s adventures in the Amazon rainforest? Check out his blog, which is still under development, at TheAdventuresOfKenny.com.

Published September 24, 2014

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Chalk Talk 09-17-14

September 18, 2014 By Mary Rathman

A back-to-school helping hand
The Rotary Club of Lutz recently donated back-to-school supplies to Lutz Elementary School as one of its service projects. Showing off some of the donations are, from left, Leo Leonard of Tech Guys, Eugene Stutzman of Watoto, Lutz Guv’na Dr. Cindy Perkins, Rotary Club president Valerie Andrews, Lutz Elementary principal Mary Fernandez, Doug Andrews, and Ryan Southerland of Tampa Bay Insurance Center.

Lutz student immersed in Russian culture
Russell Duncan, a 10th grader at Middleton Magnet High School, participated in the Concordia Language Villages program for a four-week session at Lesnoe Ozero, the Russian Language Village located near Bemidji, Minnesota.

Duncan was immersed in the Russian language and culture through learning groups, authentic foods, holiday celebrations, re-enactments of historic events, conversations and more.

Concordia Language Villages is a recognized leader in global education offering 15 world language programs.

Duncan is the son of Teresa and Yves Hamard of Lutz.

Bishop McLaughlin open house
Bishop McLaughlin Catholic School, 13651 Hays Road in Spring Hill, will host an open house Nov. 2 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

There will be family tours, and individuals can sign up for shadow dates.

Step-Up scholarships are accepted.

For information, call (727) 857-2600, or visit BMCHS.org.

Knights help Bishop McLaughlin
Local Knights of Columbus Council 8104 of Land O’ Lakes recently presented Bishop McLaughlin High School with a check for $4,000 to be used for scholarship money for students with financial needs.

The proceeds came from the Knights’ annual Lenten Fish Fry at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church.

Reflection program at Long Middle
The theme for this year’s PTA Reflections Program at Long Middle School is “The world would be a better place if…”

The six categories for submissions are dance choreography, film/video production, literature, music composition, photography and visual arts. The deadline is Oct. 1

Students can pick up entry forms and contest rules in the school’s media center, or download them at FloridaPTA.org.

For information, email the Reflections Committee at .

All sessions are from 10:30 a.m. to noon at these locations:

• Sept. 23, Town Hall at Longleaf, 3141 Deland St., New Port Richey

• Sept. 29, Lexington Oaks Clubhouse, 26304 Lexington Oaks Blvd., Wesley Chapel

• Oct. 6, Tampa Palms Swim Clubhouse, 16402 Tampa Palms Blvd., New Tampa

• Oct. 27, Seven Oaks Community Center, 2910 Sports Core Circle, Wesley Chapel

• Nov. 3, The Lodge at Wilderness Lake Preserve, 21320 Wilderness Lake Blvd., Land O’ Lakes

• Nov. 10, Grand Hampton Clubhouse, 8301 Dunham Station Drive in Tampa

For information, call Luci Ward at (813) 909-7919.

Student youth art contest
The Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, is having its annual Expressions of Thanks Youth Art Contest until Sept. 30.

Students in kindergarten through 12th grade are asked to celebrate the service of all U.S. military veterans, those who currently serve our great nation and their families, by submitting artwork, poetry or an essay.

Artwork must be submitted by Sept. 30 to the information desk at the hospital, or by mail to Medical Center of Trinity, Attn: Youth Art Contest, 9330 State Road 54, Trinity FL 34655.

First-place winners at each grade level will receive a $25 gift card.

The grand prize award is a choice of a bicycle or an iPod nano.

Participants and their families will be invited to a reception Nov. 9 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., for awards and to see the artwork on display.

For more information and complete rules, call (727) 834-4868, or email .

(Courtesy of Pasco-Hernando State College)

Cadets achieve success in law enforcement program
Cadets in the three most recent graduating classes of the Pasco-Hernando State College law enforcement and correctional officer programs achieved an overall 97 percent passing rate on state certification examinations administered by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. PHSC Cadet and class captain Randy Groves accepts congratulations from Charlie May, executive director of Public Service Programs, at the graduation ceremony in July. Groves passed the state exam and achieved the highest academic average after taking final exams.

Free breakfasts for students
The District School Board of Pasco County has amended its policy for serving meals to students under the National School Breakfast Programs for the 2014-15 school year.

All students will be served a free breakfast at the following sites:

• Centennial Elementary School

• San Antonio Elementary School

• Taylor Elementary School

• West Zephyrhills Elementary School

• Woodland Elementary School

• Centennial Middle School

• Pasco Middle School

• Stewart Middle School

• Pasco High School

• Zephyrhills High School

• Moore Mickens Education Center

These sites were selected because of their large percentage of students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals.

For information, call Julie Hedine, manager of Food and Nutrition Services, at (813) 794-2439, or email .

Basic computer skills
The Basic Computer Skills Course, designed for novice computer users and seniors, will start Sept. 16, at CARES Crescent Enrichment Center, 13906 Fifth St., in Dade City. Classes are Tuesday and Thursday for five weeks, from 9 a.m. to noon.

Course content includes the use of Windows 7 and 8, as well as instruction on an Android and Apple iPad tablets.

For information, call (352) 518-9300.

Rays-Helios scholars honored
The Rays Baseball Foundation and Helios Education Foundation honored 100 Rays-Helios Scholars at Tropicana Field on Aug. 29.

The foundations made a million-dollar pledge to “Take Stock in Children” in Pasco, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas and Sarasota counties.

“Doubling Up for Education” is a unique program that gives students the financial resources and mentor support they need to achieve a postsecondary education at a publicly funded university in the state of Florida.

Local student finds trip to China enlightening

September 11, 2014 By B.C. Manion

When Darin Kilfoyl found out about the possibility of traveling to China to learn more about its language and culture, he seized the chance.

The 15-year-old, who attends Academy at the Lakes, is deeply interested in expanding his knowledge about the country and its language.

Darin Kilfoyl poses with a young boy from China during Kilfoyl’s two-week trip to learn more about the country’s language, culture and history. It turns out that much of the clothing worn by the people he encountered is similar to the clothing that Americans wear, he says. (Courtesy of Darin Kilfoyl) — Darin Kilfoyl poses with a young boy from China during Kilfoyl’s two-week trip to learn more about the country’s language, culture and history. It turns out that much of the clothing worn by the people he encountered is similar to the clothing that Americans wear, he says.
(Courtesy of Darin Kilfoyl)

His teacher, Wei Wang, told him about the two-week program sponsored by the University of South Florida and the Confucius Institute. Wang said she knew Kilfoyl’s desire to learn more about China and believed he would benefit from the experience.

Kilfoyl said the two weeks he spent in China gave him new insights about the country, and made him want to make a return trip when he has a better command of the language.

The program provided an expenses-paid experience, aside from airfare, which was slightly more than $1,000, said Kilfoyl, who lives in Lake Padgett. The daily routine included morning language, culture and history classes, and day trips to learn more about the Chinese way of life.

The group spent the first couple of days in Beijing, then went to Hangzhou, which is a little bit west of Shanghai.

“If you want to see the true identity of China, don’t stay in Beijing, but go to a province where there’s a lake similar to Hangzhou,” Kilfoyl said. “Or go to the mountain regions where it’s all nature.”

Beijing is very polluted, he added.

“It’s very modernized, but there are so many people that it’s polluted,” Kilfoyl said. “It’s a little hard to breathe, and it’s really difficult to see.”

The traffic is insane.

“People there are masters of driving. They come within an inch of another car. It was surprising how fast and how close they drove,” Kilfoyl said, but added, “I didn’t see a single accident.”

Because it has such a large population, Beijing prohibits 20 percent of the people who own cars to drive them within the city limits on workdays, Kilfoyl said. The government controls that by monitoring a numbering system on license plates.

The students studied at the Hangzhou Foreign Language School.

“It was a private school, where kids in China or from out of the country would study different languages from around the world,” Kilfoyl said.

The students in his group stayed in a guesthouse, which he said was similar to a dorm, with upgrades.

“In the morning, we’d eat breakfast at the cafeteria, then we’d normally have a class, where we’d practice learning Chinese or about the culture or something about China’s history,” Kilfoyl said. “Then we would go on a trip, somewhere within the province. Normally, we went to two places during the day.”

They visited the Xi Xi Wetlands, a museum that described the role water has played in the development of Chinese life. They also visited pagodas around the lake and heard Chinese folk tales.

As they made their way about the country, Kilfoyl noticed that most of the people he encountered were wearing modern clothing, which was similar to American styles of dress. When he arrived in China, he wasn’t sure what the food was going to be like and he also wasn’t sure about proper etiquette, he said.

The Chinese food he ate was substantially different than the fare served at Chinese restaurants in America. For one thing, he said, “not much of it is fried.”

“They eat a lot of white rice and vegetables,” Kilfoyl said. “If they had meat, it was just a little bit, just for taste.”

There were far fewer choices on television, he said. There was the government television channel, a channel that showed a Chinese version of “The Voice” reality competition show, and a channel that aired dramatic programming.

Before making the trip, Kilfoyl wasn’t sure whether the people would be cordial.

It turns out he had nothing to worry about.

“When we were there, everybody was very friendly,” Kilfoyl said.

Published September 10, 2014

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Wiregrass, Pasco high schools chart big enrollment gains

September 11, 2014 By B.C. Manion

Hordes of Wiregrass Ranch High School students head to portable classrooms each morning, as the school copes with an enrollment of 2,255.

Students stream toward their classes at Wiregrass Ranch High School, which has 30 portable classrooms to accommodate its burgeoning enrollment. The school must have four lunch periods to feed its hungry masses. (Courtesy of Wiregrass Ranch High School) — Students stream toward their classes at Wiregrass Ranch High School, which has 30 portable classrooms to accommodate its burgeoning enrollment. The school must have four lunch periods to feed its hungry masses.
(Courtesy of Wiregrass Ranch High School)

The school now has 30 portable classrooms, and must have four lunch periods to accommodate its swelling enrollment, said its principal, Robyn White. The high school, at 2909 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, had 165 more students this year than last, as of the 10th day of classes, according to Pasco County school district figures.

Some of that growth was anticipated because of a larger freshman class, White said. But the school picked up about 70 more students than it expected.

She attributes that growth to an increase in the construction of new homes and apartments in the area.

The school added 10 portable classrooms this year, enabling it to reduce the number of teachers floating between classrooms, White said. Last year, there were 11 teachers who floated between classrooms. This year, there are four.

Pasco High School’s enrollment grew by 182 students — the biggest increase among the district schools within The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.

As of the 10th day, Pasco’s enrollment was 1,575.

“We weren’t shocked,” said Pasco principal Karin Kadlub. “We were ready for those numbers.”

The school, at 36850 State Road 54 in Dade City, keeps a close pulse on enrollments at its feeder schools, Kadlub said. Because the number of eighth-graders was up at Pasco and Centennial middle schools last year, Kadlub knew there would be more freshmen at Pasco High this year.

She also knew that the school would pick up students from Academy at the Farm, a public charter school that doesn’t have a high school program.

Increased development in the area also is boosting Pasco High’s enrollment, Kadlub said.

John Long Middle School, at 2025 Mansfield Blvd., also experienced an uptick in its enrollment. Its 10th-day count was 1,659, up 116 students over last year at the same time.

Seven Oaks Elementary School, 27633 Mystic Oak Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, grew by 96 students, bringing its total to 1,009.

Most of the public schools within The Laker/Lutz News coverage area had enrollment fluctuations of fewer than 50 students, plus or minus. Some exceptions were Sand Pine Elementary School, down by 64; Centennial Middle School, down by 62; and Weightman Middle School, down by 87.

Pasco Middle School was up by 62, Watergrass Elementary School was up by 60; and Sunlake High School also was up by 60.

Published September 10, 2014

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New school building not ready yet

September 4, 2014 By B.C. Manion

Construction of a new school building at Saint Anthony School in San Antonio should be completed in November, with classes scheduled to move into the structure after the holiday break.

Construction continues on a new brick building at Saint Anthony School in San Antonio. Students are expected to move into the new school in January, after the holiday break. (Courtesy of Saint Anthony School) — Construction continues on a new brick building at Saint Anthony School in San Antonio. Students are expected to move into the new school in January, after the holiday break.
(Courtesy of Saint Anthony School)

Ground was broken on the new 17,905-square-foot brick structure last November, and initially the structure was supposed to be completed for the start of classes in the fall. However, the building was not ready when classes began on Aug. 18, so four portable classrooms remain on the campus, while construction continues for students in grades five through eight.

Those temporary classrooms are situated between Saint Anthony of Padua Church and the Convent of the Franciscan Sisters of Saint Elizabeth.

Students in kindergarten through fourth grade, as well as the media center, computer lab, cafeteria, Spanish classroom and administrative offices, continue to operate in the school’s historic building, which was built in 1922, said Sister Alice Ottapurackal, the school’s principal.

The building that’s under construction represents a new chapter in the school’s history. Not only is Saint Anthony School the oldest parochial school in the diocese, it’s also one of the oldest Catholic schools in Florida.

San Antonio was founded in 1882 as a Catholic colony. A year later, a widowed woman named Cecilia Morse moved into the community with her six children.

When she inquired about a school for the children, she was told it could wait until there were more settlers. So she began teaching 14 children, including her children, in her kitchen.

In April 1884, the classes were moved into the church. Then that November, they moved into a frame building.

The new building is the fourth in the school’s history. Unlike previous structures constructed on the school campus, this one is an additional building, not a replacement.

The existing historic brick structure replaced a two-story structure built in 1899, which replaced the original frame structure built in 1884.

The historic brick building will remain and will be used for some school functions.

The school began the 2014-15 academic year with an enrollment of 210, with students coming from nearby places such as San Antonio and Dade City, and farther away, from Zephyrhills, Brooksville, Land O’ Lakes, New Tampa and other communities.

The school emphasizes academic excellence, while teaching the Catholic faith.

Published September 3, 2014

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Chalk Talk 09-03-14

September 4, 2014 By Mary Rathman

Denham Oaks open house
Denham Oaks Elementary School, 1422 Oak Grove Blvd., in Lutz, is hosting an open house Sept. 9 starting at 6 p.m.

Pre-kindergarten through second grade students can visit from 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.

Third through fifth grade students can visit from 7:15 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Pizza will be served in the cafeteria from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. PTA members and their children will receive a free slice of pizza and drink. The cost for non-members is $3.

For information, call (813) 794-1600.

Rigberg inducted into chefs society
Michael Rigberg, chef instructor and executive chef at Land O’ Lakes High School, was inducted into the American Academy of Chefs, the honor society of the American Culinary Federation, during a ceremony July 27 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Riberg has more than 40 years experience in the hospitality industry, and is president of the ACF Tampa Bay Culinary Association.

Internship program graduates second class
On Aug. 1, PharmaWorks and CareerSource Pasco Hernando graduated its second summer internship class.

The curriculum is modeled after the 20th century style of German apprenticeships, and is comprised of classic German training and classroom studies, with a practical 21st century approach.

The internship program teaches not only tangible skills, but instills soft skills by educating interns on how to write resumes and conduct successful workplace etiquette.

Pharmaworks and CareerSource Pasco Hernando work in partnership providing on-the-job training and career opportunities.

For information on internships, on-the-job training or employer participation, visit CareerSourcePascoHernando.com, or call (727) 484-3400, or (352) 200-3020.

Leadership seminar a plus for Bush
Brandon Bush, a senior at Zephyrhills High School, recently shared his experience attending S4TL-Seminar for Tomorrow’s Leaders with the Sunrise Rotary Club of Dade City, which sponsored his attendance. Bush wants to return next year as a ‘yellow shirt’ to assist in the weeklong events. He is the son of Randy Bush, funeral director at Hodges Family Funeral Home in Dade City. Brandon is shown with his father Randy, left, and Francis Crociata, co-president of Sunrise Rotary Club.

Rays Baseball Foundation awards grant to PHSC
Pasco-Hernando State College Foundation recently received a $5,000 grant from the Rays Baseball Foundation Community Fund Grant Program.

The funds will support PHSC’s Concept College outreach program that provides an opportunity for at-risk students to explore a variety of career paths.

Woodland Elementary moms collecting school supplies
Three local mothers — Shelly Brantman, Ailisa Starnes and M.J. Price — with children at Woodland Elementary School in Zephyrhills, are teaming up to collect school supplies at their workplaces.

The trio hopes to alleviate some of the financial strain on area families by collecting and distributing the supplies not only now, but throughout the year. All donations will be distributed to schools in Zephyrhills and Dade City.

The locations for drop-offs are:

• C1 Bank, 7435 Gall Blvd., Zephyrhills

• Goin’ Postal Dade City, 14247 Seventh St.

• Goin’ Postal, 38429 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills

For information, call Shelly Brantman at C1 Bank at (813) 715-4700.

PHSC college night
Pasco-Hernando State College will host its annual college night Sept. 9-10 for prospective students in the Pasco County area.

The two-night event will be in the gym at the Dade City campus, 36727 Blanton Road, Sept. 9 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and at the New Port Richey campus, 10230 Ridge Road, Sept. 10 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

There will be representatives from PHSC and numerous public and private colleges, universities and other education institutions, as well as military participants.

Information will be available on admissions, financial aid and programs for post-secondary study.

Admission is free.

For information, call (855) 669-7472.

New leader for charter schools
Jeffrey Yungmann from the Hernando County school district has been approved by the Pasco County School Board to serve as a new charter school supervisor.

Yungmann began his education career in 1989 as a math teacher.

He has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of South Florida, and a master’s degree in education administration from Grand Canyon College in Arizona.

Three new charter schools — Learning Lodge Academy, Classical Preparatory Charter School and Pepin Academies-Pasco — join six existing charter schools.

Bishop McLaughlin open house
Bishop McLaughlin Catholic School, 13651 Hays Road in Spring Hill, will host an open house Nov. 2 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

There will be family tours, and individuals can sign up for shadow dates.

Step-Up scholarships are accepted.

For information, call (727) 857-2600, or visit BMCHS.org.