The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Education

Private schools nurture a love of reading in children

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Karen Green began her private school five years ago with two children — her daughter, Addison, and another little girl.

She knew leaving the security of her job with Hillsborough County School District to launch her own preschool was a leap of faith. But she felt compelled to do it.

Karen Green, left and Jackie Petersen are co-owners of The Reading Corner and TRC Academy, both in Lutz. Both schools emphasize nurturing a love of reading among children. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Karen Green, left and Jackie Petersen are co-owners of The Reading Corner and TRC Academy, both in Lutz. Both schools emphasize nurturing a love of reading among children.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

“I had to put my children in daycare,” Green said. “They weren’t getting early literacy lessons. I wanted a place where the love of reading and learning to read meet.”

She wasn’t interested in using a boxed reading program, or being limited to materials approved by a large school district. Her goal isn’t to merely teach children how to read, but help them develop a love for it.

So, Green decided to take the plunge and launch her own school.

“The Reading Corner really started on my couch with a computer,” said Green, a former reading coach and first-grade public school teacher.

It was slow going at first. But as word spread, Green found out that she wasn’t the only one who wanted early literacy opportunities for her children.

By April 2010, she had 40 children coming to her in some capacity, and she leased out a 1,500-square-foot space in Seven Oaks. But The Reading Corner quickly outgrew that space, too.

Last year, Green and co-owner Jackie Petersen decided to take another giant leap of faith and added an academy for kindergarten through fifth-grade. They call that school TRC Academy.

The Reading Corner is at 1800 Collier Parkway. TRC Academy and The Reading Corner is at 19215 Livingston Ave.  The total enrollment for both schools is 289, which includes 64 kindergarten through fifth-graders in TRC Academy.

“We have a lot of teachers that have been teachers before that maybe stayed home once they had babies,” Green said. “They stayed home for a couple of years and maybe didn’t want to go back to the grind of full-time.”

The school offers flexible schedules for its staff, which has resulted in many part-time teachers.

“We are all moms first,” Green said.

There’s also an effort to keep tuition affordable, she added.

“Parents know that we could easily increase tuition, but we don’t,” Green said. “We don’t have teachers that leave and we have very few families leave, so we create that culture of consistency.

“We are small and we are going to remain small. We want to ensure that we know our kids personally,” she added.

Along those lines, the teacher-student ratio is low, with a ratio 2-to-20 for kindergarten through third grade, and a ratio of 1-to-15 for grades three through five. In voluntary pre-kindergarten, the ratio is 2-to-16 at the Collier Parkway campus, and 1-to-11 at the Livingston campus.

Programs for younger children have ratios ranging from 1-to-8 to 1-to-6, depending on the age.

Delivering personalized instruction is a critical part of Green and Petersen’s philosophy. Each child, teacher and classroom is unique, Green explained.

“For our reading … we do individual reading conferences for all of the kids,” she said.

The teacher gives them a book, and from there try to figure out their area of weakness.

“We focus on what that child needs helps in, and then we do individual reading conferences twice a week,” Green said.

And it’s made a difference.

“We have found that that program has completely changed the way these kids are reading,” Green said. “They’re having more conversations about the books they’re reading. They’re understanding them better. Their fluency is better.”

In essence, they get help exactly when and where they need it.

“We’re very big into active literacy, which means you’re communicating, you’re talking, you’re thinking about what you’re reading,” Green added.

A walk through the campus on Livingston reveals welcoming teachers and young children who are engaged in lessons or activities.

Petersen, who was a teacher at Carrollwood Day School before she joined the staff, said she, too took a leap of faith when she left her previous job.

“Something was just drawing me,” Petersen said.

She began as a teacher, and has gone on to become a co-owner. Petersen has a degree in finance, so she focuses on financial issues, while Green focuses on academics.

Besides offering classes during the academic year, there are summer programs and afternoon programs, too. Someday, the school may extend into higher grades, but for now it is focusing on ensuring excellence in the existing preschool and academy, Green said.

Both schools also will remain rooted in the mission of nurturing a joy of reading in children.

“I love seeing kids getting immersed in reading,” Green said.

Published May 21, 2014

 

Chalk Talk 05-14-14

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(Courtesy of Hazel Robles)
(Courtesy of Hazel Robles)

Special delivery for special needs studentsGFWC Lutz- Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club member Hazel Robles hand-delivered Easter baskets to the autism class at Pizzo Elementary School in Tampa, and spent the day visiting with and reading to the children. The baskets were filled with items such as plastic eggs, bunnies, coloring books, markers, bubbles and art supplies provided by the woman’s club.

Home-schooler helps ‘make change’
Maximus Karafilis, 9, from Land O’ Lakes, participated in his first fundraiser May 3 at the Children’s Gala at the Museum of Science & Industry, raising $248.11.

Children were given piggy banks to “collect change to make a change,” raising money to send 400 children to MOSI’s summer camps.

Karafilis takes home-school classes at MOSI, and also attends a science class and a math club there.

WRHS PTSA meets
The Wiregrass Ranch High School PTSA will meet May 22 at 5:15 p.m., in the cafeteria, 2909 Mansfield Blvd., Wesley Chapel.

Senior night awards will follow the meeting in the gym at 6 p.m.

Honor Day for African-American students
Citizens Concerned for Students will recognize public middle and high school African-American students that have earned the honor roll at least once during the current school year at an honor day ceremony May 24 at 5 p.m. It will take place at the Pasco Schools Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel, 30651 Wells Road.

There also will be a college and career fair at 3:30 p.m., in the adjacent Wesley Chapel High School gym.

Both the awards ceremony and the fair are open to the public.

For information, visit HonorDayPasco.org.

Corbett Prep open house
Corbett Preparatory School of IDS, 12015 Orange Grove Drive in Tampa, will host an early admissions open house May 28 at 8:30 a.m.

Prospective parents can learn about the early primary program, including goals, academics, special traditions, and daily routines.

For information and to RSVP, call (813) 961-3087.

(Courtesy of Saint Leo University)
(Courtesy of Saint Leo University)

Cadets commissioned at Saint Leo
Seven graduating students from Saint Leo University’s ROTC program at University Campus were recently commissioned as second lieutenants into the U.S. Army. The new Army officers are, from left, 2nd Lt. Travis Bush, 2nd Lt. Gabriel Keown Jr., 2nd Lt. Christopher Gonzalez, 2nd Lt. Christopher Swonger, 2nd Lt. John Crawford, 2nd Lt. Matthew Weidner and 2nd Lt. Anthony Trick.

Former Laker editor nets teaching award
Joe Humphrey, a 10-year teacher who advises Hillsborough High School’s yearbook, newspaper, broadcast and online news programs, was named Morty Schaap Teacher of the Year at the Florida Scholastic Press Association’s 2014 state convention in Orlando.

Humphrey completed two terms as president of FSPA last year, and currently serves as its evaluations/critique services coordinator.

Before becoming a high school teacher and adjunct professor at the University of Tampa, Humphrey was a reporter for the Florida Times-Union and The Tampa Tribune. He also was editor of Community News Publications, which included The Laker and Lutz News.

‘Bee Bully-Free’ in Zephyrhills
Zephyrhills area schools are encouraging students, teachers and staff to wear black and yellow on the last Friday of each month as part of the “Bee Bully-Free” Initiative. The initiative provides stickers and coloring book pages for schools that request them, participates in the Great American Teach-in, and provides certificates and awards for students who transform from bullies into kinder versions of themselves.

The last “Bee Bully-Free” day is May 30.

For information, visit Facebook.com/beebullyfree.

Kindergarten camp
Double Branch Elementary, 31500 Chancey Road in Wesley Chapel, will host a kindergarten camp July 29-31 from 9 a.m. to noon.

Incoming kindergarteners can meet teachers and become familiar with the school.

Cost is $40.

For information, call (813) 346-0402.

Tampa Catholic reunion
The Tampa Catholic High School Class of 1974 will celebrate its 40th reunion Aug. 22-24 at Tradewinds Island Resort in St. Pete Beach.

For information, call Robin Rogers Nasco at (813) 390-0257, or email .

CPA students sought for scholarship
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation is looking for minority accounting students across the state to apply for the Clay Ford scholarship.

It is awarded each year to minority students looking to become certified public accountants. The program has awarded more than $1 million since it was first implemented in 1999.

A $10 portion from each individual and firm license fee funds the scholarship. Applicants may be eligible for scholarships ranging from $3,000 to $6,000 per semester, awarded for a maximum of two semesters.

Applications must be postmarked by June 1.

For information, visit MyFloridaLicense.com/CPAScholarship.

 

Area Odyssey of the Mind teams qualify for world competition

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An Odyssey of the Mind team from Pine View Middle School will head to the OM World competition in Ames, Iowa, at the end of May.

This Odyssey of the Mind team from Land O’ Lakes High placed second at a state competition to qualify for the World OM competition, but they won’t be attending because of scheduling conflicts. Shown here, from left to right are Blake Lash, Raelynn Lewis, Jenny Huynh, Taylore Presta, Victoria Arriaga, and Rachel Granruth. Dalton Sihite is kneeling on the ground in front of the group. (Courtesy of Jenny Huynh)
This Odyssey of the Mind team from Land O’ Lakes High placed second at a state competition to qualify for the World OM competition, but they won’t be attending because of scheduling conflicts. Shown here, from left to right are Blake Lash, Raelynn Lewis, Jenny Huynh, Taylore Presta, Victoria Arriaga, and Rachel Granruth. Dalton Sihite is kneeling on the ground in front of the group.
(Courtesy of Jenny Huynh)

Another OM team from Land O’ Lakes High School also qualified for the international competition, but is not going because of the competition’s timing. All of the members on that team are graduating seniors and are busy with senior year activities.

A total of six of the 57 Pasco County teams that competed at the state level qualified for the international contest. The other qualifying teams are Mitchell and Gulf high schools, Deer Park Elementary and Seven Springs Middle schools.

Odyssey of the Mind is an international program that encourages youths to work together as teams to use their creative and analytical skills to solve problems.

The Pine View team, which placed second in its division, tackled a problem called “Not So Haunted House.”

The Pine View team — made up of Cameron Mitchell, Zachery Dahm, Tristan Wiles, Cody Schwartz, Caleb Leeb and Timmy Heuser — is psyched about competing at worlds. They’ll battle 67 teams from such places as Switzerland, Hong Kong, Singapore, Mexico, India, Russia and Great Britain.

Some team members think they have a pretty good shot for a good showing at worlds. Others aren’t so sure. “It’s not necessarily about if we’re in the top or in the bottom. We made it to worlds. That says something,” said Tristan Wiles, whose mother, Stacy Wiles, coaches the team.

Schwartz is looking forward to the experience, no matter how the team does.

“I get to meet people from around the world,” he said.

When it came to solving the problem at state, the team had no trouble figuring out their theme, Heuser said. But agreeing to the approach to use was more challenging.

“Everybody wanted to do their own thing, and then nobody understood what the other person was saying,” Heuser said.

Leeb agreed, joking: “Success is 1 percent inspiration, 99 percent perspiration and 100 percent bickering.”

But they worked through it, Stacy Wiles noted.

“It was not an easy process and that’s what makes it so cool,” the coach said.

It’s a balancing act, Tristan Wiles said.

“We all have to come together to create a solution,” Tristan Wiles said. “We all have to be one team, in order to solve the problem. That’s the whole point of this. You need to learn how to work well with each other. You need to learn to listen to each other.”

The coach has confidence in them because they are funny, creative, resourceful and kind, Stacy Wiles said.

Each team member brings different strengths. Mitchell and Dahm are good at tackling logistics and engineering. Tristan Wiles is artistic. Schwartz places a key role in writing the script. Heuser helps keep things rolling and does considerable backstage work.

The team must cover its own expenses for the trip, but Pine View’s PTSA and Pasco County Schools both contributed $1,000 each to help cover the costs, the coach said.

Although the Land O’ Lakes team isn’t traveling to worlds, team members — Rachel Granruth, Victoria Arriaga, Dalton Sihite, Blake Lash, Raelynn Lewis, Taylore Presta, and Jenny Huynh — are delighted that they qualified.

They used an out-of-this-world approach to tackling their challenge, which was called “Driver’s Test.” The vehicle they made traveled through space, in their imaginary world.

Their skit included alien beings that worshipped Beyoncé and channeled Justin Bieber. They adapted songs from stage musicals such as “The Book of Mormon” and “Hairspray,” and they incorporated solar flares and shooting stars in their story line.

In short, they had a blast coming up with ideas and executing them.

They also spent a lot of time working together to prepare for the state competition.

“You learn some practical skills. I know how to sew now,” Sihite said.

“I know how to use power tools,” Huynh said.

“Everyone is good at something,” Arriaga said. “You build on each other’s ideas.”

Lewis thinks more students should get involved in OM.

“It’s a really interesting mix of sciences and arts,” she said.

Many members of the team have been doing OM for years, Lash said. He was even coached by Stacy Wiles when he attended Pine View.

Lash has been involved, he said, because it’s fun. Other teammates agreed.

Andrew Southwick, the OM sponsor for the Land O’ Lakes team, is a former OM competitor. He was impressed by the team’s performance.

“Their personalities are a little bit intense,” Southwick said, but they worked well together. “It’s good to see that creativity isn’t dead.”

Published May 14, 2014

Land O’ Lakes art student wins a trip to Washington

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There’s a lot more to the portrait of Kris Keppel than meets the eye.

No doubt the pencil drawing is an excellent likeness of the Land O’ Lakes coach, who has led the high school’s track and cross-country teams for more than two decades.

Trevor Nichols won Best of Show in Gus Bilirakis’ Congressional Art Competition for this pencil drawing of Land O’ Lakes High School coach Kris Keppel. (Courtesy of U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis)
Trevor Nichols won Best of Show in Gus Bilirakis’ Congressional Art Competition for this pencil drawing of Land O’ Lakes High School coach Kris Keppel.
(Courtesy of U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis)

The quality of the work is so good that a professional artist judging U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis’ Congressional Art Competition deemed it best of show.

By winning the competition, Nichols will get to travel to Washington, D.C., with one of his parents. They’ll get a tour of the White House and Capitol building, and will get to have lunch in the Congressional dining room. His art will be in the Capitol building for the next year.

Nichols, who is a senior at Land O’ Lakes High, is pleased by the recognition, and excited about getting to see Washington. When he began drawing the portrait, however, he had another goal in mind.

“I really wanted to give my coach something as a gift, something he could have to remind him of me,” said Nichols, who, along with his twin brother Travis, has been on Keppel’s track team for four years and his cross-country team almost as long.

The coach also is a neighbor of the Nichols, and a family friend.

The gesture is particularly poignant because Keppel has been battling pancreatic cancer, a fact that has inspired athletes and friends to rally behind him.

“After everything he’s been going through with the cancer, I thought it was something I should do,” said Nichols, who based his portrait on a photograph that his mom took at the state track meet in Tallahassee.

Trevor-coach keppel image

Nichols credits his art teacher, Cynthia Smith, for helping him develop his ideas and pushing him to keep him on track.

Keppel was flattered by the portrait and impressed by the amount of detail. He said it’s not the first time that Nichols has used his artistic talents on behalf of others, noting the youth has designed two T-shirts used by the team.

Keppel is recovering from a surgery known as the Whipple procedure, which involved cutting into his stomach, taking out his gallbladder, and removing about one-third of his pancreas.

He knows the survival statistics are grim for patients with pancreatic cancer, but he’s keeping an optimistic attitude.

“Remaining positive is the most important thing,” Keppel said.

Nichols is the son of Lynn and Penny Nichols. He plans to attend the University of South Florida and pursue a degree in architecture.

Published May 14, 2014

Pepin Academies expands into Pasco County

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Pepin Academies, an institution that educates students with learning disabilities, is accepting applications for its new charter school location in Pasco County.

The school, which will begin classes Aug. 18, serves students who have learning or learning-related disabilities.

The Pepin Academies Inc. of Pasco County has been receiving applications from all over Pasco County, and is open to students from outside Pasco County as well, if the parents receive the necessary “out-of-county” paperwork from the district where their child lives.

The school, which was founded in 1999, already has two locations in Hillsborough County — one on Hillsborough Avenue in Tampa, and the other in Riverview.

Principal Celeste Keller, an educator with decades of experience, will lead the school. She’s been at Pepin for more than nine years, serving as director of the school’s elementary school in Hillsborough, director of its transition school for 18-to-22 year-olds, and most recently, as director of student services.

The Pasco County School Board approved a 15-year charter contract with Pepin Academies, based on its nonprofit status, its track record in Hillsborough, and its intention to secure funding for a permanent building. If substantial progress isn’t made to secure the funding for the school building, the school board could reduce the term of the charter to a maximum of five years, according to a board action taken Feb. 18.

Patty O’ Brien of Zephyrhills said her daughter Paige, 14, has attended Pepin’s school in Hillsborough, but will make the switch to the Pasco location.

“I’m looking forward to this for her because she’s very excited about this new school,” O’Brien said. “I’m very happy with Pepin.”

O’ Brien noted the school concentrates on what her daughter is able to do and builds on that. That wasn’t true in St. Louis, where the family used to live, she added.

By acknowledging her daughter’s strengths, the school has helped her daughter build a sense of self-confidence, O’Brien said, noting her daughter has many challenges. She’s hearing impaired, has autism and has attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity.

The tuition-free charter school in Pasco initially will operate out of a leased space at 9750 Little Road in New Port Richey. That building has a maximum capacity for 325 students. The school will serve students in third through 10th grade. It will add additional years as it continues operations, but has no current plans to teach children younger than third grade.

The school does not provide transportation, but it will help parents arrange carpools.

In Hillsborough, the school works with Ozzie Saez with Kids Door to Door. Saez currently provides pick-up and drop-off services for some parents. There is a fee, and the family contacts Saez directly to set it up.

Students attending Pepin must have a learning disability which may include: Asperger syndrome, attention deficit disorder, attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity, educable mentally handicapped, pervasive development delay, or a medical condition that affects learning, such as Tourette syndrome.

Pepin offers students an opportunity to seek a standard or special diploma.

The school’s philosophy focuses education not only on students’ academic needs, but also on their social and emotional needs. Besides accepting student applications, it also is accepting for teaching and staff positions.

To find out more about those positions, check Pepin’s website at PepinAcademies.com.

Published May 14, 2014

New building signals bright future at Saint Leo University

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Imagine, if you will, a place where students learning how to become teachers could work with avatars, to simulate real-life teaching challenges.

Sound far-fetched and futuristic?

Saint Leo University had a ceremony May 2 to mark the beginning of construction of a four-story building that will greatly expand the university’s academic space. (Courtesy of Saint Leo University)
Saint Leo University had a ceremony May 2 to mark the beginning of construction of a four-story building that will greatly expand the university’s academic space.
(Courtesy of Saint Leo University)

Well, that’s exactly the scenario that will begin playing out when a new $14 million academic building on the campus of Saint Leo University is completed.

The avatars are actually created by actors in a program developed by the University of Central Florida. The avatars are used to help prepare teachers for situations that may arise in classrooms, said Maribeth Durst, vice president of academic affairs at Saint Leo University.

It’s a great way to practice dealing with situations in an entirely safe environment, Durst noted.

And, that’s just one example of the new ways the university believes its new academic building will broaden opportunities for its students to prepare for their professional lives.

The university had a celebration May 2 to mark the official groundbreaking on the four-story, 48,000-square-foot building. It will have 16 classrooms and 24 faculty offices.

The larger quarters will house liberal arts, education, criminal justice and social work classes, as well as graduate-level classes for continuing professional education. It was designed to foster greater opportunities for students to work together and mingle, Durst said. For instance, instead of long, narrow corridors that tend to separate people, there are gathering spaces to bring them together.

Some highlights include an area to allow simulations of classroom situations and a 21st century classroom for kindergarten through 12th grade education students and others to use.

The fourth floor of the building will be a shell, initially, until there’s a need to build it out.

Creative Contractors Inc., is constructing the structure, with an expected completion date of July 2015. Gould Evans of Tampa is the building’s architect.

Beverly Frank, the project architect, said the design seeks to embody Saint Leo’s core values of excellence, community, respect, personal development, responsible stewardship and integrity.

“The culture at Saint Leo is very inspirational,” Frank said.

The entire design, from how the building was sited to its color palette, drew on the university’s desire to create a welcoming environment, and to create a sense of connection. That connection applies both to people within the building and to the building’s relationship with other places on campus.

The building uses energy-efficient systems and follows the standards of the U.S. Green Building Council, Frank said.

Saint Leo University is a regionally accredited, liberal arts institution at 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo.

Published May 14, 2014

Chalk Talk 04-30-14

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Wiregrass students ‘believe, dream, inspire’
Students from Wiregrass Ranch High School created original works of art related to the theme “Believe, Dream, Inspire” for this year’s Reflections Art Program. Categories included literature, music composition, photography, visual arts, film production, and choreography and dance.

Winners at the county level will move on to states level in the National PTA Reflections Program. They included:
• Literature: Delaney Wolkov in first, Bryce Pfieffer in second, and Selyne Singh in third
• Photography: Jordan Welniak in first, Jake Richmon in second, and Denali Krampe in third
• Visual Arts: Kaylee Brennan in first, Eric Boudreaux in second, and Mrudula Peddinti in third

Mohr gets USDA honorable mention
Mandi Mohr, an eighth grader at Saint Anthony Catholic School in San Antonio, was awarded an honorable mention from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for her project “Cash Cows” at the Florida State Science Fair Competition in Lakeland earlier this month.

She also received a special recognition award from the science fair, and an additional award and cash prize from the Association of Fertilizer and Phosphate Chemists.

LOLCS students shine at national competition
Three Land O’ Lakes Christian School students received national honors at the 37th Annual American Association of Christian Schools National Competition at Bob Jones University in Greenville, S.C., earlier this month.

Students representing almost 200 Christian high schools, competed in 77 categories in the basic areas of Bible, music, speech, art and academics.

Local students recognized were:
• Vickie Frazier, senior, first place in oil painting
• Abigail Del Monte, senior, second place in Spanish academic testing
• Tommy Campbell, sophomore, second place in topical preaching

WRHS book fair
The Wiregrass Ranch High School art department will host an “Art Matters” Book Fair May 8 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Barnes & Noble at The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel.

There will be art displays, story time at 6 p.m., gift-wrapping services for Mother’s Day, face painting, drama improvisation, music and prizes.

A percentage of Barnes & Noble purchases will benefit the high school’s art department.

For those who cannot attend, visit BN.com/bookfairs from May 8 to May 13, to support the school online, and enter Bookfair ID 11350956 at checkout.

Hagan is distinguished alumnus
Hillsborough County commissioner Ken Hagan was honored as the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year for his contributions to the community by The Hillsborough Community College Foundation at the 2014 Presidential Showcase April 17.

Hagan has served on the commission since 2002. He also was vice chairman and chaplain.

Zh ChalkTalkChamber names Student Citizens for April
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce recognized the following Student Citizens at an April ceremony in their honor. Each month, one student from 10 area schools is selected for exemplary effort, achievement and contribution to their school, family and community. Celebrating are, from left, Taylor Napier of West Elementary School, Shiloh McCoy of Heritage Academy, Olivia Laginess of Taylor Elementary School, Samuel Nix of The Broach School, Austin Manley of Stewart Middle School, Mary Veller of Woodland Elementary School, and Chloe Isaacs of West Zephyrhills Elementary School. Joining them are chamber executive director Vonnie Mikkelsen and chamber president Carolyn Sentelik, along with Student Citizen of the Month chair A.J. Hernandez. (Courtesy of Gary Hatrick)

Nursing info session at PHSC
Pasco-Hernando State College will host an information session on its new nursing bachelor’s degree program May 1 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., at its West Campus, 10320 Ridge Road in New Port Richey.

The session will feature information about the online degree program for licensed registered nurses who have a nursing associate’s degree, with additional skills in management, leadership, theory and research.

The first class begins in August, and interested students my apply for admission no later than May 30.

The session is free, but seating is limited.

To RSVP, visit PHSC.edu/rsvp.

For information, call (727) 816-3274.

‘Bee Bully-Free’ in Zephyrhills
Zephyrhills area schools have been encouraging students, teachers and staff to wear black and yellow on the last Friday of each month as part of the “Bee Bully-Free Initiative.” The initiative provides stickers and coloring book pages for schools that request them, participates in the Great American Teach-in, and provides certificates and awards for students who transform from bullies into kinder versions of themselves.

The last ‘Bee Bully-Free” day is May 30.

For information on the initiative, visit Facebook.com/beebullyfree.

Saint Leo grads ready to learn something new from Petters, Davidson

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Last year, Huntington Ingalls Industries earned more than $6.8 billion.

Huntington Ingalls Industries president and chief executive C. Michael Petters, right, shakes hands with employee Timothy Madden at the yard at Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia. Petters hails from Pasco County, and he and sister Susan Davidson will speak May 3 at Saint Leo University commencement ceremonies. (Courtesy of Chris Oxley)
Huntington Ingalls Industries president and chief executive C. Michael Petters, right, shakes hands with employee Timothy Madden at the yard at Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia. Petters hails from Pasco County, and he and sister Susan Davidson will speak May 3 at Saint Leo University commencement ceremonies.
(Courtesy of Chris Oxley)

Chances are, you’ve never heard of this Virginia-based company. But you should definitely be familiar with its products — nuclear-powered aircraft carriers that are more than 1,000 feet long and weigh 100,000 tons — and you may even know its president and chief executive officer.

C. Michael Petters has led Huntington Ingalls since before it was spun off from Northrop Grumman. Petters is a preeminent shipbuilder who learned his skills through the U.S. Naval Academy and the College of William and Mary, but the foundation of his success goes back even further — all the way to the small German Catholic St. Joseph community in Pasco County.

There, Petters and his siblings worked hard on the family’s orange groves, but still remained focused on education and service. So it’s no surprise that not only has Petters been invited to speak at upcoming commencement exercises at Saint Leo University, but so has his sister — U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Susan Davison.

The Class of 2014 graduation marks a milestone in the Petters’ family history — it’s 60 years after their father graduated from what was then Saint Leo Prep School.

“My parents were committed,” Petters said. “They were committed to the farm and their business and to their acquaintances and all that, but the one thing that they held out there more than anything else was education.”

Petters’ grandfather said each person should strive to learn something new every day. That prompted a daily question from his own father, asking what he’d learned.

“If you said ‘nothing,’ that wasn’t a good answer,” Petters said. “It didn’t matter to my parents whether it was classroom training or not. It was learning, and it wasn’t just words to them. They went the extra mile to make sure they could afford to send us to schools.”

Yet, good schools cost money, something the Petters didn’t necessarily have a lot of. So Mike Petters and his siblings would work their way through school, and even paused long enough to serve their country in the military. Petters would end up on the USS George Bancroft, a nuclear-powered submarine in the 1980s. And sister Susan Davidson would make her career in the military.

Davidson received her commission in 1983, but didn’t begin active duty until 1986 after a short delay when she had to help replant the family orange grove that was damaged in a hard freeze.

Davidson served in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm in the 1990s, and later in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Two years ago, she assumed command of Defense Logistics Agency Distribution. But they are not the only Petters children who have found success.

“The whole gang has been successful,” Petters said. “We even have a rocket scientist and a helicopter pilot in there. And they’ve all been successful because they have taken this never-stop-learning approach, and made it the drumbeat of their lives.”

Commencement ceremonies are set for May 3, honoring the portion of Saint Leo’s 16,000-student body who have finished this level of their education. However, if graduates walk away from anything after Petters’ remarks, he hopes that it’s with the understanding that education never ends.

“Where you’re from is an asset,” Petters said. “Everything you have done up to today prepares you for what you’re going to be doing tomorrow.”

Published April 23, 2014

Rediscovering the Old Lutz School

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When you meet a child, you might ask them what school they attend. There are several elementary schools in the area, so you’d have no way of knowing unless you asked.

The Old Lutz School back when it wasn’t so old, as featured in the book ‘Going, Going, Almost Gone: Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Pioneers Share Their Precious Memories.’ (Courtesy of Elizabeth R. Macmanus and Susan A. Macmanus)
The Old Lutz School back when it wasn’t so old, as featured in the book ‘Going, Going, Almost Gone: Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Pioneers Share Their Precious Memories.’
(Courtesy of Elizabeth R. Macmanus and Susan A. Macmanus)

But if you lived in Lutz around 80 years ago, you’d never have to ask that question. You’d know exactly what school they attended, and you’d know exactly where it was. That’s because there was just one school and everyone went there.

The Old Lutz School was a two-story brick structure on North U.S. 41 — and actually, it still is. You’ve probably driven by it at some point, and it might even be part of the view on your daily commute.

It’s kind of hard to miss, since it doesn’t look like anything else. It’s not a school anymore, of course. But it is in the National Register of Historic Places, and it looks awfully good for a building that’s older than FM radio and the ballpoint pen.

OK, it was built in the 1920s, so you know it’s old. For decades it was where local children went until they grew up and went to work, or war, or wherever life sent them.

They all had that one building in common. But when does a location go from just being some old building to a community treasure? For the Old Lutz School, it was around 1977.

And this is the school today. Not much difference, is there? (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
And this is the school today. Not much difference, is there?
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

A couple years earlier, it had stopped functioning as an actual school after nearly 50 years in service, and was a candidate to be torn down. The school board saw an old building: Something that required maintenance and resources when money was tight and actual schools (and their students) needed those funds.

But longtime residents — Lutz is still one of those places where you can actually find longtime residents — saw a community treasure, and stepped up to save it. They worked out an arrangement where the building would stay, but the maintenance and upkeep wouldn’t burden the county.

Today, the county owns the building, but leases it to a group called Citizens for the Old Lutz School Building for a token sum, and they keep it looking pretty much the way it’s always looked.

It does have an unusual look. Its architecture is textbook Georgian Revival. If that doesn’t mean much to you, don’t feel bad. I had to look it up myself.

Back when the school was built, it was popular to emulate the American Colonial style that was used often back in the 1700s. So, this historic school was actually designed as a “modern” tribute to an even older style.

Typically, that means a two-story building with evenly spaced windows in the front. And if you drive by the Old Lutz School today, that’s exactly what you’ll see.

And when it was built, the school was pretty modern. It has indoor plumbing, after all. And there were no water pumps; it had a fancy water tower instead. There wasn’t any air conditioning, of course, but it had a prime location right by the dirt road that we now know as North U.S. 41.

That is a state-of-the-art facility, my friends.

Or it was, anyway. We know all that sounds quaint by today’s standards. So why go to the trouble of saving an old school, anyway? Schools pop up all the time. What’s one more or less?

Well, it has to do with the school, but also the people who live here. Lutz is proud of its heritage. Its history means something, and it’s important to protect it. So with some effort and community support, that’s what they did.

By the way, the Citizens for the Old Lutz School Building really is just that: A small group of citizens who care about the school and the area’s history. It’s not a well-funded organization with a large staff dedicated to overseeing this historical landmark.

In reality, it’s maybe 10 regular volunteers who find creative ways of keeping this building looking nice. And it’s not cheap, either. Utilities can run in the hundreds per month, insurance in the thousands each year, and larger maintenance tasks can only be done in sections. But they do a great job.

If you look at an older photo and compare it to a modern one (like, say, the photos that accompany this story), you’ll see many more similarities than differences. That’s pretty impressive.

Usually you have to seek out local history, and spend a few hours in a museum or go out of your way to see a historic building. But not this one. You can see it every day.

You could get in your car and go there right now if you wanted. I’d prefer you finish reading this story first, though, because I spent a lot of time on it. I even stood in the median to take the photo, and I’m still not completely sure that’s legal.

But the school is probably just minutes away from you. Lutz history is right there, not far from a cellular phone store and right in front of three lanes of paved asphalt going in either direction.

Maybe you’ve seen it, but didn’t know what it was. Or maybe you know all about it, but you’re busy and don’t really notice it anymore. My advice is to pay attention to it when you can. And when they have events, attend them and support the school’s maintenance. They just had one last weekend, but they’ll have more.

Help your neighbors keep it looking nice. And if you have a skill or some time to donate, give them a call. They’re not picky, and they could use the help.

You can reach them by calling Suzin Carr (our current Guv’na) at (813) 453-5256. They also have a Facebook page (after all, what self-respecting historical landmark built in the 1920s doesn’t have a healthy social media presence?). Just look up the group’s name.

So reach out and help if you can, but either way, you should take note of it as you drive by. Even though it hasn’t been an actual school for nearly 40 years, there’s a history lesson waiting for you there.

Published April 23, 2014

Teacher uses technology to open new worlds of learning

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There’s no doubt about it. Language arts teacher Aimee Nadow is tech-savvy.

Aimee Nadow uses a combination of technical skills and a personal touch to make her classes engaging. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Aimee Nadow uses a combination of technical skills and a personal touch to make her classes engaging.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

On any given day, the Academy at the Lakes teacher uses technology to help her students enhance their reading, writing and creativity. On one day, for instance, she’ll set them loose on AutoCAD computer design software to create the balcony scene from “Romeo and Juliet.” On another day, students use PicMonkey photo editor to design book covers for the manuscripts they’re writing.

They’re also frequent users of Pinterest to digitally “pin up” work that they’ve done, and they know how to edit digital clips.

Harnessing technical tools in her classes is all in a day’s work for Nadow, whose mother was a children’s librarian, and her father ahead of the crowd when it came to technology.

Nadow has a deep appreciation for the power of language, and a clear understanding of how traditional and modern tools can enliven lessons. She sees the value of being able to skim information, but also knows the importance of being able to delve deeply into subjects to gain knowledge.

The independent private school where she teaches has long understood the quality of Nadow’s teaching skills, middle division director John Pitcairn said. And, Academy at the Lakes is delighted that Nadow has received national recognition.

The middle division teacher recently was named a 2014 PBS LearningMedia Digital Innovator. It’s a distinction bestowed to just 100 educators nationwide.

As a member of that select group, the Land O’ Lakes woman will take part in a yearlong professional development program.

She is excited by the prospect of being able to learn from other educators who share her enthusiasm for using technical tools to enliven instruction. During a recent class, Nadow used a giant touch-screen television to display images and to foster discussion regarding a Holocaust art project the students will create.

They have been assigned to demonstrate their understanding of the book, “Night,” by Elie Wiesel, a Holocaust survivor. They’ll show the teacher what the book means through an art project of their choosing, and they’ll describe their artistic intentions in accompanying text.

Besides preparing students for that assignment, Nadow also guided them through software called ETS Criterion that analyzes writing to identify grammatical and sentence structure issues that should be addressed. As students navigated through the program, Nadow moved about the classroom, responding to their questions and helping them stay on track.

She offered extra help outside of class, if anyone needed it.

Nadow clearly is in command of her technical skills, but she also has an obvious rapport with students. She said she has a secret weapon: It’s called respect.

On the first day of classes she tells her middle division students that she will treat them as adults, unless they behave as children — in which case, they’ll face the consequences.

“I try to afford them as much dignity as possible, because I remember situations when I was in middle school and I would see a student that would be treated unfairly, or would be embarrassed in front of the classroom,” Nadow said. “That is absolutely not the way to teach. You lose so much time if you’re focused on classroom management, rather than learning.”

“Seventh and eighth grade is my perfect fit,” she said. “I really enjoy their (students’) sense of humor, their creativity, their willingness.”

Nadow also appreciates their trust, and believes in using a personal touch with her students.

As they file into her classroom, she greets each student by name and shakes each hand. As the kids make their way to their places, there’s a low-level rumble as they chat.

The teacher uses a simple routine to settle them down. She counts — 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 — and by the time she finishes, students are focused on her.

It’s easy to see that Nadow strives to create an environment where students are engaged and want to learn. When she poses questions, they are eager to respond and share their ideas.

While she obviously is technically competent, Nadow also possesses other important skills that equip her to be effective, Pitcairn said.

“It’s her enthusiasm, her positivity, her joy, her human qualities that are a critical part of making her the very valuable teacher that she is today,” Pitcairn said.

Posters in her classroom reveal that Nadow has high standards, but a kind heart. One sets out the class rules. Of course, it has such things as “Always tell the truth. Work hard. Listen to your parents. Keep your promises.”

But it also includes these instructions: “Laugh out loud. Be grateful. Use kind words. Try new things. Dream big.”

Another poster offers this message from Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Be silly. Be honest. Be kind.”

Finally, a sign above the classroom door proclaims “Carpe diem,” or “seize the day.”

That seems to be Nadow’s motto, and one she wants to pass along to her students.

Published April 23, 2014