Education

East Pasco students to have more educational options

December 4, 2013 By B.C. Manion

Students on the county’s east side will have a broader range of educational options beginning next school year as Pasco County Schools initiates Cambridge education programs at Pasco Middle and Pasco High schools.

An international program that offers students the opportunity to earn college credits is being introduced at Pasco Middle and Pasco High schools next year. A large crowd of parents and students turned out to find out more about the program at a recent information meeting. (Photo by B.C. Manion)

The programs, which are known for their academic rigor, will be housed at those two schools, but will also be open through school choice to students from Zephyrhills and Wesley Chapel high schools, and also to students from Centennial, Stewart and Weightman middle schools.

Students who successfully pass the examinations attached to the Cambridge program can earn up to 45 college credits at Florida public universities. Those achieving the Cambridge diploma will qualify for the highest award available in the state’s Bright Futures Scholarship program.

Pasco educators believe that students who complete the Cambridge course of study will be better prepared to succeed in college.

The University of Cambridge launched the program more than 150 years ago, beginning with 370 candidates in seven British cities. Now it has more than 8 million diploma candidates in more than 160 countries.

A large crowd of parents and students attended a recent information session at Pasco Middle to find out more about the programs.

“We wanted to bring a rigorous program to these kids in the east side of the county,” Pasco Schools superintendent Kurt Browning said. “This is an established program.”

Students have the opportunity to earn college credits that will result in substantial savings in tuition costs, but they’ll have to apply themselves to make that happen, Browning said.

“They’re going to have to work. They’re going to have to work hard,” he said.

Another information session about the Cambridge option is scheduled for Dec. 5 at 6 p.m., in the media center at Wesley Chapel High, 30651 Wells Road in Wesley Chapel.

The program, known formally as Cambridge International Examinations, offers the opportunity to earn an Advanced International Certificate of Education. It is offered through the University of Cambridge International Examinations, a division of the Cambridge, England, school.

The program seeks to develop learners who are confident, responsible, reflective, innovative and engaged.

To apply for the Pasco programs, students must:

• Have a score of Level 3 or above on reading and math on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test.

• Submit two teacher recommendations.

• Have an unweighted grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

• Complete a 300- to 500-word essay.

The application deadline is Jan. 31.

Pasco Middle will house the Lower Secondary Program, which is designed to prepare students to continue onto Cambridge course work at Pasco High.

“We were very impressed with the Cambridge schools that we went to go see,” Kim Anderson, principal at Pasco Middle, told the audience at the recent information session. “The students that we saw in these programs were outstanding. They were thinking, at times, far above some of the adults in the room.”

The program offers academic rigor, much like the district’s International Baccalaureate program offered at Land O’ Lakes and Gulf high schools, but offers students more flexibility, district officials said. The program requires students to pass six exams to receive a diploma. Three of those exams must be in each of the program’s study areas, but the student gets to choose the other three.

In the IB program, five of the six required exams must be taken in specific study areas.

Because of its flexibility, students should have no problem taking electives and participating in extracurricular activities, such as band, officials said.

Students are also able to get college credits for single courses, if they pass the exams, even if they do not take enough of the courses to get a diploma.

The program will begin next year, with students entering sixth grade through 10th grade eligible to take part. The district will provide transportation to students in participating schools.

District officials said they’re going to wait until the applications are in before determining how large the programs will be.

To learn more about the Cambridge program, contact:
Jenny Borders at Pasco Middle School:

Saint Anthony School builds on optimism

November 27, 2013 By B.C. Manion

There was a time, not many years ago, when the future appeared uncertain for Saint Anthony School in San Antonio.

Attendance had dwindled to 153, and there was talk of shutting down the elementary school.

Sister Alice Ottapurackal is the principal of Saint Anthony School. She is optimistic about its future growth. (Photo by B.C. Manion)

“At that point, when the enrollment was really low, a group of parents rolled up their sleeves and went to work in every way they could (to) get the word out about the school,” said Will Plazewski, whose son represents the fourth generation of his family to attend Saint Anthony. “It was amazing that even though the school has been here for 129 years, how many people in East Pasco County had no idea that it existed.”

Parents spread the word, and a 15-second commercial at the Cobb Grove 16 in Wesley Chapel also helped attract students, he said.

Sister Alice Ottapurackal, the school’s principal, attributes the turnaround to a higher power.

“The enrollment went up — God’s special blessing,” she said. “Truly, I believe, it’s the power of prayer.”

Now, enrollment stands at 213, and prospects for future growth are so bright that ground was broken on Nov. 17 for a new building. The new structure will accommodate 270 students.

Instead of lamenting the closure of a school that enjoys a rich heritage, Saint Anthony School is now celebrating a new chapter in its history. About 200 people turned out for the groundbreaking festivities, Plazewski said.

Construction on the new 17,905-square-foot building is expected to begin Dec. 1, and be ready for use by next fall. The new three-story brick structure will be situated on a space now occupied by five portable classrooms.

Even with the new building, the school will continue to emphasize academic excellence while teaching the Catholic faith, the principal said.

“All day long, we are teaching them about Jesus,” Ottapurackal said. “It is so important, especially nowadays, when you don’t see a lot of support in society about faith.”

Helping children form their faith is fundamental, the principal said.

“Once you have God in you, the other things will come,” Ottapurackal said. “Our focus is on whole child education, not only intellectual, but spiritual, moral, social, (and) emotional aspects of the children.”

Teachers know their students well, the principal added.

“Our teachers are well-connected with them because of the family atmosphere we have here,” she said.

Saint Anthony School serves kindergarten through eighth grade. Tuition is $4,375 for practicing Catholics and $5,075 for others. Since 2000, the school has produced 14 valedictorians and salutatorians at area high schools, Plazewski said.

Parents who are interested in pursuing a Catholic education for their children should not be discouraged by the tuition, Ottapurackal said. Assistance is available in various forms.

“Catholic education should be for any group of people, whether they are rich or poor, regardless of race,” the principal added.

Unlike previous buildings that were constructed on the school campus, this one will be an additional building, not a replacement. The existing brick structure, built in 1922, will remain and will be used for some school functions.

The new building will be the fourth in the school’s history. The current building replaced a two-story structure built in 1899. The original building was a 12-by-24-foot structure constructed in November 1884.

Not only is Saint Anthony School the oldest parochial school in the diocese, it’s also one of the oldest Catholic schools in Florida, Plazewski said.

“It is by far the oldest school in Pasco County of any kind,” he said. “The only thing that’s close to it is Saint Leo University.”

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

When she inquired about the school, she was told it could wait until there were more settlers, Plazewski said. Morse reportedly responded that the “minds of the children now here, can’t wait.”

With that, the widow began teaching 14 children, including six of her own, in her kitchen.

Today, Saint Anthony School draws students from San Antonio, Dade City, Zephyrhills, Brooksville, Land O’ Lakes, New Tampa and other communities.

And, its new building sends a clear signal that the school intends to be there for many years to come.

Chalk Talk 11-27-13

November 27, 2013 By Mary Rathman

Students tap into their creative side
Nine students from Liberty Middle School drew on their creativity to enter the 2013 National PTSA Reflections Art Competition, ‘Believe, Dream, Inspire.’ First place winners were Mackenzie Bray in visual arts, Amanda Yelvington in photography, and Taylor Pfister in dance choreography. These students will now participate in the district level competition. Honoring the three were, from left, principal James Ammirati, Matthew Rothfarb, Isabel Pliska, Bray, Pfister, Madelyn Greco, Kelly Tian, Chloe Kelley, PTSA’s RoseMarie Kelley, Yelvington, and PTSA’s Melissa Aucker.

John Long students take hike for school
Dr. John Long Middle School students celebrate at a party after their Go Take a Hike Walkathon on Oct. 18 netted more than $10,000 for the school. Students bringing in the most pledges were Vashawn Williams, Lucas Pelt and Taylor Bruno.

Red Ribbon Week contest
The National Family Partnership is looking for entries for the new theme of next year’s Red Ribbon Week, the nation’s largest and oldest drug prevention campaign.
The winning slogan and design will be used throughout 2014 at schools and communities across the United States, and the winner will receive $500 worth of Red Ribbon Week merchandise for their school.
Entries must be received by Dec. 2 via email to , or by traditional mail to National Family Partnership, 2490 Coral Way, Miami, 33145. Entrants must include their name, school, telephone number and email address.
For complete contest rules, visit RedRibbon.org/enter.

New Cambridge program presentations
Pasco Middle and Pasco High schools will launch new Cambridge education programs, developed 150 years ago by the University of Cambridge in England.
Parents with students entering the sixth through 10th grade in the 2014-15 school year, and wishing to learn more, have a choice of two upcoming meetings:
• Dec. 3 at 6 p.m., Centennial Middle School, 38505 Centennial Road in Dade City
• Dec. 5 at 6 p.m., Wesley Chapel High School, 30651 Wells Road in Wesley Chapel
Those who cannot attend a meeting can learn more about the program, its benefits, get application and acceptance requirements, and have their questions answered by school and district officials.
For information on the scheduled presentations, call Linda Cobbe at (813) 794-2717.

Center for the Arts host school bands
The Center for the Arts at River Ridge will host a variety of school bands throughout December. All concerts are at 7 p.m., and admission is free. The upcoming schedule is:
• Dec. 3, Bayonet Point Middle School Band Concert
• Dec. 4, Gulf Middle School Band Concert
• Dec. 9, Hudson Middle School Band Concert
• Dec. 10, Chasco Middle School Band and Choral Concert
• Dec. 11, River Ridge High School Band Concert
• Dec. 12, Cypress Elementary School Band Concert
• Dec. 13, Gulf Middle School Glee and Talent Showcase
• Dec. 14, Mitchell High School Prism Band Concert
• Dec. 16, Moon Lake Elementary School Music Concert
• Dec. 17, Long Leaf Elementary School Choral Concert
• Dec. 18, Calusa Elementary School Band Concert
• Dec. 19, River Ridge Middle School Band and Choral Concert
The Center for the Arts is at 11646 Town Center Road in New Port Richey.

University women book club
The Tampa Branch of the American Association of University Women will meet on Dec. 5 at 10 a.m., for a book discussion on “Aviator’s Wife” by Melanie Benjamin. The group will meet at Barnes & Noble, 11802 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Carrollwood, followed by lunch at Carmel Café & Wine Bar.
For information, call Avis Chaplick at (813) 920-7077.

Mandarin Chinese classes
Those interested in Chinese language and culture, can join a Mandarin Chinese class on Dec. 7 and Dec. 21 from 11 a.m. to noon at the Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes. The class will be conducted by an experienced Chinese volunteer teacher.
For information, call Michele Laney at (813) 929-1214.

New Christian special needs school to open
Esther’s School — a special needs school specializing in autism, Down syndrome, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and learning differences — is slated to open Jan. 6.
The school will combine a Christian education with individualized learning and character building. Each child will work at his or her own pace. Diagnostic testing and individualized curriculum will be offered.
It will be located at St. James Methodist Church, 16202 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in New Tampa.
For information, call Marilyn Davis at (813) 454-8377 or (727) 544-4700.

Free workshops for child care providers
Hillsborough County Extension offers workshops that provide training and technical assistance to early childhood professionals. The workshops are free for all licensed child care providers in Hillsborough County. For others, the cost is $10.
The upcoming schedule is as follows:
• Dec. 7, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Teaching Music to Young Children
• Dec. 10, 6:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., Math for Toddlers and Preschoolers
• Dec. 12, 6:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., Art Appreciation for Young Children
• Jan. 11, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., What Does Time Mean to Children
• Jan. 16, 6:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., How to Get Parents on Your Team
• Jan. 25, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Science for Preschool Children
Registration is required for each workshop, and must be done online at extension.psu.edu/cyttap. Click on the green “State Training” tab at the bottom of the page, choose “Florida,” then “Tampa,” and find the workshops.
For information, call Diana Converse at (813) 744-5519, ext. 54140.

Marching Virginians welcomes Shelby Coleman
Shelby Coleman, an animal and poultry sciences student in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, has become a member of the Marching Virginians at Virginia Tech. Coleman plays the clarinet and is a rank captain.
Coleman is a graduate of Freedom High School in New Tampa.

Chalk Talk 11-20-13

November 20, 2013 By Mary Rathman

Diego Montoya wins essay contest
In honor of Constitution Day in September, the Pasco County’s clerk and comptroller’s office conducted its Constitution Essay Contest for fifth-grade students. First place was awarded to Diego Montoya, center front, a student at Odessa Elementary School. Diego wrote, ‘This document to me is important because as a U.S. citizen it protects my rights. No one can steal them as long as it stands.’ Joining Montoya, from left, are district superintendent Kurt Browning, clerk and comptroller Paula O’Neil, parents Maria and Andres Montoya, teacher Mary Wainwright, principal Teresa Love, and school board chair Cynthia Armstrong. (Photo courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

Service & Safety Fair at Steinbrenner
Steinbrenner High School is hosting a Community Service & Safety Fair on Nov. 21 from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for students who need Bright Futures approved volunteer hours. The fair will be in the school’s cafeteria, and there will be several nonprofit organizations available for guests to speak with. Steinbrenner is at 5575 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road in Lutz.

Music school open house
Claudia’s School of Music in Lutz is hosting an open house Nov. 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Guests can meet the teachers, learn about lessons and programs, and take part in product presentations on digital pianos, guitars, violins, and more. The school is at 17615 Hunting Bow Circle, Suite 102, in Lutz.
For information, call (813) 926-1188, or visit ClaudiasSchoolOfMusic.com.

Academy at the Lakes offers tours
Academy at the Lakes Wendleck Campus, 2220 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes, offers weekly group tours as follows:
• Early Childhood Group Tour, prekindergarten and kindergarten, Tuesdays at 9 a.m.
• Elementary group tour, grades 1-4, Thursdays at 9 a.m.
• Middle division group tour, grades 5-8, Wednesdays at 8:45 a.m.
• Upper division group tour, grades 9-12, Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.
For information, email .

MOSI offers preschool science
The Museum of Science and Industry, 4801 E. Fowler Ave., in Tampa, now offers PeeWee Wednesdays, with free preschool science activities every Wednesday, from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. There will be a science activity or demonstration for children younger than 4. Kids eat free in the café with an adult meal purchase.
For information, call (813) 987-6000.

PHCC offers new online social media courses
The Pasco-Hernando Community College corporate training department now offers two new online courses, “Introduction to LinkedIn Career Networking” and “Using Social Media in Business.” Participants can learn to develop business contacts, and use the most popular media platforms to grow and promote their businesses.
To learn more, call (727) 816-3123, or email .

Italian American Club donates to ABC
The Italian American Club has donated $1,000 to the Assist, Believe, and Care programs at R.B. Cox Elementary and San Antonio Elementary schools. The ABC program is designed to provide school supplies, clothing and other essential services to students and families in need.

New charter school launches website
Classical Preparatory School, a new charter school planned for Land O’ Lakes opening in the fall of 2014, has launches its website at www.ClassicalPrep.org. The website serves as a resource for information about the school’s program, including frequently asked questions, and a letter of interest form for prospective students.

Heather Edwards elected to student government
Heather Edwards, a freshman and psychology major at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tenn., was elected to the school’s student government for freshman class student services for the 2013-14 school year. Edwards is a native from Lutz.

University women book club
The Tampa Branch of the American Association of University Women will meet on Dec. 5 at 10 a.m. for a book discussion on “Aviator’s Wife” by Melanie Benjamin. The group will meet at Barnes & Noble, 11802 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Carrollwood, followed by lunch at Carmel Café & Wine Bar.
For information, call Avis Chaplick at (813) 920-7077.

Marching Virginians welcomes Shelby Coleman
Shelby Coleman, a major in animal and poultry sciences in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, has become a member of the Marching Virginians at Virginia Tech. Coleman plays the clarinet and is a rank captain.
Coleman is a graduate of Freedom High School in New Tampa.

Young woman encourages others to gaze at stars

November 20, 2013 By B.C. Manion

Melanie Crowson set up her telescope in the side yard of the New River Branch Library on an evening in October and welcomed anyone with an interest to come take a peek at the stars.

In a sense, the young woman from Wesley Chapel was coming full circle.

Melanie Crowson’s interest in astronomy began when she was very young. She now offers free community viewings, using the telescope she and her father made when she was in high school. (Photo by B.C. Manion)

“We actually used to go up to the New River Library when we were kids, and I would check out all of the astronomy books,” said the 23-year-old who aspires to become a professional astronomer.

Crowson enjoys sharing her love for astronomy at the occasional community viewing nights that she offers.

“It’s fun,” she said. As the viewing night approaches, she’s excited about sharing astronomy. When it’s over, it’s nice to relax.

She loves introducing others to the world of stars, planets and galaxies. She also enjoys talking with people who share her fascination with celestial bodies.

“You end up discussing some interesting theories,” Crowson said.

The astronomy student eventually wants to work at a planetarium or an observatory, and is taking online courses to pursue those aims through American Public University.

Crowson, who is a Christian, also hopes to use astronomy in connection with her spiritual life, too. She said she is getting to know God in a new light through her interest in astronomy. It’s driven her to learn more and hopes one day to help develop new scientific evidence of the existence of God.

People talk about loving God with their whole heart, Crowson said. She wants to make full use of her intellectual capabilities to love God with her whole mind, too.

Her fascination with celestial bodies began quite early in life.

“I think I’ve always been interested, since I was a real small kid,” Crowson said.

She recalls going on occasional rides during the dark early morning hours with her dad, who was delivering his newspaper route.

“It was really cool. We could see all of the stars,” Crowson said.

As she learned more about stars and planets, her fascination grew.

Crowson, who was home-schooled, said her parents encouraged her to pursue her curiosity about the heavens.

During her high school years, she and her dad ran across a book that provided instructions for building a telescope. They decided to take on the challenge.

She chronicled the project in a manual she titled, “Closer To The Stars: Detailed Instructions for Building Your Own Telescope.”

It took about two years to build the telescope and it cost about $1,000. It would have been cheaper to buy a telescope, but then she would have missed out on valuable lessons, Crowson said.

Building the telescope helped her better understand how it works, she said. It also gave her a chance to apply math in real life.

“We used math to figure out sizes, distances, making sure the corners lined up,” Crowson said.

If something goes wrong with her telescope, she also knows how to fix it.

“We built it so that we know where everything is. I know exactly what every screw is there for and what it does, what it’s holding together,” Crowson said. “I know which parts I can take apart. If I need to replace anything, I know everything about it.”

Having community viewing nights gives Crowson a way to share what she loves and offers an opportunity to inspire others. She hopes people who come to peer through her telescope will enjoy what they see.

She also hopes it piques their curiosity.

“Maybe it will make them wonder: What’s out there? How was it made? Was it really a Big Bang? Make them question it a little bit more,” she said.

Maybe gazing through the telescope, the experience “will bring them closer to God,” she said.

If you would like to know more about Melanie Crowson’s community viewings, email her at .

New charter school aims to help children with autism

November 13, 2013 By B.C. Manion

Children with autism often are unable to say what they need or want, said Carrie Walker.

She’s the director of Florida Autism Center of Excellence, a Pasco County charter school that opened this year in Zephyrhills.

“They’re hungry. They’re sleepy. They can’t express when they’re hurting,” Walker said.

Carrie Walker is the director of Florida Autism Center of Excellence, which is located at 39375 Chancey Road. (Photo by B.C. Manion)

That inability to communicate can cause frustrations, which boil over into behavior problems, Walker added. So, it’s essential to help them learn that their voice is a tool to help them get what they need or want.

“You want to focus on the language first,” said Claire Stanford, a board-certified behavior analyst who works with children at the charter school for prekindergarten through fifth-grade students.

Although public awareness about autism has improved, stereotypes about it still exist, both women said.

Some people lump all children with autism into the same group, failing to distinguish their individual differences. Others assume that children with autism must have low IQs because of their inability to verbalize. Others brand children with autism as being bad kids.

“Autism is a spectrum,” Walker said. Each child faces individual challenges.

By helping children develop and use language skills, problems with behavior often are resolved, Stanford said.

The Florida Autism Center of Excellence aims to help students gain academic, social and behavioral skills needed to be independent in later life. The center uses the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis — a research-based strategy that has been proven to be effective for teaching students with autism.

“We break the goals down into small, discrete, observable steps,” Stanford said. Students are given praise and reinforcement for exhibiting those steps.

While many schools use a stoplight system to regulate behavior, the charter school does not. At those schools, all of the kids will start on green, Stanford said.

“There’s nothing they can do but go down,” she said.

The charter school teaches children to substitute unacceptable behaviors with acceptable choices, Stanford said.

“We do not use punishment,” Walker said.

The school uses individual language assessments to pinpoint gaps. Stanford then helps teachers write a teaching plan, and a data sheet is used to monitor how a student is faring. Parents receive monthly progress reports.

The idea is to tailor instruction to meet an individual child’s needs.

The charter school, on Chancey Road, operates out of a number of portable classroom buildings. It has an enrollment of 18, and is continuing to accept new students until it reaches this year’s cap of 38. Once that happens, new students will be admitted through a lottery system.

Next year, the school hopes to add middle school classes. Ultimately, it would like to have 110 students, Walker said.

To be eligible, students must have a diagnosis of autism by a medical doctor or an Individual Education Plan issued by a school that states the student has autism, Walker said.

She encourages families to take quick action if they believe their son or daughter has autism. The sooner a child is diagnosed, the sooner he or she can get help.

“You want to get them enrolled as early as possible,” Walker said. “Early intervention is the key.”

The charter school also wants to give parents support and help. Parents often feel they are being blamed for their child’s behavior, Walker said.

“For some of them, they feel they’re being pointed at, they’re the cause,” she said. “This is a safe environment for them. They don’t feel judged.”

Walker said the work she does is rewarding.

“I like to see the gains,” Walker said, referring to the progress that students make. “I like to give hope to the parents, because there is hope.”

What: Florida Autism Center of Excellence is a Pasco County Schools charter school providing services for children with autism. It serve prekindergarten through fifth grade, and hopes to add middle school classes next year.
Where: 39735 Chancey Road, Zephyrhills
Web: www.FACEProgram.org
Phone: (813) 395-5952

About autism
As a spectrum disorder, children and adults with autism can exhibit any combination of these behaviors in any degree of severity.
Some examples of behaviors a person with autism may display are:
• Communication: Children may have difficulty in verbal and nonverbal communication. There may be a lack of language development. Speech may be limited or disordered, or they may engage in one-sided conversations. They may have challenges with body language, facial expressions, gestures and signs.
• Social Interactions: Children may exhibit highly inappropriate behaviors and may show indifference to others. They may avoid affection, eye contact, and may play by themselves.
• Imagination: Play may be limited to one or two activities, involving repetitive actions.
• Playing: Children may use toys inappropriately and not for their intended purpose.
• Repetitive Behaviors: Children may develop ritualistic behaviors and obsessions.
Autistic behaviors may include rocking, spinning, flicking hands or fingers in front of their eyes, tapping objects and mouthing objects.
Source: www.FACEProgram.com

Porter Campus aims to become hub of academic activity

November 13, 2013 By B.C. Manion

Deja Ventura couldn’t be more excited about the January opening of Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch in Wesley Chapel.

The new campus — PHCC’s fifth — will make life much easier for Ventura, a student at the college.

“I can’t wait,” she said.

Ventura and others attended an information session last week in a conference room at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel. There, faculty and administration for the new campus gave the crowd a virtual tour of the new facility, and shared their aspirations for the quality of education it will bring to its students.

Having a campus in Wesley Chapel will reduce Ventura’s commuting time for school by two hours, she said. It takes the 20-year-old an hour to drive each way to her classes now at PHCC’s New Port Richey campus.

Ventura’s also pleased that the new campus is near Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, where Ventura eventually wants to work.

The Wiregrass Ranch High School graduate said she was a patient at the hospital, and the positive experience she had there helped seal her decision to pursue a nursing degree.

Julio Rivera, an employee in the hospital’s cafeteria, is also looking forward to the opening of the new campus, as he pursues classes in information technology.

“I live 5 to 10 minutes from here,” he said. “I drive by here all of the time.” Rivera said.

Stan Giannet, provost of Porter Campus, was enthusiastic about what the school intends to offer its students.

“We’re very fired up,” Giannet said, noting that PHCC expects to branch into four-year degree programs next year, with bachelor’s degrees in nursing as well as supervision and management.

Stan Giannet, provost at Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, looks forward to creating a sense of community on campus and connections with the community it serves. (Photo by B.C. Manion)

The community college has received approvals from the state for the programs and is awaiting approval on its application for accreditation for the programs.

Once that clears, PHCC plans to change its name to Pasco-Hernando State College.

The four-year programs are slated to begin in fall of 2014.

Porter Campus also plans to be the only PHCC location to offer two new certification programs that the college will launch in 2014. Those certification programs are for surgical and pharmacy technicians, both fields where workers are in high demand.

One of the college’s missions is to help address workplace needs. “We want to be at the table to offer some solutions,” Giannet said.

The new campus is well equipped to serve student needs, Giannet said. It has a seven-story building, which includes four stories of classrooms on top of a three-story parking deck.

Beyond traditional classrooms, it also has nursing, computer and science labs as well as a two-story library. The nursing labs are so current that the mannequins used there can breathe and talk.

The campus also features two outdoor plaza areas, which Giannet believes will be popular places for people to congregate, for academic discussions and social gatherings.

He aspires to make the new campus an intellectual, cultural and community hub.

“We want to make it a vibrant campus for this community,” Giannet said.

The campus doesn’t have a cafeteria, but Giannet said students, staff and faculty members have many dining opportunities nearby.

“It’s so ideally situated in the heart of Wesley Chapel. There are restaurants that are peppering this entire area,” he said, adding that the library will have a coffee shop.

Besides offering a wide variety of programs, the college is committed to helping its students succeed, Giannet said.

“You are not a number. You are known. This is the kind of climate we are going to have at Porter Campus at Wiregrass,” Giannet said.

Courses will be offered in a variety of ways. Some will be taught in the traditional mode of a teacher delivering face-to-face instruction. Some will be offered online. Some will be a combination of both.

Pam Medley, the assistant dean of student development, said the college wants to help students get the classes they need.

Those transferring in must be sure to get their transcripts, to help them during the enrollment process, she said. Unofficial records can be used during the registration process, but official records are needed to release financial aid.

It’s also important for high school graduates to be aware that they can enroll as early as May for classes that begin in August.

The college will work closely with high schools for dual enrollment, where high school students can earn college credits, Medley said. She expects those relationships to be especially close between the college and Wiregrass Ranch High School, which is across the street from the new campus, and with Wesley Chapel High School, which is nearby.

The college also has a Teaching-Learning Center, which is committed to helping students achieve their potential. The idea is to help students engage in learning, whether they are tackling a complex research project or struggling to stay on pace, said Natalie Epo, coordinator of the Teaching-Learning Center.

Classes at Porter Campus are set to begin Jan. 13.

For more information, go to www.PHCC.edu.

Chalk Talk 11-06-13

November 6, 2013 By Mary Rathman

LOLHS hosts IB information night
Land O’ Lakes High School will host several International Baccalaureate program information nights for applicants seeking ninth-grade admission in the 2014-15 school year. Upcoming sessions are from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. as follows:
• Nov. 7 at John Long Middle School, 2025 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel
• Nov. 12 at Weightman Middle School, 30649 Wells Road in Wesley Chapel
• Nov. 14 at Pasco Middle School, 13925 14th St., in Dade City
For information, call Jeff Morgenstein at (813) 794-9429 or (352) 524-9429, or email .
Applications can be downloaded at lolhs.pasco.k12.fl.us.

Stop Bullying workshop
Crossroads Community United Methodist Church, 26211 County Line Road in Wesley Chapel, will host a free Stop Bullying Workshop, presented by Sunrise of Pasco County Prevention Team, on Nov. 9 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Participants can learn to detect signs of bullying, understand cyberbullying, how to help other parents and youth facing bullying, and more. The event is for parents as well as children in grades 6 through 12.
For information, email .

Virtual language clubs offered
Pasco eSchool is partnering with Middlebury Interactive Languages to launch virtual language clubs for elementary-age students.
This is a six-week online language club starting Nov. 11 and running through Dec. 20. Club members will benefit from weekly club sessions that will include interactive and language-rich activities in a virtual group setting.
This is a fee-based program offering instruction in the following languages:
• K-2, Spanish on Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m., and French on Thursdays at 4:30 p.m.
• Grades 3-5, Spanish on Wednesdays at 3:30 p.m., and French on Thursdays at 3:30 p.m.
Students are not required to be Pasco County residents.
The fee is $103.25, and includes a convenience charge for online payment.
To learn more, visit eschool.pasco.k12.fl.us.

Academy at the Lakes tour
Academy at the Lakes Wendleck Campus is hosting a Sunday Fun Day on Nov. 17 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Students from pre-kindergarten through first grade can enjoy art, reading and math games with teachers, while parents can tour the campus and learn more about the Academy. Activities are for children ages 3-7, but child care will be on hand for older children to play on the playground.
The campus is at 2331 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes.
To RSVP, email .

Corbett hosts open house
Corbett Preparatory School of IDS, a school for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, is hosting an admissions open house on Nov. 20 at 8:30 a.m. Prospective families can get an overview of the school and will learn about the academic curriculum, as well as the fine arts, sports and technology programs.
The open house includes a tour of the campus. A light breakfast will be served.
The school is at 12015 Orange Grove Drive in north Tampa.
To RSVP or for information, call Jennifer Morrow at (813) 961-3087, or email her at .

Great American Teach-In
Watergrass Elementary School, 32750 Overpass Road in Wesley Chapel, is looking for people from the community and parents interested in participating in the Great American Teach-In on Nov. 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Those interested in reading a story, talking about a job, or sharing a hobby, please call Amanda Boria at (813) 346-0600, or email .

Nicole Kandil joins orchestra
Nicole Kandil of Lutz has earned membership in the Bob Jones University Symphony Orchestra in Greenville, S.C. Membership in the top-tier orchestra is by audition only.
Kandil is currently pursuing a degree in music education.

Local students make semifinalist list for National Merit
The National Merit Scholarship Corp. has announced the names of approximately 16,000 seminfinalists in the 59th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.
Hillsborough County Public Schools led the state in the number of National Merit semifinalists, with 60 students earning the honor. Local students include:
• Rachel Hargrove and Shahob Miltenberger, Land O’ Lakes High School
• Bridget Weber, Sunlake High School
• Stephen Hurley, Steinbrenner High School
• Rohith Ravi, Freedom High School
• Jorge Rodriguez, Sickles High School
• Kiana Outen, Wharton High School
• Chelsea Chitty, Wiregrass Ranch High School

Businesses can make it or break it at BizGrow 2.0

November 6, 2013 By Michael Hinman

Last year, Kellye Dash sat in the audience of BizGrow and soaked in all the advice from small business owners like herself making their way in this technology-based economy. Now, the president and chief executive of The Busy Buddy is ready to share some of her own experiences as the Pasco Economic Development Council’s annual conference gets under way.

“I started my business in 2009 while working for an IT company,” Dash said. “I wasn’t sure when I was going to pull the trigger and head out on my own, but I knew I would have to do it at some point.”

The one-day BizGrow 2.0 conference at Pasco-Hernando Community College is designed to show business owners they are not alone in the trials and tribulations of running their own business. (Photo courtesy of Summer Martin)

Dash designed her Wesley Chapel-based Busy Buddy to add an extra hand or two to businesses when they needed it most, providing everything from administrative work to data research and beyond.

She comes to BizGrow 2.0 at Pasco-Hernando Community College on Friday no longer attached to her old job, and now Dash hopes to share that confidence with others.

“I was working full-time, and I didn’t want to let that paycheck go,” she said. “But if you step out on your own, you really can do it, as long as you put people around you who are supportive. You may just surprise yourself.”

These are the kinds of stories BizGrow is expected to inspire once again, said organizer John Walsh, vice president of the Pasco EDC.

“The idea is to bring inspirational stories to the group so that people who are going through challenges right now of starting their own business and growing it know that other people are out there that went through it as well,” Walsh said. “But we also want to get people to network. This is a chance for like-minded people to get together, to create some strong relationships in the county, and make that happen.”

Networking can be just as important as anything else, especially when it comes to drumming up business, or even collaboration, said Amy Gleason.

As the chief operating officer of CareSync, Gleason is working to get the word out about her company’s new online application that brings a patient’s medical records together into one spot.

“It was inspired in part by my daughter who was diagnosed with a rare disease,” Gleason said. “We had a hard time managing all her health information, because it wasn’t all in one spot. There’s just no one that teaches you to be a patient, and no guidebook on how to navigate the health care system — and that’s something we really need out there.”

Many of the best product ideas come from a personal need to have them, Gleason said. But what a large number of would-be entrepreneurs suffer from are missteps in execution.

And that means paying attention to the ever-changing business world that’s out there.

“I hear a lot of people who are afraid of Twitter and don’t really understand it,” Gleason said, citing an example of tools not being properly used. “But it can be one of the most amazing sources of information. You can put one thing out there, and someone from a completely different walk of life can respond and offer you something to think about.”

It’s the ups and downs, and finding the right tools for the right job that makes BizGrow a popular destination for budding entrepreneurs, Walsh said. Especially the trials and tribulations involved in owning a business, because it’s not always easy.

“It’s not easy,” Walsh said. “It’s a commitment that will cost you 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and it might not be for everybody. If it’s not, this is the time to figure it out, before you spend a lot of time and money on the effort. Otherwise, there are opportunities here for those who are ready to embark on this path.”

If you go
BizGrow 2.0 is a conference designed to help businesses navigate in the new economy.
It takes place Nov. 8, beginning at 8:30 a.m., at the New Port Richey campus of Pasco-Hernando Community College, Building R.
Admission is $30 in advance, or $35 the day of the event.
Information: PascoEDC.com/events

Porter Campus ushers in change for Wesley Chapel, region

November 6, 2013 By B.C. Manion

When Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch opens in January, it will be the first time that students from Wesley Chapel will be able to attend college in their own backyard.

The campus’ offerings, however, are expected to have a much more far-reaching impact, said J.D. Porter, whose family donated 60-plus acres for the campus. Porter was among a contingent of guests getting a sneak peak at the new campus in a tour on Oct. 31.

An exterior view of the seven-story classroom building at Pasco-Hernando Community College’s new Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch. (Photo by B.C. Manion)

As they walked along, visitors saw construction crews working on scaffolding outside the seven-story classroom building, running wiring within the structure, wiping down lab tables and busy tackling other tasks.

Work is expected to be finished on time for classes to begin in January, according to Pasco-Hernando Community College officials.

The new PHCC satellite campus has come out of the ground quickly, but it has been a long time in the making, Porter said. He believes the campus will have a regional benefit.

“This is something that was needed,” Porter said. Besides giving Wesley Chapel students a chance to go to college in their own community, this campus is expected to attract students from not only across Pasco and Hernando counties, but also from Hillsborough County, as well.

The site, at 2727 Mansfield Blvd., is on the south side of State Road 56, about two miles east of Interstate 75. It is situated across the street from the planned Raymond James financial services office park, next to Wiregrass Ranch High School, and around the corner from Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel.

In addition to offering two-year degrees, the campus also plans to offer a bachelor’s degree in supervision and management, and a bachelor’s in nursing.

The PHCC name may not last long, however. The college is awaiting approval on its application with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The board meets in December in Atlanta, and if they approve, could allow the school to change its name to Pasco-Hernando State College.

PHCC President Katherine M. Johnson, who helped to lead the preview tour, characterized this as an exciting time for the college, as it opens a new campus, adds new programs and changes its name.

The seven-story classroom building consists of a three-story parking deck, topped by four floors of classrooms and labs. There are 10 classrooms, four computer labs. four science labs and eight health labs on the campus, as well as a library, faculty offices and administrative offices.

The nursing lab, on the fifth floor, will be set up to simulate a hospital ward.

“We tried to make it very much what you would find in a hospital setting,” said Stan Giannet, provost of the campus.

Besides nursing, other classes offered at the campus cover a number of disciplines, including business administration and information technology.

The building has been designed to be energy efficient, which lowers long-term operational costs and reduces its impacts on the environment, said Joseph J. Sorci, director of design for Florida Architects. It has been designed to take advantage of natural light and to conserve water. The campus also uses light-emitting diodes, or LED, lighting and a cooling system that reduces energy consumption.

The design takes future needs into consideration, Sorci said. For example, the network operations center in the library can accommodate additional equipment as it becomes necessary to meet the needs of a larger enrollment.

Care also was taken in selecting building materials, Sorci said. The carpeting, for instance, is made up of carpet squares. If one square becomes damaged it can be removed and replaced.

Besides saving money, that also reduces waste, Sorci said.

Students who want to take classes at the new campus can register at the Brooksville, Dade City, New Port Richey or Spring Hill campuses, or through online registration if they’re a current student.

Open registration begins on Nov. 12. The spring course schedule is available at www.phcc.edu/schedule.