Education

Superintendent forums focus on school safety issues

January 31, 2023 By B.C. Manion

Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning recently hosted two family forums, with a focus on school safety.

One event was set for Jan. 31 at Fivay High School, 12115 Chicago Ave., in Hudson (after The Laker/Lutz News went to press). A similar event was held at Pasco Middle School on Jan. 24.

In the runup to the forums, the school district conducted a Thought Exchange on the issue of school safety. In a Thought Exchange participants are asked to respond to a question that’s intended to encourage a broad range of responses. The Thought Exchange also allows participants to indicate if they agree with thoughts that are expressed by others.

Steve Hegarty, public information officer for Pasco County Schools, said, in this case, “The question that we asked was: ‘What thoughts, concerns or suggestions do you have to enhance safety in our schools?’”

Pasco County Schools has taken steps to improve safety on campuses, through increased security at school entry points. (File)

The Thought Exchange was open to the community, to students, to staff and to parents.

During the Pasco County School Board’s Jan. 17 meeting, Hegarty shared some of the feedback that was submitted.

About 4,000 responses were received, he said.

“The way that Thought Exchange works is that you can put a thought in there, you can put a concern.

“You can also rate some idea that somebody else put in there, something that resonates with you, something that you agree with. So, you can rate it as high as a five or as low as a one.

“We learned the things that were most top of mind with folks and the things that resonated with folks.

“What we learned was there’s a lot of different ways you can look at safety.

“Some people think in terms of crosswalks and traffic,” he said.

Others think about bullying or mental health issues.

“Nearly 400 mentioned something about cameras and fencing and things at the physical plant to make it safer at our schools,” Hegarty said.

“The next one is misbehavior.

“The way I look at it, cameras, metal detectors, etc., is sort of outside threats to our safety.

“The second one is more internal.

“There are a lot of parents, students, staff, etc., that weighed in and thought there are some students that are perhaps creating an unsafe environment with their behavior in our schools, so that is a concern that rated pretty highly with parents, students and staff,” Hegarty said.

School Resource officers and School Safety got a big thumbs’ up from respondents, he added.

“They want to see them. They want them to be visible. Many would like to see a lot more in our schools. “That came up again and again.

“We wanted to hear from folks,” Hegarty said. “If they had ideas, we wanted to hear them. If they had concerns, we wanted to address them.”

More information on a variety of safety-related issues was available at the superintendent’s forums.

Published February 01, 2023

Pasco celebrates its 90.2% graduation rate

January 31, 2023 By B.C. Manion

Pasco County school officials recently celebrated news of the school district’s 90.2% graduation rate.

“It’s higher than the surrounding counties. It’s 2.9% higher than the state average,” said Kurt Browning, the school district’s superintendent, during the Pasco School Board’s Jan. 17 meeting.

“I want to thank folks in our district that worked very, very hard to ensure success of our students, being able to get across the line. But also some things, such as the way we code things in our system, making sure that the data is clean, the data is correct.

“It’s a collective effort on a lot of people’s part,” Browning said.

“I just could not be more proud of the work this district put in to make sure that our kids were successful,” he added.

School board members also chimed in, sharing congratulatory remarks and expressing appreciation for district staff.

“Right up to the last minute, we had teachers and administrators working with kids, getting them across that finish line,” said school board member Colleen Beaudoin.

Don Peace, union president of the United School Employees of Pasco, congratulated the district for its performance.

He added: “I’m sure all of us would like to see the rate higher in the upcoming year summary. It’s important for us to keep the bar high, but attainable, for our students.”

While celebrating the moment, Browning expressed a word of caution.

“We will see what happens this coming year,” Browning said, referring to a potential state change that could increase a score needed for students to meet graduation requirements.

“We’re not sure what we’re going to see this May. That will be the benchmark year. But we are going to have to be creative and really problem-solve,” Browning said.

During a staff meeting on the morning of Jan. 17, Browning said that Dr. Monica Isle, the assistant superintendent for high school, shared some “staggering figures” regarding the number of seniors who do not currently meet graduation requirements.

“Raising the requirement could have ‘a dramatic impact’ on the district’s graduation rate,” Browning said.

Efforts will continue to ask the state to give more consideration to its required score, Browning said. At the same time, district staff will be making every effort to ensure its students are successful, regardless of the score required by the state.

Published February 01, 2023

Pasco County Schools continues to struggle with teacher vacancies

January 31, 2023 By B.C. Manion

Pasco County Schools has submitted a class size appeal with the Florida Commissioner of Education, as the district lacks a sufficient number of teachers to fully staff its schools.

Superintendent Kurt Browning and the Pasco County School Board discussed the problem during the Jan. 17 board meeting.

Browning said the district has complied with state class size requirements for years, but hasn’t been able to achieve that this year.

“We cannot find the teachers to staff these classrooms,” Browning said.

School board member Cynthia Armstrong said the district is diligently searching to fill the vacancies.

“In the past, class size has been a budget issue. We didn’t have the money to hire the teachers. “We’re in a totally different situation now. We would love to hire the teachers. We are just having to look behind every tree to find them,” Armstrong said.

Board colleague Colleen Beaudoin agreed.

“We’re trying really hard to fill these positions. We don’t want to go over class size. Nobody wants to do that. We’re doing everything we can to hire highly qualified teachers.

“It’s not acceptable to have kids sitting in a classroom without a highly qualified teacher. And sometimes having a class size a little bigger to have a student have a highly qualified teacher is what we have to do. It’s not ideal, but our students need highly qualified teachers,” she said.

Board chairwoman Megan Harding added: “I’ve heard from a lot of my peers who actually have really big class sizes, especially in kindergarten. Really big.”

Pasco isn’t alone in its inability to fill all teacher vacancies, the shortage is being experienced across the state and nation.

While the school district awaits word on the state’s decision regarding its class size appeal, it also has submitted a class size compliance plan to the Florida Department of Education for consideration, in case its appeal fails.

The compliance plan explains how each school plans to meet the class size requirement for the October 2023 Full-time Equivalent (FTE) student survey.

Browning told board members that he appreciated the discussion around the district’s class size compliance plan.

“The state’s process is a little backwards,” Browning said. “We had to file the appeal by the sixth of January, which is the week we returned from Christmas break. So you file your appeal regarding class size, but they don’t make a determination regarding whether they’re going grant the appeal until after the deadline for the compliance plan to be brought to the board and approved.

Although he appreciates the district’s substitute teachers, Browning said, “there’s nothing like having that highly qualified teacher, in front of those students, every day. That’s what makes a difference.

“I’m hoping the department (Florida Department of Education) will grant us our appeal because that would mean significantly less penalty for us. But we will wait and see. We have done everything the state has asked us to do. We’ve made our case to the state. Now, we sit and wait.”

Both Harding and Beaudoin reported that requests have been made to the state legislators to amend the Florida Retirement System to enable retired teachers to return to become substitute teachers. As it stands now, there’s a mandatory waiting period.

Changing the state’s retirement system would enable the district to address staffing shortages.

“They would be highly qualified.” Harding said.

Don Peace, union president for the United School Employees of Pasco, said beyond finding new teachers to fill openings, the district needs to consider ways to retain teachers.

He pointed to comments in a Gallup survey that “include concerns with teacher workload, communication and data collection.”

Plus, Peace noted: “We need to continually look at removing add-ons to our teachers and let them concentrate on delivery of instruction to students.”

Published February 01, 2023

Chalk Talk 02/01/2023

January 31, 2023 By Mary Rathman

Saint Leo University’s newly named Center for Adult Learning at University Campus is on the first floor of Saint Edward Hall. (Courtesy of Saint Leo University)

New year, new name
One of Saint Leo University’s education centers, the former East Pasco Education Center, will now be the Center for Adult Learning at University Campus, according to a news release.

The name change is keeping with the center’s mission of educating adult learners and those of nontraditional college age. Adult learners choose to pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees in order to strengthen their skillsets or reskill and change careers, and Saint Leo’s Center for Adult Learning will focus on assisting students in meeting those goals.

The new center is based on the first floor of Saint Edward Hall, one of the oldest buildings on the campus, which is at 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo.

Degrees offered at the Center for Adult Learning at University Campus include:

Associate of Arts: liberal arts; business administration; criminal justice; and information technology
Bachelor of Arts: business administration (management, marketing, and technology management); criminal justice (criminalistics and homeland security); educational studies (education and children; education and adolescents; English; social science); elementary education; human resource management; middle grades education (English and social science); psychology (clinical/counseling, developmental, experimental, general); and religion
Bachelor of Science: accounting; computer information systems; cybersecurity; and health care administration
Bachelor of Social Work: social work
Master of Science: criminal justice (behavioral studies, corrections, criminal investigations, critical incident management, forensic science, and legal studies)

Registration is taking place for Spring 2 Semester classes, which begin March 13, and the Summer 1 Semester, which begins May 8.

For information about the Center for Adult Learning at University Campus, email , or call 813-226-2775.

African acrobats
Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) will host the Zuzu African Acrobats on Feb. 13 at 7 p.m., at the PHSC Instructional Performing Arts Center, 8657 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel.

Admission is free and open to the public.

For information, contact Luther Buie, associate dean of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Multicultural Student Affairs, at 727-816-3192 or .

Graduation rates
The Pasco County Schools 2021-2022 graduate rate of 90.2% continues to exceed the state average and is the best among Tampa Bay area school districts, according to a Pasco County Schools news release.

Pasco’s graduation rate slipped by less than one percentage point compared to last year’s rate (from 91.0% to 90.2%), the release said.

The slight decrease reflects a statewide trend, and many districts experienced significant decreases.

The state graduation rate dropped by nearly three percentage points, from 90.1% to 87.3%.

Taking the long view, Pasco’s graduation rate is evidence of steady progress — since 2013, the rate has improved by more than 14 percentage points.

“Despite the challenges our students experienced in recent years, we continue to see steady progress year after year,” said Superintendent Kurt Browning, in the release.

“All our teachers in elementary, middle and high school can share the credit because we know that it takes a team effort to prepare students for college, career and life,” said Browning.

Hillsborough County Public School’s graduation rate for the 2021-2022 year is 87.9%, the release said.

To view the statewide results, visit the Florida Department of Education web page.

Student achievements

James Cook, Lutz: Dean’s List, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts
Nicole Marie Farmer, Odessa: Bachelor of Science in finance, University of Maryland Global Campus
Matthew Ferguson, Lutz: Bachelor of Science in management studies, University of Maryland Global Campus
Alexis Leighty, Lutz: Dean’s List, Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, Tennessee
Wolfgang Louk, Lutz: Dean’s List, Benedictine College, Atchison, Kansas
Faith Quinn, Wesley Chapel: Dean’s List, Benedictine College, Atchison, Kansas
Grace Quinn, Wesley Chapel: Dean’s List, Benedictine College, Atchison, Kansas

Five for Five Dinner
The Republican Party of Pasco will host its third annual Five for Five Dinner (a five-course meal to benefit the club’s $5,000 scholarship fund) on March 2 at the Timber Greens Golf & Country Club, 6333 Timber Greens Blvd., in New Port Richey.

The fundraiser will help a high school student go to a college or trade school of their choice in Florida, with a $1,000 scholarship award.

Check-in and cocktails begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by the dinner at 6 p.m.

The event will feature Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco, Chef Adam, and celebrity sous-chefs Congressman Gus Bilirakis, Sen. Ed Hooper, Rep. Randy Maggard, Commissioner Seth Weightman, and school board member Cynthia Armstrong.

For tickets and sponsorship levels, call Sandy Graves at 813-817-3011, or the Republican Party of Pasco office at 727-863-5400.

Farming a great crop of students

January 25, 2023 By Mike Camunas

For the past 20 years, Academy at the Farm has put a lot of students out to pasture — which, in this case, refers to high school.

“Our focus has always been education,” said Ray Polk, the academy’s director for 13 years.

Soha Bajaj, a sixth-grader at Academy at the Farm, walks a cow during an agricultural learning session at the school in Dade City. Over the past 20 years, the school has grown tremendously, both in size and its participation in its award-winning 4-H and Future Farmers of America clubs. It also has become a much sought after school choice in East and Central Pasco County. The K-8 school focuses on six fundamentals: Responsibility, Fairness, Respect, Honesty, Citizenship and Caring. (Mike Camunas)

“We focus on our six traits and start that from kindergarten, right from the get-go. “We teach them life skills, which are our traits, and how they are responsible for their work, for themselves and even how they treat other people. We emphasize that,” he added.

“And we teach them that you’re the person that has to work on (those things), not the rest of the people in the school.”

Since Dr. Michael Rom opened the Dade City charter school in 2002, Academy at the Farm has grown leaps and bounds. The charter has become a sought-out educational institution for parents seeking an alternative, with empowered learning styles for their children.

At Academy at the Farm, every classroom has an instructor assistant (IA), which extends to the school’s four sections: Preschool/VPK, Primary (first and second grades), Intermediate (third through fifth grades) and Middle (sixth through eighth grades).

Each division has its own principal.

“We’ve been an A school for 18 years,” Polk said. “That’s not something that’s easy to keep, but we have been able to do that and we’re proud of that fact.”

Academy at the Farm, a Dade City charter school, has classrooms set up with alternative seating for grades K-8.

At Academy at the Farm, it all begins in kindergarten, with children learning these six character traits: Responsibility, Fairness, Respect, Honesty, Citizenship and Caring.

From the get-go, students learn to embody these attributes, which extend beyond the classroom.

Many of the school’s 650 students are members of the school’s 4-H Club and Future Farmers of America (FFA) program. And while every student will get agriculture education and lessons on the 35-acre property, those who join the clubs tend to be heavily involved with the on-campus livestock, such as goats, hogs and cows.

“We see a lot of growth from kids who have been in our program a long time,” said Robin Carter, the school’s agriculture teacher. “Because we have high expectations of them in 4-H and FFA, and definitely set the bar higher for them than the rest of the general school population.

“And they rise to it, because they want to work with animals and want to do a good job because they find it important and — I don’t know, maybe they want to shovel poop all day, too! (laughs).”

Sixth-grader Miriam Fehir, left, and eighth-grader Liea Kautz hold onto some of the baby goats that are cared for at the charter school.

Carter said working with animals puts an emphasis on the character trait of responsibility.

They know that animals rely on them.

But those involved in the agricultural program also get to experience something that’s not common at many campuses.

“We have baby goats being born,” Carter added. “How many kids get to see baby goats being born at their school?…

“You’ll see it, as our principals will say that our FFA kids don’t get in trouble because they know that they have responsibilities and have to be out there for the animals. … They know that their personal responsibility is to be great — they’re expected to be great and to do great things.”

And part of being great is knowing, and learning, that these animals are not pets, but a way of farm life. The school breeds its livestock, including certain animals that are sold for meat.

“It’s Academy at the Farm, not Academy at the ‘Pet,’” Polk said. “Which can be tough for kids, but it’s a life lesson about where you get your food, from farms, and learning how much agricultural farming comes out of Florida.

“The kids learn that they’re not pets.”

So what’s in store for this charter school after 20 years? Well, more expansion.

Academy at the Farm includes an outdoor hockey rink for students to play on during P.E. classes and recess.

With a waiting list of nearly 2,000 students to be a lottery pick to join the student body (when there is space available), Academy at the Farm wants to go from three to four classrooms per grade.

But the big move is even loftier, and one Polk already has tried to make happen four times previously.

A high school at the Farm.

“You don’t get a 2,000-kid waiting list in Dade City without having a good reputation on what kind of charter school we are,” Polk said. “I want to be here to educate kids, even as the director, I want them to know I care about their education, even if I’m not doing any direct educating.”

Polk estimates adding a high school — grades nine through 12 — will cost up to $15 million. However, through federal funding provided by the state, the school was awarded $13.5 million back in September 2022.

Yet, just weeks later, Hurricane Ian devastated parts of Florida and that funding, as well as funding given to several other local government agencies and projects, was redirected to relief aid.

“We’ll reapply,” Polk said of getting grant or federal funding again. “A new public high school could cost anywhere from $80 to $100 million, and even though we raise about $200,000 in fundraising each year, it’s just not enough for the kind of education level we have here.

“To have an IA in every classroom, that’s $350 ($350,000) to $400,000 a year, right there.”

Academy at the Farm
Where: 9500 Alex Lange Way, Dade City
Details: In its 20th year, Academy at the Farm is a K-8 charter school that focuses heavily on higher education, but also has several agricultural aspects, such as a working farm, livestock, crops and more. Any parent can apply for their child or children to attend Academy at the Farm; however, there is a lottery list that resets every March, and that list has nearly 2,000 kids waiting on it.
Info: Visit AcademyAtTheFarm.com.

Published January 25, 2023

Efforts continue to find safe ways for kids to get to school

January 25, 2023 By B.C. Manion

Whether it is adding sidewalks or extending public bus routes, elected leaders are seeking more ways to help students get to school safely.

The issue came up during the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (MPO) Jan. 12 meeting, where Jensen Hackett, of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), touched on planned sidewalk improvements in the county.

A new funding source that came out of the infrastructure bill that was passed by the federal government is expected to yield about $2 million for sidewalks across Pasco County, Hackett said.

He said the FDOT will be working with the MPO staff to prioritize sidewalk gaps across the county that are on the state road network.

Additionally, the City of Zephyrhills has set aside a million dollars in the current budget year to address sidewalk needs within the city.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Jack Mariano said he’d also like to see the county’s public bus system, GoPasco, see if it can expand routes in some areas to give public school students who live within 2 miles of school an opportunity to ride a bus to get closer to school.

The increased attention on sidewalks and public transportation stems from a decision made by Pasco County Schools to end “courtesy” busing for sixth- through 12th-graders living within 2 miles of school.

The decision prompted parents to express concerns that they are worried about their children walking to school when it’s dark, on streets that often lack both sidewalks and streetlights.

Elected officials have responded by trying to identify additional funding sources to address the issue.

In deciding to end the “courtesy” busing, school district officials cited a shortage of both bus drivers to provide the service and money to pay for it.

Published January 25, 2023

Chalk Talk 01/25/2023

January 25, 2023 By Mary Rathman

(Courtesy of The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce)

Student Citizens honored
The East Pasco Chamber Foundation in partnership with The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce has recognized 10 students as Student Citizens of the Month for January. Students are chosen by their teachers and administration of their individual schools for exemplary effort, achievement and contribution to their school, family and community. Back row, from left: Kristin Jones, Chick-fil-A marketing executive director; Chick-fil-A Mini-Moo; Kenneth Davis (Stewart Middle School); Nakiah Walton (Academy of Spectrum Diversity); Saffron Stone (Zephyrhills High); Dr. Ed Goolsby (Zephyrhills Chamber board president), and guest speaker Billy Poe (Zephyrhills city manager). Front row, from left: Brayden White-Baldwin (The Broach School); Payton Leab (Chester W. Taylor Elementary); Dilianys Fernandez (Heritage Academy); Max Bartalon (East Pasco Adventist Academy); and Ashley Jablonski (AdventHealth Dade City/Zephyrhills marketing coordinator). Not pictured: J.C. Smith (The Broach School); Caleb Sanchez (West Zephyrhills Elementary); and Giovany Soler (Woodland Elementary).

A Florida first
Throughout his more than 20 years of experience in helping individuals with mental health issues, Eddie Williams, Ed.D., MSW, LMHC, NCC, CCMHC, MCAP, HS-BCP, LMFT has amassed quite the list of post-nominal letters surpassing the length of the alphabet, and with his most recent accomplishment, he will be adding four more — LCSW, according to a Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) news release.

Williams passed the National Association of Social Work Board Exam on Dec. 29. As an associate professor at PHSC, Williams is the first person in Florida to become a licensed mental health counselor, licensed marriage and family therapist, and licensed clinical social worker.

Williams teaches a variety of courses at PHSC and is the social and human services program director.

“My number one goal is to help my students and others, so I’m really acquiring the licenses and accolades according to my belief that if I’m teaching a curriculum, I should continue to make an effort to know as much as possible in all areas of the field,” said Williams in the release.

“99% of my students go into one of these three areas of study, so this accomplishment is very meaningful,” said Williams.

During his educational journey, Williams has worked in numerous settings, including residential, outpatient, inpatient hospitalization and home visits, private practice, and instructional where he has provided individual, couples, family and group counseling for patients with mental health disorders and addiction disorders.

Williams is a board member for the Alliance for Healthy Communities and Hernando County Community Health Improvement Plan Partnership.

He currently is working on his dissertation for a Ph.D., in social work.

Student achievements

Rebecca Bach, Lutz: Dean’s List, Missouri State University
Derek Baxter, Odessa: Arizona State University Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa
Aidan Bitter and Angelica Gonzalez, of Lutz, and Anthony Becht and Macy Duregger, of Wesley Chapel: Dean’s List, Iowa State University
Andrew Bowden and Timothy Hicks, of Lutz, and Jennifer Nalley and Sarah Shortridge, of Odessa: President’s List, Southern New Hampshire University.
Landon Carter, Lutz: Dean’s List, Valdosta State University, Georgia
Hannah Drielick, Lutz: Dean’s List, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb
Abigail Flanagan, Lutz: Dean’s List, Nazareth College, Rochester, New York
Jenna Freligh, Lutz: Dean’s List, Belmont University, Nashville, Tennessee
Jaeden Lowther, Odessa: President’s List, Kennesaw State University, Georgia
Allison Trask, Lutz: Dean’s List, Harding University, Searcy, Arkansas

The fundraiser will help a high school student go to a college or trade school of their choice in Florida, with a $1,000 scholarship award.

Check-in and cocktails begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by the dinner at 6 p.m.

For tickets and sponsorship levels, call Sandy Graves at 813-817-3011, or the Republican Party of Pasco office at 727-863-5400.

Stick bridge competition
Saint Leo University’s Department of Natural Sciences will host its annual Popsicle Stick Bridge Competition on March 9 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., in Selby Auditorium in Lewis Hall, at the campus at 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo.

Saint Leo University and Pasco County high school students are invited to design and build bridges to compete in the contest.

The winners will be selected in two categories: the strongest bridge that can hold the most weight and the most aesthetically pleasing bridge that receives the most votes from the audience.

Teams of one to three students may compete, and members should come up with a name for their bridge.

The goal of the contest is to build the strongest bridge using only Elmer’s glue and no more than 200 standard Popsicle sticks. Entries must bridge a 1.2-meter span as described in the contest rules.

Last year’s winner was “Bridge to the Starz” that held 66 pounds.

High school faculty who would like to enter their students, as well as interested students, may participate by emailing by Feb. 18, then pick up a kit, design a bridge build (test if you want to) and then join in the competition on March 9.

The public is invited to attend the event to watch the teams compete.

Navigating resources for special needs kids can be tricky

January 17, 2023 By B.C. Manion

Having a child with special needs can create daunting challenges for families.

Beyond not knowing what to do, it’s also hard to know who can help.

It can be confusing for families when they move into a new school district, explains Stephanie Long, assistant director of student support programs and services for Pasco County Schools.

People arrive in the district and they say: “I’m new to Pasco, what do I need?”

“I don’t understand your programs. I’m coming from another state. I’ve never heard this terminology? What do I do?”

Parents of students with special needs from other school districts often aren’t familiar with the terms used to describe programs here, or with the varying types of programs. They can get an introduction to the district’s programs from information provided on the district’s website. (File)

Long directs new families to the public school district’s website, where there is a page that’s specifically built to give parents a step-by-step guide to information, covering all of the basic needs for all students.

Plus, it gives parents a good start to find out what the district’s Exceptional Student Education (ESE) services and programs are for students with special needs.

The district also shares information about other resources available in the community, or through state partnerships.

The best place to start, according to Long, is at the Parents tab on the district’s website (Pascok12.fl.us). Then, parents can scroll down that page to a link called SSPS Resources.

“It immediately opens up to all of the parent resources,” Long said.

If you click on the ESE Guide, for instance, you’ll find information to help you navigate the world of special programs.

“This basically gives the alphabet soup of all of the different acronyms that we throw around in our world. A glossary of all of the terms that we use,” she said.

It also explains the district’s continuum of services for its ESE students.

Special services can vary from place to place, so this gives parents an idea of what to expect in Pasco.

Another resource, provided through the district, is a quarterly meeting intended to give parents a chance to identify topics of need, or interest, and to work collaboratively with other parents and the school district to address them.

Jennifer Hykes, senior supervisor of special programs, runs that group.

Historically, participation has been lower than the district would like, but the numbers are improving as a result of marketing and outreach efforts.

“We really want these meetings to be collaborative. We want to hear what the needs are and what they (parents) want,” Hykes said.

Identifying needs is the first step toward developing a plan to address them, she said.

That group’s next virtual meeting is set for Feb. 21 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. To find out more, reach out to Hykes via email at .

The sessions give parents an opportunity to learn about various topics.

And, if they have specific questions, this is a good place to get them answered.

“We always have a Q & A session at the end,” Hykes said. “I stay on as long as needed.”

Another way to find out more about available resources would be to attend Superintendent Kurt Browning’s Family Forum on Safety and Security. (See accompanying info box).

Some students need special services and it can be confusing for parents to know where to turn for help. There are a variety of resources available, both within Pasco County Schools, through state partnerships and with community groups. (Mike Camunas)

The forum is set up to provide information on various safety and security topics, but there also will be representatives from various service providers and community organizations to answer questions and provide information.

Those representatives can help clue in parents regarding sources of help that may be useful to them.

Pasco County School Board member Colleen Beaudoin, who has extensive experience in dealing with issues relating to children with special needs, also provided some guidance that may be useful for parents of ESE students.

She shared those thoughts during a recent Laker/Lutz News interview involving her, Long and Hykes.

It’s no secret that many parents may feel overwhelmed as they try to figure out what’s best for their special needs’ kids.

Beaudoin suggested this simple way to get started: “If you have a concern, request a meeting with your school.”

Once a meeting is scheduled, it’s good to be prepared, Beaudoin said. Take a notebook and any relevant documentation, she advised.

Keep a positive attitude, too, Beaudoin said.

“I think some parents do feel that they really need to go in (to a meeting about their child), in defense mode,” the school board member said.

One excellent source of information for parents is the Florida Diagnostic and Learning System, FDLRS for short, Beaudoin said.

Long agreed.

Families can submit questions and receive information, typically within 24 to 48 hours, Long said.

Hykes said it’s important to know that many questions and concerns can be answered or resolved at the school level. She recommends that families have a list of contact names and numbers, to know who they should call, if an issue arises.

At the school level, the list should include the teacher, the case manager (if there is one) and the principal. Beyond that, the district has a list of program supervisors, which is available on its website.

Another place to find some easy-to-understand information about Florida’s ESE services is the Florida’s MTSS. The acronym stands for multi-tiered systems of support for families.

The parent guide explains that school districts must provide a certain procedure to ensure that they’ve implemented intervention, and to ensure that the students had a poor response to that intervention, before the district says that a student has a disability, Long said.

She also pointed out a program called Project 10, a program that focuses on transition.

“For those students with disabilities, how do we help them transition to post-secondary opportunities? How do we provide greater opportunities for students with disabilities to have greater outcomes when they leave us and they go on to postsecondary?” Long said.

Superintendent’s Family Forum on Safety and Security
Where/when:

Pasco Middle School, 13925 14^th St., Dade City, on Jan. 24, doors open at 5 p.m.; event starts at 5:30 p.m.
Fivay High School, 12115 Chicago Ave., , on Jan. 31, doors open at 5 p.m.; event starts at 5:30 p.m.

Details:
Breakout sessions will include:

School safety in Pasco County
Data security in a connected society
Handling threats in schools
Suicide prevention for students
Accessing student services

Community resources available on:

Safety
Mental health
Student supports
Student services
Community supports

Free child care is available for children ages 4 through 10. Light refreshments will be provided, too. To register, visit SuperintendentsFamilyForum1.sched.com/.

Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Services
To help you acclimate to services and programs designed for students who have special needs, here are some places to go to get more information. Some services and programs are provided by Pasco County Schools and some are provided through partnerships or community organizations.

To get started, go to the Pasco County Schools’ website, at Pasco.k12.fl.us. Once there, click on the Parents tab. Then scroll down to Student Support Services.

Then, check out information provided in these categories:

Center for Autism Related Disorders (CARD)
ESE Parent Guide
ESE Parent Collaborative Network
ESE Programs and Resources
Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS), click on Parent Services link
FLDOE Exceptional Student Education, click on link for Parent Information page

Published January 18, 2023

Chalk Talk 01/18/2023

January 17, 2023 By Mary Rathman

New dean announced
Hillsborough Community College (HCC) has announced Chris Paynter as the new Dale Mabry Campus dean of associate of science programs.

Paynter has served as a higher education leader and advocate for community college students for 16 years, including most recently at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, North Carolina, as dean of educational partnerships and dean of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, according to a news release.

Paynter holds an Ed.D in adult and community college education and a bachelor of arts degree in political science from North Carolina State University, as well as a master of arts degree in geography from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

The new dean assumed his position at HCC on Jan. 17.

Little Shop of Horrors
The Land O’ Lakes High School drama students will perform “Little Shop of Horrors The Musical” on Jan. 19, Jan. 20 and Jan. 21, at 7 p.m., at the Wesley Chapel Performing Arts Center, 30651 Wells Road. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

The show is rated PG-13. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the door or online at LOLHS.pasco.k12.fl.us.

For questions, email .

Classes for home-schoolers
The Land O’ Lake Library, 2828 Collier Parkway, will offer these upcoming classes for home-schooled youth:

Jan. 23 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.: Introduction to Machine Sewing for Junior Sewers

This class is for ages 9 to 18 who have not previously used a sewing machine. Participants can learn to thread a machine; fill a bobbin; sew straight, zigzag and curvy lines; learn the names of basic sewing tools; and use an iron. There is no project for this introductory class. Registration, as well as safety and waiver forms are required (these can be picked up at the Service Desk before the class). A guardian must sign all forms for minors.

Jan. 25 from noon to 2 p.m.: Introduction to Tools for Homeschooled Junior Woodworkers

This class is for ages 9 to 15. This month’s project is an old-style carpenter toolbox. All materials, tools and safety equipment will be provided. All minors must have waiver and safety form completed by a guardian prior to the class. Forms are available at the Service Desk.

Registration is required for both classes, online at PascoLibraries.org.

Student achievements
• Abigail Greene, of Lutz, was recognized to the Dean’s List at Pennsylvania Western University, California, Pennsylvania.
• Leia Randall, of Land O’ Lakes, was named to the Dean’s List at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.

Associate professor named
Dr. David Kilmnick, PhD, MSW, a national advocate and organizer for the LGBT communities for more than 30 years, has joined the faculty of the University of South Florida School of Social Work, according to a news release.

Kilmnick will be joining the USF School of Social Work as an assistant professor of instruction and chair of the online MSW program.

As founder, president and CEO of one of the largest LGBT nonprofit organizations in the New York area, Kilmnick has worked to defend and protect LGBT rights while raising awareness and being a voice for many social issues on the local, national and international level, the release said.

The professor meets with government officials, community leaders, and business and education executives to discuss the latest issues and concerns affecting the LGBT community.

He appears in the media as a spokesperson for both well-established and underserved LGBT communities, discussing the wide range of equity, social, advocacy, and policy issues.

Kilmnick has more than 25 years of teaching experience and more than 15 years of expertise and practice in online instruction, learning management systems, and course and curricula development.

New course offered
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of South Florida will offer a new course entitled, “Imprisoned Without Trial: Japanese Internment in WWII,” presented by Denny Kato, starting on Jan. 26 and ending on Feb. 16.

There will be four classes each Thursday, from 10 a.m. to noon, at Unisen Senior Living, 12401 N. 22nd St., in Tampa.

The course will discuss the fear, hatred and racism toward the Chinese and Japanese that began in the mid-1800s, culminating with the incarceration of more than 120,000 people of Japanese descent in designated camps throughout the country during WWII.

Thirteen members of Kato’s family were sent to those camps.

The cost of the course is $40 for OLLI members.

For more information, contact Denny Kato at or 727-215-5345.

Saint Leo University and Pasco County high school students are invited to design and build bridges to compete in the contest.

The winners will be selected in two categories: the strongest bridge that can hold the most weight and the most aesthetically pleasing bridge that receives the most votes from the audience.

Teams of one to three students may compete, and members should come up with a name for their bridge.

Last year’s winner was “Bridge to the Starz” that held 66 pounds.

The public is invited to attend the event to watch the teams compete.

Striking up a really, really big band

January 10, 2023 By Mike Camunas

Consistency is not a minor key.

That’s especially true when it comes to the Land O’ Lakes High School Band.

Land O’ Lakes High Band member Max McGuill practices his tuba during a class in December. The Gators’ band, since being taken over by Johnathon Mulder six years ago, has more than doubled in size, from 60 to 124 members. Since Mulder took over, there’s been an emphasis on the passion of creating music together, and less focus on ratings and awards. (Mike Camunas)

In the six years that band director Johnathon Mulder has been leading the Gators, he has demonstrated consistency in leadership, direction, experience and, of course, the love of music.

“We’ve tried to put a big emphasis on recruiting — which is not really like it is in the sports world,” said Mulder, a former trumpet player from the Herd of Thunder, the University of South Florida’s marching band. “It’s more of just trying to get to the middle school and giving them the information about us and joining us when they come to this high school.

“But until I got here — with the last five to six band directors — there was constant turnover, where it was a new band director every two to three years. So consistency, that was a big thing for me when I came in — not to leave after two years.

“Because with any band program in the state, or even the country, ones that are large in size and very good, you see that they have a director or directors that have been there for an extended time.”

Mulder’s stay, and the consistency in leadership, have worked. Land O’ Lakes now has the second largest public high school band in Pasco County, only behind Mitchell High.

Land O’ Lakes High Director of Bands Johnathon Mulder directs the woodwind and brass sections of the Gators’ band during a practice session on campus in December. Since he took over the band six years ago, Mulder has changed the band’s culture, which has resulted in an uptick of participation from students, especially from incoming freshmen.

When Mulder took over, the band had about 60 members. Now, the Gators’ band has 124 members, which is a school record.

“When I came here, there was a lot of negativity within the band,” Mulder said. “A lot of students would make jokes about themselves — self-deprecating humor — but we wanted to stop that.

“The big thing with my philosophy in teaching is we will do well, we will go on stage and put on a great performance and a high-quality production. What’s important is that this class, like our dance and art and chorus classes and theater, is usually the safe space for those students. We wanted to create an atmosphere that this is a family, that we’re all working for each other, with each other and pushing ourselves and holding ourselves to high standards.”

That family atmosphere, and the “recruiting,” seems to be working, given the band’s size. Mulder and the band’s captains will visit the middle school band, like the one at Pine View Middle, which has close to 300 members. But the band also will have a Middle School Night.

For that, the Gators will go to a Pine View game and play and perform with those middle school band members. They’ll also invite them to a Gators’ football game, so they can watch the band perform during the game and its halftime performance.

“We do have a middle school band night, so we were there and played their tunes, our tunes — really jammed out with them and performed on the field with them,” senior trombone section leader Riley Palmer said. “And they came to our game and, obviously, I didn’t really pay attention to them in the stands because I was playing, but I think they liked it.

Riley Palmer, a senior, left, and Gracie Bagley, a junior, play their trombones during practice for Land O’ Lakes High’s band.

“I know, for me, I loved it because, just like them, I was in the stands on middle school night and it got me really excited to join when I came to Land O’ Lakes.”

Middle school night has been quite the recruiting tool, according to one of the band’s recruiters.

“We’re really involved with middle school night and just show them this is the high school band experience and they really love it,” said Kenzie Ringo, a senior, who plays the clarinet and is the band’s co-captain. “In the past, you’d get a really big freshman class and then they’d quit, but now everyone sticks around and you have seniors that have been in band all four years.

“We’re a lot like a family — we’re really close and love being around each other, and so that helps people stick around and that’s just very cool to see.”

As senior players who have enjoyed four full years under Mulder’s guidance, they believe his tenure has made all the difference.

“What makes our band stand out from other bands is that we’re not as serious as other bands,” Palmer said. “I’d like us to be a little more serious, but I also just like how chill we are, and that’s what he’s brought to this band.”

“He’s, obviously, our band director, but he’s the leader, right?” Ringo added. “He’s just a very easy person to talk to and down to earth with us. He doesn’t mind talking to any of us outside of band time. He’s just someone that you want to be friends with, even after you move on from high school.”

And after six years, the Gators band is finally on the same page of sheet music.

It’s important to have consistency in leadership and expectations, Mulder said.

“When you establish those expectations and have them year after year, you build a culture of success, and I think that absolutely shows now after six years.”

Published January 11, 2023