The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Education

Chalk Talk 01/05/2022

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Jacob Browne (Courtesy of Alexis Sobel)

Pasco native fulfilling his dream
Pasco County native and first-generation student Jacob Browne has graduated in three years from Florida Atlantic University’s (FAU) Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program, according to a news release.

At 9 years old, Browne knew exactly what he wanted to become – a broadcaster, and was inspired by Joe Buck’s play-by-play of the 2009 World Series, the release says.

As a member of the Emerging Scholars Program, Browne earned a Bachelor of Arts in multimedia studies, and served as the voice of FAU baseball and football, eventually becoming the sports director for the station.

Browne also had the opportunity to work in NFL Super Bowl Radio Row in Miami in 2020 and in Tampa in 2021, interviewing players and media sportscasters.

He also launched his own show, Strictly Sports on Owl Radio, and interned at SiriusXM PGA Tour Sports Programming.

Browne now is the play-by-play broadcaster for the Forest City Owls in Forest City, North Carolina, where he announces every baseball game, hosts the pre- and post-game shows, and conducts interviews with players and coaches.

New staff member
Victory High School in Pasco County has welcomed a new teacher, Melissa Curtis, to its team.

Curtis is a Tampa native who relocated to Pasco County a year ago.

She received her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of South Florida and has completed graduate coursework toward obtaining a master’s degree in English education.

Curtis’ favorite subjects to teach are English and culinary.

She also volunteers in the community for Meals on Wheels.

Dental office looking for students in need
Navarro Orthodontics in Land O’ Lakes is asking local schools to participate in its quest to commit $50,000 of orthodontic treatment to students in need.

Teachers can help to identify students in need of orthodontic care, who may not otherwise be able to afford or have access to treatment.

Once candidates are identified, the student must write an essay stating who they are, what their dreams are, how they will contribute to the community in the future, and why they need or want orthodontic treatment. Written consent from the parent of the student will be required, too.

For information and questions, email , or call 813-321-0084.

New board member
The Florida Recovery Schools of Tampa Bay Inc. Board of Directors has welcomed Victor Lupis, owner and CEO of Dynasty Building Solutions, as a new board member.

When Lupis is not working, he spends time with his family and friends, on his boat fishing in the Gulf, or at church.

“The way to success is not by material, not by money, but making the people around you achieve their goals and ambitions,” said Lupis in a news release.

Fee adjustment meeting
The Pasco-Hernando State College’s District Board of Trustees (DBOT) will consider approving proposed adjusted course-related fees at its Jan. 18 board meeting.

Fee adjustment proposals are reviewed and approved for DBOT consideration by PHSC’s Council of Academic Affairs, a committee that includes representation by administrators, deans, academic department chairs, program directors, faculty and staff.

Many fee adjustments relate to vendor increases for workforce courses, laboratories, and program testing.

Some fees may be covered by financial aid, scholarships and grants.

For details regarding proposed fee adjustments, justification for the fees and fee implementation details, visit Policies.phsc.edu, and click on Policies and Procedures, Public Disclosure.

Chalk Talk 12/29/2021

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(Courtesy of Renee Gerstein, Saint Leo University)

A simple comfort can go a long way
Saint Leo University presented nearly 250 teddy bears and stuffed animals to the Tampa Police Department (TPD), at the school’s Tampa Education Center. The bears were donated by students, faculty and staff, and the public. The TPD’s Behavioral Health, and the Major Crimes, Sex Crimes and Domestic Violence units will carry the bears in their vehicles as part of a ‘comfort squad’ to help children in stressful, crisis situations. Law enforcement members are shown loading the numerous bears and stuffed animals into a vehicle.

Dental office looking for students in need
Navarro Orthodontics in Land O’ Lakes is asking local schools to participate in its quest to commit $50,000 of orthodontic treatment to students in need.

Teachers can help to identify students in need of orthodontic care, who may not otherwise be able to afford or have access to treatment.

Once candidates are identified, the student must write an essay stating who they are, what their dreams are, how they will contribute to the community in the future, and why they need or want orthodontic treatment. Written consent from the parent of the student will be required, too.

For information and questions, email , or call 813-321-0084.

Dean’s list
John Martinez, of Dade City, has been named to the Union University Dean’s List for the fall 2021 semester.

Founded in 1823 and affiliated with the Tennessee Baptist Convention, Union University is characterized by quality Christ-centered teaching and learning. Union offers liberal arts training in more than 100 majors and programs of study, along with professional programs in business, education and nursing.

Bridging the gap
Most college-bound students qualify for financial aid to help pay for their education, such as federal and state grants, scholarships and federal loans.

Some students may find that these programs do not cover all the costs of college, according to a Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) news release.

Because interest rates on private loans depend on the borrower’s credit rating, students may have to pay higher rates than they would on federal student loans.

In addition, many lenders require students to have a cosigner, and most require the college to certify that the student needs the loan, the release says.

Students and parents should compare the private loans offered by various lenders to find the best possible deal.

For information about KHEAA services, visit KHEAA.com.

Student aid options
Veterans and members of the U.S. armed forces and National Guard may be able to take advantage of numerous student aid programs to help pay for college or technical training, according to the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA), in a news release.

The federal government offers programs for the dependents of veterans and service members, too. These include:

  • GI Bill benefits, first passed for veterans of World War II. There are several versions, and more changes are coming as a result of the Forever GI Bill passed in 2017, the release says. Visit Benefits.va.gov/gibill/ for options and information.
  • Federal Tuition Assistance, for active duty members of all branches of the armed forces, including the Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserves. For information, contact the college financial aid office or unit education officer.
  • Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants, for students who had a parent or guardian die as the result of military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after Sept. 10, 2001. For information, visit StudentAid.ed.gov/sa/, and look under “Types of Aid.”

Fee adjustment meeting
The Pasco-Hernando State College’s District Board of Trustees (DBOT) will consider approving proposed adjusted course-related fees at its Jan. 18 board meeting.

Fee adjustment proposals are reviewed and approved for DBOT consideration by PHSC’s Council of Academic Affairs, a committee that includes representation by administrators, deans, academic department chairs, program directors, faculty and staff.

Many fee adjustments relate to vendor increases for workforce courses, laboratories, and program testing.

Some fees may be covered by financial aid, scholarships and grants.

For details regarding proposed fee adjustments, justification for the fees and fee implementation details, visit Policies.phsc.edu, and click on Policies and Procedures, Public Disclosure.

New bell times await students

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Pasco County Schools wants to remind students and parents of the changes that are being put in place for when students return after Winter Break.

New bell times begin on Jan. 4; if you are unsure of the new time for your student, visit Pasco.k12.fl.us.

Bus passes are now available in myStudent. The district sent an email notifying parents of the updated bus information. If the email was not received, call the bus garage in your area.

The bus garage phone numbers are as follows:

West Compound: 727-774-0400

Northwest Compound: 727-774-0540

Central Compound: 813-794-0520

East Compound: 352-524-0560

Southeast Compound: 813-794-0500

Temporary delays can be expected. These delays will be reduced, as everyone adjusts to the new schedule.

Pasco County Schools will have safety precautions in place, just as it did during the first week of school.

Published December 29, 2021

Pasco County Schools continue to add more school choices

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The Pasco County School Board recently approved the conversion of two existing elementary schools into Science Technology Engineering Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) magnet schools.

The board voted on Dec. 14 to shift the boundaries for Centennial Elementary School, in Dade City and for Marlowe Elementary School in New Port Richey into the boundaries of nearby schools.

The conversion to the new approach to learning will take place beginning in the fall of the 2022-2023 school year.

A new 6-12 STEAM magnet school is expected to open in the fall of 2023, near Moffitt Cancer Center’s planned Pasco campus. The acronym STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

Centennial Elementary will provide a convenient option for students and families in East Pasco, to explore the same educational opportunities as those offered at Sanders Elementary STEAM Magnet School, in Land O’ Lakes. Marlowe will do the same in West Pasco.

Sanders recently received national recognition for the quality of its programs.

Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation, under construction on Curley Road in East Pasco, will open during the fall of the 2022-2023 school year.

The school is expected to have an enrollment of 1,000 students and its programs will include digital technology, engineering, biomedical science, transportation and building technology.

The 104-acre school site is about 3 miles due east of Interstate 75.

A number of career and technical education labs are planned, including those designed for digital media, engineering robotics, biomedical and patient care.

Automotive, diesel, welding, construction, electrical and cybersecurity programs are planned, as well. The diesel program will be one of just a few in Florida.

The school district also is expected to open a new 6-12 STEAM magnet program in Land O’ Lakes, near Moffitt Cancer Center’s planned Pasco County campus.

School district and Moffitt officials are already in discussion regarding the vast potential for unique learning opportunities for students who will be attending that school.

The school, which is expected to open in the fall of 2023, is planned on an 18.8-acre site within Angeline, south of State Road 52, north of the future Ridge Road extension and west of Sunlake Boulevard, according to Ajax’s website.

These schools are just a few of the educational options that Pasco parents can choose for their students.

Those wishing to know more can visit the school district’s website to peruse the Pasco Schools Pathways school choice catalog to find out more about program offerings.

The window for applications opens at 8 a.m. on Jan. 6 and closes on Jan. 20 at 4:30 p.m.

Window for school choice opens Jan. 6
The application window for Pasco Pathways School Choice opens on Jan. 6 at 8 a.m. and closes on Jan. 20, at 4:30 p.m.

This will be the only application window for all grade levels, and it will be for all school choice options, including STEM and STEAM magnet schools, Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation, Wendell Krinn Technical High School, International Baccalaureate (IB), and the Cambridge Programme.

The Pasco Pathways Innovative Programs and School Choice application will be available for parents via the myStudent parent portal. Parents who don’t already have an account may establish a myStudent account by clicking on the myStudent link.

Go the Pasco County Schools website to find out more. The school district’s website is www.pasco.k12.fl.us/

Published December 29, 2021

No such thing as a typical day for this award-winning leader

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Melissa Musselwhite, the director of student support programs and services, often begins her day around 6 a.m., and wraps it up around 7 p.m.

But those are on days when there’s not some sort of crisis going on, because in her role in Pasco County Schools, she’s on the front-end of dealing with crises.

During the midst of COVID-19, for instance, she’s been immersed in Pasco County Schools’ efforts to deal with the disruptive virus.

Beyond that, she leads a department that has roughly 400 employees.

Melissa Musselwhite is Pasco County Schools’ District Administrator of the Year. She oversees a department of about 400 staffers and has been the point person in the system’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. (B.C. Manion)

Her performance recently led to her recognition as Pasco County Schools’ District Administrator of the Year.

She received word of the honor last month during a visit by the district’s “Surprise Patrol” made up of Superintendent Kurt Browning, Pasco School Board members and Stacey Capogrosso, the executive director of the Pasco Education Foundation.

The nomination submitted on Musselwhite’s behalf, reads in part: “Melissa has been the face of the COVID response for our district. She has been professional, thorough and endlessly patient. Melissa leads a large department that has continued to move forward in spite of her being tasked with all things COVID.

“Melissa has been unwavering in her dedication to this school district,” the nomination adds.

It also notes her exceptional efforts in coordinating testing sites and vaccine clinics, while leading her department.

The nomination also lists other attributes, including “leadership, positivity, dedication, kindness, decision-making skills, optimism and (a) constant effort to support every single person around her.”

Not only has the administrator carried the district through challenging times, the nomination said, “she has modeled for us all what it means to be the calm in the storm and the thoughtful leader everyone needs during such intense times.”

Musselwhite is gratified by the honor, but is quick to point out that any accolades she receives are a reflection of the dedicated work of the employees in the department she leads.

“I couldn’t do this job without them,” she said. “I feel like I’m kind of the conductor of keeping the work moving.”

Her responsibilities are extensive.

She describes her department as a four-legged stool that includes special programs; school services (including school nurse, school psychologists and school counseling); state and federal programs; and, compliance and discipline.

Being valued and valuing others
Besides the support she receives from her staff, Musselwhite also credits the assistant superintendents and the superintendent for giving her the freedom to do her job.

“They have such respect for me and really value my decision-making and my input, that I feel blessed to have that, as a part of my work,” she said.

“They give me autonomy because they trust that we’re going to do what’s right.

“They allowed us to work collaboratively with the community, like the department of health, different agencies.

“They also allow that flexibility and for us to have a voice.

“I think that’s what makes me energetic. I feel like the department is valued in our system and that we continue to have the ability to make a difference for kids in so many aspects in our district,” she said.

“I’m allowed to disagree. We can have a healthy debate,” she said, adding she hasn’t always been in a position where it felt safe to do that.

She wants her staff to feel equally empowered.

“I don’t want them (staff) to agree with me because I don’t know everything. So, I want to pushback. I want you to tell me you think this should look differently,” she said.

As a leader, she said, she tries to make sure “that people feel that they’re a part of, and valued in, what we’re doing.”

She said she leads a staff that plays an invaluable role in the district.

“The work we do every day to support children — whether it’s with their health needs, whether it’s because they’re English language learners, whether it’s because parents have concerns about the services; or, it’s discipline — everybody works collectively for the same purpose of making sure that students receive a great education here in Pasco,” Musselwhite said

Her profile, she acknowledged, has been raised through her role during COVID.

“I have been the lead communicator of that. I am probably more forward-facing than I had been in previous years. I’ve been communicating the good and the bad, for families, for staff, for the community,” she said.

No doubt, COVID’s impacts have been widespread.

“It’s been tough,” the district administrator said. “You can definitely see the stressors on the families. People lost jobs. Some of them lost a family member or multiple family members, or a combination of those.”

A career path with varied roles
Musselwhite began her career in Pasco County Schools in 1996 as a teacher of specific learning disabilities. She next taught children with autism, then became a behavioral specialist at the school level before becoming a district-based behavioral specialist.

Next, she became the supervisor for programs for children with autism.

After that, she was director of human resources for one year before becoming the director of exceptional student education in 2012. That department was combined with student services, she said.

“From there, it kind of morphed. We also absorbed state and federal programs; and that includes Title 1, Charter Schools, private schools, home education, grants and we had school choice for a little bit, but that has now gone to leading and learning.”

She said one of her favorite parts of her job involves attending a Special Olympics competition and watching the interaction between athletes, and seeing the joy on the faces of athletes, families and coaches.

The worst part of her job, she said, is “when we expel a kid for a year or a year and a half. It’s really hard.”

Her days are unpredictable.

“There’s no set schedule. It truly can be a 24-hour job, unfortunately. But I know that and I’m committed to that,” she said.

The state has implemented a plan called Fortify Florida, which means calls come in whenever there’s a viable threat.

She’s one of the receivers of those calls, which also go to law enforcement and the school.

“If it’s something we need to respond to, we get up and respond to it,” she said.

“Sadly, if there’s a student that passes away or an employee, and we get notified in the night, we will work on setting up the crisis team for the morning.

“Regularly, I’m either up at 5 a.m. working on things, or I’m up at midnight because there’s a missing student.

“There’s not a day I don’t take a call before I leave the house — I’m on the phone in the car,” she said.

Despite that busy schedule, though, Musselwhite said she prioritizes time with her two sons, 15-year-old Landon and 13-year-old Nolan, who attend district schools.

She also prizes the close relationships she shares with her sister Astrid Willard, with her twin brother Scott Eaton, and with a group of close-knit friends.

Musselwhite understands the impact that educators can have on others.

She still recalls the kindness of her music teacher, Miss Jewel, at Town ‘N Country Elementary School, and the support she received from her drama teacher, Miss Gaudian, at Leto High School.

“The two of them, forever, made me know what a difference teachers could make,” Musselwhite said.

Published December 22, 2021

Chalk Talk 12/22/2021

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Bringing the holiday spirit to families in need
Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’Lakes Woman’s Club donated Christmas gift items to several families in need, so that they, too, can have a happy holiday with presents under their tree. The ladies worked with three local schools — Connerton Elementary, Land O’ Lakes; Lutz Elementary; and Miles Elementary, Tampa — and delivered requested items from each family member’s wish list.

Club members Lori Zublena, left, and Sabrina Scott, stand in front of Lutz Elementary School, ready to drop off gifts. (Courtesy of Patricia Serio)
Woman’s club member Pat Wagner, right, delivers gifts to a Connerton Elementary staff member.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aquaponics project unveiled
The students at Wendell Krinn Technical High School on Dec. 10 hosted a grand opening of its KTech Aquaponics Project, according to a news release.

Aquaponics is a way for students to gain hands-on, practical experience by applying what they are learning in their technical education programs.

The project incorporates the combined skills of the school’s many technical programs, including engineering, robotics, welding, electricity and cybersecurity.

The result is a structure that produces green, leafy vegetables and herbs, as well as raises tilapia fish, using the classic application of the principles of aquaponics, a sustainable system that combines hydroponics (growing plants without soil) and aquaculture (farming fish), the release says.

In this project, the fish provide nutrients that benefit the plants, and the plants filter and clean the water for the fish.

“This has really been a team effort,” said KTech Principal Chris Dunning, in the release.

Students studying welding and electricity built the structures. The robotics team built a robotic arm that will feed the fish. The cybersecurity students installed cameras to monitor the fish, and the culinary arts program prepares the fish and the vegetables.

New bell times await students
Pasco County Schools wants to remind students and parents of some of the changes that are being put in place for when students return after Winter Break.

New bell times begin on Jan. 4 and are available online at tinyurl.com/53xekftj.

Bus passes are now available in myStudent. The district sent an email notifying parents of the updated bus information. If not received, call the bus garage in your area.

The bus garage phone numbers are as follows:

West Compound: 727-774-0400
Northwest Compound: 727-774-0540
Central Compound: 813-794-0520
East Compound: 352-524-0560
Southeast Compound: 813-794-0500

Temporary delays can be expected. These delays will be reduced, as everyone adjusts to the new schedule.

Pasco County Schools will have safety precautions in place, just as it did during the first week of school.

Fee adjustment meeting
The Pasco-Hernando State College’s District Board of Trustees (DBOT) will consider approving proposed adjusted course-related fees at its Jan. 18 board meeting.

Fee adjustment proposals are reviewed and approved for DBOT consideration by PHSC’s Council of Academic Affairs, a committee that includes representation by administrators, deans, academic department chairs, program directors, faculty and staff.

Many fee adjustments relate to vendor increases for workforce courses, laboratories, and program testing.

Some fees may be covered by financial aid, scholarships and grants.

For details regarding proposed fee adjustments, justification for the fees and fee implementation details, visit Policies.phsc.edu, and click on Policies and Procedures, Public Disclosure.

Financial aid tip
Students should learn an important phrase in the language of student aid — satisfactory academic progress (SAP) — according to a Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) news release.

All colleges that award federal student aid must have SAP standards, which are based on three key areas: GPA, pace and a maximum time frame.

The GPA that students are required to have may vary by school, major, and whether a student is pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree.

Pace means that students have to pass a stated percentage of the classes they take, in a given period of time. This also may vary by college.

The maximum time frame SAP standard means that a student may have to finish his or her degree within a given number of attempted credit hours.

KHEAA is a public, nonprofit agency that provides information about financial aid and financial literacy at no cost to students and parents.

Visit KHEAA.com for more information.

Chalk Talk 12/15/2021

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New resource store
Teachers in Pasco County have a new source for collecting much-needed school supplies for their classrooms, thanks to the Pasco Education Foundation and donors.

The Wise Supplies store at the District Office in Land O’ Lakes officially opened on Dec. 8 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, according to a news release.

“This is going to be a tremendous resource for our teachers,” said Pasco Superintendent Kurt Browning, in the release.

“We all know that teachers spend some of their own money to provide extras for their students. Now, they can arrange to visit Wise Supplies and get those supplies for free,” said Browning.

President of the Pasco Education Foundation Stacey Capogrosso said, “We are so excited to launch our Wise Supplies Center. This has been a vision for quite some time and is now a reality. Wise Supplies allows Pasco County Schools teachers to shop at no cost for essential supplies, ensuring that all students have access to equitable resources.”

The supply center is supported by community partners like Suncoast Credit Union, Creative Contractors, Florida Avenue Brewing, Florida Medical Clinic Foundation of Caring, Volkswagen of Wesley Chapel, and Lutz Walmart.

For information on the store, visit PascoEducationFoundation.org.

Breakfast with Santa
The Cypress Creek High School girls’ lacrosse team will host an inaugural Pancake Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 18 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., in the school’s cafeteria, 8701 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel.

Those attending will be served a pancake breakfast catered by Mind Over Matter Meals.

Santa will be on site for family photos, and there will be Christmas movies on a big screen, cookie decorating, and holiday music.

Tickets are $10, and $5 for children younger than age 10.

To purchase tickets, visit tinyurl.com/4pmc5yxv.

New bell times await students
Pasco County Schools wants to remind students and parents of some of the changes that are being put in place for when students return after Winter Break.

New bell times begin on Jan. 4 and are available online at tinyurl.com/53xekftj.

Bus passes are now available in myStudent. The district sent an email notifying parents of the updated bus information. If not received, call the bus garage in your area.

The bus garage phone numbers are as follows:

West Compound: 727-774-0400

Northwest Compound: 727-774-0540

Central Compound: 813-794-0520

East Compound: 352-524-0560

Southeast Compound: 813-794-0500

Temporary delays can be expected. These delays will be reduced, as everyone adjusts to the new schedule.

Pasco County Schools will have safety precautions in place, just as it did during the first week of school.

Students & checking fees
Students interested in opening a checking account first should research the fees that may be charged by a financial institution.

Understanding service fees can help students choose the best option and can save money, according to the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA), in a news release.

Establishing good financial practices early is essential for students, to build a financial future.

Fees vary by institution. The most common are maintenance and overdraft fees.

To avoid maintenance fees, a minimum daily or an average daily balance may be required.

To avoid a monthly fee, enough money has to be deposited in the account to meet the minimum balance requirement.

Overdraft or non-sufficient funds fees occur when a transaction costs more than the amount of money in the account. These fees can be expensive.

Most institutions will offer overdraft protection to cover the transaction, but there will be a fee each time.

ATM fees are another cost factor to consider.

Financial institutions charge a fee when an ATM is used that isn’t part of its network. In addition, you can be charged a separate fee by the ATM owner.

KHEAA is a public, nonprofit agency that aims to improve students’ access to college, as well as provide information about financial aid and financial literacy at no cost to the students and parents.

Visit KHEAA.com for information.

Pasco schools want state to reconsider special ed rule

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The Pasco County School Board and district officials are asking state officials to take another look at a state rule change they believe could have negative consequences on students with significant cognitive impairments.

Changes in the state rule, which took effect this school year, impact the district’s ability to deliver a modified curriculum to teach students with severe cognitive impairments and to evaluate them using an alternate assessment.

The rule change essentially eliminated the ability to use that approach for all severely cognitively impaired kindergartners, and severely restricted the option for all students who have an IQ of 68 or more.

The problem, according to the Pasco County School Board and the district’s administration, is that children who began kindergarten this year may have already been receiving a modified curriculum while enrolled in programs since the age of 2, but are not provided that option this year.

And, older students who had been receiving the less rigorous coursework — with the goal of helping them achieve to the best of their potential — can no longer qualify, except in extraordinary circumstance, if they have an IQ of 68 or higher.

Melissa Musselwhite, the district’s director of student support and services, laid out the district’s concerns during a Nov. 16 school board meeting.

During the session, school board members also expressed concerns and authorized school board member Colleen Beaudoin to work with Musselwhite to write a letter that will be sent to Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran, members of the state board of education, and legislative leaders. That letter is expected to be sent this week.

Musselwhite briefed the board on the background leading up to the current situation.

Years ago, the Florida Legislature recognized there’s a barrier with educating students with significant cognitive disabilities using standardized curriculum and assessments, Musselwhite said.

So, a state rule sets the eligibility criteria for students to be taught using a modified curriculum and evaluated through an alternate assessment.

But a state rule change that took effect this year removes the alternative option for all kindergartners, Musselwhite said. Now, they must be taught and tested using general education curriculum and standards.

That change does not take into account the severity of the child’s cognitive disability or the child’s IQ, she said.

Musselwhite said she’s concerned “that these students will start their educational career off struggling, which will impact them not only educationally, but socially and psychologically, as they progress through the educational system.

“For many of them, they will likely spend the rest of their education struggling, trying to catch up for what could be seen as a lost year of educational opportunity,” she said.

To force districts to comply with the rule change, the state deleted the kindergarten access courses from its course code directory — allowing only general education courses as an option for scheduling, Musselwhite said.

The state rule change also requires students to have an IQ of 67 or below, regardless of grade level, to qualify for the modified curriculum and alternate assessment, Musselwhite said.

That strict cutoff applies, except in extraordinary circumstances, she said.

The rule doesn’t take into account “other exceptionalities that may impact that student’s ability to learn or demonstrate mastery of the educational concepts taught to them,” she said.

For instance, she said, a student who has severe autism, language deficiencies, hearing impairment, orthopedic disabilities and an IQ of 68 would not qualify, while a student with an IQ of 67 and no other impairments would.

In essence, the rule bars the district’s staff and its Individual Education Plan teams from using their professional judgment in planning for and educating students, Musselwhite said.

She’s concerned that students who don’t meet the IQ standard, but have a multitude of co-existing disabilities, could be destined for frustration and failure.

Another big concern is that the rule change could affect students in any grade — meaning they could be going down one educational path for years and then suddenly be shifted.

She expressed it to school board members this way: “The arbitrary and capricious decision to impact a student’s education based solely on IQ score, without considering the student as a whole, and without taking into account that student’s individualized needs, is completely contrary to the underlying concepts of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).”

That act was created to protect students with disabilities and ensure they are treated fairly through the provision of a free and appropriate public education, she said.

Under IDEA, students with disabilities are entitled to an educational plan that is specifically tailored to their individualized needs and abilities.

The new rule permits an exception to the 67 IQ  limit, in extraordinary circumstance, but the Florida Department of Education would need to approve the process the district would use and, so far, no guidance has been provided on what a permissible process would be, Musselwhite said.

Musselwhite noted that the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) permits the usage of alternate assessments, but limits that to 1% of the total student population.

The problem, Musselwhite said, is that the actual need for the approach in any particular school system could exceed 1%.

Musselwhite said the state is currently seeking comment for a waiver to exceed the 1% requirement.

School Board Chairwoman Cynthia Armstrong said she thinks the results of this year’s state rule change may be an unintended consequence of trying to comply with the ESSA 1% rule. She said the district should pursue legislative action in the coming session to address the issue.

In later interviews, both Beaudoin and Musselwhite said they hope parents — whose children could face significant impacts — will express their concerns to legislators.

Beaudoin also said it’s important for the district to act on behalf of the students who could face negative impacts because of the change.

“If this was my kid, I would be up in arms,” Beaudoin said.

Published December 08, 2021

Charter school coming to Connerton

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Pasco County Schools and Connerton Property Charter LLC, the developer of Connerton, have approved an agreement regarding the construction of a charter school, in the master-planned community off of U.S. 41, in Land O’ Lakes.

The school will be built on a site including 14.2 acres within Villages 3 and 4 of Connerton.

The developer and school board also have approved a step-in agreement, in the event it is needed in the future.

The board approved the agreements at its Nov. 16 meeting. The items were part of the board’s consent agenda, meaning they were approved along with other items without discussion, in a single action.

Under the charter school agreement, the developer will build a K-8 charter school that will have the capacity for 1,400 students, according to the board’s agenda packet.

Plans call for a campus with single- and two-story tilt-wall buildings up to 118,000 square feet.

The project will include a black box theater and a “cafetorium” with a similar style and finish of the Pinecrest Academy K-8 charter school in Avalon Park West.

There also will be athletic fields, circulation and parking.

The current proposal calls for the charter school to be a Pinecrest Academy Charter School, but the developer has the right to use any charter school that has an approved charter with the school board.

The goal is to open the new charter school in the 2023 school year.

The agreement also notes that the charter school shall be designed and constructed according to 2020 State Requirements for Educational Facilities, and the design is subject to review and approval by the director of construction services or a designee, the board materials say.

Once the charter school is complete and students are enrolled, the entity that paid for the design, permitting and construction of the charter school shall be entitled to school impact fee credits.

The agreement states that the maximum amount of fee credits shall not exceed $27,932,800, which is based on 1,400 student stations multiplied by $19,952 per student station.

Also, the land value for the fee credits shall be based on the actual purchase price, including closing costs, paid by the developer, the agreement says.

The agreements also spell out how those fee credits shall be paid and what will happen, in the event that the property ceases to be used as a charter school.

Published December 08, 2021

Chalk Talk 12/08/2021

By

(Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

Promoting a love for reading
Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club donated and assembled ‘Snuggle Bunnies,’ which included a storybook, a little flashlight, and a warm, snuggly fleece blanket. The woman’s club delivered 91 bundles to Lutz Elementary School to be distributed to each first-grader. The purpose of these gifts is to encourage the kids, at a very young age, to develop a love of reading, which will hopefully last a lifetime. From left: Renate Mastandrea, Lucy Albury, Ellen Brayton, Sabrina Scott, Cheryl Winegar and Faith Sincich (not pictured) delivered the Snuggle Bunnies to the school. For more information on this volunteer service organization, visit GFWCLutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org, or its Facebook page.

One Book, One School
The Rotary Clubs of Zephyrhills Daybreak and Port Richey made a donation of $4,674.80 to Chasco Middle School’s Literacy Program called One Book, One School.

The program is designed to create a shared reading experience across an entire school.

Students listen to the teacher read a chapter from a book they are currently reading and then take part in answering questions, with the opportunity to win prizes.

Cory Sommers, a Zephyrhills Daybreak Rotarian and an assistant principal at Chasco Middle School, made the request for the donation to support the literacy program.

The donation was made possible by a Rotary District Matching Grant along with a club fundraiser.

Employees of the Year
Pasco County Schools’ employees of the year were surprised with their honors by Superintendent Kurt Browning, school board members, and Pasco Education Foundation Executive Director Stacey Capogrosso.

The annual awards recognize outstanding employees who go above and beyond to serve Pasco County students, and strive to better the lives of others at their schools, worksites, and in their communities.

This year’s winners are:

  • Melissa Caruso – Assistant Principal of the Year
  • Melissa Musselwhite – District Administrator of the Year
  • Aimee Starkey – Non-bargaining Employee of the Year
  • Dee Dee Johnson – Principal of the Year
  • Joann Ortiz Ramos – School Related Personnel of the Year
  • Ryan Bintz – Teacher of the Year

“Congratulations to this year’s remarkable group of winners,” said Browning, in a news release. “I am extremely proud to know that we have exemplary staff members like this working in our district. It has been an honor to visit them and let them know that they are truly making a difference in the lives of everyone around them.”

Photos and videos of the surprises can be found on the district’s social media channels, Twitter and Facebook.

Student news
Payton VanNort, of Lutz, recently was a crew member for Marietta College’s (Ohio) performances of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” in the Friederich Theater. VanNort, who is majoring in theater, served as an assistant stage manager in the production.

Breakfast with Santa
The Cypress Creek High School girls’ lacrosse team will host an inaugural Pancake Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 18 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., in the school’s cafeteria, 8701 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel.

Those attending will be served a pancake breakfast catered by Mind Over Matter Meals.

Santa will be on site for family photos, and there will be Christmas movies on a big screen, cookie decorating, and holiday music.

Tickets are $10, and $5 for children younger than age 10.

To purchase tickets, visit tinyurl.com/4pmc5yxv.

(Courtesy of Joan Midgett)

‘Top Dog’ students recognized
Students from Stewart Middle School recently were recognized as Top Dogs, through a program that was started more than 30 years ago to honor students for academics and their leadership  roles in the school. Each honoree received a goody bag and a Tog Dog key chain. Shown are the students honored for the first quarter: Andrea Zayas Santiago, Kingston McCollough, Lily Mahon Garcia, Ja’nae Jenrette, Adriana Mendoza, Nathaniel Webb and Jeszaya Conner. Addysen Reynolds was also recognized, but is not pictured.