Education

Chalk Talk 06/09/2021

June 8, 2021 By Mary Rathman

Pasco High senior receives scholarship
The Republican Party of Pasco scholarship committee selected Pasco High School senior Brian Schildt as a scholarship recipient. Schildt’s application was evaluated by the committee and received a high score. Points were given for GPA, community volunteer hours, school clubs, awards, sports and activities, political involvement and an essay. Other student scholarship recipients included one student each from Wiregrass Ranch High and Land O’ Lakes High, and two students from J.W. Mitchell High. From left: Jean Nathe, Republican Party of Pasco scholarship committee; Brian Schildt; Rep. Randy Maggard, District 38; and Debbie Murray, Republican Party of Pasco scholarship committee.

Summer food service
Pasco County School’s Summer Food Service program was set to begin on June 8 and continue through July 27, at selected school campuses and at bus stop locations around the county.

All school location meal packs will contain seven breakfasts and seven lunches, and will be provided curbside on Tuesdays only, between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., to anyone age 18 and younger.

East Pasco school sites include: Cypress Creek High, Double Branch Elementary, New River Elementary, Pasco High, Quail Hollow Elementary, R.B. Cox Elementary, R.B. Stewart Middle, San Antonio Elementary, Sand Pine Elementary, Watergrass Elementary, Wesley Chapel Elementary, Wesley Chapel High, West Zephyrhills Elementary, Wiregrass Ranch High and Woodland Elementary.

In Central Pasco: Connerton Elementary, Lake Myrtle Elementary, Oakstead Elementary, Odessa Elementary, Sanders Memorial and Sunlake High.

Students attending PLACE or Extended School Year programs at the schools will receive their meals on campus and are not eligible to participate in curbside meal pickup.

School bus stops will distribute meal packs on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

For bus stop locations and menus, and to participate in the meal pickups, visit tinyurl.com/3mp6x4dh.

For questions, email .

Essay contest draws students
The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club sponsored an essay contest for Lutz Elementary School second-graders, on the topic of “Would you rather play indoors or outdoors?”

Fifty-nine students submitted entries, and retired elementary school teacher and club member Pat Wagner and her granddaughter judged the submissions.

The winner of the contest was presented with a blue scooter, donated by club education chair and member Faith Sincich.

Each student received a participation ribbon, as well.

SONIC donates to teachers
To honor the creative efforts that teachers have made to maneuver the ever-shifting learning environments and keep students engaged this past year, SONIC Drive-In donated $1.5 million to teacher requests on the national education nonprofit site, DonorsChoose.com, on Teacher Appreciation Day in May, according to a news release.

The brand matched 50% of each donation made to all teacher requests on DonorsChoose.

In Odessa, one teacher from Walker Middle School received a combined donation of $140 for a Salty and Sweet Rewards project and a Fidget Fun project.

In New Port Richey, two teachers received a combined donation of $773 — Calusa Elementary School for a Classroom Resources project and Longleaf Elementary for a Calm Corner Connections project.

Unlimited bus rides
Students can ride Pasco County Public Transportation (PCPT) Department buses on regular routes all summer for just $20.

The special student rate is effective now through Aug. 31.

The Summer Haul Pass can be purchased at these locations:

Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Office, West and East Pasco Government Centers
Pasco-Hernando State College bookstores in Dade City, New Port Richey and Wesley Chapel
PCPT Administrative Office, 8620 Galen Wilson Blvd., Port Richey
All Pasco County Libraries

For information about the pass, bus routes and schedules, visit RidePCPT.com.

School supply drive
DAVRON, a local executive search and outplacement firm in Land O’ Lakes, will host a school supply drive through June 28, to benefit Christian Social Services (CSS) of Land O’ Lakes.

CSS provides food, clothing, supportive services and Christian hospitality to families and individuals in central Pasco and northern Hillsborough counties.

For each donation, a raffle ticket will be given to be entered into a live drawing for a chance to win prizes from local businesses, such as restaurant gift cards, trampoline park admission tickets, and more.

DAVRON also will host a company fishing tournament for staff, and for every fish caught, DAVRON will donate $10 to CSS.

Donations of school supplies, backpacks and lunch boxes can be dropped off at the DAVRON office, 6753 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Student achievements
• Roland Anthony Chacon, of Lutz, was named to the honor roll of the academic dean at Mars Hill University, North Carolina.
• Amanda Clifford, of Lutz, earned a Master of Arts from The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa.
• Moriah Davis, of Lutz, received a Bachelor of Science in Commerce & Business Administration from The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa.
• Kayla Mains, of Lutz, earned a Bachelor of Science in mathematics education at Union University, Jackson, Tennessee.
• John Martinez, of Wesley Chapel, was named to the spring dean’s list at Union University, Jackson, Tennessee.
• Rylind Robinson, of Wesley Chapel, was recognized to the spring dean’s list at Shorter University, Rome, Georgia. Robinson is majoring in interdisciplinary studies.

Chalk Talk 06/02/2021

June 1, 2021 By Mary Rathman

Woman’s group bestows scholarship
The GFWC Wesley Chapel Woman’s Group raised money for a $500 college scholarship and sifted through numerous applications to honor one graduate. Kayla Mys, a Wesley Chapel High School student, was chosen because of her volunteer work with many different organizations, including Special Olympics, and reading to children in schools and libraries during COVID-19. Mys’ goal is to continue to help others, as well as earn a bachelor degree as an occupational therapist. From left: Marie Ambrosino, education chairman of the woman’s group; Kayla Mys; and Cindi Nalon, woman’s group president.

Chamber awards students
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce awarded seven scholarships, for a total of $3,500, to seven Zephyrhills High School seniors, during the Pasco Education Foundation online scholarship ceremony last month.

Recipients of the chamber scholarships were selected based on community service, presentation, character and academic achievement.

These students were each awarded $500 for the Academic and Vocational Scholarships:

Hailey Cameron: Pasco-Hernando State College
Clayton Cornelius: University of South Florida
Melody Holloway: Saint Leo University
Daisy Martinez: Pasco-Hernando State College
Gisele Navarra: Saint Leo University
Jaiden Ryker: University of Cincinnati, Ohio
Yahir Torrs: University of South Florida

Student achievements
GentleCare Pet Hospital in Land O’ Lakes announced that its technician, Shelby Brown, has been accepted to the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. Brown has been with the pet hospital for more than a year.

Also, GentleCare’s part-time assistant Allen Felipe, a graduate of Wesley Chapel High School, received the National Merit Scholarship and will be attending the University of Florida, focusing on mathematics.

Graduations to allow more guests
High school graduates in Pasco County will be allowed to invite additional guests and family members to outdoor graduations, and social distancing at the events will no longer be required, according to a Pasco County Schools news release.

The elimination of the limitations and restrictions was announced after a review of COVID-19 data in schools and in the community.

The mask requirement remains in place for indoor graduations.

Prior to the announcement, graduates in Pasco County had been limited to four guests each.

Now, graduates will be allowed to have two guests join them seated on the field, with additional guests seated in the bleachers.

Graduates and their families are asked to be aware that the availability of seating will vary due to the size of the venue.

Academy graduates inaugural class
The Global Prospects Academy (GPA) at AdventHealth Center Ice in Wesley Chapel on May 21 graduated its inaugural class.

A total of 15 students completed the academic and athletic curriculum as established by the GPA and its official educational partner, North Tampa Christian Academy, according to a news release.

Global Prospects is an elite development academy featuring the highest levels of training in the sport of hockey, ice skating, and sports performance/recovery, accompanied by an educational curriculum partnership for the student of the future.

The program encompasses training platforms for ages 8 to 17.

Access to educational freedom allows flexibility to the student and the family, and the ability to excel in both sports and academics, according to the GPA.

Global Sports is dedicated to establishing self-motivated members of the hockey community, and is determined to create a solid foundation, balancing both a strong academic focus and a dynamic sports program that sets well-rounded student-athletes up for success both on and off the ice.

North Tampa Christian Academy provides an immersive on-campus experience that encourages innovation through project-based learning and thematic structure.

For information, contact Jim Charos at 813-803-7264 or .

Road closes for graduation
The City of Zephyrhills will close the following roadways on June 2, between 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., for the Zephyrhills High School graduation car parade.
• both eastbound turn lanes on U.S. 301 at the intersection of Fifth Avenue|
• from the corner of Ninth Avenue and 11th Street to Fifth Avenue and 11th Street
• from Fifth Avenue and 11th Street to Fifth Avenue and Seventh Street

Chalk Talk 05/26/2021

May 25, 2021 By Mary Rathman

Local student receives award
Each year, the City of Tampa Water Department recognizes outstanding STEM Fair projects at the elementary, junior and senior school levels with the Drinking Water Award. Lilienn Carpenter, a fifth-grade student at Sunlake Academy of Math & Science, in Lutz, this year received the award in the Hillsborough County elementary division, presented by Mayor Jane Castor. Carpenter competed with 1,800 other elementary students in Hillsborough County.

Student achievements

Andrea Denton, of Wesley Chapel, was recognized to the Provost’s Honor Roll at Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, Texas. Denton is majoring in respiratory care.
Timothy John Elko, of Lutz, was named to the University of Mississippi, Oxford spring Dean’s Honor Roll.

Local graduates
The University of Tampa (UT) hosted a virtual ceremony on May 8 to honor 1,781 degree-seeking candidates at the school’s 152nd commencement.

The event was viewed online by the students, family members and friends, UT faculty and staff, and the general public.

Graduating students in The Laker/Lutz News area include:

Alex Prendes, of Odessa, Bachelor of Arts – history
Alex Riccio, of Lutz, Bachelor of Science – accounting
Breanna Sumner, of Lutz, Bachelor of Science – criminology and criminal justice
Brieanna Rekow, of Lutz, Bachelor of Science – human performance
Emalee Jansen, of Lutz, Bachelor of Science – accounting
Hayley Jewett, of Odessa, Bachelor of Arts – psychology
Kaitlyn Thomas, of Odessa, Bachelor of Arts – design
Kaylyn Burroughs, of Odessa, Bachelor of Science – nursing
Lisa Jungmann, of Lutz, Bachelor of Science – criminology and criminal justice
Olivia Trinder, of Odessa, Bachelor of Science – nursing
Spender Anderson, of Odessa, Bachelor of Science – cybersecurity
Sydney Milton, of Lutz, Bachelor of Science – education, elementary
Terese Okulski, of Odessa, Bachelor of Science – nursing
Trevor Toma, of Lutz, Bachelor of Science – cybersecurity

Each graduate received a personalized video commemorating their achievement.

College transfer tips
The Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) offers these tips for students who plan to transfer between colleges this year.

Talk to a financial aid officer at your current school to ask if you owe anything or to find out if you can get a refund. Also make sure you have done everything you need to do to get financial aid when you transfer.

In addition, students should contact the registrar’s office at their new school to find out which current school credits and grades will transfer.

Each college should have a contact person who can answer any questions to help make the transition.

For more information, visit KHEAA.com.

Community service
The Goodwill-Suncoast volunteer program for high school students has pivoted to a virtual format this year.

Students in J.A.G. (Junior Ambassadors of Goodwill) can earn up to 25 hours of community service.

The virtual program allows students to volunteer on their own, at the direction of Goodwill Volunteer Services. Each program activity supports a different aspect of Goodwill’s mission.

To learn more, visit Goodwill-suncoast.org/junior-ambassadors.

Hillsborough Schools avoid state takeover

May 18, 2021 By B.C. Manion

Hillsborough County Schools will avoid a state takeover of its finances through the state’s agreement to provide a lump sum payment of $101 million in federal relief dollars.

Hillsborough Schools Superintendent Addison Davis and School Board Chair Lynn Gray held a joint news conference to announce the news and to talk about how the school district goes forward from here.

Hillsborough County Schools Superintendent Addison Davis

Davis said the release of the Elementary & Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) II funds, coupled with district cost control strategies, create an opportunity to move forward on solid financial footing.

He said the lump sum payment will allow the district to transfer some of its COVID-19 expenses — to free up some of its general fund dollars.

It also has allowed the district to meet the state’s fund balance requirement to avoid a financial takeover by the state — a prospect that has loomed large in recent months.

“This year has caused a lot of angst,” Davis said, noting that feeling of unease has been pervasive throughout the district at all levels, and within the community.

The district’s dire financial prospects prompted massive cuts.

“We started out around 1,600 positions that we thought we were going to have to cut in the spring. But after working with our school leaders, looking at master schedules, we drilled that all of the way down to around 715 positions that we had to cut,” Davis said.

While the district is trimming a sizable number of positions, the vast majority of employees will be retained — through attrition, retirement or transfers to new assignments.

As of last week, there were still 95 individuals who had not been placed, but the district continues to look for potential opportunities, Davis said.

“I do believe that the 95 number will potentially go away,” he said.

Besides reducing positions, Davis said the district has taken other cost-cutting measures.

For instance, it has sought ways to leverage federal funds, reduced overtime and renegotiated contracts, he said. Through its steps, it has recouped $55 million since January.

The district needs to make sure it has systemic reviews looking forward and uses organizational controls to ensure it doesn’t face the same financial problems in the future, the superintendent said.

Board Chair Gray put it this way: “Now, with the ESSER II dollars, we can stabilize our fund balance. We want to assure our community that the district is taking swift action to solve this financial emergency.

“Our goal is to be transparent throughout the entire process, with all of our stakeholders.

“To this end, we will be forming a financial advisory committee,” she said.

Davis said he and his staff and cabinet will take furlough days, but said district administrators — unlike previously planned — will not be furloughed this year or next.

While reducing expenses, the district also needs to boost revenue, Davis said.

To that end, it intends to ramp up its marketing — particularly of the district’s magnet programs — to entice more students to take advantage of the district’s offerings.

Increased support is essential, too, he said.

“We have to continue to galvanize as a community to push our local legislators, and also legislators throughout the state. We’ve got to continue to ask for additional funding in education,” Davis said.

Published May 19, 2021

Chalk Talk 05/19/2021

May 18, 2021 By Mary Rathman

Students earn merit recognition
Three students from Lexington Oaks were honored by the Lexington Oaks Women’s Club with a merit award and lunch at Glory Days. Each year, the women’s club provides monies to a few resident recipients to offset the cost of their college education. All Lexington Oaks high school seniors and college students can complete an application and submit it to the club’s merit award committee. The 2022 merit applications will be available in the Lexington Oaks Community Center, in October. The 2021 merit award winners are, from left, Jacqueline Maher, Joseph Vreeland and Taryn Clower.

Community service
The Goodwill-Suncoast volunteer program for high school students has pivoted to a virtual format this year.

Students in J.A.G. (Junior Ambassadors of Goodwill) can earn up to 25 hours of community service.

The virtual program allows students to volunteer on their own, at the direction of Goodwill Volunteer Services. Each program activity supports a different aspect of Goodwill’s mission.

To learn more, visit Goodwill-suncoast.org/junior-ambassadors.

Student achievements

Garrett Evan Ashley, of Lutz, graduated from the University of Mississippi – Oxford with a Bachelor of Arts in Sport and Recreation Administration.
Jesse Andrew Fox, of Odessa, graduated from the University of Mississippi – Oxford with a Bachelor of Business Administration.
Ryan Furlong, of Lutz, participated in Virtual Service Week 2021 while pursuing a degree in Business Economics at Canisius College in Buffalo, New York. Themes during Virtual Service Week centered around social justice, health care and mental health, hunger and the homeless, the environment and sustainability, and issues on borders and migration.
Dinesh Kumar Kannabiran Vasudevan, of Odessa, completed a Master of Science in Project Management at the University of the Cumberlands, Williamsburg, Kentucky.
Jake Metrosky, of Land O’ Lakes, graduated magna cum laude from Flagler College in St. Augustine
Kobe Speros, of Land O’ Lakes, graduated from Flagler College in St. Augustine
Amy Stanton, of Odessa, was inducted into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, and initiated at Georgia College & State University, in Milledgeville, Georgia.

Hillel opens preschool
The Forman Early Learning Center, a Hillel-JCC Jewish preschool, will host a grand opening on May 23 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., at Hillel Academy, 2020 W. Fletcher Ave., in Tampa.

The expansion program includes children ages 1 to 4, to serve the growing need of Jewish early childhood education in northeast Tampa.

The new 6,500-square-foot center has 10,000 square feet of playground area, right on the academy’s campus.

The Hillel-JCC program is bilingual — Hebrew and English — and is focused on the growth of each and every child as he or she develops.

Children participate in experiential learning, through a Jewish lens, as they transition to elementary school.

In addition to outside time, the program includes music, art, cooking and physical education classes, and runs Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

During the grand opening, visitors can check out the classrooms, play on the playground, view the toddler teaching kitchen and meet the educators.

All children will receive a special gift, too.

Visit HillelAcademyTampa.com/academics/preschool, for information about the early learning center.

Financial aid tip
The federal government requires many students who submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASA) to verify information reported on the FAFSA, according to the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA). Parents also will have to provide information.

Students requiring verification are chosen by the U.S. Department of Education.

The KHEAA advises students and parents to take the verification process seriously, as any financial aid can be held back until the process is complete. Putting it off can lead to frustration if the process isn’t finished when classes are ready to start.

Colleges may do the verifications on their own or may contract with an agency to handle the process.

The KHEAA is a public, nonprofit agency established to improve student access to college. It provides information about financial aid and financial literacy at no cost to students and parents.

For information, visit KHEAA.com.

Montessori education uses a sensorial approach to learning

May 11, 2021 By B.C. Manion

The Lutz Montessori School, which officially opens on June 1, will provide a sensorial-based approach to education for children ages 2 through 6.

Initially, the school will offer a series of weeklong summer camps, each featuring a different theme that combines learning and fun.

Anisha and Pratik Patel are owners of the new Lutz Montessori School. The couple also owns Montessori at Trinity Oaks. (B.C. Manion)

The school will begin its academic year in the fall, following the Montessori method of education.

“We are a school, not a day care,” said Pratik Patel, who owns the school along with his wife, Anisha.

Anisha explained the school’s mission: “Our whole goal is to inspire a love for learning. We feel that kids, at this young age, if they love learning by using these Montessori materials, they’ll take that love of learning into their academic years — elementary school, middle school, high school and onward.

“I think the most unique thing about us is that we’re a sensorial-based curriculum.

“Everything is hands-on. That’s how little kids explore and learn,” she said.

Crystal Sithong is the director of the new Lutz Montessori School, at 5604 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road. She is holding a fish that has removable pieces, which is used to help the children learn about different parts of the fish’s body.

Crystal Sithong, the school’s director, explained that Montessori uses a teaching approach that combines children in age groups for learning.

It also is self-paced learning, allowing children who are learning at a faster rate to move ahead, while granting others more time to learn, if needed.

“If they’re ready for the next set of work, we’re going to advance them at their pace,” Anisha said.

Children also are given choices in which instructional materials they use to learn particular lessons.

“So, if we say we’re going to work on a science puzzle, we don’t say, ‘You have to work on the horse,’ and give them no choice.

“They have the freedom to go over to the science puzzle section and pick which science puzzle they’d like to work on,” Anisha said.

The exterior of the Lutz Montessori School.

Different teaching and learning approaches are used, too.

Instructional materials are used to help children visualize abstract concepts.

For example, bead chains are used to teach mathematics.

“If they’re learning the number 16, they’ll take a 10-bead chain and a six-bead chain and put it together, so that makes 16. It makes it more concrete — what 16 is,” Anisha said.

Children also have freedom of movement: They don’t have to sit in the same chair all day.

They have rugs they use to sit on the floor or lay down, while doing their work.

In addition to the Lutz Montessori School, the Patels also operate another — The Montessori at Trinity Oaks.

To find out more about Lutz Montessori School, call the school for a tour (813-475-6030), visit its website (LutzMontessori.com), or attend the open house on May 15.

Lutz Montessori School Open House
Details: Learn about the Montessori method of education that is now being offered at a new school geared for children ages 2 through 6.
Where: 5604 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road, Lutz
When: May 15, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Who: All are welcome
Info: Call 813-475-6030, or visit LutzMontessori.com.

Published May 12, 2021

Chalk Talk 05/12/2021

May 11, 2021 By Mary Rathman

Amara Hays (Courtesy of The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce)

Students of the Month
Five students from Raymond B. Stewart Middle School were honored as The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce Students of the Month.

Students are chosen by the teachers and administration for exemplary effort, achievement and contribution to their individual school, family and community.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, chamber members delivered a certificate and goody bag to each student, in lieu of the ceremony that usually takes place.

The students receiving honors were Logan Forbes, sixth grade; Amara Hays, eighth grade; Nyla Nobles, eighth grade; Karsten Osgood, seventh grade; and Elizabeth Wagoner, eighth grade.

Writers retreat
Saint Leo University will host its eighth Sandhill Writers Retreat, virtually, on May 15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., via Zoom.

The retreat is for writers of all experience levels, and sessions and workshops will cover a variety of topics, conducted by prominent writers.

Topics will include: Fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, nature writing, writing for veterans, spoken word and performance, publishing, and creating literary community.

The complete program showing all classes, teacher biographies, and digital access to a local bookstore carrying titles from the workshop authors is available at SaintLeo.edu/sandhill-writers-retreat.

Fees are between $25 and $45, with additional charges for optional consultations or master classes.

Those attending the retreat and other members of the public also are invited to register to attend a free reading featuring veteran-author Brian Turner, of Orlando, on May 14 at 7 p.m., also via Zoom.

Fee adjustment review
Pasco-Hernando State College’s District Board of Trustees (DBOT) will meet on May 18 at 6 p.m., at the Spring Hill Campus, to consider the approval of proposed adjusted course-related fees.

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.

For details regarding the adjustments, justification for the fees and fee implementation details, visit Policies.phsc.edu/policies-and-procedures/public-disclosure.

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

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

Questions or concerns about the proposed fees should be directed to the appropriate dean listed on the web page.

The expansion program includes children ages 1 to 4, to serve the growing need of Jewish early childhood education in northeast Tampa.

The new 6,500-square-foot center has 10,000 square feet of playground area, right on the academy’s campus.

The Hillel-JCC program is bilingual — Hebrew and English — and is focused on the growth of each and every child as he or she develops.

Children participate in experiential learning, through a Jewish lens, as they transition to elementary school.

In addition to outside time, the program includes music, art, cooking and physical education classes, and runs Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

During the grand opening, visitors can check out the classrooms, play on the playground, view the toddler teaching kitchen and meet the educators.

All children will receive a special gift, too.

Visit HillelAcademyTampa.com/academics/preschool, for information about the early learning center.

In-person graduations
Pasco County Schools will host in-person graduations in school stadiums, unless otherwise noted.

This year, each graduate will be allowed to have four guests — two guests to accompany the graduate on the field, and two seated in the bleachers.

“We know how important it is to the graduates to walk across the stage and receive their diploma in person. And we know how important it is to have family there to celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime experiences,” said Kurt Browning, Pasco superintendent of schools.

Here is a complete list of graduation dates and times for the schools in The Laker/Lutz news coverage area:

May 26 at 6 p.m.: Marchman Technical College, at River Ridge High Performing Arts Center
May 27 at 6 p.m.: Pasco eSchool, Idlewild Baptist Church
June 1 at 6 p.m.: Wendell Krinn Technical High School, in the school’s gymnasium
June 2 at 7 p.m.: Cypress Creek High School
June 3 at 9 a.m.: Zephyrhills High School
June 3 at 7 p.m.: Wiregrass Ranch High School
June 4 at 7 p.m.: Land O’ Lakes High School
June 4 at 7 p.m.: Wesley Chapel High School
June 4 at 7:30 p.m.: Pasco High School
June 5 at 9 a.m.: Sunlake High School

For more information, email Stephen Hegarty at ">.

Pasco schools seek ‘near-normal’

May 4, 2021 By B.C. Manion

As the Pasco County public school district wraps up an academic year that was anything but normal, Superintendent Kurt Browning hopes things will be different in the 2021-2022 term.

Browning discussed his hopes for the district, along with a full range of other topics, during a webinar hosted last week by the Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce, as part of its Business Development Year series.

“This year has been incredibly challenging,” Browning told those listening.

“Whoever knew … when everything got shut down (in March 2020) that we would literally be shut down for the fourth quarter and that we’d still be dealing with COVID … more than a year later,” the superintendent said.

Browning praised district teachers, administrators and staff for making rapid adaptations to conduct the rest of last school year virtually.

Then, he said, the district made more adjustments before the 2020-2021 year began to create a new option called mySchool Online. That option has allowed students to learn virtually, following a normal school schedule — being taught remotely by teachers.

When the 2021-2022 school year begins, Browning said mySchool Online will be discontinued. Students will either return to school campuses for in-person learning or learn remotely through Pasco eSchool.

MySchool Online, Browning acknowledged, “had its challenges.”

“We’ve had some students that have been very successful on it. I will tell you that we’ve had some students that have not been very successful,” he said.

Concerns about students lagging behind prompted the district to make an all-out push in an effort to persuade parents of those struggling students to return them to campus.

Some parents simply refused, Browning said.

That’s concerning, the district leader said, because “the performance this year is certainly going to set them up for future success. We just want to make sure our kids are prepared, going forward into the next grade level.”

As of last week, details were still being worked out regarding the summer instructional program and the upcoming school year.

Browning wants to reintroduce activities that were diminished or curtailed by COVID-19.

“Kids need some sense of normalcy. They need to have their clubs. They need to have athletics. They need to have their dances. They need to have the social interaction with other students,” Browning said.

“And so, we are going to try to have as normal of a school opening as we possibly can, starting in August,” Browning said.

At the same time, the district will take guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and will work closely with the Department of Health-Pasco County, he said.

Social isolation, mental health
Browning said he doesn’t consider himself a “touchy-feely” type of guy. But added: “I have been very concerned about the mental well-being of our kids this year.”

When students are learning remotely, they don’t have the safety nets that schools provide, he said.

“Teachers can’t physically lay their eyes on these kids. They can’t see that they’re dirty.

“They can’t see that they’ve got bruises on their arms.

“They can’t see that they’re thinner because maybe they’re not eating.

“At least when they were face-to-face, they could see some things. Teachers could let their administrators know. We could make phone calls. We could do a wellness check with the family. We could provide food. We could provide clothing.

“Not only that, we could provide hope.

“What we found through COVID is that some parents have just not had any hope.”

“My heart just breaks when I hear about these kids that are struggling,” Browning said.

He then told those listening to the webinar about a call he received from a fellow superintendent — who told him two students in that district had committed suicide.

A few weeks later, Browning said, he learned of a Pasco student who had committed suicide and then, a couple of weeks later, another student did.

“I don’t know all of the underlying circumstances to what brought that kid to make that decision,” Browning said. Then, he reiterated: “I have been concerned about the mental well-being of our kids.”

Browning touched on some other topics, too.

In response to a question, he said he expects COVID-19 to have a negative impact on the district’s graduation rate.

He also told listeners that the district will be opening its Starkey Ranch K-8 school in the fall. Located in the Starkey community, off State Road 54, it is the district’s first school specifically designed for kindergarten through eighth-grade students.

The school is expected to have about 1,000 elementary school students and 600 middle school students.

The campus will have a facility that has been dubbed TLC, which stands for theater, library and cultural center.

The TLC will accommodate public library for patrons and students. It also will have a 250-seat theater and three makerspaces.

Michael Francis, conductor for the Florida Orchestra, has been helping the district with its arts planning for the campus, Browning said.

On another topic, the superintendent told the crowd that unlike many districts across the state, Pasco is projected to experience growth in the coming year.

The district also has been included in a 10-county intensive reading pilot project, which will allow the district to provide some intensive literacy help.

Although Browning expects the district to fare well, overall, in terms of the state budget, he said the district needs to improve salaries overall, but teacher salaries, in particular.

“It really is tough work out there, and with some of the other districts out there having additional sources of revenue that we don’t have, it makes it difficult to compete with those other districts,” Browning said.

Published May 05, 2021

Masks still required in Pasco public schools

May 4, 2021 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Pasco County Schools will require masks on its school campuses through the end of the school year, Superintendent Kurt Browning said, recently in a video.

The superintendent said he previously misspoke when he said the district’s requirement was based on the governor’s executive order. Rather, he said, as superintendent he has the authority to require masks in a time of emergency, and the continuing COVID-19 pandemic constitutes an emergency.

Browning said a decision regarding masks for next school year will be made closer to that time.

Meanwhile, Browning also addressed the issue during a recent webinar hosted by the Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce.

He said the decision to require masks through the end of the school year made some people happy and others, not.

“It’s not about making people happy, with me, it’s about making sure we have a safe environment for our students and our staff, and the visitors that come into our schools,” Browning said.

“You know, COVID has become very political, unfortunately. People are kind of polarized on two different sides. It’s either they will support vaccines, or they don’t. They support masks, or they don’t.

“We are having to make decisions of what we believe are in the best interest of our kids and our employees, based on CDC recommendations, and depending on where you are coming from — you just don’t subscribe to that, or you do subscribe to that,” Browning said.

Published May 05, 2021

Chalk Talk 05/05/2021

May 4, 2021 By Mary Rathman

Fine arts grants awarded
First National Bank of Pasco (FNBP) awarded six Pasco County schools with fine arts classroom grants for the third quarter of the 2021 school year.

Fine arts teacher Carolyn Frances, left, of Quail Hollow Elementary, accepts her grant from Kathy Balthazard, area sales manager for First National Bank of Pasco. (Courtesy of First National Bank of Pasco)

ArtsFirst is a public-private collaboration between the school district and the bank, where grant applications are submitted by Pasco fine arts teachers and awarded by FNBP based upon the grant’s likelihood of improving student achievement and opportunity.

Most grant requests were made in an effort to purchase supplies to assist with COVID-19 precautions, once classrooms reopened.

Grants were requested for various items, including folding chairs (so students could go outside in the open air), bags of clay, individual art kits, new music scores, communication tools, and mini electric pianos and headphones.

The schools receiving ArtsFirst grants were Anclote Elementary School, Land O’ Lakes High, Pasco High, Quail Hollow Elementary, San Antonio Elementary and Wiregrass Ranch High.

The challenges of learning fine arts online are numerous, and these grants help students return to school in a safe, productive and creative way.

(Courtesy of Florida Recovery Schools of Tampa Bay Inc.)

Donation for Victory High
Victory High School received a $5,000 presented by Pilot Bank. The school is the first Recovery High School in Tampa Bay for students ages 14 to 19 seeing recovery from addictions. From left: Eileen Bedinghaus, Florida Recovery Schools of Tampa Bay Board of Directors chair; Tina Levine, Florida Recovery Schools founder and executive director; and Rita Lowman, Pilot Bank.