Education

Chalk Talk 03/03/2021

March 3, 2021 By Mary Rathman

Grace Quinn (Courtesy of Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School)

Twins selected as scholarship finalists
Twin sisters Faith Anne Quinn and Grace Helen Quinn, seniors at Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School, have been selected as 2021 National Merit Scholarship finalists.

The Quinns are the only finalists in a Diocese of St. Petersburg high school and two of 12 semifinalists in Pasco County.

In addition to their studies, both Faith and Grace are active members of Bishop McLaughlin’s theater department and have played varsity basketball since freshman year.

The twins join approximately 15,000 finalists across the country in the 66th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin or religious preference.

Student achievements
These local students were named to the fall Dean’s List at Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne: Alexis Clark, Trinity; Braden Contreras, Lutz; Andrew Ekblad, New Port Richey; Jacqueline Figueredo, Lutz; Max Martino, Lutz; Tyler Vermillion, Trinity; and Zachary Watson, Trinity.

Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont, recognized Molly Grace Flanagan, of Lutz, and Julliet Abel Muriel, of Spring Hill, to its fall Dean’s List.

Essay contest
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano is accepting entries for an essay contest, open to high school students.

Students of Pasco’s public/charter, private, parochial, nonpublic and home-schools are asked to answer the question, “When unexpected events occur, such as COVID-19 or a devastating storm, people are often negatively impacted. Some may lose their jobs, their homes or experience other setbacks in their lives. Keeping in mind that funds expended by government (local, state or federal) must come from somewhere, what do you think government should do to assist people to get through these challenges?”

Entries will be judged by a panel of directors from the tax collector’s office, and will be reviewed on how well the student communicates his or her response to the question, as well as overall essay structure, appearance and readability.

Students in public/charter schools should submit their essays to their principal.

For entries from private, parochial, nonpublic or home-schools, essays should be sent directly to Greg Giordano, assistant tax collector, Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office, P.O. Box 276, Dade City, FL 33526.

Entries also can be dropped off at the New Port Richey office, 4720 U.S. 19, or sent by email to .

For information and questions, call 727-847-8179.

The deadline to enter is 5 p.m., March 12.

SAT School Day
The District School Board of Pasco County will provide the SAT School Day free of charge to all juniors on March 24, according to the Pasco County Schools Facebook page.

The district will register all juniors for the test; it is not necessary for students to register on the College Board website.

For more information, students should contact their respective school counselor.

Essay writing challenge
“Dear Evan Hansen” is a contemporary Broadway musical that had a breakout song entitled, “You Will Be Found.”

During the past year, finding connection has been more integral to our daily lives, and has also required more creativity to maintain it.

With that theme in mind, Gotham Writers Workshop is inviting students in 11th grade and 12th grade to write a college application-style essay that describes how the student has managed to ensure those around him or her were a little less alone in recent months, or, alternatively, a moment where the student has found comfort in connection.

Entries will be judged by a panel of writers and theater professionals.

The winner will receive a $10,000 college scholarship from “Dear Evan Hansen” lead producer Stacy Mindich and a free six-week Gotham Writers class.

The essay must be 650 words or less. There is no entry fee.

The deadline to enter is 11:59 p.m., on April 5.

For specifics and how to enter, visit WritingClasses.com/contests.

Scholarship eligibility broadens
Hillsborough County Social Services and the Community Action Board again are partnering to offer scholarships up to $5,000 to eligible students. In response to the impact of COVID-19, the program will feature expanded eligibility criteria.

The Community Action Board Scholarship Program has broadened its household income eligibility from 125% to 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, and lowered the GPA requirement from 2.5 to 2.0.

The changes to the program aim to help students who struggled academically because of the pandemic’s unprecedented impacts on schools, as well as students from households that saw a reduction in annual income.

The scholarships are awarded to students to help alleviate some of the financial burden of college tuition, so students can focus on furthering their education, not paying bills.

The scholarships can be used at trade schools, community colleges or four-year universities.

Both first-time students and students returning to school can apply. Applications for the 2021 scholarships will be accepted through March 31.

Recipients will be notified in writing prior to the start of the fall semester.

Application materials and detailed instructions can be found at tinyurl.com/fyner9md.

Students may submit completed applications online only.

For information, call Irina White at 813-272-5074.

State testing should not be punitive, board members say

February 23, 2021 By B.C. Manion

Florida education officials have given school districts additional time to administer the Florida Standards Assessments, known as FSA for short.

But, the Pasco County School Board wants to avoid penalizing its teachers, students or schools based on results from the assessments.

Board member Alison Crumbley raised the issue during the board’s meeting on Feb. 16.

“In my opinion, the FSA testing is possibly going to be more valuable than ever this year because we need to find out our strengths and our weaknesses, and everything during the COVID year, and find where we need extra work or what have you.

“But, for school grade assessment and high stakes assessment, personally, I think they should be put on hold,” Crumbley said.

“Teachers I don’t feel should be held responsible when their MSOL (MySchool Online) students aren’t participating well, and they’re struggling, for example, and our school grades, I don’t see how they can be considered accurate, during these COVID-related times,” Crumbley said.

She asked the board to put those requests in the district’s legislative platform, and for the board to pass a resolution on the issue.

Other board members agreed.

School board member Megan Harding said, “I just know from hearing from our teachers. Mrs. Crumbley, especially the MySchool Online teachers, they still have kiddos that are not showing up. And they’re being tested and that’s part of their evaluation.”

Crumbley responded: “It’s really not fair to them, in my opinion.”

School board member Colleen Beaudoin concurred: “I agree with you, too. I support us trying to do something.”

School board member Cynthia Armstrong told her colleagues: “Just so you know, that is on the FSBA (Florida School Boards Association) platform — that although testing is important, that we really curb the punitive damages that the test results could have on students, and on teachers and school grades and so on.”

She agreed with her peers that they could add the issue to the Pasco School Board’s legislative platform.

Pasco Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning said the Florida Association of District School Superintendents is finalizing its platform. “I believe there is something about removing the impacts of testing for this year.”

Pasco School Board members are expected to vote on a resolution on this issue during the March 2 morning meeting. Following that meeting, the board plans to hold a workshop on its legislative platform.

On another issue, board member Beaudoin raised the issue of seeking out revenue sources to find a way to improve salaries at all levels in the district.

“Our students deserve to have the best teachers and administrators. It’s becoming more difficult for us to compete with our neighboring districts.

“And, I’m committed to finding a way to increase pay for teachers and administrators.

“I think we have to explore other revenue sources to be competitive with our salaries at all levels. So, I hope my colleagues and staff will be open to having that discussion,” Beaudoin said.

Kevin Shibley, the district’s executive director for administration, informed board members about rising costs relating to COVID-19-related health care claims.

“We’ve been asking Blue Cross Blue Shield to track claims being run through our health plan that are specifically related to COVID.

“They started with five-figure numbers, in the $20,000 to $30,000 range. For the month of December, alone, we had over $1.2 million of COVID-related claims, among our employee population.

“So, we’re going to continue to monitor that, but that could mean that we are going to be in for a rough renewal for health care this coming year,” Shibley said.

Betsy Kuhn, the district’s assistant superintendent for support services, shared a couple of pieces of good news with the board.

She told them about $43,000 had been raised through a cooperative effort, with public and private entities, to help feed the hungry.

That money has been used to purchase $40 Publix gift cards that will be given to families that have been identified by district social workers as needing help.

The cards will be distributed before spring break, Kuhn said.

On another matter, Kuhn thanked Idlewild Baptist Church for donating $17,000 to pay off meal debt for Pasco students.

“This donation will eliminate meal debt for 4,371 students,” Kuhn said. “The pastor said that the church community wanted to let families in the area know that they have support, even in these uncertain times, and to be a source of hope during the pandemic.”

Published February 24, 2021

Chalk Talk 02/24/2021

February 23, 2021 By Mary Rathman

School resource officers care about the community

Pasco County Sheriff’s Office Cpl. Greene sponsors the J.W. Mitchell High SADD Club (Students Against Destructive Decisions) and helped the students to prepare a PSA (public service announcement) video for their upcoming ‘Battle of the Belts’ competition. Greene also coaches the offensive linemen on the football team and spends time in the weight room with the students. (Courtesy of Pasco Sheriff’s Office)

Pasco Sheriff’s Cpl. Stevenson, SRO officer at Marchman Technical College, helped Cpl. Ziegler at Chasco Middle School with a clothing drive before the winter holidays. One the most requested items was socks, so Stevenson provided those, along with food items, to aid families over the winter break.

College/Career Fair
Pasco County Schools will host a virtual College and Career Fair on Feb. 25 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., to share information with families across the district as plans are made for college entry and/or careers after high school.

To learn more and to register, visit Pasco.k12.fl.us/oll/page/college-and-career-fair.

Revised spectator rules
Pasco County Schools announced a revised set of rules that went into effective as of Feb. 15, to allow for more spectators at school sporting events and more audience members at performing arts events.

The new rules will allow for 50% capacity at all outdoor events, including both athletic and performing arts events.

Indoor athletic events would be limited to four spectators for each athlete, and indoor performing arts events will be limited with up to four audience members per performer.

Mask rules will remain the same: Outdoor spectators and audience members are required to wear masks while entering and leaving the venue, and when leaving their seats to visit the concession stand or restroom. Masks are not required while spectators are seated at an event.

Spectators and audience members are required to maintain appropriate social distance with one another, other than direct family members.

The revised rules were established after Pasco County experienced a decrease in local COVID-19 cases and infection rates, and after consulting with the Pasco Department of Health.

Academy at the Farm
Academy at the Farm, 9500 Alex Lange Way in Dade City, is open for enrollment through Feb. 28.

The charter school is “designed to meet the needs of all students by promoting academic excellence, developing productive citizens through character building, and incorporating the advancement of technology in the curriculum,” according to its website.

The academy serves preschool through eighth grade.

For more information and to apply, visit AcademyAtTheFarm.com.

Chalk Talk 02/17/2021

February 16, 2021 By Mary Rathman

Aubriella Chiarell will represent Land O’ Lakes in Hometown program. (Courtesy of Florida’s Hometown USA Program)

Elementary student garners recognition
Florida’s Hometown USA Program Inc., is a nonprofit educational youth organization for students in Florida that helps to educate the young on the values of volunteer work, and to inspire them to make a difference in the lives of their neighbors. The focus of the volunteer work is with children, youth and the elderly.

Five students, elementary through college, are selected each year to represent their hometown throughout the state. Aubriella Chiarell was selected as the program’s elementary school representative for 2021. She attends Veterans Elementary School, and is the daughter of Sarah and Vince Chiarell.

Students are being recognized for their volunteer and community service work, and will visit and entertain at nursing homes, children’s hospitals, veterans hospitals, charity events, and other scheduled activities. The program is partnered with 27 facilities throughout Florida.

Florida’s Hometown USA Program has received Disney’s Helping Kids Shine Award, Disney’s VoluntEAR of the Year, the Governor’s Points of Light from former Gov. Jeb Bush, and the national President’s Daily Points of Light Award from former President George W. Bush for volunteer work with youth.

St. Anthony open house
St. Anthony Catholic School, 12155 Joe Herrmann Drive in San Antonio, is scheduled to open a new VPK program in August. Enrollment for new families will begin on Feb. 23.

St. Anthony is a private K-8 school founded in 1884 and dedicated to providing students with quality and Christ-centered education that addresses a child’s needs spiritually, academically, socially, emotionally and physically.

For information and to learn more about the school’s VPK program, K-8 openings, or to schedule a tour, call 352-588-3041, or visit StAnthonySchoolFl.org.

To learn more and to register, visit Pasco.k12.fl.us/oll/page/college-and-career-fair.

Student achievements
James Cook, of Lutz, has been named to the Dean’s List at College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts. Cook is majoring in history.

These area students were named to the Dean’s List at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa: Kaylynn Butts, Odessa; Austin Cambas, Lutz; Jennifer Clifford, Lutz; Jack Houser, Odessa; and Emily Ymiolek, Lutz.

Kelly McDermott, of Lutz, was recognized to the President’s List at the University of Alabama.

Leia Randall, of Land O’ Lakes, was named to the Dean’s List at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

Black History contest
All Hillsborough County students and teachers are invited to enter HART’s Black History Month Contest with a video, essay or drawing entry. The theme is the representation, diversity and identity of “The Black Family.”

Participants must first visit YouTube.com/HARTtransit and watch the “HART Celebrates the Black Family” video.

Then, students can create a video, write a short story, or draw an illustration that covers these three topics:

One thing you learned about the Black family from the HART video
Describe your own family
How your family uses HART (or take a trip on HART together and share your experience)

For entry forms, visit GoHART.org, email , or visit one of HART’s transit centers in Tampa.

The deadline to enter is Feb. 28. All entries will be entered into a raffle to win a 31-day HART Pass. Four winners will be chosen.

Academy at the Farm
Academy at the Farm, 9500 Alex Lange Way in Dade City, is open for enrollment through Feb. 28.

The academy serves preschool through eighth grade.

For more information and to apply, visit AcademyAtTheFarm.com.

Essay contest
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano is accepting entries for an essay contest, open to high school students.

Students in public/charter schools should submit their essays to their principal.

Entries also can be dropped off at the New Port Richey office, 4720 U.S. 19, or sent by email to .

For information and questions, call 727-847-8179.

The deadline to enter is 5 p.m., March 12.

Online security
Students should be aware of the financial risks that accompany social media activity, according to the Kentucky High Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA).

Each new social media platform — Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and others — present criminals with the opportunity to steal from unsuspecting people. Students should be cautious of any unsolicited messages asking them to open a file or click on a link.

Criminals exploit vulnerabilities in social media software in the hope that users won’t realize they are being phished. One of the most common ways is to send a link to what appears to be a legitimate website.

Students should not click on a link without first ensuring it is real by checking with the company that is the supposed sender.

The KHEAA also advises social media users to be wary of any kind of online survey that asks them to fill out a long list of information, such as their favorite car or where they were born. The answers can give scam artists what they need to steal someone’s identity.

SAT School Day
The District School Board of Pasco County will provide the SAT School Day free of charge to all juniors on March 24, according to the Pasco County Schools Facebook page.

The district will register all juniors for the test; it is not necessary for students to register on the College Board website.

For more information, students should contact their respective school counselor.

PHSC panel seeks solutions on racial equity, social justice

February 16, 2021 By Kevin Weiss

Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) is leveraging its community connections to foster meaningful discussion on matters related to social justice and racial equity.

Pasco-Hernando State College hosted summit titled, ‘Equity and Advancement of Minority Males in America.’ The daylong Feb. 1 virtual event featured a panel discussion and breakout sessions related to social justice and racial equity issues. (File)

As part of ongoing Black History Month programming, the local college organized a virtual summit titled, “Equity and Advancement of Minority Males in America.”

The Zoom event on Feb. 1 included breakout sessions with educators and professionals on topics such as leadership and mentoring; politics, policing and civic responsibility; life skills; and, mental health and spirituality. The summit’s keynote speaker was Dr. John Montgomery, Humana’s vice president and medical officer for its Florida commercial markets.

The daylong summit kicked off with a 45-minute panel discussion made up mostly of college students, and moderated by Emery Ailes, an adjunct humanities instructor and LIFE coordinator at PHSC.

Boosting graduation rates
The diverse panel first pondered ways to improve graduation, success and retention rates for Black and other minority students at colleges and universities.

Dorian Howell is president of PHSC’s Student Government Association.

The student leader believes it’s important to identify at-risk minority students early on in their college experience, then pair them with a mentor or counselor to closely monitor and support them throughout their college years.

He pointed out some students immediately get discouraged with college when they have trouble navigating digital access codes and connecting to online course materials.

Dorian Howell is president of Pasco-Hernando State College’s Student Government Association. (Courtesy of Pasco-Hernando State College)

Others, meanwhile, are unaware of the myriad financial aid and scholarship resources readily available to them, he said, which could keep vulnerable students in school.

“It’s really about identifying the people at-risk and educating them on the tools we have, step by step,” Howell said.

He also emphasized the importance of getting involved in student-led clubs or extracurricular organizations. Those, he said, can foster academic success and accountability among one another.

“I found that my friends, a lot of them didn’t feel supported, but when they joined a club they connected with the community in the college, it helped them stay with it, it motivated them to stay with the courses,” he said.

St. Petersburg College (SPC) student Ericka Jones expressed similar sentiments regarding ways to improve minority student success rates.

Jones — set to earn a business degree in December — correlated her academic achievements to involvement with SPC’s Badeya Club, a Black student organization that aims to create a sense of community and respect among all students.

“If it wasn’t for them, I would’ve given up. I’m telling you, it’s so important to have a support system,” said Jones, who now serves as political action director of the college organization.

Jones brought a unique perspective to the panel — she’s raising a Black son while trying to earn a college degree.

“I can’t teach him all the things that a Black male is able to teach him. I believe in what this (summit) stands for. We need to uplift our Black males and our family in this society,” Jones said.

Dana Hind is a representative from Black Coalition of Hernando County.

She said more robust and accessible mentorship opportunities are needed before minority students get to college — perhaps throughout their high school years.

“To actually get kids driven into getting into college, we have to start earlier, and it’s been a challenge for me as a parent,” Hinds said. “You should have someone there to advocate for you as you’re going through, to make sure you get those scholarships, to make sure you get all those opportunities.”

Countering negative stereotypes
The conversation then turned to negative media portrayals of young and adult Black males and other minorities — and seeking ways to reverse promulgated views.

Demarvion Brown is a freshman men’s basketball player at Pasco-Hernando State College. (Courtesy of Pasco-Hernando State College)

Panelist Demarvion Brown said such meaningful change must first come through Black families fostering nurturing childhood environments and identifying positive role models.

“It starts at home,” said Brown, a freshman men’s basketball player at PHSC.

“Some people have good households, and some people don’t, but to change that, to turn that into a positive way is to stand out in front of everybody and become a different person and become a role model. Most people don’t believe in role models, but I think we need more of them to make the world a better place.”

Xavier Edwards is a student at Eastern Florida State College, in Cocoa.

He said one way to eradicate the media’s negative portrayals of Black men is to create new channels of communication.

Edwards, who is studying digital television and media production, suggested Black leaders and entrepreneurs venture to create their own newsletters, new stations, social media sites and YouTube pages, focusing on “pushing out more positive images of Black people graduating, minorities getting scholarships…

“It’s about trying to get people who have the power to change the narrative of the image of Black and brown men. It might take us creating our own news (outlets),” he said.

Howell concurred with the idea of developing alternative news outlets highlighting inspiring Black figures and experiences, such as former President Barack Obama, Dr. Ben Carson and PHSC President Timothy Beard.

“We can use those as role models of changing the image to a positive image of, ‘OK, there’s doctors, there’s presidents that are all role models,’” Howell said.

The student body leader also called for boycotting news and entertainment outlets that portray Black males and others in a negative light.

“If the media is perpetuating this negative image, hit ‘em where it hurts, stop supporting the media, don’t share the media that’s showing this negative image,” he said.

Resolving economic inequalities
The panel also broached the nation’s inequities in wealth.

Eastern Florida State College student Xavier Edwards is studying digital and media television production. (Courtesy of Eastern Florida State College)

Various reports point out that Black-owned businesses and individuals historically have been at the mercy of loan denials and subprime lending practices, Howell said.

He referenced one study that a Black-owned businesses get about 10 cents for every dollar that a white-owned business receives from a bank, a situation he characterized as “sickening.”

Howell called for a more equitable lending system and he encouraged individuals to simply inspire people to support Black-owned businesses.

“For us as individuals, we see a minority-owned business or restaurant or whatever, support it with our dollars, buy from them,” Howell said.

It also would be helpful to have more financial workshops led by Black business leaders, to encourage and educate others on stocks, saving, and general money management tips, Howell said.

Edwards also called for increasing efforts to educate minorities about how to acquire loans and start their own businesses.

Giving Black employees opportunities for advancement in their professions also can have broader implications, Edwards noted.

As more Black individuals earn senior management positions, they can slowly amass generational wealth for their families and communities, he said.

“It’s not that it can’t change, it’s just going to take some work, but it just starts with more minority people being able to get to those high positions,” he said.

Published February 17, 2021

Chalk Talk 02/10/2021

February 9, 2021 By Mary Rathman

Students of the Month
Twelve students from three schools were honored as the Greater Zephyrhills Students of the Month.

Staff from The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce visited the schools and delivered certificates and goody bags to the students, in lieu of an in-person ceremony, due to the COVID-19 restrictions.

The students were chosen by the teachers and administration of their individual schools for exemplary effort, achievement and contribution to the school, their family and their community.

The chamber has recognized students with this program each month of the school year for 22 years.

These students received honors for the first nine weeks of school: Alyssa Hanson, Lemuel Owotoki, Grace Corlee and Tai Lynch, of Heritage Academy; Alyssa Rojas, Brady Hinsz, Dylan Fleshood and Marjiana Brown, of Stewart Middle School; and, Clarence Strong, Riley Hutchinson, Kayvon Naughton and Taylor Sampson, of West Zephyrhills Elementary School.

Not all students were available for a photo.

St. Anthony open house
St. Anthony Catholic School, 12155 Joe Herrmann Drive in San Antonio, is scheduled to open a new VPK program in August. Enrollment for new families will begin on Feb. 23.

For information and to learn more about the school’s VPK program, K-8 openings, or to schedule a tour, call 352-588-3041, or visit StAnthonySchoolFl.org.

Academy at the Farm
Academy at the Farm, 9500 Alex Lange Way in Dade City, is open for enrollment through Feb. 28.

The academy serves preschool through eighth grade.

For more information and to apply, visit AcademyAtTheFarm.com.

Student achievement
Clare O’ Keefe, of Lutz, was named to the Dean’s List at Endicott College, Beverly, Massachusetts, for the fall semester. O’ Keefe is majoring in sports management.

Early release days
During the second semester, Pasco County Schools will implement a two-hour early release day every month, each day falling on a Wednesday. There will be no early release day in May.

The early release days, which were implemented for the first time last school year, provide teachers with an opportunity to complete professional development and experience training that will help increase effective instruction and ultimately will benefit students.

Students who are registered in the district’s PLACE program will be able to stay the extra two hours with no additional charges. School buses will operate two hours earlier during early release days. The routes and bus stops will not change.

Upcoming early release days are March 3 and April 7.

The bell times, including the early release times for each school, can be found at Pasco.k12.fl.us/site/pcs_bell_schedule, or on the Pasco County Schools’ Facebook page.

SAT School Day
The District School Board of Pasco County will provide the SAT School Day free of charge to all juniors on March 24, according to the Pasco County Schools Facebook page.

The district will register all juniors for the test; it is not necessary for students to register on the College Board website.

For more information, students should contact their respective school counselor.

Creating a culture for success at Wiregrass Ranch High

February 2, 2021 By B.C. Manion

Wiregrass Ranch High School Principal Robyn White was just 13 when she decided her path in life.

“The only question I had, honestly, was whether I wanted to teach music or math,” said White, who went on to teach mathematics at the middle and high school levels, before stepping into school administration.

Next month, on March 13, White will mark her 15th anniversary at Wiregrass Ranch High, at 2909 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

Wiregrass Ranch High School Principal Robyn White has seen a lot of change through the years, but she said students essentially remain the same: ‘They just want somebody to care. They just want to know that they’re making somebody proud.’ (The principal had been wearing a mask as a precaution due to COVID-19, but she removed it for this photo). (B.C. Manion)

The educator joined the school as an assistant principal, under the direction of Ray Bonti, the school’s first principal. Later, she was promoted to the school’s top post, to replace Bonti when he ascended to become an assistant superintendent for Pasco County Schools.

White said Bonti was one of the most important mentors in her career. He gave her a chance, she said, to learn about all aspects of school administration before she took the helm at Wiregrass Ranch.

Bonti, now executive director of the Hillsborough Association of School Administrators, said White excelled, and was his logical replacement.

“Robyn is one of the smartest administrators that I’ve worked with over my almost 30 years working in Pasco County Schools,” Bonti said. “Not only was she one of the smartest that I’ve worked with — she was a tireless worker. She put 100% effort into it.”

She also provides sound guidance, Bonti added.

“I learned a lot from her. A lot of people learned a lot from her. She mentored many teachers. She mentored many students,” Bonti said.

Over the years, Wiregrass Ranch High has developed a reputation for excellence, and during the 2019-2020 school year, White was selected as high school principal of the year by the Pasco County Council PTA.

Denise Nicholas, president of the council at the time, said White is known for running a tight ship, and for welcoming student ideas.

“She has an open-door policy for her students,” Nicholas said.

White listens, she said.

“The number of activities and groups for students, with whatever different interests — if they have a plan and they have a sponsor, and it makes sense, she absolutely will support that.

“There is a tremendous number of clubs, for every different interest, which is phenomenal,” Nicholas said.

Bonti said that White “has always maintained that really good balance of setting high expectations and creating a culture that (makes) people want to be there.”

She didn’t set out to be a principal
When White was beginning her career, her only ambition was to teach.

“I just remember being in awe of teachers, and what they did and what they taught me,” White said, noting she was particularly influenced by Marita Noe and Shirley Holm, two of her high school math teachers.

White knew she had a knack for helping her friends and other students learn.

At one point, her mom recognized her math skills and suggested she pursue a career in accounting.

But, White didn’t want to sit behind a desk, she wanted to be personally involved in helping others.

So, after graduating from the University of West Florida, in Pensacola, White landed her first job, teaching mathematics at Dunedin Highland Middle School in Pinellas County.

Students across the nation walked out of classrooms on March 14, 2018, in a protest against gun violence and a call for greater action by Congress to keep students safe. The walkout was sanctioned at Wiregrass Ranch High. ‘I believe that students should have a voice to express their concerns, their opinions,’ said Wiregrass Ranch High Principal Robyn White. (File)

After that, she worked four years in a dropout prevention program, before returning to the classroom to teach sixth-grade mathematics.

Her next teaching stop was at Dunedin High School.

“I loved being a part of the classroom,” White said.

It never occurred to her to pursue a job in administration.

“Never in my wildest dreams would I have ever imagined that I would have been a principal of a school. I wouldn’t have even given it a consideration,” she said.

But, gentle nudging from Dr. Mildred Reed, her principal at Dunedin High School, changed that.

White was very involved at Dunedin High. Besides teaching, she was the athletic director, she sponsored multiple clubs and she chaired a committee involving small learning communities.

Reed came to her and said: “I don’t understand. You do all of this and don’t get any pay for it, Why wouldn’t you go back to school and consider getting into administration?”

White went on: “I really hadn’t thought of it, to be very honest. I loved being in the classroom.”

But Reed had planted a seed.

White began taking a class here and there, thinking perhaps someday she might explore an administrative role. After all, she already had a master’s degree and would just need certification.

When an assistant principal retired, White became an acting assistant principal — allowing her the chance to give it a try.

“I did that for a semester, thinking that position would be open the following year and it would be a nice, easy transition,” White said.

It didn’t play out that way.

“That was the year that Pinellas County cut 23 assistant principals, so, I went back to the classroom,” she said.

That didn’t bother her, because she loved teaching.

But because she had served as an acting assistant principal, she found herself being called upon repeatedly to fill in when another assistant principal was out.

“That got a little bit old,” White said, so she decided to apply in Pasco County, which was advertising for administrators.

Her first interview was for a job at Zephyrhills High, which she didn’t get.

Her next interview was for a job at Wesley Chapel High, which she landed.

“I’ll never forget the day I got the call. It was a Friday afternoon,” she said.

She was at a conference wrestling meet.

“I thought, ‘My goodness, how am I going to tell these kids that I’m leaving?

“I can just remember, going back and sitting up in the bleachers and literally putting up a newspaper in front of my face and crying.

“Mr. (Andy) Frelick (principal at Wesley Chapel) was very kind. He allowed (me) to have some flex days in finishing up at Dunedin High School, because I was involved in so much.”

She went to work at Wesley Chapel High on Jan. 31, 2005, but her stay there was short-lived.

Wiregrass Ranch High was opening and students from Wesley Chapel were being reassigned to that school. White’s job at Wesley Chapel High was cut.

She joined Bonti’s staff on March 13, 2006.

When the new high school opened, it had a total of 700 ninth- and 10th-graders, White said, and it operated in portables behind Weightman Middle School. Wiregrass Ranch relocated to its current campus over winter break.

By its third year, the high school was operating at its 1,650-student capacity.

Its enrollment has swelled through the years, causing the school to add portables, and for two years operated on a 10-period day — to limit the number of students on campus at one time.

Its enrollment also has been reduced with boundary shifts — which were adamantly opposed by parents and students, alike.

Now, the enrollment stands at 2,078 — but the campus feels more spacious this year because about 800 students have opted to learn remotely due to concerns about the potential spread of COVID-19.

Lessons she’s learned through the years
Besides being an educator, White has been a learner, too.

As a teacher intern, her supervising teacher gave her two pieces of advice.

“Piece No. 1: Stay out of the teachers’ lounge because that’s where negativity breeds.

“And, Piece No. 2: When you don’t enjoy it anymore, get out.

“I tell people to this day: ‘If you’re not enjoying it, why are you staying?’”

She also learned how to manage her emotions.

When she was an acting assistant principal, she said, “I remember multiple times I got very emotional and she (Dr. Reed) told me, ‘Principals don’t cry.’”

White said she has a slightly different message for the people she mentors: “I say, ‘Principals do cry, but with the door shut.’”

She thinks her years in the classroom have helped her to be a better principal.

“You need to be able to relate to what teachers are going through,” she explained.

And, as a leader of a large school, she understands the importance of teamwork.

“There’s no way that I can do this job without the team I have around me. That’s everybody from my custodial, my non-instructional staff, my teachers,” White said.

She has confidence in them.

“They’re all smart people. So, they know what’s going to work for them and what works for their kids. So, I give them the autonomy to decide how that’s going to work,” she said.

Myriad decisions must be made, but White said: “Ultimately, it’s about what’s in the best interest of the kids.”

So much has changed over the years, but students are essentially the same, the principal said.

“They just want somebody to care. They just want to know that they’re making somebody proud.”

Published February 03, 2021

Renowned educator discusses racial equity

February 2, 2021 By Kevin Weiss

When it comes to race relations in America, many meaningful advancements have been made over the last several decades — but there still is a long way to go in the name of equity.

At least that was the message put forth by Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, a nationally recognized authority on racial issues in America. She was the featured guest speaker of Pasco-Hernando State College’s 36th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. commemorative event.

Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum was guest speaker of Pasco-Hernando State College’s Jan. 21 virtual presentation discussing racial equity issues in America. Tatum is former president of Atlanta’s Spelman College and author of the best-selling book, ‘Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?’ (Courtesy of Beverly Tatum)

The Jan. 21 virtual event was organized by the college’s department of global and multicultural awareness.

A clinical psychologist and sought-after leader in higher education, Tatum is president emerita of Atlanta’s Spelman College and author of several books, including the best-selling, “Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?”

The speaker also is the recipient of numerous honors, including the Carnegie Corporation of New York’s Academic Leadership Award in 2013 and the American Psychological Association’s Outstanding Lifetime Contributions to Psychology in 2014.

Tatum opened the conversation by emphasizing the racial progress the United States has made since her birth in the early 1950s.

She shared a story about her own family’s prior struggles.

She detailed how her Black father, Dr. Robert Daniel, was unable to attend Florida State University in 1954 and obtain a doctorate in art education because it was a segregated institution, for whites only.

Rather than simply allowing Tatum’s father to attend FSU, the state of Florida instead opted to pay for his transportation costs to another institution out of state — Penn State University in State College, Pennsylvania.

Tatum observed: “Today that sounds ridiculous, right? It sounds like, ‘Why would the state do that?’ and yet that was the reality then. The fact that today Florida State is quite a diverse institution, certainly no longer whites only, all of that lets us know there has been progress.”

Pushback against progress
Despite gains, compared to the 1950s and 1960s, Tatum said there has been nationwide resistance following these periods of social progress — particularly around the turn and throughout the 21st century.

It was evident even during the President Barack Obama years, Tatum said, when a provision of the Voting Rights Acts of 1965 was struck down by a 2013 Supreme Court ruling. That decision allowed nine states, mostly in the South, to change their election laws without federal oversight.

Some states, in recent years, also have reversed various affirmative action measures.

California voters approved Proposition 209 in 1996, which says the state cannot discriminate against or grant preferential treatment on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, specifically in the areas of public employment, public contracting and public education.

This decision, Tatum said, dramatically decreased the African-American student population and other minorities at California State universities.

Tatum also criticized decision-making policies surrounding incarceration, anti-drug efforts and the so-called War on Drugs, which she claimed has yielded a dramatic increase in the incarceration of people of color, particularly Black men and women.

The speaker suggested many of these drug policies “were racist by nature,” giving examples of disparate prison sentences for a non-violent Black individual in possession of crack cocaine, compared to a white individual caught with powder cocaine.

Pasco-Hernando State College’s department of global and multicultural awareness hosted a virtual presentation titled, ‘Where Do We Go From Here? A Conversation about Racial Equity with Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum.’ The event was part of the college’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration programming. (File)

Tatum underscored the negative impacts this “racial bias in the justice system” has caused for many Black communities and families: “What happens to you if you come out of jail and you’ve served your time, and you can’t rent an apartment and it’s hard to get a job?”

Tatum also took aim at discriminatory housing and lending policies to Black families, which she said is still felt today even after the Fair Housing Act of 1968 officially made real estate redlining illegal.

Over the years, Black families — even those with high-quality credit ratings — oftentimes received loans with less desirable terms than white families with similar incomes, credit and purchase power, she said.

This all came to a head during the 2008 recession, Tatum said: “Many of those unfavorable loans were coming due and when the economy tanked, those loans tanked, and many people who had been given those loans found themselves in (a) position of having their houses underwater, so to speak.”

When asked what the civil rights leaders of the 1960s would think about the country today, Tatum responded: “Maybe need to revisit some of the questions they were asking and try to use that inspiration to push forward again.”

An optimistic outlook
As for where the country is headed, Tatum expressed optimism with the election and swearing in of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

She commended several of the new administration’s moves, such as reversing travel bans on Muslim countries; pausing deportations for certain undocumented immigrants; extending the federal moratorium on evictions; and extending the pause on federal student loan payments and collections, and keeping their interest rate at 0%.

“I am encouraged by some of the things that our new president already has done through his executive orders,” Tatum said.

But, much more needs to be done, from the speaker’s viewpoint.

The push for a living wage is “a really critical issue” to help uplift more Black families out of poverty, Tatum said.

The problem has persisted even since Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated in 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee, when he was fighting for economic justice as part of the city’s sanitation workers’ strike.

Tatum put it like this: “If you are working very hard at the minimum wage in your locale, you are going to be poor, because you cannot sustain yourself and your family on such low wages.

“I am of the opinion that if a job is worth doing, it needs to be paid at a wage that allows you to sustain yourself with dignity,” she said.

Not resolving that issue, she said, “is a strategic error, not just because it’s bad for the people who are trying to make a living — but it’s also bad for all of us to have a significant portion of our population unable to sustain itself.”

She also pointed out that the coronavirus pandemic has had a disproportionate effect on communities of color, putting them at greater risk, because of poverty, concentrated living situations and limited access to high-quality health care.

Many people in these communities also are part of the so-called essential workforce, driving buses, working in grocery stores “and doing things that put you in harm’s way, without sufficient protection, during a dangerous pandemic,” she said.

The distinguished educator also called for increased opportunities for robust and affordable education opportunities.

She acknowledged there are available federal government programs, such as Pell Grants, to help close the gap for disadvantaged students. But, she said: “Tuitions have risen at institutions all across the country because the state funding has been insufficient to cover the costs.”

The burden of the additional costs is passed onto individuals and families, and the dilemma comes back to how much people are paid.

The median income of an African-American family is around $40,000 annually.

“You cannot afford a college education if your family income is $40,000 per year. It’s just not possible, so how do we meet the need of young people who want to be able to pursue a college education? Lots of communities are asking this question.

“We as a nation have to decide if we want to invest in the next generation. I don’t think we have made that decision in a way that is clearly visible. We really need a national initiative that says, ‘We want to invest in the next generation,’ regardless of race, understanding that if we want to be successful as a nation, we have to have access to affordable education, at a level that this post-industrial economy requires.”

Pasco-Hernando State College President Timothy Beard offered some observations regarding the current state of America’s racial issues during a recent virtual event focusing on racial equity.
“First, I want to acknowledge that we’ve come a long ways, yet we have a long ways to go,” said Beard, the second African-American to serve as president of the college.

“Race is a topic that most individuals still try to steer away from, but I think it’s a discussion that we must continue to have as a nation.

“I do believe in Dr. King’s words when he said we are a nation of ideals and we’re still progressing as an institution to become that more perfect union.

“In order for that to happen we have to be able to deal with those topics that might not be convenient, and the only way to get better is to continue to confront those things that you can change. If you don’t confront it, perhaps you can’t change.

“It is just an awesome opportunity for us to make progress as we deal with this topic of race inequality. As we look to the future, we do want to acknowledge we have what it takes for us to be successful, as chaotic as it has been the last eight, nine, 10, 11 months or so, we’re still looking for opportunities for us to be successful, and because you don’t assume, you participate, you’re being engaged in a conversation, I want to say that it’s a sign of progress.”

Published February 03, 2021

Chalk Talk 02/03/2021

February 2, 2021 By Mary Rathman

John Mitten (Courtesy of Pasco-Hernando State College)

Board reappointment
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the reappointment of John Mitten to the Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) District Board of Trustees (DBOT). His term will run through May 31, 2023.

Mitten, of Brooksville, is the franchise owner of Chick-fil-A in Spring Hill and a former chairman of the Hernando County Commission.

He is active in his community with the Greater Hernando Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Hernando County, YMCA of Hernando County, Hope Children’s Home, and Jericho Road Ministries.

Mitten earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Florida State University.

“We are very pleased with the reappointment of John Mitten as a board member and look forward to his continued leadership and commitment to higher education in our communities,” Dr. Timothy Beard, PHSC president, said.

The reappointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

Upcoming early release days are Feb. 3, March 3 and April 7.

The bell times, including the early release times for each school, can be found at Pasco.k12.fl.us/site/pcs_bell_schedule, or on the Pasco County Schools’ Facebook page.

Student achievements

Christina Carroll, of Lutz: Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
Trevina Jason-Vikram, of Wesley Chapel: Dean’s List at Normandale Community College, Bloomington, Minnesota
Weiman Jiang, of Lutz: Dean’s List at Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York
Elijah Johnson, of Odessa: Master of Public Health, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
Kelly McDermott, of Lutz: Bachelor of Arts in Communications & Information Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
Joshua Oldenburg, of Odessa: Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta

Vaccines for school employees
Pasco County Schools is partnering with the Pasco County Department of Health and the Pasco Department of Emergency Management to provide COVID-19 vaccines to school district employees who are age 65 and older, according to a news release.

The first of the two vaccine doses is scheduled for Feb. 7. A second dose is scheduled for March 7.

The vaccinations, which are by appointment only, will take place in New Port Richey and in Land O’ Lakes.

Due to a limited supply of vaccines, the state has made it a priority to vaccinate Floridians age 65 and older. Additionally, the Pasco Department of Health has made the vaccine available to the school district’s medical first responders.

The vaccinations will be administered by teams of nurses from both the Department of Health and the school district.

Federal loan tip
Students who will borrow money for college using federal student loans must complete entrance counseling, if they are borrowing for the first time, according to the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA).

Entrance counseling helps students understand the financial commitments they agree to when they receive their loan.

The U.S. Department of Education requires borrowers to complete the counseling before students can receive loan funds. The counseling will teach users how to borrow responsibly without taking out more loans than are needed.

The department offers online counseling at StudentAid.gov, under the Complete Aid Process tab. Counseling should take between 20 minutes to 30 minutes.

Borrowers should check with their college to see if the federal counseling session is accepted, as some schools have alternate counseling program requirements.

The KHEAA is a public, nonprofit agency established in 1966 to improve students’ access to college. It also provides information about financial aid and financial literacy at no cost to students and parents.

For more about KHEAA services, visit KHEAA.com.

St. Anthony open house
St. Anthony Catholic School, 12155 Joe Herrmann Drive in San Antonio, is scheduled to open a new VPK program in August. Enrollment for new families will begin on Feb. 23.

The school will host an open house on Feb. 4 from 9 a.m. to noon. Small tours will be given due to the current COVID-19 health and safety circumstances.

For information and to learn more about the school’s VPK program, K-8 openings, or to schedule a tour, call 352-588-3041, or visit StAnthonySchoolFl.org.

SAT School Day
The District School Board of Pasco County will provide the SAT School Day free of charge to all juniors on March 24, according to the Pasco County Schools Facebook page.

The district will register all juniors for the test; it is not necessary for students to register on the College Board website.

For more information, students should contact their respective school counselor.

Extra help to be provided for struggling students

January 26, 2021 By B.C. Manion

Pasco County Schools is planning to extend its school day to provide extra help for students who are struggling.

The Pasco County School Board on Jan. 19 approved a plan to invite elementary and secondary school students who are lagging behind to take part in the longer day.

Vanessa Hilton, the school district’s chief academic officer, said schools “have done a great deal of work, communicating with families about their options for semester two. In particular, lots of outreach to families of students who are struggling, or not making progress, in particular in MySchool Online.

“They spent a lot of time trying to welcome them back into in-school learning,” Hilton said.

The state required districts to develop and implement expanded spring academic intervention plans, including supplemental services and expanded learning opportunities, for those students who are not making gains or making progress.

To address that issue, the district will provide intervention needed in reading and/or mathematics, from Feb. 1 through May 22.

The program will run for 90 minutes at the end of the school day on Monday through Thursday afternoons, with an option for three-hour Saturday school for secondary students.

Transportation and snacks will be provided.

“Additionally, as part of the plan, we’ll also be building a monthly progress report to be shared with families, not just with students in extended learning, but any students who are not meeting expectation,” Hilton said. “That way, everyone is well-informed about how our students are progressing. This data is also required by the state.”

The extended learning will be offered in all schools. Students who meet the district’s criteria will be invited, but not required, to attend.

“This is not compulsory,” Superintendent Kurt Browning emphasized.

The district has reached out to parents of struggling students to help the students catch up.

“It is still up to the parent, as to whether or not they want their student to stay the extra hour and a half, Monday through Thursday, or take advantage of the Saturday session.

“It is there for them. We are spending great sums of money to make sure their students are successful and where they need to be, but the parent still calls the shots,” the superintendent said.

School board member Allen Altman said he wishes the district could require students who are struggling to receive the extra help. He said he’s personally aware of situations, and teachers have told him of others, in which students and their parents are both entirely disengaged.

While the district can’t require students to attend, Altman said it should strongly encourage them to do so. He doesn’t want the district to be held responsible for the lack of progress — when the district is extending opportunities for students to improve their academic performance.

Hilton also noted that if there are students who continue to be learning virtually, but are struggling, “it is entirely possible” for them to attend the extra instructional sessions.

However, they would need to do so at school because the grant funding for the program requires face-to-face instruction.

“School leaders and teachers really do want to serve students who are struggling,” Hilton said.

She also addressed Altman’s concern.

“I do know that their invitations will be more like recommendations. That’s also what they did to try to encourage families to come back from MySchool Online, if students were not successful there,” Hilton said.

Published January 27, 2021