Education

Chalk Talk 07/15/2020

July 14, 2020 By Mary Rathman

Community service hours
Gulfside Hospice Thrift Shoppes is looking for teen volunteers to join its team.

Teens who volunteer at the shops can earn community service hours for scholarships, school programs and more.

And, teens can learn new skills, receive hands-on training and gain retail experience. Duties include tasks such as greeting customers, sorting donations, stocking shelves and organizing merchandise.

Youth ages 15 and older can complete an online application at Gulfside.org/thrift-shoppes, or stop by any of the five shop locations to talk to a store manager and apply. New volunteers will receive an on-site orientation and training in the store of their choice, and they can save up to 50% when shopping in any of the shops.

Locations include Lutz, Dade City, Zephyrhills, New Port Richey and Hudson.

For information, call (800) 561-4883.

Back-to-school bash
Westfield Citrus Park, 8021 Citrus Park Town Center in Tampa, will host a Full Inclusion Back-to-School Bash on July 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event focuses on families with both neuro-diverse and neuro-typical children.

There will be a “Quiet Hour” when the ‘doors’ open an hour prior to the event for children on the spectrum or with sensory disorders. Both vendors and guests are asked to wear masks, but a DIY mask-making station will be provided. There also will be a touchless photo booth with characters, and plexiglass partitions on tables.

Families must register in advance for a child to receive a backpack. Some vendors will offer school supplies and take-home activities. Admission and all school supplies (while supplies last) are free.

For information and to register, call (727) 674-1464, or visit EventBrite.com.

Micro-credential courses
Saint Leo University now is offering a new form of high-quality instruction that allows adults to pick up new skills or knowledge in a short period of time through highly focused courses.

Rather than seeking degrees, those opting for these courses will be enrolling to earn micro-credentials from the new Center for Alternative Pathway Programs.

For mastering the material in certain courses, learners will be awarded a digital Saint Leo

‘badge,’ which is a formal acknowledgement that can be added to resumes and online documents, and whose validity employers can trust.

The badge signifies a micro-credential the way a diploma represents the completion of a college degree program.

Saint Leo launched the Center for Alternative Pathway Programs to address the continuing education needs in the American marketplace, according to Cindy Lee, director of the center.

Those who have completed some level of formal education or workplace training still find that they may need to learn new techniques, business processes or programs, or revisit material, Lee said, in a news release.

Saint Leo faculty and consultants designed the courses on topics such as cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, grantsmanship, and exam preparation for the Project Management Professional credential.

The roster of badge-bearing courses will be expanded, and Saint Leo expects to have more by the end of the calendar year.

Also, the Center has a catalog of a variety of other self-paced, career-oriented online courses from MindEdge Inc.

Prices are set for all courses individually, and all payments are handled digitally.

For more, visit SaintLeo.edu/micro-credentials.

Donation drive
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s five offices will be collecting donations during July for the Pasco County School District’s ABC (Assist, Believe & Care) Program, which was created to provide financial assistance to students and their families who are experiencing economic hardship.

Money donated goes into a fund that teachers can use when they see or learn of a need a child may have.

Cash donations may be made at any of the tax collector locations in Pasco County.

For information on the ABC campaign and other charitable giving programs, call Assistant Tax Collector Greg Giordano at (727) 847-8179, or visit PascoTaxes.com.

Saint Leo plans reopening
Saint Leo University’s plan to reopen its University Campus is rooted in the concern for the health and safety of all students, faculty, staff and visitors.

The transition will be a methodical process and vary depending on the different needs and working environment of each department and location of the university, according to a news release from the school.

Stage One of returning to campus is expected to remain in place through Aug. 14, unless there are changes to the situation, which university officials will continue to monitor.

Saint Leo’s steps to ensure a healthy work environment:

Every employee must be tested for COVID-19 and report negative results before returning to work.
AdventHealth provided drive-thru anterior nasal swab testing on campus in early June.
Daily monitoring is required, including temperature/fever checks.
Face masks or face coverings must be worn by all staff working on site when in the presence of others and in public settings, both indoors and outdoors.
Social distancing practices will be employed. Employees must stay at least 6 feet away, even when wearing a mask, and keep groups to less than 10 people.
Work areas during Stage 1 will not exceed 50% capacity.
Deep cleaning processes are being used aligned with the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Hand-sanitizing stations are at all major building entrances, elevator stops and high-traffic areas. Employees should wipe down commonly used surfaces, too.
Elevators will be limited to one person per trip. Stairwells will be one-way for routine use and marked accordingly.
Employees must bring their own meals or purchase grab-and-go items available in Benedict’s Coffeehouse. During Stage One, the Dining Hall and the Lions’ Lair will be closed.
Those reporting to work could have staggered schedules to accommodate those entering and exiting buildings.
Only visitors with essential university business will be allowed on campus, and are required to follow the guidelines of face masks and social distancing.

The university is planning to reopen all on-ground classes at University Campus on schedule, in August.

Chalk Talk 07/08/2020

July 7, 2020 By Mary Rathman

New graduation dates released
The Yuengling Center at USF is unable to hold the delayed graduations planned in August for Pasco County’s graduating seniors, according to the Pasco County Schools’ Facebook page.

An alternate plan for in-person graduation ceremonies is to take place outdoors (most schools) in each school’s stadium. These ceremonies are scheduled from July 17 through July 31.

At each graduation, the student will be able to bring two guests, and each grouping of three (graduate and two guests) will be seated together on the field at a safe distance from other graduates and their guests.

The new graduation dates and times are:

July 17 at 7:30 p.m.: Zephyrhills High, ZHS stadium; Wesley Chapel High, WCHS stadium; and Fivay High, FHS stadium
July 18 at 8 a.m.: Land O’ Lakes High, LOLHS stadium
July 20 at 7:30 p.m.: Pasco eSchool, Crews Lake Middle cafeteria
July 22 at 8:30 a.m.: Sunlake High, SLHS stadium; and at 6 p.m.: Wendell Krinn Technical High, Wendell Krinn gymnasium
July 24 at 7:30 p.m.: Cypress Creek High, CCHS stadium; J.W. Mitchell High, JWMHS stadium; and Pasco High, PHS stadium
July 25 at 9 a.m.: Gulf High, J.W. Mitchell stadium
July 29 at 7:30 p.m.: Marchman Technical College, Wendell Krinn stadium
July 31 at 7:30 p.m.: Wiregrass Ranch High, WRHS stadium; River Ridge High, RRHS stadium; Anclote High, AHS stadium; and Hudson High, HHS stadium

For information and to register, call (727) 674-1464, or visit EventBrite.com.

Fee adjustment review
Pasco-Hernando State College’s District Board of Trustees (DBOT) will consider approving proposed adjusted course-related fees at its July 21 board meeting, at 6 p.m., at the school’s West Campus in New Port Richey.

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

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

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

For details regarding the proposed fee adjustments, justification for the fees and fee implementation details, visit tinyurl.com/y8u7wxzy.

eSchool principal honored
Pasco eSchool Principal JoAnne Glenn has been named a National Association of Secondary School Principals 2020 Digital Principal of the Year. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

Student achievements

Amanda Andujar, Odessa: Dean’s List, Ithaca College, New York
Nicole Leigh Avary, Odessa: President’s List and Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Clemson University, South Carolina
Kaylyn Burr, Land O’ Lakes: High Honor, Minnesota State University-Mankato
Cassandra Cooper, Lutz: Dean’s List and Bachelor of Arts (International Honors), College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia
Adam Filinovich, Wesley Chapel: President’s List, Florida State University, Tallahassee
Michael Fisher, Lutz: The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, University of Florida
Molly Grace Flanagan, Lutz: Dean’s List, Norwich University, Northfield, Vermont
Sydney Fleeman, Odessa: Dean’s List, Valdosta State University, Georgia
Michelle Graham, Lutz: Dean’s List, Mercer University, Macon, Georgia
Lauryn Green, Odessa: Dean’s List, High Point University, North Carolina
Gabrielle Harrison, Lutz: Bachelor of Arts in Communication & Information Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
Haley Hernandez, Lutz: Chancellor’s List, Troy University, Alabama
Jace Hohenthaner, Lutz: Dean’s List, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb
Elijah Hames, Odessa: Dean’s List, Kennesaw State University, Georgia
Thais Jacomassi, Lutz: Dean’s List, Emerson College, Boston, Massachusetts
Kristen Jansen, Lutz: Non-Traditional Pharmacy degree, Shenandoah University, Winchester, Virginia
Lynn Keller, Odessa: Dean’s List, Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama
Emily Leonard, Wesley Chapel: Dean’s List, Mercer University, Macon, Georgia
Cayla Lowrey, Odessa: Dean’s List, High Point University, North Carolina
Nicole Mitchell, Lutz: Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
Julliet Abel Muriel, Spring Hill: Dean’s List, Norwich University, Northfield, Vermont
Ebonee Nicholes, Lutz: Bachelor of Arts, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
Clare O’ Keefe, Lutz: Dean’s List, Endicott College, Beverly, Massachusetts
Megan Richards, Wesley Chapel: Dean’s List, University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Megan Rizzi, Lutz: Dean’s List, Furman University, Greenville, South Carolina
Robert Root, Land O’ Lakes: University of Northern Colorado, Greeley
Angelo Sardegna, Lutz: Dean’s List, Curry College, Milton, Massachusetts
Dylan Schaffer, Lutz: Dean’s List, Rockhurst University, Kansas City, Missouri
Eric Sennott, Odessa: Dean’s List, Curry College, Milton, Massachusetts
Patrick Smith, Land O’ Lakes: Bachelor of Science in Human Development & Family Sciences: Family Social Services, Northern Illinois University, Dekalb
Nicole Solomon, Odessa: Bachelor of Arts in Communication & Information Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
Ashlyn Stevens, Lutz: Dean’s List, Harding University, Searcy, Arkansas
Elizabeth Szabo, Odessa: Dean’s List, High Point University, North Carolina
Brett Taylor, Land O’ Lakes: Dean’s Honor Roll, Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, Texas
Riley Wood, Land O’ Lakes: Honor Roll, Bethel University, McKenzie, Tennessee
Jonathan Young, Wesley Chapel: President’s List, Mercer University, Macon, Georgia

Chalk Talk 07/01/2020

June 30, 2020 By Mary Rathman

Art competition winner
Wiregrass Ranch High School student Anna Speer has been selected as the 2020 winner of the Congressional Art Competition, which recognizes and encourages artistic talent among high school students in Florida’s 12th Congressional District. Speer’s oil painting, ‘Reflections,’ will hang in the U.S. Capitol over the next year. She was nominated by teacher Paula Roush-Smith.

Other award winners: Nathan Wang, Land O’ Lakes High: Award of Merit; and, Sarah Evans, Kara Galley and Kiley Gambrel-Groover, Mitchel High: Honorable Mentions.

Money donated goes into a fund that teachers can use when they see or learn of a need a child may have.

Cash donations may be made at any of the tax collector locations in Pasco County.

For information on the ABC campaign and other charitable giving programs, call Assistant Tax Collector Greg Giordano at (727) 847-8179, or visit PascoTaxes.com.

College-sponsored merit winners
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced more than 3,300 winners of National Merit Scholarships financed by U.S. colleges and universities.

Officials of each sponsor college selected their scholarship winners from among the finalists in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program who plan to attend their institution.

The awards provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at the institution financing the scholarship.

These area students are recipients of a college-sponsored award:

Steven Miltenberger, Land O’ Lakes, Land O’ Lakes High School: National Merit University of Florida Scholarship. Probable career field: computer science.
Emily Flinter, Lutz, Carrollwood Day School: National Merit Emory University Scholarship. Probable career field: medicine.
Rebekah Hurwitz, Lutz, Steinbrenner High School: National Merit University of Florida Scholarship. Probable career field: actuarial science.
Vivek Kondapavuluru, Lutz, Hillsborough High School: National Merit University of Florida Scholarship. Probable career field: medicine.
Zachary Melson, Lutz, Middleton High School: National Merit University of Florida Scholarship. Probable career field: undecided.
Rana Xen Scherer, Lutz, Steinbrenner High School: National Merit University of Central Florida Scholarship. Probable career field: electrical engineering.
Nicholas Gray, Dade City, Pasco High School: National Merit University of Central Florida Scholarship. Probable career field: computer science.
Riya Choski, Odessa, Gulf High School: National Merit University of South Florida Scholarship. Probable career field: medicine.
Bethany Bradshaw, Trinity, Mitchell High School: National Merit University of Central Florida Scholarship. Probable career field: aerospace engineering.
Dustin Rendell, Trinity, Mitchell High School: National Merit University of Florida Scholarship. Probable career field: medicine.
Shannon Chen, Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes High School: National Merit University of Florida Scholarship. Probable career field: dentistry.
Mindy Do, Wesley Chapel, Cypress Creek High School: National Merit University of South Florida Scholarship. Probable career field: health care.
Achyudhan Kutuva, Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes High School: National Merit University of Florida Scholarship. Probable career field: science/research.

• Stanley Moonjeli, Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes High School: National Merit University of Florida Scholarship. Probable career field: mechanical engineering (robotics)

For information and to register, call (727) 674-1464, or visit EventBrite.com.

Parents asked to help on school reopening plan

June 30, 2020 By B.C. Manion

As Hillsborough County Schools gears up for a new school year, district officials need guidance from parents to help them plan.

Hillsborough Schools Superintendent Addison Davis has laid out three potential models the school district could follow in the fall, depending on what’s happening with COVID-19.

Here is a synopsis:

Model A:
Model A has three options:

Students can return to school for traditional, face-to-face instruction.
Students can learn from home, using eLearning, an improved version of the online instruction they received last school year.
Students can enroll in Hillsborough Virtual School. These courses are designed to require students to meet certain requirements, but they have flexibility in scheduling their learning.

Model B:

Students can spend 40% of their time in face-to-face instruction, and 60% of their time in eLearning.
Students can do eLearning only.
Students can do Hillsborough Virtual School.

Model C:

Students can do eLearning or Hillsborough Virtual School. Campuses are closed.

At a June 23 workshop with the Hillsborough County School Board, Davis emphasized, “the plan has to be, and should be, very fluid along the way.”

The Model A version envisions the state operating at Phase III of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ reopening plan, which allows buildings to operate at up to 100% of capacity.

The district understands that some parents and some staff may decide to not return to school, so the eLearning and Hillsborough Virtual School allow other options, Davis said.

If parents pursue one of the online options, fewer students would be on campus, making it easier for the district to achieve social distancing, the superintendent explained.

The district’s hybrid model provides a way to reduce the number of students who are on a campus at the same time. That means fewer students simultaneously riding buses, eating in the lunchroom, heading to the library or using other heavily trafficked areas on campus.

Another advantage of the hybrid model is that it gives students a chance to have face-to-face instruction for four out of 10 days of learning.

“There’s no substitute for a high-quality teacher in front of students,” Davis said.

The district is now reaching out to parents through an online survey, asking parents to identify what option they prefer for their students.

The district needs information about specific students, so it can plan properly, Davis said.

He hopes to have that information by July 10.

Regardless of the district’s final plans, the district intends to provide masks for its employees and to provide three, and possibly as many as eight, reusable masks per student, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Regardless of the approach the district uses, it will greatly limit assemblies, pep rallies and field trips and will have stringent restrictions involving visitors on campuses.

It also will have protocols involving sanitation, personal hygiene and its response when a staff member or student is suspected of being positive for COVID-19.

School board member Steve Cona III said he’s a fan of Model A.

“I appreciate the creativity of Model B,” he said, but he added, “from a parent’s standpoint, I think it’s a logistical nightmare.”

He also thinks the district needs a defined criteria for what eLearning looks like. “We need to ensure that we have proper procedures and standards across the district.”

Davis assured board members that in the coming year, “eLearning will be significantly improved” compared to the online instruction students received at the end of last school year.

Cona also noted that the district needs to ensure that its standards for cleanliness are uniform across the district, which, he said, was not the case even before COVID-19.

School board member Karen Perez noted there are students who reside in multi-generational households, and she voiced concerns that asymptomatic students could infect their grandparents.

School board member Stacy Hahn said she’s happy there are options for parents. But, she voiced concerns about a digital divide. She called for learning opportunities to help families that are struggling with the use of technology.

Published July 1, 2020

In Just Six Weeks, A Brand New School Opens

June 23, 2020 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Few planned communities can boast of a public library AND a tuition-free charter school at the main entrances to their development. But, these bragging rights go to Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, the only development in Pasco County to offer both.

First to open is Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel, when students will pour through its doors on Aug. 10, the first day of the 2020-2021 school year in Pasco County. And then, a few months later, the New River Library will be re-opening in a completely remodeled building just a few blocks west of the school.

There will be over 600 students in kindergarten through sixth grade at the new charter school — the first Pinecrest Academy in Tampa Bay. With 16 schools nationwide, Pinecrest Academy offers advanced programs for its students, including STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) curriculum, and a dual English/Spanish language program.

At Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel, students in all grades also will be immersed in new technologies, including robotics, and will work in fully functioning STEM labs — something most schools do not offer.

“All Pinecrest schools have an emphasis on high-quality instruction. We’ll continuously be monitoring the data so we know what each student needs, and have many different programs available to focus on the needs of the individual student,” says Principal Aimee Mielke.

There are still openings for students, and Mielke encourages interested families to explore the school’s website and complete its application as soon as possible. Information and the application form can be accessed at PinecrestWesleyChapel.com.

Mielke has hired most of the school’s 27 teachers, including classroom, art, music, Spanish, and physical education, as well as an instructional coach and office staff.

“We have a nice combination of experienced teachers from both public and charter schools,” said Mielke, who adds that over half of her teaching staff have master’s degrees.

The school, which is located on State Road 54 about three miles east of Interstate 75, will have several sections at every grade level, with kindergarten and the lower grades having the most.

The school also is offering self-contained classrooms for gifted students, where pacing will be faster and performance tests much more in-depth.

Everything designed and purchased for the classrooms was chosen for student engagement, Mielke explains, and technology is an essential component of the new school. Laptops are being provided for every student in grades two through six, as are iPads for first-graders and kindergartners.

Blue and green colors brilliantly burst along the hallways of the modern building that has 49 large classrooms, oversized art and music rooms, and high-tech science labs. The school is visually notable with unusual windows in the shape of half-moons, circles and squares that give students and faculty stunning lake and conservation views.

The New River Library and Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel, along with New River Elementary, are all important elements of the goal to build a brand-new town, says Stephanie Lerret, senior vice president of marketing and community relations for the Avalon Park Group, the developer behind the community.

“We are ecstatic to have both a brand new library and charter school in our community to give our residents the best opportunities for themselves and their children,” said Lerret.

New school year offers three options

June 23, 2020 By B.C. Manion

Students will have three options when classes resume this fall in Pasco Schools.

Pasco Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning announced his ReOpening Pasco Schools plan in a news release issued June 18.

“Parents sent us a message loud and clear: they wanted options,” Browning said, in the news release. “Many are eager to have their student return to school and see their teachers and classmates. But, many aren’t ready for that yet. There’s an option here for everyone.”

Here are the choices outlined in the district’s 2020-2021 reopening plan:

Traditional– A return to campus and classroom with the standard school schedule and bell times.

This option includes a heavy emphasis on health and safety precautions. Students will practice safe social distancing to the greatest extent possible. Schools will use signage and consistent communication to discourage the gathering of large groups of students. Students will be expected to wear masks or cloth face coverings on the school bus, but masks will not be required in classrooms.

mySchool Online– Virtual learning with a connection to the student’s enrolled school.

This option requires that students follow the standard school schedule and bell times. It features lessons and virtual interaction with teachers during each class period – all conducted online.

Virtual School– Online learning through Pasco’s nationally recognized Pasco eSchool.

This model offers flexible scheduling and is taught by Pasco County teachers. Students work at their own pace and can do schoolwork during non-traditional hours.

Before announcing its reopening plan, the district sought input from families and staff in recent weeks to gauge their comfort level and priorities for the start of the new school year.

This was the first yellow bus to arrive last year at Pineview Elementary School. This coming year, the expectation for bus riders will be for them to wear a mask. (File)

The district also conducted focus groups and gathered ideas, thoughts, and concerns via a tool called ThoughtExchange.

Thousands of people weighed in, with clear themes emerging.

Among the primary concerns were a need for options and the cleanliness at school, according to the news release.

In addition to announcing the news to the media, the district used telephone calls and emails to announce the plan to staff and families.

Families will be asked to choose an option for their student or students by July 1, to enable the district to make staffing decisions.

The school year begins Aug. 10.

Browning also appears in an introductory video on the district’s website, which includes a more detailed description of the three options, as well as a set of frequently asked questions.

To view that, visit Pasco.k12.fl.us/reopening.

Pasco County Schools ReOpening Plan
Pasco County Schools has issued a reopening plan. Here are some of the details:

Public health actions on campuses

Practice safe social distancing to the greatest extent possible
Post signage and provide lessons to strongly encourage frequent hand-washing and hygiene practices
Ensure hand sanitizer is available throughout the campus
Increase cleaning protocols throughout each campus, including replacing air filters more frequently
Limit group gatherings
Encourage face coverings on campus
Conduct symptom screenings

School bus safety

Expect students to wear face coverings on the bus
Clean high-touch areas between runs
Ensure hand sanitizer is available on each bus
Disinfect each bus thoroughly at the end of each day

Extra steps at elementary level

District will use a cohort isolation model, where students will spend time on campus with the group of students in their class, including in the classroom, the cafeteria, media center and the playground. The goal is to limit Interaction with students from other classes to the greatest extent possible. By doing that, if a student displays symptoms of illness, it likely will impact their cohort classmates, and not the entire school — in terms of quarantine or other interventions.

Extra steps at the secondary level
Each secondary school will have a customized plan to discourage large gatherings of students in hallways and common areas. Clear communications and signage will be used to reinforce that message. The number of students allowed in the cafeteria, media center and gymnasiums will be significantly reduced. Extracurricular activities will resume, and will adhere to recommendations from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and the state.

Source: Pasco County Schools

SOME COMMON Q&As

Distance learning

If I choose the Virtual or mySchool operation, do I have to have a computer?
A device and an Internet connection will be necessary for distance learning. When choosing your option, indicate whether you have a device and access to the Internet. The district will provide devices and arrange Internet hotspots and hubs, when necessary.

Recess

Under the traditional model, will elementary children have recess?
Yes, recess will be organized to emphasize social distancing; playground equipment will be cleaned between uses.

Head Start options
The traditional model is the only option available for Head Start participants.

Will mySchool Online be identical to the end-of-the year distance learning?
No, there will be more frequent real-time interaction between students and teachers. Also, the mySchool Online model will incorporate standard school schedules and bell times, leading to a learning experience more connected to teachers.

Will mySchool Online or Virtual students be able to participate in athletics?
Yes, students will have the same opportunities to participate in athletics.

Will students wear masks in school?
Masks will not be required, but will be allowed.

How will you keep surfaces clean?
Maintenance workers and school custodians will clean frequently touched surfaces throughout the day and conduct overall cleanings at the conclusion of every day. Other non-custodial staff members will be expected to do their part keeping surfaces clean, and will be provided spray bottles and microfiber cloths for additional cleaning. Teachers will have access to cleaning supplies for their classroom.

What other steps are being taken to ensure a healthy environment?
Pasco Schools will partner with parents in educating students on the importance of hand-washing, hygiene and social distancing. Hand sanitizer will be made available in classrooms and workplaces. The schedule for changing air conditioning filters has been accelerated.

What will my student’s school do if a classmate or staff member is infected with COVID-19?
We will send a clear message to parents and staff that if they are exhibiting any symptoms, they should not come to school or report to work. Any student exhibiting symptoms at school will be taken to a location at the school clinic set aside for possible COVID-19 cases, and their parent will be notified to take them home or to visit a medical professional.

What if a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19?
The Pasco County Health Department will notify the district if a student or staff member tests positive. We will notify parents, while not specifically identifying the student or staff member. We will cooperate with the Health Department as they conduct the appropriate notifications of individuals who have been in contact with the person infected. Our ReOpening Plan is designed to limit the chances of infection and to limit the disruption to a school or workplace in the event of an infection.

For more information, visit Pasco.k12.fl.us/reopening/faq.

Source: Pasco County Schools

Published June 24, 2020

Local schools join civics and debate initiative

June 23, 2020 By B.C. Manion

Dr. John Long Middle School and Wiregrass Ranch High School are among 60 schools across Florida selected to take part in the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative (FCDI).

The selections were announced during the Pasco County School Board meeting on June 16.

The initiative is supported through a $5 million grant from The Marcus Foundation.

“The mission of the FCDI is to create access and opportunities for all students to have the best civics education, including curriculum, debate programs, and high-quality teachers that are catalysts for students becoming great citizens who can preserve our constitutional republic for future generations,” according to a posting on the FloridaEducationFoundation.org website.

The idea is to increase access for all students to participate in speech and debate programs, regardless of school district, socioeconomic status, or background, according to the website.

The FCDI will develop and host the first of its kind National Civics and Debate Competition (NCDC), which will allow a broader range of students to explore, understand, and express important constitutional, legal and societal issues, the posting says.

Teachers and debate coaches also will be provided opportunities for professional development throughout the year, to enable them to learn techniques and best practices for teaching civics, speech and debate.

Published June 24, 2020

Chalk Talk 06/24/2020

June 23, 2020 By Mary Rathman

Hip hip, hooray!
Primrose Schools at Collier Parkway hosted a drive-by graduation for its 57 VPK graduates and their families on May 29. From left: Laura Brennen and Robin Adams, VPK teachers, and parent Jamie Hart celebrate the students with bright, painted signs along the parade route.

Fine Arts award

Meagan Stringer (Courtesy of Heritage Arts Center Association)

The Heritage Arts Center Association awarded the Nereim Fine Arts Award to Meagan Alexis Stringer, a Class of 2020 Zephyrhills High School graduate.

Heritage Arts is a local nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to promoting and supporting the performing and visual arts in the community.

The award honors the late founding board members Gordon and Jean Nereim.

Stringer was inspired to draw by her father and by her elementary school art teacher. She continued working on her artistic talent throughout her childhood, and plans to enter the field of illustration at the Academy of Art University.

Stringer will be invited to display her art at next year’s “Moonlight and Ivory” concerts and art shows at the women’s club in Dade City.

For information, visit HeritageArts.org, and click on the Visual Arts link.

Camp Wow is open
Pasco County Schools’ summer camp program is now open at 14 school sites around the county. The popular program is available Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with several health and safety modifications in place, including:

Reduced staff-to-student ratios
Enhanced sanitizing procedures
Curbside drop-off and pick-up
Daily health screenings

To register for summer camp, to see a list of sites, or to learn more about the program, visit Camp Wow! web page at MyASEP.com/campwow/.

SONIC thanks teachers
SONIC Drive-In matched all donations to DonorsChoose on Teacher Appreciation Day in May.

To recognize the entrepreneurial spirit that drives teachers to meet students’ distance learning needs, these two Lutz teachers received funding for their individual projects:

Victoria Wilson, Learning Gate Community School (K-6 Campus): “A MacBook Pro for Educational Success”
Ingrid Osborne, Maniscalco Elementary School: “Circle Time Fun”

Through Limeades for Learning, SONIC donated $1 million to public school teacher requests across the country on Teacher Appreciation Day, supporting their endeavors to provide students with essential education resources.

Students ready for college careers
The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club awarded its annual club scholarships in the amount of $2,500 each, to these four students: Steinbrenner High School graduates Brianna Sandner (Florida Gulf Coast University), Joseph Pereira (University of South Florida), and Maggie O’Shea (Florida State University), and Sunlake High graduate Morghan Copeland (University of Florida).

Graduation schedules
Traditional graduations for Pasco County seniors have been rescheduled to August.

The listed ceremonies are contingent on developments regarding COVID-19 and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requirements.

Aug. 5: Marchman Technical College at River Ridge High School (time to be determined)
Aug. 6: Pasco High School at Pasco High Stadium, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 10: Pasco eSchool at River Ridge High School, 6 p.m.
Aug. 11: Wendell Krinn Technical High School at Wendell Krinn, 6 p.m.
Aug. 12: Cypress Creek High School at Yuengling Center, 7 p.m.
Aug. 13: Zephyrhills High School (3 p.m.) and Wiregrass High (7 p.m.), at Yuengling Center
Aug. 14: Land O’ Lakes High (3 p.m.) and Wesley Chapel High (7 p.m.), at Yuengling Center
Aug. 15 Sunlake High at Yuengling Center, 1 p.m.

Back to school will be different this fall

June 16, 2020 By B.C. Manion

Efforts are in high gear, as Pasco County Schools prepares for the coming 2020-2021 school year.

Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning has said the district will announce its comprehensive plan for the upcoming school year on or before July 1.

In light of continuing concerns over the spread of COVID-19, the district must take precautions it hasn’t had to take in previous years.

In preparation for developing its plan, it has hosted focus groups, conducted a survey and used a tool called Thought Exchange, which drew participation from thousands of people.

“You let us know what you thought and we listened,” Browning said, in a video posted on the school district’s website.

“Several themes came through, loud and clear,” Browning said.

“Many parents and staff expect and welcome a return to a traditional school setting in the fall.

“You want a safe and healthy learning environment.

“You want us to provide options because not everyone feels comfortable, returning to the school campus or to the workplace.

“You want online learning to include more opportunities for students to interact directly with their teachers.

“You want us to ensure that there are clear rules and procedures for when a child becomes sick and that those rules are enforced. You want more mental health resources for students and staff. And, you want to have opportunities to experience all of the things that make for a rewarding school experience, including all of the extracurricular activities that make school fun.”

Browning said the district remains focused on “providing a world-class education and closing the achievement gap.”

It also needs “to ensure that our classrooms and workspaces are regularly cleaned and have a plan in place to replenish soap and cleaning supplies.

“Our plan has to be flexible to meet the varying needs of students and staff. It also needs to be consistent and predictable at all grade levels and worksites.

“As they say, the devil is in the details,” so the district has several work groups focused on working out those details, he said.

At a Pasco School Board meeting on June 2, Don Peace, president of the United School Employees of Pasco, expressed appreciation for being invited to take part in district focus groups to brainstorm about concerns and offer suggestions.

As the district moves toward the goal of returning to brick-and-mortar sites, Peace asked district officials to continue welcoming input from the union.

“Please allow us to continue in conversations that will help evolve how this plays out.”

The union leader also noted that he’s heard from parents and employees who are concerned about returning to school campuses.

“Whether real or imagined, the fear some people have will drive decisions regarding school and work attendance,” Peace said.

Published June 17, 2020

Pasco Schools to launch District Equity Team

June 16, 2020 By B.C. Manion

Pasco Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning has issued a statement in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd, and announced the creation of a new District Equity Team.

Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died on May 25 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, after Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, knelt on Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, according to a video that went viral and national news reports.

“In the wake of the tragic death of George Floyd, it is clear that our nation is in turmoil and our communities are hurting. And yet, I find reason to be hopeful. We are in an important moment in our nation’s history when people of all races and ethnicities are standing together hand-in-hand demanding change. I am hopeful that we have at last embraced the concept that we are all responsible for each other,” Browning’s statement says.

“In this environment of pain, anger and confusion, I want to send a clear message to our employees, students and their families, and our entire community. I am proud to call Pasco County my home, and I will continue to stand up for our community every chance I get. I am proud to lead our school district. Yet, I know that our community and our school district can and must do better. My words – our words – must be backed up by action.

“As the superintendent of schools and the largest employer in Pasco County, I feel I have a responsibility to address the issues that have left our nation in chaos and to propose solutions. “As Nelson Mandela said, ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.’

“Making a difference is never an easy task and the path ahead is fraught with complexity. I believe that educators have a moral imperative to lead by example. We must make it clear that we will not tolerate any child or employee being ridiculed or mistreated because of the color of their skin, ethnicity, the sound of their name, or their unique qualities and differences.

“That’s why I am creating a District Equity Team to examine the factors that contribute to inequitable outcomes, and to propose solutions. I will direct this Team to take the following actions:

Identify biases and behaviors that prevent consistent equitable, fair and respectful practices;
Leverage relationships with national external partners to engage in improvement methods for equity;
Set goals for achieving improved outcomes within our District Success Plan to address our equity challenges and measure the impact of our work;
Provide equity-focused professional learning to all stakeholders focused on deepening trust, developing diverse leaders, and building capacity for change.

“Fulfilling these commitments and finding solutions will be a challenge. I cannot accomplish this task alone. I ask all of you to work with me to make a difference in our community – Pasco County,” Browning said.

Published June 17, 2020