The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Education

Lottery Deadline Approaching for Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel

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The deadline is quickly approaching for parents wanting their children to be in the 2020-2021 enrollment lottery for Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel, a new, tuition-free public charter school located at the community entrance of Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.

The modern architecture of Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel gives students and faculty stunning lake and conservation views.

Parents must complete the application form online at PinecrestWesleyChapel.com, by midnight on March 6. Several information sessions are scheduled on Feb. 29 and March 2 (see info box).

Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel is one of the most important elements of the goal to build a brand-new town in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, says Stephanie Lerret, senior vice president of marketing and community relations for the Avalon Park Group. Lerret noted that the developer’s goal is to have the very best school in the entire state.

“Our residents are ecstatic to have the option of sending their children to one of the top charter school operators in Florida,” said Lerret. “The school is conveniently located at our community’s entrance, and will be open before the completion of the widening of State Road 54, which runs in front of the school and our community.”

The new school will open with 650 students in kindergarten through sixth grade, and plans to expand to serve up to eighth grade. It is the first Pinecrest Academy in Tampa Bay.

With 16 schools nationwide, Pinecrest Academy Inc., has made a name for itself in the education community. As Aimee Mielke, the newly appointed principal for Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel, would say, “When you walk into a Pinecrest school, you know you’re in a Pinecrest school.”

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.

“There’s no question that Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel is a visually stunning architectural masterpiece,” said Miekle.

The principal is excited about the advanced programs Pinecrest will offer its students, including a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) curriculum, and a dual English/Spanish language program. With the STEM program, Pinecrest students will learn about new technologies, such as robotics, and will have fully functioning STEM labs in all grades — something most schools do not offer.

Pinecrest also will have self-contained classrooms for gifted students, where pacing will be faster and performance tests much more in-depth, to allow gifted students to flourish in their education.

“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 Mielke.

“All Pinecrest schools are high-performing,” Miekle continues. “Once we commit to a community, we’re not going to let you down.”

For the 2018 school year, all Pinecrest Academy schools in Florida earned an “A” from the Florida Department of Education.

“Pinecrest is unlike anything else…When somebody finds a school that fits what they believe in and what they want to see for their child, they will drive from anywhere,” says Mielke.

Pinecrest will be offering before and after care for their students, which will start at 6 a.m., and end at 6 p.m. It will be fee-based, but Mielke ensures it will be affordable. Pinecrest also will be providing a fee-based private Pre-K program for siblings of Pinecrest students; to be considered for the Pre-K program, your child must be 4 years old by Sept. 1.

For more information, please go to PinecrestWesleyChapel.com.

Pinecrest Info Sessions
Saturday, Feb. 29
Kindergarten: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Grades 3, 4 and 5: Noon to 1 p.m.
6th Grade: 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Monday, March 2
Kindergarten, Grades 1 and 2: 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Grades 3, 4, 5 and 6: 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

RSVP required at PinecrestWesleyChapel.com.

All sessions are next to the school at:
Trinity Church of Wesley Chapel, 33425 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel 33543

New Principal Has Pasco Roots
Aimee Mielke has been appointed as the first principal at Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel.

Mielke has been in the education industry for 23 years, with 20 of those working for Pasco County, most recently as principal of Connerton, Watergrass and Trinity elementary schools. She currently is principal of a charter school in Citrus Park, SLAM Tampa, a 6-12 school that focuses on sports leadership, arts and management.

Principal Aimee Miekle shows off the new crest for Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel.

“I love Pasco County, and it feels great to be back” says Mielke. When she was getting her bachelor degree at the University of South Florida, Mielke interned in Land O’ Lakes at Sanders Memorial Elementary, where she fell in love with the area and greatly appreciated the huge support she received from the community.

Throughout the years, Mielke has worn many different hats. She’s been a teacher, supervisor and director at the district level, assistant principal and principal. One thing she hasn’t done until this point was to open her own school, which is why Pinecrest is a dream come true for her.

“I have so many opportunities to be creative…I’m putting my stamp on the school from the ground up,” says Mielke.

Mielke says her main focus for the first year is to build meaningful relationships with her students and their family members, as well as providing students with the highest quality academics. Mielke plans on spending a lot of time this summer on professional development for Pinecrest teachers to ensure they will give the best education to their incoming students.

Published February 26, 2020

inPrep charter school to open this fall

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When Innovation Preparatory Academy, a new charter school in Wesley Chapel, opens this fall, it will usher in new opportunities in technology and innovation for students, according to officials at the groundbreaking ceremony last week for the school.

“It would be easy just to throw another school building up here. That’s not what you’re going to see,” said Jonathan Hage, the founder, chairman, president and CEO of Charter Schools USA.

Greg Singleton, CEO of Metro Development Group, shared details of Innovation Preparatory Academy, or inPrep for short, that is set to open this fall in Wesley Chapel. (B.C. Manion)

“You’re going to see a learning environment that’s truly on the very cutting edge of what is the best in the country,” said Hage, whose organization will be operating the school, under a partnership with Metro Development Group.

“This is actually one of the most innovative school projects we’ve ever been a part of, in our 22 years of building and operating charter schools around the country,” the education professional said.

“We’re going to be looking at the technology in a wholly different way because we have the 5G network,” Hage said. “They created a project from the ground up that’s designed to ensure that parents have amazing options and choices for their children.

“I’ll tell you, it’s a testament of the work that’s been done on the ground here, by an innovative team that wanted to make sure that we put the kids first in this county and make sure that the families had something that was unique for them,” Hage added.

Greg Singleton, president of Metro Development Group, told the crowd: “We’re super excited about what’s going on here. The goal here is to make this one of the best educational facilities in this particular region.”

The K-8 school, which will be called inPrep for short, will have a capacity for 765 students.

It will open this fall as a K-6 school, adding seventh grade in its second year of operation, and eighth grade the year after that.

“We’re going to use a curriculum called the WISH model, which stands for Wellness, Innovation, Science and Health. And, also, the science courses will be based on the STEM model, which is used to kind of motivate kids to get interested in science and technology, and engineering and math.

“Also, for the gifted and high-achieving students, inPrep is going to offer programs that are designed by England’s University of Cambridge to meet the needs (of those students.)

“Obviously, it took a Herculean effort to pull this off,” Singleton said, thanking the Metro team involved in the effort, as well as Red Apple Development, Charter Schools USA, Pasco County Schools, the Pasco County Commission and Pasco County government.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley was there to celebrate the groundbreaking.

He praised the progress being made in Connected City, which encompasses two Metro Places communities — Epperson and Mirada.

Each of those communities has a multi-acre Crystal Lagoon and Metro’s exclusive ULTRAFi high-speed Internet technology.

Pasco School Board member Alan Altman noted, “this is extremely rare to have such a cooperative partnership arrangement between a private developer and the county and the school district, and see an innovative charter school come in.”

He touched on the variety of academic programs the school district has added, to provide more choice for parents and students, and this charter school offers another new option.

“The more I learn about other school districts around the state, the more appreciative I am of Pasco County, and our board and our superintendent who have stepped out and said, ‘We want to provide choice. We want to provide opportunities.’

“The families and the citizens of this community will benefit for years to come because of the cooperation that has allowed this to be another opportunity for learning for our students,” Altman said.

Hage, too, marveled at the partnerships involved in the project.

The future is bright, he said, “when people still care about education this much and in this way.

“You see families and kids and business people and elected leaders all coming together, and doing what’s right for families and kids, that’s a unique thing.

“You don’t often see that,” Hage said.

Singleton encouraged parents who are interested to sign up soon.

“I think this is going to fill up immediately because this is something really special,” he said.

For more information, visit inPrep.com.

Published February 26, 2020

New East Pasco school gets a name

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A new high school that will focus on technology, STEM and business programs on the east side of Pasco County will be called the Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation.

The Pasco County School Board approved that name unanimously during the board’s Feb. 18 meeting.

The school is located at Curley Road and Keifer Road in Wesley Chapel on the former Kirkland Ranch property.

Program plans for the school include academies for Business, Finance & Marketing; Digital Technology; Engineering Technology; Health Science & Human Services; Transportation Technology; and Building Technology, according to Pasco County Schools’ Facebook page.

The school will serve grades nine through 12 and offer industry certification in high-demand career fields with a focus on technology, STEM, and business, the Facebook page adds.

The name Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation encompasses both the area where it will operate, and in general, to the school’s mission.

Board members received about 100 suggested names for the school.

Board member Alison Crumbley said there were so many fine people on the list that she couldn’t narrow it down to just one.

Board member Cynthia Armstrong said the name — Academy of Innovation — is broad enough to cover the ever-evolving direction of career and technical education.

“As we know, CTE is changing daily,” Armstrong said.

The new school is slated to open in August 2022.

Published February 26, 2020

Chalk Talk 02/26/2020

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School board members earn distinctions
Pasco County School Board members and the superintendent were recognized for earning the Master Board distinction by the Florida School Boards Association (FSBA).

From left: Superintendent Kurt Browning: Carol Cook, FSBA leadership services consultant; and board members Alison Crumbley, Colleen Beaudoin, Cynthia Armstrong, Megan Harding and Allen Altman. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

To earn this distinction, a majority of the district’s board members and the superintendent must be present for 20 training hours, including a Master Board Forum. The leadership curriculum is designed to offer meaningful learning sessions concentrating on student achievement through four pillars of the FSBA Governance Model: vision, structure, accountability and advocacy.

The Master Board distinction is one of several leadership development programs offered by the FSBA to ensure board members obtain well-rounded and thorough understanding of his or her policy-making job responsibilities.

Pasco County School Board members Colleen Beaudoin and Alison Crumbley also were recognized for earning the Certified Board Member designation by the FSBA.

For this distinction, members must complete 96 hours of training in three different content areas.

The bulk of this training falls under boardmanship, school finance, policy governance, personnel and bargaining, curriculum and instruction, state/federal legislative processes, and school law.

New school name chosen
The District School Board of Pasco County has chosen Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation as the name of a new high school focused on technology, STEM, and business programs scheduled to open in August 2022, according to a news release.

The school will be at Curley Road and Keifer Road in Wesley Chapel, on the former Kirkland Ranch property.

Program plans for the school include academies for Business, Finance & Marketing; Digital Technology; Engineering Technology; Health Science & Human Services; Transportation Technology; and Building Technology.

The school will serve grades nine to 12, and offer industry certification in high-demand career fields.

Luz Prep shoe drive
The Lutz Preparatory School National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) is collecting shoes now through March 4.

The footwear collected will provide an economic boost by supporting micro-enterprises in developing nations like Haiti, Colombia, India and Tanzania.

The group will accept clean, gently used (no holes in soles and laces intact), or new shoes.

The goal is to collect 2,500 pairs of shoes to raise $1,000 for the school’s NJHS Chapter.

For pickups and information, call Alicia Locascio at (813) 323-5050.

Student achievements

  • Madalyn Austin, of Dade City: Dean’s List at Anderson University, South Carolina
  • Austin Kendall Cambus, of Lutz: President’s List at University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
  • Roland Anthony Chacon, of Lutz: Dean’s List at Mars Hill University, North Carolina
  • Jennifer I. Clifford, of Lutz: Dean’s List at University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
  • Cole Dean Cooper, of Odessa: Dean’s List at Greensboro College, North Carolina
  • Ryan J. Davey, of Lutz: President’s List at University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
  • Moriah K. Davis, of Lutz: Dean’s List at University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
  • Michelle Graham, of Lutz: President’s List at Mercer University, Macon, Georgia
  • Gabrielle M. Harrison, of Lutz: President’s List at University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
  • Christian Bradley Hewitt, of Odessa: Dean’s List at University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
  • Daniel Higgins, of Odessa: Dean’s List Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois
  • Jack Austin Houser, of Odessa: Dean’s List at University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
  • Lynn Keller, of Odessa: Dean’s List at Samford University, Homewood, Alabama
  • Alexandra Kerns, of Trinity: President’s List at LIM College, New York, New York
  • Emily Leonard, of Wesley Chapel: Dean’s List at Mercer University, Macon, Georgia
  • Kelly McDermott, of Lutz: Dean’s List at University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
  • Chase John Memmer, of Odessa: Dean’s List at University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
  • Ebonee A. Nicholes, of Lutz: President’s List at University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
  • Zane Tarrance, of Odessa: Dean’s List at Newberry College, South Carolina
  • William Tucker, of Lutz: Dean’s List at Samford University, Homewood, Alabama
  • Angelo Sardegna, of Lutz: Dean’s List at Curry College, Milton, Massachusetts
  • Emily Grace Ymiolek, of Lutz: Dean’s List at University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
  • Peyton London Young, of Lutz: Dean’s List at University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa

Bridge-breaking contest
Saint Leo University’s Department of Mathematics and Science will present its annual bridge-breaking competition March 5 at 6 p.m., in Selby Auditorium, Lewis Hall, at 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo.

Teams of Saint Leo students constructed model bridges from lightweight wooden sticks and glue, adhering to strict rules on materials and dimensions.

The audience can vote on which bridge is most attractive, and faculty members will test each bridge to see which one can hold the most weight before it breaks.

Admission is free.

For information or preferred seating, contact Leo Ondrovic at (352) 588-7408 or .

STEAM conference
Saint Leo University will host its second Women in STEAM Conference, to provide information and resources for women and girls considering career options or training in the growing fields of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM).

The conference is scheduled for March 6 and March 7 at the Saint Leo campus, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For the adults, the program is geared toward women hoping to transition in STEAM careers and add to their professional skill sets.

Workshops and networking opportunities will be on both days.

Adult registration is $100, which includes admission and lunch.

The youth portion will take place only on March 7. Girls ages 8 to 18 can take part in a variety of STEAM activities.

Registration for the day, which includes lunch, is $50. Some scholarships are available.

Each ticket also comes with a discount code for any 2020 Saint Leo University STEAM Summer Camp.

For information, questions, and requests for accommodations or assistance, visit SaintLeo.edu/women-in-steam-conference.

 

Saint Leo to get $20 million wellness center

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Saint Leo University will soon be home to a sprawling $20 million wellness center —integrating student recreation, fitness, health services, counseling services and campus ministry.

A groundbreaking ceremony earlier this month celebrated the forthcoming 59,000-square-foot wellness center, to be situated on the west end of the campus by Lake Jovita.

From left: Jon Akvan, project manager, JLL; Troy Powell, project manager; Creative Contractors Inc.; Dr. Melanie Storms, Saint Leo University senior vice president; Jose Caban, Saint Leo associate vice president of facilities management; Dr. Jeffrey D. Senese, Saint Leo president; Celine-Deon Palmer, student government union president; D. Dewey Mitchell, Saint Leo Board of Trustees chair; Alan Bomstein, CEO, Creative Contractors; and Joshua Bomstein, Creative Contractors president, at the ceremonial groundbreaking of Saint Leo University’s new Wellness Center. (Courtesy of Renee Gerstein, Saint Leo University)

Construction tentatively will begin in April, and university officials hope to open the wellness center in fall 2021.

The new facility will provide space for group exercise, spinning and yoga classes, and a large community fitness center. There also will be two indoor basketball courts, an indoor walking track, a healthy café and smoothie bar, a resort-style outdoor pool with a lakeside infinity edge and outdoor barbecue, as well as a relaxation terrace and garden. There also will be several multipurpose rooms, which could be used as space for meditation, specialty classes, gaming and so on.

Many of those amenities, such as a dedicated cycling and yoga studio, aren’t presently offered on campus. Also, “There will be new machines, new equipment on the fitness floor that we don’t currently have,” said Dr. Melanie Storms, senior vice president at the university, who is  spearheading the wellness center project.

The university’s current recreation and fitness offerings are mainly housed at Marion Bowman Activities & Aquatics Center.

But, once the new wellness center opens, the Bowman Center will become an exclusive training ground for Saint Leo’s various athletic programs, Storms said.

The Bowman Center has been somewhat limited for recreation and intramural activities because the space also is shared by the university’s intercollegiate athletic programs, such as the Saint Leo men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball teams.

Saint Leo University is building a 59,000-square-foot wellness center that integrates student recreation, fitness, health services, counseling services and campus ministry. The $20 million project will be housed on the west end of the campus by Lake Jovita. It is expected to be open by fall 2021. (Courtesy of Saint Leo University)

Because of that, Storms said the regular student body has been pining for a “fully dedicated rec gym” the wellness center will offer.

“We definitely have had high student demand —  voices from the students saying they needed additional space, that the (recreation) hours and offerings just haven’t been sufficient to meet the needs,” Storms said.

The wellness center primarily will be for Saint Leo students, faculty and staff, but some features may be open to be public.

Storms said summer pool memberships will “definitely” be offered to the local community, while public-use options for the fitness center and health services are still being explored by university officials; the university is in talks with several health care providers that potentially could serve the community by delivering medical services on-site.

Storms said student health and counseling services currently offered at DeChantal Hall will move to the new facility once it opens, making it the “single source of health services” at Saint Leo. She added the DeChantal Hall building will stay in use for other purposes for the time being, as it also houses other university departments, such as theology faculty.

The wellness center project has been under discussion for a number of years, but officials say now was the time to proceed — as the school in the fall welcomed its largest incoming group of students in the university’s 130-year history (1,001 new students).

The school now has about 2,100 students on campus, plus more than 700 faculty and staff.

Said Storms, “With the increase that we saw in our student population this past fall, and the anticipated coming in next fall, we just realized it was time; our recreational facilities are overloaded.”

Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, presented a history of the site, during a ceremony celebrating the groundbreaking for Saint Leo University’s new Wellness Center.

Creative Contractors of Clearwater is serving as the construction firm for the project, while S3 Design Inc., of Braintree, Massachusetts, is handling the architectural design; and JLL of Tampa will provide project management services.

The university has secured financing to proceed on the multi-million project, but also is working to secure private fundraising and state funding, Storms said.

The wellness center is going on land that originally belonged to the Benedictine Sisters of Florida.

With that, Storms believes the facility “fits within the historical context of who they are and how they used the space.”

She observed, “The site is very special in the sense of being dedicated to the mind, body, spirit, and the sort of holistic well-being of the individual, and sort of carrying forward their legacy in that way. It’s beautiful because it’s lakeside, it’s very serene, and I couldn’t think of a better way to use the land than this.”

At the groundbreaking, Saint Leo president Dr. Jeffrey Senese predicted the new wellness center will have a significant impact: “We are creating an iconic building for Pasco County, Tampa Bay and Florida. It is our vision that this building will take your breath away.”

Published February 19, 2020

Renowned rabbi lectures on faith, prophets

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Rabbi Jack Bemporad is one of three rabbis who blessed Pope John II before his death.

He also had a personal audience with Pope John XXIII.

And, he is the first person to receive an honorary doctorate degree from Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome since its founding in 1577.

Renowned religious scholar Rabbi Jack Bemporad was a guest speaker at Saint Leo University earlier this month. His talk centered on faith, the message of the prophets, and the Bible. (Courtesy of Jo-Ann Johnston)

Earlier this month, the renowned religious scholar led a discussion at Saint Leo University on the topic of faith and message of the prophets — through the college’s Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies.

His talk centered mainly around the Book of Amos, the first prophetic book of the Bible to be written. In the Hebrew Bible and Christian Old Testament, Amos was one of the Twelve Minor Prophets. An older contemporary of Hosea and Isaiah, Amos was active during the rule of kings Jeroboam II and Uzziah. He was from the southern Kingdom of Judah but preached in the northern Kingdom of Israel.

Bemporad outlined Amos’ series of teachings that began around 750 B.C., in the northern Kingdom of Israel, where he claimed to have been selected by God to spread his word and confront sinners — specifically judges and leadership who accepted bribes and exploited others.

Bemporad pointed out Amos is credited as “the first person ever in history” to condemn a society that is unjust and takes advantage of the vulnerable, the poor and needy, and so on.

The prophet also foretold the northern Kingdom of Israel would one day be destroyed, because of their behavior of “trusting in weapons,” Bemporad said. The kingdom was destroyed about 30 years later, in 722 B.C.  Said Bemporad, “If you trust in weapons, guess what? There’s no end to that.”

The scholar explained people in that era believed “the day of the Lord” was a day when your country wins all its battles and conquers all its enemies. Amos, however, preached the “day of the Lord,” in its ultimate sense, is a time “when all human beings live a life of peace and tranquility,” Bemporad said.

The rabbi circled it back to present times: “Imagine you could live a life where you don’t have to worry that we’re building trillions of dollars’ worth of nuclear weapons, that we’re not making all kinds of wars and guns so that we can destroy each other, (but) we can really sit and no one be afraid.”

Bemporad mentioned Amos, too, spoke out against animal sacrifices to God — which was a groundbreaking position at that time.

In those days, the priests’ main function was to offer as many animal sacrifices as possible, mainly to absolve sins of the wealthy, Bemporad said.

The religious scholar observed, “They felt by offering animal sacrifices to God, they were fine, ‘Why do I have to worry about the poor and needy, if I’m offering up sacrifice?’”

But, Amos felt and expressed it differently.

God is interested in justice
Bemporad explained: “He’s the first person in history to say, ‘God’s not interested in sacrifices. God’s interested in justice and righteousness.’ That’s a revelation. That’s an absolute revelation. All the other prophets, in one form or another, say something similar to that.”

Bemporad went on to explain the prophet deals with “a fundamental, more profound problem” throughout his teachings: “If you continue living a detestable lifestyle, you will no longer have access to that which is spiritually nourishing.”

Otherwise known as “the great despair,” the rabbi put Amos’ sentiments in different terms.

“Because you pursue exploitation, and wealth and bribery, and lying and cheating, and all that,” Bemporad said, “you won’t have access to God, because it’s not that God isn’t available, it’s that you’re not allowing God to be available.”

It’s a dilemma that proves to be a major theme throughout the Bible, Bemporad said.

“You have so many instances in the Bible where people find, because of the way they live their life, that their habits become such that they sort of have an overlay that prevents them from really experiencing real life in anything that is truly meaningful and truly life — which is that we’re standing up for something that is just and true, and we’re connecting to what is true and what is real,” he said.

Put another way, Bemporad said biblical history is simply about, “how do we relate to God, and how do we relate to our fellow human beings?”

Beyond that, Bemporad stated everything else in this world should be treated as secondary.

He put it like this: “Who cares about the politicians? Who cares about all the businesses? Who cares about all the voyeurism that we see in the press and on TV? Is that really real? Is that really truth? Seek the truth, and it’ll make you free. And, the Bible is the path to find it.”

Bemporad then challenged the audience to spend the rest of their lives studying the Bible.

Of the Bible, he said: “It’s something that you will never fully understand, because it’s too profound, it’s too deep. It’s not only a word of wisdom, but in our respective (Jewish) religion, we believe that it contains in some form or another the word of God, and so anything that has that wisdom to it… is the sort of thing we have to approach it, with first, humility; second, respect; and thirdly, a real sense that if we understand it, if we spend time with it, we will benefit greatly from it.”

Bemporad currently is director of the nonprofit Center for Inter-religious Understanding (CIU) in New Jersey, which he founded in 1992. He also is director of the John Paul II Center and professor of inter-religious studies, both at the Vatican and St. Thomas Aquinas University in Rome.

Published February 19, 2020

Chalk Talk 02/19/2020

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Strain is added to a bridge to see how sturdy it is, during last year’s bridge-breaking contest. (Courtesy of Saint Leo University)

Bridge-breaking contest
Saint Leo University’s Department of Mathematics and Science will present its annual bridge-breaking competition March 5 at 6 p.m., in Selby Auditorium, Lewis Hall, at 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo.

Teams of Saint Leo students constructed model bridges from lightweight wooden sticks and glue, adhering to strict rules on materials and dimensions.

The audience can vote on which bridge is most attractive, and faculty members will test each bridge to see which one can hold the most weight before it breaks.

Admission is free. For information or preferred seating, contact Leo Ondrovic at (352) 588-7408 or .

Special Olympics
More than 1,200 Pasco County athletes will compete in track and field, bocce, cheerleading, cycling and soccer during the Pasco County Special Olympics Summer Games.

The competition will take place at these two schools, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.:

  • Feb. 20 at River Ridge High School, 11646 Town Center Road, New Port Richey
  • Feb . 21 at Wesley Chapel High School, 30651 Wells Road

The event will feature free admission and parking, and a concession stand to purchase lunch and snacks.

For information, call Valerie Lundin at (831) 299-4433.

Car show benefit
Wesley Chapel High School, 30651 Wells Road, will host a car show on Feb. 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Preregistration is suggested. Car entry is $20, and a dyno pulls entry is $50.

All cars are welcome. There will be custom-made trophies. Music will be provided by DJ Aquaman.

Proceeds will benefit the Wesley Chapel High School Automotive Academy.

Spectator admission is free.

For information, email or .

Students celebrate immigrants
Second-grade students at McKitrick Elementary School in Lutz are learning about citizenship and immigration, and Ellis Island.

In culmination of the studies, each student will take on the persona of an immigrant arriving at Ellis Island in 1900.

Students will relive every aspect of the Ellis Island experience, including packing their belongings, organizing documents and traveling, during this engaged learning program.

More than 200 students and 75 volunteers in period dress will take part in a simulation at the school building, which will be transformed to look like Ellis Island, on Feb. 27.

For information, all Liisa DeTarando at (813) 558-5427.

Luz Prep shoe drive
The Lutz Preparatory School National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) is collecting shoes now through March 4.

The footwear collected will provide an economic boost by supporting micro-enterprises in developing nations like Haiti, Colombia, India and Tanzania.

The group will accept clean, gently used (no holes in soles and laces intact), or new shoes.

The goal is to collect 2,500 pairs of shoes to raise $1,000 for the school’s NJHS Chapter.

For pickups and information, call Alicia Locascio at (813) 323-5050.

STEAM conference
Saint Leo University will host its second Women in STEAM Conference, to provide information and resources for women and girls considering career options or training in the growing fields of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM).

The conference is scheduled for March 6 and March 7 at the Saint Leo campus, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For the adults, the program is geared toward women hoping to transition in STEAM careers and add to their professional skill sets.

Workshops and networking opportunities will be on both days.

Adult registration is $100, which includes admission and lunch.

The youth portion will take place only on March 7. Girls ages 8 to 18 can take part in a variety of STEAM activities.

Registration for the day, which includes lunch, is $50. Some scholarships are available.

Each ticket also comes with a discount code for any 2020 Saint Leo University STEAM Summer Camp.

For information, questions, and requests for accommodations or assistance, visit SaintLeo.edu/women-in-steam-conference.

Scholarship dinner/dance
The African-American Club of Pasco County will host its seventh annual Scholarship Dinner Dance on March 21 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., at Seven Springs Golf and Country Club, 3535 Trophy Blvd., in Trinity.

The event will help to raise funds for $20,000 in scholarships in 2020.

Tickets are $65 per person. Reservations must be made by March 14.

For information and tickets, visit AACPascoFL.org, or call Trish Stevenson at (727) 495-3207.

Traveling science show
Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) and the National Theatre for Children (NTC) have collaborated to educate and inspire students on the importance of energy conservation with the interactive “Kilowatt Kitchen” show.

Professional actors from NTC visit elementary schools with live assembly performances, sparking conversations in classrooms on energy efficiency.

The show reaches more than 50,000 students a year in FPL’s service area.

“Live theater is a great way to educate,” said NTC president and founder Ward Eames, in a news release.

“The show goes beyond reading or other more passive methods of engaging students. These children are watching a story unfold right before their very eyes,” Eames added.

The program also includes online student playbooks and teacher guides, as well as digital games and activities that align with the concepts outlined in the show.

For information on Kilowatt Kitchen, visit NationalTheatre.com/programs/.

Don’t Miss Feb. 14 Deadline for Enrollment Lottery at Union Park Charter Academy

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The deadline is coming up fast for area families wanting to enroll their students in the 2020-2021 school year lottery for Union Park Charter Academy, an A-rated charter school in Wesley Chapel.

The deadline for online applications is Feb. 14 for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Interested parents should go to UnionParkAcademy.org, and select the enrollment tab.

Union Park Charter Academy opened in 2018 for grades K-6, and last year added a seventh grade. The 2020-2021 school year will see the addition of an eighth grade, completing the school’s elementary enrollment of 765 students.

The school has received exceptionally positive reviews from parents, students and teachers, and, in its first year, received a grade of “A” from the Florida Department of Education.

“We are so proud of our students and teachers who work so hard and are so dedicated to our students’ individual success, and our school’s overall academic excellence,” said Principal Tracy Ware.

The school is conveniently located at 32775 Oldwoods Ave., across from the Union Park subdivision and east of Meadow Pointe Boulevard.

Global Citizens
Union Park Charter Academy is dedicated to preparing its students for the 21st century by teaching them skills they will need to be successful in the future.

“We believe that our students are global citizens who can play a huge part in the world, now and in the future,” explains Ware. “We believe it is critical that we begin to empower our students as future leaders to create a better world.”

The school’s curriculum has several initiatives to achieve this goal.

– Introduce students to different cultures and the impact we have on each other.

– Explore global issues we are currently facing, or will face in the future. This includes problem-solving and thinking critically about how students can make a difference.

– Students have started several charity and community programs on their own. From raising money for displaced animals to collecting pajamas for hospitalized children, every program is 100% student-created and student-driven.

– Empower students by helping them see that they are never too young to begin making a difference, and that this potential is inside each and every one of them.

Balanced Academic and Activities
Union Park Charter Academy offers programs that  include a variety of academic, performing arts, and sports programs to help students develop intellectually, emotionally and creatively.

— A curriculum that focuses on core fundamentals and empowers teachers to create motivation learning spaces, utilize research-based instructional strategies and tools, and develop each student’s ability to meet their learning goals.

–  A wide range of opportunities for students in performing arts through the school’s theater, chorus and Jr. Thespian clubs.

–  Afterschool activities, including soccer, basketball, DIY, art, cheerleading, flag football, track, cross-country, dance, cooking and community service.

– Community programs, such as IdeaLab, and Bricks4Kids, to let students explore their interest in engineering and science with robotics, science labs, drone development and other engineering programs.

Safe and Collaborative Learning
All grade-level teachers and students have the opportunity to work together every day. Students experience instructional styles of all teachers in their grade level, which aids in the development of the whole child.

– Top-of-the-line security cameras, double-locked door entrance, an on-site school guardian and ID check system for all adults entering the building.

– A policy of zero tolerance for bullying.

– Research-based programs to establish a safe and inclusive environment in which students learn healthy behaviors and skills that support engaged citizenship.

– Curriculum nights for parents to learn about standards-based instruction, the school’s grading and home learning philosophies, state assessments, and reading and math activities outside of the classroom.

– School-sponsored events and community-service projects provide parents with multiple ways to connect with students, staff, community members and other parents.

STEAM
A STEAM-focused curriculum provides one-to-one technology for all students in a digital learning environment.

– Students use iPads, laptops and SMART Boards, and are taught skills that include coding, robotics, data analysis, and traditional software knowledge.

– One-to-one technology allows students to explore and create individual works based on computational thinking to prepare them for college and career readiness.

– Technology is placed in the hands of students to support an interactive and motivating learning environment. Classrooms utilize the SMART Learning Suite, and most classrooms are equipped with SMART Interactive Flat Panels, which support teachers in designing more engaging lessons, including the ability to incorporate a gaming approach to instruction.

– Students are immersed in a highly interactive, student-centered learning environment that includes engineering, science labs and state of the art technology.

– Makerspaces for students that promote hands-on learning and everyday problem solving opportunities.

“We welcome all families interested in our unique approach to education to go to our website and enroll for the 2020-2021 enrollment lottery,” said Principal Ware. “Because we are a charter school approved by the Pasco County School Board, there is no tuition to attend our school, and we welcome families of all backgrounds to apply.”

School Enrollment Coordinator: (813) 358-7306, ext. 1008

To enroll in the 2020-2021 Lottery: csusa.schoolmint.net/welcome.

Chalk Talk 02/12/2020

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(Courtesy of Joan Midgett)

Students recognized as ‘top dogs’
The Top Dog winners from Stewart Middle School were recognized for their academics and leadership roles. Each student received a certificate and special tag. Those honored were: Mathew Bettis, Savanah Cummings, Nevaeh Diaz, Destiny Flummer, Sean Manriquez, Miranda Myers, Daja Phillips, Aiden Russell and Kianny Vasquez. Not all the students were present at a luncheon in their honor.

 

Sewing class
The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will host a home-school sewing class on Feb. 18 from 10 a.m. to noon, for ages 9 to 17.

Participants can learn how to use a sewing machine, the parts and functions of the machine, where to find resources to create their own project, and different stitches.

Foundry waiver and safety forms are required.

For information, call (813) 929-1214.

Sneak Peek Open House
Marchman Technical College, 7825 Campus Drive in New Port Richey, will host a Sneak Peek Open House on Feb. 13 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Prospective students can tour the campus and explore Marchman’s programs, such as cybersecurity, automotive service technology, commercial art, cosmetology, digital cinema production, early childhood education, electricity, welding and more.

Instructors will be on-site to answer questions, along with representatives from admissions, financial aid and career placement.

Students who are interested in applying for fall classes can begin the application process, too.

For information, call Kim Dunn at (727) 774-1703.

Students celebrate immigrants
Second-grade students at McKitrick Elementary School in Lutz are learning about citizenship and immigration, and Ellis Island.

In culmination of the studies, each student will take on the persona of an immigrant arriving at Ellis Island in 1900.

Students will relive every aspect of the Ellis Island experience, including packing their belongings, organizing documents and traveling, during this engaged learning program.

More than 200 students and 75 volunteers in period dress will take part in a simulation at the school building, which will be transformed to look like Ellis Island, on Feb. 27.

For information, all Liisa DeTarando at (813) 558-5427.

9/11 survivor to speak
Saint Leo University’s College of Arts and Sciences will host guest lecturer Michael Hingson on Feb. 19 at 7 p.m., at 33701 State Road 52, Kirk Hall, Rooms 123 and 124, in St. Leo.

Hingson, a 9/11 survivor and accessibility advocate, will talk on “Speaking with Vision.”

Blind since birth, Hingson changed careers after surviving the destruction of World Trade Center Tower One, with the help of his guide dog.

His book, “Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero” will be available for purchase and signing, after his talk, at 8:30 p.m.

Hingson also will speak to students during selected class sessions, lead workshops on campus, and meet with groups of faculty and staff, as Saint Leo’s Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellow of 2020.

Admission is free. For information and special seating requests, contact Megan Case at (352) 588-8401 or .

Graduation rates
The Pasco County Schools graduation rate improved by 1.6 percentage points in 2019, rising to 88.3%, according to a news release.

Pasco’s graduation rate was well above the state rate of 86.9%, and it marks an increase of nearly 10 percentage points since 2015.

A goal of 85% graduation rate by 2019-2020 was set, and that goal has been exceeded, two years early.

Several schools experienced dramatic improvement, and the first graduating class from Cypress Creek Middle High School posted a 96% graduation rate.

High schools in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area showing improvement include:

  • Land O’ Lakes: from 94% to 94.4%
  • Pasco eSchool: 88.9% to 97.6%
  • Sunlake: 93.7% to 94.9%
  • Wesley Chapel: 93.1% to 93.4%
  • Wiregrass Ranch: 94.9% to 95.3%

Special Olympics
More than 1,200 Pasco County athletes will compete in track and field, bocce, cheerleading, cycling and soccer during the Pasco County Special Olympics Summer Games.

The competition will take place at these two schools, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.:

  • Feb. 20 at River Ridge High School, 11646 Town Center Road, New Port Richey
  • Feb . 21 at Wesley Chapel High School, 30651 Wells Road

The event will feature free admission and parking, and a concession stand to purchase lunch and snacks.

For information, call Valerie Lundin at (831) 299-4433.

Chalk Talk 02/05/2020

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(Courtesy of Melonie Monson)Students shine for their schools
Ten students were recognized as The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce Students of the Month for January. The honorees are chosen by teachers and administration of the individual schools for exemplary effort, achievement and contribution to their school, family and community. The students receiving the honor are: Darla Cant, The Academy of Spectrum Diversity; Jaxon Lindsey-De’Ath, The Broach School; Austin Walters, Chester Taylor Elementary School; Richelle Barriffe, East Pasco Adventist Academy; Caleb Jackson, Heritage Academy; Savanna Best, Stewart Middle School; Bellamy Miricle, West Zephyrhills Elementary School; Audney Lapoint, Woodland Elementary School; Jocelyn Knowell, Zephyrhills Christian Academy; and, Woodson Stuckey, Zephyrhills High School.

Get K-ready
The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will host a new series to ready preschool children to excel in kindergarten, on Feb. 11 at 10:30 a.m.

The program uses creative play, cooperative learning and activities to stimulate the imagination.

Concepts and skills will be introduced that align with the Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards.

The class is for ages 3 to 5.

For information, call (813) 929-1214.

Early release day
Pasco County Schools has implemented a monthly, two-hour-early release time to allow for staff to engage in professional development aligned with student needs, and district and school priorities.

Early release days will take place on the second Wednesday of each month, with the exception of January and May.

The next early release day is Feb. 12.

On-foot field trip
The Hugh Embry Library, 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City, will offer “On Foot Explorations” on Feb. 12 at 4 p.m., for grades four to seven.

This is a short walking field trip to a spot in Downtown Dade City.

A waiver is required and can be picked up at the library.

For information, call (352) 567-3576.

Sneak Peek Open House
Marchman Technical College, 7825 Campus Drive in New Port Richey, will host a Sneak Peek Open House on Feb. 13 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Prospective students can tour the campus and explore Marchman’s programs, such as cybersecurity, automotive service technology, commercial art, cosmetology, digital cinema production, early childhood education, electricity, welding and more.

Instructors will be on-site to answer questions, along with representatives from admissions, financial aid and career placement.

Students who are interested in applying for fall classes can begin the application process, too.

For information, call Kim Dunn at (727) 774-1703.

9/11 survivor to speak
Saint Leo University’s College of Arts and Sciences will host guest lecturer Michael Hingson on Feb. 19 at 7 p.m., at 33701 State Road 52, Kirk Hall, Rooms 123 and 124, in St. Leo.

Hingson, a 9/11 survivor and accessibility advocate, will talk on “Speaking with Vision.”

Blind since birth, Hingson changed careers after surviving the destruction of World Trade Center Tower One, with the help of his guide dog.

His book, “Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero” will be available for purchase and signing, after his talk, at 8:30 p.m.

Hingson also will speak to students during selected class sessions, lead workshops on campus, and meet with groups of faculty and staff, as Saint Leo’s Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellow of 2020.

Admission is free. For information and special seating requests, contact Megan Case at (352) 588-8401 or .

Student achievements

  • Madalyn Alston, Dade City: Dean’s List at Anderson University, Anderson, South Carolina
  • Roland Anthony Chacon, Lutz: Dean’s List at Mars Hill University, Mars Hill, North Carolina
  • Tommy Campbell, Lutz: Bachelor of Arts from Pensacola Christian College, Pensacola
  • Sydney Fleeman, Odessa: Dean’s List at Valdosta State University, Valdosta, Georgia
  • Jacob Goetz, Odessa: President’s List at Tallahassee Community College
  • Guido Guerra, Lutz: Dean’s List at Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, Tennessee
  • Ayaz Hemani, Odessa: Master of Science in Computer Science from Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta
  • Allie Hendron, Odessa: Dean’s List at Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, Tennessee
  • Madeleine Hendron, Odessa: President’s List at Northwest Mississippi Community College, Senatobia, Mississippi
  • Jene Henry, Lutz: Dean’s List at the University of the Cumberlands, Williamsburg, Kentucky
  • Mira Hermina, Lutz: Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Spring Arbor University, Spring Arbor, Michigan
  • Julianna Mitten, Odessa: Dean’s Honor List at Cedarville University, Cedarville, Ohio
  • Kevin Nguyen, Lutz: Dean’s List at Tallahassee Community College
  • Vishwa Shah, Odessa: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta
  • Tyler Shaske, Odessa: Bachelor of Science in Sport & Recreation Management from James Madison University at Harrisonburg, Virginia
  • Amy Stanton, Odessa: President’s List at Georgia College, Milledgeville, Georgia

Middle school essay contest
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano is accepting entries in an essay contest. Entries will be accepted until 5 p.m., March 2.

Middle school students, grades six to eight, in Pasco’s public/charter, private, parochial, nonpublic and home-schools can participate.

In 300 words or less, students should answer the questions, “If you could spend tax dollars to fund any program, what would it be and why?”

Entries will be judged on how well the student communicates his or her response, overall essay structure, appearance and readability.

Students in public/charter schools should submit their essays to their principal, who will then forward it to the tax collector’s office.

Students in private, parochial, nonpublic or home-schools should send their entries directly to Greg Giordano, assistant tax collector, Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office, P.O. Box 276, Dade City, FL 33526.

Entries also may be emailed to .

All submissions must include the student’s name, school, grade and contact information.

The winner will be announced no later than March 27.

For information and questions, call Greg Giordano at (727) 847-8179.

Cursive contest
According to the American Handwriting Analysis Foundation, the annual Cursive is Cool® contests kicked off on National Handwriting Day, in honor of John Hancock’s birthday.

Campaign for Cursive® offers three contests: one in the United States and two in Canada (one for English writers and one for French writers).

Students in grades one to six have a chance to test their cursive skills and their creativity in answering one of the questions presented.

The deadline for the U.S. contest is March 15.

For information, visit CursiveIsCool.com or Facebook.com/CampaignForCursive/.

For questions, email Lauren Mooney Bear, contest organizer, at .

Great Outdoors contest
The TurfMutt Foundation announced The (Really) Great Outdoors Contest 2020, focused on encouraging kids to use their imaginations around the many uses and benefits of green space and the outdoors.

The contest is open to students in grades six to eight.

Created in partnership with Scholastic, the contest asks students to write about and/or draw a nature space their community could use.

Students are asked to include text to describe the space, discuss what elements are needed, and how the space will be used to benefit the community. Each entry can be no more than three pages.

The grand prize for a student is $2,500, with teachers and the school each receiving a $750 prize.

The first place student will receive $2,000, and teachers and the school will get $500 each.

Second place will garner the student $1,500, and teachers and the school will receive $250 each.

The third place student will get $750, and the teachers and the school will each get $125.

Teachers can download lesson plans and contest entry information at Scholastic.com/turfmutt.

Entries can be accepted online and uploaded by teachers, or mailed in by teachers and students alike.

The deadline for entries is March 16.