The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Education

Seven Oaks PTA supports student achievement

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Seven Oaks Elementary School, in Wesley Chapel, has been named one of the 2019-2021 National PTA Schools of Excellence.

The accolade recognizes schools across the country which have strived to make advancements for student education in their schools.

Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning, left, stands alongside Principal Shauntte Butcher, of Seven Oaks Elementary; Denise Nicholas, Heather Buboltz and School Board member Alison Crumbley. Butcher displays the certificate her school received after being named one of the 2019-2021 National PTA Schools of Excellence. (Courtesy of Seven Oaks Elementary School)

Three Pasco County schools achieved the honor, announced over the summer. Besides Seven Oaks, the others who received recognition are Wiregrass Ranch High School and River Ridge Middle School.

Heather Buboltz, former president of Seven Oaks PTA board, was instrumental in garnering the recognition.

“Everything is focused on the kids, and how we can improve things for them and their schooling,” Buboltz said.

The PTA board, which consists of parents and school staff, routinely holds meetings.

Denise Nicholas, who is first vice president of Seven Oaks PTA and president of the Pasco County Council PTA, said principals also sit on the board and have a voice in board decisions.

Parents also get to offer input during general assembly meetings held throughout the school year. And, online polling gives parents another opportunity to offer their thoughts, too.

For instance, based on feedback calling for an increased focus on technology and communication, Seven Oaks concentrated its efforts on the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) program.

The school previously welcomed representatives from Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI), which helped bring science to life through the use of telescopes and activities.

Seven Oaks also had an Omegaman presentation, as part of its effort to combat bullying.

At the assembly, a live superhero offered lessons on the importance of kindness.

“It’s a really great program,” said Maria Balestriere, current president of Seven Oaks PTA. “The kids really related and had a great time with him.”

The PTA also has implemented All Pro Dads, a program in which dads accompany their kids on campus, engaging in activities and breakfast, too.

And, students stay fit while being chaperoned outdoors for Walk and Bike to School days.

Children also get a chance to learn to be more independent through the PTA’s holiday shopping on campus, which gives kids a chance to select gifts for family members.

That program, Balestriere said, gives children a chance to learn about budgeting. And, on top of that, it teaches them how to be thoughtful about other people.

“Reading Under the Stars” gives kids the chance to appreciate literature in a fun way.

During the last evening event, both the principal and vice principal of Seven Oaks read to students who were dressed in pajamas and eating s’mores.

“Programs that we find that are successful, we try and continue,” Buboltz said.

However, new ones have received positive reception as well.

The most recent Ketchup Club gets adult volunteers to sit with kindergarteners and first-graders, and help them prepare for lunch.

The Seven Oaks PTA also has partnered with other PTAs to see how each school can assist one another.

“Seven Oaks has done a phenomenal job bringing their programs, and bringing the help and support to other elementary schools here in the area,” Nicholas said.

Buboltz said that the progress Seven Oaks has made is due to everyone working cohesively and sharing ideas.

Last year, the school’s PTA board attended the Florida PTA Legislative Conference in Tallahassee.

There, they met with Pasco County officials to once again advocate for students’ best interests.

“We’re dedicated to making a difference for all these kids,” Nicholas said.

Published January 29, 2020

Chalk Talk 01/29/2020

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Heather R. Parker (Courtesy of Saint Leo University)

Historian named to dean post
Heather R. Parker, Ph.D., was named dean of The College of Arts and Sciences at Saint Leo University, a post she has had on an interim basis since November 2018. Parker also is a full professor of history and joined Saint Leo in 2006. She earned her bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and doctorate in history from the University of California at Los Angeles.

Cursive contest
According to the American Handwriting Analysis Foundation, the annual Cursive is Cool® contests kicked off on National Handwriting Day, celebrated around the world on Jan. 23, 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 .

Classic car show
The Cypress Creek Middle High School PTSA will host its second annual Coyote Classic Car Show on Feb. 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Streetside Classics, 4610 Pet Lane, Suite 104, in Lutz.

There will be exhibits, food trucks, live music, silent auctions, and classic cars.

For information, visit CoyotePTSA.com.

Math competition
Saint Leo University will offer high school students the chance to take part in the American Mathematics Competition 10 or 12, at no cost.

Both contests are scheduled for Feb. 5 at the Saint Leo campus, 33701 State Road 52, Lewis Hall, Room 119, in St. Leo.

Students and parents need to arrive by 5:45 p.m., as the contest starts at 6 p.m.

Parents must register their students in advance by emailing Dr. Kevin Murphy, of the Saint Leo mathematics faculty, at , and including “AMC 10/12” in the subject line. And, in the email text, list each student entrant’s name, age and school grade.

Students are given 75 minutes to get through the questions.

The AMC 10 is for students in grade 10 and lower, and younger than 17 ½ years of age on the day of the exam. The questions cover high school math up to that grade level.

The AMC 12 is for students in grade 12 or lower, and who are younger than 19 ½ years of age on the day of the exam. The questions cover the high school math curriculum, including trigonometry, advanced algebra and advanced geometry. There is no calculus.

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.

Mark your calendar
Pasco County Schools will host its first Pasco Sports Fair on Feb. 16 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Skydive City, 4241 Sky Dive Lane in Zephyrhills, for the entire family.

The free, family friendly event will feature a meet-and-greet with professional athletes, plus an introduction to various sport and game offerings in Zephyrhills and Pasco County, including tennis, soccer, football, basketball, skating, skydiving, boxing, mini-golf and more. Some noted pros scheduled to be in attendance include former English Premier forward Gary Blissett, former NFL defensive end Melvin Williams, former NBA shooting guard/small forward Anthony Parker, and former Tampa Bay Rowdies head coach Stuart Campbell.

All event proceeds will benefit The Sarah Vande Berg Tennis Foundation.

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.

Scholarship program
Hillsborough County Social Services and the Community Action Board have partnered to offer scholarships for up to $5,000 to eligible students who want to continue their education by attending an accredited institution of higher learning. This includes first-time students and students returning to school.

Applications will be accepted online only, at tinyurl.com/qnm32x2, through March 13.

Applicants must meet eligibility requirements (which can be found on the same website), to be awarded a scholarship.

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

For information and questions, call  Juan Fradera at (813) 272-5074.

 

Charter school coming to Connected City’s Epperson

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A K-8 charter school could open as early as this fall in Epperson, if all goes according to plan.

The Pasco County School Board has approved an agreement with Metro Apple LLC and Red Apple Development LLC — known collectively as the developer — for a charter school that is planned on the east side of Curley Road.

Details regarding the school are spelled out in the agreement.

Plans call for a two-story school of approximately 55,000 square feet, that will be built on a site of about 8 acres to 10 acres.

The charter school will have a capacity of 765 students.

The proposed concept for the school is based on the acronym of W.I.S.H., which stands for Wellness, Innovation, Science and Health.

The aim is to open the school for the 2020 school year.

The charter school will be built to the state standards, certified by a third-party architect. It will not include any hurricane shelter requirements.

Once construction is completed and students are enrolled, the entity that paid for the design, permitting and construction of the school shall be entitled to school impact fee credits, for the land and facility portion of the impact fee only.

The maximum amount of any fee credits and the cash reimbursement for all design, construction and land costs shall be $18.2 million. Land value for fee credits or cash reimbursements shall be based on a fair market value appraisal obtained by the developer.

Published January 22, 2020

Pasco teachers expected to vote on contract soon

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A ratification vote on a negotiated contract between Pasco County Schools and the United School Employees of Pasco County has been scheduled for Jan. 29.

The school board and union settled contract negotiations just before Winter Break and now, the union is aiming to  complete the ratification process in time to have salary increases to employees before Spring Break.

Jeff Larsen, of the United School Employees of Pasco County, conveyed that schedule to school board members at their Jan. 14 meeting.

The proposed contract calls for a 3.25% raise for teachers, as well as a number of contract language provisions.

A major sticking point in this year’s negotiations was a proposal by Superintendent Kurt Browning that called for secondary school teachers to take on an additional period of work, so the district could save money to fund salary increases for all employees.

The union fought that idea and ultimately the district dropped it.

As the new year begins, Larsen told board members, “we look forward to continuing to work together to try to do what’s best for the kids, as well as for the employees.”

Published January 22, 2020

Cypress Creek schools get new names

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Pasco County School Board members have changed the name of the school on the campus at 8701 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel to reflect the fact that two schools will be operating on the campus beginning this fall.

The school was named Cypress Creek Middle High when it opened in 2017, because it served both middle and high school students.

But, two separate schools will be operating on the campus this fall.

Cypress Creek Middle School will serve students in grades six through eight.

Cypress Creek High School will serve students in grades nine through 12.

The district had intended to have a separate middle school and high school on the campus, but when it couldn’t afford to do so, it used the buildings that were intended for the high school to house middle and high school students. The programs were separated, but operated out of the high school buildings.

The district used that approach so it could relieve crowding at both the middle and high school levels.

Now, new boundaries have been adopted to fill in the extra seats that will result when the middle school students shift out of the high school facilities into the new middle school.

Both the high school and middle school boundaries were changed because there will be added capacity at both levels.

Besides the new middle school, the campus also will house a new performing arts center, called the Instructional and Performing Arts Center, or IPAC for short. That is being built on land donated by Pasco County Schools to Pasco-Hernando State College.

The new center, also intended to open in the fall, will serve college and students from Pasco County schools, and will provide entertainment for the community.

Published January 22, 2020

Chalk Talk 01/22/2020

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Alongside members of the band, Wiregrass Ranch Marching Bulls band director, Josh Hobbs, center, accepts a framed resolution from Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore, in recognition of the band’s win at the Florida Marching Band 2019 Class 4A State Championship. (Courtesy of Andy Taylor)

Marching band honored
The Pasco County Commission recently congratulated the Wiregrass Ranch High School Marching Bulls for winning the Florida Marching Band 2019 Class 4A State Championship. The band was the first in Pasco County to bring home that honor.

County commissioners were joined by Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning and School Board Chairwoman Colleen Beaudoin, in congratulating the band for its accomplishment. County commissioners also adopted a resolution to mark the achievement and gave one to each of those attending the Jan. 7 session.

“We want to obviously congratulate each and every one of you,” said Commission Chairman Mike Moore.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey added: “I appreciate the hard work that you put in, lots of hours practicing.

Superintendent Browning said: “This program is to be commended for their tenacity and their hard work that got them here.”

Josh Hobbs, the school’s band director, told commissioners: “We’re all very, very excited to be part of this.”

Name it and win it
Pasco County Schools’ After School Enrichment Programs will expand its offerings this summer, and is “looking for a summer camp name that reflects the diverse special interest camp topics that will be offered,” according to the Pasco County Schools website.

Summer camps immerse students in career explorations, volunteer opportunities and workshops that build direct life skills, offer field trips, and more.

Each camp is designed to provide experiences that foster individual strengths and interests.

Enrollment in each camp is limited to 20 students, in order to provide the best possible camp experience.

Camps include Early Educators Camp (Babysitting Camp), Aerospace Camp, Culinary Camp, and AMP it up! Camp.

Visit tinyurl.com/thr6p6x for information and to submit your camp name suggestion. If yours is chosen, your child can attend camp for free.

Choice application opens
The Pasco County Schools’ school choice application window opened on Jan. 21 for elementary students. The window will close at 4:30 p.m., on Jan. 31.

The application is available through the myStudent parent portal.

Parents who do not already have an account may establish one by going to the district website at PascoSchools.org, and click on the myStudent link (in the circle above the large photo).

This will be the only application window for elementary schools and it will be for all school choice options, including STEAM magnet schools, International Baccalaureate (IB), and the Cambridge Programme.

Mural art contest
Pasco County and the Autism Society of Florida are inviting student artists, including those in the special needs community, to help paint the “Food for All” mural at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Boulevard, on Jan. 25 at 10:30 a.m.

The painting activity is a chance for students to beautify the community, while communicating and collaborating on ideas to promote sustainable, healthy food for everyone, in a quiet, calm and safe environment.

This event is the second part of Pasco County’s “Food For All” Mural Art Contest.

A local artist will be transposing the winning artwork from last month’s contest to the mural wall at the park.

The final mural will be unveiled during a special ceremony on Feb. 15.

To register, visit bit.ly/35QGbkJ.

Free home instruction
The Early Learning Coalition of Pasco Hernando offers HippyUSA (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters), a free program children ages 3 years old and 4 years old.

Home instructors provide encouragement and support.

Parents can work with instructors to review educational materials.

All materials and books are included.

For information, call (727) 569-1004.

Middle school essay contest
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano is accepting entries in an essay contest, which begins Feb. 1. 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.

 

Chalk Talk 01/15/2020

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(Courtesy of Savannah Harris)

Spreading the message of girl power
The Pasco Girl Power (PGP) program is in its fifth year at Lacoochee Elementary School in Dade City, and helps fifth-grade girls to be more empowered, promote leadership and reach higher self-esteem. The group of 12 students is given opportunities throughout the school year to experience mentorship, volunteerism and positive self-promoting activities. The PGP members have recently participated in a tea party and baked holiday cookies. Future activities will include a girl’s night (scheduled for Jan. 24), a cookout, a movie outing, and the opportunity to mentor second-grade girls.

Outstanding students recognized
The 2020 Pasco County Schools Outstanding Seniors are:

  • Anclote High School: Jalen Cooper
  • Cypress Creek Middle/High: Joseph Vreeland
  • Fivay High: Cody Sterbens
  • Gulf High: Antonio Papanikas
  • Hudson High: Faith Hicks
  • J.W. Mitchell High: Shruti Patel
  • Land O’ Lakes High School: Guido Moya Escalante
  • Pasco eSchool: Ian David
  • Pasco High: Victoria Conn
  • River Ridge: Marc Flores
  • Sunlake High: Alexis Paredes
  • Wesley Chapel High: Camryn Farquhar
  • Wendell Krinn Technical High: Megan Hanley
  • Wiregrass Ranch High: Aidan Persaud
  • Zephyrhills High: Tanner Politi

The Outstanding School Volunteer Award also is presented annually to school volunteers who have shown outstanding dedication and commitment to quality education in Florida.

The 2019-2020 Pasco County Schools Outstanding School Volunteer Award winners are: Youth Category: Delaney Curie, Trinity Oaks Elementary; Adult Category: Elizabeth Rizzuto, Gulf High; and, Senior Category: Rita Aguis, Marchman Technical College.

Homework help
The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will offer a “Homework Help Resources” informational workshop on Jan. 16 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., to discuss the free library resources available for learning, homework help, education, school projects and more.

The workshop is geared toward kindergarten through eighth grade, ages 5 to 13, parents/guardians, teachers and those that home-school.

For information, call (813) 929-1214.

Home-school sewing
The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will offer a home-school sewing class on Jan. 21 from 10 a.m. to noon, for students ages 9 to 17.

Participants can learn how to use a sewing machine, learn the parts and functions of the machine, try different stitches, and learn about resources to create individual projects.

A Foundry waiver and safety form is required.

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.

Mark your calendar
Pasco County Schools will host its first Pasco Sports Fair on Feb. 16 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Skydive City in Zephyrhills, for the entire family.

The free, family friendly event will feature a meet-and-greet with renowned professional athletes, plus an introduction to various sport and game offerings in Zephyrhills and Pasco County, including tennis, soccer, football, basketball, skating, skydiving, boxing, mini-golf and more.

Some noted pros scheduled to appear include former English Premier forward Gary Blissett, former NFL defensive end Melvin Williams, former NBA shooting guard/small forward Anthony Parker, and former Tampa Bay Rowdies head coach Stuart Campbell.

Art competition
The Pasco Fine Arts Council will sponsor a Kids N Art Exhibition and Competition from March 3 to March 15.

The competition includes kindergarten through fifth-grade (including ESE). Entries from both public and private schools also will be accepted.

Elementary school art teachers can visit PascoArts.org, to get instructions on how to enter.

There will be an art reception on March 15 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

For information, email , with “Attention Director” in the subject line, and be sure to provide a call-back phone number, too.

Chalk Talk 01/08/2020

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Science and engineering showcase
The 2019-2020 Pasco Science and Engineering Showcase will take place at Thomas Weightman Middle School, 30649 Wells Road in Wesley Chapel, on Feb. 1.

New this year, both the elementary and secondary fairs will occur on the same day.

The invitation-only awards ceremony will be on Feb. 5 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel High School.

Judges with expertise in science, technology, math and engineering related fields are needed.

Volunteering to judge is a rewarding experience and best realized when a student researcher presenting a project knows the judge both understands and cares about their research.

If interested in becoming a volunteer judge, visit tinyurl.com/roxw9o2 to fill out an application.

For more information and format changes, visit Pasco.k12.fl.us/PascoScienceShowcase.

New coffeehouse at Saint Leo
Saint Leo University, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo, will celebrate the opening of its new Benedict’s Coffeehouse on Jan. 13 starting at 10 a.m.

Visitors are invited to check out the newly designed space at the east end of the Kirk Hall lawn (near the recreation basketball court).

The event will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony, music, giveaways and a reception.

Guests who are one of the first 250 customers will receive a free Benedict’s Coffeehouse travel mug, with purchase.

Benedict’s will feature Starbucks coffees, specialty drinks and teas, and a variety of breakfast sandwiches and lunch items, including salads and snacks.

The coffeehouse name was selected to reflect the school’s Benedictine history and tradition.

The university was found in 1889 by sisters, monks, and priests of the Order of St. Benedict, and the university’s core values are based on the Rule of St. Benedict.

Following the grand opening, the coffeehouse will be open 7 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week, providing students with a place to meet for a class project, take a break with friends, or study with a snack.

There will be indoor and outdoor patio seating, and Wi-Fi.

To learn more, visit SaintLeo.edu/benedicts-coffeehouse.

Music lessons
Saint Leo University, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo, is extending an invitation to community residents near University Campus to register for private music instruction during the 2020 spring semester.

Instructors are available to teach voice, piano, strings, guitar and ukulele.

Residents can register for a single credit of instruction, and lessons will be 30 minutes weekly.

Classes start the week of Jan. 13.

For information, cost and registration, email Dr. Chantelle MacPhee at , and put ‘private music lessons’ in the subject line.

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 Jan. 15.

Tax collector charities
The Red Apple School and The Thomas Promise Foundation will be in the spotlight during the month of January, as charities of the month at the Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office.

The Red Apple School assists individuals with developmental disabilities, once they have completed high school, to become more independent.

The Thomas Promise Foundation provides weekend food for children in need who attend Pasco County Schools.

All funds raised will be split evenly between the two organizations.

To assist with either organization, call Trudy Acevedo at The Red Apple School, at (727) 847-2555, or Dianna Thomas at The Thomas Promise Foundation at (813) 782-0000.

To learn more about the charitable programs at the Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office, visit PascoTaxes.com.

Student achievements

  • Seth Burden, of Dade City, graduated from Flagler College, St. Augustine, during the school’s fall commencement services.
  • Kayla Mains, of Lutz, and John Martinez, of Wesley Chapel, both were named to the fall Dean’s List at Union University, Jackson, Tennessee.

There are strategies to manage stuttering

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Stuttering isn’t a speech impediment that can be cured — but it is one that can be managed, according to Robin Fisher, a speech pathologist in Pasco County Schools.

The condition affects an estimated 70 million people, worldwide, according to the

Stuttering Foundation of America.

And, help is available in the public school system, for students who qualify.

Robin Fisher is a speech pathologist for the Pasco County School District. She helps students who have speech sound disorders, including stuttering. (Brian Fernandes)

Fisher works with students from prekindergarten to 12th grade.

“It doesn’t get corrected; we don’t fix it,” Fisher said, but speech pathologists focus on a student’s ability to articulate their speech in a way that is understandable.

In other words, they focus on a student’s fluency.

Fisher travels to various public schools and charter schools to assist students who stutter.

Those who are in private schools or are home-schooled must meet specific criteria to be put on a service plan.

In order to qualify for special services, the speech or language issue must affect a student’s performance and/or function within the classroom, Fisher explained.

Those students are referred to a speech pathologist for services.

A student may be stuttering if he or she:

  • Prolongs the duration of a word
  • Stops speaking in mid-sentence
  • Repeatedly says the same letter of a word
  • Consistently gives one-word answers
  • Exhibits a secondary characteristic, such as eye twitching

A student who stutters may become the target of bullying, or may avoid saying words they have trouble pronouncing, or may avoid public speaking, in general.

“That is what we’re looking for,” Fisher said. “That it impacts their performance, their grades or their function within the classroom.”

Not all children who stutter are eligible for speech therapy services, Fisher said.

For instance, there can be straight-A students who don’t mind public speaking, or working their way through sentences, or being socially active.

Some stutterers may be fluent speakers when around friends and family.

Some can experience setbacks when they are in highly stressful situations — that produce anxiety and stuttering.

Examples of potentially stressful situations include being around unfamiliar people or transitioning from one school to the next.

Root causes for stuttering can vary from genetics, child development or neurological components.

Fisher encourages students to embrace their impediment, do research on it and even educate their fellow classmates.

She holds group sessions where stuttering students get therapy. This enables students to know that there are other kids who empathize with them.

A technique that can be used involves having students make voice recordings and counting syllables, to evaluate where they need to progress.

Fisher also engages with the children’s parents one hour a week.

“I highly encourage parents to be involved, to know the strategies, to know what is working for their child, to research it on the Stuttering Foundation [website],” Fisher said.

Some kids may get nervous when on the phone, having to speak to an individual without seeing their face. Parents can ask their kids to do just that, to help them build their confidence.

Many prominent figures also have struggled with stuttering, even if it hasn’t been publicly noticeable.

According to the Stuttering Foundation of America, such people include England’s King George VI, actor James Earl Jones, actress Emily Blunt and singer Ed Sheeran.

When speaking in public, many pre-plan what they’re going to say — to enable them to manage their speech.

This technique can come in handy for stuttering students, too.

Fisher recommends that students who stutter do a class report with a video recording, to help them better enunciate their words.

While stuttering cannot be permanently stopped, therapy can be a helpful alternative, she said.

“Our main goal always is that you express your thoughts, wants and needs,” Fisher said, which results in communication.

For more information and helpful tips, visit the Stuttering Foundation of America at StutteringHelp.org.

Published January 01, 2020

Growth and change are hallmarks at area schools

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As 2019 becomes 2020, area schools continue to respond to growth, while also changing academic options available on some campuses.

Recently, Superintendent Kurt Browning announced an initiative that will create significant change in West Pasco-area schools to bolster academic performance, but he also outlined some coming projects within The Laker/Lutz News coverage area, as well.

This is what the new Instructional Performing Arts Center, to be built on the campus shared by Cypress Creek High School and the new Cypress Creek Middle School, will look like. The campus is at 8701 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel. (Courtesy of Pasco-Hernando State College)

Specifically, Browning said the district plans to add a grade 6-12 STEM/STEAM magnet school in Land O’ Lakes that is proposed to open in August 2023 and a grade K-8 STEM/STEAM Magnet in Wesley Chapel, proposed to open in August 2024.

That’s on top of previously announced plans, which include an Eastside Technical High School, opening in August 2022.

District officials envision a magnet technical school that doesn’t fit the traditional educational mold.

They say it will combine a rigorous curriculum along with technical skills training — and will seek community partnerships to give students real-world experiences.

The idea is to prepare students to have many options when they leave high school — whether, say, they want to work as a welder for someone else; or, they want to have their own welding business.

While that school is still a couple of years off, the district plans to open Cypress Creek Middle School in August 2020.

It will be located on the same campus on Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel, where Cypress Creek Middle High has been serving grades six through 12.

Once the new middle school opens, it will serve grades six through eight, while the high school serves grades nine through 12.

The Pasco County School Board approved boundary changes — which primarily affected the Seven Oaks community in Wesley Chapel — to reassign students from that area to Cypress Creek Middle and Cypress Creek High. The boundary changes will relieve crowding at John Long Middle School and Wiregrass Ranch High School.

In the fall of 2020, Pasco County Schools is scheduled to open Cypress Creek Middle School. It is being designed for 1,600 students, making it the district’s largest middle school. The middle school will join Cypress Creek High and Pasco Hernando State College’s Instructional and Performing Arts Center. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

On the same Cypress Creek campus, the school district donated land to Pasco-Hernando State College for the Instructional Performing Arts Center, now under construction, which will be known as IPAC.

The new performing arts center is expected to provide both educational opportunities and entertainment. It also is expected to benefit middle school through college students, through its programming.

Cypress Creek Middle School was designed to be compatible with the performing arts center, too. It will have a state-of-the-art black box theater, as well as facilities for dance, orchestra and chorus.

Meanwhile, the district also plans to open Starkey K-8 School in August 2021. It’s the first district school designed deliberately to serve kindergarten through eighth grade.

The school is the second phase of a partnership between Pasco County Schools, Pasco County government and Wheelock Communities, the private developers of Starkey Ranch, a community off State Road 54 in Trinity.

One part of the project is the Starkey District Park, which opened its first phase in November 2017. Two additional phases are planned for the park.

The school will be near the district park.

There’s also a third part of the project that involves construction of what’s been dubbed TLC, which stands for theater, library and cultural center.

In addition to new construction, the district also is working to improve existing facilities.

Most recently, it wrapped up a massive makeover of Land O’ Lakes High School — which involved five phases, and required considerable coordination to complete while students and staff remained on campus.

The work was done in stages to avoid sending students and staffs to another campus, or using split sessions.

The project involved reconfiguring spaces to improve campus flow, and modernizing facilities.

It involved tearing out walls, redoing plumbing, electrical and upgrades to technology. It also included a five-classroom addition to the science wing.

The school recently celebrated the project’s completion with a rededication ceremony, and on another night, it offered public tours.

Major Pasco County Schools projects, 2019-2020:

  • Zephyrhills High campus-wide renovation
  • Land O Lakes High campus-wide renovation, final phase
  • Cypress Creek Middle construction
  • Starkey K-8 construction
  • Starkey Library Theater construction
  • East Technical High construction
  • SunlakeHigh design and construction of classroom wing
  • Bexley Elementary design and construction of classroom wing

Source: Pasco County Schools

Published January 01, 2020