The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Education

Chalk Talk (10/09/24): District promotes assistant principals

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Pasco County Schools promotes assistant principals

LAND O’ LAKES – Monica Ilse, assistant superintendent for high schools at Pasco County Schools, introduced three new assistant principals during the Oct. 1 school board meeting. 

Caroline Holloman was promoted from a magnet coordinator to assistant principal at Hudson High School. She has experience as a science teacher and media specialist.  

“She is a great leader with teachers, is always willing to take on any task and is just a wonderful person,” Ilse said. 

Rodney McKinney was promoted from behavioral specialist to assistant principal at Wesley Chapel High School. He has worked as a behavior specialist at Wiregrass Ranch High School and has experience at AMIkids.

“He has most recently taken up a leadership opportunity helping out with hurricane shelter duty this past weekend,” she said. “He’s always willing to help and has also been a leader within the school building.”

Taryn Neale was promoted from intervention specialist at Seven Oaks Elementary School to assistant principal at Thomas E. Weightman Middle School. 

“Taryn has over 22 years of experience with Pasco County Schools,” Ilse said. “She has a great passion for education and has taken on numerous leadership opportunities within her school building.”

 

TouchPoint Medical gives back to district

ODESSA – TouchPoint Medical donated a grant of $73,216 to the Office for Career, Technical, and Adult Education at Pasco County Schools. 

The grant will fund 100 adjustable height workstations and two touchscreens for health science programs across the district. 

“This generous donation will provide students a vital piece of work-based learning to enhance their education enabling them to practice and learn by using equipment currently used in the healthcare industry,” according to a memo by Lori Romano, Director of the Office for Career, Technical, and Adult Education.

Some of the schools that will see these workstations include Angeline Academy of Innovation, Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation, Marchman Technical College, as well as JW Mitchell Pasco, Sunlake, Wiregrass Ranch and Zephyrhills high schools.

 

Gulf High School hosts hurricane relief event

New Port Richey – Gulf High School brought together families from the Greater New Port Richey area to receive much-needed support and assistance Sept. 29 during a hurricane relief event.

The event was a collaboration with Gulf Middle School, Richey Elementary School, James Marlowe Elementary School, Cotee River Elementary School, Locke Early Education Center, Fox Hollow Elementary School, and other institutions to provide for the needs of families affected by Hurricane Helene.

Families could stop by and pick up bedding, clothes, food and hygiene items.

The Gulf High School Student Government and Title 1 Schools Family and Community Initiative gathered donations and resources for the event.

Hudson High School had planned to host a hurricane relief event Oct. 5 for others impacted by Hurricane Helene.

“It’s not just about coming to work and providing support for kids,” said Monica Ilse, assistant superintendent for high schools at Pasco County Schools. “It’s about taking care of the families and making sure our kids have what they need.”

 

Bell time extended at academy

HUDSON – Pasco County Schools is extending the end bell at West Pasco Education Academy an extra 10 minutes, starting Oct. 7, to make up for missed instructional time. 

The academy wasn’t able to reopen until Oct. 7 due to sustaining significant damage due to Hurricane Helene, according to Superintendent Kurt Browning. 

“We’re in the process of accessing and cleaning that facility,” Browning said Oct. 1. 

 

Achievements

  • Pasco County Schools promoted Thomas Viking from program coordinator to supervisor at the Office for Leading and Learning.
  • Jalen Stevens, of Lutz, was named to the Dean’s List for the summer 2024 term at University of Maryland Global Campus. Students must complete at least six credits during the term, earn a grade point average of at least 3.5 for the term and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5 to make the list. 

 

Chalk Talk (10/02/24): Essay contest lands student at US Open

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Essay contest lands student at US Open

DADE CITY – Lincoln Powell-Stevenson won an essay contest through The Sarah Vande Berg Tennis Foundation that allowed him to go to the US Open in New York.

Lincoln, a fourth-grader at San Antonio Elementary School, got to rub elbows with the likes of tennis legends Andre Agassi, John McEnroe and Novak Djokovic. 

He also rang the bell at the New York Stock Exchange. 

The Sarah Vande Berg Tennis Foundation partners with 12 schools within Pasco County Schools, according to Kimberly Poe, executive director of elementary schools. 

“It truly is a great partnership not only just exposing our students to opportunities in tennis but beyond,” Poe said. 

 

Assistant principal was a Pasco student

ZEPHYRHILLS – One of the newest faces at Chester W. Taylor Elementary School in Zephyrhills is extremely knowledgeable about science and Pasco County Schools.

Lesley Kirkley joined the staff at Chester W. Taylor Elementary this fall as assistant principal. Kirkley is not only a 23-year veteran of Pasco County Schools but she’s also a graduate of Pasco High School. 

Kirkley comes to her new role as a senior instructional specialist with the district. She has also worked as a teacher, mentor teacher and curriculum specialist. 

Outside of Pasco County Schools, she has served as president of the Florida Association of Science Supervisors.

 

Anclote gets experience at office level

ELFERS –  Anclote Elementary School has welcomed an experienced educator as Jennifer Candiloro settles into her new role as assistant principal. 

Candiloro previously served as instructional trainer coach at Seven Springs Elementary School in New Port Richey. 

“She brings a wealth of instructional knowledge, skills and leadership after 28 years at Pasco County Schools,” said Kimberly Poe, executive director of elementary schools. 

 

New Hampshire students make dean’s list

MANCHESTER, NH – Four area students were named to the summer 2024 Presidents List at Southern New Hampshire University.

They were Kelsey Gulic of Lutz; Matt Moraca of Odessa; Fidel Johnson of Odessa; and David Hernandez of Lutz. 

Each earned at least a 3.7 grade point average from May to August. 

 

Preacher earns gold stars, dean’s list

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Jackson Preacher, of Lutz, was one of the more than 620 cadets and students recognized for earning gold stars at The Citadel for the spring 2024 semester.

Gold stars are awarded to cadets and students at The Citadel who achieved a 3.7 grade point average or higher. 

Cadets and students who achieve the recognition are also placed on the dean’s list.

Veteran teacher adapts to help school thrive

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ZEPHYRHILLS – Principal Christina Twardosz recognized Kathy Kessler for her contributions in helping turn around the performance at West Zephyrhills Elementary School.

Kessler has been teaching at West Zephyrhills Elementary for more than 35 years. But when the school received an F grade from the Florida Department of Education three years ago, Kessler and others on staff rolled up their sleeves and went to work. 

“When the going got tough on our journey, Mrs. Kessler did not leave,” Twardosz told the school board Sept. 10. “Instead, she embraced a growth mindset and stretched her knowledge to become an even more skilled educator. She continues to be a positive role model.”

Twardosz said Kessler has a willingness to go where she is needed most. Over the past three years, she has taught fourth and first grades. She is now serving as the K-5 STEM teacher.

“The work she has done with our before school science sessions for fourth and fifth grade over the past two years will now get to go school-wide,” Twardosz said. “Her experience and love for the animals and our 4H program will also reach a larger audience.”

Kessler plans to expand the school garden in addition to her ongoing efforts to keep the campus clean.

“Science is my favorite,” Kessler told the school board. “It’s wonderful to see the kids and to have them get excited about animals and about science.”

Twardosz explained how Kessler not only helps students reach their highest potential but she also serves as a mentor to her colleagues.

“She epitomizes the dedicated, hardworking compassionate teachers that we have at West Zephyrhills Elementary School,” Twardosz said. “It is easy to see with teachers like Mrs. Kessler how we rose from an F to a C in just a couple of years.”

 

Chalk Talk (09/25/24): Schools respond to social media threats

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The Chick-fil-A Cow joins (front row) Daralis Robles, Anna Gomez-Marzano, Justin Telman, Cheyenne Oney, Tiana Williams, Angel Cruz and Xavier Rodriguez as well as (back row) Jason Jarman, Sarai Nieves, Katie Duncan (Marketing Manager, AdventHealth Dade City and AdventHealth Zephyrhills marketing manager), Carolyn Hodges (East Pasco Chamber Foundation board member). Photo courtesy of East Pasco Chamber Foundation

East Pasco Chamber honors Student Citizens of the Month 

ZEPHYRHILLS – The East Pasco Chamber Foundation and Greater East Pasco Chamber of Commerce recognized 10 students from Zephyrhills schools on Sept. 18 at Chick-fil-A.

Teachers and administrators selected students as Greater East Pasco Student Citizen of the Month for September for their exemplary effort, achievement and contribution to their schools, families and communities.

The students receiving honors were as follows:

  • Sarai Nieves – eighth grade, Academy of Spectrum Diversity;
  • Daralis Robles – first grade, Children’s Educational Services Elementary Campus;
  • Jason Jarman – sixth grade, Children’s Educational Services Secondary Campus;
  • Jase Kitchen – fifth grade, Chester W. Taylor Elementary School;
  • Anna Gomez-Marzano – first grade, Heritage Academy;
  • Angel Cruz – sixth grade, Raymond B. Stewart Middle School;
  • Justin Telman – pre-kindergarten, West Zephyrhills Elementary School;
  • Cheyenne Oney – fifth grade, Woodland Elementary School;
  • Tiana Williams – sixth grade, Zephyrhills Christian Academy; and
  • Xavier Rodgriguez – 12th grade, Zephyrhills High School).

The ceremony marks 27 years of celebrating student citizenship in Zephyrhills. Area businesses can support the program by calling Vicki Wiggins at the East Pasco Chamber of Commerce at 813-782-1913.

 

Schools respond to social media threats

LAND O’ LAKES – Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning urged parents to talk with their children about making threats on social media. 

Browning said in a video posted to the PCS’s Facebook page on Sept. 13 that there were nearly 20 social media threats targeting the district’s schools over a two-week span. Two of these threats led to arrests. 

He also mentioned that two people were arrested Sept. 12 for “irresponsible behavior with a firearm” in the woods near a school. 

“Actions like these lead to significant disruption in learning and are unacceptable and have serious consequences,” Browning said. “They pose risk to not only to our students but also to those making the threats. They also drain valuable resources for both our schools and law enforcement.”

The district shared on Sept. 18 that it had received another threat overnight that mentioned Fivay, Gulf, Hudson, Mitchell and River Ridge high schools. A River Ridge student was charged with written threats to commit a mass shooting, two counts of disruption of school function and violation of probation, according to the district. 

 

Boy Scouts present superintendent an award

LAND O’ LAKES – Kurt Browning, superintendent of Pasco County Schools, received the 2024 Elbert K. Fretwell Outstanding Educator Award from the Boys Scouts of America.

Mark Rose, past president of the Greater Tampa Bay Area Council, presented Browning with the award Sept. 10 during the Pasco County school board meeting. 

Rose said the award goes to educators that demonstrate and inspire good character. 

Browning is proud to have been a scouting dad, having two sons that earned the rank of Eagle Scout.

“The scouting program is one that continues to change lives,” Browning said. “It provides boys and girls an opportunity to experience things they otherwise wouldn’t have an opportunity to be a part of.”

Browning, who is on the tail end of his tenure as superintendent, acknowledged the last couple of months have felt like a farewell tour but it’s always good to be recognized by your peers. 

 

Land O’ Lakes has top STEM student

LAND O’ LAKES – Pasco County Schools recognized Abhinav Katkoori, of Land O’ Lakes High School, on Sept. 10 for being named a 2024 Sunshine State Scholar. 

Scholars have to meet a high bar, including a GPA of 3.9, 25 hours of community service and an interest in STEM careers. Winners go through a two-day program in Orlando where they connect with colleges and employers. 

Katkoori serves as president of Mu Alpha Theta, a math honor society. He has tallied 80 hours of community service and took six Advanced Placement assessments by the end of last school year, according to officials. 

 

Student achievements 

  • Lutz residents William Miller and Ty Robinson are among the 835 new students starting at the College of the Holy Cross in fall 2024. The school is based in Worcester, Ma.

 

Chalk Talk (09-18-24): Give feedback on safe routes for schools

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Residents can provide input on safe routes to five schools

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY – Hillsborough County is requesting feedback from residents about School Route Safety Improvements Projects at five schools in Ruskin, Seffner and Palm River in September.  

Seffner Elementary, Thompson Elementary, Giunta Middle, Mann Middle and Lennard High all were studied and prioritized for student walking and bicycling safety improvements based on traffic risks, historical crash data and socioeconomic factors.  

Each student safety project aims to address the risk to students and barriers to walking and bicycling to school using engineering solutions identified through data analysis, stakeholder input and community feedback.  

Improvements for student safety can include raised crosswalks, flashing beacons at crossings, bicycle lanes, new sidewalks, pedestrian signage, and speed management to slow drivers along school walking routes.

Residents are encouraged to learn about the school safety projects and provide feedback using the links below.  

  • Giunta Elementary: Participate through Sept. 18 at https://publicinput.com/x8101#tab-55177.
  • Seffner Elementary and Mann Middle: Participate through Sept. 19 at https://publicinput.com/i1057#tab-55228.
  • Thompson Elementary and Lennard High: Participate through Sept. 22 at https://publicinput.com/g7856#tab-55370.

Contact Public Works Customer Service at 813-635-5400 or email for details.

 

Wesley Chapel Lions Club sponsors superintendent forum

LUTZ – The Wesley Chapel Lions Club will host a forum featuring Chris Dunning and John Legg, candidates for Pasco County’s next school superintendent.

The Ultimate Candidate Forum will take place Oct. 7 at Denham Oaks Elementary School, 1422 Oak Grove Blvd. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. 

Both candidates will be on stage for an hour, answering questions submitted by the public. After the forum, attendees will have the chance to engage with the candidates during a light reception. 

The Wesley Chapel Lions Club encourages attendees to bring lightly used books as donations for its Read-4-a-Ride. The program helps distribute books throughout Pasco County and Southwest Florida.

The club is also seeking event sponsors. They’ll be promoted on the event website and materials as well as have the opportunity to distribute promotional materials at the forum. 

On the web: www.wclions.org/current-events.

 

Phoenix RISE aids adults with intellectual disabilities

LAND O LAKES – Fred K. Marchman Technical College has launched the Phoenix RISE program, an innovative postsecondary transition program designed for adults with intellectual disabilities.

RISE, which stands for Remarkable Individuals Seeking Employment, will provide students with hands-on learning experiences and opportunities to earn industry certifications across various vocational disciplines. The program is set to begin in the fall of 2025.

Phoenix RISE is supported by the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities through the University of Central Florida. This partnership will empower students to gain the skills and certifications needed for successful employment and greater independence.

Contact Todd Byers at 727-774-1700 or to learn more about the program. 

 

Competition lets students explore the law 

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Bar announced the commencement of its annual High School Appellate Brief Writing & Moot Court Competition.

Registration is open for teams that would like to participate in the 2025 competition at floridabar.org/flmootcourt. 

This competition offers high school students the opportunity to gain a firsthand understanding of the appellate process by engaging in brief-writing and oral argument exercises based on a fictitious case.

The competition, sponsored by The Florida Bar’s Law Related Education Committee, is open to high school students across Florida. Students work in teams of two, coached by a teacher or qualified sponsor, to draft a brief for either the petitioner or the respondent, using only the cases, citations and legal authorities provided in the case problem.

 

IRS reminds teachers about classroom deductions for 2024

TALLAHASSEE – As Florida educators gear up for the new school year, the IRS reminds schoolteachers that the maximum deduction for classroom expenses in 2024 remains at $300.

This deduction allows educators to offset the cost of supplies, materials and other classroom essentials, providing some financial relief for those who spend their own money to improve their students’ learning experience.

Under federal law, this $300 cap is unchanged from 2023, continuing the adjustment for inflation that began in 2022 when the limit was raised from $250.

 

Pasco County assistant principal started career as substitute teacher

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Michelle Jacobsen serves as an example of how it pays to never stop learning. 

Jacobsen started her education career at Pasco County Schools as a substitute teacher. She also served as an instructional assistant. 

Jacobsen went through the district’s SRP to Teacher program, which helps school-related personnel earn a bachelor’s degree in education to become teachers. 

She earned a degree from the University of South Florida and taught at Mary Giella Elementary School in Spring Hill and Bayonet Point Middle School in New Port Richey.

Marcy Hetzler-Nettles, assistant superintendent for middle schools, introduced Jacobsen to the school board Aug. 20 as the new assistant principal at Gulf Middle School in New Port Richey. She was promoted from the role of instructional trainer coach at Fox Hollow Elementary School in Port Richey. 

“She was an integral part of their team, turning that school’s grade around,” Hetzler-Nettles said of Jacobsen’s tenure at Fox Hollow Elementary. “We are super pleased to welcome her to Gulf Middle School, where we know she is going to bring excellent elements into literacy instruction and help lift literacy for our Buccaneers.”

Jacobsen’s husband, Eric, works for Pasco County. They have children in fifth and seventh grades.

 

Other notable appointments

Pasco County Schools appointed a handful of other employees last month to school leadership positions.

  • Jennifer Candiloro was an instructional trainer coach at Seven Springs Elementary School in New Port Richey. Candiloro is now assistant principal at Anclote Elementary School in Elfers.
  • Jessica Chmurzynski was an intervention specialist at Sand Pine Elementary School in Wesley Chapel. Chmurzynski will stay at Sand Pine as an assistant principal.
  • Lesley Kirkley was a senior instructional specialist with the district. Kirkley will serve as assistant principal at Chester W. Taylor Elementary School in Zephyrhills.
  • Laurie McKnight, a new hire within the district, was appointed as an assistant principal at Woodland Elementary School in Zephyrhills.

 

Chalk Talk (09/11/24): Grant to boost magnet schools

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Grant to boost magnet schools

WESLEY CHAPEL – Pasco County Schools has received a $63,000 grant from the Suncoast Credit Union.

The contribution will help bolster the district’s ongoing magnet schools recruitment, retention and community engagement efforts.

Pasco County Schools hosts 36 magnet schools and programs with nearly 15,000 students. 

Schools offer an array of programs, including Cambridge, International Baccalaureate (IB), STEM and STEAM, Biomedical Sciences, Engineering and Cybersecurity. These programs are meant to spark passion in our students and connect their learning to real-world applications.

 

Student achievements

  • Zephaniah Johnson, of Land O’Lakes, maintained a 3.5 grade point average or better on a 4.0 point scale to make the dean’s list for the spring semester at Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana.
  • Evan Nelson, of San Antonio, made the dean’s list at Columbia College in Columbia, Missouri. Nelson attended online classes and scored at least a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0-point scale.

 

Pasco County Schools pays tribute to Ray Gadd

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Ray Gadd

Pasco County Schools paid tribute to retiring Deputy Superintendent Ray Gadd during the Aug. 20 school board meeting. Gadd will be retiring Sept. 20 after 44 years with the district. 

Gadd remembers when he was interning with the district as a psychologist that he had a job offer in Hillsborough County and a job offer at Pasco County Schools. Despite being a broke college kid, he passed on the higher-paying offer.
“Pasco County is where I want to work,” he remembered thinking at the time. “It was the best decision I ever made. I have no regrets.”

​​Superintendent Kurt Browning touted Gadd’s generosity, hard work, institutional history, disdain for bureaucratic red tape and courage to share a difference of opinion because he believes it’s the right thing for the district.

“I can not imagine having to serve as superintendent of this district for 12 years without having Ray Gadd by my side,” Browning said. 

He credited Gadd and former school board member Allen Altman for shepherding the Penny for Pasco campaign in 2004. From that campaign, voters approved a 1-cent sales tax that generated more than $320 million for education over 10 years. Voters supported the campaign again in 2012 and 2022. 

Browning said the district would not have been able to build, remodel or outfit schools with buses, technology and other resources had it not been for their work on the campaign.

“There was literally blood, sweat and tears put into that first campaign for the penny,” Browning said. “I’m grateful because I was able to reap the benefits of being the superintendent that had money that was able to build those schools.”

Gadd said he has worked with several superintendents but never had he worked with one with as much passion and compassion as Browning. Under Browning’s leadership, Gadd has had the opportunity to try new things. 

“When you engage in innovation, there’s a lot of failure,” Gadd said. “Every now and then when you engage in innovation, you get one right and it’s like yahoo. It takes a strong board and a strong group of peers to stick with it, because usually you hit a couple of failures and you quit. This school board, this school district and the team of people who work around me never give up on trying to innovate and do a better job.”

School board chair Megan Harding thanked Gadd for making sure the district always did what’s best for kids. Harding presented him with a plaque commemorating his 44 years of service to the district. 

District 1 rep Al Hernandez thanked Gadd for his friendship and mentorship. 

District 2 rep Colleen Beaudoin described Gadd as an innovator.

District 3 rep Cynthia Armstrong said Gadd has a rare talent to see past obstacles to get things done. It also helps that he has people skills and the ability to think outside of the box. 

“What you’ve been able to accomplish not only for the school district but also for the county itself has really made our district better,” Armstrong told Gadd. “It’s made the county a better place to live.”

 

School thanks Zephyrhills for its reading buddies

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Principal Christina Twardosz thanked the City of Zephyrhills staff Aug. 26 for volunteering to read with students last year at West Zephyrhills Elementary School.

Twardosz presented the Florida Department of Education Commissioners Business Recognition Award on behalf of Pasco County Schools during the Zephyrhill City Council meeting. 

“City staff came at least once a week and read chapter books with our students, asking them comprehension questions,” Twardosz said. “Not only did it provide extra reading support but it built a unique bond and a mentorship opportunity for our students as well.”

She mentioned how City Manager William Poe provided release time to staff so they could be reading buddies at West Zephyrhills and Woodland elementary schools.

Twardosz attributed the partnership, as well as help from the community, for helping West Zephyrhills Elementary improve its academic grade from an F in 2021-22 to a C in 2023-24.

“Thanks to all of our staff that have done that,” Council President Kenneth Burgess said. “That’s a pretty good jump in grades there from an F to a C.”

Poe believes the reading buddies program is great for the community to get involved with children and serve as role models.

“I think it’s important for us to continue that and be part of the schools,” he said.

Poe pointed to the district’s increased security measures, which includes fingerprinting for volunteers. The district website mentions that Level 2 background screening is required every five years for volunteers and costs $41.25.

Poe said the city will pay those fees associated with the fingerprinting for its staff so they may continue volunteering without cost. 

Chalk Talk (09/04/24): Pasco County Schools feeds students

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Summer Feeding reaches more

Pasco County Schools saw a huge increase in the number of meals served through its Summer Feeding program.

The district served 128,032 meals last year and 273,642 meals this year, according to Elizabeth Kuhn, assistant superintendent for support services.

Kuhn said the increase was attributable to curbside locations. 

Curbside sites were available at Connerton Elementary School in Land O’ Lakes, Watergrass Elementary School in Wesley Chapel, and Lacoochee Elementary School and San Antonio Elementary School in Dade City.

 

PCS buys risk insurance

Pasco County Schools has agreed to buy builder’s risk insurance from Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services for construction at West Zephyrhills Elementary School.

The insurance will cover the school in case of fire, wind damage, theft or vandalism, according to a staff memo. The amount is not to exceed $260,776.96.

The district is adding a two-story building with classrooms and a media center on the West Zephyrhills Elementary School campus. 

 

Firms picked for repairs

Pasco County Schools has selected three firms to provide architectural and engineering, permitting and construct administration services for projects under $7.5 million. 

The district selected Hepner Associates; Long & Associates Architects and Engineers; and Renker, Eich, Parks Architects.

Projects may include remodeling or renovations, heating and air replacements, general consulting services or emergencies.

 

Weeds treated at property

JT Cattle Company is working with the USDA on herbaceous weed treatment on property it leases from Pasco County Schools.

The district signed off on the treatment last month for the 40-acre site on Hicks Road in Hudson. JT Cattle Company has leased the site since 2015. 

 

School buses sold

Pasco County Schools has sold three school buses to Creation Foundation Inc. for $3. 

The district deemed the buses as surplus property after realizing they were not operational or cost too much to repair, according to a staff memo. Each was sold “as is” to the charter school for $1 each.

 

Music school open houses

Saint Leo University’s Community Music School will host several open house events for those interested in joining the community choir and band or participating in ballroom dance classes at University Campus, 33701 County Road 52 in St. Leo.

The music school was launched to offer Saint Leo’s neighbors and those in the Tampa Bay area a variety of opportunities to take classes to learn and practice music, dance and other arts under the direction of expert guidance of faculty members, who also are professional musicians, dancers and artists.

Open house events will be as follows:

  • Ballroom Dance Showcase & Open House – Sept. 6, 6:45 p.m., Wellness Center Dance Studio.
  • Community Choir Open House – Sept. 9, 7 p.m., Music Building.
  • Community Band Open House – Sept. 9, 7 p.m., Blackbox Theatre, Benedictine Hall.

Email Cindy Selph at to register for the choir or band events. Email 

Sergiy Borysov at to attend the ballroom dancing event.

 

Two Good Soles drive underway

The ninth annual Two Good Soles Shoes and Socks Drive is underway, through Oct. 23, with Pasco County government and constitutional offices working together to collect footwear for kids in Pasco County Schools.

Types of shoes and socks to consider donating include:

  • Children’s shoes sizes 9 and up
  • Adult shoes in all sizes
  • Socks in all sizes (neutral colors)
  • Closed-toe shoes, no flip-flops

More than 3,000 pairs of shoes and nearly 6,000 pairs of socks were collected in 2023.

Donations can be dropped in collection boxes at Pasco County Government locations and the Pasco County clerk & comptroller, property appraiser and tax collector offices.

All new shoes and socks will be donated to Pasco County Schools at the end of October.