Education

Chalk Talk 01/01/2020

January 2, 2020 By Mary Rathman

Free admission to MOSI
The Museum of Science and Industry, 4801 E. Fowler Ave., in Tampa, is offering free admission to kindergarten through fifth-grade students in Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties through Jan. 6.

Students who present a report card, or any other identification that proves residence in one of the named counties will get free admission to MOSI, with a paid adult admission.

The offer does not include any additional experiences at the museum and cannot be combined with any other discount offer.

For information, visit MOSI.org.

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.

Schools make AP Honor Roll
Pasco County Schools is one of 250 school districts in the United States and Canada that earned a spot on the 10th annual AP District Honor Roll. The district also was on the fifth annual Honor Roll in 2015, when 547 districts earned the recognition.

The Honor Roll recognizes the district’s commitment to expanding access to Advanced Placement (AP) coursework, while also improving student performance since 2017.

Last school year, 4,484 students were enrolled in AP courses and those students took 8,247 exams, with more than half earning a passing score of 3 or higher.

That is an 8.3% participation increase and a 13.4% performance increase over 2017-2018.

For inclusion on the Honor Roll, the Pasco County school district met the following criteria:

Increase participation/access to AP by at least 4%
Increase or maintain the percentage of American Indian/Alaska Native, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino and Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander students taking exams, and increase or maintain the percentage of these students scoring 3+ on at least one AP exam
Improve or maintain performance levels when comparing the 2019 percentage of students scoring a 3 or higher to the 2017 percentage, unless the district has already attained a higher performance level at which more than 70% of its AP students earn a 3 or higher

Military academies nominations
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) has announced that 20 high school students have received nominations for admission into our nation’s military academies: Air Force (USAF), Navy (USNA), Army (USMA) and Merchant Marine (USMMA).

Receiving a nomination to one of the nation’s military academies is a step toward receiving an appointment to the academies.

Nominations are earned based on each student’s interview with Rep. Castor’s Nomination Committee, the student’s academic record, participation in extracurricular activities and demonstrated leadership qualities.

Based upon the process established by law, all U.S. military academies, except the Coast Guard Academy, require a nomination from their member of Congress, U.S. senator or the vice president of the United States.

Parents and students interested in the nomination process can work with their school guidance counselors and visit Castor.house.gov/constituentservices, and click on the Service Academy Nominations link.

The following students from The Laker/Lutz News coverage area have received nominations:

Cooper Palasti, Gaither High School (USNA, USMA)
Josef Stooks, Steinbrenner High School (USNA)
Justin Hileman, Steinbrenner High (USNA, USAFA)

Rep. Castor will announce official appointments at a later date, after being notified of the appointments by the academies.

Foundation is recipient of grant
The South Central Chapter of Joy in Childhood Foundation has approved a grant of $10,000 for The Thomas Promise Foundation.

Joy in Childhood is an independent 501©3 organization powered by Dunkin’ and Baskin-Robbins Brands, as well as the generosity of their partners, franchisees, employees and guests.

The grant will provide more than 20,000 meals for the foundation, whose mission is to supply weekend meals to food-insecure students in local schools.

Currently, Thomas Promise is in 28 schools in Pasco and Hillsborough counties, serving more than 1,500 bags filled with six meals each weekend to students who may not have certain access to meals when the school breakfast and lunch programs are not in operation.

Pasco school district raises expected soon

December 24, 2019 By B.C. Manion

Union and school district negotiators reached a contract settlement as Pasco County School teachers headed to winter break.

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

Don Peace, president of United School Employees of Pasco (USEP), covered this year’s contract negotiations between the union the school district in a video, which is available on USEP’s website, USEPonline.org.

“We recently settled our SRP negotiations, with a salary increase of 3.25% to all SRPs with additional monies going to some of our lower paid groups to raise them one level on the salary schedule.

“We also got some very good language provisions in safety and wellness, union rights, leaves of absence and working conditions for our SRPs,” he said.

The school board voted to ratify the SRP contract, which was later ratified by the SRP membership.

Those salary increases should start showing up in late January, with retroactive pay being seen in mid to late February, Peace said in the video.

He went on to describe the negotiations between the union and the school district.

“This past Tuesday night, USEP and the district reached a settlement on the instructional side, which has been somewhat more contentious, since the beginning,” he said.

A major sticking point was a proposal by Superintendent Kurt Browning that called for secondary school teachers to “take on an additional period of work, give up their planning and reduce allocations to fund salary increases for all employees,” Peace said.

Peace rejected that proposal and said the union “would not consider giving up planning periods. Nor, would we negatively impugn any one sector of our population so that others may flourish.”

Peace added: “Being a teacher myself, I understand the importance of what goes during a teacher’s planning period and would never willingly relinquish that right.”

Ultimately, the district dropped that proposal.

The settlement that was reached provides a 3.25% increase for instructional staff, retroactive to July 1, 2019. Of that raise, 1.625% is a cost of living adjustment for all employees and the remaining 1.625% goes to the Pay for Performance pay plan.

Peace also noted: “In one of the biggest language pieces garnered over the last 15 years of this organization, the teacher evaluation process is now spelled out and placed in the contract language. This was a two-year collaborative effort with the district. That result should provide for continuity in the process and take away the threat of year-to-year change in how the evaluation takes place.”

The Pasco County School Board approved the 3.25% raise for non-instructional employees and non-bargaining employees at its Dec. 17 meeting.

The ratification vote on the teachers’ contract is expected in early 2020.

Published December 25, 2019

Chalk Talk 12/25/2019

December 24, 2019 By Mary Rathman

Ten student-citizens honored
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce has recognized 10 students for its Citizen of the Month program. Teachers and administration at individual schools nominate students for their exemplary efforts, achievements and contributions to their school, family and community. Students receiving honors for the month of December are: Nicholas Dester, The Academy of Spectrum Diversity; Wyatt Farland, The Broach School; Yareliz Pagan Lopez, Chester Taylor Elementary School; Aniya Harrison, East Pasco Adventist Academy; Madisyn Wright, Heritage Academy; Jaylin Jackson, Raymond B. Stewart Middle School; Chloee Dutton, West Zephyrhills Elementary School; Ricky Jiang, Woodland Elementary School; Jeira Melendez, Zephyrhills Christian Academy; and, Lakisia Thomas, Zephyrhills High School.

Winter commencement
Pasco-Hernando State College hosted two winter commencement ceremonies on Dec. 11, to honor graduates earning bachelor degrees, associate degrees, and certificates.

This year’s fall graduates included many ambitious and accomplished students, and some who have encountered adversity in pursuit of a higher education.

Meclina Priestley, of Wesley Chapel, earned an Associate of Arts in drafting and design technology, with honors.

Priestley is a single mother of three daughters, a successful artist, and an Art Fellow at the James Weldon Johnson Foundation.

She also is an artist-in-residence at the Renaissance Tampa International Plaza Hotel, and a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the SkillsUSA club.

Hunter Karius, of Weeki Wachee, is a full-time, first-generation college student who earned his Associate in Arts, with honors.

Karius is the North Campus Student Government Association president, a student ambassador, an enrollment management specialist in the Academic Success Center, and the Florida College System Student Government Association Region Two coordinator.

He plans to attend Nova Southeastern University to study biological sciences, followed by dental school.

Patricia Jauregui, of Dade City, overcame many obstacles, from kidney failure and a transplant as a teen, to developing breast cancer when she was 22 years old.

Jauregui is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Psi Beta. She earned an Associate in Science in nursing, with honors.

She aspires to work as a nurse either in pediatric oncology or in breast oncology.

Adriana Huapilla, of Dade City, has served East Campus as a student ambassador and Student Government Association vice president.

She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Phi Beta Lambda, and is the first generation in her family to earn an Associate in Arts.

Huapilla balances being a full-time student with a full-time job, and often drives family members from home to school or work.

She plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in supervision and management, with a concentration in public safety.

Steeven Andrade, of Wesley Chapel, was born in Ecuador and moved to the United States three years ago. It was his first time in college, in another country, and in another language.

By the fall of 2018, he was the Student Government Association vice president at the Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch.

Andrade earned an Associate in Arts, with honors.

He plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in management, with a minor in global business, at the University of South Florida, while working at Publix.

Approximately 345 degrees and certificates were conferred at the winter commencement ceremonies.

Local student recognized as a ‘hero’
Pasco High School student Sally Campbell was honored at a recent hockey game as a Tampa Bay Lightning Community Hero of Tomorrow.

Campbell was awarded a $25,000 scholarship and a $25,000 grant to the Hope Lodge, on behalf of Campbell’s nonprofit, Sallybrating With a Cause (And a Little Bit of Paws), which supports community charities, including animals.

Local student attends UN conference
Jacob Goetz, of Odessa, was among the 12 students with Tallahassee Community College’s Model UN team that traveled to Washington D.C., to attend the Model United Nations conference. The group of students represented Spain, and received plaudits for their work, and visited historical sites.

The overall work of the team in their respective UN committees earned them an Honorable Delegation Award.

Two students, Ramlah Mahboob and Sean Rutten, were recognized with a Position Paper Award, based on their research and written policies submitted to the conference.

Student achievement
Ether Olatunji, of Lutz, graduated from the College of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities at Florida A&M University.

Olaunji was among more than 600 students who received degrees during the school’s winter commencements.

Chalk Talk 12/18/2019

December 18, 2019 By Mary Rathman

Remembering the end of a war
About 30 people attended the interdisciplinary at Saint Leo University on World War I & Peace, 1919-2019 Conference in honor of the centennial of the end of World War I.

From left: Stephen Okey, Frank Orlando and Daniel DuBois spoke at the interdisciplinary at Saint Leo University on World War I & Peace, 1919-2019. (Courtesy of Jo-Ann Johnston)

University President Jeffrey D. Senese delivered the formal welcome to the conference audience.

Psychology professor Christopher Cronin gave a presentation on shell shock and modern post-traumatic stress disorder diagnoses.

English faculty member Chantelle MacPhee, originally from Canada, recited the battle poem “In Flanders Field,” written by Canadian poet-physician John McCrae, who died during wartime service.

And, a popular panel drew questions about theologian Stephen Okey’s remarks on how Pope Benedict XV viewed the war, Frank Orlando’s presentation on how the power of American presidents changed domestically after the peace treaty, and historian Daniel DuBois’ lecture on how the war set the stage for China’s current place in world affairs.

Those in attendance could view items on display, too, including war posters, photos and paintings from the WWI era, and artifacts including helmets, and medals and ribbons awarded to soldiers.

Saint Leo professor Marco Rimanelli organized the conference and assembled the collection of memorabilia. He is a professor of political science.

School board reorganizes
The District School Board of Pasco County elected Colleen Beaudoin, District 2, as chair, and Allen Altman, District 1, as vice chair. Both positions are for one-year terms.

New buddy benches
A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on Dec. 12 at Denham Oaks Elementary in Lutz for the newly installed Buddy Benches.

Through a Systems of Care grant opportunity, the Pasco County school district was able to expand compassionate schools work by purchasing 13 Buddy Benches. The bench is a simple idea to foster friendship on the playground, to promote an inclusive school community.

Children who are feeling emotional or lonely can sit on the bench as a clear signal to others on the playground that they are in need of social connection.

Students in the schools with Buddy Benches will receive instructions on how to respond when they see a peer sitting on the bench.

Upcoming ribbon-cutting ceremonies at area schools include:

Cox Elementary School, 37615 Martin Luther King Blvd., Dade City: Dec. 20 at 2 p.m.
Bexley Elementary School, 4380 Ballantrae Blvd., Land O’ Lakes: Jan. 16 at 8 a.m.
New River Elementary School, 4710 River Glen Blvd., Wesley Chapel: Jan. 22 at 8:40 a.m.

Financial aid tip
According to the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA), high school seniors should keep track of deadlines for applying for college financial aid.

The KHEAA offers these tips:

File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible.
Check with the financial aid offices of the schools to which you’ve applied, to determine if they require any forms other than the FAFSA.
Look for scholarships using a free online scholarship search.
Attend any college fairs and financial aid seminars offered at your high school or in your area. If a company charges a fee for helping with applications, remember that you can do that yourself for free. If you decide to pay for help, make sure the company is reputable by checking with the state attorney general’s office or the Better Business Bureau in your area, as well as the area where the firm is located.

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

For information, visit KHEAA.com.

Saint Leo service day
The Saint Leo University community united far and wide to perform volunteer acts in honor of those who served in the U.S. military.

While some of the volunteer opportunities were organized by the university, employees also could work with the organization or agency of their choice.

Some of the projects included cleaning a 1-mile stretch of a downtown Tampa street, to feeding the homeless in a park in Savannah, Georgia; from making toys and treats at University Campus for rescue animals, to sorting items at a Habitat for Humanity store in Newport News, Virginia.

Iman Johnson, a student at Saint Leo’s University Campus, helped in the Peaceful Reflections Garden and said, in a release, he “felt compelled to volunteer….My grandfather served.” Johnson is a graduate assistant for the men’s basketball team.

Delaney Chrisco, a women’s lacrosse player, said, “I want to give back and grow the community, since I’m a senior.

“We want to leave on a good note,” she added.

Paws of Love, a nonprofit organization, also was on campus to make dog treats and toys to donate to Pasco County Animal Services in Land O’ Lakes.

Participants in the Service Day also worked with other community partners, including San Antonio Elementary School; A Helping Rock homeless shelter in Zephyrhills; Gulfside Hospice Thrift Shoppe, Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, and Rodney B. Cox Elementary School, all in Dade City; and, Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School in Shady Hills.

Chalk Talk 12/11/2019

December 11, 2019 By Mary Rathman

Chamber honors student citizens
Nine students from across the community were honored as the Greater Zephyrhills Students of the Month for November. Students are chosen by the teachers and administration of their individual schools for exemplary effort, achievement and contribution to their school, family and community. The students recognized were: Michael Barnes, The Academy of Spectrum Diversity; Justin Cleary, The Broach School; Jacob Holcomb, Chester W. Taylor Elementary School; Victor Garcia, Heritage Academy; Sophie Graziano, Raymond B. Stewart Middle School; Gavin Jones, West Zephyrhills Elementary School; Sophia Olleres, Woodland Elementary School; and Jonas Short, Zephyrhills High School.

Stewart ‘top dogs’ recognized
The First Quarter Top Dogs at Stewart Middle School were rewarded with a certificate, a gold dog tag and Hungry Howie’s Lunch. One student is selected by the teachers from each team for his or her academics and leadership role in the school. Students receiving the honor were: Chloe Poulimenos, Briana Daulton, Faneeza Mangroo, Melvin Joseph, Rose Medeiros, Kayla Cameron, Coryn Graham, Brandon Hodge and Naihomy Santiago.

Field dedication
Land O’ Lakes High School, 20325 Gator Lane, will host a Community Open House and Vicky A. King Field Dedication on Dec. 13.

The open house and tours begin at 6 p.m. The field dedication ceremony will take place after the girls varsity soccer game at 7 p.m. Admission to the game is $3.

Hockey club fundraiser
The Wiregrass Ranch High School Hockey Club will host a fundraiser through Twistee Treat in Wesley Chapel on Dec. 14, all day.

For each purchase made on behalf of Wiregrass, Twistee Treat will donate 20% of the proceeds to the hockey team.

For information, call the school at (813) 346-6000.

Academy market
East Pasco Adventist Academy, 38434 Centennial Road in Dade City, will host a holiday market on Dec. 15 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

There will be cultural food and drinks, cupcakes, holiday décor, accessories, natural body products, crafts, clothes, T-shirts, mugs and more. And, a holiday photo booth will be available with fun props for pictures.

Admission and parking are free.

For information, call (352) 567-3646.

Mural art contest
Pasco County and The Autism Society of Florida are calling on student artists to enter the “Food For All” Mural Art Contest, now through Dec. 27.

Students in Pasco County, ages 6 to 21, in the autism and special needs communities are asked to create and submit a colored drawing or painting depicting what sustainable “Food For All” means to them.

Six winners will have their artwork memorialized in a mural at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, next to the new Community Gardens.

Free registration is open until Dec. 15 online at bit.ly/PascoFoodForAll.

Artwork must be submitted by Dec. 27.

All art will be displayed at the West Pasco Government Center in New Port Richey from Jan. 13 to Jan. 31.

Pepin receives designation
Pepin Academies Pasco is now an official “Interact Club” — the first of its kind in Florida for students with learning disabilities, according to a news release.

Interact is Rotary International’s service club for young people ages 12 to 18.

Interact Clubs are sponsored by individual Rotary clubs, which provide support and guidance, but Interact is self-governing and self-supporting.

The Rotary Club of West Pasco Sunset announced the Interact Club sponsorship.

Pepin Academies Pasco teacher Belinda Delaney will be the school’s sponsor for the new Interact Club.

Pepin Pasco students have already participated in a coastal cleanup event this year, and now as an official Interact Club, plan to participate in other community service projects through the school year.

Leadership class graduates
Members of Leadership Saint Leo’s Class of 2019 recently graduated from the program, which is designed to develop and train leaders.

The program began at Saint Leo University in 2005 to expand leadership capacity, build culture, and create a common leadership lexicon across the university, including its education centers and online offices.

Saint Leo’s program is conducted by CODA Partners Inc., a professional services firm based in Gulfport and Dade City.

The Leadership Class of 2019 includes: Nikki Heister, special programs manager for the Department of Public Safety Administration; Yvonne Montell, associate director of outreach and enrollment; Kristina Floyd, senior accountant; Iris Crawford, Human Resources business partner; Alaina Plowdrey, director of the Key West Education Center; Conner Kilpatrick, assistant director of recreation; Dr. Holly Atkins, chair, undergraduate education, and professor of education; Dr. Sheri Bias, assistant professor of human resource management, Langley Office (Virginia); Lorna Holden, associate director of financial aid; Andrea Colon, Saint Leo Worldwide communications/training specialist; Greg Kunzweiler, innovation implementation specialist; and, Elizabeth Vestal, associate registrar.

Principal of the year is surprised by honor

December 4, 2019 By B.C. Manion

Principal JoAnne Glenn and her staff were conducting a training seminar — when Pasco Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning and an entourage cruised into the room with flowers, balloons, a cookie cake and an announcement.

The superintendent offered Glenn hearty congratulations, as he announced she was the district’s principal of the year.

School Board Chairwoman Colleen Beaudoin gave Glenn a big hug. The principal’s husband, Scott, looked on with pride, and the room full of educators broke out in applause.

Pasco County School Board Chairwoman Colleen Beaudoin gives JoAnne Glenn a big hug, after Glenn learns she’s been named Pasco County’s Principal of the Year. Glenn and Beaudoin have been friends since their teaching days at King High School in Tampa. (B.C. Manion)

Glenn, principal of Pasco eSchool, was obviously pleased — and surprised — by the news.

It’s not, however, the first unexpected development in her career.

Indeed, she didn’t set out to become an educator.

When she went off to college at the University of Florida, Glenn had her sights set on the field of engineering.

But, some internships and other experiences made her realize that wasn’t the right path for her.

So, she shifted gears.

She’d already earned enough credits to pursue a degree in mathematics, so she decided to do that.

She recalled volunteering as a math tutor in high school.

“I remembered the advisor at one point saying to me, ‘Have you considered being a teacher?’”

“I kind of laughed it off at the time,” Glenn said.

In switching majors, she got some pushback.

“I announced that idea to my family and they were not super excited about it,” Glenn said.

She thinks her dad — who retired from the Air Force after 22 years and became a high school ROTC instructor — had noticed a changing of attitudes toward educators and teaching, in general.

He had reservations about supporting his daughter’s plan.

“So, we went through a rough period, honestly, when every time I came home, we argued about that decision — my dad encouraging me to think about it a little bit more,” Glenn said.

“My mom had to kind of take him aside and say, ‘If you and she argue every time she comes home, she’s just going to stop coming home. She’s stubborn and she’s going to do it. You need to let her do it and see where it takes her.’”

An entire room of educators erupted in applause when JoAnne Glenn, principal of Pasco eSchool, was named Pasco County’s Principal of the Year.

As it turns out, education was precisely the right path for Glenn.

“I’ll tell you, I haven’t regretted it for even a moment. It absolutely was a great fit for me as a career,” she said.

After college, she applied to five school districts and landed a job at King High School, as a math teacher in its traditional program.

That’s where she met Beaudoin, another math teacher there.

The two became friends, and have kept in touch.

Glenn left King High School to become the mathematics department chairwoman at new Wharton High School. Beaudoin came along with her.

Opening a new school and helping to establish its culture is an experience Glenn wishes every educator could have.

Next, she taught in what was then Hillsborough’s County virtual program, before leaving the district in 2006 to join Pasco County Schools as an assistant principal at Mitchell High.

She worked briefly at Land O’ Lakes High, too, before being selected in 2009 to become the inaugural principal of the district’s new Pasco eSchool.

A decade later, Glenn remains in that role. Along the way, the school and members of its staff have been recognized across the state and nationally for outstanding performance.

Located in Trinity, Pasco eSchool is not like a traditional school.

For one thing, its students come from across Pasco County, and throughout Florida.

It has 450 full-time students and 9,800 students taking at least one online class. Over the course of last school year, it served 17,800 students.

This principal enjoys a good challenge
As the school differs from traditional schools, so does the role of the principal, Glenn said.

The job requires collaborating with district staff, and school administrators.

Glenn said much of her success stems from the backing she receives from others.

She said former Superintendent Heather Fiorentino and current Superintendent Browning, and their leadership teams, have been very supportive.

“Even if they haven’t known necessarily how to solve the problem, or what next step I should take, they have 100% been in favor of me making what I felt was the best decision for our school and for our district,” Glenn said.

“That’s not just the superintendent or his assistants. It’s the directors of our departments. It’s the principals at other schools, who again, are willing to really sit down and really talk through problems and challenges, and keep an open mind with a focus on what’s best for kids.

“That has honestly allowed me to grow professionally, encouraged our school to take off and to try new things — and not be afraid and paralyzed that something is not going to work perfectly the first time out,” Glenn said.

Being willing to explore new avenues seems to be part of Glenn’s DNA.

“I’ve not really ever had an aversion to trying something new or something challenging.

“When I see a need, my instinct is to move toward whatever that situation or challenge is.

“I’ve had that personality quirk that when somebody puts something out there that I haven’t considered, I don’t say, ‘No, that’s too crazy.’ I’ll say, ‘You know, maybe — that’s something I haven’t tried before, I’m willing to give it a go’,” she said.

Glenn said she has worked to build a climate “that isn’t so focused on perfection, but is focused on getting better every time. I think that has really helped all of us to get better, to refine our process.”

That provides an atmosphere in which people who are struggling aren’t afraid to say: “Hey, this is not working and I am not sure what to do next,” she said.

As a leader of a school that relies on technology, it’s essential to stay abreast of new tools, Glenn said.

She calls her learning design coaches the “Lewis & Clark” of the school.

“They spend a lot of time reading, looking at different technologies, testing and vetting different things,” she said.

And, because they are on the forefront of change, what they learn can sometimes be helpful to colleagues across the district.

They can help others avoid potential pitfalls, and help them to manage through the “pain points” when making a shift to a new system, she said.

While delighted to be chosen as the principal of the year, Glenn was caught off guard by the honor.

“It’s a little bit hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that I received this recognition,” the principal said, during a follow-up interview. “There are so many great leaders here in Pasco.”

As a nominee for Florida Principal of the Year competition, Glenn plans to do her best “to represent the excellent leaders we have in our schools.”

Published December 04, 2019

Make a video, help get the word out

December 4, 2019 By Mary Rathman

A contest that will send thousands of dollars to Florida schools is being sponsored by AAA – The Auto Club Group, in which a total of $5,500 in prizes will be divided up among 13 winning high schools.

The Florida Teen Safe Driving Coalition (FTSDC) is hosting the Public Service Announcement Contest to promote the importance of educating young drivers.

Entrants must create positive public service announcements (PSA) that help high school students educate their peers about Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws.

Graduated Driver Licensing is a gradual approach to granting teen drivers full license privileges. By allowing teen drivers to safety gain experience during structured hours, exposure to higher risk driving situations can be minimized.

According to a news release, previous AAA Foundation research found that drivers first licensed at age 18 are more likely to be involved in a crash resulting in injuries during their first year of solo driving than new drivers licensed at any other age.

The Graduated Driver Licensing laws in Florida allow young drivers to begin gaining valuable experience behind the wheel at 15 years old.

“Good GDL laws have proven to be effective at reducing teen driver crashes and that’s our focus in everything we do,” Matt Nasworthy, Florida Public Affairs director for AAA, said in the release.

For information on keeping teen drivers safe, visit TeenDrivingAAA.com.

The contest is open to public, private, virtual or home-school students in grades nine to 12, in Florida.

The deadline to enter is Feb. 28.

For details and rules, interested schools can use this link to enter: FLTeenSafeDriver.org/gdl-psa/.

Published December 04, 2019

Chalk Talk 12/04/2019

December 4, 2019 By Mary Rathman

First-place essay winner stands alongside Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller. (Courtesy of Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller)

Essay contest winners
Lake Myrtle Elementary School’s Taylor Schamaun’s essay emerged as the winner of the Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller’s sixth annual Constitution Essay Contest.

Students were required to respond to the prompt, “Why is the Constitution Important?”

Schamaun took first place with her point-by-point argument for the excellence of our founding document.

In second place, Oakstead Elementary’s Nathan Grob touted the Constitution for its guarantees of free speech and universal suffrage.

And, Alex Coloyan of Longleaf Elementary snagged third place for his essay praising the Constitution’s contribution as an effective and stable form of government.

Honorable mentions were given to: Abbey Tesh, Hannah Whelan, Eric Bazaria (Wesley Chapel Elementary); Alexandria Csuhai, Nicholas Campbell, Olivia Grob, Elias Watson, Taelor Stevens (Oakstead Elementary); Cali Lopez (Lake Myrtle); Evan Davis, Isabella (Longleaf Elementary); Jamie Kessler, Madison Smith (Cotee River Elementary); and Vanessa Bandini (Calusa Elementary.

A record number 113 Pasco County fifth-graders entered this year’s contest.

School Choice is open
Pasco County Schools’ choice application window for middle and high school students opened Dec. 3, and will close Dec. 13 at 4:30 p.m.

The application is available via the myStudent parent portal.

Parents who do not already have an account, can establish a myStudent account online at the district website, PascoSchools.org (click on the myStudent link in the circle below the large photo).

This will be the only application window for secondary schools, and it will be for all school choice options, including STEM and STEAM magnet schools, International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge, and Wendell Krinn Technical High School.

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 Dec. 11.

Citizens of the Month
The Dade City Chamber of Commerce has recognized the following students as Citizens of the Month.

September: Mason Pippin, Academy at the Farm; Aysia Sobers, East Pasco Adventist Academy; Wyatt Lowman, Saint Anthony Catholic School; Adalee Krause, Centennial Elementary; Jacob Maeker, Lacoochee Elementary; Mariana Chavez, Pasco Elementary; Luis Perez, Rodney B. Cox Elementary; Alaina Wheatley, San Antonio Elementary; Christopher Lewellen, Centennial STEM Magnet Middle; Taijabi Tekleberhan, Pasco Middle; Treasure Diaz-Cherry, James Irvin Education Center; and Yessenia Solis, Pasco High.

October: Canaan Pippin, Academy at the Farm; Rosalia Ippolito, Saint Anthony Catholic School; Antonio Chavez; Centennial Elementary; Jamie Angel, Lacoochee Elementary; Carmen Denton, Pasco Elementary; Jaime Contreras, Rodney B. Cox Elementary; Adam “Jimmy” Gragg, San Antonio Elementary; Mason Denmark, Centennial STEM Magnet Middle; Jezzabell Duffey, Pasco Middle; Charles Gumulinski, James Irvin Education Center; and Lilli Pollard, Pasco High.

Healthy schools
The 2019 Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America ranked Pasco County Schools 42nd on the list, up from 71st place in 2018.

The award culminates a year-long wellness awards program that Healthiest Employers hosts across the United States.

Award applicants are evaluated across six categories: culture and leadership commitment; foundational components; strategic planning; marketing and communications; programming and interventions; and, reporting and analytics.

The district’s health plan budget was increasing at a rate of 9% to 12% annually. Since the implementation of the Pasco Go Healthy program, the district has avoided more than $117 million in medical and pharmacy expenditures.

The data shows that more members are choosing to manage their care at the five on-site health and wellness centers.

Only one other Florida school district ranked among the top 100.

Pre-kindergarten screenings
Pasco County FDLRS Child Find offers developmental information and free screenings in coordination with the Past County Pre-K Assessment Team.

The screenings are for children not yet enrolled in kindergarten who may be having difficulties with speech, language, hearing, vision, concepts or motor skills.

Primary emphasis is on children ages 3 to 5.

For information, call Child Find specialist Caitlin Ryan or Colleen Costa at (813) 794-2630, (727) 774-2630 or (352) 524-2630.

Feeding Pasco food drive
The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office’s annual Feeding Pasco Kids food drive is in full swing.

The proceeds from the drive will go directly to local organizations whose mission is to provide support for homeless children and students.

This year, the recipients include the Pasco Schools system and Metropolitan Ministries.

Donation boxes are placed in the lobbies of the Pasco Sheriff’s office buildings throughout the county.

Several area churches also agreed to have boxes in their buildings to assist with the food collection.

Monetary donations can be made by check or money order to Pasco Sheriff’s Charities, with “Food Drive” in the ‘for’ line, and mailed to Food Drive Donations, Pasco Sheriff’s Charities, 8700 Citizen Drive, New Port Richey, FL 34654.

The deadline to donate is Dec. 13.

For information, call (727) 844-7759.

Pasco School Board adopts new school boundaries

November 27, 2019 By B.C. Manion

The Pasco County School Board unanimously approved school rezonings for the 2020-2021 school year — primarily affecting students living in the Seven Oaks subdivision in Wesley Chapel.

Board members approved the boundary shifts that are aimed to relieve crowding at Wiregrass Ranch High School and John Long Middle School, and to fill seats available at Cypress Creek High School and the new Cypress Creek Middle School, which is expected to open next fall.

Cypress Creek Middle School, now under construction, is expected to open in August 2020. The Pasco County School Board has approved boundaries for both Cypress Creek Middle and Cypress Creek High. The boundary shifts primarily affect students living in the Seven Oaks subdivision of Wesley Chapel, who now attend John Long Middle and Wiregrass Ranch High schools. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

The boundary shift does not apply to Wiregrass Ranch students, living within the rezoned area, who will be entering their junior or senior years. Seniors can ride district buses; juniors cannot.

Board members supported Superintendent Kurt Browning’s boundary recommendations, despite requests by parents to allow current freshman at Wiregrass Ranch to have the option to remain, if their parents provided transportation.

There also was a request to allow rising eighth-graders from John Long Middle to be allowed to attend Wiregrass Ranch High.

In advocating for incoming sophomores, Mike Schulze, a Seven Oaks parent, said “this group is just as important as all of the others.”

Other parents expressed their displeasure with the boundary shifts, citing concerns about disrupting their children’s lives, traffic issues and the greater distance from the Seven Oaks neighborhood to the Cypress Creek school complex, which is on Old Pasco Road.

Board members said Pasco County’s rapid growth continues to force the district to shift boundaries to accommodate growing enrollments.

Board member Allen Altman applauded Browning’s recommendation to grandfather in both rising juniors and rising seniors at Wiregrass Ranch High, which is on Mansfield Boulevard.

“I think based on the numbers and projections. That was generous and accommodating,” Altman said.

Board member Cynthia Armstrong said rezonings are always tough.

“I know it’s painful,” Armstrong said.

“The idea is to reduce the number of students at Wiregrass. And, to accomplish that, it’s necessary to move students out of Wiregrass,” she said.

Board member Megan Harding said she had visited Wiregrass Ranch High, where she saw crowded hallways, students eating lunch outside and multiple portable classrooms.

Failing to address the crowding could end up putting Wiregrass on a 10-period day, and that’s not a great option, the board member said.

“This is not a decision I make lightly,” Harding said. “You’re child isn’t a number to me. Your child is important.”

Still, Harding said: “With a rapidly growing area, if we don’t address problems now, it’s only going to get worse.”

There were other boundary changes approved, including shifts that affect an area near State Road 52 and the Suncoast Parkway.

The land is currently undeveloped, but has been approved for a massive development.

The new boundaries assign the entire area to Mary Giella Elementary, Crews Lake Middle School and Hudson High.

Future students in those areas would have been assigned to Land O’ Lakes schools.

Published November 27, 2019

Chalk Talk 11/27/2019

November 27, 2019 By Mary Rathman

Saint Leo University’s Class of 1969 celebrates its 50th reunion at the school’s annual homecoming weekend. (Courtesy of The Lions’ Pride Media Group)

Saint Leo celebrates homecoming
Alumni and guests from throughout the United States and the world came home to Saint Leo University to celebrate homecoming weekend at University Campus.

The three-day event included a Greek Mixer; Brews & Bites; a Scholarship Ball; brunch with Jeffrey Senese, Saint Leo president; alumni recognitions; softball, baseball, volleyball and soccer games; a Lions Rally; and, the crowning of the homecoming king and queen.

Members of the Rho Xi chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity present Carla Willis, interim vice president of Advancement and Communication, with a check for $28,080 for scholarships at the 30th anniversary Scholarship Ball.

Alumni awards went to:

Antonio Cruz, Christopher Laney and Kevin Sullivan II — Roaring Onward Recognition
John Gassler — Benedictine Spirit Award
James Cervera — 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award

Maurqise McGill and Victoria Omoregie were crowned the 2019 homecoming king and queen.

The weekend wrapped up with goat yoga, Mass at the Abbey Church, and a brunch.

Elementary school hosted family night
Chester Taylor Elementary School, 3638 Morris Bridge Road in Zephyrhills, hosted a Physical Education Family Night on Nov. 21, for students, families and staff.

Physically active kids are more likely to be motivated, focused and successful in school.

Practicing a skill helps improve abilities and helps to make kids feel more accomplished.

Mastering physical skills builds confidence at every age.

At the event, parents had the chance to learn about healthy eating choices and fun physical activities to do at home with the kids.

Students participated in games like Pin Knock Over, Spike Ball, jump rope and more.

There also was a raffle at the end of the evening, and special appearances by Raymond, the Tampa Bay Rays mascot, and players from the USF Bulls.

Saint Leo: Best for Vets
Saint Leo University was named by the Military Times as the No. 1 university in the country for educating veterans.

Saint Leo ranked first in the nation in the Military Times’ Best for Vets: Colleges 2020 in the Online and Nontraditional Schools category.

This ranking recognizes the school’s commitment to educating military personnel, veterans and their families wherever they may be, even if they are deployed.

The first-place ranking marks a jump from last year’s fourth place, and an eighth place in 2017.

More information about the rankings can be found at Charts.militarytimes.com/chart/17.

Financial aid tip
According to the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA), an important phrase in the language of student aid is “satisfactory academic progress” (SAP).

All colleges that award federal student aid must have SAP standards, based on three key areas: GPA, pace, and a maximum time frame.

The GPA may vary by school, major and whether the student is an undergraduate or graduate student.

The pace means that the student has to pass a stated percentage of the classes taken in a given period of time. This also may vary by college.

The maximum time frame means the student will have to finish his or her degree within a given number of attempted credit hours.

If a student does not meet the school’s SAP standards, he or she may not be able to receive state or federal student aid.

For information, visit KHEAA.com.

Withlacoochee Electric scholarships
The Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative (WREC) will accept applications for scholarships, starting Dec. 1.

Students will be selected in their senior year of high school by local guidance counselors and WREC personnel.

Each applicant must:

Be a high school senior and maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA
Be a dependent of a WREC member
Be a bona-fide resident within the service area of WREC for at least one year prior to Dec. 1
Plan to attend an in-state college, university or technical school full-time (minimum of 12 credit hours per semester)
Maintain a 2.0 GPA each semester (or higher if mandated by the institution) to maintain eligibility

Each successful candidate will receive $1,375 per semester (maximum $11,000) for undergraduate studies.

Applications will be available after Dec. 1 at high school guidance offices, any WREC district office, or online at WREC.net.

Completed applications must be mailed to WREC headquarters and postmarked no later than March 20.

Bahamas school supply drive
Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) is collecting donations of school supplies to assist the schoolchildren of the Bahamas. An estimated 18,000 children and their families have been displaced since Hurricane Dorian struck the islands on Sept. 1.

Ten schools were destroyed on the island of Abaco alone, while many other schools sustained damages.

The children of the Bahamas, some of whom lost family members, classmates, and their homes are transitioning to schools that are undamaged but strained to accommodate additional students.

Donations of classroom supplies will be accepted at all PHSC libraries.

Each college store also is accepting donations and selling discounted supplies to anyone contributing to the drive.

Needed items include new backpacks, flash drives, notebooks, binders, calculators, pens, pencils, art materials, and other typical classroom supplies.

The deadline to donate is Dec. 5, as the items will be shipped to the Bahamas in December.

Campuses are in Dade City, Wesley Chapel, New Port Richey, Brooksville and Spring Hill.

For information, email Lucy Miller, director of community outreach, at .