The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Education

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

Chalk Talk 01/01/2020

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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

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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

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(Courtesy of Melonie Monson)

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

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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

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(Courtesy of Melonie Monson)

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.

(Courtesy of Joan Midgett)

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

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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