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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Education

Chalk Talk 11/07/2018

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Carly Bowling

Constitution essay winners
Among a record of 103 entrants in Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Paula O’ Neil’s fifth annual Constitution Essay Contest, Carly Bowling, a fifth-grader at Woodland Elementary School, came out on top with her deep research, a keen grasp of history and the intent of the Constitution, as well as clear writing skills.

Bowling will receive a tour of the Pasco County courthouse of her choice and lunch with O’ Neil.

Lake Myrtle Elementary’s Priscilla Savill and Oakstead Elementary’s Philip Fleming both had strong essays with personal touches, that produced second and third places, respectively.

Priscilla Savill

Savill’s essay wrote about the role her generation will play in “passing freedoms on to my children and future generations.”

Fleming’s submission was well-organized and packed with relevant background information that “flowed nicely into information about the Constitution,” wrote one judge.

All three winners will be presented to Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning and the district staff of Paula O’ Neil at the school board meeting on Dec. 18, where they will receive trophies and memorabilia from Saint Leo University.

Philip Fleming

Honorable mentions were awarded to Ben Roorda, Oakstead Elementary; Megan Levy, First Christian Academy; William Vaughn, Woodland Elementary; Emma Hatzistefanou, Trinity Elementary; Ethan Florer, Woodland Elementary; Bella Whiffen, Oakstead Elementary; Della Krook, Oakstead Elementary; and Genevieve Tucker, Longleaf Elementary.

The three winning compositions are posted online at Facebook. Com/PascoClerk/.

 

 

Fall job fair
Pasco County Schools will host a Fall Instructional Job Fair on Nov. 14 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Sunlake High School, 3023 Sunlake Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

All education interns, teachers, student services employees, and those who have a bachelor’s degree and are interested in becoming certified educators are invited to attend.

Candidates are being sought for these positions: math, science, elementary education, school nurse, behavioral analyst, guest teachers, exceptional student education (ESE), and emotional and behavioral disorders/autism spectrum disorders (EBD/ASD).

Applicants can meet with administrators and hiring managers for on-the-spot interviews.

Register by visiting PascoFallJobFair2018.eventbrite.com.

Registered applicants can win door prizes and giveaways.

Certification information sessions will take place at 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m.

For information and to submit an application, visit Pasco.k12.fl.us/hreq/, or email .

Merit scholarship semifinalist
Hannah Holliday, a senior at Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School in Spring Hill, has been named a 2018-2019 National Merit Scholarship semifinalist.

More than 1.6 million junior students entered the competition by taking the 2017 PSAT, from which the top 1 percent became semifinalists.

Moore-Mickens social
The Moore-Mickens Alumni Association (Classes of 1940-1972) will host a “Blue & Gold Social” Nov. 10 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., at the Moore-Mickens Educations & Vocational Center, 38301 Martin Luther King Blvd., in Dade City.

There will be games, prizes, food and dancing. The cost is $15.

For information, call The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce at (352) 567-3769.

Saint Leo open house
Saint Leo University, 3370 State Road 52 in St. Leo, will host an open house Nov. 10 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., for students of all ages.

Check-in and breakfast will be available from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., in the Student Community Center.

Check-in and late registration will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., by the clock tower at the Student Activities Building.

There will be a presentation by Saint Leo’s Office of Admissions at 8:30 a.m.

Guests can learn about the school’s academic programs through faculty visits, resource fairs, and academic presentations and demonstrations.

Visitors also can tour the campus, talk to current students, learn about clubs and organizations, meet with financial aid representatives, talk with admissions counselors and more.

Lunch also will be provided.

Admission is free.

To register, visit SaintLeo.edu/open-house.

For information about the event, call (352) 588-8283, or visit .

Mathematics contest
Saint Leo University is looking for middle schoolers to participate in the American Mathematics Competition 8, on Nov. 13. The contest was developed by the Mathematical Association of America, and is free.

The purpose of the competition is to encourage students to develop positive attitudes about mathematics and analytical thinking by having them apply classroom learning to a 25-question, multiple-choice exam.

Students have 40 minutes to complete the questions. Learn more about the subject matter at MAA.org/math-competitions/amc-8.

Saint Leo will accommodate 30 students and mathematics faculty will monitor the contest.

Students are asked to arrive by 5:45 p.m., and go directly to Selby Auditorium in Lewis Hall. The test starts promptly at 6 p.m.

Advance registration is required. Parents should email Dr. Kevin Murphy at to reserve a spot, and include the phrase “AMC 8” in the subject line. Or, parents also can call (8352) 588-7192.

Great American Teach-In
Wesley Chapel High School is looking for speakers for the Great American Teach-In that will take place Nov. 14.

Guests are to speak for a 30-minute session and give students a few minutes to ask questions.

Students would like to hear about different jobs, hobbies and/or interesting experiences adults have had in their lives.

For information, call Kelly Faysash, college and career specialist, at (813) 794-8717.

Grants for innovation
The Hunter Brooks Memorial Fund offers grants to young people, ages 16 to 25, who have demonstrated a passion and enthusiasm in developing new ideas, especially in the fields of music, the performing arts, computer technology and entrepreneurship.

These grants, up to $5,000 each, are direct financial support to help young people bring their ideas and projects to fruition.

There is not cost or obligation to apply.

Further information and the grant application can be found at HunterWatson.org/grants.

The deadline for the current grant cycle is Nov. 15.

Hillsborough to cast votes on road, school taxes

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Hillsborough County voters have the option of raising sales taxes to help pay for transportation, and for school air-conditioning and capital improvements.

The transportation improvements would be made by voting to amend the County Charter to enact a 1-cent sales surtax that would be levied for 30 years and deposited in an audited trust fund with an independent oversight.

That tax would be in addition to the current 7 percent sales tax and is estimated to raise $278 million annual, and $552 million in the first two revenue years. The revenues would be shared by the Hillsborough Regional Transit Authority, the Metropolitan Planning Organization, and using a population-based formula by the Hillsborough County Commission, the City of Tampa, and the City of Temple Terrace.

The money would be used for road and bridge improvements; expanded public transit options; to fix potholes; enhance bus services; relieve rush hour bottlenecks; improve intersections; and, make walking and biking safer.

Hillsborough voters also have the option of authorizing a ½-cent sales surtax for 10 years to fund air conditioning replacements and repairs, capital improvements and construction of other schools, building enhancements for school security and other maintenance needs.

The new ½-cent tax is in addition to the current 7 percent sales tax. It is estimated to raise $138 million annually. Expenditures will be governed by the Aug. 24, 2018 Hillsborough County School Board resolution.

Published October 31, 2018

Chalk Talk 10/31/2018

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(Courtesy of Joan Midgett)

Stewart Middle students are ‘top dogs’
Students from Stewart Middle School were honored as Top Dogs for their academics and leadership roles in school, through a program that was started more than 30 years ago. Each Top Dog received a certificate and a gold dog tag. The students that were recognized included Ava Tellis, Elizabeth Gettings, Aiden Thorne, Larrisa Sutton and Caitlyn Eudy. Also rewarded, but not pictured, were Andrea Chavez, Chara Antonucci and Connor Mercer.

 

 

 

 

Wiregrass hosts Literacy Night
Wiregrass Elementary School in Wesley Chapel hosted a “Fall Into Literacy Night” that featured student-developed literacy projects, such as poems and stories; reading resources for parents, guest authors and story time sessions; an art show; and, a pair of musical concerts with performances by the school’s second and fifth-grade students.

Wiregrass Elementary was aiming to build on the success of its STEAM night last spring.

Moore-Mickens social
The Moore-Mickens Alumni Association (Classes of 1940-1972) will host a “Blue & Gold Social” Nov. 10 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., at the Moore-Mickens Educations & Vocational Center, 38301 Martin Luther King Blvd., in Dade City.

There will be games, prizes, food and dancing. The cost is $15.

For information, call The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce at (352) 567-3769.

Saint Leo open house
Saint Leo University, 3370 State Road 52 in St. Leo, will host an open house Nov. 10 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., for students of all ages.

Check-in and breakfast will be available from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., in the Student Community Center.

Check-in and late registration will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., by the clock tower at the Student Activities Building.

There will be a presentation by Saint Leo’s Office of Admissions at 8:30 a.m.

Guests can learn about the school’s academic programs through faculty visits, resource fairs, and academic presentations and demonstrations.

Visitors also can tour the campus, talk to current students, learn about clubs and organizations, meet with financial aid representatives, talk with admissions counselors and more.

Lunch also will be provided.

Admission is free.

To register, visit SaintLeo.edu/open-house.

For information about the event, call (352) 588-8283, or visit .

Mathematics contest
Saint Leo University is looking for middle schoolers to participate in the American Mathematics Competition 8, on Nov. 13. The contest was developed by the Mathematical Association of America, and is free.

The purpose of the competition is to encourage students to develop positive attitudes about mathematics and analytical thinking by having them apply classroom learning to a 25-question, multiple-choice exam.

Students have 40 minutes to complete the questions. Learn more about the subject matter at MAA.org/math-competitions/amc-8.

Saint Leo will accommodate 30 students and mathematics faculty will monitor the contest.

Students are asked to arrive by 5:45 p.m., and go directly to Selby Auditorium in Lewis Hall. The test starts promptly at 6 p.m.

Advance registration is required. Parents should email Dr. Kevin Murphy at to reserve a spot, and include the phrase “AMC 8” in the subject line. Or, parents also can call (8352) 588-7192.

Pasco County Schools win gold
Pasco County Schools is a Florida Healthy School District Gold award level winner, for the first time.

The district will hold the Gold award designation through 2020.

Superintendent of Schools Kurt Browning thanked the members of the district’s School Health Advisory Committee, which provides advocacy for school health, and identifies needs and opportunities to maximize community resources.

The committee advises the Pasco County School Board on health education and initiated the district’s no-smoking policy, among other initiatives.

The Pasco County district earned the Silver award in 2016, and has been recognized as a health school district consistently since 2012.

To earn the Gold award, Pasco County Schools demonstrated high scores in all areas, as follows:

  • 94 percent: Health School Environment
  • 93 percent: Employee Wellness
  • 90 percent: Health Services
  • 86 percent: District Infrastructure
  • 84 percent: Physical Education
  • 82 percent: Counseling Psychological and Social Services
  • 80 percent: Health Education

Chalk Talk 10/24/2018

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(Courtesy of Melonie Monson)

Students of the Month recognized
Nine students were honored as the The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce Students of the Month, for October. Students are chosen by the teachers and administration of their individual schools for exemplary effort, achievement and contribution to their school, family and community. Those receiving honors were: Joseph Nespoli, The Academy of Spectrum Diversity; Austin Ward, The Broach School; Julian Ortiz, Chester W. Taylor Elementary School; Jasmine Genton, East Pasco Adventist Academy;  Johnathan Dowling, Heritage Academy; Rachel Diaz, Raymond B. Stewart Middle School; Callie Carter, West Zephyrhills Elementary School; Matheo Cisneros, Zephyrhills Christian Academy; and Bryce Sanders, Zephyrhills High School.

Fall festival
Pasco Elementary School will host a Fall Festival on Oct. 26 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be bounce houses, games, prizes, face painting, free books, free child ID kits, a selfie station and more. No costumes or masks will be allowed.

To preorder a wristband ($10) by Oct. 24, call (352) 524-5200. The cost at the gate will be $15. Adult admission is free. A dunk tank, a cake walk, and some food and drink will be available for an additional cost.

Trunk or Treat will take place in the parking lot from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Students can wear costumes for this event. A trophy will be given to the best decorated vehicle. For information, contact Alicia VanDusen at or (352) 524-5208.

All proceeds will go to purchase student and staff incentives.

Poster and poem contest
Paralyzed Veterans of America has launched its 15th annual Veterans Day National Poster and Poem Contest, to showcase the artistic talents and patriotic pride of young students for disabled veterans in their communities.

The theme for this year’s contest is “Help Our Veterans Be UnstoppABLE in Your Community.”

Participants are asked to draw a poster or write a poem showing or telling how they can help make their community more accessible for veterans who use wheelchairs.

The poster contest is open to students in first grade to fourth grade. The poem contest is open to students in grades five to eight.

Entries must be received by 5 p.m., on Oct. 29.

For information, including guidelines and how to enter, visit PVA.org/posterpoem.

Mathematics contest
Saint Leo University is looking for middle schoolers to participate in the American Mathematics Competition 8, on Nov. 13. The contest was developed by the Mathematical Association of America, and is free.

The purpose of the competition is to encourage students to develop positive attitudes about mathematics and analytical thinking by having them apply classroom learning to a 25-question, multiple-choice exam.

Students have 40 minutes to complete the questions. Learn more about the subject matter at MAA.org/math-competitions/amc-8.

Saint Leo will accommodate 30 students and mathematics faculty will monitor the contest.

Students are asked to arrive by 5:45 p.m., and go directly to Selby Auditorium in Lewis Hall. The test starts promptly at 6 p.m.

Advance registration is required. Parents should email Dr. Kevin Murphy at to reserve a spot, and include the phrase “AMC 8” in the subject line. Or, parents also can call (8352) 588-7192.

Pasco-Hernando State College remembers Dr. Robert Judson, Jr.

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A crowd poured into the Pasco-Hernando State College’s Performing Arts Center in New Port Richey to honor Dr. Robert Judson Jr.

Judson, the college’s former president, passed away on Sept. 17 at the age of 77.

The John Missionary Baptist Church male choir performed several spiritual songs at the Pasco-Hernando State College memorial service for Dr. Robert Judson, Jr. on Oct. 9. (Courtesy of John Stalter/Pasco-Hernando State College)

He made history in 1994 when he became the first black president of a college within the Florida Community College system. At the time, PHSC was still known as a community college.

The memorial, held on the college’s New Port Richey campus, came several weeks after Judson’s funeral service on Sept. 29, at the Hopewell Baptist Church in Pompano Beach.

The tone of the memorial was reverent, as Pastor Mitchell Davis Jr., from the Church of God in Christ, offered an opening prayer.

But, the arts center came alive with singing and clapping when the crowd joined in with the John Missionary Baptist Church male choir, in a series of spiritual songs.

Between scripture readings, Imani Asukile, Judson’s PHSC colleague, performed an African libation ceremony — watering a flower bush in remembrance of his friend.

As the service progressed, the audience, of approximately 200, came to know more about Judson’s life story.

Pasco-Hernando State College President Timothy Beard reflected on the life of Dr. Robert Judson Jr., during the Oct. 9 memorial service.

The memorial was marked by tears and laughter, as former colleagues, fellow church-goers, friends and family shared stories of the man — with a deep, commanding voice — that  they respected and loved.

Judson’s academic life began at Southern University in Louisiana.

In 1962, he married his high school sweetheart, Ellen Atkins, and served in the Army.

He graduated from Florida A & M University in 1969 with a degree in European history, and then earned a master’s degree in counseling from the same university in 1972.

Later that year, he joined what was then known as Pasco-Hernando Community College, as one of the college’s first instructors. He was hired by Milton Jones, the school’s founding president.

Judson served as a recruiter and a counselor while pursuing a doctorate degree in education.

During his tenure at the college, he was instrumental in buying the land for the Spring Hill campus, as well as erecting buildings for health programs, childcare and technology at several PHSC branches.

Judson’s graduation regalia – cap, gown, shawls and medallions – were neatly displayed on the stage next to the podium where speakers offered words of reflection.

Katherine Johnson, a former president at PHSC, said, “Bob approached me with a statement that proved both flattering and eventually career-altering for me.”

She succeeded Judson in 2005, after he encouraged her to apply for his job.

Timothy Beard, the college’s current president, told the audience: “He was a man with a great soul. He has certainly made a difference at PHSC.”

Pasco-Hernando State College staff member Imani Asukile performed an African libation ceremony in honor of his friend, Dr. Robert Judson Jr.

Beyond his contributions to academia, Judson took an active role in community outreach, helping to rebuild the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in Pasco County.

He was an active member of several Baptist churches, received recognition from the African-American Heritage Society and won the Dr. Carter G. Woodson Award.

Before his passing, Judson and his wife, Ellen, had the opportunity to start a scholarship program for PHSC students.

Sarah Majka, a recipient of the Dr. Robert and Ellen Judson Scholarship, shared her gratitude for the financial support.

“I’ll forever be thankful for being one of the many students who have benefited from Dr. and Mrs. Judson’s generosity,” Majka said.

While the president was known for his various academic accomplishments and community outreach, there were those who saw him in a more personal light.

There was no doubt about Judson’s top priority, said Maurice Jones, a longtime friend, who spoke at the service. “Bob was truly a family-first man.”

His wife of 56 years, their three daughters and grandchildren shared final thoughts with the audience before the reception.

“His best achievement was loving his family,” said granddaughter, Chanelle Thomas. “Thoughts of my granddad inspire me every day.”

Published October 17, 2018

Chalk Talk 10/17/2018

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Student added to livestock judging team
Tierani Johnson, of Land O’ Lakes, will serve as a member of the Connors State College Livestock Judging Team in Warner, Oklahoma. Connors State is a two-year agriculture college.

Tierani Johnson
(Courtesy of Connors State College)

Johnson is a sophomore at Connors State and is pursuing an Associate of Science degree in animal science.

Judging team members evaluate both breeding and market animals for beef cattle, sheep, goats, swine and horses, to determine their value relative to current industry trends.

The team travels all over the state of Oklahoma and throughout the Midwest to practice and compete. Members visit ranches, university farms, and regional and national fairs and livestock shows. These visits allow members to meet and work with many elite animal operations and meet some of the top producers in the nation.

Johnson is the daughter of Danielle Lapsley, of Land O’ Lakes.

Mock elections
Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian E. Corley, in conjunction with Pasco County Schools Social Studies Department, will sponsor a districtwide student mock election.

The ballot with both the presidential candidate race and the U.S. Senate race will be available to more than 68,000 students countywide.

Students will cast a ballot using a web-based voting platform known as DoubleClick Democracy, which is supported by KidsVoting USA.

Participating students will receive an “I Voted” sticker, and can view the results on the Supervisor of Elections’ website, PascoVotes.com, after 7 p.m., on Election Day, Nov. 6.

Video contest winners
The IPO Education Foundation has selected its 2018 IPO Video Contest winners.

The contest, in its eighth year, encouraged contestants to visually illustrate how inventors play a critical role in growing the economy, and improving the general well-being of individuals and societies.

One winner in each category received a cash prize or scholarship and a trip to Washington D.C., for IPO’s annual awards dinner.

This year, a new category, Enter for Charity, was added, with the cash prize going to the charity of the winner’s choice.

Catherine Tomasello, of Land O’ Lakes, won a $3,000 cash prize for ages 13 to 15.

A total of more than $20,000 was awarded by the IPO Education Foundation.

Step Up For Students gets $25,000
Liberty National Life Insurance Company, a provider of life and supplemental health insurance, made a $25,000 contribution to Step Up For Students, funding three K-12 scholarships during the 2018-2019 school year.

The scholarships will allow lower-income children the opportunity to attend the school that best meets their learning needs.

For the 2018-2019 school year, Step Up For Students is serving more than 98,500 students throughout Florida with tuition scholarships valued at up to $6,519 per student for kindergarten through fifth grade, $6,815 for sixth through eighth grade, and $7,111 for ninth through 12th grade.

More than 1,750 private schools participate in the scholarship program statewide.

For information, visit StepUpForStudents.org.

Students meet with Rubio staff
Saint Leo University hosted office hours for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL).

Jonathan Torres, Gulf Coast regional director for Rubio’s office, met with students, faculty, staff and members of the surrounding Pasco County community.

Several of Saint Leo’s social work students met with Torres to discuss issues such as immigration and human trafficking.

Freshman Amanda Baxter, a criminal justice major who is interested in political science, met with Torres to talk about careers in politics and government.

Berkeley Prep open house
Berkeley Preparatory School, an independent Episcopal day school for boys and girls, will host two open houses, at 4811 Kelly Road in Tampa.

  • Oct. 28 from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., for grades six to 12. Registration begins at 1:30 p.m., followed by a program at 2 p.m., in the Lykes Center for the Performing Arts.
  • Oct. 30 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., for prekindergarten through fifth grade. Registrations begins at 8:30 a.m., followed by a program at 9 a.m., in the Seivold Center for Early Childhood Education, Casper Family Piazza.

For information, visit BerkeleyPrep.org/openhouse.

Poster and poem contest
Paralyzed Veterans of America has launched its 15th annual Veterans Day National Poster and Poem Contest, to showcase the artistic talents and patriotic pride of young students for disabled veterans in their communities.

The theme for this year’s contest is “Help Our Veterans Be UnstoppABLE in Your Community.”

Participants are asked to draw a poster or write a poem showing or telling how they can help make their community more accessible for veterans who use wheelchairs.

The poster contest is open to students in first grade to fourth grade. The poem contest is open to students in grades five to eight.

Entries must be received by 5 p.m., on Oct. 29.

For information, including guidelines and how to enter, visit PVA.org/posterpoem.

Pasco Schools plan to beef up security

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Pasco County Schools is seeking state approval of a plan that calls for adding security cameras in schools and changing locks on doors at schools throughout the district.

The district wants the state to approve the plan, so it can use about $2 million in state money to pay for the security improvements.

The security upgrade aims to comply with a mandate that school districts across the state assess the safety of their schools and produce a plan to improve it. That requirement came in response to the Valentine’s Day shooting spree that left 17 dead and 17 injured at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.

Christopher Stowe, director of safety and security for Pasco County Schools, recently outlined the district’s proposed plan to upgrade security at schools throughout the district. (B.C. Manion)

Pasco County Schools worked with law enforcement officials from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office and the New Port Richey, Zephyrhills and Dade City police departments in assessing their school campuses, according to Assistant Superintendent Betsy Kuhn.

After completing those assessments, the district identified themes it could address using the state grant money, said Christopher Stowe, the school district’s director of safety and security.

It decided to use the state money to “raise the security of all schools in the county, rather than kind of pinpoint one or two.

“We want to make equitable use of the funds that we’re going to be getting with the grants, to make sure all of our schools are going to be increasing their security,” Stowe said.

Much of the work focused on determining how the district could improve security using existing work orders, Stowe added, noting improvements, such as repairing or trimming landscaping to improve sight lines on campuses, can be achieved by district staff.

The grant money would be used to ensure that all Pasco County Schools have security cameras and that door locks will be changed so that teachers will not need to go outside of their classroom to lock the door.

Equipping the schools with security cameras will cost more than $800,000.

The new locks ensure that doors are locked at all times. People can leave a room without a key, but can’t enter without a key, unless someone lets them in.

It will cost about $1.2 million to change the locks on 3,000 doors.

During a presentation on the plan before the Pasco County School Board last week, Superintendent Kurt Browning noted: “I want to make sure that it’s clear that the funds that are being discussed here are funds that have been specifically appropriated for this purpose.

“These are not funds that could be used for raises. These are not funds that can be used for other things,” Browning said.

School board member Allen Altman thanked local law enforcement officials for their help on the effort to assess the district’s schools and share their expertise.

“In talking to other school districts around the state, they do not have the level of cooperation that we have had, and they are struggling to get this done,” he said.

“The fact that this has been a true team effort, and that they have communicated and worked together has been extraordinary — when you talk to other people around the state,” Altman observed.

He also noted: “It does make parents and staff feel better to know that everybody is on the same page and working together, and we don’t have the turf battles that have gone on in other places in the state.”

School board chairwoman Cynthia Armstrong also expressed her appreciation to local law enforcement agencies for their help.

“We very much want to keep that line of communication open,” Armstrong said.

No timetable has been established for the security improvements, Kuhn said. The district must await approval of state grant money for its plan before proceeding to have the work done.

Published October 10, 2018

Community gets a look at Woodland Elementary renovations

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A special rededication and ribbon-cutting ceremony offered the Zephyrhills community an up-close and in-depth look at the newly renovated Woodland Elementary School.

More than 100 guests attended an event that showcased the school’s $12 million makeover, at 38203 Henry Drive in Zephyrhills.

Following introductions and a brief presentation, attendees were able to tour the campus, which was complete in time for the start of the 2018-2019 school year in August.

Pasco County School District Officials mark the rededication of Woodland Elementary School in Zephyrhills. The school was built in 1976. (Kevin Weiss)

Renovations included the addition of more than 100 paved parking spaces, a new and expanded administration suite, 12 additional classrooms, a new art room, two new music rooms, an expanded student drop-off loop for parents, and a renovated kitchen and cafeteria, with a multipurpose room and stage.

Funding for the improvements came through Penny for Pasco.

The enlarged cafeteria allows the school to cater to twice as many students at one time, which helps the school trim the time needed to serve lunch.

Before the renovations, lunch would begin as early as 10:15 a.m., to serve all students.

Woodland principal Shauntte Butcher said the new cafeteria also “provides for a perfect venue for community outreach and parent involvement.”

She noted the cafeteria has already hosted a standing-room-only open house, and accommodated hundreds for parent and grandparent breakfasts, PTA meetings and so on.

It also doubles as an auditorium space to host concerts, plays, talent shows and more.

“We have the opportunities to do things like never before,” Butcher said. “The possibilities and opportunities are endless.”

Meantime, Woodland’s old cafeteria has been repurposed into four classrooms, and the old kitchen is now a lab for science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or what is being called a STEM-nasium.

The $12 million renovation of Woodland Elementary School included the addition of more than 100 paved parking spaces, a new and expanded administration suite, 12 additional classrooms, a new art room, two new music rooms, an expanded student drop-off loop for parents, and a renovated kitchen and cafeteria, with a multipurpose room and stage. Funding for the improvements came through Penny for Pasco.

The STEM-nasium will be equipped with a 3D printer, thanks to a $2,000 donation from the Pasco Education Foundation — presented during the rededication ceremony.

Butcher said Woodland students “are genuinely excited to use the technology featured in the STEM-nasium,” adding it also provides “creative, innovative learning stations for group collaboration.”

Other improvements include new furniture for the school’s existing classrooms, media center and teacher workroom. Restrooms were updated, too.

When the school was built in 1976, it was designed for 652 students.

As enrollment grew, more and more portable classrooms were moved onto campus to accommodate students.

The school’s new capacity is 900.

Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning said the renovations were long overdue to the decades-old campus.

“It’s beautiful,” Browning said of the new-look school. “We are super excited about it, and we’re super excited about the teachers that teach here and the administration that leads this school, and, I’m excited about the future of the kids at this school.”

Said Butcher, who’s been at the school as principal since 2016: “To think about where the school has come from 40 years ago, to where it is now, is truly amazing. Never in my wildest dreams did I think, when I began my first principalship here, that I would be leading the renovation of a school.”

Published October 10, 2018

Chalk Talk 10/10/2018

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(Courtesy of Melody Floyd)

Citizens of the Month
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce has named the September Citizens of the Month. The students recognized were: Sara Newsome, Academy at the Farm; Carys Johnson, East Pasco Adventist Academy; Catherine McCaughey, Saint Anthony Catholic School; Lykin Stephens, Centennial Elementary School; Carmen Estrada Miranda, Lacoochee Elementary School; Alexia Perez, Pasco Elementary School; Chloe Slone, San Antonio Elementary School; Richard O’ Dette, Centennial Middle School; Harland Brackin, Pasco Middle School; Reynah Carriera, James Irvin Education Center; and, Sarah Welbourn, Pasco High School.

Crusader for a day
Tampa Catholic High School, 4630 N. Rome Ave., in Tampa, will offer “Crusader for a Day,” an eighth-grade shadow program, Oct. 18, Oct. 25 and Nov. 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The program provides a child the opportunity to learn about the Tampa Catholic student experience.

For information, call (813) 870-0860, ext. 232, or visit TampaCatholic.org.

Berkeley Prep open house
Berkeley Preparatory School, an independent Episcopal day school for boys and girls, will host two open houses, at 4811 Kelly Road in Tampa.

  • Oct. 28 from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., for grades six to 12. Registration begins at 1:30 p.m., followed by a program at 2 p.m., in the Lykes Center for the Performing Arts.
  • Oct. 30 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., for prekindergarten through fifth grade. Registrations begins at 8:30 a.m., followed by a program at 9 a.m., in the Seivold Center for Early Childhood Education, Casper Family Piazza.

For information, visit BerkeleyPrep.org/openhouse.

Poster and poem contest
Paralyzed Veterans of America has launched its 15th annual Veterans Day National Poster and Poem Contest, to showcase the artistic talents and patriotic pride of young students for disabled veterans in their communities.

The theme for this year’s contest is “Help Our Veterans Be UnstoppABLE in Your Community.”

Participants are asked to draw a poster or write a poem showing or telling how they can help make their community more accessible for veterans who use wheelchairs.

The poster contest is open to students in first grade to fourth grade. The poem contest is open to students in grades five to eight.

Entries must be received by 5 p.m., on Oct. 29.

For information, including guidelines and how to enter, visit PVA.org/posterpoem.

Library system offers new diploma program
The Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative will offer scholarships to Career Online High School, a vocation-based high school completion program for adults.

In addition to earning an accredited high school diploma, students have the added bonus of career training – whether it’s a continuing education, or landing a job after completing the program.

Students can graduate with career certificates in a wide variety of high-growth, high-demand areas, ranging from child care, to food and hospitality, to commercial driving.

Scholarship recipients have up to 18 months to complete their education.

A limited number of scholarships are available for Hillsborough County residents, age 19 and older.

Applicants must have a library card or sign up for one, be able to dedicate about eight hours a week to coursework, and have access to a computer and the internet.

Students who don’t have a computer at home can use one for free at a library.

For information about the scholarship program, call (813) 273-3652, or visit HCPLC.org/hsdiploma.

Merit scholarship semifinalists
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation has named approximately 16,000 semifinalists in the 64th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

To be considered for the Merit Scholarship award, students must fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist level of the competition.

Merit Scholar designees are selected based on their skills, accomplishments and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin or religious preference.

Local area students who have been named as semifinalists include:

  • Academy at the Lakes: Roshan Warman
  • Carrollwood Day School: Ammar S. Ali
  • Gaither High School: Olivia C. Ratliff and Alani M. Seaman
  • Land O’ Lakes High School: Armen Brotgandel, Edward Brotgandel, Komal Handoo and Summer R. Wylie
  • Wharton High School: Victoria C. Bell
  • Wiregrass Ranch High School: Chin-Chin Choi, Nalin Mehra and Neil Rupani

National Merit Scholarship winners of 2019 will be announced in four nationwide news releases next spring.

These recipients will join 338,000 other distinguished young people who have earned the Merit Scholar title.

Saint Leo named best value
Saint Leo University was named as one of the best regional universities and best values in higher education in the 2019 U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges, released in September.

The university was No. 14 among Best Value Schools in the South. U.S. News takes into account both academic quality and cost.

This year, Saint Leo claimed its spot in the top 50 Best Regional Universities and ranked 47th among Southern universities, up from last year’s 61st ranking.

Regional universities offer a full range of undergraduate programs and provide graduate education at the master level. Saint Leo also offers three doctoral programs.

In addition, the school also was named one of the Best Colleges for Veterans among regional universities in the South, ranking 31st.

Schools named to the list participate in federal initiatives helping veterans and active-duty service members pay for their degrees.

For information about Best Colleges 2019, visit USNews.com/best-colleges.

Forensics research center expected to break new ground

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Construction is now underway in Land O’ Lakes on a forensics and training facility that will offer a collaborative resource for universities, forensic scientists and law enforcement.

Ground was broken during a Sept. 19 ceremony for the K9 Tactical Center/Florida’s Forensic Institute for Research, Security and Tactics, or F.I.R.S.T for short.

F.I.R.S.T will be a resource for universities, forensic scientists and law enforcement in the entire state. It will serve as an aid to improve crime scene operations and investigations in the realm of homicides, missing persons cases and so on. The $4.3 million project is expected to be complete in late 2019. (Courtesy of Pasco County Sheriff’s Office)

The complex will be next to the Adam Kennedy Memorial Forensics Field, otherwise known as the “body farm” that sits on 5 acres next to the Land O’ Lakes Detention Center, off U.S. 41.

The forensics research and training center will strive to improve crime scene operations and investigations in the realm of homicides, missing persons cases and so on.

It will include a laboratory for research and forensic casework, classrooms, a morgue and evidence storage.

The educational focus will be on forensics, anthropology, geochemistry, legal medicine, forensic intelligence, aviation reconstruction and cyber forensics.

Technology, too, will play a major role in the research, including virtual autopsies with 3-D scanning and chemical isotope analysis.

The K-9 portion of the project, meanwhile, will be the first time Pasco has had a dedicated facility for tactical training for the K-9 unit, the Pasco Unified SWAT team and sheriff’s deputies.

When completed, the F.I.R.S.T campus also will house training facilities in the arenas of cybersecurity and unmanned vehicles.

The $4.3 million state-funded project is expected to be complete by late 2019.

Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco said the campus — particularly the forensic anthropology “body farm” fields  —  will have international draw, because of the location’s subtropical climate.

The sheriff also said the facility overall will advance national policies for public safety, in the realm of forensics, K-9 tactics, crisis management, design thinking and so on.

“We’re going to be training people from all over the country,” Nocco said. “This is not about the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. This is about all of us. This is about saving lives and making our community better.”

A Sept. 19 groundbreaking ceremony was held for the K9 Tactical Center/Florida’s Forensic Institute for Research, Security and Tactics, or F.I.R.S.T. The campus will be adjacent to the Adam Kennedy Memorial Forensics Field, otherwise known as the ‘body farm,’ that now sits on five acres of land next to the Land O’ Lakes Detention Center, off U.S. 41. (Kevin Weiss)

He added: “The amazing thing is, as we keep building this out and as we break ground, more partners keep coming on and on, and we keep expanding.”

Once complete, the forensics center will be the first in Florida, and only the seventh in the nation.

The University of Tennessee in Knoxville started the first forensic training and research center in the 1970s. Other facilities are at Western Carolina University, Sam Houston State University, Texas State University in Carbondale, Southern Illinois University and Colorado Mesa University.

A one-stop resource
But, F.I.R.S.T is touted as the first true cooperative effort between academia and practitioners.

Academic partners include the University of South Florida, University of Florida, Florida Gulf Coast University and Pasco-Hernando State College, among others.

The project already has some Florida-based forensics scholars buzzing.

Dr. Phoebe Stubblefield is a forensic anthropologist and research assistant scientist at the C.A. Pound Human Identification Laboratory in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Florida, in Gainesville.

For her, F.I.R.S.T means having a one-stop resource for university-based forensic labs from all across the state.

“Why should we not work together? First, it gives us a chance to share our ideas between ourselves. It’ll produce more research for the whole state,” said Stubblefield, who plans to bring her graduate students to the campus “on a cyclical basis.”

Stubblefield also noted the forensics center will facilitate long-term studies on body decomposition rates in subtropical climates, something she said is presently “not well researched.”

“That whole overall decomposition area — we’re still bringing the picture together,” Stubblefield said. “I know (F.I.R.S.T) will help with research, because there’s just not enough data.”

The possibilities also excite Dr. Heather Walsh-Haney, an associate professor who chairs the Department of Justice Studies at Florida Gulf Coast University, in Fort Myers.

The K9 Tactical Center/Florida’s Forensic Institute for Research, Security and Tactics is the first of its kind in Florida, and only the seventh in the nation. The campus is touted as the first true collaborative effort between academia and practitioners.(Courtesy of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office)

Walsh-Haney has been studying forensic anthropology for 21 years. She gets called upon to help solve anywhere between 80 to 110 cases every year across the state.

She, like Stubblefield, stressed the need for more comprehensive studies on body decomposition rates within subtropical conditions, for crime-solving and death investigation purposes: “It doesn’t take a neurosurgeon to realize our temperatures are hotter, we have different animal scavenging habits, our plants are different and our soils are different.”

Once F.I.R.S.T is in operation, she and her group of graduate students plan to visit on a bi-weekly basis.

Aside from conducting forensic research studies and experiments, she said they’ll also assist detectives and other law enforcement officials on an assortment of hot and cold cases.

The complex, she said, “highlights the fact that we have to have community involvement in order to solve cases.”

She added: “The only way we can catch the folks who perpetrate these crimes is through science and the collaboration with law enforcement.

“This facility here, smack dab in the center (of Florida), is a wonderful location for scientists and law enforcement from the south and north to come here and train.”

Meantime, local officials believe F.I.R.S.T will be an economic driver for the county.

Bill Cronin, president/CEO of the Pasco Economic Development Council, who was present at the groundbreaking ceremony, stated F.I.R.S.T will have an economic impact to the county of at least $7.8 million in its first year, with a recurring impact of $2.8 million each year “thanks to the hundreds of visitors that are going to come here and train.”

Furthermore, he noted the facility will attract other forensics-related businesses and organizations to Pasco, possibly along U.S. 41.

“This particular location will help us activate the part of U.S. 41 that’s been fairly difficult for us to draw business into,” he said, “and it takes what was an otherwise non-producing government-owned site and creates a real asset for economic development.”

Published October 3, 2018