The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Education

Charter school offers tech-rich, nontraditional approach

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A new charter public school is under construction in the Union Park subdivision, in Wesley Chapel, that will offer a nontraditional approach to education.

For one thing, it will be technology rich.

For another, it won’t have traditional classroom spaces or furniture.

Tracy Ware is principal of the new charter school that will open in the Union Park subdivision, in Wesley Chapel. (B.C. Manion)

And, even though it encourages the use of technology, students won’t be allowed to bring cellphones to school.

Union Park Charter Academy, being built at 32775 Oldwoods Ave., is set to open for kindergarten through sixth grade this fall. It will add seventh grade the following school year, and eighth grade the year after that, said Tracy Ware, principal.

Because it’s a charter school, it is open to applications from throughout the Pasco County school district, as well as students from adjacent districts.

“We went through the lottery process,” Ware said. Applications are still being accepted for all grades, but there is a wait list for kindergarten and fifth grade.

“We’ve been encouraging parents to get the information in as soon as possible,” she added, so the school can reserve a spot for their child or children.

“What sets us apart is really the design of the school,” she said. “Instead of having separate classrooms, there are learning communities.”

For example, all third-graders are in a single learning community. There also will be learning labs within those learning communities.

Some learning labs will accommodate groups of around 25 students, which allows a teacher to focus on a particular learning standard; others are designed for smaller groups, to encourage collaboration between students.

The furniture is different, too. Instead of traditional desks and chairs, children will have choices.

Union Park Charter Academy, being built at 32775 Oldwoods Ave., will use a technology-rich, nontraditional approach to schooling.

“They can work at high tables, for instance, or can sit with their legs crossed on the floor, with a little stand to use their iPad in front of them. The tables that we have are actually writeable surfaces on their top,” she said.

Teachers in each learning community will work together as a team, sharing the entire group of students. That arrangement fosters the opportunity to tailor instruction to each individual student, Ware said.

Teachers and students work together to create a Personalized Learning Plan (PLP). The plans are used at each grade-level and are designed to track an individual student’s strengths, weaknesses and progress in attaining a year’s worth of learning (or more), according to information provided by the school.

This process empowers students to establish and track learning goals, conduct student-led conferences, and make informed decisions as learners. Most importantly, students are challenged with the responsibility of understanding their data and learning needs in meeting or exceeding grade-level standards.

Ware, who spent the past five years in Abu Dhabi, is excited about opening the new school in Wesley Chapel.

Many parents have told her they’re pleased to have a new school within walking distance, she said.

Teachers will help children discover how they learn best, she said. The idea is to identify their learning styles and give them opportunities to embrace it, she said, “versus a more traditional way of doing school.

“There’s one-on-one technology for third grade and up,” she added.

The school will have certified teachers, and students must meet all of Florida’s standards. The school also will follow Pasco County’s school calendar and will use the school district’s meal service.

After school, there will be many options for children, she said, including a variety of clubs which could include theater, music, cooking, karate or other pursuits.

“We’ll send a survey to find out what the children’s interests are,” she said.

“Parents have asked for a little time for homework,” Ware said, so that will happen.

The school day lasts an hour longer than the district’s school day, so children attending Union Park will receive an extra hour of instruction, she said.

The before-care program starts at 6:45 a.m., in response to parent feedback, she said.

Dismissal starts at 2:45 p.m., for kindergarten through second-grade and their siblings. It begins at 3 p.m., for third grade through sixth grade.

“We’ll work with the local day care programs,” she added.

“The ultimate goal is innovation. I want our children to be given the opportunity to create. I also want teachers to be empowered to make decisions based on the children that are in front of them right now, what their needs are, how to best pull from all of this technology,” Ware said.

The school wants to set a tone that encourages parents to be involved in the Parent Teacher Cooperative, Ware said.

The aim is to create a culture that invites a close working relationship between the school and parents, said Ware, who noted that it’s already evident that parents want to be involved.

“Parents are ready. They want to participate,” the principal said.

For more information about the school, visit UnionParkAcademy.org.

Published April 25, 2018

Chalk Talk 04/25/2018

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(Courtesy of Melonie Monson)

Students receive citizen honors
Students from across the community were honored by The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Month program. Each honoree was chosen by teachers and administration for their exemplary effort, achievement and contribution to their school, family and community. Those recognized in April were: Nicholas Dester, The Academy of Spectrum Diversity; Jordan Parrmore, The Broach School; Christian Clement, Chester W. Taylor Elementary School; Hayden Anderton, East Pasco Adventist Academy; Sabrina Mraz, Heritage Academy; Gabriel Thomas, Raymond B. Stewart Middle; Natasha Wallinger, West Zephyrhills Elementary; Sam Levenson, Woodland Elementary; and Madison Shipley, Zephyrhills High.

School safety meeting
A School Safety Town Hall meeting will take place May 7 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Wiregrass Ranch High School, 2909 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

Participants will include Pasco County Schools, Pasco County Council of PTAs/PTSAs, local law enforcement, mental health providers, parents, students and local elected officials.

A question-and-answer session will follow the presentation. The community is encouraged to attend to give input.

School honors couple for devotion to the environment
Deer Park Elementary School administration, teachers and students celebrated 28 years of school beautification projects, recognizing Nancy and George Pratt for their devotion to the school and teaching students environmental stewardship.

The event included a parade of student council members wearing 29 years of Earth Day buttons, songs by the chorus, a presentation/reflection, and a butterfly release.

The Pratts created a garden in the center of the school for outdoor lessons and for families to have lunch with their children. Nancy also created a character, “Mother Earth,” to teach students to do their part in keeping the earth clean.

Other programs started were a recycling committee called “Earth Patrol” and an art competition to design an Earth Day button, which the school sells for fundraisers.

Students began fundraising last August to create a special student outdoor area to be known as Pratt’s Place. There is a shade tree with a circular wooden bench, known as the buddy bench; and four additional trees have been added to the children’s play area in the Pratts’ honor. There also is a stone dedication plaque.

Leadership seminar
Registration is open until May 31 for the 2018 Florida Student-Athlete Leadership Seminar, which is slated for Aug. 1 at West Port High School in Ocala.

The event will include keynote addresses, breakout sessions, a student-athlete panel, and presentations in competition, leadership, social media and other topics.

The first session will begin at 8 a.m., and the seminar will last until 2:45 p.m.

All registrations take place through GoFan, FHSAA’s digital ticketing provider.

The cost is $30 per student, and includes a shirt, lunch and a commemorative gift.

The seminar is open to the first 100 student applicants.

Schools may register students at tinyurl.com/y82b42yr.

For information, visit tinyurl.com/yc4tgrvx.

Musicians Association winners
The Florida Orchestra Musicians Association announced the winners of the annual Justine LeBaron Young Artist Competition, named in memory of the former principal horn of the orchestra, Justine LeBaron.

Local winners were Alexey Heroux (age 10), of Lutz, third place Junior Instrumental, violin, Seitz’ Violin Concerto No. 5, third movement; and Jithen Shriyen (age 12), of Land O’ Lakes, third place Junior Piano, Chopin’s Grand Waltz No. 4 and Biotti, “The Firefly.”

Local student achievements

  • Brendan Gonzalez, of Lutz, was inducted into the Western Kentucky University chapter of Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society. The induction confers a lifetime membership.
  • Em Ovalle, of Lutz, has been named to the fall Dean’s List at Centre College, Danville Kentucky. Ovalle is a graduate of Freedom High School.
  • Genna Aspres, of Odessa, was inducted into Phi Eta Sigma at Coastal Carolina University, South Carolina.
  • Loredana Di Cosola, of Odessa, has been initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at the University of Tampa.
  • Kristen Barry and Harrison Weeks, both of Odessa, and Alanah Cranwell, of Lutz, were inducted into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at Florida State University.
  • Benjamin Brown, Aldo Colon and Taylor Masters, all of Odessa, and Sean Flynn and Jiain Xie, both of Lutz, were initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at the University of Florida.

Looking for alumni, photos
Independent Day School/Corbett Prep is turning 50 and is looking for alumni who attended the Independent Day School in Tampa, for an anniversary celebration that will take place Aug. 18.

The school is asking for stories and photos from former students who were enrolled anytime between the school’s founding in 1968 to present day.

To share your memories, help with planning or attend the event, email Lisa Herscovici at , or join the Facebook group at Facebook.com/groups/IDS50.

Independent Day School changed its name to Corbett Prep in 2012, and is located at 12015 Orange Grove Drive in Carrollwood.

For information, call (813) 961-3087.

Hillel now offers preschool
Hillel Academy, Tampa’s only accredited Jewish day school, and the Tampa JCCs and Federation have announced that Tampa JCC Preschool will be offered at Hillel Academy starting this fall.

This will be the first time preschool will be offered at Hillel, which was founded in 1970 for students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

The Hillel Academy location, in Carrollwood, will be the third for Tampa JCC Preschool, with others located in Citrus Park and South Tampa.

The new preschool is for children ages 3 and 4, who have turned age 3 by Sept. 1, 2017.

The program will run August through May, from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., weekdays.

For information, contact Jen Goldberg at or (813) 769-4738.

Seeking a sensory room to serve students with autism

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Dan Reyes has often witnessed the benefits of a sensory environment for his 13-year-old son, Jacob, who has autism.

Each Sunday, his family attends LifePoint Church in New Tampa, which has a sensory room devoted to children with special needs.

“He absolutely loves going into that room,” Reyes said. “He’s happy in there. He’s active, and it’s a very engaging room when sometimes other environments are not.”

Weightman Middle School seventh-grader Jacob Reyes is one of many students with autism who could benefit from a sensory room. (Courtesy of Dan Reyes)

The caring parent also wants a similar setting made available for Jacob and his fellow classmates at Weightman Middle School, in Wesley Chapel.

So, earlier this month, Reyes launched a GoFundMe page to build a sensory room at the school, where his son is a seventh-grader.

Throughout the school year, Reyes worked closely with school administration and teachers to develop a budget plan for a fully equipped sensory room — something he hopes “will have a lasting impact for years to come.”

A sensory room is a specially designed room that combines a range of stimuli to help individuals develop and engage their senses. These can include lights, colors, sounds, sensory soft play objects, and aromas within a safe environment that allows the person using it to explore and interact without risk.

These rooms are credited with helping those who have learning difficulties, such as   developmental disabilities or sensory impairments, to learn to interact with the world around them, and build up their confidence.

Such rooms often include a variety of items with vestibular input (items that allow users to spin, swing or hang), visual input and lighting, olfactory (smell), proprioception (items that allow the user to be squished or hugged), tactile, touch, feel, and auditory output.

Some examples include swings, bouncing chairs, lava lamps, fluorescent light filters, scented oils, scented playdoh, therapy balls, mini trampolines, textured puzzles, vibrating kids toys, sound pillows, and indoor wind chimes.

Several of those items will be purchased to meet the needs of current, as well as incoming, students.

As of April 16, nearly $4,000 of the $35,000 goal has been raised on the GoFundMe page.

Additionally, the school has held a beanie baby sale, sponsored dinners and set up other fundraisers at local restaurants to make the sensory room project a reality.

Weightman Middle has about 30 students in its Access Points Social Behavior Communication Program, geared toward students with severe and continuous behavioral needs, communication and sensory needs associated with autism spectrum disorder.

For the time being, the school is utilizing a makeshift sensory space that accommodates just one student at a time. It includes a handful of donated and purchased sensory items like a piano mat, drumsticks and tumble balls, along with some other handmade playthings.

But, Weightman staff hopes to have a full-size sensory room ready by the start of the 2018-2019 school year.

This is an image of a sensory room, which is specially designed to combine a range of stimuli to help individuals develop and engage their senses. The rooms are credited with helping those who have learning difficulties, such as developmental disabilities or sensory impairments, to learn how to interact with the world around them, and build up their confidence. (Courtesy of Edutopia)

The designated room would take the place of a regular-size classroom situated in the school’s Exceptional Student Education (ESE) unit, where it’s expected to exhibit a “nature theme” on walls and carpeting.

Teachers would have the possibility of scheduling classes in the sensory room, or could take students there, as needed. The room could also be utilized at the beginning of the school day or in 30-minute break periods.

Assistant Principal Laurie Johnson, who supervises the school’s ESE department, said such a space would allow special-needs students to self-explore and find items that best meet their sensory needs to calm their behaviors.

For instance, one student may relax by spinning. Another may enjoy a swinging motion. Others, moreover, may utilize a punching bag to release frustration.

“If their sensory needs are not met, then often they can start to experience behavioral problems,” Johnson said.

Without that sensory input and output, students with autism may exhibit aggressive behaviors, such as biting and self-harm, educators explained. Others may resort to crying or the inability to stop moving.

“It’s not that they’re acting out ‘just because.’ They are acting out because they have a need and it’s not being met,” said varying exceptionalities teacher Loretta Seekins.

Having those sensory needs met helps those students become more attentive during lessons, Seekins said.

“You’re not going to get any educational benefit by a student that can’t focus,” she said.

The teacher added a sensory room would also reinforce and enhance communication and socialization skills among the school’s autistic population.

Seekins said the idea is to help students become more acclimated to being in environments where others are doing things, talking and socializing.

“It’s not something that will happen overnight, but you’re building toward that,” she said.

School behavioral specialist Leslie Monticco agrees such a room is imperative for nonverbal students to better express themselves and self-regulate. “To have somewhere to go as an escape is huge,” she said. “It is a need.”

Weightman Middle Principal Rachel Fowler has fully endorsed the sensory room.

She stressed the importance for students to receive support for all their needs, not just academically.

“We do a lot for social interaction and having that space outside of a regular classroom is essential, so they can remove themselves and truly use those other senses to help their brain,” Fowler said.

To donate to the sensory room project, visit GoFundMe.com/sensory-room-for-children-wautism.

Published April 18, 2018

Chalk Talk 04/18/2018

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Robert W. Judson Jr.

President emeritus honored
Pasco-Hernando State College honored Robert W. Judson Jr., Ed.D., PHSC president emeritus, with a Pasco Proud award during the Black History Month celebration at its East Campus in Dade City.

The award recognizes an African-American citizen of Pasco County who has made an impact in the community.

Judson holds the distinction of being named the first African-American president of a Florida community college in 1994 and served in that role for 11 years.

Under his leadership, the expansion of the West Campus in New Port Richey was completed, which included the opening of a child care center.

Judson also launched new programs, including radiography, drafting and design, and the first four-year degree program through a partnership with the University of South Florida and Hodges University.

Top Dogs recognized
The Pilot Club of Zephyrhills honored Top Dog students from Stewart Middle School. Through the program, students are recognized for academics and their leadership roles in the school.

The third quarter recipients were Cassidy Thompson, Jacob Smith, Natalie O’Donovan, Dayanora Ortega, Nic Batto, Lillian Rapp, Jacob Cruz, Ariana Stone and Chiara Antonucci.

Each student received a certificate and a gold dog tag at a Hungry Howie’s luncheon.

Student art exhibit
Pasco-Hernando State College’s Rao Musunuru, M.D. Art Gallery will exhibit “A Student Showcase” April 18 to May 16, at its West Campus in New Port Richey.

The annual event highlights diverse talent achieved without influence from staff or faculty. Visitors can experience completed works of photography, drawing and mixed media, from past and present art students.

For information, call (727) 816-3231, or visit PHSC.edu.

Friendship Walk
The Best Buddies Club of Dr. John Long Middle School in Wesley Chapel will participate in the Friendship Walk on April 21 along the Tampa Riverwalk.

For information and to register, visit tinyurl.com/yabt7qhv.

The event is free, but donations can be made when registering.

Scholarship benefit
The Amelia Foundation Benefit Concert will take place April 21 at 6 p.m., at Blanton Baptist Church, 17351 Hyland Lane in Dade City.

The cost is $10. All proceeds will go toward scholarships for graduating Pasco High School seniors.

Tickets will be available at the door.

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

Pancake fundraiser
The Land O’ Lakes High School FFA will host a pancake breakfast fundraiser April 22 from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the Wilderness Lakes Beef O’ Brady’s, 7040 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Suite 108.

The cost is $7 per person, and includes pancakes, scrambled eggs and bacon served by the school’s FFA members.
Tickets can be purchased at Beef O’ Brady’s or through the LOLHS FFA.

For information or to make a donation, call (813) 230-2254.

College planning workshop
Thrivent Financial will offer a College Planning Strategies Workshop April 24 at 6:30 p.m., at the Oakstead Clubhouse, 3038 Oakstead Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

This is a 90-minute presentation designed for parents and students in seventh grade and higher, to learn about academics, admissions and financial strategies to help save money on college.

There will be tips on the FAFSA; what COA, OOP and EFC are; timelines for taking the SAT/ACT; and, strategies for selecting a college.

Admission is free. Space is limited.

To RSVP, call (813) 626-5489, or email .

Essay contest
Gary Joiner, Pasco County property appraiser’s office, will accept entries, as part of the Clerk & Comptroller Paula O’ Neil’s Constitutional Officers Essay Contest, through April 27.

The contest is for Pasco County eighth-grade students of public/charter, private, parochial, nonpublic and home-schools.

Students must answer the question, “What are the effects property taxes can have on schools?” and submit essays to their principals.

Students in private, parochial, nonpublic or home-schools can email submissions to .

Essays must be 500 words or less, and should include the student’s name, school, grade and contact information.

The winner will be notified by phone on May 18.

Teacher of the Year nominations
U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis is accepting nominations for his annual Teacher of the Year awards, to honor the outstanding educators of Florida’s 12th District.

Teachers and educators from all schools, and all grades, in District 12, are eligible.

Nominations should be emailed to , and include the name, school and contact information of the nominee.

The deadline is April 27.

An awards ceremony will take place in May.

Pine View Middle School continues journey toward IB designation

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An International Baccalaureate team recently visited Pine View Middle School, to determine if the Land O’ Lakes school has met the requirements to become an authorized IB Middle Years Programme World School.

The team spent two days at the school, interviewing staff, students and parents, and observing classrooms to ensure that the IB framework has been embedded in Pine View’s learning environment, according to Jennifer Warren, the school’s principal.

Elsie Morales and her peers are learning how to properly care for cattle during the Livestock Production and Care Unit at Pine View Middle School. (Courtesy of Pine View Middle School)

The team’s report will be forwarded to IB officials for their review, she said, noting she expects to receive an answer on the school’s authorization within 60 days to 90 days.

Pine View, at 5334 Parkway Blvd., has been a IB Middle Years Candidate School since May of 2015 and has been implementing the program since the beginning of the 2015-2016 school year.

As it awaits word on its designation, Pine View also is preparing for next school year, when it will join the list of magnet schools in the Pasco County school district, Warren said.

And, it will be shifting to a seven-period school day to better accommodate its curriculum, according to Becky Cardinale, the middle years programme coordinator.

The seventh period allows students greater opportunity to explore courses, Cardinale said.

“A seven-period day allows for more teacher planning time and for more professional development time,” Warren said. “A lot of planning work is required of teachers.”

Students at Pine View have four traditional core classes: Individuals and societies (social studies), science, math, and language and literature. They also have an arts class, language acquisition (which is foreign language), and a combination physical education and design.

As the school converts to a magnet school beginning next school year, it will be accepting students from throughout the district.

It received 89 applications for its inaugural magnet year, with applications coming from charter school students, out-of-county students and 15 of the district’s middle schools. Ultimately, 49 of those students chose to attend Pine View.

“Those living within Pine View’s attendance boundary, have first choice,” Warren said. Then, slots are opened up to students from outside of the school’s boundaries.

Although the school’s curriculum meets the Florida standards, the delivery of instruction is different.

For instance, “one of the standards with the middle years programme is that students have both a visual and a performing art component, sometime in their time at Pine View,” Cardinale said.

“For incoming students, we’re going to be combining students who are interested in band or chorus as a performing art, we’re going to be combining a visual art in with that class.

“So, they’re going to be learning about visual art through the lens of a performing art,” she said.

The school also has a new barn, and students associated with the agricultural program have garnered numerous awards, Warren said.

Overall, parents have been responding positively to the school’s IB curriculum, both the principal and Cardinale said.

“We’re preparing kids for jobs that don’t necessarily even exist yet,” Cardinale said.

“You can tell a parent: Your child is learning skills they can apply in whatever job they choose…

“We want our students to be collaborators. We want them to love learning. We want them to be problem-solvers.

“Show me a career that doesn’t require students to do all of those things,” Cardinale added.

At the middle school level, the program is for every student, Warren said.

“You hear IB, and it has a very elite connotation to it, that it’s only certain students, of a certain caliber,” she said. “Well, really every student, no matter what their IQ is, can be an acquirer, or a thinker, or a problem-solver, or caring.

“I think it is just teaching them all of the things that make for a well-rounded adult,” she said.

Students attending Pine View, “have the broadest liberal arts opportunity of any (public middle school) student in the county,” Warren said.

Published April 11, 2018

Local educator named a PBS ‘Digital Innovator All-Star’

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It’s no secret that educator Bobbi Starling knows her way around technology.

When she was a classroom teacher at Woodland Elementary School in Zephyrhills and at Centennial Middle School in Dade City, she was constantly introducing students to technical tools which could enhance their education and broaden their view of the world.

Bobbi Starling has recently been selected to the PBS Digital Innovator All-Star Program. It’s a new program, and only 30 educators nationwide were selected, including just Starling from Florida. (B.C. Manion)

Now, as the magnet schools program coordinator for the Pasco County school district, she has the potential to have a positive impact on a greater number of students — albeit indirectly, she said.

Starling’s classroom teaching work was recognized by PBS in 2015, when she was selected as one of 100 educators across the nation to be named a PBS Digital Innovator. She went on to become one of 30 nationwide to be named a lead Digital Innovator.

More recently, Starling was chosen to take part in a new program called the PBS Digital Innovator All-Star Program.

Thirty educators across the country were chosen for the program, including just Starling from Florida.

Gail Taylor, director of educational services for WEDU, nominated the Pasco County educator.

“She’s just perfect for this award. She’s just so innovative,” said Taylor, noting she wasn’t surprised Starling was selected.

“We thought she was a shoo-in. She’s amazing,” Taylor added.

“We’ve done a lot of work with her over the past few years.

“We did a great STEM fair when she was teaching at a middle school, before she became the magnet school coordinator.

“The kids were actually programming their own iPads to make robotic balls move around a paint tray, and they painted coasters and T-shirts, using those little robotic balls.

“They were playing games, using Gummy Worms as conductors and game pieces,” Taylor said.

As part of the All-Star program, Starling will have access to virtual and in-person events, including the PBS Digital Innovator All-Star Summit, and the International Society for Technology and Education Conference in Chicago, Illinois, in June.

She can’t wait.

This bus has been converted into a Mobile Aviation Lab, to provide more students a chance to get exposure to aviation and aeronautics lessons. (Courtesy of Bobbi Starling)

“At that summit, we’re going to be put on teams with people from other states, and we’re going to be developing some new curriculum — a three-part virtual learning series.

“There will be different focus areas for STEAM, social studies, language arts, digital arts, all sorts of different things. We’ll be developing some new content that will be offered.

“It will be housed on the PBS Learning Media.org website and that’s free for everybody in the state of Florida, including the premium resources,” Starling said.

The educator believes that technology is the great equalizer, when it comes to learning opportunities.

Technology helps children who come from impoverished families to have the same kind of experiences as those who come from affluent households, Starling said, noting that virtual reality and other technological tools can level the playing field.

Starling said she was delighted when she learned of her nomination, and “ecstatic and thrilled” when she found out she’d been selected.

“Reading the biographies of my peers that were also nominated, I was actually blown away by the people that are there,” Starling said. “I cannot wait to make some neat connections and share some interesting ideas, and I’m sure that I will be learning a lot, hearing a lot, and hopefully, I’ll be able to contribute, too.”

In her current district position, she works will all of Pasco schools, but more heavily with the Sanders Memorial Elementary STEAM Magnet School in Land O’ Lakes; the Centennial Middle School STEM Magnet School in Dade City; and, the Bayonet Point Middle STEM Magnet School in New Port Richey.

This student is getting a virtual reality experience on a school bus that the Pasco County school district has converted into a mobile aviation lab. (Courtesy of Bobbi Starling)

Starling also noted that the district has nine elementary schools that have aviation equipment. They are the elementary schools in the feeder patterns for Zephyrhills, Sunlake and Hudson high schools, which each have aviation and aeronautics academies.

But Terry Anchman, the director of career and technical education, came up with the idea of converting a school bus into a mobile Aviation STEM Lab, Starling said.

That way, fifth-graders from other district schools can get their hands on equipment such as flight simulators, 3D printing, virtual reality and drones, the educator said.

“I developed a curriculum for that. So, all of those students get a little bit of a taste for aviation and aeronautics,” Starling said.

She hopes that exposure will spark an interest in students, who can then consider attending one of the district’s magnet middle schools, which offers the curriculum.

She also hopes that parents will become more aware of the district’s educational options.

Taylor, herself a former classroom teacher, is confident that Starling will make a difference in the PBS program, just as she has as a classroom teacher.

“She’s just one of the best teachers I’ve ever been associated with,” Taylor said.

“She’s just what education ought to be,” Taylor added. “If all of our teachers could be Bobbi Starling, it would be a whole new world.”

Published April 11, 2018

Chalk Talk 04/11/2018

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(Courtesy of Saint Leo University)

Saint Leo aims to make a difference
Saint Leo University is focused on helping others and saving the planet – one plastic cap at a time. The school recently collected and shipped about 15,000 pounds of bottle caps for recycling, for the Caps of Love program.

The proceeds from the effort are used to purchase new and refurbished wheelchairs for children with mobility issues.

Students, faculty and staff were joined by local organizations, schools and businesses in the collection of plastic lids. The tops from bottles of soft drinks, laundry soap, shampoo, prescriptions, peanut butter jars, yogurt cups and more were among the boxes loaded onto a truck and shipped to Commercial Recycling in Tampa.

The Caps of Love organization, which will change its name to Chariots of Love, has presented 79 wheelchairs to children over the years.

Books by the Beach
Students from both River Ridge High School New Teacher Academy and Hudson Elementary School will take part in a “Books by the Beach” scavenger hunt and walk on April 13.

The walk to Hudson Beach and back, for a philanthropy project, will start at the Healthy Families Pasco-Hernando office and include multiple book breaks to collect books on the way to the beach. Each stop will be an adventure.

Along the walk, students will write questions about safety on the sidewalk, share signs to encourage students to read all summer, and create passport-type logs for the students to remember their stops.

Area groups, including Pasco Retired Educators, United Way Pasco, and On the Road for Safety, will join in the event to man the tables along the way.

Each Hudson Elementary student will leave with a backpack filled with summer reading materials.

Charter school information session
Union Park Charter Academy, set to open in August in Wesley Chapel, will have an information session April 17 at 6:30 p.m., at Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

A team will walk through the plans for the academy and will answer questions.

The school will educate students in kindergarten through eighth grade, and will have only students in kindergarten through sixth grade for the 2018-2019 academic year.

For information, visit UnionParkAcademy.org.

Student art exhibit
Pasco-Hernando State College’s Rao Musunuru, M.D. Art Gallery will exhibit “A Student Showcase” April 18 to May 16, at its West Campus in New Port Richey.

The annual event highlights diverse talent achieved without influence from staff or faculty. Visitors can experience completed works of photography, drawing and mixed media, from past and present art students.

There will be an opening reception sponsored by the PHSC Student Government Association April 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the gallery.

For information, call (727) 816-3231, or visit PHSC.edu.

Teacher of the Year nominations
U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis is accepting nominations for his annual Teacher of the Year awards, to honor the outstanding educators of Florida’s 12th District.

Teachers and educators from all schools, and all grades, in District 12, are eligible.

Nominations should be emailed to , and include the name, school and contact information of the nominee.

The deadline is April 27.

An awards ceremony will take place in May.

Scholarship opportunity
Saint Leo University is offering an academic scholarship opportunity for students who are intent on starting an MBA program this summer, have the undergraduate grades to prove they can do serious work, and the commitment and discipline to study online all the way through to degree completion.

For those who qualify and apply by April 20 for admission to the summer semester starting April 30, the MBA tuition per credit hour will be reduced.

The per-credit scholarship represents a savings of $6,000 throughout the course of the 36-credit-hour program.

For information about the scholarship, visit SaintLeo.edu/mba-online-scholarship-form.

For additional details, email , or call (800) 707-8846.

 

Land O’ Lakes band trip to states a long time coming

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It’s been over a decade since the Land O’ Lakes High School band performed at states.

That wait is over.

The school’s symphonic band will join more than 40 other Florida high schools on April 23 at the State North High School Concert Band Music Performance Assessment (MPA) at Flagler Palm Coast High School, in Palm Coast.

Mitchell High School is the only other public school in Pasco County performing at the meet.

The Land O’ Lakes High School band will perform at the state meet for the first time since 1994. The school’s symphonic band will join more than 40 other Florida high schools on April 23 at the State North High School Concert Band Music Performance Assessment (MPA) at Flagler Palm Coast High School, in Palm Coast. (Courtesy of Johnathon Mulder)

Land O’ Lakes qualified for the state competition after earning straight superior ratings—the highest mark possible — at a district MPA meet in early March at Hernando High School.

The program has met state performance requirements for the meet in previous years, but hasn’t made the trip in 14 years, for a variety of reasons.

First-year Land O’ Lakes band director Johnathon Mulder said one of his main objectives heading into the school year was to take the band to states, if the ensemble qualified.

“This is a big deal to the program because they haven’t gone to the tournament in a really long time,” said Mulder, who previously served as a band teacher for six years at Lakeland’s Kathleen Middle School.

The Land O’ Lakes band consists of more than 70 students, including 19 seniors.

With such a large group, the school district’s fine arts program coordinator, Tom Viking recently helped offset the cost for a second school bus so each student could make the three-hour trip to Palm Coast.

But, the band director also wants to provide meals for each student for the daylong affair. He has set a fundraising goal of $1,100 by April 13.

Band students also have been given sponsorship sheets to raise money.

“We’re just looking for the community to kind of rally behind us and support us, and help those families that can’t fully afford meals,” Mulder said.

At the state competition, Land O’ Lakes will play three prepared pieces before a panel of judges made up of college professors and retired music directors.

With it being the band’s first trip to state since 2004, Mulder has set reasonable expectations, hoping students relish the experience and just try their best.

“While it would be wonderful to go and get straight superiors again at the state level, this is a new experience for all of us,” Mulder said. “For us, what’s going to be successful is going there, preparing the best we can, and putting on the best performance possible. If that results in straight superiors, awesome. And, if it doesn’t, then you know what…I just hope we walk off the stage happy with what we did.”

Besides reaching states, the band performed well throughout the year at events like Lion’s Pride Festival at King High School and Festival of Winds at the University of South Florida, Mulder said.

Individual students were named to all-state and all-county teams, too.

Mulder credited the students’ hard work and dedication, and faith in him as a bandleader, as some reasons for success.

“They blow my mind a lot,” the teacher said. “Since Day One, I’ve kind of had it in my head that this is one of those bands in Pasco County that should be phenomenal.”

Senior band captain Jacob Barber is excited for the group to be making its first trip to states.

“As seniors, the fact we get to go to state MPA is a pretty big deal; it feels pretty good,” said Barber, who has had three different band directors in four years.

“I feel like there’s been a lot more growth this year than there has been in previous years… so I think we’re headed in the right direction.”

Junior saxophone leader Josh Mellin said, “It’s humbling because we haven’t been to a prestigious thing like this in a while.

“Mr. Mulder this year has introduced a lot of new opportunities to us to take as musicians,” added Mellin, whose father is Ric Mellin, principal at Land O’ Lakes High.

“The experience for this year has been unlike my freshman or sophomore year. I’ve had a lot more fun. I’ve seen a lot of people grow, and I hope that (Mulder) stays here for a long time,” he added.

For questions and to donate to the band trip, email .

Anonymous donations also can be mailed to the school, at 20325 Gator Lane in Land O’ Lakes, Florida, 34638.

Published April 5, 2018

Chalk Talk 04/04/2018

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(Courtesy of Leanne Starnes Ring Fuller)

Students move on to national competition
Land O’ Lakes Christian School’s high-school students participated in the Sunshine State Association of Christian Schools state fine arts competition in the categories of the Bible, art, music, academics and speech. There were 146 different entries, and Land O’ Lakes Christian placed first, second or third in 57 of those entries. The students pictured will be competing at the National Fine Arts Competition in Greenville, South Carolina. There will be a presentation of a selection of the winning entries and an art show April 20 at the school.

Proposed fee adjustment
Pasco-Hernando State College’s District Board of Trustees will consider approving a proposed adjusted course-related fee at its meeting on April 17 at 6 p.m., at the West Campus, 10230 Ridge Road in New Port Richey.

Fee adjustment proposals are reviewed and approved for board consideration by PHSC’s Council of Academic Affairs.

In this case, one course adjustment will be reviewed: a reduction of fees for Adult Nursing Clinical I for paramedic students from $34 to $0.

For information about proposed fee adjustments, justification for the fees and fee implementation dates, visit Policies.PHSC.edu.

Scholarship opportunity
Saint Leo University is offering an academic scholarship opportunity for students who are intent on starting an MBA program this summer, have the undergraduate grades to prove they can do serious work, and the commitment and discipline to study online all the way through to degree completion.

For those who qualify and apply by April 20 for admission to the summer semester starting April 30, the MBA tuition per credit hour will be reduced.

The per-credit scholarship represents a savings of $6,000 throughout the course of the 36-credit-hour program.

For information about the scholarship, visit SaintLeo.edu/mba-online-scholarship-form.

For additional details, email , or call (800) 707-8846.

Lutz Elementary gets extra help
Members from the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club worked at the Lutz Elementary Annual Olden Days Celebration.

Each year, the women have registered attendees and assisted the students with numerous crafting projects at the event.

Lutz Elementary is just one of the local schools that the woman’s club supports in various ways.

For information, visit GFWCLutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org.

Leadership seminar
Registration is open until May 31 for the 2018 Florida Student-Athlete Leadership Seminar, which is slated for Aug. 1 at West Port High School in Ocala.

The event will include keynote addresses, breakout sessions, a student-athlete panel, and presentations in competition, leadership, social media and other topics.

The first session will begin at 8 a.m., and the seminar will last until 2:45 p.m.

All registrations take place through GoFan, FHSAA’s digital ticketing provider.

The cost is $30 per student, and includes a shirt, lunch and a commemorative gift.

The seminar is open to the first 100 student applicants.

Schools may register students at tinyurl.com/y82b42yr.

For information, visit tinyurl.com/yc4tgrvx.

Clean Tech Competition
The Center for Science Teaching and Learning (CSTL) announced the launch of the 2018 Spellman High Voltage Electronics Clean Tech Competition, a worldwide research and design challenge for pre-college youth.

The competition encourages scientific understanding of real-world issues and the integration of environmentally responsible energy use. It also is designed to foster a deeper understanding of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) related concepts, recognize outstanding talent, and prepare the next generation of globally competitive innovators.

This year’s theme is “Solving Climate Change.”

Teams are challenged to identify and analyze specific problems associated with climate change in detail before designing a clean technology solution to mitigate the negative impacts, help reduce the carbon footprint, and create a solution for overcoming the challenge they identified.

Free applications are currently being accepted by CSTL from high schools representing teams of one to three students between the ages of 15 and 18, from the United States and abroad.

The final competition will take place July 12 at Stony Brook University in New York.

Monetary prizes will be awarded to a total of 10 finalists, with $10,000 to the winner, $7,000 to second place and $5,000 to third place.

For information, visit CleanTechCompetition.org, or call (516) 764-0045.

Chalk Talk 03/28/2018

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(Courtesy of Jennifer Craven)

Student-athletes are all-academic
Thirteen players of the Land O’ Lakes Lady Gators soccer team were awarded the Florida Athletic Coaches Association All-Academic Soccer Team at its year-end banquet. The award defines the title of student-athlete, with ‘student’ coming first. To earn the honor, a player must have a cumulative 3.5 GPA and have started in at least half of the games during the season. Back row from left: Kylie Denney (freshman), Morghan Craven (senior), RaeAnna Casler (junior), Avery Wild (sophomore), Emma Skantze (senior), Haley Terwilliger (senior), Kelly Hutson (senior) and Nisa Cahoon (sophomore). Front row from left: Taylor Denney (freshman), Brooke Hannigan (senior), Ashley Doers (sophomore) and Macie Harlan (senior). Roxy Miltenberger (senior) is not pictured.

Job Shadowing Day
Gulf Middle School student council members from seventh and eighth grade will participate in a Job Shadowing Day with city officials on March 29.

The students will work alongside various New Port Richey city leaders, including the city manager, and those from police and fire administration, to learn the ins and outs of local government service.

There will also be a luncheon where the council members can discuss what they learn.

For information, call Liz Kuhns at (727) 774-8018.

Campus open houses
Pasco-Hernando State College will host open houses at each of its five campuses. High school seniors and prospective students seeking higher education opportunities can attend.

  • April 3 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at North Campus, Building A, 11415 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Brooksville
  • April 4 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at East Campus, 36727 Blanton Road in Dade City, in A240
  • April 5 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., Wesley Chapel, Conference Center, B303
  • April 10 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., West Campus, 10230 Ridge Road in New Port Richey, Conference Center, R151
  • April 12 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Spring Hill Campus, 450 Beverly Court, Conference Center, B105

Participants can learn about certificate, associate and bachelor degree programs, as well as financial aid, scholarships and opportunities for involvement with more than 50 student clubs and organizations.

There will be campus tours.

For information, visit PHSC.edu/open-house.

Free prom dresses
The Belle of the Ball Project will once again offer free prom dresses to in-need high school girls April 7 and April 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 1210 Holt Ave., in Clearwater.

Dresses will be available for prom, homecoming and military balls.

No appointment is needed.

Donations of dresses and accessories can also be made at the boutique.

For information, call (727) 386-4502, or visit BelleOfTheBallProject.com.

Saint Leo continues to offer aid
Saint Leo University again will offer assistance for college students in Puerto Rico who have had their education affected by the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.

Saint Leo first offered assistance for the Spring semester.

For the Fall semester, starting in August, Saint Leo will provide these students with free room and board, as well as a discounted tuition rate.

While the students will be responsible for the cost of books, the school will waive the student fees to further aid in their ability to continue their educations.

Federal financial aid and other private scholarships may be used to help pay the discounted tuition rate.

For information, contact the Office of Admissions at , (352) 588-8283 or (800) 334-5532.

Foundation receives $10,000 gift
The Pasco-Hernando State College Foundation received a $10,000 gift in honor of the 75th birthday of Norman J. Pingley, the first intramural athletic director at PHSC.

The gift, donated by the family of Norman and Gretchen Pingley, established a new endowment scholarship fund, which will be available to graduates of Hernando High School who are pursuing a degree in a health and wellness field and/or are members of the PHSC athletic team.

Norman Pingley was an admission specialist at PHSC for nearly 30 years. He taught in the physical education department, started the intramural athletic program, and coached the North Campus basketball team and the first women’s softball team.

He retired from PHSC in 2005.