The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Education

Dr. Susan A. MacManus retires from USF

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When Dr. Susan A. MacManus recently headed to the front of Room 128, in the Social Science Building on the University of South Florida campus — it was to deliver the final lecture of her 47-year teaching career.

Her regular students were there, but there were visitors, too — former students who wanted to be there to share the moment.

MacManus offered her thoughts about the coming Mid-Terms, and when she concluded, she announced: “That, my friends, is my last lecture ever,” with her voice cracking a bit.

One student immediately rushed forward to give MacManus a hug.

Dr. Susan A. MacManus, known nationally for her knowledge of Florida and national politics, stands near her home in Land O’ Lakes. (B.C.Manion)

Another declared: “You’re going to make me cry.”

Those gathered finished out the period eating pizza and cake, and picking up political buttons, reporters’ notebooks and additional trinkets MacManus had collected along the political trail.

Being a teacher was always part of the plan, said MacManus, who grew up in Land O’ Lakes.

“I knew very, very early that I was going to be a teacher. I loved school. I really enjoyed my teachers.

“Sanders (Memorial Elementary) had a lot of really good teachers,” MacManus said.

She graduated at 16 from Pasco High School and initially was a double major, in political science and physical education at Florida State University.

It didn’t take long, though, for MacManus to discover that politics were her true passion.

She graduated from FSU with a bachelor’s degree in political science and went straight to the University of Michigan for a master’s degree. She was attracted to its Survey Research Center, and it was there she developed an interest in polling.

After that, she landed her first job as an instructor at Valencia Community College.

She was 21.

An early interest in government financing
While teaching at Valencia, she took advantage of a program that allowed her to be paid to go

back to school to expand her expertise. She went to FSU where she studied urban planning and political science, under Thomas Dye, who ultimately turned out to be her major professor and mentor.

After returning to Valencia, Dye called her out of the blue and offered her the chance to become his research assistant, allowing her to pursue her doctorate at FSU.

For her dissertation, MacManus examined the revenue patterns of cities and suburbs across the United States. She coded data for multiple decades for 600-plus cities and suburbs across the country.

“From the beginning, understanding the financing of state and local governments has been a terrific asset to me as a political scientist,” she said.

Her first big university job was at the University of Houston, she said. “It just was the right fit for me. The city was exploding.”

Dr. Susan A. MacManus has amassed a large collection of political buttons while covering the campaign trail as a political analyst. Some were on display during her recent retirement reception. (B.C. Manion)

Next, she was recruited by Cleveland State, in Cleveland, Ohio, which also was a good fit professionally and personally.

Her sister, Lou, and her brother, Cameron, were both practicing medicine there and both had young children — allowing MacManus to bond with her nieces and nephews from their infancy.

After four years in Cleveland, she returned to Land O’ Lakes.

“I had left home when I was 16,” she said. “Basically, I hadn’t been able to experience rich time with my parents.”

Coming back to the community where she grew up gave her a chance to work at USF, learn about the family’s citrus business, and to help her mom write two local history books about Lutz and Land O’ Lakes.

“I look back on it, and it all fits together,” she said.

Beyond her influence on students, MacManus also became widely known for her deep knowledge of Florida and national politics.

During the 1990s, she began providing political analysis for News Channel 8.

That started at the encouragement of Bill Ratliff, who had interviewed her for his political show and told her: “You ought to think about doing this. You’re good at it because you can talk to everyday people.”

MacManus replied: “Well, I’m a country girl, you know.”

She agreed to give it a try, if Ratliff would show her the ropes.

She went on to become part of the television station’s coverage team for national political conventions, presidential debates and inaugurations.

And, for decades, she has been a prolific speaker providing her insights to hundreds of civic groups, statewide associations, political and government groups.

Beyond that, she has frequently shared her knowledge in television, radio and newspaper interviews.

She also provided analysis of political conventions during the past two presidential elections, and coverage of the 2016 presidential election for The Laker/Lutz News.

Those experiences of providing political analysis for the media and speaking before myriad groups required her to stay informed, she said.

“It’s absolutely made me keep on top of things. It made me a far, far better teacher,” she said.

The connections she made were invaluable, too.

“I cannot tell you how many internships and jobs that my students have gotten as a consequence of people I have met, on both sides of the political aisle, at major political events,” she said. “You don’t get those kinds of opportunities for students, sitting in your office.”

Hashing out opposing views
MacManus believes her personal background prepared her for her future career.

“I grew up with differences of opinion about politics and lots of family bantering, especially at our large-extended family events.

“But, when it was time to eat and have fun, that was put aside.

Dr. Susan A. MacManus stands in front of a bus parked at the first 2016 presidential debate. The bus is touting CNN’s coverage of the 2016 race for president between Donald J. Trump and Hillary Rodham Clinton. (File)

“That has been one of the greatest gifts I was given — for being an analyst — was growing up in that kind of environment. I don’t get to the point where I can’t talk to somebody because they think differently,” she said.

She praised her last crop of students at USF for being able to hold widely divergent views, while maintaining civility.

It’s an art, she fears, that’s being lost in society today.

Communication has changed, too.

“Candidates and parties, and everyone else, you have to go to multiple platforms,” MacManus said. “You cannot any longer rely upon one source of information.”

As she was winding up her final class, she paused to thank her students.

“I’ve learned far more from you than you’ve learned from me. Your generation is the most interesting one we’ve had, in a very long time,” she said.

“Thank you for being a wonderful, wonderful class,” MacManus said. “I couldn’t ask for a better end to my career than you all. Thank you.”

What people are saying about Dr. Susan A. MacManus
Dr. Judy Genshaft, president of the University of South Florida, and Dr. Liana Fernandez Fox spoke during a retirement reception for Dr. Susan A. MacManus at the University Club of Tampa. During the event, sponsored by USF Women in Leadership & Philanthropy, the women offered these comments — made by others — to honor MacManus:

  • “Besides my parents, no one has had as much impact on me as Dr. MacManus. She is an incredible teacher. She has a story about everything, and is so generously willing and giving of her time and knowledge to students who want to work.” — Anthony Cilluffo, former research assistant for MacManus and current research associate with the Pew Research Center in Washington D.C.
  • “Susan is as much of an institution in Florida politics, as ambitious candidates embarrassing themselves at the Possum Festival, or sipping Cuban coffee in Little Havana. Besides the sheer depth of her knowledge, she happens to be one of the nicest people on the political scene.” — Adam Smith, the Tampa Bay Times political editor
  • “The views of Susan MacManus have always been welcomed, eagerly sought — about both Florida politics and national politics. Susan is a gifted academic, whose work my own team has cited many times. What makes Susan even more special is her remarkable ability to translate her work, as well as her colleagues’ findings, for the benefit of the news media and the general public. A keen observer of the political scene for decades, Susan will, no doubt, be called upon frequently in retirement. We continue to need her voice.” — Dr. Larry Sabato, founder and director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics.

Some 2018 Mid-Term insights
Dr. Susan A. MacManus, distinguished professor of political science, offered these observations during her final lecture at the University of South Florida:

  • Lawyers will be busy.

“This is going to be a very litigious, contentious election. Lawyers are going make a lot of money this election cycle because you’re going to have a lot of voting rights’ issues being litigated.”

  • The ballot will be crowded.

“We’ve got everything under the sun, up for election this time.”

Besides U.S. Senate and Governor, Floridians will be choosing congressional representatives, state lawmakers and local elected officials. There’s 13 proposed constitutional amendments, too.

  • Lots of new faces will be on the political scene.

“We’re already seeing a record number of new people who have never run before filing to run for office in Florida, at every level.”

  • A coming Blue Wave?

“As an analyst, I’m not seeing it yet. It could happen, but it’s not there yet.”

  • Expect a close finish.

“The last four elections, two governors, two presidential — 1 percent margin of victory for the winner. It doesn’t get any better than that.”

Susan’s Four Fs
Dr. Susan A. MacManus never got an F in anything, except for Home Ec, according to her sister, Lou MacManus, who spoke at Susan’s retirement reception at the University Club of Tampa, on the 38th floor of One Tampa City Center.

She said these are the four Fs that have been a constant in Susan’s life: Family, friends, faith and fun.

The reception reflected that. Some former students drove down from Gainesville. Another former student flew in from Washington D.C. Her best friend traveled from Michigan. Her cousins came from Land O’ Lakes. And, scores of others were there, too, to celebrate Susan’s accomplishments.

Lou ribbed her older sister, sharing little-known details about her — including Susan’s fascination for insects when she was young and her runner-up finish a Pasco County beauty pageant. (Actually just in the top 10, Susan says).

University of South Florida President Judy Genshaft praised Susan’s academic contributions.  Genshaft also noted: “I would venture to say that Susan is among the most sought-after political analysts in the country.”

The room was decorated with photographs of Susan pictured with prominent political figures, and all sorts of political buttons on display. There was even a polling booth, from the 2000 presidential election — the year of the infamous “hanging chad.”

Susan’s long-time friend, Dr. Liana Fernandez Fox, said the party was exactly Susan’s kind of celebratory gathering.

“We filled this room with family and friends, good friends — and, with mementoes of Susan’s fabulous and fun career, of educating students, voters and the media,” Fox said.

Published May 9, 2018

Pasco elementary schools to get safety guards

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The Pasco County School Board approved Superintendent Kurt Browning’s proposal to hire a director of safety and security, and to add up to 50 school safety guards for the district’s elementary schools, according a district news release.

The school board’s action was in response to a 2018 bill that the Legislature passed and the governor signed into law. It requires all school districts to provide security at all schools beginning in the 2018-2019 school year.

The Legislature provided funding in the bill and districts were given three options:

  • Provide school resource officers (SRO) at each school,
  • Provide school safety officers for each school, or
  • Participate in the school guardian program requiring certain school personnel to be armed.

The law also requires each district to appoint a school safety specialist, which is the director of school safety and security position approved by the board.

During a recent school safety workshop, Browning told school board members he would prefer to have an SRO on each of the district’s school campuses, but the district could not afford that option.

The advertisements for the jobs have been posted on the district’s website and its Facebook page.

The district is hosting two recruitment and interview events for the school safety guard positions. They will be on May 10 and May 21, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., in Building 2 of the district office complex, at 7227 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. The interviews for the director position will be on May 10 and May 11.

The district’s middle schools and high schools will continue to be staffed by SROs through the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office and municipal police departments.

Published May 9, 2018

Three Wesley Chapel teams competing at world finals

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Three teams from Wesley Chapel are heading to Iowa State University to compete at the 2018 Odyssey of the Mind World Finals, in Ames, Iowa.

Some competitors from all three teams already know what it’s like to compete on the world stage.

That’s because they were members of Wesley Chapel Elementary, which brought home the top prize.

Members of one of the Thomas E. Weightman teams that are going to World Finals are, from left: Jake Piller, Zachary Mihelich, Claire Donahue, an adult spontaneous judge, Miriame Melaika, Izzy Piller and Maya Kurian. (Courtesy of Brian Mihelich)

The students on last year’s Wesley Chapel Elementary team are now divided between this year’s three qualifying teams. One is at Wesley Chapel Elementary and the other two are from Thomas E. Weightman Middle, just down the road.

To get to the 39th World Finals, tens of thousands of students from around the globe used their creativity and teamwork to create original solutions to problems, according to the Odyssey of the Mind website.

Brian Mihelich, coach of one of the Weightman teams, said the kids who won last year have benefitted their new teams.

“To get to that level, you have to be so dynamic and creative — definitely by having those kids on separate teams, it contributed, without a doubt,” Mihelich said.

The Wesley Chapel Elementary team won first place at the regional, state and world competitions last year, and hopes to repeat that accomplishment this year.

Three of the original team members remain on the elementary school team, while the others went to middle school teams.

Maya Kurian, Zachary Mihelich, Jake Piller, Izzy Piller and Reeya Latchana work together to make a prop for an Odyssey of the Mind competition.

Experience in the competition helps, said Mihelich, who has coached for four years.

“We’ve got two kids on the team that have been with Odyssey for five years. One that’s been in Odyssey for three years; one for two years; and then one, it’s their first year,” he said.

He thinks the program helps young students develop a new way of approaching challenges.

“I believe that this is one of the most valuable programs that are out there. It’s academic, combined with the performing arts. When you put the two together, it’s a different way of thinking,” he said.  “Odyssey of the Mind is all about coming up with a solution to a problem that no one else would.”

It also gives students a chance to compete with students from all over the world, and it’s a program for students from kindergarten through college.

Mihelich’s son, Zachary, who is on the team, “absolutely loves it,” the coach said.

“He is so incredibly passionate about Odyssey. He loves the teamwork side, the creative side, the competitive side.”

Izzy Piller and Zachary Mihelich work on one of the team’s props.

Mihelich added: “Every team has a little different level of intensity. My group — they’re pretty competitive,” he said. They set a goal at the beginning of the year to qualify for the world competition.

Early on, they were meeting about 40 hours a month. Later on, it increased to about 80 hours a month.

“My garage is 100 percent OM (Odyssey of the Mind),” said Mihelich, who lives in Epperson.

The team works hard, Mihelich said, but their parents also play an important role.

“I’ve got some really committed, just awesome parents this year, too. Without the parents’ full support — behind their kids and me as a coach, and just the team in general — it wouldn’t be possible. These parents have been phenomenal.

As the teams gear up to compete at World, they’re also raising money.

Mihelich’s team is holding car washes and taking orders for boxes of Krispy Kreme doughnuts.

Anyone who would like to help any of the teams can reach out to either Wesley Chapel Elementary or Thomas E. Weightman Middle, to get in touch with the coaches.

Those wishing to help Mihelich’s team can reach him at .

Published May 9, 2018

Pasco High student earns top score in nation

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Madison Hoyle spent hours upon hours reviewing practice problems and quizlets, so she’d be fully prepared for the Cambridge International AS Psychology exam.

It turns out that was time well-spent for the Pasco High senior.

Hoyle was recently recognized by Cambridge Assessment International Education for achieving the highest score in the nation on the psychology exam, outperforming all other American students.

Pasco High School senior Madison Hoyle was recently recognized for scoring highest in the nation on the Psychology AS. (Courtesy of Madison Hoyle)

Her actual score was not released because of Cambridge’s data privacy policy.

Hoyle and other Pasco High students in the Cambridge program took the two-part, written psychology exam last May.

The first paper required students to recall details of well-known psychological studies, such as the Milgram and Stanford Prison experiments.

The second paper required students to evaluate the experiments by explaining given strengths and weaknesses, and providing a better, alternative study themselves.

Hoyle, in a recent interview with The Laker/Lutz News, said she was “blown away” when she heard about the high mark.

Nevertheless, Hoyle admitted the exam as a whole wasn’t too difficult, noting the first written exercise was easier than the second “just because it was a lot of being able to memorize.”

Said Hoyle, “I pretty much spent like three days memorizing all that stuff, so I knew pretty much that I was pretty good on paper one. Paper two was challenging because you kind of had to talk about all the studies as a whole and compare them.”

The Cambridge curriculum can be compared to Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) curricula, whereby students in the high school program can earn college credits and an international diploma. Those who earn the diploma also qualify for a Florida Bright Futures College scholarship.

In 2017, students in the United States completed nearly 100,000 Cambridge International AS & A Level exams, a record number and an increase of 23 percent over the prior school year, according to Cambridge International.

Hoyle, a Zephyrhills native, has been taking Cambridge classes at Pasco High since her freshman year.

In choosing the accelerated academic program, it was a matter of convenience compared to the IB program at Land O’ Lakes High School.

Hoyle said she was debating whether to do IB or Cambridge and decided on Cambridge because she didn’t want to get up really early to take a bus over to Land O’ Lakes.

She also liked the fact that Cambridge didn’t require her “to take classes like fine arts and gym and that kind of thing, and I could actually take classes that were interesting that would also count as college credit.”

Because of all the Cambridge credits she earned, Hoyle said her college freshman year will be mostly complete.

Hoyle will attend Florida Gulf Coast University in the fall, where she plans to study biology. She eventually wants to go to medical school and become an emergency room doctor.

She said the Cambridge program helped her to become a better learner, which may ease the transition to college life.

In some instances, Cambridge courses were more challenging than AP courses, the student said.

“I think the fact that all of the (Cambridge) tests were written helped because I actually had to know things to be able to write them down, instead of being able to try and guess on it,” Hoyle said.

“Even though there are some written responses on AP, it’s primarily multiple choice, so even if you don’t know how to do the problem, there’s a chance that you can kind of guess on it. With Cambridge, there’s really no way to go around that. You actually have to have the information and be able to do it.”

Hoyle wasn’t the only Pasco High student recognized by Cambridge International.

Thirty of her peers were also recipients for Cambridge Learner Awards for their achievement on Cambridge examinations for the 2016-2017 school year.

And, Pasco County Schools as a whole was named District of the Year — Medium Sized Cambridge District.

The district was recognized for expanding access to Cambridge exams by more than 100 percent and achieving a pass rate of 76 percent.

The district launched the Cambridge education program at Pasco High and Pasco Middle schools in 2014.

The acceleration program has since been incorporated into San Antonio Elementary, Paul R. Smith Middle and Anclote High schools.

Pasco High teacher Erika Simmons administers several Cambridge courses, including psychology.

She taught many of the students recognized by Cambridge, including Hoyle.

“They’re a tremendously bright group of kids that for being part of a program so new, they’ve been able to thrive and be very successful, and patient,” the teacher said.

Simmons, who previously taught AP classes for several years at Wiregrass Ranch High, explained it was a “huge change” for instructors and students adjusting to the Cambridge educational style.

In the AS-level Psychology course, for example, students focused on 20 different studies or experiments in depth, ranging from biological to social psychology. The students were then required to not only have in-depth knowledge about each study but also be able to critically evaluate the study on topics, such as usefulness, validity, reliability and ethics.

Said Simmons, “The biggest thing is (students) learn to really be critical thinkers… and they learn how to really deconstruct information. They do a lot of reflecting on the process of learning, and I think that whole reflection process pushes them to another area of learning that AP really doesn’t offer as much.”

She continued: “They’re taught to question the validity, the credibility of sources, whether it’s in psychology, chemistry, in the news. They’ve learned to be critical of things, as well as getting multiple perspectives on things…and then analyzing, ‘OK, well which one of these do I go with? What do I support?’”

Simmons was initially astonished, yet ultimately not surprised, when she heard Hoyle achieved the nation’s highest mark on last May’s psychology exam.

The teacher described Hoyle as “incredibly diligent and focused.”

Simmons added: “She’s an out-of-the box thinker. She doesn’t come to deal with the generic ideas. She does bring new ideas and questions in her studies.

“Last year, when I would grade Madison’s papers or I’d grade the whole class, if I was frustrated that kids weren’t getting it, I could always go to Madison’s paper and be like, ‘OK, I know she’s going to get it because she always did. It was consistent. …I don’t think she got anything but As on her exams last year, so I knew that she always showed that she knew what she was doing. I never worried about her,” the teacher said.

Pasco High School Cambridge Scholar Award winners

  • Andrew Hull
  • Carrie Greene
  • Tam-An Hoang
  • Kayleigh Heather
  • Drew Johnston
  • Julia Gregory
  • Madison Jender
  • Madison Hoyle
  • Sylvia Martinez
  • Molly Bentley
  • Savannah Jividen
  • Mackenzie Green
  • Taylor Hays-Lankford
  • Elizabeth Coleman
  • Allyson Worthy
  • Brendan College
  • Brittnee Hampton
  • Hazel Wilburn
  • Lindsey Torres
  • Akosua Kissi
  • Nathalie Sawczuk
  • Micaela Blomeley
  • Annemarie Peacock
  • Amber Wood
  • Susana Stripling
  • Maunel Tarango
  • Brian Andruskiewicz
  • Emily Weiser
  • Jillyan Jerkins
  • Cara Dwyer

Published May 9, 2018

Chalk Talk 05/09/2018

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(Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

Helping to relieve the plight of students
Pasco County Schools recognized Dr. Rao Musunuru and Shayne George for their contributions to its Students in Transition program, which ensures the educational rights of homeless children and youth. Both made personal donations to the Pasco Education Foundation to help the district’s program for disadvantaged children and their families. From left: Kurt Browning, superintendent of schools; Michele Overland, SSPS-SIT homeless liaison; Kurt Conover, representing Shayne George; Dr. Rao Musunuru; Stacey Capogrosso, Pasco Education Foundation executive director; Michelle Barthel, school social worker; David Chamberlin, supervisor Student Services; and Cynthia Armstrong, school board member.

 Honor Day ceremony
Citizens Concerned for Students will recognize the public middle and high school African-American students who have earned the Honor Roll at least once during the current school year.

The annual awards ceremony, Honor Day, will celebrate almost 2,000 students who have earned the achievement on May 12 at 5 p.m., at the Pasco Schools Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel, 30651 Wells Road.

The fifth annual College and Career Fair also will take place at 3 p.m., in the adjacent Wesley Chapel High School gymnasium.

The fair will feature schools and career resources, including Florida State University, Pasco-Hernando State College, the United State Coast Guard, St. Petersburg College and more.

A voter registration booth also will be available.

Both the awards ceremony and fair are free.

For information, visit HonorDayPasco.org.

Teaching excellence awards
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that by 2024, there will be more than 1.5 million skilled trades job openings as Baby Boomers retire.

Harbor Freight Tools for Schools “Teaching Excellence” will award a combined $1 million in cash prizes to 18 outstanding public high school skilled trades teachers and programs.

Three first-place winners each will receive $100,000, with $70,000 going to the high school skilled trades program and $30,000 to the individual teacher or teacher team.

The 15 second-place winners each will be awarded $50,000, with $35,000 going to the program and $15,000 to the teacher/team.

Applications are open until May 16 and are due July 6.

Semifinalists will be announced on Aug. 15, and the first- and second-place winners will be announced on Nov. 15.

For information and to register, visit HFTForSchoolsPrize.org.

Community service hours
Life’s Treasures Thrift Store, 4910 S. Allen Road in Zephyrhills, is looking for teens age 14 and older to join its team.

Students can acquire volunteer hours toward the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship community service requirement, as well as develop their character, add new skills and increase their confidence.

For information, contact Anne Ferrell at (813) 357-5321 or .

Education assessment
Thirty-five years after “A Nation at Risk” was released, student achievement is either flat or dropping for many U.S. students, according to the results of the latest National Assessment of Education Progress, known as the Nation’s Report Card.

Scores from the 2017 NAEP administration saw no significant change from the prior 2015 assessment, except for a one-point increase in eighth-grade math scores.

The results were as follows:

  • Reading proficiency or above: Fourth grade, 37 percent; Eighth grade, 36 percent
  • Math proficiency or above: Fourth grade, 40 percent; Eighth grade, 34 percent
  • Math proficiency declined in 10 states

Florida, in particular, did see unprecedented gains statewide and in two of its largest districts — Miami and Duval counties.

Hillsborough schools honored
The National School Boards Association’s National Black Council of School Board Members presented its Recognizing Innovative Strategies in Equity (RISE) Award to Hillsborough County Public Schools during its annual conference.

The RISE Award honors a school board for its excellence in policies, practices and strategies that promote and enhance equitable outcomes and career readiness for African-American students.

The award is sponsored by McGraw-Hill Education, a learning science company that delivers personalized learning experiences that help students, parents, educators and professionals improve results.

For information about the council, visit NSBA.org and click on “services.”

For more on McGraw-Hill, visit MHeducation.com.

Pasco-Hernando ranks fourth
Pasco-Hernando State College has been ranked fourth overall best college among 28 state and community colleges by Schools.com.

Schools.com evaluated the 28-member institutions in the Florida College System, including traditional community colleges and state colleges that provide bachelor degrees, as well as associate degrees.

Florida’s efforts to develop a more well-trained and educated workforce have garnered national attention.

The statistical methodology used to rank colleges included affordability, graduation rates, transfer rates and student-faculty ratio.

PHSC ranked fourth behind Valencia College (Orlando), followed by Eastern Florida State College (Cocoa) and Lake-Sumter State College (Leesburg), respectively.

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.

Chalk Talk 05/02/2018

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Teacher Appreciation Week
Students and the community can thank a teacher during Teacher Appreciation Week, May 7 to May 11.

“Teachers play a key role in the development of our future leaders, and they have an invaluable impact on our education system and society as a whole… Their day does not begin and end when the first and final class bells sound,” said Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning, in a release.

Browning also is asking businesses throughout the community to use marquees, Facebook pages, and other social media accounts to say, ‘Thank you, Pasco County teachers.’

All-Florida Academic Team
Pasco-Hernando State College students were nominated to the 2018 Phi Theta Kappa All-Florida Academic Team.

Representing PHSC are Megan Best and Matthew Gadow, from the Spring Hill campus; and Elizabeth Merwin, from the East Campus in Dade City.

Students were selected based on outstanding academic achievement, leadership and community service, and had the opportunity to attend an awards ceremony on April 6.

For information, visit PHSC.edu.

Mental health symposium
Pasco County Schools student services staff and community mental health providers will take part in a Mental Health Symposium May 4.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so the district wants to raise awareness of students’ mental health needs, build capacity of staff to respond, and increase collaboration between schools and mental health providers.

The day will include a panel discussion, and cover topics such as eating disorders, anxiety, school-based violence prevention, trauma reduction and supporting recovery, non-suicidal self-injury, and connecting mental health services.

For information, email Cassandra Hall at .

Prom & talent show
Wiregrass Ranch High School, 2909 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, will host the ESE Prom (Exceptional Student Education) May 4 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the gymnasium.

The theme will be “Hollywood Stars: A Red Carpet Event.”

Student volunteers, Best Buddies and the Special Olympics club will team up for this fifth annual event.

The prom will include a disc jockey, a prom court, and voting for king and queen.

There also will be a talent show and participants will receive an “Oscar.”

For information, email Malisa Gonzalez at .

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.

Volunteer opportunity
Martial Arts Academy, 5268 Village Market in Wesley Chapel, has volunteer hour opportunities for high school students. The academy is affiliated with Global Humanitarian Resources.

To apply, visit the academy or email .

Summer registration
Registration for three summer sessions at Pasco-Hernando State College is underway.

Sessions include one 10-week term and two six-week terms, starting May 7 and June 19.

Currently enrolled and returning students should register as soon as possible.

The summer course schedule is online at PHSC.edu.

New students interested in taking summer or fall classes should visit the website for admissions information and to apply online.

Financial aid for the summer term may be available through Florida Bright Futures, Pell, Florida Pre-Paid, and Foundation Scholarships.

The application fee for new students is $25, and orientation and placement tests are free.

Kindergarten and Head Start
Pasco County Schools kindergarten preregistration for children who turn 5 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2018, is May 7, at all Pasco County elementary schools.

Required documentation includes: Child’s birth certificate or other proof of birth date; health examination HRS Form 3040; HRS Certificate of Immunization; and three official documents proving residency.

Those interested should contact their area school for details about orientation activities and times.

For information, call Danielle Varcardipone at (813) 794-2404.

Head Start and Early Head Start applications also are now available.

Expectant mothers, infants, toddlers and children through age 5 that meet income eligibility requirements may apply for the programs. Completing an application does not guarantee a child’s eligibility for services.

For information on minimum required documents, call Alexis Russell at (813) 794-2730.

Future business leaders
Pasco-Hernando State College students participated in the Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda State Leadership Conference and Competition.

PHSC West Campus student Charles Henderson IV placed first in Contemporary Sports Issues and second in Sports Management and Marketing, qualifying for national competition.

The Spring Hill Campus team of Rahul Kader and Mia Toner placed third in Hospitality Management. Kader also placed fifth in Computer Concepts.

Also from the Spring Hill Campus, Cameron Malone placed fourth in Impromptu Speaking.

North Campus student Emily Brock placed fourth in Desktop Publishing and fifth in Business Presentation.

The annual Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda National Competition will take place in Baltimore, Maryland in June.

Browning reports on school issues

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Practically no education-related topic was off limits during Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning’s recent visit with The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce.

At a recent breakfast meeting at the The Edwinola, Browning touched on everything from teacher pay and performance standards, to acceleration programs and school safety.

“We live in a crazy day and time in education,” said Browning, addressing dozens of chamber members.

Browning praised the district’s teachers as a whole, saying they’re “busting their tail ends trying to educate the kids.

Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning was the featured guest speaker at The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce’s breakfast meeting, at The Edwinola. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

“Being a teacher today is tough, tough work, and it is patience, particularly when you look at the schools. Every district has schools that range on one end of the spectrum to the other — from the low socioeconomic to the very affluent schools,” Browning said.

The Pasco County school district encompasses about 73,000 students across 90 schools, making it the state’s 11th largest district. Its annual operational budget is about $1.2 billion.

A call for more state funding
Browning mentioned he’s been visiting schools throughout the county to gather input from educators on “what’s right, what’s not right, what needs to be fixed, what’s working.”

In the same breath, he said there won’t be salary increases for teachers and other school base staff next school year.

That’s because any additional state funding for education has already been earmarked for school safety, mental health services and classroom supplies, he said.

“Once you take those three things out of there, there’s not a lot of flexible spending. So, when you start talking about pay raises…I can’t do it. I can’t do that next year because there’s not the money there for us,” Browning said.

“You’ve seen the reports on the national news about teachers walking out of classrooms, demanding more money, and I can sympathize with them on what they’re doing. But…in Florida we can’t do that, and I will advocate that,” he said.

Related to teacher pay, Browning stressed the state legislature “has got to get serious about how we’re going to fund education to the levels that it needs, so that we can address all the issues that we’re having to face.”

Browning also blasted the Florida Standards Assessment, the state’s accountability system, and the idea of assigning grades to schools and districts.

Though Pasco is labeled a ‘B’ district, Browning acknowledged the school system “has a lot of ‘C’ schools, fewer ‘B’ schools and even fewer ‘A’ schools.

“I am not sold on the idea that we tag a school with an ‘A, B, C, D or F’ — and that is going to really set the course for that school,” Browning said.

“Realtors, they will sell property based on the grade that school is given. It’s grossly unfair. I’ve asked realtors, ‘Please do not sell homes to folks, No. 1, based upon a school grade; and secondly, they think that is the school they’re going to attend.’”

Browning also criticized the state’s evaluation system for teachers.

It doesn’t add up that approximately 98 percent of the district’s teachers are graded “effective or highly effective” yet the school district still has a ‘B’ grade, he said.

“A lot of it’s based on student outcomes, student data, which some of it should be. But, we’re still arguing about how we come up with a system that truly evaluates instructors, teachers and district staff for that matter,” Browning said.

Some type of measure is needed to truly delineate great teachers from subpar ones, Browning suggested.

“I want great teachers, and I want to keep great teachers in our schools.,” he said. “Our kids, our communities do not need mediocre teachers in our classrooms.”

Rigorous academies, technical programs
Meanwhile, Browning proudly discussed the district’s school acceleration and technical programs.

He highlighted the success of the “high rigor” Cambridge International Programme in place at five schools — Pasco Middle and Pasco High since 2014; and this year introduced at San Antonio Elementary, Paul R. Smith Middle and Anclote High.

Pasco County Schools was recently awarded the District of the Year — Medium Sized Cambridge District. The district was recognized for expanding access to Cambridge exams by more than 100 percent and achieving a pass rate of 76 percent. The district also had 31 students who received a Cambridge Learner Award.

The Cambridge curriculum can be compared to Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate curricula, whereby students in the high school program can earn college credits and an international diploma. Those who earn the diploma also qualify for a Florida Bright Futures College scholarship.

“If you set the bar high, those kids will achieve it,” Browning said, later adding he will continue to “press hard” for more rigorous academic programs district-wide.

Additionally, Browning was upbeat about the many career and technical academies the district currently offers, such as Zephyrhills High’s aviation academy and Wesley Chapel High’s automotive technology academy, along with academies at other schools ranging from health to finance to robotics engineering, and more.

Said Browning, “We’ve just opened up a lot of choices for kids — getting kids the opportunity to get a taste of what it is in the real world, and make those connections about what they’re learning in the classroom and how that applies to real life.”

He also observed: “When you can make that connection of what it is and how does this really impact you as an adult, then they start seeing.”

Many graduates of Wesley Chapel High’s auto academy are making as much as $75,000 to $80,000 working at local car dealerships, Browning said.

“We know that not all kids in our system are college bound. Does that mean they shouldn’t be successful? No. Does that mean they shouldn’t make good salary? No,” the superintendent said.

The school superintendent also talked about the possibility of a technical high school in east Pasco, noting it’s on the district’s five-year facilities work program.

The district’s only two technical offerings — Marchman Technical College and Wendell Krinn Technical High School (replacing Ridgewood High in 2018-2019) — are located in New Port Richey.

He said plans call for another such school to be built on a 125-acre, district-owned tract of land on Handcart Road in the Dade City area — to serve students living in Dade City, Zephyrhills and Wesley Chapel.

“We are trying our darnedest to find money to build that facility,” the school superintendent said.

Elsewhere, Browning spoke extensively about school safety measures, from the district’s active threat plan to beefing up school security.

He also noted that he’s staunchly opposed to arming teachers and other school personnel.

“There’s something inside me that tells me anytime I introduce a gun in a classroom, on a school campus, it’s just another opportunity for someone to get hurt or killed,” Browning said.

Published April 25, 2018

Pasco school district considers hiring security officers

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Budget restrictions could prompt Pasco County Schools to hire armed school security officers to work in the district’s 47 elementary schools.

The district is considering using that approach — instead of using certified law enforcement officers — because of finances, said Kurt Browning, superintendent of schools.

“The money that they’ve (the Florida Legislature) given us is not enough to go the full-blown SRO (School Resource Officer) program,” he said.

The district has School Resource Officers at its middle schools and high schools, but needs to add armed security at its elementary schools to comply with a new state law, which was passed in response to the slayings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.

The estimated cost for a single SRO during the first year would be $145,000, which includes a car and necessary equipment, Browning said.

“You’re talking a lot of money that we do not have,” the superintendent said.

A school security officer would be less expensive because the district would not provide a car, and he or she would be a district employee working the 180-day school calendar year.

Using school security officers also would require 132 hours of training and a psychological evaluation before the employee could be hired.

New Port Richey Police Chief Kim Bogart urged Pasco County School Board members to be very careful in making their security plans.

“This is a tough situation. I get it. I’ve been a cop a lot of years, and I’ve never seen anything quite like this, this mandate that we have,” Bogart said. “It is so important that we get it right.

“I lean toward the SRO system, because I want the best that we can possibly do, but I don’t know if we can afford it,” Bogart said.

He also told board members that the district must be sure its plan includes officers who can fill in when others are out.

“if you go with the security officer concept, if you have turnover, when is the next academy for that? Do you have people lined up, if there’s an absence at a school, that somebody else can fill in? The next academy could be three months away,” Bogart said.

He also noted that SROs working in New Port Richey cannot leave school campuses, unless they have someone there to relieve them.

Once the law was signed, Bogart said he made it a mandate: “The officers can’t leave to go for lunch. They have to bring their lunch. If they have to leave because of court, or they’re ill, or anything, there will be another officer that relieves that person.

“These are things I think you really need to be thinking about now because the clock is ticking,” Bogart said.

School board member Alison Crumbley told Bogart she appreciated his comments. “We are now in the security business,” she said.

Regardless of the option that the district pursues, it will be difficult to find enough qualified people to fill the slots, Browning said.

“To be frank, it’s going to be a concern for us to find 50 people to fill 50 slots between now and Aug. 1 that will meet the criteria,” the superintendent said.

Community meetings on school safety
Representatives from Pasco County Schools will give a presentation on school safety and will field questions from the public.

First meeting:

  • May 2 at 6 p.m., at River Ridge High School cafeteria, 11646 Town Center Road in New Port Richey.

Second meeting:

  • May 7 at 6 p.m., at Wiregrass Ranch High School cafeteria, 2909 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

Published April 25, 2018

Sunlake High student named Foot Locker scholar-athlete

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Sunlake High School’s Andrea Wallace is more than just a star basketball player who can score and rebound at will, and dazzle in the post, with her 6-foot-1 frame.

She’s also a standout in the classroom, maintaining a 4.0 grade-point average all through high school.

Besides athletics and academics, Wallace, too, strives to make an impact in the community. It’s why she founded a school club her junior year called Pass It Forward, which focuses on empowering young girls in Land O’ Lakes to use their voice, display their strengths and encourage one another.

“She’s that kid that wants to be great,” said Reesa Hendrix-Pledge, Sunlake athletic director and girls head basketball coach.

Sunlake High’s Andrea Wallace was one of just 20 student-athletes nationwide honored this year in the Foot Locker Scholar-Athletes Program, selected from a competitive pool of over 13,000 applicants. Wallace was recognized for her academic and athletic excellence, along with her service to the community. She will play basketball next season at St. Petersburg College, with plans to transfer to a university in a year or two. (Courtesy of Sunlake High School)

In her seven-plus years at Sunlake, Hendrix-Pledge says no student-athlete better exemplifies “excellence” in all aspects of life than the senior forward.

“She’s kind of the model student,” the coach said.

Wallace’s leadership skills, too, “are like no other” — evidenced in being a three-time team captain on the girls varsity hoops team.

“A coach couldn’t ask for somebody else that can actually talk it then back it up at the same time,” Hendrix-Pledge said.

To other Sunlake teachers and administrators meanwhile, Wallace is simply “an awesome kid.”

To those who know her, it’s not far-fetched that Wallace recently became one of just 20 student-athletes nationwide honored this year in the Foot Locker Scholar-Athletes Program. She was selected from a competitive pool of over 13,000 applicants.

As a Foot Locker Scholar Athlete, Wallace was awarded a $20,000 scholarship in a surprise lunchtime ceremony on April 18 at the high school.

Wallace was told she’d be giving a presentation to district board members on her school club, Pass It Forward. However, while giving her speech in an administration room, Wallace was abruptly overcome with emotion when a pair of Foot Locker representatives entered the room and diverted her attention with a large check — literally — that read “Twenty Thousand (dollars.)”

Wallace recalled the eventful moment afterwards: “It was actually pretty funny, because when I walked in everybody had their cameras out. I was like, ‘I’m not anybody. I’m not that special.’ But, because I thought it was for the district board — that’s what I was told — so I came in and gave the speech, but when they brought the check I almost started crying. …It’s amazing. I didn’t even think that I’d be able to get that.”

Wallace’s mother, Anne-Marie, was also in attendance at the ceremony and was likewise shocked by the scholarship reveal. She used her lunch break to visit the school even though she wasn’t given the reason.

“I was completely caught off guard,” Wallace’s mother said. “This is going to be so much of a big help for her, because with (college) loans, at least it’ll be less on her.  I am very grateful; very grateful. I was not expecting this…”

Though remaining humble about her daughter’s accomplishments, Anne-Marie noted her academically and athletically gifted daughter has always displayed strong work ethic and leadership qualities.

“She’s a pretty good girl,” Anne-Marie said. “Andrea, she just works very hard, and she’s disciplined, and she has such a good attitude.”

Wallace applied for the scholarship in mid-November at the behest of Hendrix-Pledge. Her coach received a call from Foot Locker on a random Friday evening, five months later.

“It was kind of out of sight, out of mind, and then she had been chosen,” said Hendrix-Pledge, who noted she wasn’t totally taken aback, as her star pupil met all the qualifications to win the prestigious scholarship.

Wallace will play basketball next season at St. Petersburg College, with intentions to transfer to a university in a year or two. She plans to study pre-law with hopes of becoming a lawyer and a judge someday.

It all follows what’s been a momentous four-year varsity career, including her senior campaign, where she averaged a double-double (13.3 points, 10.6 rebounds) en route to Sunlake’s first 20-win season and the 7A regional finals. After the season, Wallace was awarded the Sunshine Athletic Conference East Girls Basketball Player of the Year, along with first team All-Conference honors.

Wallace made major strides on the court after her freshman season, motivated to improve after the team lost in the first round of the district playoffs.

“I was upset that we lost…so I was like, ‘I really like playing basketball, and I like being on the team, so what is a good way for me to get better?’ So, I just kind of worked that whole summer just to get better and be in a position to play.”

That she did — developing into one of the Bay Area’s top post players, and leading the Seahawks to three straight winning seasons and regional appearances.

Of her 81 career games played, one she’ll never forget is defeating Land O’ Lakes High her sophomore year in the district semifinals, 54-20. (Sunlake later defeated Springstead to capture the Class 6A district title). Said Wallace, “That was like a moment that I’ll always remember forever because we’d never, ever won anything like that. …To win our district championship and beat Land O’ Lakes High School was like really, really big.”

Meanwhile, Wallace said balancing all her commitments and responsibilities—academically, athletically, socially — at times “gets really, really difficult.”

But, she doesn’t let the pressure rattle her.

“It’s really easy to just say, ‘You know what, I’m not going to do that today.’ Like, it’s super easy to give up, so you just have to stay focused on the bigger goal,” she said.

It’s a message she often bestows on others, including her fellow teammates on achieving their dreams: “If you want to be the best, then you have to do something about it. …What can you do to push yourself to a bigger level?”

The Foot Locker Scholar Athletes program began in 2011, which has resulted in

140 total scholarship recipients over that time.

Published April 25, 2018

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