Education

Chalk Talk 02/14/2018

February 14, 2018 By Mary Rathman

An up-close look at nation’s capital
A group of six students, a teacher and two parents from Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School in Spring Hill spent six days in Washington D.C. The group met with Rep. Gus Bilirakis, Sen. Bill Nelson and Sen. Marco Rubio (center) to talk about key issues facing the United States, and in particular, Florida. The group also completed the Close Up Washington Student Program, in which students from schools nationwide spend more than 80 hours using the nation’s capital as a living classroom.

Saint Leo honors hometown heroes
Saint Leo University will host a Hometown Heroes Night Feb. 24, welcoming veterans and first responders from the community and Saint Leo student-veterans, military students, and faculty and staff members who served in the military to the evening’s basketball games.

Saint Leo will honor the heroes during the games.

The women’s basketball game against Rollins College starts at 5:30 p.m.

The men’s game will be at 7:30 p.m., taking on the Tars.

Both will be played at the Marion Bowman Activities Center, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo.

Admission is free for veterans, active duty military, and first responders, including law enforcement, emergency medical, and fire personnel.

For information or special accommodations, email Franck Bayebanen at .

Artist reception
Tampa Day School will host an artist reception March 1 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at the Carrollwood Cultural Center, 4537 Lowell Road.

The exhibit will showcase art by the school’s students in the center’s corridor gallery throughout the month of March.

Admission is free.

For information, call (813) 922-8167.

Scholarships available
Saint Leo University is looking for college-bound high school seniors who want to study computer science or mathematics for a special four-year scholarship and academic program the school has underway.

Saint Leo plans to admit eight high-achieving students as Emerging Math and Computer Science Scholars in the fall at University Campus in east Pasco County.

Recurring scholarships of up to $10,000 will be available to each admitted scholar, as long as academic standards are met.

The EMACS program scholarships were made possible through a grant from the National Science Foundation.

Applications for fall acceptance are due March 1.

For information, email Vyas Krishnan at .

Spring express mini-term
Pasco-Hernando State College will offer a variety of classes in an express mini-semester, allowing students to complete coursework in half the time needed in a traditional semester.

Currently, multiple sections of more than 20 classes, including courses in English, math, public speaking, history and the sciences are still available in the spring express mini-term, which starts March 12 and ends April 30.

For information, visit PHSC.edu.

Hillsborough County scholarships
Hillsborough County Social services has partnered with the Community Action Board to offer scholarships for up to $5,000 to eligible students who want to continue the education by attending an institution of higher learning.

Applications for the 2018-2019 school year will be accepted through March 30. Recipients will be notified in writing prior to the start of the fall semester.

Applicant must be:

between the ages of 16 and 24, have a high school diploma or GED equivalent (16 year olds may apply if they are graduating seniors)
reside in Hillsborough County
have a minimum GPA of 2.5
have a household income within 125 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines of the Community Services Block Grant

The following criteria also will be used to evaluate applicants:

community service and school involvement
application and letters of recommendation
academic record (transcript)
essay response
panel interview participation

Application materials and detailed instructions can be downloaded at tinyurl.com/y7gj26jz.

Students may submit completed applications online, by mail, or in person to any County Community Resource Center.

Mailed applications should be sent to P.O. Box 1110, Department of Social Services, 24th Floor, Attention: Maria Theodore, Tampa, FL 33601.

Memorial scholarship receives donation
The Pasco-Hernando State College Foundation received a gift of $5,500 from Bayfront Health Dade City Volunteer Foundation to help build the Vonnie Roberts Memorial Scholarship, which is designed for PHSC students enrolled in nursing and health programs in Dade City.

The memorial scholarship, established in 2013, honors Vonnie Roberts (1960-2009), a nurse at Bayfront Health Dade City.

‘Get Loud!’ takes aim at sexual assault, domestic violence

February 7, 2018 By B.C. Manion

Cheers normally reverberate through Wiregrass Ranch High School’s gymnasium when a boys basketball player on the home team scores.

That didn’t happen though during the initial minutes of the varsity team’s Jan. 30 game against Sunlake High School.

Instead, spectators remained silent, in response to signs being shown to them that said “Shhh” and “Be Quiet.”

Lots of people wore purple to a special event staged during the Jan. 30 basketball game between Wiregrass Ranch and Sunlake high schools. The goal was to raise awareness about the problems of power-based violence, including domestic violence and sexual assault. (B.C. Manion)

The crowd kept quiet until the ninth point was scored and then —responding to signs that said “Break the Silence” — spectators roared.

Obviously, there was a lot more going on than just a routine basketball game.

In fact, a full-fledged public awareness campaign was being staged, too.

Wiregrass Ranch High School’s basketball game was the venue for “Get Loud!”

The event was presented by the high school, in Wesley Chapel, in conjunction with the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay and Sunrise of Pasco County Inc. Domestic and Sexual Violence Center. It also was supported through a Tampa Bay Lightning Foundation Community Heroes grant.

Staying silent for nine points was intended to call attention to the fact that every 9 seconds in the United States a woman is assaulted or beaten.

Besides making people more aware of the problem, the event aims to spread the message that it’s time to break the silence about these forms of violence, which are sometimes deadly.

Wiregrass Ranch senior Gabby Azzolina led the efforts to bring the event to her school. She said people don’t realize the extent of the problem, and survivors don’t know where to turn for help.

“So many people don’t know there are facilities to help and numbers to call,” Azzolina said. “I want them to know that it’s OK to get loud about it, and break the silence. The Crisis Center’s number is 2-1-1.”

Mathematics teacher Amy Munroe helped Azzolina to organize the event at Wiregrass Ranch.

Munroe said she was happy to help when she was asked. She hopes that more people will begin talking about the problem, as a result of the event.

“Just to be able to talk about it, is a big deal,” Munroe said.

Buttons at the ‘Get Loud!’ event helped spread the message of the problems of sexual assault and domestic violence.

Dottie Urbanek Nash, director of education and prevention for Sunrise, said these kinds of events are important.

“Awareness campaigns like this are wonderful. They do a lot to get the word out about what’s happening, locally. Unfortunately, we tend to think that domestic violence doesn’t happen here,” she said.

It’s also important for people to know there are ways to help prevent these types of violence, she said.

The Wiregrass Ranch event evolved out of a conversation between Gabby’s mom, Madeline Azzolina, and Denise Cassedy, whose daughter, Katie, initiated the first “Get Loud!” event at Robinson High School two years ago.

After Katie graduated, her sister, Carolina, got involved, and now — Robinson, Plant and Hillsborough high schools in Tampa have “Get Loud!” events.

Wiregrass Ranch intends to make this an annual event, Munroe said.

Some sobering statistics

One of every three women have been victims of some form of physical violence by an intimate partner within her lifetime. The same is true for one in every four men.
One in five women has been sexually assaulted.
One in seven women has been stalked. The same is true for one in 18 men.
Nearly two-thirds of all sexual assaults are not reported to the police.

Source: The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Do you need help? Call 2-1-1

Published February 7, 2018

Chalk Talk 02/07/2018

February 7, 2018 By Mary Rathman

(Courtesy of Jonathan Shoemaker, Saint Leo University)

Students focus on community service
Saint Leo University students package meals for Feeding Children Everywhere, to help eradicate hunger and poverty, in memory of Martin Luther King Jr. King’s legacy of accepting others’ differences, raising people up, and helping the less fortunate, which was recognized during the school’s A Day On, Not Off. The school’s goal was to package 70,000 meals for the Tampa area.

Saint Leo will honor the heroes during the games.

The women’s basketball game against Rollins College starts at 5:30 p.m.

The men’s game will be at 7:30 p.m., taking on the Tars.

Both will be played at the Marion Bowman Activities Center, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo.

Admission is free for veterans, active duty military, and first responders, including law enforcement, emergency medical, and fire personnel.

For information or special accommodations, email Franck Bayebanen at .

Mentor Appreciation Month
Each January, Take Stock in Children celebrates Mentor Appreciation Month, a month devoted to the dedicated men and women in the Pasco County community who volunteer time while playing a vital role in their mentee’s success.

Take Stock in Children, which provides scholarships, mentors and hope, has more than 10,000 mentors contributing more than 2 million volunteer hours across the state since 1995.

There are currently 130 individuals within Pasco County who volunteer and provide motivation, encouragement and friendship to scholars.

The statewide program gives Pasco County students, whose families meet income eligibility guidelines, an opportunity to receive up to a four-year college scholarship in partnership with the Florida Prepaid College Foundation.

For information, visit TakeStockPasco.org.

Saint Leo plans to admit eight high-achieving students as Emerging Math and Computer Science Scholars in the fall at University Campus in east Pasco County.

Recurring scholarships of up to $10,000 will be available to each admitted scholar, as long as academic standards are met.

The EMACS program scholarships were made possible through a grant from the National Science Foundation.

Applications for fall acceptance are due March 1.

For information, email Vyas Krishnan at .

Lottery celebrates education contributions
The Florida Lottery celebrates its 30th year in operation, marking three decades of achievement and contributions to education.

Since 1988, the Lottery has contributed more than $32 billion to education, including more than $1 billion annually for each of the past 15 consecutive fiscal years.

The Lottery is also the primary funding source for the Bright Futures Scholarship Program.

Students experience opera
Hillel Academy students experienced opera on stage at the Opera Tampa dress rehearsal of Gioachino Rossini’s comic opera, “The Barber of Seville,” at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts.

Students also had the chance to participate in a workshop by Opera Tampa members, where they learned the operatic art form, opera etiquette, and various operatic voices.

Select academy students will be interviewed for a video to be presented at the Opera Tampa Gala in April at the Straz Center.

Hillel Academy is Tampa’s only accredited Jewish day school.

For information, call (813) 963-2242.

Cotee River celebrates literacy
Cotee River Elementary School’s students and staff celebrated Literacy Week in January with “Drop Everything and Read!”

Teachers and students moved from their classrooms to the outdoors for reading activities. Staff members were encouraged to bring their favorite books to read, while their students read their own favorite books.

Rezoning of some west Pasco schools invalid, judge says

January 31, 2018 By B.C. Manion

A circuit court judge has invalidated school rezoning actions by the Pasco County School Board for some of the district’s west schools, citing violations of a public notice requirement and of the state’s Sunshine Law.

In a ruling dated Jan. 10, Circuit Court Judge Kimberly Sharpe Byrd determined that members of the district’s boundary committee “held discussions on Boundary Committee business outside of a noticed public hearing, and when it held breakout sessions of the middle school and high school groups.”

The school board also violated a section of the state’s public notice requirements, according to the judge.

Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning addresses reporters during a news conference about a judge’s decision to invalidate rezoning of some west Pasco schools based on the judge’s findings of Sunshine Law and public notice requirements. (B.C. Manion)

The judge’s ruling did not affect any zonings involving schools in other parts of the county.

In response to Byrd’s findings, Pasco School Superintendent Kurt Browning held a news conference to discuss the ruling and talk about the district’s next steps.

“Our attorneys are currently determining how to respond to the order,” he said, and It will be up to the Pasco County School Board to decide how to proceed.

Meanwhile, Browning gave parents of all students affected by the invalidated rezoning the opportunity to choose to return to the school they were rezoned from, or stay where they are at, for the rest of the school year.

Parents had the opportunity, before Jan. 20, to indicate their wishes via a form on the district’s website.

“Parents who don’t complete the form will be presumed to want (their student) to stay in their current school,” Browning said.

“We believe it would be entirely disruptive of us to just literally give parents no choice, give students no choice and pick them up out of classrooms, let’s say Friday, and Monday they start back at Seven Springs Middle and J.W. Mitchell (High School),” Browning said.

The vast majority of parents opted to keep their children at the school they had been reassigned to attend.

During the news conference, Browning said the district expects to rezone schools again before the beginning of the 2018-2019 school year, so it is possible that someone could choose to leave River Ridge to go back to J.W. Mitchell, and then be rezoned back into River Ridge again.

“The same thing could be said of Seven Springs Middle and River Ridge Middle, as well,” he said.

It is possible that the upcoming rezoning on the west side of the district will include additional schools, Browning said.

That rezoning will be done using the district’s new rezoning procedure, Browning said.

“I eliminated the boundary committee. The committee was problematic,” Browning said. “I think this order exposed that there were opportunities for possible Sunshine violations, and according to the judge (there were) four Sunshine violations.”

Besides citing communications outside of committee meetings, the judge also had a problem with breakout sessions used.

Individuals could not hear what was going during them, and there were sidebar conversations, Browning said.

“It’s problematic. I think If you are going to be making public decisions, they need to be made in the public, where people can hear them and they can participate at the appropriate time.

“I think this has taught us a lesson. I think it will send a message to school districts and county commissions and local governments across the state,” Browning said.

Under the new rezoning procedure, the superintendent determines a rezoning is needed, has proposed boundaries prepared, takes them to a public workshop and then takes the final recommendation to the school board for action.

“It follows the process that the department of transportation uses when they go to site a road,” Browning said.

Browning said he understands that parents don’t want their children to be rezoned.

“As a parent of two boys that went through this system, I would not want to be told that I’m going to have to take my children out of Pasco High School, where I went to school, where my mother went to school and send them to another school in Pasco County.

“Fundamentally, it’s aggravating,” he said.

However, the district has to accommodate growth and must redraw boundaries to address school crowding, Browning said.

Published January 31, 2018

These graduates have taken a different path to success

January 31, 2018 By B.C. Manion

One plans to help build ships.

Another wants to work in child care.

Two others plan health care careers.

And, that’s just four of the more than 50 graduates who received their diplomas during the 2018 Commencement Ceremony on Jan. 25 at the Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel.

Sixteen-year-old Hailey Pecora plans to pursue a nursing degree. (B.C. Manion)

Some had completed their GEDs. Others had finished the cosmetology program or Early Childhood Apprenticeship. And, there were some receiving high school diplomas, either finishing up credits they needed, or graduating ahead of their class.

All of the graduates had something in common: They smiled broadly as they marched into the auditorium, as members of the audience clapped and cheered.

This was their moment, and they soaked it in.

Graduate Hailey Pecora, of Dade City, plans to enroll at Pasco-Hernando State College, to pursue a degree in nursing.

Her grandmother, Xandra Erickson, came from Jacksonville, to share in the moment.

Her pride was evident. “She has done this graduation thing at 16. She’s already enrolled in college.”

Graduate Sita Ramrattan completed the Early Childhood Apprenticeship.

Next, the 44-year-old plans to earn her associate’s degree, at either Saint Leo University or Pasco-Hernando State College.

Eighteen-year-old Gunter Winkler, of Zephyrhills, wants to pursue welding, with the aim of going into shipbuilding.

He was pleased to be moving onto the next step, and to have his parents, grandparents and best friend there to help him mark the accomplishment.

Sandra Vogel, a school counselor for adult education, simply loves graduation ceremonies.

“It gives you a warm feeling because you know what they’ve gone through to get here.

“They’ve worked really hard, and we’re really proud of them,” Vogel said.

Forty-four-year-old Sita Ramrattan celebrated the completion of her Early Childhood Apprenticeship.

Leslie Ruttle, a resource teacher, said that besides recognizing the graduates, the ceremony can serve as a stimulant for others.

“A lot of our students, the way we get them, it is word of mouth. A relative, or a friend, or something like that has gone through the program,” Ruttle said. “We’ll get some students tonight,” she predicted. “They’ll come here, and they’ll see other people have been successful and they’ll think: ‘I can do it, too.’”

“So many of the students have gone through trials,” said Wendy Beard, program manager for adult education. “Now, another door is opening for them.”

Throughout the auditorium, there were family members, friends and fellow students cheering on the graduates.

Ambrose Helms, 17, of Wesley Chapel had a giant fan club. Roughly 30 people were expected to come help him celebrate.

“I feel excited because he’s graduating early,” said Latoya Lovett, his cousin, who had staked out a place near the front of the auditorium for Helms’ supporters.

Nicole Robinson was there to support Olivia Paradilla, a graduate from Land O’ Lakes High.

“She’s my best friend. I know she’ll do great things,” Robinson said.

Catherine Agovino came to support Niki Atkins and Danielle Cary, who had completed their Early Childhood Apprenticeship. “It’s a big accomplishment,” Agovino said.

Hope Corcoran, who delivered the student address, underscored the reality that high school is not a perfect fit for everyone.

She was born in China, where she was abandoned, as an infant, on the side of the road.

She was adopted and attended schools in Wesley Chapel.

“It didn’t go as I would have liked,” Corcoran said. “I felt like I didn’t fit in. I was constantly bullied and teased. I would come home crying to my mom, and I told her I didn’t want to go back because I felt so different from the other kids.

“I was made fun of for being overweight and for having slanted eyes,” she said.

“It got to a point where I ended up enrolling into home-school,” she said.

“And, then I found out about the GED program and that I could finish high school and get my diploma.

“It was through this program that I met Miss Linda Rockwell.

“I’m so thankful that I had the opportunity to meet this incredible woman. She cares about her students and wants to see them achieve the best future possible,” Corcoran said.

Along the way, Corcoran said she learned some lessons.

“I have learned that people drop out for different reasons. Sometimes bullying. Sometimes academic reasons and family struggles. Everyone has their own story.

“Many students feel lost in high school and don’t know where to begin. There are so many things that go on, behind the scenes, that we are unaware of.

“It’s expected that students all learn the same way, with the same lessons, same techniques and same books, when that is simply not the case. High school isn’t for everyone.

“Some students have jobs, to help support their families. Or, need to stay home to take care of them, along with other responsibilities, outside of school that can get in the way of academic work,” Corcoran said.

“A few nights ago, I was texting Miss Rockwell and I was telling her I wasn’t sure what else I should talk about. Her response was: ‘Talk about how there’s more than one path to success. How each person chooses their path. You can talk about how not everyone has the same definition of success, and that getting a GED is just the first step to success.’”

Corcoran observed: “I couldn’t have said it better myself.”

Published January 31, 2018

Chalk Talk 01/31/2018

January 31, 2018 By Mary Rathman

Pilot Club honors ‘top dogs’
The Pilot Club of Zephyrhills recognized the second-quarter Top Dog winners from Stewart Middle School for academics and leadership roles in their schools. The students honored were: Jordan Acklin, Katelyn Merle-English, Xavier Salgado, Destini Harden, Noah Paul, Kamil Mehrab, Patricia Ramirez, Destiny Flummer and Jaylene Herrera.

Saint Anthony open house
Saint Anthony Catholic School, 12155 Joe Hermann Drive in San Antonio, will have its annual open house Feb. 1 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., for kindergarten through eighth grade.

For information, call (352) 588-3041, visit StAnthonySchoolFl.org, or email .

Admissions open house
Saint Leo University, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo, will host an undergraduate admissions open house Feb. 4 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Students of all ages can attend with families and friends to learn about the school’s academic offerings, student life, campus involvement, financial aid and more.

Current high school seniors or students who are looking to transfer can complete an application and meet with an admissions counselor during the open house.

Participants that bring official copies of transcripts and test scores can also be reviewed for instant on-site admission into the university.

For questions or special accommodations, contact Saint Leo’s Office of Admissions at (352) 588-8283 or .

Dealership donates to cheerleaders
The Zephyrhills High School Bulldog Cheerleaders qualified for the Florida National High School Cheerleading Championship that will take place at Disney’s Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Feb. 9 to Feb. 11. It is the first time the squad has made it this far in the competition.

Wade Thomas and the Thomas and Son Inc., dealership have stepped in and donated $2,000 to cover the cost of registration for all the cheerleaders.

Thomas has been a supporter of the ZHS students and athletics department for years.

Thomas and Son started the “Thomas and Son Touchdown” at home football games three years ago, donating $100 to the Booster Club for every Bulldog touchdown made during seasonal play.

The company also provides shoes for the basketball team yearly.

Wade Thomas is also the founder of the Thomas Promise Foundation, a nonprofit that battles hunger by providing weekend lunches to all schools in east Pasco County, and some in central and west Pasco as well.

Local educators join board
United Way of Pasco County, committed to fighting for the health, education and financial stability of Pasco residents, welcomed seven new board members.

Joining the Board of Directors are: Commissioner Mike Wells, Pasco County District 4; Michael Aitken, Publix Supermarkets; Timothy Beard, president, Pasco-Hernando State College; Christina Mathis, Gulf Coast North Area Health Education Center Inc.; John Polisknowski, HCA Healthcare, Medical Center of Trinity; Kevin Shibley, Pasco County School District; and, Stephen Williams, Williams, Ristoff & Proper.

University graduates
Two local Odessa students have graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University: Lea Mahoney with a Bachelor of Arts from the College of Education; and, Melissa Hussain with a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the Marieb College of Health & Human Services.

Kritti Batra, also of Odessa, graduated from Troy University in Alabama with a Master of Science in counseling and psychology.

Dean’s lists and Honor Roll
Payton Strawser, of Land O’ Lakes, earned a spot on the fall Dean’s List at Bethel University’s College of Arts and Sciences; and, Riley Wood, also of Land O’ Lakes, was named to the Honor Roll at Bethel’s College of Health Sciences.

The following Lutz students have also been recognized on the fall Dean’s List for their respective schools:

Hunter Desena, Maryville College in Maryville, Tennessee
Mariela Deynes Tofani, Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts
Lauren Dobles, Emerson College
Taylor Trumbetti, University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware
Julia Fresne, Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina
Jessica Howell, Furman University
Megan Rizzi, Furman University
Ashlyn Stevens, Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas
Calee Ash, Harding University
Amanda Meisner, Greensboro College, Greensboro, North Carolina

Chalk Talk 01/24/2018

January 24, 2018 By Mary Rathman

Students donate blankets
First- and fifth-graders from Oakstead Elementary School donated blankets (some of them handmade) to pediatric patients at Florida Hospital Tampa. Sara Frawley, child life specialist (left), stands with hospital staff members and a wagon full of blankets from the students. Eva Sanchez (in rainbow shirt) helped distribute the gifts with her mom, Lynette Sanchez (far right), a nurse at the hospital.

Open houses
Land O’ Lakes Christian School, 5105 School Road in Land O’ Lakes, will host an open house Jan. 28 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.For information, call the school office at (813) 995-9040, email , or visit LOLCS.org.

Hillel Academy, a private Jewish community day school, will host an open house Jan. 30 at 8:30 a.m., at 2020 W. Fletcher Ave., in Tampa. Guests can hear a brief presentation and take a tour. Also, produce from the school’s hydroponic Tampa Urban Benefit Farm (TUB Farms) garden will be harvested by students, TUB Farms staff and WWII Holocaust survivors, who will be invited to take the food home. Additionally, seeds will be planted for new produce. For information, call (813) 963-2242, or email .

Saint Anthony Catholic School, 12155 Joe Hermann Drive in San Antonio, will have its annual open house Feb. 1 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., for kindergarten through eighth grade. For information, call (352) 588-3041, visit StAnthonySchoolFl.org, or email .

Celebrate Youth
The second annual Celebrate Youth event will take place Jan. 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Safety Town in Hudson, as part of National School Choice Week.

There will be an Education Station with information on VPK-12, Pasco district options, public school options, private school options, scholarships and more.

There also will be a petting zoo, a bounce slide, a rock climbing wall, a bungee trampoline, princesses, a safety house and a Smokey Bear cabin.

Participants can register to win a 55-inch Smart TV or an iPad.

Admission is free, but registration is required. Visit CelebrateYouth.org.

Saint Leo 1960s series
Saint Leo University’s Arts and Sciences launched the 1960s project last fall to communicate the lasting influence the decade had on American institutions and cultural attitudes.

The LED (learning, enlightenment, discoveries) Series, features creative presentations or TED-like talks and centers on the 1960s.

Upcoming sessions will be in the Greenfelder-Denlinger Boardrooms of the Student Community Center, at 12:30 p.m.

Jan. 31: “The 1960s and the Destruction of Liberal Politics,” by Michael Novak, assistant professor of theology; and, “You Don’t Own Me: 1960s Women’s Music and the Feminist Revolution,” presented by Gianna Russo, assistant professor of English and writing, and Pam Decius, humanities instructor
Feb. 6: “White Allies: From 1960s to Black Lives Matter,” presented by Eileen O’Brien, associate professor of sociology in Virginia; and, “Imagination (Almost) Takes Power: The Aborted French Revolution of May ’68,” by Patricia Campion, associate professor of global studies and sociology

For information, contact Megan Orendorf at (352) 588-8401 or .

Sensitivity training
Pasco-Hernando State College hosted Cole Foust, LGBTQ+ youth and transgender program coordinator for Metro Health, Wellness and Community in Tampa, for a sensitivity training session.

PHSC faculty and staff took part in the training through the college’s Faculty Development Institute Friday series, a monthly educational program to assist faculty in developing new skills and present higher education practice, research and trends.

The session was live-streamed to all five PHSC campuses and included policy discussions, appropriate language use, and issues of inclusivity and safety.

Chalk Talk 01/17/2018

January 17, 2018 By Mary Rathman

Students commit to daily fitness
Gulf Trace Elementary School students are currently running every morning before school, as part of The Morning Mile Program created by Fitz Koehler, Fitzness International LLC.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ starting tight end, Cameron Brate (No. 84), visited Gulf Trace Elementary to run, race and rally around the commitment of the students and the school to health and nutrition. (Courtesy of Florida Hospital)

For every 5 miles a student walks or runs, he or she receives a motivational charm and is encouraged to aim to be part of the “100 Mile Club.”

The Florida Hospital West Florida Division, Tampa Bay Buccaneer Cameron Brate, and the Buccaneer mascot, Captain Fear, surprised the students at a rally Jan. 10 in recognition of their commitment to better health.

Other schools participating in the program include East Pasco Adventist Academy, Lacoochee Elementary, Anclote Elementary, Quail Hollow Elementary and Pine View Elementary schools in Pasco.

Participating Hillsborough County schools include Sheehy Elementary, Dunbar Elementary Magnet, Witter Elementary, Shaw Elementary, B.T. Washington Elementary, Forest Hills Elementary, Sligh Middle Magnet, and Apollo Beach Elementary.

Saint Leo appoints Jeffrey Senese
William J. Lennox Jr., president of Saint Leo University, has announced the appointment of Jeffrey D. Senese as provost and senior vice president of Academic and Student Affairs, effective Jan. 16. This is a newly created position at Saint Leo.

The position is designated as the chief academic and student affairs officer of the university, and will provide oversight of all educational programs offered on the University Campus, at centers, and online.

Included in the duties of the provost are the development, implementation, and assurance of the quality of the undergraduate and graduate programs, instruction, research and service.

Senese will provide direct, ongoing supervision of the deans of the three schools at the university, as well as the vice president of Student Affairs & Campus Operations.

He also will be responsible for overall administration of academic and student affairs of the university.

Senese earned a Bachelor of Science in the administration of justice from Pennsylvania State University; a Master of Arts in criminology from Indiana State University; and, a Doctor of Philosophy in multidisciplinary social sciences from the School of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University.

In addition, Senese has been a board member for the Milwaukee Urban League, a member of the Workforce Funding Alliance Leadership Council in Milwaukee, a member of the Rhode Island State Career Pathways System Task Force, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia, among other roles.

Open house for new tech school
Wendell Krinn Technology High School, in New Port Richey, will host parent nights at 6:30 p.m., to showcase the school’s college and career-ready academic opportunities, on these dates:

Jan. 17 at Fivay High School, 12115 Chicago Ave., Hudson
Jan. 24 at Gulf High School, 5355 School Road, New Port Richey
Feb. 1 at Marchman Technical College, 7825 Campus Drive, New Port Richey

Applications for the tech school also are now being accepted online through Feb. 8 at PascoSchools.org.

The school will offer 14 college and career-ready pathways. Course tracks have been developed for each pathway.

Examples of the college prep tracks include applied cyber security, biomedical, computer system and information technology, and robotics.

Career prep tracks that lead to industry certification include tracks for air conditioning, refrigeration and heating technology; automotive collision technology; electricity; welding technology fundamentals’ and a variety of other technical pathways.

Students accepted at the school also can earn up to 28 credit hours and credits toward a college degree.

The school will open at the current Ridgewood High School, giving students easy access to Fred K. Marchman Technical College next door for hands-on industry certification courses and Pasco-Hernando State College for dual enrollment courses.

For information, visit PascoSchools.org, and click on the Wendell Krinn Technical High School banner at the top, or call (727) 774-3900.

Chalk Talk 01/10/2018

January 10, 2018 By Mary Rathman

(Courtesy of The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce)

Nine students recognized by chamber
Students honored by The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Month program are chosen by the teachers and administration for exemplary effort, achievement and contribution to their school, their family and community. The students that received recognition for the month of December were Ryan Simpson, The Academy of Spectrum Diversity; Steven Trevino, The Broach School (not present for ceremony); Kylie Strickland, Chester W. Taylor Elementary School; Leslie Owotoki, Heritage Academy; Darla Cant, Hope Ranch Learning Academy; Aaliyah Pacheco, Raymond B. Stewart Middle; Abbagail Ray, West Zephyrhills Elementary; Madelyn Holbrook, Woodland Elementary; and, Chase Booker, Zephyrhills High. Also at the ceremony were Melonie Monson, chamber executive director; Steve Spina, Zephyrhills city manager; and, Katy Boyd, chamber ambassador chairperson.

Getting to know our young adults
Gem Estates in Zephyrhills hosted ‘breakfast for dinner’ for the Saint Leo University basketball teams. After dinner, members of the boys and girls teams took seats among the senior residents to engage in conversation. Each student-athlete stood and introduced himself or herself, told where he or she is from and what career each is working toward. All the students got to fill a bag of cookies to take for another day.

Members of Saint Leo University’s boys basketball team share a moment with Gem Estates residents. (Courtesy of Mabel Budzinski)

Gem Estates residents hosted a ‘breakfast for dinner’ that included members of Saint Leo’s girls basketball team.

Literacy week
Hillel Academy, Tampa’s only accredited Jewish day school, will celebrate Literacy Week, Jan. 22 to Jan. 26, with book giving, book reading, noshing, snuggling and a parade.

Each of the students will get to participate in the activities:

Jan. 22: Do a mitzvah, give a book.
Jan. 23: Relaxation, snacking and reading in the “Starbooks” Café
Jan. 24: Guest readers and visiting authors will visit with children, including Josh Gad – the voice of Olaf in the the movie “Frozen.”
Jan. 25: Students will dress as their favorite characters for the Storybook Character Parade.
Jan. 26: Students will wear pajamas for snuggling and reading for a Shabbat dinner event, open to families and the public.

For information about Hillel Academy offerings, financial aid and tours, call (813) 963-2242, or email .

Open house
Land O’ Lakes Christian School, 5105 School Road in Land O’ Lakes, will host an open house Jan. 28 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

For information, call the school office at (813) 995-9040.

Dispute involves value for Mirada school site

January 3, 2018 By Kathy Steele

Developers for master-planned communities Epperson and Mirada won unanimous approval for updates on their projects in the Connected City.

But, the vote by Pasco County commissioners on Dec. 12 left unresolved a dispute between Metro Development Group and Pasco County Schools over the value of a Mirada school site.

Also unresolved is the timing for construction of the Mirada school, which will have students from kindergarten through eighth grade.

Metro Development has agreed to donate a minimum of 44 acres in Mirada for the future school. However, school officials can opt for less acreage.

Developers pledged about 11 acres in Epperson for an elementary school.

But, it is the Mirada school site that is at the center of the differing opinions.

The appraised value of the land affects the calculation of Metro’s impact fees and credits, and the revenues available to the school district to build the school.

The credits will be based on the actual acreage given to the school district and a fair market value appraisal of the site.

School officials want to rely on 115 percent of the Pasco County property appraisal. They say that is a general standard used in other school site negotiations.

Instead, Metro Development will be able to get private appraisals, which generally tend to be higher than county appraisals.

That puts the school district at a disadvantage, said Ray Gadd, the district’s deputy superintendent.

“It’s a big issue when the economy is growing because land is at a premium,” he said.

Metro Development representatives see it differently.

Epperson and Mirada are within the borders of the state-approved Connected City corridor, which encompasses about 7,800 acres in northeast Pasco.

The state authorized, and the Pasco County Commission approved, a land development code for Connected City that includes a package of special conditions and incentives.

The special district is expected to attract commercial and residential projects that foster high-end technologies and innovative jobs.

Metro Development controls about 35 percent of the special district’s land.

Attorney Joel Tew, who represents Metro Development, said both sides can sit down and reach a mutual agreement on land values. Issues of where to build the school and the amount of land needed also are negotiable, he said.

“We’re happy to do that,” Tew said. “We clearly have to provide a school site that works.”

Another issue is the timing on school construction.

Metro Development is eager to get a school as soon as possible.

But, school officials say they can’t simply start building until Mirada is filling up with residents, and students.

“I can’t build schools where I don’t have bodies,” said Gadd.

The question is when will Mirada reach “critical mass” with enough students to justify opening a school, he said.

If Metro Development and school officials can’t reach an agreement on their issues, then the land would revert back to Metro Development.

Tew said developers might then seek out a charter or private school to locate in Mirada. (Charter schools must gain approval by the school board, but are operated privately).

Gadd hopes the negotiations on the school site begin sooner rather than later.

“The longer it goes, the higher the cost (of the land) goes,” Gadd said.

Published January 3, 2018