Education

Chalk Talk 12/06/2017

December 6, 2017 By Mary Rathman

Replenishing needed school supplies
Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club donated and delivered a truck filled with teachers’ supplies, paper products and cleaning items to Buchanan Middle School in Tampa, in response to the school’s request for help. The school was open to the public and used as a temporary shelter during Hurricane Irma, during which time supply closets were virtually emptied of these items. Gail Howard, left, and Pat Wagner stand next to the donations.

Hospital hosts hands-on science program
The Perry Initiative hosted a one-day hands-on science program at Medical Center of Trinity to help get young women interested in pursuing careers in orthopedic surgery and engineering.

Forty students were selected from 16 local high schools to attend the all-day program.

Students performed surgical simulations to correct scoliosis deformity, fix a broken leg, and repair a rotator cuff.

Throughout the day, the participants also heard from prominent women surgeons, engineers, and business women in the field of orthopedics.

The Perry Initiative is a nonprofit organization that hosts outreach programs worldwide.

For information, visit PerryInitiative.org.

Alumni celebration
After many years of celebrating Alumni Weekend in the spring, Saint Leo University marked a return to recognizing the school’s alumni during Homecoming in the fall.

The pop-rock band Smash Mouth highlighted the Lions’ tailgate festivities; alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends took part in games and food trucks; and graduates of Saint Leo Prep and Holy Name Academy had reunions.

Joe Thompson and Brooke Bonsted, members of the 2017 Saint Leo University Homecoming Court, were crowned king and queen.

Activities also included a marriage proposal from Stephen Pinol to Kim Estrada, both in the Class of 2016.

Free Rock School jam session
The Patel Conservatory will host a free Rock School Jam Session and Open House Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to noon, for fifth grade through adult. Rock School classes will start Jan. 20.

Jam session participants will jam together and get tips on musicianship from Rock School creator and instructor Lee Ahlin.

Instruments provided at the jam session will include keyboards, bass guitars and drum sets. Those playing other instruments, such as guitars, are asked to bring their own.

Those attending a jam session and register for Rock School before Jan. 1 will receive a 15 percent enrollment discount. If students cannot attend, they can still join Rock School by auditioning Jan. 6 or Jan. 9.

Registration for the jam session is available online at PatelConservatory.asapconnected.com, or by emailing .

For information about Patel Conservatory, call (813) 222-1040.

Spring registration
Currently enrolled and returning Pasco-Hernando State College students should register for spring classes, which begin Jan. 8.

New students should contact PHSC now, or visit Admissions.phsc.edu, for information. The application fee is $25.

The last day for students to register in person at the Brooksville, Dade City, New Port Richey, Spring Hill or Wesley Chapel locations for spring classes is Dec. 15 before 4:30 p.m.

Current students can continue to register for spring term online during the winter break, which is Dec. 16 through Jan. 1 for all campuses.

For more information, visit PHSC.edu.

Home-school performing arts
The 2nd Stage Studio Theater, 1875 Nursery Road in Clearwater, will offer Home-school Performing Arts Classes on Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., starting Jan. 18.

The classes offered include band, chorus, musical theater, dance, and acting/improvisation.

The home-school classes will be taught by industry professionals.

For information and questions, call (727) 641-1391, email , or visit 2ndstage77.com.

Top Florida schools
WalletHub analysts have compared nearly 1,000 higher-education institutions in the United States, based on 26 key measures grouped into seven categories such as Student Selectivity, Cost & Financing, and Career Outcomes.

The data set ranges from student-faculty ratio to graduate rate to post-attendance median salary.

The top 10 colleges and universities in Florida, ranked 1 to 10, are: University of Florida, University of Miami, Ave Maria University, University of South Florida, Florida State University, Florida Southern College, University of Central Florida, Florida Institute of Technology, Nova Southeastern University and Florida International University.

Chalk Talk 11/29/2017

November 29, 2017 By Mary Rathman

Artwork by Aaliyah R., of Connerton Elementary

Youth art contest winners
The Medical Center of Trinity announced the award recipients for its sixth annual Expressions of Thanks Youth Art Contest.

More than 700 entries from students in kindergarten through 12th grade were received from 31 schools, including home schools.

The entries, which included art, compositions and poems, honored veterans of all branches of service.

Artwork by Audrey L., of Pine View Elementary

Recipients of a $25 gift card were: Alison M., Genesis School; Aaliyah R., Connerton Elementary; Gavin C., Hudson Elementary; Whitney D., Dayspring Academy; Ariana S., Dayspring Academy; Audrey L., Pine View Elementary; Austin W., Hudson Middle; Stella T., Seven Springs Middle; Isabella M., River Ridge Middle; Roberto T., Hudson High; Erika W., River Ridge High; Brenda A., Harry Schwettman Education Center; and, Megan G., Ridgewood High.

The grand prize recipients who had a choice of a bicycle or iPod were Emily B., Genesis School; Lily H., Longleaf Elementary; Mia M., Genesis Preparatory School; and, Faith G., Ridgewood High.

New academy info session
The North Tampa Christian Academy (a new early childhood through 12th grade school under construction in Wesley Chapel) will host a Parent Meet-and-Greet/Information Session Dec. 4 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway. Light refreshments will be served.

The school is slated to open in August 2018.

To RSVP, call (813) 591-0309.

Letter-writing session
The Global Studies Club at Saint Leo University will host its annual campus activity in support of Write for Rights, a campaign sponsored by Amnesty International, the global human rights organization, Dec. 4 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., in Kirk Hall, Room 308.

Materials will be available from Amnesty International about individuals or groups that are suffering oppression or human rights abuses in a variety of countries.

The activity is to generate letters of support to the afflicted individuals or groups to boost morale.

Project participants also can write separate letters to the responsible government authorities to advocate for freedom, justice or protection for the oppressed individuals.

Sample letters, writing supplies and refreshments will be provided.

For information, email Patricia Campion at .

Information also can be found online at Write.AmnestyUSA.org.

Order of the Gown induction
Julia Elizabeth Peacock, of Lutz, was inducted into the Order of the Gown at the University of the South, a school comprised of a College of Arts and Sciences, and a School of Theology, in the Tennessee Cumberland Plateau.

The Order of the Gown is an academic honor society and a student government body among U.S. colleges and universities. Since 1875, the Order has remained the body responsible for maintaining the spirit, traditions and ideals of the University of the South.

The wearing of the gown is both a sign of academic achievement and a promise to uphold the school’s ideals and traditions.

Peacock is the daughter of Catherine and Nicholas E. Peacock.

Jam session participants will jam together and get tips on musicianship from Rock School creator and instructor Lee Ahlin.

Instruments provided at the jam session will include keyboards, bass guitars and drum sets. Those playing other instruments, such as guitars, are asked to bring their own.

Registration for the jam session is available online at PatelConservatory.asapconnected.com, or by emailing .

For information about Patel Conservatory, call (813) 222-1040.

Schools compete in recycling challenge
Fifteen schools participated in Pasco County Schools’ “A Bag’s Life” plastic bag recycling challenge.

When the contest closed Nov. 15, in recognition of America Recycles Day, Odessa Elementary School emerged as the winner, amassing more than 2,494 pounds of plastic bags.

Gulf Trace Elementary collected 823 pounds, and Bexley Elementary collected 725 pounds, in a close battle for second place.

For winning, Odessa Elementary will receive a bench made of recycled plastic bags from the contest sponsor Trex. The presentation will be made Dec. 4 at 10:30 a.m., at the school, 12810 Interlaken Road in New Port Richey.

In addition to the main contest, two other challenges were issued — a race to collect the most plastic bags by Halloween and an art contest to design the plastic bag collection boxes.

Odessa and Gulf Trace elementary schools each won a $100 Walmart gift card for the most bags, and Lacoochee Elementary won first place in the box design contest.

Combined, the 15 schools collected almost three tons of plastic bags, or more than 300,000 individual bags.

Art grants available
The Arts Council’s Professional Development for Artists Grant Program recognizes the value and important contributions of creative individuals to the cultural vitality of Hillsborough County.

The program’s intent is to support and develop a vibrant, creative community that inspires, energizes and stimulates prosperity for residents and visitors alike.

The annual grant program provides financial support to emerging or established artists in a variety of disciplines.

The program is open to literary performing and visual artists residing in Hillsborough County.

Applications for grants must be submitted with proper documentation by 4 p.m., Dec. 15.

For information, visit TampaArts.org.

Garden yields lessons on math, science, conservation

November 22, 2017 By B.C. Manion

Children at Hammond Elementary School are learning all about water conservation, and honing their mathematics and science skills, too, in a class that uses a hydroponics garden to help bring the lessons home.

Children in Bonnie Cothern and Tina Miller’s classes at Hammond Elementary are learning about the advantages of hydroponics gardening. (B.C. Manion)

The school, at 8008 N. Mobley Road in Odessa, used a Splash! grant from the Southwest Florida Water Management District to cover the costs of creating the hydroponics garden. The grant also includes several other elements relating to water conservation.

Teachers Tina Miller and Bonnie Cothern said that Urban Roots, of 11780 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa, have also helped in the program by demonstrating how to put together the plant towers and letting students help, as well as allowing them to plant vegetables and herbs.

Students in Cothern’s gifted education classes are working with Miller’s fifth-graders to help educate the entire school about hydroponics and water conservation.

This tower of plants contains rosemary, oregano, basic, chocolate mint, French sorrel lettuce and parsley.

They’ll be reporting conservation tips monthly on the school’s morning show, and will be making posters to raise awareness to the rest of the school and members of the community about the importance of water conservation.

Lessons also will include the importance of choosing Florida-friendly garden plants that are adapted to the state’s climate to prevent unnecessary water use.

On a recent day, Cothern and Miller were out in the garden with some of their students.

The children talked about some advantages of hydroponics gardening.

Third-grader Lyla Cullimore explained how the plant tower system works.

“The reservoir is right here,” she said. “When you turn it on, the water goes through a pipe and it goes up, then the water goes down and it makes it so the plants get water.”

Teacher Tina Miller checks on plants in a hydroponics garden at Hammond Elementary School.

The pump runs twice a day, for 15 minutes each time, the teachers said, via email, in a more detailed explanation of hydroponics.

The water drips from the top plant container, through the plant medium, which is composed of shredded coconut shell and perlite. Then, water in that planter drips to the one below, the teachers said.

Fifth-grader Ryan Dumont noted the water “can drip down through the angles of the planters, then, once it drops down, there’s holes in the planters and it drips down into the reservoir, and we can reuse it.”

The drip system, combined with a porous medium, conserves water and provides oxygenation to the root system of the plants. The water in the reservoir lasts 10 days to 14 days, the teachers said. The system is efficient because no water is wasted through runoff and evaporation.

Miller asked students, what does organic mean?

Carlie Restrepo is eager to offer an answer during a discussion about hydroponics at Hammond Elementary School’s hydroponics garden.

Fifth-grader Ethan Bezaury responded: “Organic means that it’s not manmade.”

Miller then talked about the liquid fertilizer that provides nutrients to the plants.

By growing the plants in pots, arranged on a tower, more plants can be grown in a smaller area, she said.

“How many plants are in that little bit of a space?” Miller asked.

“There’s about 20,” answered third-grader Evan Rottenberger.

That’s correct, Miller said, adding that students have been able to integrate math and science into what they are learning about hydroponics.

Students have been taking measurements of the plants and charting their observations in notebooks.

Lyla Cullimore talks about how a hydroponics plant system works.

“When you guys were doing your data recording yesterday, what did you find about the different plants that you had taken your baseline data on?” Miller asked.

Fifth-grader Sophia Wyant responded: “They were growing more and more each time.”

The teacher explained: “We’ve been doing some long-term investigations because one of the claims of hydroponics is that the yield is greater.”

It’s too early to tell if that is true, but fifth-grader Angela Rosario has noticed that a plant she’s been observing has achieved noticeable growth.

The first time they observed the garden was on Oct. 27.

“It was 10 centimeters, my longest leaf. I had seven leaves. The smallest leaf was 3 cm, and the height was 17 cm. After 10 days, my height was 21 cm, I had eight leaves. My smallest was 6; the longest was 11,” Rosario said.

She said hydroponics helps conserve water and reduces problems from weeds.

Cothern’s students began their observations a week after Millers’ students.

She said she gave her students the freedom to choose how they wanted to observe their plant.

“I told them they could take whatever data they wanted to. They could measure the whole plant. They could measure the biggest leaf, the smallest leaf, whatever they decided to do,” she said.

The teachers are pleased that the children are learning about water conservation and are excited about the students sharing what they have learned with the entire school community, as well as with their families at home.

Published November 22, 2017

Chalk Talk 11/22/2017

November 22, 2017 By Mary Rathman

**Marching with honor**
The Thomas E. Weightman Middle School Marching Band proudly represented Pasco County when it took part in the annual James A. Haley Hospital’s Veterans Day parade. The band is directed by Donald Scott. (Courtesy of Tabetha Merritt)

Student earns solo wings
Pasco-Hernando State College’s professional pilot program student Dustin Snodgrass, of Spring Hill, earned his solo wings Oct. 11.

Snodgrass was the first student in PHSC’s new aviation program to achieve this milestone after logging 14 hours of instructed flight time.

PHSC began offering associate in science degrees in professional pilot technology and aviation administration this past August. Two additional aviation degrees — unmanned vehicle systems operations and aviation maintenance administration — are slated to be available in 2018.

For information about the new program located at the East Campus in Dade City, visit PHSC.edu/aviation.

Academy receives leadership award
Hillel Academy received the Innovation Award from the Tampa Jewish Community Centers and Federation at a ceremony on Oct. 19.

The school was recognized for its innovative way it lets students create through the school’s Maker Lab, which is based on the worldwide Maker/DIY movement. It allows students a space to create and explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) concepts with proper tools and guidance.

As part of the award, Hillel was given the opportunity to create an award of its own, to be named the Hillel Academy Outstanding Service Award. In its inaugural year for this award, Hillel chose Henry and Yael Hatfield to receive the award on behalf of their dedication to the school.

The Hatfields are committed to cultivating and developing Rachel’s Garden, created by the Hillel Academy Class of 2020, in loving tribute to a classmate, Rachel Lia Hatfield.

Cypress Creek celebrates opening
Cypress Creek Middle High School students, staff and the community celebrated the school’s opening with a dedication ceremony Nov. 14.

In addition to messages delivered by Superintendent Kurt Browning and Principal Carin Hetzler-Nettles, there was a ribbon cutting, photo opportunities, live music from the Cypress Creek High School band, refreshments and self-guided tours.

Jam session participants will jam together and get tips on musicianship from Rock School creator and instructor Lee Ahlin.

Instruments provided at the jam session will include keyboards, bass guitars and drum sets. Those playing other instruments, such as guitars, are asked to bring their own.

Registration for the jam session is available online at PatelConservatory.asapconnected.com, or by emailing .

For information about Patel Conservatory, call (813) 222-1040.

Denham Oaks offers patriotic welcome to veterans

November 15, 2017 By B.C. Manion

Denham Oaks Elementary School was awash in red, white and blue as children and staff offered a warm welcome to about 75 area veterans at a Nov. 10 celebration.

A group of Boy Scouts served as the color guard at the Nov. 10 tribute to veterans at Denham Oaks Elementary School. (B.C. Manion)

As they arrived, a series of signs posted outside the school honored the men and women who have served in the nation’s military.

There were posters and other artworks all over campus carrying the same message of gratitude.

Fourth- and fifth-graders expressed their appreciation through a gallery of patriotic artworks. Second-graders made ornaments for the veterans to take home, and third-graders made them greeting cards.

All of the school’s students learned patriotic songs to sing at the event.

“As you can see, our whole school is decked out to celebrate our veterans,” said Principal Mardee Kay Powers, who leads the elementary school at 1422 Oak Grove Blvd., in Lutz.

Principal Mardee Kay Powers chats with Sgt. Maj. Daniel Billiott, of Wesley Chapel, before the tribute to veterans began.

Music teachers Amarilys Barbosa and Jodi Mark, art teacher Lee Taylor, and physical education teachers Fred Cornelius and Justin Partain organized the event, which included all 725 students and the school’s staff.

Mark brought the event to Denham Oaks two years ago, from Lake Myrtle Elementary, where she used to teach.

Veterans attending the celebration were clearly touched by the school’s gesture.

Some came wearing military uniforms, while others dressed more casually.

They took turns at the microphone, telling the crowd what branch of the military they served in and where they served. They also gave shout-outs to their sons or daughters, grandchildren, nieces or nephews, or others who had invited them.

A crowd of school children and spectators paid tribute to men and women who served in the nation’s Armed Services.

Several expressed gratitude for the obvious preparation the school had made for the day, for their appreciation of the armed forces and for their reverence toward the American flag.

Teachers involved in putting together the program seemed pleased to play a part.

“It happens to be my favorite performance because it’s teaching them (students) the respect for their country, the respect for the veterans. It’s also the only event where we can get the entire school — because of the numbers — all together at the same time,” Mark said.

“All of the kids are getting into it,” Partain said.

Cornelius agreed. “It’s special because they see the value of what our vets did for us.”

A line of first-graders makes its way to a celebration for veterans at Denham Oaks Elementary School.

Barbosa also noted: “When we’re teaching these songs, we’re teaching them what it means to be a veteran. We’re teaching them why this country is so great and what makes it so great.”

Edwin Aguiar said he couldn’t resist attending the ceremony.

“My granddaughters (Lilliana Nazar and Gracey Jayska) — you cannot say ‘No’ to them, so I decided to take the day off and come in,” Aguiar said.

Derrick Jayska, another Army veteran, is Gracey’s dad. He said he also has a niece and nephew at the school.

“It’s awesome to come out and see all of the stuff they did.”

Army veterans Edwin Aguiar and Derrick Jayska view artwork created by Denham Oaks Elementary students to thank veterans for their service.

“It’s nice to see that they’re teaching them the history behind things.”

Caryl Wheeler, a spectator, from Lutz, was pleased that her husband and other veterans were honored.

She also was impressed by the ornament and greeting cards the children made for veterans to take home.

“They thought enough to give this to our veterans, the people who served our country — when there is so much hatred now for the American flag,” Wheeler said.

“I’m glad that this school and other schools throughout Pasco County are doing a great job of promoting the flag and the country,” she added.

Published November 15, 2017

Chalk Talk 11/15/2017

November 15, 2017 By Mary Rathman

Connerton collects coins for hurricane relief

Shown here, from left, are Connerton Elementary Principal John Abernathy, Jhiana Acosta, Destiny Burgess, Wyatt Mann, Michelle Bubis, Katy Wyrick, Assistant Principal Jennifer Hulll, Lucy Folstad, Madison Welch, Hayden Reed, Fourth grade teacher Cary Wyrick, Fourth grade teacher Rachel Foster. Second row: Mackenzie Yates Peyton Noll, Baylee Sharpe, Riley Brown, Hunter Reed, Dillon Foster, Addison Mols, Emmy Hertz, Amaiya Davis, Brody Marks. Third Row: Emily Baldree, Lyla Folstad, Trey Page, Isabel Cula, Colton Greene. Not Pictured: Cristian Cameron.

Constitution Essay winners
The Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller’s fifth annual Constitution Essay Contest drew a record 72 entries, nearly 70 percent more than in 2016.

The top prize in the contest was awarded to Bailey Keyes, a fifth-grader at Trinity Elementary School, for “her grasp of individual liberties guaranteed by the Constitution,” and noting personal examples along with her “clear beginning and logical ending,” according to a press release.

Ryleigh McQueen, a fifth-grader at Woodland Elementary School, won second place; and, Nathan Grimes, a fifth-grader at Trinity Elementary School, won third place.

The winners will be awarded trophies at the Pasco County School Board meeting Dec. 19. Keyes also will receive a tour of the Pasco courthouse of her choice, plus lunch with Clerk & Comptroller Paula S. O’ Neil.

Students participate in Manufacturing Day
Manufacturing Day activities throughout Pasco and Hernando counties drew the participation of more than 2,000 students.

Approximately 500 students attended tours of local manufacturers, while 1,800 more students throughout Pasco and Hernando high schools and middle schools were educated about manufacturing through a virtual tour of a local Pasco County manufacturer, Arete Industries.

Two local fundraisers also took place, as well as library events to inform the public about manufacturing, and the opportunities manufacturing offers to jobseekers and the local economy.

Timothy Beard joins tech council
Timothy Beard, Ph.D., president of Pasco-Hernando State College, is the newest member of the Florida High Tech Corridor Council.

Beard joined PHSC in 2007 as the vice president of student development and enrollment management, after more than 30 years in education and student services. He was selected to serve as the college’s fourth president in 2015.

Enrollment at PHSC has increased by 40 percent under Beard’s leadership.

Beard’s expertise and knowledge in higher education and workforce development will help guide The Corridor in its mission to grow high tech industry and innovation through partnerships that support research, marketing, workforce and entrepreneurship.

Student toy drive
Pasco County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Mike Moore and the Pasco County District School Board will collect new toys for Pasco County children through its inaugural Holiday Toy Drive, through Nov. 27.

All toys will be donated to students through Pasco County District Schools.

Donations of new, unwrapped toys for children ages 5 to 13 can be dropped off at any of these locations:

Copperstone Executive Suites, 3632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes
Pasco County Historic Courthouse, 37918 Meridian Ave., Dade City
New River Branch Library, 34043 State Road 54 in Zephyrhills
West Pasco Government Center, 8731 Citizens Drive in New Port Richey

Several Pasco County community partners also will accept toy donations.

For information, visit bit.ly/2gEK4lz.

Donate stocking stuffers
A group of International Baccalaureate students at Land O’ Lakes High School will be collecting stockings to be donated to foster children through the Early Learning Coalition of Pasco County, as part of a service project.

The group needs donations of stockings, as well as small toys, socks, toothbrushes, coloring books, art supplies, puzzles and other small items. No food will be accepted.

Completely assembled stockings and individual items can be donated.

Donations will be accepted through Dec. 11 at the Wilderness Lake Clubhouse, Meadow Pointe Clubhouse, Lake Bernadette Clubhouse and at Land O’ Lakes High School (for students).

For information, email .

Apply for student scholarship
Simplified IT Products LLC, the makers of Picture Keeper, will offer a scholarship to two students who are chasing their dreams.

The first-place winner will receive a $1,500 award, second place will receive a $1,000 award, and third place will receive a Picture Keeper Connect.

The fall scholarship is available to apply for until Dec. 31.

Applicants must be a high school senior, undergraduate or graduate student, and submit the following:

A 200-word to 300-word written essay on “What are you doing to follow your dreams and how does this picture portray it?”
A photo on Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #PictureKeeper, so Simplified can find your photo on social media. Your Instagram or Twitter account must be public to qualify.
A transcript showing a high school graduate (or equivalent) 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA. University or business school applicants also must have a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA.

Send the URL of your social media post, along with your essay and transcript, to .

To learn more about the program, visit PictureKeeper.com/pages/scholarships.

Chalk Talk 11/08/2017

November 8, 2017 By Mary Rathman

(Courtesy of Jonathan Shoemaker, Saint Leo University)

Residence hall transforms for Halloween
Saint Leo University hosted its annual Haunted Marmion in Marmion-Snyder Hall, with game, crafts, snacks and trick-or-treating. All floors of the residence were transformed into the Haunted Marmion Mad House. Donations were accepted for a local food bank. Little ones, including this Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, did some trick-or-treating at Saint Leo’s residence halls during the event.

Schools host Veterans Day ceremonies
Students and schools throughout Pasco County will participate in Veterans Day ceremonies at their schools in the community.

The following is a list of local events:

Nov. 9 at 7 p.m.: Bexley Elementary School, 4380 Ballantrae Blvd., Land O’ Lakes — Second-graders will perform during the school’s Veterans Day concert. Call (813) 346-4300.
Nov. 10 at 7 a.m.: Zephyrhills High School, 6335 12th St. — the school’s ROTC and chorus will salute and honor staff veterans before school. Call (813) 794-6100.
Nov. 10 at 9 a.m.: Lacoochee Elementary School, 38815 Cummer Road in Dade City — Veterans will visit classrooms, and talk about the holiday and their service. Students will talk about family members who have served and hang photos of them on a Wall of Heroes. Call (352) 524-5600.
Nov. 10 at 10 a.m.: Denham Oaks Elementary School, 1422 Oak Grove Blvd., in Lutz — The school will recognize more than 75 veterans from all branches of the military. Fourth and fifth-graders will perform songs; student council members will speak; the PTA will provide breakfast; student art will be displayed; and a local Boy Scouts troop will present the flag. Call (813) 794-1600.
Nov. 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Veterans Elementary School, 26940 Progress Parkway in Wesley Chapel — A barbecue will be hosted in honor of veterans. All community members who have served in the military can attend. RSVP at (813) 346-1400, or email .
Nov. 10 at 11:30 a.m. — Odessa Elementary School, 12810 Interlaken Road, New Port Richey — Anyone related to Odessa Elementary can attend the celebration. The school’s chorus and Seven Springs Middle School chorus will sing, and the Mitchell High School Color Guard will perform. There also will be lunch, a parade and live music. Call (727) 246-3700.
Nov. 10 at 2 p.m.: Chester W. Taylor Elementary School, 3638 Morris Bridge Road in Zephyrhills — The school’s chorus and the Zephyrhills High School JROTC, jazz band and chorus will perform. The guest speaker will be Pasco Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning. Call (813) 794-6900.
Nov. 10 from 2:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.: West Zephyrhills Elementary School, 37900 14th Ave. — There will be live music, and students and staff will wear red, white and blue. Community members should bring chairs. Event is on the basketball courts. Call (813) 794-6300.
Nov. 11 at 10:30 a.m.: Quail Hollow Elementary School, 7050 Quail Hollow Blvd., in Wesley Chapel — The school will host a Fall Festival Veterans Day Celebration with a musical performance and the students will honor veterans and our country. Call (813) 794-1100.

Holocaust scholar to speak
Victoria Barnett, a scholar at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, will present “Theologian against the Nazis: New Questions, New Findings about Dietrich Bonhoeffer” Nov. 9 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Saint Leo University, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo.

Admission is free, and the public is invited.

Parties of 15 people or more, and guests who need assistance, are asked to RSVP to .

PHSC community seminar
Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch will host a community seminar Nov. 15 at 11 a.m., on “Driving Under the Influence Awareness,” at the school’s conference center, Building B, Room 303, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

The seminar is open to students, teachers, staff and the community.

Free opera program for home-schoolers
Patel Conservatory will offer a free Homeschool Assembly with Opera Tampa Nov. 15 at 8:30 a.m., at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts.

Opera Tampa singers will perform for home-schooled students in this introduction to opera. Students can learn about the art form, opera etiquette and various types of operatic voices.

To register, call (813) 222-1040.

Bully prevention assembly

Gulfside Elementary School will host “Lizzie Sider’s Bully Prevention Assembly” Nov. 17 at 2:30 p.m., for students and staff.

Anti-bullying speaker Lizzie Sider will give a presentation on her personal experiences with elementary and middle school students.

For information, call (727) 774-6000.

Short story contest
The third annual Stair Prize in Writing contest is open for Hillsborough County students in seventh and eighth grades.

Students can submit a short story based on the theme “An Act of Kindness.”

A $500 cash prize will be awarded to a single winner.

The deadline for entry is Nov. 17.

The prize winner will be notified Dec. 8 and awarded the prize Dec. 20.

For information and details, visit HCPLC.org.

All toys will be donated to students through Pasco County District Schools.

Donations of new, unwrapped toys for children ages 5 to 13 can be dropped off at any of these locations:

Copperstone Executive Suites, 3632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes
Pasco County Historic Courthouse, 37918 Meridian Ave., Dade City
New River Branch Library, 34043 State Road 54 in Zephyrhills
West Pasco Government Center, 8731 Citizens Drive in New Port Richey

Several Pasco County community partners also will accept toy donations.

For information, visit bit.ly/2gEK4lz.

Woodland Elementary gets $12 million makeover

November 1, 2017 By B.C. Manion

The signs of construction are everywhere at Woodland Elementary School, at 38203 Henry Drive in Zephyrhills.

The beeping sounds of equipment backing up fill the air, as crews from Wharton-Smith Inc. Construction Group move about, working on a new building that’s going up on campus.

Andrew Simpson is the project coordinator for Pasco County Schools, overseeing the $12 million makeover project at Woodland Elementary School. (B.C. Manion)

The 25,274-square-foot building includes eight classrooms, a music room, an art room, a stage, a cafeteria and a kitchen, said Andrew Simpson, project coordinator for Pasco County Schools.

Architectural plans by Furr & Wegman indicate a cafeteria designed for about 376, which will be used for school lunches, and will have a stage for school performances.

The $12 million project also includes remodeling work.

The old cafeteria and kitchen will be converted into four new classrooms and a science, technology, engineering and mathematics lab, Simpson said.

“It already has the plumbing. It already has the drains. It already has the electrical capacity,” he added, during a recent walk-through at the construction site.

Beyond the new building, other differences that parents, students and staff may immediately notice are the new entrance that the school will have when it opens for the fall 2018-19 school year, as well as new signs, a longer car rider loop and a larger administrative suite.

Restrooms are being updated, too.

Work on the new building will be completed by July, Simpson said.

The remodeling work will be done before classes begin in the fall of 2018, he added.

A worker digs in a hole behind the new classroom building being added at Woodland Elementary School.

A quick look around the current campus reveals scores of portable classrooms — a sure sign that Woodland’s enrollment exceeds its capacity.

Built in 1976, the school was designed for 652 students. Its enrollment now stands at around 950 students, but it has exceeded 1,000 in recent years.

“This school is severely over capacity,” Simpson said. “That was a lot of the reason that the school board decided that we needed to try to add capacity.”

With the additions, the school’s new permanent capacity will be 900 students.

The new building will add 176 student stations and the renovation will yield 72 more, according to Furr & Wegman’s plans.

The project also calls for enlarging the administrative area, while shrinking the space devoted to the school’s media center.

With the advent of digital technology that can be used in classrooms, the media center is not being used the same way it used to be, Simpson said. So, a portion of the media center will be converted into space for the new administration suite.

Work has been proceeding well, without any major surprises, Simpson said.

Hurricane Irma slowed down the project, but that time has been made up, he added.

“The labor is our biggest challenge. There’s so much going on,” he said, noting a billion-dollar renovation project at Tampa International Airport “is eating up labor.”

Published November 1, 2017

Video production class: Seeing life through a different lens

November 1, 2017 By B.C. Manion

Students in the first period class in the Academy of Digital Video Production program at Wesley Chapel High School seem to have a clear idea of what they need to do, and when they need to do it.

Jillian Choinski is acting at technical director, switching between camera shots. (B.C. Manion)

They take their spots in the control room, behind the cameras, seated at the anchor’s desk, or standing near a wall — to film that day’s WCAT daily morning news.

Occasionally, there’s a problem with a camera, or they need to reread line, but the students are focused, and, within a few minutes they’re done.

Filming the daily newscast is just one of the myriad ways these students get to learn the ins and outs of video production, according to Stephanie Bertig, who oversees the program — which is the only one of its type in Pasco County Schools.

The Academy aims to teach students how to property frame and shoot video, as well as become certified on either Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro editing software, Bertig said.

Those skills will have value to the students, regardless of the profession they pursue, she noted.

Besides the daily news, students also get to create music videos, commercials, public service announcements and short films, said Bertig, now in her third year at Wesley Chapel High.

During the recent filming, 17-year-old Justin Taylor was acting as senior producer, ensuring the production team and anchors were on track.

He said he initially enrolled in the program to get a fine arts credit out of the way.

“I ended up just loving it, so I’ve been doing it ever since,” said Taylor, who is now considering a career in the film industry, either in directing or editing.

The program has taught him how to analyze what he’s seeing on television, or in a film.

Steven Richardson and Amelia Defilippis work in the control room during a recent taping of the WCAT daily news show.

He’s learned in the class, for instance, how “most shots will change every 3 (seconds) to 7 seconds.”

He explained: “You change shots to keep it fresh.”

He enjoys creating videos, and said the most challenging aspect is deciding what kind of video to shoot.

“Really the difficult part is not creating a video, it’s planning a video. Writing the script, writing the storyboard. The pre-production is kind of the difficult part,” he said.

He said he knows how to complete those tasks. The challenge is deciding what to feature in a video, given the vast array of possibilities.

Sixteen-year-old Montel Roundtree, a junior, delivered the sports and lunch news during the recent taping.

Roundtree, who lives in Land O’ Lakes, said he enrolled in the program because he’s interested in stop-motion animation.

“That’s what I plan to do,” he said.

He attends Wesley Chapel High on school choice and is glad to be in the Academy.

“I think it’s an amazing program. I have certainly learned a lot, and it’s fun, really fun,” said Roundtree, who said he’s not related to Reginald Roundtree, the anchor on WTSP 10 News.

Seventeen-year-old Peter Politano, of Land O’ Lakes, handled the floor manager duties during the taping.

He gives the Academy high marks.

“I feel like it’s one of the backbone programs of the school,” said Politano, who is glad to be part of it.

“I like being creative. I like expressing my thoughts through videos. No other class does that except for TV production,” he said.

Junior Jillian Choinski hopes to pursue a field that will allow her to use the skills she’s developing.

“I want to do something behind the scenes, not in front of the camera,” she said.

Seventeen-year-old Billy Criqui, of Wesley Chapel, was working one of the cameras during the taping.

He enjoys being part of the program. “It’s so different from everything else that they have here,” he said.

Peter Politano, is floor manager and Billy Criqui works a camera during taping of the WCAT daily morning show.

Sixteen-year-old Christabel Yonly, of Wesley Chapel, was in charge of the weather report that day.

She enjoys the class, but doesn’t expect to pursue a career in video production. However, she does want to get her certification in the Adobe products.

Like some others in the program, 16-year-old Steven Richardson originally wanted to get a fine arts credit.

“But then I started to really like it because I get to express my creativity,” said Richardson, of Wesley Chapel.

Seventeen-year-olds Austin Edwards and Ricky Perez are both interested in careers that are related to what they’re learning now.

“Every time I watch TV now, all I can think about is what shot they have. The rule of thirds they have. Their head room. What they did to get the shot,” Edwards said.

“I’ve been told a lot, ‘If you do what you love, then you never have to work a day in your life.’ So, hopefully, I can start doing something like this,” he said.

Perez is interested in a career that involves shooting news packages.

He enjoys being part of the Academy.

“I think it allows you to be creative with your decision-making. It allows you to work with a team,” he said.

Perez also enjoys his classmates: “You can make friends here. It’s awesome.”

Seventeen-year-old Amelia Defilippis has been taking television production since middle school. She thinks the program instills important traits, such as self-reliance and responsibility.

For 17-year-old Ariana Shiwbalak the program is just the beginning of reaching her goal to be a broadcast journalist.

She said she knows that the media has been labeled as purveyors of fake news, but she wants to help change that.

“I love it with a passion,” she said.

Being an anchor makes her nervous, but she said that’s OK.

“You know how when you’re at the top of a roller coaster? You’re scared to go down. But, once you go down, it’s a really good feeling. That’s basically how it is,” Shiwbalak said.

Award-winning videos:
Pasco County Sheriff’s 2017 competition: Colton Bierly and Robby McLaughlin
2016 Kinder Vision — The Greatest Save — Teen PSA: First Place, ‘Gone’ by Amelia Defilippis and Sean Portillo
McDonald’s of Tampa Bay’s Classroom FUNds 2016 Contest: Emily Lorentsen and Faith Mercer

Published November 1, 2017

Imagine charter school needs growing room for programs

November 1, 2017 By Kathy Steele

Imagine School at Land O’ Lakes is experiencing growing pains.

Classrooms are full.

The gymnasium is a part-time lunchroom.

The school’s solution is to build a two-story wing off the rear of the gymnasium, adding about 13,000 square feet of space.

Imagine Charter School in Land O’ Lakes will open a new, two-story expansion in August 2018 to accommodate school programs, and add a dedicated lunch room.
(Kathy Steele)

The expansion provides enough room for seven classrooms and a dedicated lunchroom.

The goal is to open the new extension by August 2018.

The lunchroom café and a teachers’ lounge will be on the first floor. Additional rooms will be on the second floor. The rooms can be used as classrooms, if needed, but their primary purpose is to house programs, such as band or makerspace.

Enrollment is 775 students, just a handful short of the school’s goal of 800 students. While the school has a waiting list, the expansion isn’t about increasing enrollment.

“We just need extra workspace,” said Imagine Principal Aimee Williams.

The gymnasium is transformed into a lunchroom daily, and then cleared out.

That’s not a big problem during the school day, Williams said.

“It’s more for the sports and afterschool programs that makes it difficult to swap out,” she explained.

A pre-application meeting with county planners was held on Oct. 23.

Details on the project are being worked out prior to construction.

This year, the school will graduate its first class of eighth-graders who began at Imagine in kindergarten.

Imagine opened nearly a decade ago in a business park in Ballantrae. The move to its current location, at 2940 Sunlake Blvd., came in 2012. The school’s charter extends to 2028, following a fifteen-year renewal in 2013.

Teachers are STEAM-certified. STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics.

The school received an A grade from the state for 2016-2017. It educates students from kindergarten through eighth grade, who come to the public charter school from Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, New Port Richey, and even Hillsborough County.

The school has won accolades.

Imagine received the 2016 Promising Practice Winner by Character Counts. In 2015, it was runner-up in the National School of Character competition by Character Counts, and a runner-up for National School of the Year by Imagine Schools.

Imagine is owned and operated by an affiliate of Imagine School Non-Profit Inc., which has schools nationwide.

It’s a point of pride that the Land O’ Lakes campus is part of the Pasco County community, the principal said.

“We definitely feel we are part of Pasco County and want to add whatever we can to the community,” Williams said.

Published November 1, 2017