The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Education

Planning underway for new Wesley Chapel charter school

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The Pasco County School Board has approved the charter application for Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel, a charter school that plans to open in that community.

Now that the school board has approved the application, work is underway to develop a contract with the charter school applicant, said Jeff Yungmann, coordinator for charter schools in Pasco County Schools.

The new charter school is expected to open in 2018-19, or 2019-2020, Yungmann said.

The application identifies that the school would open with a maximum of 652 kindergarten through sixth grade students, Yungmann said. In the second year, it would add seventh grade and would have a total enrollment of 900; in Year 3, it would add eighth grade and would have 1,134 students; in Year 4 and thereafter, it would have 1,200 students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

“The mission of Pinecrest Academy Inc., is to provide individualized instruction, in a nurturing environment ensuring college and career success, using rigor, relevance, and relationships to empower students to become tomorrow’s global leaders,” according to a school board document.

The Charter Application Review Committee conducted a rigorous evaluation process utilizing the Florida Charter School Application Evaluation Instrument, including the capacity interview on August 17, 2017. In its comprehensive evaluation, the Committee concluded that 21 of the 22 sections of the Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel’s application “met the standard of review.” One of the 22 sections of the application “partially met the standard of review.” There were no sections rated as “did not meet the standard of review,” according to the backup material for the board agenda item.

The applicant has not yet identified a specific location for the school, other than indicating it will be in Wesley Chapel, Yungmann said.

Yungmann characterized the applicant’s submittal as an “outstanding application” and called it one of the best he’s reviewed. “They had a good solid plan,” he said.

The charter school operators have locations in other parts of the state, but this would be their first location in Pasco County.

Yungmann said the charter has a strong governing board and a good track record.

“We hope they’re going to do well,” he said.

Published October 25, 2017

Gearing up for Cypress Creek Middle School

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A new middle school is expected to open next to Cypress Creek Middle High School, allowing the existing school to focus on high school only.

The new middle school will accommodate 1,675 students on a 15-acre site, just north of the current school, which opened in August at 8701 Old Pasco Road, for students in grades six through 11.

The estimated construction budget is $43.5 million.

Construction is expected to begin in the fall of 2018, with opening planned for August 2020.

The Pasco County School Board has approved an agreement with architects Harvard Jolly, to reuse the design of the 1,400-student station Innovation Middle School in Orange County, for the new middle school, according to school board documents.

Pasco school district staff members recently toured Innovation Middle School and found that the school “to be cost effective, attractive and extremely safe and a school that will successfully meet the educational needs” of the district, according to district documents.

“Many of the preferred features of this school are already found in a number of our educational facilities,” the document added. “Our version of the school will be expanded to approximately 1,600 student stations to accommodate future growth in this region of the district.”

Cypress Creek Middle High is slated to add a senior class next school year.

When the school opened, it affected boundaries for Rushe, John Long and Weightman middle schools, and Sunlake, Wesley Chapel and Wiregrass high schools.

The district initially had hoped to open Cypress Creek as a high school only, but was forced to use it for more grades because it lacked sufficient construction funds.

Published October 25, 2017

Chalk Talk 10/25/2017

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(Courtesy of The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce)

Zephyrhills Student Citizens of the month
Twenty students were honored as the Greater Zephyrhills Students of the Month at an Oct. 18 ceremony at The Church at Chancey Road.

Students honored for September were: Mateo Guerrero, The Academy of Spectrum Diversity; Bailey Coombs, The Broach School; Joseph Mohler, Chester W. Taylor Elementary School; Zoei Harper, East Pasco Adventist Academy; Jailen DiLornzo, Heritage Academy; Hailey Daffron, Hope Ranch Learning Academy; Adara Cruz Ruiz, Raymond B. Stewart Middle School; Katiana Salazar, West Zephyrhills Elementary School; Issac Dupre, Woodland Elementary School; and, Dale Redditt, Zephyrhills High School.

Students honored for October were: Shane Holloway, The Academy of Spectrum Diversity; Lucas Rojas, The Broach School; Sah’ria Everett, Chester W. Taylor Elementary School; Matilda Howard, East Pasco Adventist Academy; Aiden Tilley, Heritage Academy; Luke Danchik, Hope Ranch Learning Academy; Bryanna O’ Malley, Raymond B. Stewart Middle School; Kayla Gonzalez, West Zephyrhills Elementary School; Amiyah Walton, Woodland Elementary School; and, Annica Morgan, Zephyrhills High School.

Students honored by the Zephyrhills Chamber’s Citizen of the Month program are chosen by the teachers and administration of their individual schools for exemplary effort, achievement and contribution to their school, family and community. The Zephyrhills chamber has recognized students with this program each month of the school year for nearly 20 years.

Pasco County Schools’ surplus sale
Pasco County Schools Surplus Store will have a sale Oct. 25 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., at 7301 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Building 1, in Land O’ Lakes. All items are sold “as-is.” There will be no returns or refunds; all sales are cash only; no loading assistance will be provided; and, no children under age 18 will be permitted. The school district has a vast inventory of items that are no longer needed that will be sold at this sale.

Helping hurricane victims
Woodland Elementary School’s National Elementary Honor Society collected $530 through a coin drive to donate to the American Red Cross to help victims of Hurricane Harvey. The students continued to collect donations even as Hurricane Irma was threatening Tampa Bay, according to an item posted on the Pasco County Schools website.

Jobs and internship fair
Pasco-Hernando State College and CareerSource Pasco Hernando will host a job and internship fair Oct. 26 from 9 a.m. to noon. The event will be at PHSC’s West Campus in New Port Richey, 10230 Ridge Road, Room R151. Local employers with open positions and future opportunities will meet and greet job seekers from the community, and PHSC students seeking employment and internships. Job seekers interested in attending the job and internship fair must preregister for the event at https://jobandinternshipjobfairoctober26.eventbrite.com/.

For more information, contact Jackie Eden (727) 816-3334 or .

PHSC community seminars
Pasco County State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch will host two upcoming community seminars.

They are:

  • Medical Marijuana Legalization and Regulation Awareness Seminar, Oct. 26, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Driving Under the Influence Awareness Seminar, Nov. 15, 11 a.m. to noon.

These seminars are open to students, teachers, staff and the community. Both sessions will be in the Conference Center, Building B., Room 303, at Porter Campus, 2727 Mansfield Blvd.

Out of the darkness community walk
Pasco County will have its third annual Out of The Darkness Community Walk on Oct. 28 at 9:30 a.m., at Sims Park, at Grand Boulevard and Bank Street in New Port Richey.

The walk raises money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Last year more than 700 walkers raised $30,000 for the cause.

This year’s goal is to attract 1,000 registered walkers and to raise $35,000.

Join a team by going to this link: http://bit.ly/2waWwzy.

Pasco County ranked fourth in Florida in 2012 for the highest number of suicides.

This annual walk is aimed at raising awareness about depression and suicide, and is intended to provide comfort and support to those who have lost someone to suicide.

For more information, call Dawn Daniels Hahn, Gulf High School social worker, at (727) 774-3457.

Chalk Talk 10/18/2017

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Sunlake Junior Cheer Clinic
Sunlake High School Cheerleaders are presenting the 2017 Junior Cheer Clinic on Oct. 21, from 9 .m. to 3 p.m. at the Sunlake High School football field. The clinic is open for kindergarten through eighth-grade students. The school is at 3023 Sunlake Blvd. in Lutz. Register on the day of the camp by 8:45 a.m. cost is $35. Bring a sack lunch and a water bottle. For additional information, text questions to (813) 300-7505 or email . This is the first time the cheerleaders have offered this camp, but they expect it to become an annual event.

Saint Leo helps college students during hurricanes
Saint Leo University has assisted students during a hurricane season that has produced one massive storm after another.

Throughout the devastation of hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, Saint Leo University has served to shelter students and to ensure their education could continue uninterrupted.

During Hurricane Irma, the university sheltered more than 600 students.

With the support of generous donors, the university also established an emergency scholarship fund for students who were in the path of the three storms—including those who study at University Campus, at 27 teaching locations, and online, according to a Saint Leo news release.

The university also has announced a special program for college students in Puerto Rico whose education was affected by the aftermath of the hurricanes.

For the semester beginning in January, Saint Leo will provide these students with free room and board, as well as a discounted tuition rate of $8,500. While these students will be responsible for the cost of books, Saint Leo also will waive their student fees to further aid in these students’ ability to continue their educations. Federal financial aid and other private scholarships may be utilized to help pay the discounted tuition rate.

“At Saint Leo we live by six core values, one of which is community,” Dr. William J. Lennox Jr., university president, said in the release. “We are happy to extend this helping hand and extend our community to those who have had their college careers interrupted by this devastation.”

PHSC president joins high tech council

Dr. Timothy Beard
(Courtesy of Pasco-Hernando State College)

Pasco-Hernando State College president Timothy Beard is the newest member of the Florida High Tech Corridor Council.

The corridor council is an economic development initiative of the University of Central Florida (UCF), the University of South Florida (USF) and the University of Florida (UF).

The corridor council’s mission is to expand high tech in the corridor and encourage innovation through partnerships that support research, marketing, workforce and entrepreneurship, according to a news release announcing Beard’s addition to the council.

The corridor council is a partnership involving more than 25 local and regional economic development organizations (EDOs), 14 state colleges and 12 CareerSource boards.

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 named the college’s fourth president in 2015.

During Beard’s tenure, PHSC’s enrollment has increased by 40 percent. Several programs at the college also have been recognized as “Exemplary Best Practices” by the Association of Florida Colleges.

Beard’s expertise and knowledge in higher education and workforce development is expected to help guide the corridor council in its mission to grow high tech industry and innovation through partnerships that support research, marketing, workforce and entrepreneurship, according to the release.

Strike up the orchestra
Pasco County Schools music students will be performing with the Florida Orchestra in the Florida Orchestra Youth Concert Series.

Four shows are planned.

The first two shows are at Center for the Arts at River Ridge on Oct. 18. The first show is at 10:30 a.m. and the second show is at noon. That auditorium is at 11646 Town Center Road in New Port Richey.

The second set of shows is at Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel. The first show is on Oct. 19 at 10:30 a.m. The second show is at 11:45 a.m. That auditorium at 30651 Wells Road in Wesley Chapel.

The Florida Orchestra is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and select music students from Pasco County Schools will rehearse and perform alongside it.  The students will perform only during the second performance each day. All performances are open to the public. Tickets are $7 each.

PHSC community seminars
Pasco County State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch is hosting two upcoming community seminars.

They are:

  • Medical Marijuana Legalization and Regulation Awareness Seminar, Oct. 26, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Driving Under the Influence Awareness Seminar, Nov. 15, 11 a.m. to noon

These seminars are open to students, teachers, staff and the community. Both sessions will be in the Conference Center, Building B., Room 303 at Porter Campus, 2727 Mansfield Blvd.

Out of the darkness community walk
Pasco County is having its third annual Out of The Darkness Community Walk on Oct. 28, at 9:30 a.m. at Sims Park, at Grand Boulevard and Bank Street in New Port Richey.

The walk raises money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Last year more than 700 walkers raised $30,000 for the cause.

This year’s goal is to attract 1,000 registered walkers and to raise $35,000.

Join a team by going to this link: http://bit.ly/2waWwzy.

Pasco County ranked fourth in Florida in 2012 for the highest number of suicides.

This annual walk is aimed at raising awareness about depression and suicide, and is intended to provide comfort and support to those who have lost someone to suicide.

For more information, contact Dawn Daniels Hahn, Gulf High School social worker at (727) 774-3457.

Free middle-school math enrichment programs
Saint Leo University is offering students, parents and teachers two free educational offerings to help middle-schoolers develop their confidence and enjoyment of mathematics.

The two programs are:

  • Math Circle, an after-school activity for middle-school students held every Thursday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Lewis Hall, Room 131, under the direction of Professor Monika Kiss.

The program features hands-on and fun activities to help children enjoy mathematics, and to boost their confidence. To arrange for a child to participate, or to get more information, please email Dr. Kiss at  with the words Math Circle in the subject line. Or, call Dr. Kiss at (352) 588-8836.

  • Free entry for middle schools into the American Mathematics Competition being held at the Saint Leo University campus in November. The national competition, developed by the Mathematical Association of America, seeks to help young students develop positive attitudes about mathematics and analytical thinking by allowing them to apply their classroom learning to a 25-question, multiple-choice exam given in a friendly environment.

Saint Leo is able to accommodate 30 students. Mathematics faculty will monitor, and the test will be given on Nov. 14, at 5:45 p.m., in TECO Hall in the School of Business building. Students have 40 minutes to complete the test, and can learn more about it here: https://www.maa.org/math-competitions/amc-8.

To participate, parents must contact mathematics Professor Kiss in advance at  and include the words AMC 8 in the subject line. Alternately, parents may call Dr. Kiss at (352) 588-8836.

Saint Leo University is at 33701 State Road 52, St. Leo, 33574. Free parking is available without any restrictions in the evenings in surface lots and in the campus garage.

‘Your vote is your voice’ contest
Pasco seventh-graders are invited to enter the Pasco Supervisor of Elections video contest. The contest deadline is Nov. 3. Video submissions must be between 3 minutes and 5 minutes long and must communicate:

  • How your vote is your voice
  • How we affect change and make a difference together
  • The importance of participating in the democratic process

Check with the Pasco Supervisor of Elections Office for more information.

Veterans Elementary Veterans BBQ
Veterans Elementary School will have a barbeque to honor veterans on Nov. 10, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. If you are a veteran or know a neighbor, community member, or family member who is, please call 813-346-1400 to RSVP or email Sharon Zurita by Nov. 3.

Chalk Talk 10/11/2017

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AP exam scores improve
More Pasco County students scored the highest level on Advanced Placement (AP) exams in 2017 than in any previous year, and equaled or exceeded peer performances in the state, nation and globally on seven subject area exams.

These achievements occurred while Pasco County increased the number of students taking AP exams. Across the district, 4,174 students took 7,281 exams, which was a 2.9 percent increase from the previous year.

District-wide, 54 percent of the tests taken resulted in a score of 3.0 or better, matching the district’s previous record high from 2014.

Scores of Level 3, Level 4 or Level 5 are considered to reflect proficiency at the college level.

For the fourth year in a row, more Pasco students scored a Level 5, the highest possible passing score, than the prior year.

The number of Level 4 and Level 5 scores either exceeded or matched the district’s best performances.

Compared to state averages, Pasco County matched the number of Level 5 scores, and exceeded the number of Level 3 and 4 scores.

Pasco also had fewer Level 1 scores than the state.

To access the subject comparisons, visit tinyurl.com/yajqwquw.

Fall open house
Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School, 13651 Hays Road in Spring Hill, will host a Fall Open House Oct. 15 from noon to 3 p.m.

Admissions testing will be Nov. 4.

For information, call (727) 857-2600, ext. 244, or visit BMCHS.com.

Academy open house
Hillel Academy, 2020 W. Fletcher Ave., in Tampa, will host an open house Oct. 24, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Hillel is the city’s only private Jewish day school.

Topics will be academic secular programming, Hebrew and Judaics, art, music, physical education and technology programs. There also will be door prizes, tours, goody bags and refreshments.

For information or to RSVP, call (813) 963-2242, email , or visit HillelAcademyTampa.com/admissions.

National Merit semifinalists
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced the names of approximately 16,000 semifinalists in the 63rd annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

Semifinalists from The Laker/Lutz News coverage area include:

  • Freedom High School: Annie Cao, Ryan Dembo and Catherine Weng
  • Land O’ Lakes High School: Joshua Brett, Nathan Brett, Zachery Dahm, Daniel Fernandez, Roshan Kumaraswamy, Camellia Moors, Pooja Patel, Ethan Teo, Rohil Tuli, Akshaya Venkata and Kenta Xu
  • Pasco High School: Andrew Hull
  • Steinbrenner High School: Dahyeon Kim and Grant LoPresti
  • Sunlake High School: Jordan Kaszyk and Rebecca Urbonas
  • Wiregrass Ranch High School: Joseph Basi, Angelora Cooper, Taylor Douglas and Emily Leonard

To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, the semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist level of the competition, including submitting a detailed scholarship application, in which the student provides information about his or her academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received.

The student must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.

Shoes-4-Schools
The nonprofit organization Shoes-4-Schools is hosting a fundraising campaign to help supply local school children with footwear.

Faceplant Dreams has donated samples of its top-selling items, and every $10 donation can receive a free gift of either a cosmetic bag or a travel bag, while supplies last.

For information, email Janet Chubinsky at .

New grant program
Hunter Brooks Watson Memorial Fund is now offering young people, whether in school or not, the opportunity to win grant awards of up to $5,000.

The new program has a policy of awarding grants to young people, between the ages of 16 and 25, who have a demonstrated enthusiasm and passion in their lives and who are pursuing an innovative idea or dream.

The memorial fund’s focus is to encourage those with interests in the performing arts, technology, music of entrepreneurship who need funding to help take their passion to the next level.

The fund was created in honor of Hunter Brooks Watson, a young man killed in a car crash in the spring of 2016, just before he was about to enter his junior year at Syracuse University.

The grant program does not require the young person to be in school, to have a certain grade-point average, to be a member of any religious group or demonstrate school leadership or athletic accomplishments.

For information and the grant application, visit HunterWatson.org/grants.

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

There is no charge to apply.

Local student at Colby College
Chase Goode, of Lutz, has enrolled at Colby College in Waterville, Maine.

Prior to the fall class semester, Goode took part in a weeklong orientation that included a civic engagement component in Waterville, an introduction to academic and intellectual life at Colby, and an address at Colby’s 200th convocation.

Goode, a graduate of Wharton High School, is the son of Tom and Shera Goode, of Lutz.

High school may convert to technical school
Ridgewood High School, which received two consecutive D grades from the state in 2016 and 2017, is exploring the possibility of converting to a technical high school and entering into a dual enrollment agreement with Fred K. Marchman Technical College.

The two schools sit next to each other in New Port Richey, making a merger convenient.

A technical high school specializes in skilled trades, applied sciences, modern technologies, and career preparation. Students can learn relevant skills that help make the students marketable right out of high school.

Donate socks and shoes to help Pasco students
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s office is taking part in the second annual new socks and new shoes campaign to help local students in need.

The effort is a collaboration with Pasco County government and Pasco County Schools.

The “Two Good Soles” campaign seeks to collect as many new pairs and socks and new socks as possible between now and Oct. 27.

The tax collector’s five offices in Pasco County will be collection sites for “Two Good Soles.”

“It is heartbreaking to know that children come to school without socks or shoes in good repair,” Fasano said, in a news release. “I am pleased that our office is part of this effort to collect as many pairs of footwear as possible.  I encourage everyone who is able to please stop by one of our offices and leave a donation.  Every item will go to a student in need who attends a school in Pasco County.”

Pasco County Schools reports that the sizes most in need are children’s shoes 9 and up and adults 5 and up.  Socks of all sizes are welcome.  It is recommended that sneakers, tennis shoes and socks be of a “neutral” color, but all donations of new items will be accepted.

Here are the tax collector’s collection sites:

  • New Port Richey: 8731 Citizens Drive, Room 120.
  • Gulf Harbors: 4720 U. S. 19, in New Port Richey
  • Land O’ Lakes: 4111 Land O’Lakes Blvd. (also known as U.S. 41)
  • Lutz : 4610 Pet Lane, C 101 (this is known as the tax collector’s Wesley Chapel office)
  • Dade City – 14236 Sixth St., Room 100

For more information, contact Greg Giordanao, assistant tax collector at (727) 847-8179.

The Laker/Lutz News likes to spotlight local school news in our Chalk Talk section every week. Send us your photos, events, accomplishments, etc., so our communities can see what your school is up to! Submissions can be emailed to .

 

 

Chalk Talk 10/04/2017

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Free student flu vaccines

Pasco County Public Schools, the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County, and Healthy Schools LLC will once again offer students free immunizations to fight influenza Oct. 4 through Oct. 12, as part of the “Teach Flu a Lesson” program.

The immunizations will be administered by Healthy Schools nurses to students with parental consent in every participating Pasco County public school.

The program is voluntary and only children with consent forms signed and completed by a parent or guardian will be vaccinated.

Forms are available at PascoSchools.org, by clicking on the flue vaccine banner.

There also is a vaccination schedule link on the page.

Academic calendar adjusted

Pasco-Hernando State College has adjusted its 2017-2018 academic calendar and commencement dates due to the interruptions in college operations caused by Hurricane Irma.

The plan effectively addresses the loss of seven instructional days, and ensures that instructors and students have the time needed to cover course content for effective learning outcomes.

The changes include:

  • Oct. 5: full day of classes for students; the previously scheduled All College Day, faculty and staff professional development event will take place during the spring semester
  • Oct. 18: Term IA ends, extended from Oct. 13
  • Oct. 19: Term IB begins, instead of Oct. 16
  • Dec. 8: full instructional day, instead of the last day of classes for the semester
  • Dec. 11: full instructional day/evening
  • Dec. 12: full instructional day/evening
  • Dec. 13: final instructional day/evening for the semester. The Nursing Pinning Ceremony will take place in the evening at the West Campus in New Port Richey.
  • Dec. 14: Winter commencement ceremonies

For information, visit PHSC.edu.

Hammond Elementary collecting donations

Hammond Elementary School, 8008 N. Mobley Road in Odessa, will accept hurricane relief donations.

Donations can be sent in with a child to school or dropped off at the school’s office during normal business hours. PTA volunteers also will be available to pick up donations from the car line on the mornings of Oct. 4, Oct. 5 and Oct. 6.

The school also will host a donation drive Oct. 8 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., in which donations can be dropped off at the rear entrance to the cafeteria.

Items needed include water, Gatorade, hand sanitizer, baby wipes/diapers, first aid supplies, mosquito repellant, dish soap, trash bags, gloves, paper towels and more. School supplies needed include pencils, pens, paper, folders, new and used books, and more.

For information, call (813) 792-5120.

Manufacturing Day

CareerSource Pasco-Hernando announced the fifth annual Manufacturing Day will take place Oct. 6.

More than 26 manufacturers and more than 650 high school students will tour local manufacturers in Pasco and Hernando counties. Also, more than 1,800 virtual manufacturing tours will be viewed by high school and middle school students.

For information about tour locations and times, visit MfgDay.com, or call CareerSource at (352) 200-3020.

 

Saint Leo open house

Saint Leo University will host its Undergraduate Admissions Fall Open House Oct. 7 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Guests can explore the campus at 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo, and speak with members of the university’s community.

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

Students who bring official copies of transcripts and test scores may also be reviewed for instant on-site admission into the university.

For information, or for special accommodations, call (352) 588-8283, or email .

Application deadline extended

Pasco-Hernando State College has extended the application deadline for the practical nursing program until Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m. The extension is due to the school’s closure in response to Hurricane Irma.

In addition to applying to the college, those wishing to enter the Practical Nursing program that begins in January, must also be accepted into the program. Admission to the college does not imply acceptance into the program.

Students must submit a specific program application, along with a completed application checklist, and meet all admission requirements for consideration, found at bit.do/practical-nursing.

Also, due to the hurricane, notifications of selection to the Registered Nursing Generic Program and the Registered Nursing Transition Program for LPN have been delayed.

For information, visit PHSC.edu.

Sukkot celebration

Hillel Academy, at private Jewish Community Day School at 2020 W. Fletcher Ave., in Tampa, will host a Sukkot Celebration Oct. 9 from 5:30 p.m., for Hillel students, families and staff.

Sukkot is often referred to as The Harvest Festival, which commemorates the wanderings of the Israelites in the desert after the revelation at Mount Sinai.

There will be a service, and light appetizers and beverages.

For information, call (813) 963-2242.

College nights

Pasco-Hernando State College will host its annual College Nights events from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., as follows:

  • Oct. 11 at East Campus in Dade City, 36727 Blanton Road
  • Oct. 12 at West Campus in New Port Richey, 10230 Ridge Road

College Night at Nature Coast Technical High School will not be rescheduled.

Representatives from PHSC and many public and private colleges, universities other educational institutions, as well as the military participate to provide residents in PHSC’s service area with a one-stop opportunity to get information about admissions, financial aid and programs for post-secondary study. High school students, their parents and prospective students of all ages are encouraged to attend.

College Night is free and open to the public.

For information, visit PHSC.edu.

Academy at the Lakes turns 25

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The Academy at the Lakes students came striding off the yellow school bus, ready for action.

They’d just arrived at the Old Lutz School, and before long, they were yanking weeds, pushing wheelbarrows and spreading mulch at the historic schoolhouse, an icon in the community of Lutz.

They were also picking up branches and sticks, strewn about by Hurricane Irma.

From left, Hannah Church, Anisa Nanavati and Addison Pollock work to transport mulch from a huge pile across the yard from the Old Lutz School to plant beds closer to the school. The trio of eighth-graders from Academy at the Lakes was taking part in a service day the school organized to celebrate its 25th anniversary.
(B.C. Manion)

This crew was just one of many spending the day doing volunteer work at various locations — as Academy’s students and staff spent the 25th day of its 25th year, giving back to the community.

“Service has always been one of our core values, whether you’re a 3-year-old or a senior in high school. We provide age-appropriate opportunities for children to learn an ethic of service,” said Mark Heller, head of school.

“We need to make sure that all of our children know how to be net givers to the world, as opposed to takers from the world.

“They need to understand, and be taught, and experience how to do things that make a difference for others — and how good it feels to do that.

“That’s part of what we did on the 25th day, thanking the community that has nurtured us and sustained us over our first 25 years,” said Heller, who leads the school, located at 2331 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes.

Suzin Carr, who organized the workday at the Old Lutz School, was delighted to have Academy’s help.

“Today, they’ll help clean up after the hurricane. They’ll do some mulching,” she said, pointing to a huge pile, across the schoolyard.

“That pile will be gone by the time they leave, no doubt,” Carr said.

She also appreciated the timing of the volunteer effort.

“They’ll help us get ready for our market, which is Oct. 14, the Market at the Old Lutz School,” Carr said, putting in a plug for the upcoming fundraiser.

Beth Nevel Rader and her brother, Ben Nevel, were there helping, too.

“My brother and I went to school here, one through six,” Rader said, noting her brother is the chairman of the Citizens for the Old Lutz School, a group that works to preserve the school.

“I think the kids are just awesome to come out and volunteer,” she added.

Colleen McCormick, science department chair, said Academy students routinely volunteer in the community.

“This is something that’s part of our core values,” she said.

Service is one of the core values at Academy at the Lakes, and those acts of service can be tailored to be done by the school’s pre-kindergarteners through seniors, said Mark Heller, head of school. (Courtesy of Academy at the Lakes)

That’s important, she said, because “hopefully, it instills a spirit of giving back that they’ll continue after they leave Academy.”

Kevin Crowley, who teaches video production and is the golf coach, has been at the school for 17 years.

“I can’t imagine doing anything else,” said Crowley, whose daughter attended the school, from pre-kindergarten through high school.

While one group was at the Old Lutz School, other groups were planting sunflowers, cleaning up Collier Parkway or pitching in at Feeding Tampa Bay and Metropolitan Ministries.

Heller attributed Academy’s staying power to its ability to create a culture that works on a scale “that takes great care of the individual.”

“I think there’s great power, in the small school, to unlock human potential,” he said.

In a school with a low student-teacher ratio, the teachers get to know each student “well enough to know how to motivate them to be their best and to inspire them to be their best,” Heller said.

With such familiarity, they can transmit “a sense of that joy in the journey, of how to walk through life finding things that are beautiful, and wonderful and meaningful,” Heller said.

Academy at the Lakes originally opened in 1982 as a preschool operated by Connie Wendlek, but evolved into Academy at the Lakes Day School in 1992, with 32 students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. Connie’s husband, Richard, a former Pasco County principal became the head of school.

Besides drawing students from Land O’ Lakes, the school also attracts students from Odessa, Trinity, Lutz, New Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, Dade City, Tampa and other Tampa Bay communities.

The school now has more 500 students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, in its lower division, middle division and upper division programs.

Essentially all of its graduates pursue education beyond the secondary level, with approximately 80 percent being accepted by their first-choice colleges, according to school statistics.

Heller is gratified by the school’s accomplishments during its first quarter-century, and he’s enthusiastic about what lies ahead.

“There are tremendously exciting things on the immediate horizon for Academy at the Lakes.

“We own 47 acres of undeveloped land just on the other side of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church,” he said.

“We have our stake of the ground right here in Central Pasco, in Land O’ Lakes. As the community grows, so too, will Academy at the Lakes, just as has happened in the first 25 years of Academy of the Lakes.

For more information about the academy, call (813) 948-7600, or visit AcademyAtTheLakes.org.

Academy at the Lakes timeline
1982: Connie Wendlek opens Academy at the Lakes Preschool.

1992: Connie Wendlek’s preschool evolves into Academy at the Lakes Day School, which opens with 32 students in prekindergarten through eighth grade. Her husband, Richard, a former principal in Pasco County Schools, becomes the head of school. Connie is the music teacher.

1997: McCormick Campus opens to house a middle school.

1998-99 school year: The school adds ninth grade. In subsequent years it added 10th grade, 11th grade and 12th grade.

2002: The school has its first high school graduation. There are four members in the class.

2004: The new high school building opens. The structure has the same colonial touches as the middle school.

2006: Academy at the Lakes accepted into the Florida High School Athletic Association.

2008: School gymnasium opens, new sixth-grade classrooms added to the fifth-grade suite, and the school introduces its fifth- and sixth-grade program.

2012: Academy at the Lakes celebrates its 20th anniversary.

2013: Academy acquires 47 acres of land from the MacManus family.

2015: The new Lower Division playground is dedicated.

2017: Master planning for future begins.

Published September 27, 2017

Chalk Talk 09/27/2017

By

(Courtesy of Hillsborough County Public Schools)

A witness to hard-working volunteers
Anthony Jones, principal of Walker Middle Magnet School in Odessa, appreciated all those who served at various shelters to provide for anyone seeking safety from Hurricane Irma. Staff, including the principals of Hammond Elementary, Lowry Elementary, Northwest Elementary and Walker Middle schools manned the hurricane shelter at Hammond in Odessa, where Jones and his family rode out the storm.

No hurricane makeup days for Pasco
After receiving confirmation from the Florida commissioner of education that the state is forgiving the two days Gov. Rick Scott ordered all Florida schools closed for Hurricane Irma, Pasco County Schools leaders have determined that the other four hurricane days can be made up without cancelling planned days off.

There will be no school on any day during Thanksgiving week, and no days will be added to the end of the school year.

Instead, 11 schools are adding time to class schedules by having shorter passing time between classes, reducing the length of homeroom, or starting earlier or dismissing later.

None of these changes take any teacher below the contractual minimums for weekly planning time, daily planning periods or daily lunchtime.

Individual schools notified students, teachers and staff of the adjusted bell schedules, which started Sept. 25.

Students glimpse city government
Gulf Middle High School students will get an inside look at government agency operations, meet city officials and have a complimentary lunch Sept. 29 from 7:45 a.m. to 1:20 p.m., for Student Government Day with the City of New Port Richey.

The school’s student council members will tour the New Port Richey police, fire, and public works departments, as well as the water filtration and waste treatment facilities.

The tour will start at City Hall, and then the students will be paired with city officials, and experience a mock City Council meeting.

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

Manufacturing Day
CareerSource Pasco-Hernando announced the fifth annual Manufacturing Day will take place Oct. 6.

More than 26 manufacturers and more than 650 high school students will tour local manufacturers in Pasco and Hernando counties. Also, more than 1,800 virtual manufacturing tours will be viewed by high school and middle school students.

For information about tour locations and times, visit MfgDay.com, or call CareerSource at (352) 200-3020.

Saint Leo open house
Saint Leo University will host its Undergraduate Admissions Fall Open House Oct. 7 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Guests can explore the campus at 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo, and speak with members of the university’s community.

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

Students who bring official copies of transcripts and test scores may also be reviewed for instant on-site admission into the university.

For information, or for special accommodations, call (352) 588-8283, or email .

Teacher evaluation agreement reached
The United School Employees of Pasco and Pasco County Schools signed a revised agreement for the 2017-2018 teacher evaluations.

The one-year agreement is the result of joint efforts to improve evaluations, so that more emphasis is placed on professional coaching and growth. The procedural revisions are expected to reduce or eliminate the concern previously reported as a byproduct of the evaluation process and allow for a more collaborative approach.

Key elements in the agreement include:

  • Observations conducted over time through multiple informal classroom visits
  • Timely feedback, no later than 10 days from visit
  • Post-conferences available on request following classroom visit feedback
  • Scores for classroom practices finalized no later than the end of the third quarter
  • Elimination of paperwork and documentation associated with scoring of multiple domains
  • Deliberate practice will remain additive, weighted at 20 percent instead of 15 percent

The district and the union are committed to working toward a further improved evaluation system for the 2018-2019 school year.

Class reunion
The Land O’ Lakes High School Class of 1977 will host its 40th reunion Oct. 27 and Oct. 28. Events will include the Land O’ Lakes homecoming game on Friday, and a dinner party on Saturday. The dinner will be $25.
Guests should RSVP and pay by Oct. 14.
For all details, including times and cost, email , or go to the Facebook group Land O’ Lakes Class of 1977 Alumni.

Academy open house
Hillel Academy, 2020 W. Fletcher Ave., in Tampa, will host an open house Oct. 24 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Hillel is the city’s only private Jewish day school.

Topics will be academic secular programming, Hebrew and Judaics, art, music, physical education and technology programs. There also will be door prizes, tours, goody bags and refreshments.

For information or to RSVP, call (813) 963-2242, email , or visit HillelAcademyTampa.com/admissions.

Chalk Talk 09/20/2017

By

(Courtesy of Joe Humphrey)

Hands-on technology enhances learning
Christy Pelphrey, a fourth-grade teacher at Schwarzkopf Elementary School in Lutz, moderates an intense interactive Kahoot! quiz program with Lian Brewer, Patrick Yazbeck and Christian Yazbeck. Kahoot! allows teachers, and students, to design quizzes that can be taken from phones, tablets and computers.

 

 

CORRECTION: Students get Cinderella treatment
Due to the effects of Hurricane Irma, the Cinderella Project has been rescheduled for Sept. 27 and Sept. 28 from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Project also will be rescheduled at Gulf High.

The Cinderella Project of Pasco County will provide new and gently used dresses and shoes to indigent young female students in Pasco County schools in time for this year’s homecoming festivities. The garments are available in a boutique setting.

The Project was originally set to visit Gulf High School, in New Port Richey, on Sept. 18 and Sept. 19, but will be rescheduled; and, will be at Fivay High School, in Hudson, on Sept. 27 and Sept. 28 from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

For more about The Cinderella Project, where to donate clothing and how to make cash donations, visit the organization’s Facebook page at The Cinderella Project Pasco County, or call Julie Rockwell at (727) 372-2530.

Free Homecoming dresses
The Belle of the Ball Project will give away free homecoming dresses and accessories Sept. 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at its boutique at 1210 Holt Ave., in Clearwater, to in-need high school girls. It also will provide dresses Sept. 30, Oct. 14 and Oct. 21.

The organization respects the honor system. No referral letter is necessary. No appointment is needed. A $1 to $5 donation is requested, but not required. Dresses are for high school dances only.

Donations of dresses and accessories can also be made at the site, dates and times listed above.

For a list of other year-round donation sites and information, call (727) 386-4502, or visit BelleOfTheBallProject.com.

A National Guard visit
The National Guard will visit Hudson High School Sept. 26 at 7:30 a.m., to provide JROTC students with a military experience.

There will be a military Humvee and howitzer artillery gun, and a firing of blank rounds from a canon at the beginning of the first, second, third and sixth periods.

The Guard also will provide ready-to-eat meals (MREs) and talk to the students about careers that its Florida force offers.

For information, call Timothy Root at (727) 774-4255.

College planning workshop
Thrivent Financial will host a free College Planning Strategies Workshop Sept. 26 at North Pointe Church, 19862 Amanda Park Drive in Lutz, for parents and students in seventh grade and higher.

Participants can learn how academics, admissions and financial strategies can work together to help save money on college.

There will be tips about FAFSA; what COA, OOP and EFC are, and the importance of each; timelines for taking the SAT/ACT; and, strategies to select a college.

Doors open at 6:15 p.m. Space is limited.

To RSVP, call (813) 626-5489, email , or visit Thrivent.com/uplan and select “FL.”

Aviation degrees
Pasco-Hernando State College received approvals to include an Aviation Administration degree program and a College Credit Certificate program in Cybersecurity in the scope of its current accreditation.

The Board of Trustees of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges reviewed the materials for approval of the Associate in Science in Professional Pilot Technology and Aviation Administration degree programs.

The offering of the two degrees for the fall semester began Aug. 21.

For information on PHSC’s aviation programs, visit PHSC.edu/aviation.

The College Credit Certificate in Cybersecurity is a component of the Associate of Science in Network Systems Technology degree.

For information on the Cybersecurity certificate, visit PHSC.edu/program/cybersecurity-certificate.

Academy open house
Hillel Academy, 2020 W. Fletcher Ave., in Tampa, will host an open house Oct. 24 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Hillel is the city’s only private Jewish day school.

Topics will be academic secular programming, Hebrew and Judaics, art, music, physical education and technology programs. There also will be door prizes, tours, goody bags and refreshments.

For information or to RSVP, call (813) 963-2242, email , or visit HillelAcademyTampa.com/admissions.

Class reunion
“Lordy Lordy, it’s been 40!

Forty years have come and gone,

Can’t believe it’s been that long.

Don’t let anymore time come to pass.

Join our 1977 class.

Let this be the Blue and Golden Rule,

First event to be held at school.

October 27 is the homecoming game.

Come watch the Gators put Mitchell to shame.

But, don’t let this be the end.

Come eat and play games with your old high school friends

At a tailgate party on October 28,

Saturday afternoon. It’ll be great!

The cost is $20 each.

We’ll have lots of food and light drinks.”

-Diane Butler

Join Land O’ Lakes High School Class of 1977 for its 40th reunion.

Reservations and payment must be made by Oct. 14.

For details, including times and cost, email , or go to Facebook group Land O’ Lakes Class of 1977 Alumni.  

For information, call (813) 949-3913 or (813) 833-7472.

 

Chalk Talk 09/13/2017

By

(Courtesy of Kelly Bonin)

Engaging students in agriculture
Two Pine View Middle School FFA members recently attended the Florida FFA Chapter Presidents’ Conference. FFA (which includes agriculturalists and farmers) gives students the chance to learn about agriculture education, develop critical thinking skills and leadership skills. From left, Autumn Gaddie, Kelly Bonin (advisor) and Gianna Suarez.

 

 

Pasco Schools convenes Congress
Pasco County high schools have appointed two students each to a new Student Leadership Congress to give students a voice in implementing change in schools countywide.

The goal of the Congress is to promote innovative idea sharing and to challenge student leaders to create actionable steps to implement positive change in their schools in collaboration with their principals.

River Ridge High School’s principal has already implemented change by revamping student government, to put an emphasis on service projects and required services hours, increase the number of representatives, and have students commit to service hours in order to run for office.

Other ideas schools replicated centered around student engagement and recognition:

  • Allowing seniors to paint their parking spaces for enhanced connectedness to the school
  • Placing yard signs in the front yards of students to recognize them for high achievement on FSA and Advanced Placement exams
  • Using a bull horn and confetti to recognize teachers and students.

A meeting scheduled for Sept. 13 at Rasmussen College in Land O’ Lakes will include topics such as:

  • United Day overview/success at Zephyrhills High School
  • Drug/alcohol/safety discussion surrounding homecoming activities
  • Innovative ways to support Red Ribbon Week
  • Feedback on the Safety Pledge implementation and ways to reinforce the message throughout the year
  • Strategies to improve school attendance, student promotion, and graduation

*POSTPONED* – PHSC board meeting
Pasco-Hernando State College’s District Board of Trustees (DBOT) will consider approving proposed adjusted course-related fees at its Sept. 19 board meeting at 6 p.m., at the Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

Fee adjustment proposals are reviewed and approved for DBOT consideration by PHSC’s Council of Academic Affairs, a committee that includes representation by administrators, deans, academic department chairs, faculty and staff.

For details regarding proposed fee adjustments, justification for the fees and fee implementation dates, visit PHSC.edu/courses/proposed-new-fee-adjustments.

Day of Service
Academy at the Lakes, in Land O’ Lakes, will kickoff its 25th anniversary celebration with a school-wide Day of Service Sept. 20, the 25th day of the school year.

Faculty and students in grades five and six will visit a local nursing home; grades seven and eight will volunteer with area charities, including Metropolitan Ministries, Feeding Tampa Bay, Crystal Springs Preserve and the Old Lutz School House.

The school also has adopted a section of Collier Parkway and will start cleanup efforts with faculty and students in grades nine to 12.

Students and faculty in Pre-K3 through fourth grade will plant “pollinators” such as sunflowers, throughout the Academy’s campus, as part of The Great Sunflower Project (GreatSunflower.org).

Academy at the Lakes first opened its doors in 1992 with an enrollment of 32 students in kindergarten through sixth grade. Since then, the school has grown to become one of Tampa Bay’s best college preparatory schools.

The school employs more than 100 faculty and staff members, and partners with area businesses to be a resource for the broader community.

College planning workshop
Thrivent Financial will host a free College Planning Strategies Workshop Sept. 26 at North Pointe Church, 19862 Amanda Park Drive in Lutz, for parents and students in seventh grade and higher.

Participants can learn how academics, admissions and financial strategies can work together to help save money on college.

There will be tips about FAFSA; what COA, OOP and EFC are, and the importance of each; timelines for taking the SAT/ACT; and, strategies to select a college.

Doors open at 6:15 p.m. Space is limited.

To RSVP, call (813) 626-5489, email , or visit Thrivent.com/uplan and select “FL.”

Local student news

  • Paige Leggio, of Odessa, graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University with a Bachelor of Arts from the College of Arts and Sciences.
  • Nathan Shane, of Lutz, was among 47 other cadets to be named to the President’s List for the spring semester at The Citadel South Carolina Corps of Cadets. The honor indicates excellence in academics and military duties.

Julia Ruddock joins Saint Leo University
Julia Ruddock has joined Saint Leo University as director of Employer Development & Experiential Learning. Ruddock brings 10 years of professional experience in the defense, banking and higher education industries to the new position.

Ruddock will develop and coordinate programs to enhance student learning and increase career placement; she also will work with Tampa Bay area businesses, organizations and community partners to secure internships and job placements.

Most recently, Ruddock served as manager of employer development for the University of Tampa.