The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Education

Academy at the Lakes creates bold vision for the future

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Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, Academy at the Lakes is taking a long view — and making some big plans.

While specifics are still a work in progress, the school envisions the creation of a third campus on 47 acres it acquired in 2013 from the MacManus family, of Land O’ Lakes, according to Mark Heller, head of school.

Mark Heller, head of school at Academy at the Lakes, said work is underway to plan for Academy at the Lakes’ future. He’s excited about the possibilities.
(B.C. Manion)

The private, independent school in Land O’ Lakes, at 2331 Collier Parkway, has an enrollment of 450 students, from preschool through grade 12. Besides Land O’ Lakes, its students come from New Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Lutz, Trinity, Spring Hill, Dade City, Hudson and Holiday, New Port Richey, Westchase and Odessa.

It now has campuses on both sides of Collier Parkway.

The third campus would be off 20 Mile Level Road, on land that is undeveloped, except for the former MacManus family home.

Plans for that third campus include athletic facilities, a new lower division school for grades kindergarten through fourth grade, and an environmental sciences education area.

It also would include the infrastructure that’s needed to support those facilities, Heller said.

The site off 20 Mile Level Road offers an exciting opportunity for environmental learning, Heller said.

Entering that site, Heller said, “you travel through a beautiful Florida wetland. A cypress swamp, water, wildlife, a beautiful canopy of trees.

“We aim for that to become an environmental science education area,” he said, adding that Academy at the Lakes’ vision includes classrooms and boardwalks, and perhaps an observation tower.

It would be a place, Heller said, “where, not only the children from Academy at the Lakes can learn to be good stewards of this gift of the fragile ecosystem,” but children from other schools would be able to attend environmental programs, too.

This banner communicates the message that Academy at the Lakes aims to convey to its students, staff and faculty.

The site is just off State Road 54, in a rapidly developing area in Land O’ Lakes.

“When you’re here at Panera and RaceTrac, you’re in the heart of suburbia. You go 200 yards up 20 Mile Level Road and you’re in Old Florida. What we want to do is preserve this as Old Florida and use it as a community educational tool,” Heller said.

There’s also the possibility of using some of the school’s land at that site for a first-rate aquatic swimming center, with an Olympic swimming pool, he said. “We’re looking at partnering with someone else.”

Other potential plans include work at the school’s existing campuses.

There’s talk of expanding the school’s early childhood center. And, moving the lower division would allow the school to increase its middle and high school enrollments.

Other potential plans include adding a new robotics and technology center, adding a Maker Space and making other campus improvements, such as a quadrangle in front of McCormick Hall, Heller said.

Heller expects the school to begin moving on some, or all, of these ideas within the next few years, but said there’s no specific timetable or cost estimate available yet for the school’s future expansion plans.

Published November 1, 2017

Chalk Talk 11/01/2017

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(Courtesy of Joan Midgett)

Top Dogs at Stewart Middle
The Pilot Club of Zephyrhills hosted the First Quarter Top Dog winners from Stewart Middle School at a Hungry Howie’s lunch. The club started the program more than 30 years ago to honor students for academics and leadership roles in the school. Those honored were (pictured) Shelby Mills, Serenity Rommel, Arnel Ramdath, Yiting Gao, Adara Cruz, Jeremy Hecker and Dustin Day; and, (not pictured) Beatrice Yarborough and Tatum Suggs.

 

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, from Nov. 1 to 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:

  • 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.

IB community info nights
The Land O’ Lakes High School International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme will host three IB Community Information Nights for prospective applicants seeking ninth grade admission in the 2018-2019 school year. Parents and guardians of current eighth grade public, charter and private school students can attend to learn about the program. All sessions are from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

  • Nov. 2, Land O’ Lakes High School mini-theater, 20325 Gator Lane, Land O’ Lakes
  • Nov. 7, Weightman Middle School, cafeteria, 30649 Wells Road, Wesley Chapel
  • Nov. 14, Dr. John Long Middle School, cafeteria, 2025 Mansfield Blvd., Wesley Chapel

For information, call Jeff Morgenstein at (813) 794-9429.

Barbecue for veterans
Veterans Elementary School will have a barbecue to honor veterans 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, call (813) 346-1400 to RSVP by Nov. 3.

Awards program offered
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards will grant two Florida recipients $1,000, a medallion and an all-expenses paid trip to Washington D.C.

Students in grades five through 12 can apply for the awards, if they have made meaningful contributions to their communities within the past 12 months.

The application is available at Spirit.Prudential.com and NASSP.org/spirit.

The application deadline is Nov. 7.

Drama club benefit
The 1983 ZHS Alumni will host the “Back in Time” tour with magician Steve Marshall Nov. 7 at 7 p.m., in the Zephyrhills High School Activities Center. The event will benefit the school’s Drama Club. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students, and free for children age 5 and younger.

For information, call (813) 794-6100.

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 .

 Students lead Florida in independent reading
New River Elementary school finished first in Florida and has been named “Best in the State” in the 2017 Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge for recording 5,536,782 independent reading minutes from May 8 to Sep. 7.

Besides coming in No. 1 in Florida, the school came in second for the nation.

The school has shown consistent improvement in independent reading minutes.

Last year, the school’s students logged more than 2 million minutes, which earned it second place in Florida and a top 10 in the United States.

New River hosted an on-campus student celebration on Oct. 6, where students were rewarded with Kona Ice.

Scholastic plans to feature New River Elementary in their 2018 Book of World Records, and the school will be sent a plaque and celebration kit.

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.

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.

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

The two programs are:

  • Math Circle, an afterschool activity for middle school students 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 arrange for a child to participate, or to get more information, 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 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. The test will be given 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 at MAA.org/math-competitions/amc-8. Late registration deadline is Nov. 7.

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.

Magnet schools earn certification
Six Hillsborough County schools are among the first in the country to earn national certifications awarded by the Magnet Schools of America.

The recognized programs are: Jefferson High School (College Preparatory Leadership Academies); Lee Elementary Magnet of World Studies and Technology; Middleton High School (Pre-Collegiate STEM Academy); Shore Elementary Magnet Center of the Arts; Sligh Middle Magnet for Medical Studies and Explorations; and, Stewart Middle Magnet for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.

The certificates were given after a nine-month review of the schools, based on Magnet School Standards of Excellence and the five pillars of magnet schools: diversity; innovative curriculum and professional development; academic excellence; high-quality instructional systems; and, family and community partnerships.

 

Pasco students share their special talents

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The ovations and cheers seemed endless.

The smiles, too.

Special needs students from four Pasco County schools shared their unique skills on Oct. 20 before more than 100 parents, peers, school faculty and community members.

The ninth annual Showcase for Exceptional Talent was in the auditorium at the Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel.

Zephyrhills High’s Ryan Womack performed an impressive cover of ‘It’s Not Unusual’ by legendary Welsh singer Tom Jones. He was one of 25 acts during the 90-minute show. (Kevin Weiss)

The event allows all of the special needs students to come together as a community to show off their talents. It encompasses students with developmental and intellectual disabilities, including autism, Asperger’s syndrome, Down syndrome and so on.

From dancing and singing/duets, to lip-syncing and comedy skits, there wasn’t a dull moment.

This year’s hour-and-a-half show featured 25 routines from dozens of exceptional student education (ESE) students.

And, each exhibited skills with aplomb, unafraid of the main stage, bright lights or the large audience, that watched intently.

Clearly it was the students’ day to shine.

Performers hailed from Wesley Chapel, Ridgewood and Zephyrhills high schools, as well as Weightman Middle School. A large-scale digital backdrop recognized each act and the performers involved.

Wesley Chapel High’s Anthony Minnick and Ashley Mendez served as masters of ceremony during the talent showcase. They kept the show moving along with dialogue and introductions.

Wesley Chapel’s David Dixon started the show on a patriotic note, with his rendition of the National Anthem.

Ridgewood High’s Becky Bordeaux worked the crowd with her comedy, drawing hearty rounds of guffaws with every joke.

Weightman’s Mauricio Diaz and Noah Brooks kept younger members of the audience engaged, hip-hop dancing to “Bank Account” by rapper 21 Savage.

Zephyrhills High’s Ryan Womack, meanwhile, had older show-goers singing in unison with a stirring cover of “It’s Not Unusual” by legendary Welsh singer Tom Jones.

During brief breaks in action, Wesley Chapel High’s Anthony Minnick and Ashley Mendez served as masters of ceremony. They kept the show moving along with dialogue and introductions.

A grand finale was newly introduced this year. All ESE students were invited on stage to celebrate with a reprise song of Michael Jackson’s “Bad.”

The event ended about as well as it started.

It even elicited “tears of joy” from parent Dale Kimball, who also attended last year’s show.

Kimball’s 15-year son, Paul, has autism.

Paul was part of a Wesley Chapel High group ensemble that performed “Heigh Ho” from Snow White. He played the part of “Prince Charming,” while his teacher, Penny Ward, played the Evil Queen.

It created quite the paradox, Kimball said, as Ward “is so kind and wonderful.”

At the end of the showcase, all performers were invited on the stage to celebrate with a reprise song of Michael Jackson’s ‘Bad.’

The Wesley Chapel parent pointed out the annual showcase is the closest to a stage most ESE students will ever get.

He also mentioned the staff at the schools are very encouraging to get even reluctant students to participate in the annual showcase.

“These kids never will be on a field, ever. These kids will never be on a stage, ever, except for something like this. You see the joy (of the kids),” Kimball said.

“We’re so blessed to have this program,” he added.

Bridget White, an ESE teacher at Wesley Chapel High, coordinated this year’s showcase.

She concurred with Kimball’s assessment the event provides an important and worthwhile experience for special needs students countywide.

“They don’t always have the same opportunities to shine, and this is geared to them. They often are going to their siblings’ events, so this gets to be just for them,” White said.

In preparation for the showcase, participating students were offered two days of on-stage rehearsals, along with a few classroom rehearsals.

Beforehand, ESE teachers disitrictwide spread the word about the upcoming show with students and their families.

“Oftentimes, they have talents that we may not know about, that are (seen) at home,” White said.

Published October 25, 2017

Gallery exhibit showcases Mexican artist Frida Kahlo

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Frida Kahlo is a Mexican artist whose face, with her riveting dark eyes and unibrow, is instantly recognizable — even to people who know little about her life and art.

Yet, more than 80 years after her first New York exhibition, Kahlo still fascinates as a woman, an artist and an iconic figure to feminists and political activists.

A nearly life-size photo of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo seems to peer over the shoulder of a visitor at the Kahlo exhibit, now on display at the Rao Musunuru M.D. Art Gallery on the west campus of Pasco-Hernando State College in New Port Richey. (Fred Bellet)

Pasco-Hernando State College’s Rao Musunuru M.D. Art Gallery is hosting a Teacher’s Discovery Traveling Exhibit to highlight Kahlo and her work.

The exhibit is free and open to the public.

The gallery, located in a wing of the college’s library at 10230 Ridge Road in New Port Richey, is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., on Monday through Thursday, and from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., on Friday. The exhibit ends on Dec. 12.

“She was a revolutionary,” said Connie LaMarca-Frankel, a humanities professor at PHSC, and a founder of the Tampa Repertory Theatre. “She was engaged in the politics of her day and at the same time was an artist.”

LeMarca-Frankel brought her students to the exhibit to introduce them to Kahlo.

“Now maybe they’ll start to think about her,” the humanities professor said.

The exhibit includes large banners that feature Kahlo and recreations of her paintings.

Luz Himelhoch, a foreign language professor, added Latin rhythms to an exhibit on Mexican artist Frida Kahlo by teaching students the dance and music of meringue and salsa.

Books on Kahlo are there, too, for study or a quiet moment to sit in a chair and browse their pages.

There’s also an interactive video that gallery visitors can use to view La Casa Azul, Kahlo’s house and garden in Coyoacan, outside Mexico City.

Kahlo was born in 1907 and died in 1954, at age 47.

Her short life was filled with debilitating pain from childhood polio and a bus accident that crushed and wounded her body. She spent nearly two years in a body cast. Lying on her back, looking into a mirror, she painted what she saw – Frida Kahlo.

She met Mexican muralist, Diego Rivera, a much older man than she, and already wildly famous. They had a tumultuous marriage, a divorce, and a remarriage. Both had love affairs.

For many years, she was known more for being Rivera’s wife than as an artist in her own right.

Books on the artistry of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo abound, and are part of an exhibit at the Rao Musunuru M. D. Art Gallery at the Pasco- Hernando State College West Campus in New Port Richey.

She is known for her self-portraits, and for a folk-art style of painting that captured Mexican culture and challenged people’s concepts of gender, race, class and the history of colonialism.

Two of her most known paintings are “The Two Fridas” and “Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird.”

In “The Two Fridas,” Kahlo did a double self-portrait. Both Kahlos are sitting down. One is garbed in European-style dress, the other in traditional Mexican dress.

In the other painting, Kahlo is wearing a thorn necklace, with a hummingbird pendant. On her right shoulder, a monkey pulls at the necklace, drawing blood. A black panther, with blue eyes, looks over her left shoulder.

“She was such a great personality. Her artwork is amazing,” said Blythe Sanschagrin, who attended the exhibit’s opening reception. “I love the story of how strong of a woman she was.”

Maria Rhew, (standing) a Pasco-Hernando State College library senior staff assistant, and Natalie Danwing, 21, a PHSC senior, look over pictures of the work of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.

Kahlo’s Mexican heritage seemed right for a celebration of multiculturalism during Hispanic Heritage Month, which was from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15.

The exhibit also serves a mission of the college to promote interactive events for students, said Ray Calvert, the college’s director of libraries.

“The main thing is to generate awareness for students and create themes around which they can interact,” he said.

Luz Himelhoch brought her own form of interaction to the opening reception.

She had about 30 students swaying and sashaying to Latin rhythms, as she taught them to dance the salsa and meringue.

She is a Kahlo admirer.

“Frida Kahlo is my hero,” Himelhoch said. “This is a woman who had to endure so much at a young age. She still continued to forge on. She never gave up.”

Published October 25, 2017

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.