The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Education

Chalk Talk 02/22/2017

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Saint Leo held veterans info meeting
Saint Leo University hosted a Veterans Community Information Meeting, bringing together various organizations that serve veterans in Pasco County and surrounding counties. Coordination of services is key so that veterans’ needs do not fall through the cracks. Dr. William J. Lennox Jr., university president, spoke at the meeting. Capt. Tait Sanborn of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office and student-veteran John Morgan were present, too.

Instructional job fair
Pasco County Schools will host a Spring Instructional Job Fair Feb. 23 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Wesley Chapel High School, 30651 Wells Road in Wesley Chapel.

The job fair is for teachers and student services employees.

Positions are available at the elementary, middle and high school levels, including: reading, math, science, emotional and behavioral disorders/autism spectrum disorder, school nurse, and behavioral analyst.

Applicants can get on-the-spot interviews and prizes for participating.

For information, visit PascoSchools.org, and click on the Job Fair banner at the top of the page.

Those interested also can call Lori Perreault at (813) 794-2845.

Recycled artwork on display
Pasco County Recycling is hosting its annual Art of Recycling contest, back for its 21st year.

Pasco County high school students have created art from trash, and the recycled artwork will be on display in the lobby of the West Pasco Government Center, 8731 Citizens Drive in New Port Richey, through Feb. 24.

Creations are judged in 15 categories, including Best Use of Aluminum, Best Use of Plastic, Most Innovative and Best Environmental Concept.

The contest and exhibit help raise awareness of the arts and encourage the practice of recycling.

For information, visit bit.ly/2kdGsIk.

Wesley Chapel High car show

The second annual Wesley Chapel High Car Show will be Feb. 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 30651 Wells Road in Wesley Chapel, with imports, domestics, trucks and student cars.

There also will be food trucks, a disc jockey and kid’s activities.

The show will feature three classes, and handmade trophies will be awarded.

All proceeds will go to the high school’s auto academy.

The show entry fee is $20. Spectator admission is free.

For information, email or .

College night

Wesley Chapel High School, 30651 Wells Road, will host its annual College Night Feb. 27 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., for all area high school students (particularly 11th-graders) and parents.

Students can get information about majors, sports, special programs, admission requirements, tuition, financial aid, scholarship availability, future career opportunities and more.

Representatives from state universities; Pasco-Hernando State College; other public and private colleges and universities from Florida and other states; and, the U.S. Military, including Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy, will be available to assist potential applicants.

For information, contact Timothy Durling, WCHS career specialist, at (813) 794-8733 or .

Foundation scholarship
Tampa and St. Petersburg-area Simon properties are seeking applicants for $1 million in scholarships. The Simon Youth Foundation, a national nonprofit that provides educational opportunities for at-risk high school students, is looking for qualified applicants who live near Tampa Premium Outlets, Ellenton Premium Outlets, Tyrone Square and the surrounding communities.

Any student who will graduate in 2017 and lives in the community surrounding a Simon property is eligible. Applicants can check eligibility by entering their zip code at SYF.org/scholarships.

Recipients can receive up to $1,500 to enroll in an accredited college, university, vocational or technical school.

The application period ends March 1.

Home-schooling ministry
Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, 2348 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes, offers a Home-schooling Ministry, with weekly co-op at the church, social events and more.

For information, email Linda Holt at .

 

Managing challenges faced by teens

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From social media to social pressures, the challenges of a teen are unlikely to go away anytime soon.

The stresses aren’t going away for parents, either.

To help navigate those issues, the Steinbrenner High Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) hosted its fifth annual “World of a Teen” program on Feb. 7, inside the school’s auditorium.

An estimated crowd of more than 250 people attended, according to Laura Lopresti, vice president of programs for Steinbrenner High PTSA.

Those attending came from numerous areas public high schools, middle schools, as well as a public elementary, a private school and a public charter school.

The fifth annual ‘World of a Teen’ program took place Feb. 7 at Steinbrenner High School. More than 250 parents and children attended. In 2016, the program received the ‘Department of Education Family and Community Involvement Exemplary Program Award’ from Hillsborough County Schools.
(Kevin Weiss)

The award-winning program featured a panel of eight experts, who discussed topics ranging from drug usage and social media habits, to picking the right college.

During the 90-minute event, parents and guardians filled out questions on notecards, which then were read anonymously to the panel.

The answers were forthright, and panelists had plenty of advice.

“I think that a lot of people left here with a lot of questions answered — parents and children— and I think it gave them a lot of content to talk about at home,” said Edgar Guzman, a Tampa-based attorney, one of the panelists.

Drug usage, especially marijuana, was a frequently broached topic.

The panelists’ message to the audience: Stay away.

Lynn Posyton, community relations specialist for Drug-Free World, said she’s noticed the substance being abused “more and more.”

It’s also becoming more hazardous, she said.

Posyton noted the levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) have increased over the past several decades. That’s the chemical that’s responsible for most of marijuana’s psychological effects.

Bob LeVine, former chairman of the Harvard Schools Committee for the West Coast of Florida, was one of the panelists during the ‘World of a Teen’ program. He is the founder of Selective College Consulting, which assists families in the college admissions process.

“It’s not the weed of the ’60s, ’70s or ’80s,” she said. “THC in 1981 was 2 percent. Now, it’s 17 percent.”

That sharp level, she said, affects individuals differently.

“It’s getting crazier and crazier, and harder for a child to understand what’s right and what’s wrong in terms of drugs,” Posyton said. “The most important thing is education of what drugs are. If you’re going to do something, you should find out about it before you’re going to do it.

She added: “Don’t listen to the people that say it’s not affecting them; do you look inside and see what’s happening to your liver?”

Guzman, meanwhile, said he’s seen marijuana’s harsh effects from a legal standpoint.

“It’s very dangerous,” he said. “It’s not worth experimenting; it’s really for nothing.”

Deputy Bill Sanders, a school resource officer at Martinez Middle School, warned parents about vaporizers and e-cigarettes, where cannabis oil can be added and sometimes go unnoticed.

“There’s a lot of sneaky stuff out there, and unfortunately a lot of our kids know how to get them,” Sanders said.

He also has noticed that kids are trying things at younger ages.

“Our kids are experimenting and doing things every year at a younger and younger age,” Sanders said. “Things we might’ve done when we were younger—but not as young — they are doing at a younger age.”

The proliferation of smart devices and popular apps — Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram — doesn’t help.

Social media makes youth more vulnerable than ever, panelists agreed.

Michelle Gonzalez, a special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, said her office is seeing a rise in online sexual exploitation and cyber bullying amongst teens.

Those matters are becoming tougher to monitor, as new apps and devices come online, she said.

Teens ought to think twice before sending an inappropriate photo, Gonzalez advised.

“It can get away from you,” she said. “Once you take a picture and send it, it’s out there.”

To combat problems, Gonzalez said parents must better supervise their children’s app usage and Internet activity.

That includes access to all passwords and encrypted information.

“There should be no privacy—they’re not adults,” she said.

Students, meanwhile, must be cautious with whom they’re interacting with online.

“There’s nothing to monitor how old the kids are, and there’s nothing to monitor how old people are that they’re talking to,” Gonzalez explained. “Don’t give out personal details.

“If you haven’t met them in real life, you don’t know who they’re talking to,” she said.

Deputy Sanders’ rule of thumb for teens: Only converse online with somebody you’ve met face-to-face, and have had a daily conversation with for a school year’s length of time.

“You really need to know who you’re talking to,” Sanders said. “Really know who you’re dealing with online.”

On a softer note, post-secondary education was another point of discussion, during the event.

Several questions were posed about the admissions process, along with the transition to higher learning.

Bob LeVine, former chairman of the Harvard Schools Committee for the West Coast of Florida, said it’s an important to find an environment where each student can flourish.

He pointed out students learn in different ways, from auditory and visual learning, to interactive learning.

Finding available offerings at targeted institutions is paramount, LeVine said.

“It’s not about getting into a school; it’s about succeeding when you get there,” he said.

LeVine later instructed parents to stop worrying about what schools want, and focus instead on what “inspires and develops” children in the “best possible way.”

Additionally, overstressing about grade point average or exclusively taking advanced courses can be counterproductive, he said.

“The academics is important, but they will also weight things differently—sports, volunteering, family activities,” LeVine said. “Colleges want to see students undertake challenges, but not all the challenges.”

Panelist agreed it’s essential for parents and teens to maintain open lines of communication.

“Hiding, being quiet, or walking way isn’t the answer,” Guzman said.

Published February 15, 2017

Chalk Talk 02/15/2017

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(Courtesy of Melody Floyd)

Chambers honors citizens of the month
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce has recognized these students as January Citizens of the Month: Susanna Rom, Academy at the Farm; Kayla Rosales, East Pasco Adventist Academy; Sidney Deese, Saint Anthony Catholic School; Aubrey Prescott, Centennial Elementary; Ethan Dixon, Lacoochee Elementary; Madalyn Grace Irvin, Pasco Elementary; Daniela Alvarez, Rodney B. Cox Elementary; Manuel Servindelamora, San Antonio Elementary; Yahir Torres, Centennial Middle; Teon Ifill, Pasco Middle; Brianna Moser, James Irvin Educaiotn Center; and, Paul Leon, Pasco High.

Elementary school opens clothes closet
Mittye P. Locke Elementary School in New Port Richey opened a Locke Closet and Resource Center Feb. 4, to provide no-cost clothing to families in need.

The school staff collected 3,000 new clothing items through a partnership with New Threads of Hope in Wisconsin. Clothing was available in all sizes for men, women, boys and girls.

Families received invitations and were asked to RSVP to shop for clothing.

Also offered were community resources for counseling, youth services, jobs, food, shelter and more.

Shady Hills hosts first track meet field trip
Shady Hills Elementary School hosted its first Track Meet Field Trip Feb. 10 at Crews Lake Middle School. The event was part of the after-school Shady Hills Harrier Running Club, which is in its second year.

Since its formation, the club has amassed a roster of 110 students who run every Tuesday and Thursday.

The students tally their accumulated miles to earn rewards and participation in Oak Hill Hospital’s Five Points of Life Kids Marathon, in April.

Students also receive tips on stretching, nutrition and running techniques.

Pine View’s week of service
Pine View Middle School’s inaugural Great Week of Service is Feb. 13 through Feb. 17, as part of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme, to encourage giving back to the community, and to learn from and reflect on the experiences.

As part of the week, students will host a car wash for first responders, and make tug toys and collect treats for animals at Pasco County Animal Services. The car wash is daily from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The toy making will take place throughout the week in art classes.

The students also will mentor at Cox Elementary School in Dade City on Feb. 16, and volunteer at Metropolitan Ministries in Holiday on Feb. 17.

The school will collect these donations: clean, old towels and T-shirts (for tug toys), Pup-Peroni and/or Milk-Bone dog treats, Tempations cat treats, carwash soap (not dish soap), sponges and scrub brushes.

For information, call Pine View at (813) 794-4800.

Parent information nights
San Antonio Elementary School will host three parent information nights to share information about the Cambridge Programme with east Pasco families. Each session begins at 6:30 p.m.:

  • Feb. 16, San Antonio Elementary, 32416 Darby Road in Dade City
  • Feb. 20, Centennial Elementary, 38501 Centennial Road in Dade City
  • Feb. 23, Wesley Chapel Elementary, 30243 Wells Road

The Cambridge Programme will be offered in the 2017-2018 school year. The program is a comprehensive approach to teaching and learning with an international curriculum model that provides students with a rigorous educational experience.

For information, call San Antonio Elementary at (352) 524-5300, or visit PascoSchools.org, and click on the Schools link at the top.

Home-schooling ministry
Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, 2348 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes, offers a Home-schooling Ministry, with weekly co-op at the church, social events and more.

For information, email Linda Holt at .

Local students earn degrees
The following students have earned degrees from their respective schools:

  • Angel Ramos, of Wesley Chapel, Bachelor of Science in exercise science from Missouri Valley College
  • Colin Allan Pritchard, of Odessa, Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Clemson University, South Carolina
  • Alissa Belasco, of Lutz, Bachelor of Science in applied science from Youngstown State University, Ohio

Learning Gate looking for sponsors, auction items
Learning Gate Community School in Lutz will host its 13th annual Silent Auction Night on March 4 at the University Area Community Development Center. All the proceeds will benefit Learning Gate students.

The school is looking for auction items, sponsors, raffles prizes or gift certificates. All items received will be highlighted to advertise the company. Pickup is available for any donations provided. Donations are tax deductible.

For information, call Michele Northrup at (813) 948-4190, ext. 313, or visit LearningGate.org

Middle/high school offers new possibilities

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Principal Carin Hetzler-Nettles sees countless possibilities for students who will be taught at Cypress Creek Middle/High School, now under construction off State Road 52.

Students aren’t the only ones who will have new opportunities, Hetzler-Nettles said. She believes the experience will be invigorating for her faculty and staff, too.

The school is slated to begin operation in the fall, beginning with students in grade six through 11, and adding a senior class the following year.

Carin Hetzler-Nettles, former principal at Wesley Chapel High, will lead Cypress Creek Middle/High School. She has experience at both the middle and high school levels.
(B.C. Manion)

Attendance boundaries for the school were adopted on Jan. 17 by the Pasco County School Board, but the boundaries are being challenged.

The Pasco County School Board and Superintendent Kurt Browning were scheduled to meet in a closed session with school board attorneys to discuss pending litigation regarding those boundaries. That meeting was set for the morning of Feb. 7, or as soon thereafter as possible.

Meanwhile, construction continues at Cypress Creek Middle/High School.

The physical setup keeps middle school and high school students in separate areas, Hetzler-Nettles said. There will be separate physical education classes, with separate locker rooms for the age levels and genders.

There’s also a screen in the gym that will descend, to separate middle school and high school physical education classes.

Students will ride the bus together, but there will be rules, Hetzler-Nettles said.

“Middle school students will sit in the front. High school students can sit in the last 10 rows,” she said.

That practice is already being used on buses carrying middle school and high school students to other district schools, she said.

Cypress Creek Middle/High will have a high school band and a middle school band, as well as a high school orchestra and middle school orchestra.

“There might be some performances together. That will be the beauty of that school,” Nettles said.

“There is going to be a lot of awesome possibilities in terms of student mentoring,” Hetzler-Nettles said. “I can easily see ninth-graders mentoring in sixth-grader classes.

“Collaboration amongst the teachers is going to be amazing,” she added.

The school is planning to have academies in Criminal Justice, Entrepreneurship, and Engineering and Robotics.

There also will be opportunities for middle school students who have advanced skills to take academic courses at the high school level, Hetzler-Nettles said.

The principal said she has heard some concerns regarding the impact that the lack of a senior class could have on athletic programs.

She thinks it will serve as an advantage for some underclassmen.

“Your juniors will be your leaders. That’s definitely going to offer up some opportunities,” Hetzler-Nettles said.

The principal is looking forward to being able to give tours of the new school.

“The campus is just beautiful,” she said.

She also noted the quest to secure funding for a performing arts center on the campus.

“It’s a collaborative effort between Pasco County School Board and PHSC (Pasco-Hernando State College),” Hetzler-Nettles said.

The middle/high school will open with offerings in dance, theater, orchestra, band and chorus, she said.

“I think those programs will just explode, with the building of that performing arts center,” Nettles said. “PHSC is going to have classes there. It’s going to give our kids an opportunity for dual enrollment within the area of fine arts. That’s exciting.

“It’s going to be a community theater, maybe even renting it out for events,” Hetzler-Nettles said.

The principal began her teaching career as a middle school teacher at River Ridge. She has been at the helm of Wesley Chapel High School for several years.

She’s looking forward to working with both middle and high school students.

“I know that parents are worried about that combination of middle school and high schoolers, but I really see it as such a benefit,” Hetzler-Nettles said.

“Kids are kids. They’re awesome. They’re fun. I’m excited to translate what we do here at Wesley Chapel High School down into a middle school arena,” she said.

She also wants to alleviate worries that parents may have.

“I’m available for questions at any time. If they have concerns, they certainly can reach out to me,” Hetzler-Nettles said.

She can be reached at .

Published February 8, 2017

Chalk Talk 02/08/2017

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Local students make dean’s lists
The following students from Lutz made the fall Dean’s List at their respective schools:

  • Natalia Campos, Valdosta State University, Georgia
  • Sarah Fechtel, Belmont University, Nashville, Tennessee
  • Cameron Hair, Columbia College, Salt Lake City Campus, Utah
  • Kyle McCann, Belmont University
  • Katelyn Preiboy, Belmont University
  • Katie Quintana, Berry College, Rome, Georgia
  • Katie Wynn, Belmont University

Tori Anderson, of Odessa, also made the fall Dean’s List at Berry College.

Marchman hosts a sneak peek
The Fred K. Marchman Technical College, 7825 Campus Drive in New Port Richey, hosted a Sneak Peek campus showcase Feb. 2 for prospective high school students and adults who wanted to learn about next year’s program options.

Guests could also tour the campus and meet instructors. Breakout sessions provided more information on applications and financial assistance.

For information, call Alicia Leary, assistant principal, at (727) 774-1700.

Bayonet Point rededication
Bayonet Point Middle School, 11125 Little Road in New Port Richey, hosted a rededication ceremony Feb. 7, to celebrate the past, present and future of the changes the school has undergone.

The school closed to undergo a yearlong renovation, and reopened this year as one of the first ever combined STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and LATIC (learner-active, technology-infused classroom) middle magnet schools in the United States.

The event featured a short program, student performances and refreshments.

For information, call Mary Ann Lazzarino at (727) 774-7400.

Black History presentation
Pasco-Hernando State College will host a “Reading, Writing and the Making of Black History” presentation by Andrew J. Skerritt Feb. 9 at the following campuses:

  • 9:45 a.m., at West Campus, New Port Richey, 10230 Ridge Road
  • 2 p.m., at Spring Hill Campus, 450 Beverly Court
  • 6 p.m., at Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., Wesley Chapel

For information, visit PHSC.edu/calendar.

Online business courses
Pasco-Hernando State College, in partnership with Ed2Go, will offer new instructor-led online courses on starting a business.

Classes will be offered monthly, and new business course topics that begin on Feb. 15 include Start Your Own Business, Start and Operate Your Own Home-Based Business, Start Your Own Online Business, and Creating a Successful Business Plan.

Ed2Go offers more than 300 online courses on a variety of topics.

To view a complete list of online, noncredit courses, or to register, visit Ed2Go.com/phsc.

For information, call (727) 816-3123, or email .

Vote for mascot before Feb. 19
The final day to vote for a new Pasco-Hernando State College mascot is Feb. 19.

Community members and PHSC faculty, staff, students and alumni can cast a vote at PHSC.edu/mascot.

Mascot recommendations were ranked, resulting in these three mascot names rising to the top in the order of votes received: Suns, Rangers, Cubs. Also up for voting consideration are Bobcats, Coyotes and Golden Eagles.

Conquor, the sword-wielding mascot representing the Conquistadors since 1993, will officially retire in the spring. A retirement celebration is scheduled at the college’s annual Athletic Awards Ceremony in April.

Bishop McLaughlin 5K
Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School, 13651 Hays Road in Spring Hill, will host a Category 5K/Fun Run & Family Event Feb. 25 at the school’s athletic fields.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. The cost is $10 for children ages 6 to 12, $20 for students, and $30 for adults.

Other family events include a corn hole tournament and putt-putt golf.

Online registration and payment is available at BMCHS.com.

For information, call (727) 857-2600.

Virtual run for safe schools
Pasco County Schools is hosting its annual Together We Stand Virtual 5K Run for Safe Schools through Feb. 28.

A virtual race enables participants to track their time from any location, whether running or walking inside or outside, even if they are participating in another race.

Proceeds from the run will be used to provide scholarships for Pasco County high school students to attend the Summer Youth Leadership Institute hosted by Sunrise of Pasco.

Remaining funds will be used to help provide additional school and district-based student leadership activities.

The cost is $5 for students, $10 for Pasco County school staff, and $20 for the general public.

To register, visit bit.ly/2kcgYO1.

For information, contact Jenna Sage at (727) 774-2442 or .

School choice applications
Pasco County School’s choice application window runs through March 1.

Those who applied for a magnet school also can submit a school choice application for a traditional Pasco County school.

School choice applications can be accessed on the district website, PascoSchools.org, by clicking on the school choice banner at the top.

If a student currently is attending a school on school choice, parents do not need to reapply unless their address has changed after initial approval, they reside outside Pasco County, their school was impacted by boundary changes, or the student will be moving to the next school level (such as elementary to middle or middle to high school).

Families who live in another county must submit a release from their home county within the open enrollment period.

Students who reside in Pasco County will be given first consideration for school choice enrollment.

Applications that have not been entirely completed will not be considered.

Families requesting choice enrollment for more than one child must complete a separate application for each child.

Learning Gate looking for sponsors, auction items
Learning Gate Community School in Lutz will host its 13th annual Silent Auction Night on March 4 at the University Area Community Development Center. All the proceeds will benefit Learning Gate students.

The school is looking for auction items, sponsors, raffles prizes or gift certificates. All items received will be highlighted to advertise the company. Pickup is available for any donations provided. Donations are tax deductible.

For information, call Michele Northrup at (813) 948-4190, ext. 313, or visit LearningGate.org.

 

Chalk Talk 02/01/2017

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(Courtesy of Pilot Club of Zephyrhills)

Pilot Club honors ‘top dogs’
The Pilot Club of Zephyrhills recognized the Second Quarter Top Dog winners from Stewart Middle School with a Hungry Howie’s luncheon. The club honors students for academics and leadership roles in the school. The students receiving a certificate and gold dog tag are Anthony Agosto, Emma McKelvey, Emily Gillett, Tamya Simms, Noah McCarty, Naman Holmes, Taija McCullough, Jenny Delcastillo and Joshua Fain.

Prep school open house
Classical Preparatory School, 16500 Lyceum Way in Land O’ Lakes, will host an open house Feb. 2, for those interested in learning more about a liberal arts education, for kindergarten through 11th grade.

Guests are invited to attend at 5 p.m., or 6:15 p.m., to meet Headmaster Ben Davis.

The school also has open enrollment for the 2017-2018 school year through Feb. 24. Applications are being accepted online at ClassicalPrepEnrollment.org.

For information, call (813) 803-7903.

Preschool open house
Mary’s House, at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, 2348 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes, will host an open house Feb. 2 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Guests can visit the classrooms while they are in session, and see first-hand the happenings at the preschool.

Open registration for parishioners begins Feb. 8.

For information, visit LadyRosary.org, or call (813) 948-5999.

The World of a Teen
Steinbrenner High School, 5575 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road in Lutz, will again host “The World of a Teen” program on Feb. 7 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., in the school auditorium.

A panel will discuss the challenges facing today’s teens, including drugs, alcohol, stress, social media, relationships, college and more.

Participants can email questions in advance to .

For information, call (813) 792-5131.

Pasco schools’ graduation rates
The Pasco County Schools graduation rate increased half a percentage point in 2016, rising from 78.6 percent in 2015 to 79.1 percent.

The district’s virtual school, Pasco eSchool, recorded a 100 percent graduation rate, up from 97.8 percent in 2015.

The graduation rate for at-risk students increased by more than 10 percentage points, from 50.2 percent in 2015 to 60.6 percent in 2016.

The rate for students with disabilities improved from 56.8 percent in 2015 to 60.60 percent in 2016, and the rate for English language learners rose from 57.1 percent to 59.4 percent.

The graduation rates for these local area schools fell: Land O’ Lakes High School, from 90.7 percent in 2015 down to 87.3 percent in 2016; Pasco High, from 77.6 percent to 73.6 percent; Sunlake High, 87.1 percent to 85.9 percent; Wesley Chapel High, 84.7 percent to 82.8 percent; and, Wiregrass Ranch, from 91.7 percent to 90.5 percent.

Zephyrhills High’s graduation rate increased slightly from 78.6 percent in 2015 to 79.1 percent in 2016.

Nursing accreditation review
Pasco-Hernando State College will host a site review for the continuing accreditation of its associate degree nursing program by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.

The review visit will take place Feb. 8 at 2 p.m., on the West Campus, 10230 Ridge Road in New Port Richey.

The public is invited to meet the site visit team in person and share comments about the program.

Written comments also are welcome and can be submitted to Public Notice of Upcoming ACEN Accreditation Review Visit, Dr. Marsal Stoll, chief executive officer, Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, 3343 Peachtree Road N.E., Suite 850, Atlanta, Georgia 30326.

Comments can also be emailed to .

The deadline for comments is Feb. 3.

Seeking scholarship applications
Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts is now accepting applications for the 2017 Charlie Hounchell Art Stars Scholarship Program, open to high school juniors and seniors in Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

The program provides financial support to Tampa Bay students to help them pursue higher education in the arts.

Each year, TBBCA awards $15,000 to six Tampa Bay area students based on merit and artistic ability, in the fields of instrumental music, vocal music, theater, dance, visual arts and literary arts. The scholarship can be used for tuition at the college, university or professional arts training program of the student’s choice.

Applications can be downloaded at TBBCA.org/programs-events/art-stars-scholarships. For an email copy of application, contact Susana Weymouth at .

There is no fee to apply.

The deadline for the completed application packet is Feb. 20. Winners will be announced in April.

Marchman offers ASE testing
Marchman Technical College, 7825 Campus Drive in New Port Richey, will now offer ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certification testing, available for automotive service technology, automotive collision and repair students; and, automotive professionals in Pasco, Hillsborough, Citrus and Pinellas counties.

Prior to scheduling an exam at Marchman’s assessment center, candidates must create a MyASE account at ASE.com. After registering and paying for exams, the exam can be scheduled at www.FKMTC.edu. A state-issued ID and an ASE eligibility ID must be presented on the day of the exam.

The current registration window ends on Feb. 24.

For information, contact Michael Andujar at (727) 774-1861 or .

Education a key theme for upcoming session

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Education was a recurring theme among speakers at a recent meeting held by the Pasco County Legislative Delegation before this year’s annual session.

Local citizens and civic leaders voiced their concerns on this hot-button issue during a Jan. 18 gathering at Sunlake High School, with six local representatives to the state Legislature.

Dozens of interest groups and local government leaders also talked to legislators about their priorities for the legislative delegation.

The Pasco County Legislative Delegation had a pre-legislative session on Jan. 18 at Sunlake High School. From left, on the dais, are Richard Corcoran, incoming Speaker of the House for the Florida House of Representatives, and State Reps. Tom Ley, Danny Burgess, State Sen. Wilton Simpson, State Rep. Amber Mariano, and State Sen. Jack Latvala.
(Kevin Weiss)

Rising school enrollment and additional education funding were just two topics raised during the four-hour meeting with State Sens. Wilton Simpson and Jack Latvala, incoming Speaker of the House Richard Corcoran, and State Reps. Tom Ley, Danny Burgess and Amber Mariano.

Spencer Pylant, speaking on behalf of Superintendent Kurt Browning for the Pasco County School District, talked to the delegates about concerns increasing school enrollments and the lack of funding to provide adequate school capacity.

“It’s fitting the delegation is meeting at this school, because it rests in one of the highest-growing segments of Pasco County,” Pylant said.

“After opening 10 years ago, it is at 114 percent capacity; this additional growth demands additional capacity,” he said.

Pylant said 1,707 new students chose Pasco schools in the 2016-2017 school year.

That’s only a preview of things to come, he added.

“We expect approximately 20,000 new students in 10 years, based on our projections,” he said.

School board members and district officials are concerned that current funding sources cannot match the growing demand.

He presented two suggestions:

  • Restore the authority of the school boards to levy—by simple majority vote — up to 2.0 mills for capital purposes.
  • Provide Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO) funding for school construction.

“A balanced capital funding stream is necessary to provide a proper learning environment for our students and families,” Pylant said.

He also suggested some other changes:

  • More flexibility regarding assessments
  • Elimination of End-of-Course exams not required for graduation
  • Authorization of the use of a nationally recognized assessment (ACT or SAT)
  • Letting school districts decide when to administer personnel evaluations

“These recommendations reduce quantity and increase the quality of student assessments, while ensuring simple, meaningful accountability,” he said.

Later on, Kenny Blankenship, president of the United School Employees of Pasco, pleaded with delegates to improve public schools by providing “additional funding” and “more support for teachers” in the county.

Education was a recurring topic during the four-hour delegation, which featured several hundred attendees. ‘I think this is one of the best turnouts we’ve ever had at a delegation meeting,’ said State Rep. Danny Burgess.

Blankenship, a 20-year teaching veteran, endorsed “much-needed” school health centers, small class sizes and “adequate compensation” for teachers.

“We need your help to work with us to improve our public schools, because public education benefits everyone,” Blankenship said.

Jessica Hooper, representing Project Lead The Way, advocated for mandatory computer science education in schools, suggesting, “kids will be more prepared for the 21st century workplace.”

Improvement is needed in this arena, Hooper said. “Unfortunately, there are not enough offerings. You would think that Florida — being the hub of computer science technology employers — would need more (offerings) in this area in the education space.”

Pasco-Hernando State College President Timothy Beard also asked state legislators to increase funding for facilities.

Specifically, he requested $2.5 million in PECO funding for the West campus in New Port Richey.

He also asked for $10 million for an education performance arts center, which would be built on the campus of Cypress Creek Middle/High School.

Saint Leo University representatives lobbied for continued funding of Bright Futures scholarships, along with the Florida Resident Access Grant (FRAG), which provides tuition assistance to Florida undergraduate students attending an eligible private, nonprofit Florida college or university.

The Florida Legislature kicks off the 2017 session on March 7.

Published January 25, 2017

Awards keep coming for Land O’ Lakes student

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When it comes to accomplishments, Maxwell William Keenan, or Max, for short, has racked up quite a few.

The Land O’ Lakes High senior’s academic credentials are impressive.

He ranks 14th out of 4,632 seniors in Pasco County.

He’s a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist.

Max Keenan has garnered numerous accolades during his academic career, including, most recently ‘Pasco County Schools Most Outstanding Senior.’
(B.C. Manion)

And, he achieved high marks on two leading college admissions tests, scoring a 34 out of a possible 36 on the ACT and a 1,490 out of 1,600 on the SAT.

Beyond all that, he’s had success on the tennis court. He’s involved in community service projects, and he helped launch his school’s Investment Club.

Recently, he added to that list of distinctions by being named Pasco County Schools Outstanding Senior.

The award was bestowed during the Pasco County School Board’s meeting on Dec. 20.

In announcing the award, the presenter quoted comments from Land O’ Lakes High Principal Ric Mellin.

“Like his peers nominated for this award, Maxwell came highly recommended,” according to the principal’s account.

“His accomplishments in academics, athletics, service …are well-documented. However, Maxwell’s natural leadership ability and kindheartedness, sets him apart from other students,” Mellin added.

Keenan has a 4.0, unweighted grade point average, in the rigorous International Baccalaureate Program, and a 4.75 weighted GPA, Mellin said.

Initially, students at Land O’ Lakes High voted on who should represent the school. They narrowed the list to the top 10, and then the teachers voted, Keenan said.

Next, he was interviewed at the school district’s office.

It “is truly an honor” to be chosen for the award, Keenan said.

After graduation, he hopes to attend either Cornell University or the University of Chicago.

Keenan plans to study economics. He’s particularly interested in how economics affects government policies.

He said he hopes to gain a greater understanding of the impact that laws have on the average person.

He’d also like to pursue a law degree and is interested in politics.

Keenan said he’s grateful for the support he’s received from the teachers and administration at Land O’ Lakes High.

His appreciation for school administrators may have been developed at an early age.

His mom, Kimberly Keenan, is a former principal of Tampa Palms Elementary in Hillsborough County, and he used to tutor some of the younger students at the school.

It was a rewarding experience, he said, because he saw the children making progress.

His volunteer work didn’t end there.

Over the years, he’s connected with veterans at the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home, he’s been involved in campus cleanups at Land O’ Lakes High, he’s helped raise money for Red Cross and he’s taken a leadership role in Relay for Life activities.

“Relay for Life is my main community service club. I absolutely love it because I deal with so many people who are directly impacted by cancer, and I get to help them, not only with their struggle with cancer, but hopefully preventing future struggles with cancer.

“A lot of the money raised by Relay for Life is invested in new cancer research,” he explained.

Published January 25, 2017

Boundaries approved for new schools

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The Pasco County School Board has approved boundaries for the new Cypress Creek Middle/High School, despite considerable controversy.

The board also adopted boundaries for Bexley Elementary School, without any opposition from the public.

Boundaries have been set for Bexley Elementary School, which is under construction off of State Road 54 in Land O’ Lakes. The school, scheduled to open in the fall, will help reduce crowding at Oakstead and Odessa elementary schools.
(Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

Cypress Creek Middle/High School, being built off Old Pasco Road, is scheduled to open in fall 2017. Initially, it will be for students in grades six through 11, but it will add grade 12 during the second year.

There won’t be a senior class the first year because this year’s crop of juniors will be allowed to complete their high school career at their current school.

The board adopted Cypress Creek’s boundary on a 4-1 vote, with Steve Luikart dissenting. Luikart said he thinks the district can find a better way to reassign students that would avoid disrupting students’ lives.

“Have we done the very best we can in looking at rezonings? I have reservations there,” Luikart said.

But, board vice chairman Cynthia Armstrong, and board members Colleen Beaudoin and Alison Crumbley said they have to do what’s best for the majority of the district’s students.

Beaudoin said: “It’s our job on the board to look at the big picture.”

“No decision that we make is going to make everybody happy,” Armstrong said.

Crumbley said she doesn’t want to move students at all, but the district’s robust growth gives it no choice.

Board Chairman Allen Altman also noted he had received hundreds of emails and heard scores of proposals.

Altman added: The one thing they had in common is that no one suggested a plan that involved moving his or her own child.

Ultimately, the board adopted Superintendent Kurt Browning’s recommendation.

The boundary changes affect Wiregrass Ranch, Wesley Chapel and Sunlake highs schools and John Long, Rushe and Weightman middle schools.

The rezoning aroused deep emotions.

Most of the controversy stemmed from Browning’s support of an option to keep all of the Seven Oaks students at John Long and Wiregrass Ranch, and to move part of Meadow Pointe students to Weightman Middle and Wesley Chapel High.

Speakers alternately praised or skewered the superintendent, depending on where they live.

Some criticized Browning for failing to follow the boundary committee’s recommendation. They questioned his motives. They challenged the school district’s data.

Meadow Pointe parents urged board members to allow their children to stay at Wiregrass Ranch High.

Seven Oaks parents, on the other hand, praised Browning’s approach, saying it made the most sense.

Parents pleaded with board members not to disrupt their children’s lives. Students urged board members to let them stay at the school they love.

While Browning deviated from the boundary committee’s final recommendation, even the boundary committee changed its recommendation during the process.

In the end, though, the majority of board members rejected Luikart’s proposal to gather more information before voting, and agreed with Armstrong’s assessment that a decision must be made.

No one signed up to speak during the public hearing on the Bexley boundaries.

The elementary school, being built off State Road 54, is scheduled to open this fall. It is intended to reduce crowding at Oakstead and Odessa elementary schools. The proposed boundaries also provide additional students for Lake Myrtle Elementary.

Published January 25, 2017

 

Chalk Talk 01/25/2017

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Airplane touches down at Zephyrhills High
For the past three years, Pasco County Schools has partnered with Hillsborough and Pinellas school districts as part of the Tampa Bay Regional Aeronautics Academy program. The program has been funded through a legislative appropriation.

Zephyrhills High School, one of the Pasco aeronautics sites, provides aviation maintenance coursework for academy students.

On Jan. 13, a team of aircraft mechanics, transportation specialists and a safety observer traveled to Treasure Coast International Airport to disassemble a Rockwell Aero Commander 100 airplane. On Jan. 17, the plane arrived at Zephyrhills High School for Aviation Maintenance Science program students to use for hands-on maintenance training.

For information, call Brian Sawyer at (813) 794-2372.

Aeronautics academy debuts van
The Tampa Bay Regional Aeronautics Academy debuted its UAV van and the Tampa Bay Regional Aeronautics Academy at Sunlake High School to the Pasco County Legislative Delegation on Jan. 18, prior to the delegation’s annual public meeting.

The new, mobile UAV command/control operation center van will be used to further the learning experience of students utilizing unmanned systems.

The vehicle has multiple flight stations with large screen monitors, an interactive smart board, a fully self-contained generator system, network access and live-stream capabilities.

Delegation members also toured the academy to hear staff and student perspectives, and experience the technology that powers the innovative program.

For information, call Terry Aunchman at (813) 794-2204.

Gaither band fundraiser
The Tampa Bay Chocolate Festival II will be on Jan. 28 from noon to 5 p.m., at Gaither High School, 16200 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Northdale, to raise money to send the band students to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City, in April.

Admission is free. Parking is $5.

For vendor information, email . For general information, call (813) 562-9599.

Catholic Schools’ Week
St. Anthony Catholic School, in San Antonio, will celebrate Catholic Schools Week with a number of events.

  • Jan. 30: “We Celebrate Vocations,” with an 8:15 a.m. assembly, prayer service and proclamation. Students should wear Respect Life T-shirts.
  • Jan. 31: “We Celebrate Our Students,” with a game day and no homework night. Students can donate a can of soup to St. Vincent De Paul Society for Super Bowl Tuesday.
  • Feb. 1: “We Celebrate Our Teachers and Staff,” a jeans day for teachers and staff; and, a Buddy Day at 2:15 p.m., when older students read to younger ones and make a spiritual bouquet presentation to parishes.
  • Feb. 2: “We Celebrate Our Volunteers,” with morning coffee for parent volunteers, and an open house from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., for prospective families. Students also will create Valentine’s Day cards for nursing home residents.
  • Feb. 3: “We Celebrate Our Families,” at a 10 a.m. grandparents’ mass and honor roll assembly, plus a family picnic in the park. There also will be early dismissal at 12:15 p.m.
  • Feb. 5 and Feb. 6: “We Celebrate Our Parishes,” at weekend masses. Students should wear school uniforms to Mass, and two student ambassadors will thank priests and parishioners with spiritual bouquets.

For more information, call the school at (352) 588-3041.

Conversational Spanish
Conversational Spanish classes will be offered on Wednesdays, from 4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m., at Lake Bernadette in Zephyrhills, from Feb. 1 to March 8. The cost is $10 per lesson.

There is a $60 fee per student that includes class materials. There will be an optional field trip on March 9 to a local restaurant.

Learn to exchange brief greetings, communicate with home or yard helpers, and order at restaurants.

Participants also will learn basic knowledge of Cuban and Mexican foods, and learn more than 200 common words.

For information, call (813) 703-5684, or email .

The World of a Teen
Steinbrenner High School, 5575 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road in Lutz, will again host “The World of a Teen” program on Feb. 7 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., in the school auditorium.

A panel will discuss the challenges facing today’s teens, including drugs, alcohol, stress, social media, relationships, college and more.

Participants can email questions in advance to .

For information, call (813) 792-5131.

Seeking scholarship applications
Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts is now accepting applications for the 2017 Charlie Hounchell Art Stars Scholarship Program, open to high school juniors and seniors in Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

The program provides financial support to Tampa Bay students to help them pursue higher education in the arts.

Each year, TBBCA awards $15,000 to six Tampa Bay area students based on merit and artistic ability, in the fields of instrumental music, vocal music, theater, dance, visual arts and literary arts. The scholarship can be used for tuition at the college, university or professional arts training program of the student’s choice.

Applications can be downloaded at TBBCA.org/programs-events/art-stars-scholarships. For an email copy of application, contact Susana Weymouth at .

There is no fee to apply.

The deadline for the completed application packet is Feb. 20. Winners will be announced in April.

Marchman offers ASE testing
Marchman Technical College, 7825 Campus Drive in New Port Richey, will now offer ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certification testing, available for automotive service technology, automotive collision and repair students; and, automotive professionals in Pasco, Hillsborough, Citrus and Pinellas counties.

Prior to scheduling an exam at Marchman’s assessment center, candidates must create a MyASE account at ASE.com. After registering and paying for exams, the exam can be scheduled at www.FKMTC.edu. A state-issued ID and an ASE eligibility ID must be presented on the day of the exam.

The current registration window ends on Feb. 24.

For information, contact Michael Andujar at (727) 774-1861 or .