Spreading the message of girl power
The Pasco Girl Power (PGP) program is in its fifth year at Lacoochee Elementary School in Dade City, and helps fifth-grade girls to be more empowered, promote leadership and reach higher self-esteem. The group of 12 students is given opportunities throughout the school year to experience mentorship, volunteerism and positive self-promoting activities. The PGP members have recently participated in a tea party and baked holiday cookies. Future activities will include a girl’s night (scheduled for Jan. 24), a cookout, a movie outing, and the opportunity to mentor second-grade girls.
Outstanding students recognized
The 2020 Pasco County Schools Outstanding Seniors are:
- Anclote High School: Jalen Cooper
- Cypress Creek Middle/High: Joseph Vreeland
- Fivay High: Cody Sterbens
- Gulf High: Antonio Papanikas
- Hudson High: Faith Hicks
- J.W. Mitchell High: Shruti Patel
- Land O’ Lakes High School: Guido Moya Escalante
- Pasco eSchool: Ian David
- Pasco High: Victoria Conn
- River Ridge: Marc Flores
- Sunlake High: Alexis Paredes
- Wesley Chapel High: Camryn Farquhar
- Wendell Krinn Technical High: Megan Hanley
- Wiregrass Ranch High: Aidan Persaud
- Zephyrhills High: Tanner Politi
The Outstanding School Volunteer Award also is presented annually to school volunteers who have shown outstanding dedication and commitment to quality education in Florida.
The 2019-2020 Pasco County Schools Outstanding School Volunteer Award winners are: Youth Category: Delaney Curie, Trinity Oaks Elementary; Adult Category: Elizabeth Rizzuto, Gulf High; and, Senior Category: Rita Aguis, Marchman Technical College.
Homework help
The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will offer a “Homework Help Resources” informational workshop on Jan. 16 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., to discuss the free library resources available for learning, homework help, education, school projects and more.
The workshop is geared toward kindergarten through eighth grade, ages 5 to 13, parents/guardians, teachers and those that home-school.
For information, call (813) 929-1214.
Home-school sewing
The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will offer a home-school sewing class on Jan. 21 from 10 a.m. to noon, for students ages 9 to 17.
Participants can learn how to use a sewing machine, learn the parts and functions of the machine, try different stitches, and learn about resources to create individual projects.
A Foundry waiver and safety form is required.
For information, call (813) 929-1214.
Early release day
Pasco County Schools has implemented a monthly, two-hour-early release time to allow for staff to engage in professional development aligned with student needs, and district and school priorities.
Early release days will take place on the second Wednesday of each month, with the exception of January and May.
The next early release day is Feb. 12.
Mark your calendar
Pasco County Schools will host its first Pasco Sports Fair on Feb. 16 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Skydive City in Zephyrhills, for the entire family.
The free, family friendly event will feature a meet-and-greet with renowned professional athletes, plus an introduction to various sport and game offerings in Zephyrhills and Pasco County, including tennis, soccer, football, basketball, skating, skydiving, boxing, mini-golf and more.
Some noted pros scheduled to appear include former English Premier forward Gary Blissett, former NFL defensive end Melvin Williams, former NBA shooting guard/small forward Anthony Parker, and former Tampa Bay Rowdies head coach Stuart Campbell.
Art competition
The Pasco Fine Arts Council will sponsor a Kids N Art Exhibition and Competition from March 3 to March 15.
The competition includes kindergarten through fifth-grade (including ESE). Entries from both public and private schools also will be accepted.
Elementary school art teachers can visit PascoArts.org, to get instructions on how to enter.
There will be an art reception on March 15 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
For information, email , with “Attention Director” in the subject line, and be sure to provide a call-back phone number, too.
