School Board recognitions of 2018
- Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative presented a check to Pasco County Schools for $216,266.57, which represents the remaining monies allocated to each member after operating expenses are paid, based on the amount of energy consumed during the year.
- Pasco Clerk & Comptroller Paula S. O’ Neil sponsored the fifth annual Constitutional Essay Contest for fifth-graders. First place was awarded to Carly Bowling from Woodland Elementary School, and second place was given to Priscilla Savill from Lake Myrtle Elementary.
- The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program recognizes and honors distinguished graduating high school seniors. Pasco County Schools selected Estefania Acosta, of Land O’ Lakes High School, for the general scholar award category; and Jaelyn Kirkland, of Wiregrass Ranch High School, for the career and technical education category.
- The Outstanding Senior 2019 was awarded to Jillian Gordy, of Sunlake High School, based on her representation of the school through her leadership, service and citizenship.
- Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley recruited the assistance of the teacher and students in Wesley Chapel High’s Television Production class to create a public service announcement video encouraging people to vote.
Elementary school choice
The Pasco Pathways application window for elementary schools is open through Jan. 18.
This will be the only opportunity for 2019-2020 elementary school students to apply.
Parents must have or set up a myStudent account, which will be used to complete school choice applications.
Families may enter up to three choices per child, and must be willing to accept any one of the options chosen. The system will offer enrollment only once per child.
To view the Pasco Pathways catalog of programs, visit Pasco.k13.fl.us/school_choice_catalog/catalog.
Car wash fundraiser
The Zepyrhills High School Cheer Team will host a car wash fundraiser on the south lot of Thomas and Son Inc., at 4542 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills, Jan. 19 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The team’s goal is to raise $2,000 needed for the Bulldog cheerleaders to compete in the National High School Cheerleading Championships, at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando from Feb. 8 to Feb. 10.
Thomas and Son is donating space at the dealership to help the team earn the remaining expenses for the trip.
Kindergarten countdown
During the month of January, schools across Hillsborough County will be hosting “Kindergarten Countdown.”
If your child will be entering kindergarten for the 2019-2020 school year, you will want to attend a Countdown event. These events will offer students and families a firsthand look at kindergarten life, and offer an opportunity to get acquainted with the school’s campus and teachers.
Parents who are able to bring documentation to the event will be able to register at that time.
For a list of items needed for registration and a Countdown schedule, visit SDHC.k12.fl.us.
Stay connected
To receive Pasco County Schools announcements through SMS text messaging to your mobile phone, text “Y” to the number, 67587.
Be sure the school has your mobile phone number on file.
You will receive a confirmation message from the school’s messaging system
You can unsubscribe at any time by texting the word “STOP” TO 67587.
Remember to create a contact in your phone with the name of the school and the phone number, 67587.
Message and data rates may apply.
Scholarships for women
GFWC Florida will award two $3,000 scholarships to women returning to college who need financial assistance for education to achieve their goal to gain employment and become self-sufficient.
Recipients must be a Florida resident and attend an accredited Florida public college, university or technical school as a full-time student.
The recipient’s application, personal statement and two references must be submitted by email to .
The application and recommended forms are available online at GFWCFlorida.org, under Member Resources, Grants, Scholarships and Awards.
The deadline for applications is March 1.
For more information about the program, contact Candi Aubin at (850) 508-3107 or .
Essay contest
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s offices are accepting entries for an essay contest, for Pasco County’s high school students in grades 9 to 12.
Students of Pasco County’s public/charter, private, parochial, non-public and home-schools can enter.
In 500 words or less, students should answer the question, “Should property taxes be raised or lowered? What would be the impact of whichever decision you make?”
Entries will be judged by a panel of directors from the tax collector’s office, and will be reviewed on how well the student communicates the response to the question, as well as overall essay structure, appearance and readability.
All entries must include the student’s name, school, grade and contact information.
Students should submit essays to their principal, who will then forward it to the tax collector’s office.
Those in private, parochial, non-public or home-schools can send essays directly to Greg Giordano, assistant tax collector, Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office, P.O. Box 276, Dade City, FL 33526.
Entries also will be accepted by email to .
The deadline to enter is 5 p.m., Feb. 28.
The winner will be notified by telephone no later than March 22.
