VPK sites for 2024-2025 school year
Pasco County Schools has released a list (subject to change) of the VPK (Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten) school sites for the 2024-2025 academic school year. VPK is a state-funded, free, three hours per weekday early learning program designed to prepare children for success in kindergarten.
VPK sites for VPK students only: Kirkland Ranch K-8, Mittye P. Locke Early Learning Academy, San Antonio Elementary, Trinity Elementary and Veterans Elementary
VPK Inclusion sites for VPK & ESE (Exceptional Student Education) students: Bexley Elementary, Centennial Elementary, Chester Taylor Elementary, Connerton Elementary, Cotee River Elementary, Denham Oaks Elementary, Double Branch Elementary, Fox Hollow Elementary, Gulf Highlands Elementary, Gulf Trace Elementary, Hudson Primary Academy, James Marlowe Elementary, Lake Myrtle Elementary, Longleaf Elementary, Oakstead Elementary, Odessa Elementary, Quail Hollow Elementary, Seven Oaks Elementary, Seven Springs Elementary, Watergrass Elementary and West Zephyrhills Elementary
For more information on the early childhood programs and frequently asked questions, visit Pasco.k12.fl.us/ecp/page/vpk.
School Choice ends Jan. 19
The Pasco County Schools school choice application window will close on Jan. 19 at 4:30 p.m. The Pasco Pathways Innovative Programs and School Choice application will be available via the myStudent parent portal.
The application window will be for all school choice options, including STEM and STEAM magnet schools, Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation, Wendell Krinn Technical High School, Angeline Academy of Innovation, Kirkland Ranch K-8, International Baccalaureate (IB), and the Cambridge Programme.
The Notification and Acceptance Window will run from March 4 to March 13.
For more information, visit Pasco.k12.fl.us/ed_choice.
Student achievements
- Daniel Acosta, of Lutz: Dean’s List, Southern New Hampshire University
- Emily Bentley, of Lutz: Chancellor’s List, Western Carolina University
- Sean Corcoran, of Odessa: Chancellor’s List, Troy University
- Riley Hall, of Wesley Chapel: President’s List, Mercer University, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- David Hernandez, of Lutz: Dean’s List, Southern New Hampshire University
- Mark Lucas, of Lutz: Provost’s List, Troy University
- April Prier, of Lutz: Chancellor’s List, Troy University
- Dylan Schaffer, of Lutz: Dean’s List, Rockhurst University
- Chase Thurber, of Odessa: Chancellor’s List, Western Carolina University
- Laura Vigna, of Wesley Chapel: President’s List, Mercer University, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Tax Collector Essay Contest
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano is accepting entries in his 2024 high school essay contest, which runs through Jan. 26 at 5 p.m. The contest is for high school students (grades nine to 12), in public/charter, private, parochial, nonpublic and home-schools.
Students must answer the question, “What is the most important responsibility of the county tax collector and why?” in 500 words or less. Entries will be reviewed and judged on how well the student communicates his/her response to the question, as well as overall essay structure, appearance and readability.
All submissions must include the student’s name, school, grade and contact information.
Students in public/charter schools should submit their essays to their principal, who will forward them to the tax collector’s office. Private, parochial, nonpublic or home-school students should send their essays to: Jose Rodriguez Sierra, communications specialist, Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office, P.O. Box 276, Dade City, FL 33526. Entries also may be delivered to the New Port Richey office, 4720 U.S. 19, New Port Richey, FL 34652, c/o Jose Rodriguez Sierra. Students can send entries via email to , too.
The winner will be notified by telephone no later than Feb. 29. For information or questions, call 727-847-8165, ext. 3826.
Science Festival
The 2024 St. Petersburg Science Festival is scheduled for Feb. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg campus, 140 Seventh Ave., S., and Poynter Park, along the waterfront. Families can explore the wonders of hands-on science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM).
The event is held in conjunction with MarineQuest, the open house of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. Guests can walk from one event to the other.
Admission is free to both the festival and MarineQuest.
Spectrum Scholars applications
Charter Communications Inc., has opened applications for Spectrum Scholars, the company’s annual scholarship program for underrepresented college students with financial need.
Each of the rising college juniors selected for the 2024-2025 program will receive a $20,000 scholarship, a Charter mentor and the opportunity for a paid internship with the company.
In its fourth year, Charter has awarded more than $1 million in scholarships through Spectrum Scholars, but the benefits for students of participating in the program extend far beyond financial assistance.
The selected students for the new class of scholars will have the opportunity to complete the two-year professional development program, designed to introduce them to new career paths and expand their networks, with the potential for full-time employment with Charter post-graduation. Students also get unique access to networking and professional development opportunities including the Scholars Summit, a three-day event hosted at Charter’s corporate headquarters in Stamford.
Fifteen students will be selected for the 2024-2025 Spectrum Scholars class.
For more information on how to apply, as well as program eligibility and selection criteria, visit https://apply.mykaleidoscope.com/scholarships/SpectrumScholarsApp2024.
The deadline for applications is March 1. Winners will be announced in May and scholarships will be awarded in August.
