Shoe drive
Victory High School, a recovery high school that provides mental health resources and recovery support in addition to academics, will host a Shoe Drive Fundraiser on Jan. 30 at Calvary Chapel Worship Center, 6825 Trouble Creek Road in New Port Richey.
Donations of new or gently used shoes can be dropped off between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
For information, visit VictoryHighSchool.net.
Virtual summit
Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) will host a virtual “Linking in Faith and Education (LIFE), Spirit, and Wellness Support and Resource Summit: Equity and Advancement of Minority Males in America” on Feb. 1 from 10 a.m. to noon.
The summit will bring together individuals, behavioral health communities, career resources and congregations to discuss social justice and equality issues as they relate to Black and brown underrepresented populations.
There will be a panel discussion on equity and advancement of minority males in America, followed by breakout sessions on leadership/mentoring; politics, policing and civic responsibility; life skills; and, mental health and spirituality.
The event will be presented by PHSC LIFE and Success Academy, and cohosted by Eastern Florida State College and the Florida African American Student Association.
The first 200 registrants will receive a free lunch from Grubhub, sponsored by Humana Bold Goal.
To register, visit PHSC.edu/about/events.
Early release days
During the second semester, Pasco County Schools will implement a two-hour early release day every month, each day falling on a Wednesday. There will be no early release day in May.
The early release days, which were implemented for the first time last school year, provide teachers with an opportunity to complete professional development and experience training that will help increase effective instruction and ultimately will benefit students.
Students who are registered in the district’s PLACE program will be able to stay the extra two hours with no additional charges. School buses will operate two hours earlier during early release days. The routes and bus stops will not change.
Upcoming early release days are Feb. 3, March 3 and April 7.
The bell times, including the early release times for each school, can be found at Pasco.k12.fl.us/site/pcs_bell_schedule, or on the Pasco County Schools’ Facebook page.
Free webinar
Saint Leo University’s Tapia College of Business will present “Re-Imagine Your Future Under Subchapter V: A Chapter 11 Survival Tool for Small Businesses” on Feb. 3 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The free webinar will explore Subchapter V as an option for small businesses severely affected by the current pandemic.
Dave Jennis, a bankruptcy attorney, will discuss key considerations for bankruptcy and lead participants through the process, from filing to when companies emerge from bankruptcy.
Small business owners and the general public can attend the webinar.
The registration link can be found at SaintLeo.edu/business-events under the Webinars-Surviving the Pandemic category.
Student achievements
- Michelle Graham, of Lutz: President’s List at Mercer University – School of Engineering in Macon, Georgia
- Emily Leonard, of Wesley Chapel: President’s List at Mercer University – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, in Macon, Georgia
- Dylan Schaffer, of Lutz: fall Dean’s List at Rockhurst University, Kansas City, Missouri
- Brett Allen Taylor, of Land O’ Lakes: Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care from Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas
- Jonathan Young, of Wesley Chapel: President’s List at Mercer University, Stetson-Hatcher School of Business, in Macon, Georgia
Graduation rates
The Pasco County Schools graduation rate continues to improve, rising to 89.9% in 2020, a 1.6% improvement over the previous year.
Pasco’s graduation rate has improved nearly 14 percentage points since 2013.
“Year after year, we are seeing steady progress,” said Superintendent Kurt Browning. “I’m so proud of our students for their hard work. All our teachers from kindergarten through high school can share the credit because it takes a team effort to prepare students for college, career, and life.”
Cypress Creek High School led the way among Pasco high schools with a 99.5% graduation rate, up 3.5 percentage points.
For more information on Pasco’s school graduation rates, visit Pasco County Schools on Facebook.
Student aid programs
The federal government offers various financial aid programs to help students and families pay for college.
Applying for the programs requires submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
These summaries listed, from the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA), describe the more common federal grant and loan programs. Grants generally do not have to be repaid, but loans do.
- Federal Pell Grant: Pell Grants provide up to $6,345 per year for undergraduates with financial need. That amount is expected to increase for the 2021-2022 school year.
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant: These grants provide up to $4,000 per year for undergraduate students who have exceptional financial need.
- Direct Loans: These loans are available to undergraduate, graduate and professional students. The amount students are eligible to borrow depends on their year in school.
- Federal PLUS Loans: Parents of dependent undergraduate students may qualify for PLUS Loans, contingent upon the parents’ credit ratings. The amount available depends on how much other financial aid the student receives. Graduate and professional students may apply for PLUS if they have exhausted their Direct Loan eligibility.
The KHEAA is a public, nonprofit agency that helps to improve students’ access to college. It provides financial aid and financial literacy information, at no cost to students and parents.
The agency also helps colleges manage their student loan default rates and verify information submitted on the FAFSA.
For more information, visit KHEAA.com.
