Marching band honored
The Pasco County Commission recently congratulated the Wiregrass Ranch High School Marching Bulls for winning the Florida Marching Band 2019 Class 4A State Championship. The band was the first in Pasco County to bring home that honor.
County commissioners were joined by Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning and School Board Chairwoman Colleen Beaudoin, in congratulating the band for its accomplishment. County commissioners also adopted a resolution to mark the achievement and gave one to each of those attending the Jan. 7 session.
“We want to obviously congratulate each and every one of you,” said Commission Chairman Mike Moore.
Commissioner Kathryn Starkey added: “I appreciate the hard work that you put in, lots of hours practicing.
Superintendent Browning said: “This program is to be commended for their tenacity and their hard work that got them here.”
Josh Hobbs, the school’s band director, told commissioners: “We’re all very, very excited to be part of this.”
Name it and win it
Pasco County Schools’ After School Enrichment Programs will expand its offerings this summer, and is “looking for a summer camp name that reflects the diverse special interest camp topics that will be offered,” according to the Pasco County Schools website.
Summer camps immerse students in career explorations, volunteer opportunities and workshops that build direct life skills, offer field trips, and more.
Each camp is designed to provide experiences that foster individual strengths and interests.
Enrollment in each camp is limited to 20 students, in order to provide the best possible camp experience.
Camps include Early Educators Camp (Babysitting Camp), Aerospace Camp, Culinary Camp, and AMP it up! Camp.
Visit tinyurl.com/thr6p6x for information and to submit your camp name suggestion. If yours is chosen, your child can attend camp for free.
Choice application opens
The Pasco County Schools’ school choice application window opened on Jan. 21 for elementary students. The window will close at 4:30 p.m., on Jan. 31.
The application is available through the myStudent parent portal.
Parents who do not already have an account may establish one by going to the district website at PascoSchools.org, and click on the myStudent link (in the circle above the large photo).
This will be the only application window for elementary schools and it will be for all school choice options, including STEAM magnet schools, International Baccalaureate (IB), and the Cambridge Programme.
Mural art contest
Pasco County and the Autism Society of Florida are inviting student artists, including those in the special needs community, to help paint the “Food for All” mural at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Boulevard, on Jan. 25 at 10:30 a.m.
The painting activity is a chance for students to beautify the community, while communicating and collaborating on ideas to promote sustainable, healthy food for everyone, in a quiet, calm and safe environment.
This event is the second part of Pasco County’s “Food For All” Mural Art Contest.
A local artist will be transposing the winning artwork from last month’s contest to the mural wall at the park.
The final mural will be unveiled during a special ceremony on Feb. 15.
To register, visit bit.ly/35QGbkJ.
Free home instruction
The Early Learning Coalition of Pasco Hernando offers HippyUSA (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters), a free program children ages 3 years old and 4 years old.
Home instructors provide encouragement and support.
Parents can work with instructors to review educational materials.
All materials and books are included.
For information, call (727) 569-1004.
Middle school essay contest
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano is accepting entries in an essay contest, which begins Feb. 1. Entries will be accepted until 5 p.m., March 2.
Middle school students, grades six to eight, in Pasco’s public/charter, private, parochial, nonpublic and home-schools can participate.
In 300 words or less, students should answer the questions, “If you could spend tax dollars to fund any program, what would it be and why?”
Entries will be judged on how well the student communicates his or her response, overall essay structure, appearance and readability.
Students in public/charter schools should submit their essays to their principal, who will then forward it to the tax collector’s office.
Students in private, parochial, nonpublic or home-schools should send their entries directly to Greg Giordano, assistant tax collector, Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office, P.O. Box 276, Dade City, FL 33526.
Entries also may be emailed to .
All submissions must include the student’s name, school, grade and contact information.
The winner will be announced no later than March 27.
For information and questions, call Greg Giordano at (727) 847-8179.
