Fine Arts grants
First National Bank of Pasco (FNBP) is working with Pasco County Schools to award ArtsFirst grants, to give music, art, theater and dance teachers the resources needed to bring out a student’s inner artist.
The grants are intended to support and enhance educational opportunities for fine arts students in Pasco County public schools.
Each quarter, teachers submit grant applications to the district’s art leadership team, which then are reviewed and awarded by an FNBP panel of bank, business and civic leaders.
The applications define how recipients of a grant will use the funds to encourage higher educational standards, as well as challenge and motivate students.
Grant applications are due at the end of each quarter, and will be awarded based upon the grant’s likelihood of improving student achievement and opportunities.
Examples of what awarded grants may be used to support are:
- classroom supplies and/or materials
- clinician, guest speaker, performer or guest artist
- dance room equipment, supplies and/or costumes
- fees associated with play production (writes, costumes, props, etc.)
- field trips to fine arts related events
- musical instruments, art equipment, sound equipment, etc.
- supplemental materials that are not adopted or funded by the district or school
- teacher conference fee if the teacher can show how the information learned will be used in the classroom
- T-shirts for special events that promote higher achievement
- special projects
Parents and other community supporters can help fuel the program funding when an account is opened at an FNBP branch.
Pasco County public school fine arts teachers interested in applying, can submit an application at the end of each quarter, by sending the grant application to: Thomas Viking, fine arts program coordinator, .
Countryside open house
Countryside Montessori Charter School, 5852 Ehren Cut-off in Land O’ Lakes, will host an open house for the 2019-2020 school year on Jan. 24 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Prospective students, first grade through eighth grade, and their families can tour the campus, and meet the teachers and staff.
For information, call (813) 996-0991, or visit CMCSMontessori.com.
Health Stampede
Wiregrass Ranch High School, 2909 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, will host its annual Health Stampede on Jan. 25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., during the fifth period.
The theme this year is “So Healthy, So Clean, So 2019!”
Students will be able to visit specific vendors and presentations, with their teacher. There also will be raffle prizes.
Vendors and presentations will include: Baycare Behavioral Health; the Positive Coaching Alliance; a Publix dietitian and nutritionist; the WRHS Psychology Club; LA Fitness; Nutrition Smart; Poison Control; Project PUP (Pets Uplifting People); WRHS Medical Academy; MADD; the health department; and, the fire rescue department.
For information, call (813) 346-6000.
Open house
Land O’ Lakes Christian School, 5105 School Road in Land O’ Lakes, will host an open house on Jan. 27 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
The school is for prekindergarten through 12th grade, has full accreditation, character training, college prep, fine arts, athletics and more.
Prekindergarten is flexible, with a choice of two-, three- or four-day programs.
For information, call (813) 995-9040, or visit LOLCS.org.
Fall student achievements
- Bryant Beacham, of Odessa: Dean’s List, Carthage College (Kenosha, Wisconsin)
- Hunter Desena, of Lutz: Dean’s List, Maryville College (Tennessee)
- MacKenzie Lauren Gaul, of Land O’ Lakes, graduated from Baylor University (Waco, Texas) with a Bachelor of Science in biology
- Jake Thomas Michaelson, of Odessa: Dean’s List, University of North Georgia
- Amy Stanton, of Odessa: President’s List, Georgia College (Milledgeville)
- Ashlyn Stevens, of Lutz: Dean’s List, Harding University (Searcy, Arkansas)
- Darryl Ward, of Wesley Chapel: Dean’s List, Lincoln University of Missouri (Jefferson City)
World of a Teen
Steinbrenner High School, 5575 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road in Lutz, will present its seventh annual “World of a Teen” program Jan. 30 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., in the auditorium.
There will be a brief panel introduction, and a question-and-answer session from submitted inquiries.
For information, call (813) 792-5131.
Guest teacher hiring event
Qualified applicants who want to substitute teach in Pasco County can attend the “Guest Teacher Hiring Event” Feb. 6 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at the Pasco County Schools district office complex, 7227 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Building 2, in Land O’ Lakes.
Pasco Schools is looking for guest teachers and professional guest teachers.
Qualified applicants can interview on-the-spot.
A high school diploma or GED is required to be a guest teacher. Pay depends on level of education and length of substitute teaching assignment.
All guest teachers must complete a 20-hour training course, work a minimum of 10 days per semester, and be available to work on short notice.
Professional guest teachers must have a minimum bachelor’s degree in a certified subject and have a current teaching certificate. The professionals fill in for teachers on leave for 30 days or more.
Anyone interested should preregister at HirePasco.eventbrite.com.
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.
