Gulf Coast students pay it forward to NAMI
Students of Gulf Coast Academy and Gulf Coast Middle Schools paid it forward by raising $1,431.70 to support NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Hernando, and the residents of the community living with mental illness. NAMI Hernando invited the students to the Beautiful Mind Center for a pizza party to thank them for their efforts. While there, the students decorated the center for the holidays. Shown, front row from left, Tiffany Egli, Geri Anderson and Heather Phillips. Back row from left, Ethan Egli, Lisa Anderson, Gabrielle Anderson, Kara Peters, Cheryl Peters, Rayna Phillips and Aiden Phillips. For information about NAMI Hernando, call (352) 684-0004, or email .
Peguero receives inauguration scholarship
Jessica Peguero, a Center for Online Learning student with Saint Leo University, was named a recipient of an inauguration scholarship, which were provided to deserving students. Peguero, of Land O’ Lakes, is pursuing a degree in psychology. She will graduate in in April.
The inauguration scholarships are the result of Saint Leo University President William J. Lennox Jr.’s decision to forego a formal inauguration ceremony, and instead, provide 20 inauguration student scholarships.
Saint Leo has awarded five $2,500 scholarships each to students from University Campus, the Center for Online Learning, education centers, and graduate programs.
These one-time scholarships are funded and provided by a donor to the university.
Free math circle program
Saint Leo University, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo, is offering its free, weekly Math Circle program for area middle and high school students. The program includes hands-on activities that engage young people and help them sustain an enthusiasm for mathematics.
Sessions are on Thursdays, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., through May 12 in Lewis Hall, Room 207. There will be no class on March 17, due to Spring Break.
For information, contact Monika Kiss at (352) 588-8836 or .
Sunshine Book Club discussion
The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will host the “Taste of Sunshine Book Club” on Jan. 21 at 5 p.m., with a discussion on “Athlete vs. Mathlete” by W.C. Mack.
Each month, there will be a discussion on one of the third through fifth-grade books, a craft and a snack.
Registration is required. For information or to register, call (813) 929-1214.
Countryside Montessori open house
Countryside Montessori Charter School, 5852 Ehren Cut-Off in Land O’ Lakes, will host an open house for the 2016-2017 school year, on Jan. 21 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., for first through eighth grade.
Students and families can tour the campus, and meet the teachers and staff.
For information, call (813) 996-0991, or visit CMCSMontessori.com.
School Choice Week is Jan. 24 to Jan. 30
Students, parents, teachers and community leaders are planning more than 15,000 events during National School Choice Week, including open houses at schools, rallies, roundtable discussion, school fairs and more.
School choice means empowering parents to select the best education environment for their children. These options include traditional public schools, public charter schools, magnet schools, private schools, online learning, and homeschooling.
All 50 states offer parents the freedom to educate children in the home.
All 50 states have public magnet schools, which focus on subjects such as math, science and the arts.
Forty-six states allow some type of public school open enrollment program, so parents can choose the right traditional public school, regardless of location.
Forty-three states allow for the creation of public charter schools, which are innovative, tuition-free public schools.
Thirty states offer full-time, tuition-free online academies.
And, 27 states offer private school scholarship or tax-deductible programs to help make private school more accessible.
To learn more, visit News.SchoolChoiceWeek.com.
Land O’ Lakes Christian open house
Land O’ Lakes Christian School, 5105 School Road in Land O’ Lakes, will host an open house on Jan. 31 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
For information, call Melissa Ackerson at (813) 995-9040.
Fifth-graders break into top 10
The fifth grade Media Club students from Veterans Elementary School in Wesley Chapel were voted into the top 10 contenders (for the second time in three years) for the Scotties’ Trees Rock video contest.
Students were encouraged to be creative by creating a poem, a play, a speech, a song, or a dance on the importance of trees to themselves, their school and their community.
The school with the most eligible votes will receive $10,000 to use toward a sustainable project, such as tree plantings, outdoor classrooms, playgrounds, athletic fields, gardens and greenhouses.
Veterans’ club coordinator, Susan Forgas, helped the students create a mock newscast intermixing sports, news and reality television between tree facts. If the school wins, it will use the winnings to further their efforts in expanding its butterfly sanctuary and edible gardens, along with adding a sensory garden.
Winners will be announced Feb. 15.
The videos can be viewed at ScottiesTreesRock.com.
