Music teacher receives state recognition
Watergrass Elementary School music teacher Karen Reinhold was awarded the 2013-14 Music Education Service Award by the Florida Music Educators’ Association, in recognition of her 30 years of service in the field. Reinhold began her Pasco County Public Schools career in 1992 at Lake Myrtle Elementary School, and has worked at Denham Oaks Elementary and Wesley Chapel Elementary schools. She has been with Watergrass since 2009.
Principal loses hair over books
Watergrass Elementary School student Josh Griffin contemplates where to start shaving on principal Scott Mitchell’s head. Mitchell agreed to ‘lose his hair’ when the students reached their goal of selling more than 1,000 books at a recent book fair. In return, he was presented with a hat to wear, and was told by a second-grade student, ‘Don’t worry, you are still handsome.’
Common Core info meetings
Pasco County Public Schools has scheduled meetings to educate parents and the community about Florida’s new standards for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
Meetings are from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., for parents whose children attend the high schools and the elementary and middle schools that feed into them.
Guests will hear a presentation by district experts, receive materials explaining what the Common Core state standards are, and participate in a question and answer period.
Upcoming meetings are:
• Feb. 6, Land O’ Lakes High School, 20325 Gator Lane, mini theater, Room 500
• Feb. 25, Sunlake High School, 3023 Sunlake Blvd., Land O’ Lakes, cafeteria
• March 4, Wiregrass Ranch High School, 2909 Mansfield Blvd., Wesley Chapel, business learning community area
STEM Fair at River Ridge
The Pasco County Regional Science and Engineering Fair is Feb. 8 at the River Ridge Middle/High school campus, 11646 Town Center Road in New Port Richey. Students from schools throughout the district will display their projects.
The schedule is as follows:
• 9 a.m. to noon, judging
• noon to 2:30 p.m., public viewing
• 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., awards ceremony
For information, call Lauren Burdick at (813) 794-2746, or email .
Countryside Montessori fundraiser
Students at Countryside Montessori, 5852 Ehren Cutoff in Land O’ Lakes, will take part in the annual Walk Your Heart Out during the week of Feb. 10.
The event raises awareness of staying active and healthy, while raising money for the physical education and recreation program at the school. Students can walk, jog or run as many miles as they can during a regular physical education class. Parents pledge per mile.
Last year more than 2,000 miles were completed.
For information, call (813) 996-0991.
Wiregrass hosts Curriculum Night
Wiregrass Ranch High School, 2909 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, will host a general assembly PTSA meeting, followed by Curriculum Night, on Feb. 11 starting at 5:15 p.m. Students and parents can learn more about classes and meet teachers for the next school year.
The school also is participating in the Teens for Jeans drive, sponsored by Aeropostale. Donated jeans can be dropped off in student services through Feb. 16. Those donating will receive a coupon for 25 percent off a jeans purchase at Aeropostale. The jeans collected will be donated to local homeless shelters.
For information, call Robin Williamson at (813) 528-5444.
Corbett Prep open house
Corbett Preparatory School of IDS, 12015 Orange Grove Drive in Tampa, will host an open house Feb. 12 beginning at 8:30 a.m.
The event will include an overview of the school, a tour of the campus, and a light breakfast.
To make a reservation, call Jennifer Morrow at (813) 961-3087, or email ">.
January’s Student Citizens
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce recognized its January Student Citizens including Cameron Hill of The Broach School, Teonshae Starks of Taylor Elementary School, Adelynn Leasure of East Pasco Adventist Academy, Layla Williams of Heritage Academy, Jacob Chinchar of Stewart Middle School, Lacey Wipper of West Zephyrhills Elementary School, Dylan Medlock of Woodland Elementary School, Noah Childers of Zephyrhills Christian Academy, Jasmine Canty of Zephyrhills High School, and Anastasia Atkinson, Florida Autism Center of Excellence. Students are selected for exemplary effort, achievement, and contribution to their school, family and community. Joining the students are, from left, are chamber president Carolyn Sentelik and executive director Vonnie Mikkelsen.
Black History Month event
Pasco Hernando State College will host “History of African-Americans in Opera” with JoAnne Stephenson Feb. 20 at 1 p.m., at the East Campus, Room A-240, 36727 Blanton Road in Dade City.
The presentation will offer a performance of select classical compositions by African-Americans.
Admission is free. Schools and organizations are welcome.
For a schedule of Black History Month activities and locations, visit PHSC.edu/calendar.
Presentations on Florida’s new standards for students
Pasco County Public Schools will host an information meeting Feb. 20 beginning at 6 p.m., on Common Core State Standards Initiative. Located at Zephyrhills High School, 6335 12th St., the program is designed to educate parents and the community on the new standards for students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
District experts will lead the presentations, and attendees will receive materials explaining what Common Core is. There also will be question and answer sessions.
For information, call Linda Cobbe at (813) 794-2717 or (352) 524-2717.
