NOTE TO READERS: Due to continuing developments regarding coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), readers are encouraged to use the contact information provided for individual events, to determine cancellations, prior to attending. The Laker/Lutz News does not necessarily receive cancellation notifications from the various organizations.
Classes move to online
Saint Leo University will make adjustments to university operations and move to online classes, to avoid the spread of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19).
The school is following guidance issued to the state universities in Florida.
University officials have suspended classes for University Campus students during the week of March 16 to March 20, in order to allow faculty to prepare to deliver all classes online starting March 23.
All residential students are asked to return to their permanent residence following spring break, rather than returning to campus (and to remain at home during this period of online instruction). Housing will be available on a limited basis for student-athletes who participate in spring sports, and those students who are unable to return home to their permanent residence.
In addition, all fall and winter sports activities are suspended indefinitely. In addition, no fans will be permitted at the Acrobatics & Tumbling home events.
For information on other locations, visit SaintLeo.edu/coronavirus.
New Fine Arts webpage
Pasco County Schools Fine Arts has launched a new webpage that will showcase a wide variety of fine arts offered throughout the district, including dance, music, theater/drama, and visual arts.
To learn more, visit Pasco.k12.fl.us/finearts, or access the webpage by visiting the Pasco County Schools website, click on the Departments tab at the top, and scroll to find Fine Arts.
Intro to Acting
The Live Oak Theatre Company will offer an Introduction to Acting program through four one-hour classes, for ages 7 to 13.
Classes will take place at 5 p.m., on March 23, March 30, April 6 and April 13, at the Carol and Frank Morsani Center for the Arts, 21030 Cortez Blvd., in Brooksville.
Topics will include basic acting skills and principles of acting; theater terminology; theater etiquette; using humor; and, memorizing and delivering monologues.
The cost is $40 for the course.
To register, email , or call (352) 593-0027.
Career Exploration
Pasco County Schools will host a Career Exploration Night on March 26 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at River Ridge High School, 11646 Town Center Road in New Port Richey.
Meet Pasco and Tampa Bay business leaders, and learn about career options and their educational requirements; industry certification career options; current high demand career options; earning potential in various career pathways, and more.
For information, call (727) 774-7142.
NOTE: BELLE OF THE BALL HAS CANCELLED SHOPPING ON MARCH 28 AND APRIL 4.
Belle of the Ball
The Belle of the Ball Project will provide free prom dresses and accessories to in-need high school girls on March 28, April 4 and April 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at its boutique, at 1210 Holt Ave., in Clearwater.
Dresses are available to all in-need high school girls for their high school dances, such as prom, homecoming and military balls. No appointment is needed.
Spring recruitment
Pasco County Schools will host its Spring Recruitment & Hiring Event on March 31 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Land O’ Lakes High School, 20325 Gator Lane in Land O’ Lakes.
The district is looking for certified teachers, substitutes, bus drivers, school-related personnel and more.
Schools and departments throughout the county will be in attendance to recruit, interview and offer positions for the 2020-2021 school year.
Preregister at EventBrite.com or tinyurl.com/v5eajzt, for a chance to win a door prize.
Pasco Middle is demo center
Cambridge International Education has authorized Pasco Middle School as one of the first two middle school Cambridge International School Demonstration Centers in the United States.
The school has offered the Cambridge International program since 2014.
As a School Demonstration Center, the school will host two showcase events annually, at which administrators, teachers and students will promote and explain to newly authorized Cambridge schools and districts how they implemented the Cambridge Pathway and curriculum.
Pasco Middle received authorization based on five key areas:
- Mission and educational values
- Management and leadership
- Teaching and learning
- Physical environment
- Data
The designation is valid through September 2023.
Pasco County currently has one elementary, two middle and two high school Cambridge programs, and is adding Cambridge at an elementary, middle and high school in the 2020-2021 school year.
In 2018, Cambridge International Education named Pasco County Schools the District of the Year among U.S. large districts.
Student achievements
• Kaylyn Burr, of Land O’ Lakes, is on the Academic High Honor and Dean’s List at Minnesota State University (Mankato), for the fall semester.
• Jack Losier, of Lutz, earned honor roll distinction for the fall semester at the University of Kansas (Lawrence), School of Engineering
• Nikhil Nagabandi, of Lutz, was initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at Nova Southeastern University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
• Gabriel P. Pinson, of Land O’ Lakes, is on the fall semester academic Dean’s List and Dean’s Freshman Honor Roll at the University of Wyoming.
