Sunlake Academy unveils improved playground
Sunlake Academy of Math and Science announced with the monies raised the past two years through its Raise Craze fundraiser, along with funds from Charter School Associates, the school was able to renovate and improve its playground area.
Raise Craze encourages students to pay it forward with acts of kindness to raise money for the school. Acts of kindness could be individual things, like inviting another student to join them at lunch or reading to a younger sibling.
There were also school-wide projects including a donation drive for the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, a donation drive of new socks and underwear for a foster closet, and this year, 75 students with family members sorted donations at Feeding Tampa.
The students completed 3,603 acts of kindness this year, 3,063 last year, and raised $52,948 this year, $56,503 last year.
The playground was officially opened to students after a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 19.
The project included:
- Removing over 5,000 square feet of mulch
- Cleaning and refurbishing current playset
- Adding new artificial turf surface
- Adding four new pieces of play equipment
Five new playground musical pieces are expected to be installed in the coming weeks. The area is used daily for all (500+) elementary students during recess.
STEMapalooza in Lakeland
The Girl Scouts of West Central Florida’s annual STEMapalooza will take place on April 6 at Florida Polytechnic University in Lakeland, for girls of all ages and their families.
The event is an opportunity for girls to learn about the world of science, technology, engineering and math, as well as discover what Girl Scouts has to offer. Guests can explore STEM careers, chat with leading women in the STEM field, and take part in hands-on activities.
Any girl with an interest in STEM can attend. Tickets are $5. Attendees can pre-register online at GSWCF.org/stemapalooza, or register at the event. Walk-ups are welcome.
Head Start ribbon-cutting
Hillsborough County Head Start and Early Head Start had a ribbon-cutting on March 25 for the new state-of-the-art early childhood education center at Church Park Head Start and Early Head Start Center, 5657 Webb Road in Tampa.
The new facility is equipped with the latest technology, including computers and smart boards. It has two Head Start classrooms, two Early Head Start classrooms, and an outdoor classroom where children will be able to explore math, science and reading with nature as the backdrop, to help stimulate brain development and build motor skills, according to a news release.
The center also features a playground with educational activities that will be used for exercise and learning.
The new center has capacity for 40 preschoolers and 16 infants and toddlers.
Early Head Start is for children 6 weeks to 3 years old; Head Start is for children ages 3 to 5. Classrooms have a teacher-to-child ratio of one teacher to 10 children in Head Start and one caregiver to four infants or toddlers in Early Head Start.
Head Start programs also provide medical, dental and mental health services; nutrition; parental involvement opportunities; and family support services specific to men, women, relationships and expectant mothers.
For more information, visit HCFL.gov/HeadStart, or call 813-272-5140.
Career & Tech Expo
Pasco County Schools will present a Beyond Career & Tech Expo on April 16 from 9 a.m. to noon for high school seniors and juniors, and from noon to 1 p.m., for middle school students, at Hudson High School, 14410 Cobra Way in Hudson.
The event aims to connect Pasco County graduating seniors with certificate programs, apprenticeship programs, one-the-job training opportunities, employment opportunities and armed services opportunities.
For more information, email Jennifer Batchelor at or Jesy Rodriguez at .
Saint Leo casino fundraiser
The Saint Leo University Athletics Department will host a Casino Night fundraiser on April 20 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., at its Wellness Center, on the west side of the campus at 33701 County Road 52 in St. Leo, for guests ages 21 and older.
Proceeds will benefit the school’s athletics department so its programs can provide a great experience for student-athletes and allow them to compete at the highest level of the Sunshine State Conference and NCAA Division II.
Tickets are $70 and include playing chips, hors d’oeuvres and two drink tickets for beer or wine. Guests can “dress to impress” in cocktail attire. There also will be a live DJ for dancing, a raffle and silent auction, as well as a photo booth.
Casino games include blackjack, roulette, slot machines, craps, Texas Hold’em, and a Big Money Wheel.
For tickets, visit SaintLeoEvents.totalcamps.com/shop/EVENT.
For more information, email Dawn Boltin, associate athletic director of Business & Finance/SWA, at .
Honor Society scholarships
The National Honor Society (NHS) is awarding $2 million in scholarships to 600 NHS students, according to a news release.
The program is supported by NHS’ parent organization, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, which also administers the National Association of Student Councils.
The scholarships recognize students who exemplify the four pillars of NHS membership: scholarship, service, leadership and character.
One national winner will receive $25,000 and four others will receive $10,625 for embodying each pillar. In addition, 20 finalists each earn $5,625 scholarships, and 575 semifinalists receive $3,200 scholarships.
To view the list of finalists and semifinalists, searchable by state, visit NationalHonorSociety.org/advisers/the-nhs-scholarship/most-recent-winners/.
