Celebrating Purim
Hebrew Academy Tampa Bay recently hosted a Purim Sunday Funday, attracting more than 200 people. The event celebrated the holiday of Purim and all things STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics.)
Families attending mingled and were able to share Shelach Manot, which are gifts of food and drink.
Hebrew Academy Tampa Bay is a Jewish Montessori Day School. The academy cultivates student growth and success as active lifelong learners, responsible citizens, leaders and independent thinkers grounded in Jewish pride, living knowledge and personal ownership of their rich heritage.
To find out more, call Sulha Dubrowski at 813-963-0706 or 813-731-3619.
Youth empowerment
STAND Above the Influence, powered by the Alliance for Healthy Communities, is a youth coalition that empowers youth to be agents of change by strengthening their voices and educating others to build a healthier community.
The club meets once a month and works on projects they feel are important, from preventing underage alcohol and vaping use to educating on the dangers of bullying and lack of inclusion.
For those who would like to use their voice for positive change, STAND will meet on April 13 at 5:30 p.m., at the YES – Youth Entrepreneurial Students office, 15029 14th St., in Dade City.
Volunteer hours and pizza will be provided.
For information, visit EmpoweredCommunities.org/stand/home/.
To RSVP for the meeting, email .
Community Expo
Saint Leo University and Moffitt Cancer Center will host a Community Expo on April 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Saint Leo campus, 33701 County Road 52 (formerly State Road 52) in St. Leo.
As Moffitt plans to begin construction on phase one of its Speros FL medical research park in Pasco County, it is partnering with Saint Leo to create job, internship and educational opportunities not only for Saint Leo students, but also surrounding community members.
Events will include a welcome by Dr. Ed Dadez, university president; remarks from Moffitt representatives; and a kickoff celebration, at 10 a.m., in the Greenfelder-Denlinger Boardrooms of the Student Community Center (SCC).
For most of the day, the focus will be on careers and education, with a “Resume on the Run” resume review from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the SCC lobby and loggia.
There will be a career fair from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the same location.
Sessions offered will include:
- Exciting Opportunities at Moffitt and How Saint Leo Can Help You Get There
- Pasco Community Partnership Opportunities
- A presentation to be determined
A networking luncheon is scheduled for 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m., in the boardrooms.
Saint Leo’s Wellness Center also will host a series of activities from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., devoted to healthy bodies and minds.
For more information and to register, visit Moffitt.org/SaintLeoCommunityExpo.
Kindergarten Countdown
Pasco County Schools’ Countdown to Kindergarten has begun. All new student registration for the 2023-2024 must be completed online at Pasco.k12.fl.us/ssps/page/back-to-school-newcomer-guide.
If you haven’t had the opportunity to enroll your child, visit Pasco.k12.fl.us.
New kindergarteners will have their first opportunity to visit their school on April 17.
The child’s school of enrollment will send information in the upcoming weeks.
If your child was enrolled in a Pasco County school as a VPK student, no further action is needed by parents at this time. VPK students will be connected to their home-zoned school prior to the start of the 2023-24 school year.
Student achievement
Jacob Leuthold, of Odessa, earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, with honors, from the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta.
Career & Tech Expo
Pasco County Schools will host a Beyond: Career & Tech Expo on April 18 at Fivay High School, 12115 Chicago Ave., Hudson; and on April 20 at Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation, 9100 Curley Road in Wesley Chapel. These expos provide graduating seniors with real-world connections to businesses, post-secondary institutions, on-the-job training, employment and more.
Seniors from neighboring schools can attend the expo closest to them.
Students must register with their school’s career specialist by April 11 to attend.
Parent Network
Pasco County Schools will host a virtual districtwide ESE/504 Parent Collaborative Network on April 18 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The meeting is to provide an opportunity to share new or important information and initiatives related to students with disabilities with an Individualized Education Plan or 504 plan, and to present topics in parent-identified areas of need. This is not an individual student meeting.
For information and questions, email Jennifer Hykes at .
Living History Event
The Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, 15602 Pioneer Museum Road in Dade City, will host a Special Field Trip Day for its World War II Living History Event on April 21 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. only. Public, private and home-school students are welcome to attend. The field trip is not open to the public.
Pre-registration is required at PioneerFloridaMuseum.org. Admission is $5 for students and chaperones.
For information, visit PioneerFloridaMuseum.org, or call 352-567-0262.
PROMise program for students
The Auto Club Group, AAA, is working with Florida schools to prevent prom and graduation season from turning deadly on the road, by launching its annual AAA PROMise program designed to help teens avoid substance-impaired driving, as well as distracted driving, according to a news release.
The program works by having teens sign a pledge banner and make this promise before prom and graduation celebrations:
- I promise not to drive impaired or distracted.
- I promise not to let my friends drive impaired or distracted.
- I promise my parents I will get home safely or call them for help.
Parents also can PROMise that they will always pick up their teen, regardless of the time or location.
Public and private schools can participate in the program for free by registering at AAA.com/PROMise.
Schools will receive a tool that includes: fact sheets/resources; a pledge banner; and premium student items, such as drawstring bags, an AAA PROMise keepsake and more.
Last year, more than 300 schools participated in the program.
The deadline to order is May 31.
