District brings awareness to autism
LAND O’ LAKES – Pasco County Schools is observing National Autism Awareness Month in April.
The school board passed a proclamation April 1 to bring more attention to “disability awareness and inclusion.”
The district serves more than 1,800 students on the autism spectrum, according to the proclamation.
Melissa Musselwhite, director of student support programs and services, took time during the April 1 school board meeting to recognize parents of autistic students.
“Parents of children with autism come with unique challenges,” she said. “But it also brings beautiful moments of progress, learning and connection. You navigate uncharted waters, advocate tirelessly for the needs of your children and you do so with immense grace, so thank you.”
She also pointed to the efforts of staff who work to ensure students have the resources to succeed.
System approves charter school contracts
LAND O’ LAKES – Pasco County Schools has renewed contracts with Florida Charter Educational Foundation for 15-year-terms related to Union Park Charter Academy and Innovation Preparatory Academy.
The district reviewed the charter schools’ performance over the past three years in areas such as student achievement, operations and strategic planning. Both Wesley Chapel charter schools passed the test, meeting or partially meeting each of the 30 standards outlined in their evaluations.
These are renewals from contracts initially approved in May 2022.
Bell times change for River Ridge schools
LAND O’ LAKES – Pasco County Schools has revised the bell times for River Ridge middle and high schools after they lost a day of instruction March 12 due to smoke from a controlled burn at the Starkey Wilderness Preserve.
Starting April 7, the instruction day spans from 7:05 a.m. to 1:33 p.m.
Board member Colleen Beaudoin expressed concern about schools meeting course and state standards with lost instructional time from hurricanes.
“Meaningful instructional time is paramount,” Beaudoin said April 1. “That being said, I talked with staff and I know they looked at possible ways to add a day but that it was extremely challenging to do so for only two schools and on such short notice.”
Beaudoin said she trusts staff will work diligently to best utilize the time they have. She said the district will be better equipped to handle such issues with the way they set up next year’s calendar.
