Provost leaves position
Kevin D. O’ Farrell, provost, Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, announced his upcoming departure from Pasco-Hernando State College, in an email letter.
O’ Farrell has served PHSC for the past 12 years, and has been serving as provost for the last 5 1/2 years.
In his new role as chancellor for Career and Adult Education at the Florida Department of Education, he will provide leadership to the Career and Technical Education Programs, Workforce Education, and Adult Education throughout the state.
O’ Farrell’s last day with PHSC will be April 22, and he and his family will relocate to Tallahassee.
Financial literacy
Pasco County Schools in collaboration with community partners is recognizing Financial Literacy Month by offering virtual experiences and opportunities.
Visit Pasco County Schools on Facebook for student, home/community, and teacher workshops, contests, and more.
Student news
- Hope Lelekacs and Joshua Luther, both of Odessa, have been initiated into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, at the University of Tampa.
- Payton VanNort, of Lutz, worked behind the scenes as an assistant stage manager in Marietta College’s (Ohio) production of “Reefer Madness.” VanNort is majoring in theater (BFA) directing track.
Kindergarten & VPK
Kindergarten registration for the 2022-2023 school year is on April 18, at all Pasco County elementary schools.
Requirements include:
- The child must be 5 years of age by Sept. 1
- Birth Certificate or other proof of birth date
- Health Examination – HRS Form 3040
- HRS Certificate of Immunization
- Three different proofs of residency including deed or property tax assessment or lease, current utility bill, and an additional document supporting stated address such as auto registration, driver’s license, voter registration.
For more information on registration, visit tinyurl.com/p7txr4j4.
Pasco County Schools also offers free VPK (voluntary prekindergarten).
Children must be 4 years old on or before Sept. 1, to be eligible.
For information and instructions on how to apply, visit pasco.k12.fl.us, click on “News” and search for “VPK.”
Duke Energy grants
The Duke Energy Foundation and Duke Energy Florida have awarded more than $641,000 in grants to support a wide range of kindergarten through 12th grade initiatives focused on energy and engineering education, as well as programs serving underrepresented, low-income and diverse students, according to a news release.
This year’s grant recipients range from local education foundations to community organizations that provide unique learning opportunities for students, especially those with diverse backgrounds and abilities, to explore STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) concepts.
In The Laker/Lutz News coverage area, the Pasco Education Foundation Inc., was the recipient of $25,000. This foundation partners with Pasco County Schools, and the Energy and Marine Science Center (EMC) to help improve STEM curriculum and enhance its reach in providing the opportunity for underrepresented, low-income Title I students to visit the EMC.
Statewide, the Consortium of Florida Education Foundation received $50,000, to support local education foundations in Duke Energy Florida’s footprint in understanding the local landscape of career/technical education, college/career readiness and STEM education needs, and increase knowledge of capacity building tools for organizational stability, the release says.
In total, six organizations in the Tampa Bay area received grants; in the Greater Orlando area, nine; and in the Greater Tallahassee/Gainesville area, six.
Financial aid tip
As college students register for classes this fall, the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) encourages students to consider taking more classes.
A heavier course load helps to cut the total cost of college, because students will finish their technical or degree program more quickly, a KHEAA news release says.
A full-time load for undergraduates usually is 12 credit hours per semester.
Associate degrees usually require 60 credit hours to finish; bachelor degrees, 120 hours.
At 12 hours each semester, students will need five semesters to finish an associate degree and 10 semesters to finish a bachelor degree.
By taking 15 hours per semester, a student can finish an associate degree in four semesters and a bachelor degree in eight semesters, the release says.
Many colleges do not charge students more for 15 hours than they do for 12 hours.
The expanded course load may save students thousands of dollas in tuition and fees.
KHEAA is a public, nonprofit agency that helps to improve student access to college, and provides information about financial aid and financial literacy at no cost to students and parents.
For more information, visit KHEAA.com.
