Virtual STEAM conference
Saint Leo University will present a Virtual Women in STEAM Conference on Aug. 1.
The conference is free to those who register online, in advance, at SaintLeo.edu/women-in-steam-conference.
STEAM denotes the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics, and expands the subjects accounted for in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
The morning keynote speaker will be Talithia Williams, Ph.D., statistician, college professor, author, and cohost of the 2018 “NOVA Wonders” documentary television series, at 10 a.m.
The afternoon’s featured speaker will be rocket scientist Aprille Ericsson, Ph.D., from the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, at 4 p.m.
During other sessions of the day, Saint Leo has scheduled speakers from its alumni base and from female faculty who teach life sciences, social sciences, and who educate future math and science teachers for the K-12 public school system.
The conference will open at 8:45 a.m., with a welcome from Mary Spoto, Ph.D., the university’s vice president of academic affairs.
Student achievements
These local students were named to honor lists for the spring semester at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa:
- Austin Cambas, Lutz: Dean’s List
- Jennifer Clifford, Lutz: President’s List
- Ryan Davey, Lutz: President’s List
- Moriah Davis, Lutz: President’s List
- Gabrielle Harrison, Lutz: President’s List
- Christian Hewett, Odessa: Dean’s List
- Jack Houser, Odessa: President’s List
- Kelly McDermott, Lutz: President’s List
- Nicole Mitchell, Lutz: President’s List
- Ebonee Nicholes, Lutz: President’s List
- Amber Sundland, Odessa: Dean’s List
- Emily Ymiolek, Lutz: Dean’s List
Also, Justin L. Roberts, of Wesley Chapel, graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Rogers State University, Claremore, Oklahoma, during a virtual commencement ceremony.
Ashlyn Stevens, of Lutz, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in child life from Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas.
Donation drive
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s five offices will be collecting donations during July for the Pasco County School District’s ABC (Assist, Believe & Care) Program, which was created to provide financial assistance to students and their families who are experiencing economic hardship.
Money donated goes into a fund that teachers can use when they see or learn of a need a child may have.
Cash donations may be made at any of the tax collector locations in Pasco County.
For information on the ABC campaign and other charitable giving programs, call Assistant Tax Collector Greg Giordano at (727) 847-8179, or visit PascoTaxes.com.
Pasco Schools reopening
Pasco County Schools has a video available for parents to get the latest information regarding the upcoming school year, amid COVID-19. There also will be a Spanish version posted.
Visit Pasco.k12.fl.us/reopening/parent-information-guide.
Child care services at PHSC
Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) has worked with TodayCare Children’s Center, at the West Campus in New Port Richey, to determine an appropriate time to reopen the center to ensure the safety of the children, parents and staff.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the TodayCare Children’s Center closed on March 24.
The current contract for TodayCare expires on July 30, which required the college to issue a request for proposal to solicit competitive bids for the child care service.
The college administration on July 21 was due to present to the College District Board of Trustees a recommendation to offer a contract to Great Hope Preschool to assume the child care operations at the New Port Richey campus.
Great Hope is being recommended for its services and programs provided, its community engagement, and the opportunities to utilize the center near the PHSC Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch in Wesley Chapel.
TodayCare will not be reopening the day care at this time, but PHSC will work with TodayCare and Great Hope to provide a transition timeline with the intent to begin a phased opening of the center in mid-August, depending on the COVID-19 status.
Services provided by Great Hope will remain the same, serving the same current age groups.
Teachers previously employed by TodayCare are encouraged to apply for positions with Great Hope Preschool posted on the Indeed website.
Exam prep course
Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC), through the Continuing Workforce Education department, is offering new hybrid exam prep classes designed to prepare students to sit for testing to become industry-certified in a variety of fields.
These online courses include:
- Certified CompTIA A+ Professional: Sept 1. To Nov. 19, from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays
- AIPB Certified Bookkeeper Professional: Sept. 3 to Nov. 19, 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Thursdays
- Certified AutoCAD User: Sept. 10 to Nov. 9, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Mondays and Thursdays
The hybrid courses offer a combination of online and face-to-face instruction, and were developed to provide technical training that directly responds to current industry demands.
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act tuition funding is available through CareerSource Pasco-Hernando to qualified students.
Classes will take place on the PHSC West Campus, 10230 Ridge Road in New Port Richey, and on the East Campus, 36727 Blanton Road in Dade City, with most course content available online.
For information, contact Karen Strouthopoulos at (727) 816-3123 or .
To register and pay online, visit PHSC.edu/academics/continuing-education, and select “Campus-based Continuing Professional Education courses.”
