Pasco Schools delays opening
Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning recommended a two-week delay to the start of the 2020-2021 school year, with students returning to school on Aug. 24. Teachers would return to work on Aug. 17.
The recommendation, made at a regularly scheduled virtual meeting of the school board, was unanimously approved after discussion.
The proposed delay was prompted after the district received hundreds of emails and phone calls on the topic, and after Browning and his staff worked on a plan to make the necessary adjustments to the school year calendar.
Browning made it clear that the school district still plans to open the schools for in-person, on-campus learning, as well as two online options. The two-week delay will afford the schools a greater opportunity to prepare for the return of staff and students.
The superintendent also presented his recommendation that would require masks or face coverings for all students, teachers, staff and visitors on school campuses or district buildings. The mask mandate was scheduled to be voted upon at the July 28 school board meeting.
The proposed rule describes what qualifies as a mask or face covering and under what circumstances the mask can be removed. It also describes how the school district will make accommodations for students or staff members who have a medical condition that would prevent them from wearing a mask or face covering.
To learn more, visit Pasco.k12.fl.us/news.
Catholic school moves start date
St. Anthony Catholic School in San Antonio has moved its 2020-2021 school start date to Aug. 24, a decision made in light of the current rise in COVID-19 cases for the safety and well-being of its students, staff and families.
The school, which was founded in 1884, is a private K-8 school dedicated to providing a quality and Christ-centered education that addresses the needs of the whole child: spiritual, academic, social, emotional and physical.
St. Anthony is offering families two options for the opening of school this year: traditional learning where students return to the classroom following the established safety guidelines, or remote learning, where students will follow the bell schedule of their peers in the classroom through live lessons and real-time assistance from their teachers.
For information or to schedule a school tour, visit StAnthonySchoolFl.org, or call (352) 588-3041.
Educator Passport Program
Pasco County Schools has added seven businesses to its Educator Passport Program, a list of businesses that offer discounts or freebies if you are a Pasco educator.
Educators simply need to present their ID badge and mention the ad when visiting or calling on a participating business. Each offer is valid for a specific period of time, as indicated on the passport listing.
The next Pasco Passport Committee meeting is scheduled for Aug. 10, after which new offers will be posted to the site.
The entire list of businesses can be seen at Pasco.k12.fl.us/comm/passport_listings.
Student achievements
- Brianna Cedrone, Odessa, was named to the spring Dean’s List at Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York
- Makenna Larson, Land O’ Lakes, was selected to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Dean’s List for the spring semester. Larson is a freshman at the College of Liberal Arts.
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.”
