School immunizations
The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County’s clinics will be open for back to school immunizations on the following Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.:
- July 30: 13941 15th St., in Dade City
- Aug. 6: 10841 Little Road in New Port Richey
- Aug. 6: 4717 Airport Road in Zephyrhills
No appointment is needed. For information, call (813) 364-5812, or visit Pasco.FloridaHealth.gov.
School health care fair
St. Rita Catholic Church, 14404 14th St., in Dade City, will host a “Back to School Health Care Fair” on July 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be free fun, food and games, backpacks and school supplies, school and sports physicals, and dental screenings.
Providers will include Catholic Charities St. Andre Free Medical Clinic, Foundations of Life Pregnancy Center, Pasco County Public Defender’s Office Mobile Medical Unit, Moffitt Cancer Center “Yo me cuido” program, Premier Dental, Staywell, and more.
For information, call (352) 521-1218.
Students learn computer coding
Lacoochee Elementary School, in Dade City, partnered with the Dade City Public Library to bring the Finch Robot program to the school’s third-grade students, to help engage the children and teach computer coding.
Finch is a small robot designed to inspire and delight students to learn computer science by providing them with a tangible, physical hands-on learning experience in basic computer programming.
The robot is about a foot long and is equipped with wheels, a variety of sensors, accelerometers, and a pen mount on its tail. It is a USB device programmable with the Java and Python computer languages.
For information, call Wanda DeLaRosa at (813) 447-7981.
Hopefest in Wesley Chapel
Hopefest, hosted by The Freedom Center, will take place Aug. 6 from noon to 4 p.m., at 27221 Foamflower Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.
There will be free backpacks and school supplies, haircuts, face painting, a kids’ zone, raffles and food.
For information, call (813) 414-1664, or visit FreedomIsHere.org.
Backpack Bash
The Turning Point Church, Harvest Christian Fellowship, and the Dade City Youth Council will host a “Back to School Backpack Bash” on Aug. 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Turning Point Church, 14312 17th St., in Dade City.
There will be backpacks, school supplies, games, bounce houses, music, food and drinks, health resources and haircuts.
For information, call The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce at (352) 567-3769.
Health & Safety Fest
Premier Community Healthcare will host its third annual “Health & Safety Fest” on Aug. 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Lewis Abraham Boys & Girls Club, 38724 Mudcat Grant Blvd., in Dade City.
There will be free book bags with supplies to the first 250 students. The event also will include refreshments, giveaways, face painting, entertainment, health screenings and resources, and school physicals (limited slots available).
For information or to schedule a physical, call (352) 518-2000, ext. 9228.
New teacher breakfast
Cindy Stuart, school board member District 3, will host a “Welcome Back Breakfast” for new Carrollwood teachers at Gaither High School, 16200 N. Dale Mabry Highway, on Aug. 8 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.
The breakfast is sponsored by the Carrollwood Area Business Association. Sponsorships for the breakfast are available. Volunteers are appreciated. Donations also will be accepted for raffle prizes.
For information, contact Cindy Stuart at (813) 505-9590 or .
Woodland Elementary orientation
Woodland Elementary School will host a Meet the Teacher/Orientation Day on Aug. 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The school is currently registering new students.
Due to construction on the Woodland campus, registration will take place at West Zephyrhills Elementary, 37900 14th Ave., in Zephyrhills, Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Students entering kindergarten for the first time must be 5 years of age on or before Sept. 1. Prekindergarten and Head Start/Early Start programs are available to students who will not make the deadline.
For information about Woodland Elementary, call (813) 794-6400.
For information on students entering a Florida school for the first time, visit Pasco.k12.fl.us.
Polling institute has new director
Frank Orlando has been named director of the Saint Leo University Polling Institute. The institute is part of the private, Catholic university and conducts public opinion research on national politics, Florida state politics, Pope Francis and religion, and other topics of public interest.
Orlando is a political science instructor at the university and teaches courses about American government. He has served as a faculty advisor and media representative for the polling institute since its inception in late 2013.
Orlando has a master’s degree from Duke University in political science and government.
Students receive academic honors
These local students were named to the Dean’s List for the spring semester at their respective schools.
- Elizabeth Gwilt, of Odessa, Rochester Institute of Technology in New York
- Jordan L. Patton, of Trinity, Thomas University in Georgia
- Katherine E. Patton, of Zephyrhills, Lewis University in Illinois
Samantha Nicole Cuffe and Stephanie Leeanne Erickson, both of Odessa, were named to the President’s List at Clemson University in South Carolina.
Christina Linton, of Odessa, made the South Atlantic Commissioner’s Honor Roll at Newberry College in South Carolina.
