Meet the teacher
Pasco County Schools will host on-campus Meet the Teacher/Orientation events, specifically for students in transition years — prekindergarten, kindergarten, sixth grade and ninth grade.
The in-person events will take place as follows:
- Aug. 13 and Aug. 19 for sixth grade and ninth grade
- Aug. 20 for prekindergarten and kindergarten
Schools will communicate plans and schedules for students in all other grade levels.
Check your school’s website for more details.
New families should contact schools to virtually enroll or to arrange an on-site appointment.
Shoe & Sock Drive underway
The fifth annual Two Good Soles Shoe and Sock Drive is underway, as the Pasco County government and constitutional offices work together to collect footwear for kids in Pasco County schools, through Oct. 26.
Donations can be dropped off to the collection boxes at Pasco County Government locations, and the Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller, Property Appraiser and Tax Collector offices countywide.
Last year’s record-setting drive resulted in 3,057 pairs of shoes and 13,285 pairs of socks.
Items collected will be donated to Pasco County Schools at the end of October, directly benefiting local students.
For information, visit PascoCountyFl.net/civicalerts.
Student achievements
- Marlene Alvarez-Brewer, Lutz: Bachelor of Science-Nursing from Western Governors University in Salt Lake City, Utah
- Ricardo Barboza, Odessa: Bachelor of Science-Information Technology from Western Governors University in Salt Lake City, Utah
- Laura Hicks-Leck, Lutz: Master of Science-Nursing Leadership and Management from Western Governors University in Salt Lake City, Utah
- Mamta Kinsel, Lutz: Master of Business Administration from Western Governors University in Salt Lake City, Utah
- Jenine Kopet, Lutz: Master of Science in Counseling and Psychology from Troy University, Alabama
- Leia Randall, Land O’ Lakes: spring Dean’s List at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
CareerSource info sessions
CareerSource Tampa Bay has more than $500,000 to assist recent high school graduates, ages 16 to 24, to begin post-secondary training, paid work experience, or entrepreneurial training, according to a news release.
In response to COVID-19, CareerSource Tampa Bay’s (CSTB) Young Talent of Tampa Bay program is hosting virtual information sessions, bi-weekly, to inform youth about the services and training opportunities available.
Upcoming session dates are Aug. 19, Sept. 9 and Sept. 23, all at 10 a.m.
Eligible young adults need to be out of school, between the ages of 16 to 24, and be Hillsborough County residents.
The $5,000 scholarships are available to support eligible youth interested in starting a training program to kickstart their careers.
Services available include: Career Exploration; GED Assistance; Employability Skills Training, including Financial Literacy; National Certifications for Workplace Training; Career Coaching and Guidance; Tuition Assistance for local schools; Limited Supportive Services; Placement Assistance through on-the-job training or Paid Work Experience.
Some post-secondary training programs available include graphic design, pharmacy tech, HVAC, nail tech, welding, computer information technology, barbering, construction trades, surgical technology, dental assisting, or commercial vehicle driving, and more.
Several apprenticeships also will be available.
Registration for the sessions is online at CareerSourceTampaBay.com/job-seekers/youth.
For information and questions, email , or call (813) 930-7400.
New board designations
The Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) District Board of Trustees (DBOT) elected a new chair and vice chair for the 2020-2021 academic year at its July 21 board meeting, held via Zoom. Trustee Marilyn Pearson-Adams was elected to serve as chair, succeeding Alvaro Hernandez, and trustee Rao Musunuru M.D., was elected to serve as vice chair, a post previously held by new chair Pearson-Adams, according to a PHSC news release.
Pearson-Adams, of Brooksville, is the president of Century 21 Alliance Realty, a director with The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce, and previously served as a board member of the Pasco-Hernando Workforce Board. Pearson-Adams has served on several professional committees and organizations, and holds relevant real estate industry certifications. She has served on the PHSC DBOT since 2014.
Musunuru, of New Port Richey, a practicing board-certified cardiologist in Pasco County since 1981, has served as chief of medicine, chief of staff, chairman of continuing medical education and chair of the board of trustees at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point in Hudson. He has been an active American Heart Association volunteer since 1979 and is a past recipient of the AHA National Chairman’s Award, National Physician of the Year, and National Volunteer Advocate of the Year Award. In 2012, he received the state of Florida Education Commissioners’ Business Recognition Award, and in 2013 he was honored with the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Southern Region Trustee Leadership Award. Dr. Musunuru has served on the PHSC DBOT since 1999.
“Chair Pearson-Adams and vice chair Musunuru are passionate about PHSC’s mission to provide accessible, affordable higher education and workforce training to the community,” said PHSC President Timothy L. Beard Ph.D.
“As prominent community leaders in, respectively, Hernando and Pasco County, we look forward to the wisdom and guidance that our new board leaders will provide through the year,” Beard said.
Hernandez, outgoing chair, was recognized for his exemplary leadership throughout his 2019-2020 term. Hernandez has served as a trustee since 2017.
Each July, the board elects new leaders and reviews meeting and event dates for the upcoming academic year.
