Pitching in to stock classrooms
The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club’s Education Committee had its annual ‘Back-to-School Supplies’ fundraiser luncheon and used the proceeds to shop for supplies for local schools. Members filled several SUVs with the supplies, which were delivered to several area schools that had the greatest need. The committee will continue to collect items to stock teachers’ cabinets with necessary items, as well. Gail Howard and Carol Montgomery stand beside an SUV filled with backpacks and supplies.
Shopping for school supplies were Marcy Edmondson, Carol Montgomery, Gail Howard, Devyn Espy and Pat Wagner.
PBS workshops
The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will host a PBS representative for two workshops on free educational resources available through the PBS website.
- Aug. 19 at 11 a.m.: For prekindergarten and kindergarten
- Aug. 20 at 5 p.m.: grades one to five
Parents, teachers, families and home-schoolers can attend.
Registration is required by calling (813) 929-1214.
College workshop
Patel Conservatory at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts will offer a free workshop, “College Bound: Figuring It Out, Part 2” on Aug. 22 at 7 p.m., for students interested in musical theater, acting, music and dance programs at the college and university level.
Topics will include tools and knowledge to navigate the various performing arts programs, how to submit a solid application, and how to prepare for prescreen and entrance auditions.
For information, call (813) 222-1040, or visit PatelConservatory.org.
5K for schools
The Hope 5K, “Hope for the Schools,” will take place Aug. 31 at Idlewild Baptist Church, 18333 Exciting Idlewild Blvd., in Lutz.
Proceeds from the run will benefit Sunlake High School, Charles Rushe Middle School, Oakstead Elementary School, Chamberlain High School, Sulphur Springs K-8 Community School and Sligh Middle School.
The event includes a 5K run and a 1-mile Fun Run.
The Hope 5K will start at 8 a.m. Registration through Aug. 16 is $35; Aug. 16 to Aug. 31 is $40.
The Fun Run will begin at 8:10 a.m., and costs $20.
There also will be an award ceremony and a pancake breakfast after the run.
For information, visit Idlewild.org/Hope5K.
Student record
As the academic year kicks off, Saint Leo University is expecting 815 new freshmen and 186 transfer students when classes begin on Aug. 20.
University officials believe this is the largest incoming group of students (1,001) in the school’s 130-year history. Last year’s incoming class totaled 689.
Saint Leo also will see an increase in international students, from 86 last year to 181 this year.
Notable characteristic of the incoming Fall 2019 class include:
- 50 percent from Florida
- 31 percent from out of state
- 19 percent from international countries
- 24 percent first-generation students
- SAT scores increased from 1070 to 1182
- Unweighted average GPA is 3.26
Students began arriving on Aug. 9 and can move in until 1 p.m., on Aug. 15.
Parents and families can join students for the first two days of orientation, starting Aug. 15 with a Welcome to the Pride at 3 p.m.
Most of the new student orientation activities on Aug. 16 will center on academics.
For more information and a schedule of events, visit SaintLeo.edu, or call (855) 300-8566.
School grades increase
Pasco County Schools saw school grade improvements with increases in the number of A and B schools, and decreases in the number of schools under state review.
These improvements reflect the dedication of Pasco County students and teachers, as the district’s grade remains a B.
Fifteen schools improved by one letter grade: Bexley, Lake Myrtle and Wiregrass elementary schools improved from a B to an A; Deer Park, Gulf Trace, Marlowe, Pine View and San Antonio elementary schools improved from a C to a B; and, Anclote, Calusa, Chasco and Richey elementary schools improved from a D to a C.
Wendell Krinn Technical High School scored an A in its opening school year.
Best LPN program
Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) was recently ranked first among Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) programs in Florida by NursingProcess.org, according to a press release.
There are more than 160 LPN programs in the state that are approved by the Florida Board of Nursing, of which NursingProcess.org ranked the top 15 programs, with PHSC coming in first.
Each program on the rankings list received a score based on several factors including NCLEX-PN first-time pass rates, graduation rate, academic quality, and affordability.
For information about the school’s LPN program, visit PHSC.edu.
