‘Christmas In July’ benefits teachers
Residents of Southport Springs Golf & Country Club in Zephyrhills had their annual ‘Christmas In July’ on Aug. 8 to collect much-needed school supplies for the teachers at Chester Taylor Elementary and the new school year.
The community set up a Christmas tree in the lobby decorated with handmade ornaments that had various school supplies written on them. Residents would take one or more of the ornaments and purchase the needed items.
Members of Southport’s Women’s club delivered four truckloads of supplies to the school and were greeted by school principal Julie Marks. Marks, along with club members, set up the school’s media center with all of the supplies and invited the teachers to the center to shop for their classrooms.
“It’s an annual event that everyone at Southport really looks forward to,” club leader Carol Dziki said. “We’re thrilled that we’re able to lend a helping hand to our hardworking and dedicated teachers here at our local elementary school.”
Annual tradition helps Christian Social Services
Davron, a Land O’ Lakes-based executive search and outplacement firm, hosted a back-to-school supply drive to benefit Christian Social Services (CSS), a nonprofit that provides food, clothing and other services to disadvantaged families in Pasco and northern Hillsborough counties.
Davron collected more than 2,000 individual items, filled 200 backpacks, and donated $2,500 to CSS.
The back-to-school drive has become an annual tradition for Davron and its employees. “We are proud to be able to support Christian Social Services and the important work they do,” said David Coreen, president of Davron, in a news release. “We know that these donations will make a real difference in the lives of children in Pasco,” said Coreen.
To help CSS, those interested can donate school supplies, food pantry items, or make financial contributions through its website, at CSS-helpinghands.org. The nonprofit relies on the generosity of local churches and private donors, and also welcomes volunteers.
Donations currently are being accepted Tuesdays through Fridays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Student Life Retreat
Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) hosted its annual Student Life Retreat at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club from Aug. 1 to Aug. 3.
This year’s retreat themed “Level Up” focused on building student skills that will assist them in future academic and life endeavors. The event highlighted ways to level up skill sets of executing, influencing, strategic thinking and relationship building.
New to this year’s event was an opening community resource expo featuring more than 50 booths where students could get resources and network with local colleges and universities, businesses and nonprofit organizations, and PHSC groups and clubs.
The annual retreat is open to all PHSC students with an emphasis on those about to enter the college environment. This year, nearly 100 students stayed on site throughout the three-day retreat to participate in team-building exercises, attend workshops, and hear from keynote speaker Derrick Brooks.
Electrical line program
Hillsborough Community College (HCC) and Tampa Electric (TECO) have partnered to invest in the new Electrical Line Worker Program through the HCC Foundation and the Institute for Corporate and Continuing Education, according to a news release. Program training will take place on the HCC Brandon Campus and starts this fall.
TECO has pledged more than $300,000 annually for scholarships and relevant program equipment for the training.
Qualifying students will have the opportunity to learn the fundamental skills needed to pursue a career in the electric utility industry as a line worker trainee. The program will include 420 hours of training over a four-month period.
Upon completion, students will earn certifications in OSHA 10-hour, Bucket Truck Rescue, CPR & AED, Pole Top Rescue, and First Aid. Students who complete the program will have a chance to interview with TECO for an entry-level electrical line worker position.
For information and to apply, visit TampaTraining.com/Electrical-Line-Worker.
Florida school system one of the best
The personal-finance website WalletHub released its report on 2023’s States with the Best & Worst School Systems, according to a news release.
WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 32 key measures of quality and safety. The data set ranges from pupil-teacher ratio and dropout rate to media standardized-test scores.
Florida ranked as follows (1=Best; 25=Average):
- First – Existence of Digital Learning Plan
- Seventh – Reading Test Scores
- Eighth – Bullying Incidence Rate
- Ninth – Dropout Rate
- 15th – Percent of Threatened/Injured High School Students
- 17th – Math Test Scores
To view the full report, visit WalletHub.com/edu/states-with-the-best-schools/5335.
