Mentors get Congressional Recognition
Mentors from Take Stock in Children, a program with the Pasco Education Foundation, were awarded Congressional Recognition at the ‘Heroes Among Us’ event hosted by Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) at the Pasco-Hernando State College West Campus. The individuals were recognized for their time, dedication and loyalty to the students they mentor on a regular basis throughout the course of several years. From left: Melba Hamilton, Bob Memoli, Joyce Martin, Betsy Wunderlich and Fern Aefsky. Mentor Dee Murray is not pictured.
Schools join environmental campaign
Pasco County Schools will kickoff “A Bag’s Life” Aug. 31 at 10:30 a.m., at Gulf Trace Elementary School, 3303 Gulf Trace Blvd., in Holiday.
The district and its partners have joined this national educational campaign that unites nonprofits, businesses, communities and government organizations to promote the importance of the three Rs — reduce, reuse, recycle — for plastic bags and wraps.
Students from 23 district schools can learn about environmental stewardship and compete for prizes based on recycling efforts.
The guest speakers will be Superintendent Kurt Browning, Gulf Trace Principal Hope Schooler, and representatives from Pasco Schools Conservation and Recycling Operations, Walmart and Keep Pasco Beautiful.
For information, call Salinda Strandberg at (813) 794-2380.
Fashion design program
The Dali Museum will introduce a hands-on fashion design program for high school students in the Tampa Bay area, in conjunction with the museum’s special exhibit, “Dali & Shiaparelli,” which opens Oct. 18.
Teens in grades 9 to 12 can take part in “Fashion Design at The Dali,” a free 13-week course to learn the fundamentals of fashion design, construction and runway presentation, from artists and designers.
Sessions will be on Sundays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sept. 17 through Dec. 10, at The Dali and the Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School.
Applications for the program will be accepted at the museum through Sept. 4. Space is limited.
For information or to apply, visit TheDali.org/fashion, or call Denisse De Leon at (727) 623-4754.
Middle school fundraiser
The ninth annual Taste of Trinity will be Sept. 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Seven Springs Middle School, 2441 Little Road, to benefit the school.
There will be stage music, a bounce house, a business expo, and food and desserts.
Proceeds will help the school purchase cutting-edge technology for its students.
Admission is $5 per person, or a family four-pack for $15.
For information, contact Maria Johnson at (727) 934-0940 or .
Registration is available online at WPBA.biz, by clicking on the event link.
Youth art contest
The Medical Center of Trinity announced its sixth annual “Expressions of Thanks” youth art contest, which started Aug. 14.
Students in kindergarten through 12th grade are asked to celebrate the service of all U.S. military veterans, those who currently serve our great nation and their families, by submitting artwork, poetry or an essay, by Sept. 15.
Each participant will receive a recognition certificate.
First-place winners in each grade level will receive a $25 gift card.
The grand-prize winner will have a choice of a bicycle or iPod nano.
Participants and their families can attend a reception Nov. 5 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., when prizes will be awarded and all artwork will be on display.
For complete details and rules, visit MedicalCenterTrinity.com.
For information, call (727) 834-4868.
Pasco District a healthy employer
Pasco County Schools has again been recognized as one of the 100 Healthiest Employers in the country.
The school district ranked 35th on the 100 Healthiest Employers list in 2014. The exact ranking for 2017 will be announced Sept. 18.
In the last five years, Pasco County Schools has won numerous awards for health and wellness for taking proactive steps to employee wellness, such as eliminating smoking on all district property and opening two additional wellness centers.
Healthiest Employers is an awards program that recognizes organizations that proactively shape the health of its employees.
To learn more, visit HealthiestEmployers.com and SpringBuk.com.
Hearing screenings
The Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation of Florida screened more than 16,000 students at 74 schools last year, and is looking for volunteers to do the same this year.
No previous training is required. Volunteers are free to choose which schools they would prefer. The average screening time is about two hours to three hours.
All volunteers must pass the School Board background check to help.
Prospective volunteers can access an application at Pasco.k12.fl.us and click on the Volunteer Application at the bottom of the page. Under Preferences, choose Sertoma Speech & Hearing.
For information, call (727) 312-3881.
English class
An English as a Second Language (ESL) class will meet on Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at the Tampa Bay Presbyterian Church, 19911 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. The first class is Sept. 6.
Classes are taught using several ESL and Bible study resources.
There are classes for beginners through intermediate level speakers.
The cost is $40 per semester, which covers the workbook and class materials.
Child care also will be available.
For information or to register, call (813) 360-2077.
