Sheriff’s office dives in on first day of school
The Pasco Sheriff’s Office (PSO) helped to welcome students back to school.
School crossing guards, traffic control officers and school resource officers (SROs) greeted students and offered words of encouragement.
PSO deputies and detectives increased patrols in school zones to ensure everyone’s safety.
The first week of school was packed with celebrations and introductions, as the SROs participated in “get to know you” projects; handed out goodies, school supplies and backpacks; and, celebrated birthdays and the grand opening of a new school.
Lake Myrtle awarded grant
Lake Myrtle Elementary students and staff aim to focus on kindness, as the 2020-2021 school year begins.
Lake Myrtle is one of 82 schools nationwide awarded funding by the Choose Kindness Foundation, a philanthropic organization founded earlier this year, according to a news release.
Together, Lake Myrtle and the foundation will begin an active partnership to teach and celebrate kindness, with the intention of creating a welcoming, inclusive and caring school environment.
The $6,500 grant honors the commitment to kindness the school has made over the years, and was based on Lake Myrtle’s demonstration of a systematic, evidence-based approach to developing pro-social behaviors for at least three years.
Through grant funding, online resources and training, the foundation works with recipient schools to engage all students in a consistent effort to learn and practice kind behaviors that are shown to increase academic, social, emotional and behavioral competence.
New administrators
Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) has named Marcia Austin, Ed.D., as senior vice president of technology and distance education, chief information officer; and Reginald Wilson as provost of the North Campus in Brooksville.
Austin had served as PHSC’s dean of workforce development, career and technical education since August 2018.
Prior to that, Austin was employed with Hernando County Schools for 28 years, serving as a mathematics instructor, principal, interim assistant superintendent and, most recently, as the district supervisor of secondary programs where she served as a liaison administrator for dual enrollment programs between Hernando County Schools and PHSC.
She was an adjunct professor at PHSC for more than seven years.
Wilson served as acting provost of the North Campus, and the associate dean of academic affairs and retention services for nearly one year.
Prior to his employment at the North Campus, Wilson served as an assistant dean of student affairs at PHSC’s West Campus.
Lighting donation
The Pasco-Hernando State College Foundation received a $480,000 donation from Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative Inc. (WREC), for baseball field lighting at the college’s West Campus in New Port Richey, according to a news release.
Through the donation, state-of-the-art lighting will be installed at the field, enabling games to take place in the evening.
PHSC student-athletes will not be the only benefactors of the donation. Field lighting will increase PHSC’s opportunities to further engage the community by providing a premier sports recreation venue for youth programs, community outreach and fundraising events, and campus and student events.
Installation of the lighting is expected to be completed this fall.
For information on how to support PHSC athletics, visit Foundation.phsc.edu, or call 727-816-3410.
Performing arts fundraiser
In celebration of the upcoming 50th anniversary of Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC), the PHSC Foundation will host a fundraiser on Sept. 9, at the Instructional Performing Arts Center, 8657 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel.
The foundation’s goal is to raise $1 million to help students with scholarships.
During the 2020-2021 academic year, the PHSC Foundation has assisted nearly 950 students with $1.2 million in scholarship funding.
The presenting sponsor for the event is the Musunuru family. Dr. Rao Musunuru has been serving as a member of the District Board of Trustees for PHSC for the past 22 years.
For information, contact Lisa Richardson, associate vice president of alumni and college relations/executive director of the PHSC Foundation, at or 727-816-3410.
Providing for students
Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club collected a large amount of school supplies to assist students at three local schools: Connerton Elementary, Miles Elementary and Lutz Elementary. Faith Sincich stands alongside one of three SUVs filled with school supplies. The club for decades has supported education, local schools and libraries. For membership opportunities or information, visit GFWCLutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org, or its Facebook page.
