A back-to-school helping hand
The Rotary Club of Lutz recently donated back-to-school supplies to Lutz Elementary School as one of its service projects. Showing off some of the donations are, from left, Leo Leonard of Tech Guys, Eugene Stutzman of Watoto, Lutz Guv’na Dr. Cindy Perkins, Rotary Club president Valerie Andrews, Lutz Elementary principal Mary Fernandez, Doug Andrews, and Ryan Southerland of Tampa Bay Insurance Center.
Lutz student immersed in Russian culture
Russell Duncan, a 10th grader at Middleton Magnet High School, participated in the Concordia Language Villages program for a four-week session at Lesnoe Ozero, the Russian Language Village located near Bemidji, Minnesota.
Duncan was immersed in the Russian language and culture through learning groups, authentic foods, holiday celebrations, re-enactments of historic events, conversations and more.
Concordia Language Villages is a recognized leader in global education offering 15 world language programs.
Duncan is the son of Teresa and Yves Hamard of Lutz.
Bishop McLaughlin open house
Bishop McLaughlin Catholic School, 13651 Hays Road in Spring Hill, will host an open house Nov. 2 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
There will be family tours, and individuals can sign up for shadow dates.
Step-Up scholarships are accepted.
For information, call (727) 857-2600, or visit BMCHS.org.
Knights help Bishop McLaughlin
Local Knights of Columbus Council 8104 of Land O’ Lakes recently presented Bishop McLaughlin High School with a check for $4,000 to be used for scholarship money for students with financial needs.
The proceeds came from the Knights’ annual Lenten Fish Fry at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church.
Reflection program at Long Middle
The theme for this year’s PTA Reflections Program at Long Middle School is “The world would be a better place if…”
The six categories for submissions are dance choreography, film/video production, literature, music composition, photography and visual arts. The deadline is Oct. 1
Students can pick up entry forms and contest rules in the school’s media center, or download them at FloridaPTA.org.
For information, email the Reflections Committee at .
Academy at the Lakes info sessions
Academy at the Lakes, 2331 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes, is hosting ‘coffee and conversation’ groups for anyone interested in learning more about the school.
All sessions are from 10:30 a.m. to noon at these locations:
• Sept. 23, Town Hall at Longleaf, 3141 Deland St., New Port Richey
• Sept. 29, Lexington Oaks Clubhouse, 26304 Lexington Oaks Blvd., Wesley Chapel
• Oct. 6, Tampa Palms Swim Clubhouse, 16402 Tampa Palms Blvd., New Tampa
• Oct. 27, Seven Oaks Community Center, 2910 Sports Core Circle, Wesley Chapel
• Nov. 3, The Lodge at Wilderness Lake Preserve, 21320 Wilderness Lake Blvd., Land O’ Lakes
• Nov. 10, Grand Hampton Clubhouse, 8301 Dunham Station Drive in Tampa
For information, call Luci Ward at (813) 909-7919.
Student youth art contest
The Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, is having its annual Expressions of Thanks Youth Art Contest until Sept. 30.
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.
Artwork must be submitted by Sept. 30 to the information desk at the hospital, or by mail to Medical Center of Trinity, Attn: Youth Art Contest, 9330 State Road 54, Trinity FL 34655.
First-place winners at each grade level will receive a $25 gift card.
The grand prize award is a choice of a bicycle or an iPod nano.
Participants and their families will be invited to a reception Nov. 9 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., for awards and to see the artwork on display.
For more information and complete rules, call (727) 834-4868, or email .
Cadets achieve success in law enforcement program
Cadets in the three most recent graduating classes of the Pasco-Hernando State College law enforcement and correctional officer programs achieved an overall 97 percent passing rate on state certification examinations administered by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. PHSC Cadet and class captain Randy Groves accepts congratulations from Charlie May, executive director of Public Service Programs, at the graduation ceremony in July. Groves passed the state exam and achieved the highest academic average after taking final exams.
Free breakfasts for students
The District School Board of Pasco County has amended its policy for serving meals to students under the National School Breakfast Programs for the 2014-15 school year.
All students will be served a free breakfast at the following sites:
• Centennial Elementary School
• San Antonio Elementary School
• Taylor Elementary School
• West Zephyrhills Elementary School
• Woodland Elementary School
• Centennial Middle School
• Pasco Middle School
• Stewart Middle School
• Pasco High School
• Zephyrhills High School
• Moore Mickens Education Center
These sites were selected because of their large percentage of students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals.
For information, call Julie Hedine, manager of Food and Nutrition Services, at (813) 794-2439, or email .
Basic computer skills
The Basic Computer Skills Course, designed for novice computer users and seniors, will start Sept. 16, at CARES Crescent Enrichment Center, 13906 Fifth St., in Dade City. Classes are Tuesday and Thursday for five weeks, from 9 a.m. to noon.
Course content includes the use of Windows 7 and 8, as well as instruction on an Android and Apple iPad tablets.
For information, call (352) 518-9300.
Rays-Helios scholars honored
The Rays Baseball Foundation and Helios Education Foundation honored 100 Rays-Helios Scholars at Tropicana Field on Aug. 29.
The foundations made a million-dollar pledge to “Take Stock in Children” in Pasco, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas and Sarasota counties.
“Doubling Up for Education” is a unique program that gives students the financial resources and mentor support they need to achieve a postsecondary education at a publicly funded university in the state of Florida.
