A witness to hard-working volunteers
Anthony Jones, principal of Walker Middle Magnet School in Odessa, appreciated all those who served at various shelters to provide for anyone seeking safety from Hurricane Irma. Staff, including the principals of Hammond Elementary, Lowry Elementary, Northwest Elementary and Walker Middle schools manned the hurricane shelter at Hammond in Odessa, where Jones and his family rode out the storm.
No hurricane makeup days for Pasco
After receiving confirmation from the Florida commissioner of education that the state is forgiving the two days Gov. Rick Scott ordered all Florida schools closed for Hurricane Irma, Pasco County Schools leaders have determined that the other four hurricane days can be made up without cancelling planned days off.
There will be no school on any day during Thanksgiving week, and no days will be added to the end of the school year.
Instead, 11 schools are adding time to class schedules by having shorter passing time between classes, reducing the length of homeroom, or starting earlier or dismissing later.
None of these changes take any teacher below the contractual minimums for weekly planning time, daily planning periods or daily lunchtime.
Individual schools notified students, teachers and staff of the adjusted bell schedules, which started Sept. 25.
Students glimpse city government
Gulf Middle High School students will get an inside look at government agency operations, meet city officials and have a complimentary lunch Sept. 29 from 7:45 a.m. to 1:20 p.m., for Student Government Day with the City of New Port Richey.
The school’s student council members will tour the New Port Richey police, fire, and public works departments, as well as the water filtration and waste treatment facilities.
The tour will start at City Hall, and then the students will be paired with city officials, and experience a mock City Council meeting.
For information, call Elizabeth Kuhns at (727) 774-8018.
Manufacturing Day
CareerSource Pasco-Hernando announced the fifth annual Manufacturing Day will take place Oct. 6.
More than 26 manufacturers and more than 650 high school students will tour local manufacturers in Pasco and Hernando counties. Also, more than 1,800 virtual manufacturing tours will be viewed by high school and middle school students.
For information about tour locations and times, visit MfgDay.com, or call CareerSource at (352) 200-3020.
Saint Leo open house
Saint Leo University will host its Undergraduate Admissions Fall Open House Oct. 7 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Guests can explore the campus at 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo, and speak with members of the university’s community.
Current high school seniors or students who are looking to transfer can complete an application and meet with an admissions counselor on-site during the open house.
Students who bring official copies of transcripts and test scores may also be reviewed for instant on-site admission into the university.
For information, or for special accommodations, call (352) 588-8283, or email .
Teacher evaluation agreement reached
The United School Employees of Pasco and Pasco County Schools signed a revised agreement for the 2017-2018 teacher evaluations.
The one-year agreement is the result of joint efforts to improve evaluations, so that more emphasis is placed on professional coaching and growth. The procedural revisions are expected to reduce or eliminate the concern previously reported as a byproduct of the evaluation process and allow for a more collaborative approach.
Key elements in the agreement include:
- Observations conducted over time through multiple informal classroom visits
- Timely feedback, no later than 10 days from visit
- Post-conferences available on request following classroom visit feedback
- Scores for classroom practices finalized no later than the end of the third quarter
- Elimination of paperwork and documentation associated with scoring of multiple domains
- Deliberate practice will remain additive, weighted at 20 percent instead of 15 percent
The district and the union are committed to working toward a further improved evaluation system for the 2018-2019 school year.
Class reunion
The Land O’ Lakes High School Class of 1977 will host its 40th reunion Oct. 27 and Oct. 28. Events will include the Land O’ Lakes homecoming game on Friday, and a dinner party on Saturday. The dinner will be $25.
Guests should RSVP and pay by Oct. 14.
For all details, including times and cost, email , or go to the Facebook group Land O’ Lakes Class of 1977 Alumni.
Academy open house
Hillel Academy, 2020 W. Fletcher Ave., in Tampa, will host an open house Oct. 24 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Hillel is the city’s only private Jewish day school.
Topics will be academic secular programming, Hebrew and Judaics, art, music, physical education and technology programs. There also will be door prizes, tours, goody bags and refreshments.
For information or to RSVP, call (813) 963-2242, email , or visit HillelAcademyTampa.com/admissions.
