Diego Montoya wins essay contest
In honor of Constitution Day in September, the Pasco County’s clerk and comptroller’s office conducted its Constitution Essay Contest for fifth-grade students. First place was awarded to Diego Montoya, center front, a student at Odessa Elementary School. Diego wrote, ‘This document to me is important because as a U.S. citizen it protects my rights. No one can steal them as long as it stands.’ Joining Montoya, from left, are district superintendent Kurt Browning, clerk and comptroller Paula O’Neil, parents Maria and Andres Montoya, teacher Mary Wainwright, principal Teresa Love, and school board chair Cynthia Armstrong. (Photo courtesy of Pasco County Schools)
Service & Safety Fair at Steinbrenner
Steinbrenner High School is hosting a Community Service & Safety Fair on Nov. 21 from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for students who need Bright Futures approved volunteer hours. The fair will be in the school’s cafeteria, and there will be several nonprofit organizations available for guests to speak with. Steinbrenner is at 5575 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road in Lutz.
Music school open house
Claudia’s School of Music in Lutz is hosting an open house Nov. 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Guests can meet the teachers, learn about lessons and programs, and take part in product presentations on digital pianos, guitars, violins, and more. The school is at 17615 Hunting Bow Circle, Suite 102, in Lutz.
For information, call (813) 926-1188, or visit ClaudiasSchoolOfMusic.com.
Academy at the Lakes offers tours
Academy at the Lakes Wendleck Campus, 2220 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes, offers weekly group tours as follows:
• Early Childhood Group Tour, prekindergarten and kindergarten, Tuesdays at 9 a.m.
• Elementary group tour, grades 1-4, Thursdays at 9 a.m.
• Middle division group tour, grades 5-8, Wednesdays at 8:45 a.m.
• Upper division group tour, grades 9-12, Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.
For information, email .
MOSI offers preschool science
The Museum of Science and Industry, 4801 E. Fowler Ave., in Tampa, now offers PeeWee Wednesdays, with free preschool science activities every Wednesday, from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. There will be a science activity or demonstration for children younger than 4. Kids eat free in the café with an adult meal purchase.
For information, call (813) 987-6000.
PHCC offers new online social media courses
The Pasco-Hernando Community College corporate training department now offers two new online courses, “Introduction to LinkedIn Career Networking” and “Using Social Media in Business.” Participants can learn to develop business contacts, and use the most popular media platforms to grow and promote their businesses.
To learn more, call (727) 816-3123, or email .
Italian American Club donates to ABC
The Italian American Club has donated $1,000 to the Assist, Believe, and Care programs at R.B. Cox Elementary and San Antonio Elementary schools. The ABC program is designed to provide school supplies, clothing and other essential services to students and families in need.
New charter school launches website
Classical Preparatory School, a new charter school planned for Land O’ Lakes opening in the fall of 2014, has launches its website at www.ClassicalPrep.org. The website serves as a resource for information about the school’s program, including frequently asked questions, and a letter of interest form for prospective students.
Heather Edwards elected to student government
Heather Edwards, a freshman and psychology major at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tenn., was elected to the school’s student government for freshman class student services for the 2013-14 school year. Edwards is a native from Lutz.
University women book club
The Tampa Branch of the American Association of University Women will meet on Dec. 5 at 10 a.m. for a book discussion on “Aviator’s Wife” by Melanie Benjamin. The group will meet at Barnes & Noble, 11802 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Carrollwood, followed by lunch at Carmel Café & Wine Bar.
For information, call Avis Chaplick at (813) 920-7077.
Marching Virginians welcomes Shelby Coleman
Shelby Coleman, a major in animal and poultry sciences in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, has become a member of the Marching Virginians at Virginia Tech. Coleman plays the clarinet and is a rank captain.
Coleman is a graduate of Freedom High School in New Tampa.
Free workshops for child care providers
Hillsborough County Extension offers workshops that provide training and technical assistance to early childhood professionals. The workshops are free for all licensed child care providers in Hillsborough County. For others, the cost is $10.
The upcoming schedule is as follows:
• Dec. 7, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Teaching Music to Young Children
• Dec. 10, 6:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., Math for Toddlers and Preschoolers
• Dec. 12, 6:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., Art Appreciation for Young Children
• Jan. 11, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., What Does Time Mean to Children
• Jan. 16, 6:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., How to Get Parents on Your Team
• Jan. 25, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Science for Preschool Children
Registration is required for each workshop, and must be done online at extension.psu.edu/cyttap. Click on the green “State Training” tab at the bottom of the page, choose “Florida,” then “Tampa,” and find the workshops.
For information, call Diana Converse at (813) 744-5519, ext. 54140.
