Students tap into their creative side
Nine students from Liberty Middle School drew on their creativity to enter the 2013 National PTSA Reflections Art Competition, ‘Believe, Dream, Inspire.’ First place winners were Mackenzie Bray in visual arts, Amanda Yelvington in photography, and Taylor Pfister in dance choreography. These students will now participate in the district level competition. Honoring the three were, from left, principal James Ammirati, Matthew Rothfarb, Isabel Pliska, Bray, Pfister, Madelyn Greco, Kelly Tian, Chloe Kelley, PTSA’s RoseMarie Kelley, Yelvington, and PTSA’s Melissa Aucker.
John Long students take hike for school
Dr. John Long Middle School students celebrate at a party after their Go Take a Hike Walkathon on Oct. 18 netted more than $10,000 for the school. Students bringing in the most pledges were Vashawn Williams, Lucas Pelt and Taylor Bruno.
Red Ribbon Week contest
The National Family Partnership is looking for entries for the new theme of next year’s Red Ribbon Week, the nation’s largest and oldest drug prevention campaign.
The winning slogan and design will be used throughout 2014 at schools and communities across the United States, and the winner will receive $500 worth of Red Ribbon Week merchandise for their school.
Entries must be received by Dec. 2 via email to , or by traditional mail to National Family Partnership, 2490 Coral Way, Miami, 33145. Entrants must include their name, school, telephone number and email address.
For complete contest rules, visit RedRibbon.org/enter.
New Cambridge program presentations
Pasco Middle and Pasco High schools will launch new Cambridge education programs, developed 150 years ago by the University of Cambridge in England.
Parents with students entering the sixth through 10th grade in the 2014-15 school year, and wishing to learn more, have a choice of two upcoming meetings:
• Dec. 3 at 6 p.m., Centennial Middle School, 38505 Centennial Road in Dade City
• Dec. 5 at 6 p.m., Wesley Chapel High School, 30651 Wells Road in Wesley Chapel
Those who cannot attend a meeting can learn more about the program, its benefits, get application and acceptance requirements, and have their questions answered by school and district officials.
For information on the scheduled presentations, call Linda Cobbe at (813) 794-2717.
Center for the Arts host school bands
The Center for the Arts at River Ridge will host a variety of school bands throughout December. All concerts are at 7 p.m., and admission is free. The upcoming schedule is:
• Dec. 3, Bayonet Point Middle School Band Concert
• Dec. 4, Gulf Middle School Band Concert
• Dec. 9, Hudson Middle School Band Concert
• Dec. 10, Chasco Middle School Band and Choral Concert
• Dec. 11, River Ridge High School Band Concert
• Dec. 12, Cypress Elementary School Band Concert
• Dec. 13, Gulf Middle School Glee and Talent Showcase
• Dec. 14, Mitchell High School Prism Band Concert
• Dec. 16, Moon Lake Elementary School Music Concert
• Dec. 17, Long Leaf Elementary School Choral Concert
• Dec. 18, Calusa Elementary School Band Concert
• Dec. 19, River Ridge Middle School Band and Choral Concert
The Center for the Arts is at 11646 Town Center Road in New Port Richey.
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.
Mandarin Chinese classes
Those interested in Chinese language and culture, can join a Mandarin Chinese class on Dec. 7 and Dec. 21 from 11 a.m. to noon at the Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes. The class will be conducted by an experienced Chinese volunteer teacher.
For information, call Michele Laney at (813) 929-1214.
New Christian special needs school to open
Esther’s School — a special needs school specializing in autism, Down syndrome, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and learning differences — is slated to open Jan. 6.
The school will combine a Christian education with individualized learning and character building. Each child will work at his or her own pace. Diagnostic testing and individualized curriculum will be offered.
It will be located at St. James Methodist Church, 16202 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in New Tampa.
For information, call Marilyn Davis at (813) 454-8377 or (727) 544-4700.
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.
Marching Virginians welcomes Shelby Coleman
Shelby Coleman, an animal and poultry sciences student 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.
