Rabbi honored decades of work
Rabbi A. James Rudin on Nov. 20 became only the third American rabbi in history to be honored with the Papal Knighthood of the Order of St. Gregory for his work in interfaith relations, according to a news release.
Bishop Mark O’Connell, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Boston, conducted the investiture ceremony at Saint Leo University on behalf of Pope Francis, in recognition of Rudin’s decades of work in building positive Catholic-Jewish relations throughout the world, fostering interreligious dialogue and understanding, the release said.
Rudin is one of the co-founders of Saint Leo’s Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies and is the American Jewish Committee’s senior interreligious adviser. He also is a distinguished professor of religion and Judaica at Saint Leo.
Teddy bear campaign
For the second year, Saint Leo University is collecting stuffed animals for use by the Tampa Police Department. As a holiday season project of Saint Leo’s Tampa Education Center, Teddy Bears for TPD will provide cuddly critters for officers to carry in their vehicles in order to provide comfort to children in stressful situations.
In addition to the Education Center, the university community also is helping with the effort, and the Student Government Union, the Office of Greek Life and Community Service, and the East Pasco Education Center at the residential campus in Pasco County are assisting.
Donations of new and gently used teddy bears and other stuffed animals will be collected in donation boxes now through Dec. 13.
Last year, nearly 250 stuffed animals were donated by Saint Leo students, faculty, staff, and the public.
Those interested in participating can drop off items at these locations (look for the Teddy Bears for TPD signs):
- Tampa Education Center, 1403 N. Howard Ave., Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Dining Hall lobby in the Student Community Center, University Campus, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo
- Student Activities Building at University Campus
- Saint Edward Hall lobby (East Pasco Education Center) at University Campus
- Benedictine Hall lobby at University Campus
“We want interactions with the police to be positive for children, even if it’s a scary situation,” said Rod Kirkwood, director of Saint Leo University’s Tampa Education Center, in a news release.
“These donations will allow the police officers to provide something soft for the children to hold during a hard or difficult time,” said Kirkwood.
Studies show that cuddling a stuffed animal can release “feel good” chemicals in the brain, and help to soothe children (and adults), the release said.
For more information, contact Rod Kirkwood at or 813-226-2777.
Newly configured school board
The District School Board of Pasco County has elected Megan Harding as the board chair and Alison Crumbley as vice chair, for the coming year. Board members Cynthia Armstrong and Harding were sworn in following their reelections, alongside newly elected school board member Al Hernandez. Hernandez succeeds District 1 board member Allen Altman who did not seek reelection. From left: Colleen Beaudoin, Megan Harding, Alison Crumbley, Cynthia Armstrong and Al Hernandez.
Millions invested for school meals
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Food and Nutrition Service launched a new and innovative initiative for healthier school meals through a $50 million grant opportunity that will support collaboration with the food industry to develop nutritious, appetizing school meals for students, according to a news release.
“School meals programs are on the frontline of providing critical nutrition to millions of children,” said Stacy Dean, deputy undersecretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services, in the release.
“USDA is committed to supporting these programs holistically, and that includes strengthening the entire food supply chain that sustains them. These grants are intended to spark innovation in the school food marketplac and build a more equitable and resilient food system that serves all children well,” said Dean.
Up to four non-governmental organizations will be selected by the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service to manage funds for the School Food System Transformation Challenge.
These organizations will award competitive grants to support and enhance the food supply chain for K-12 schools.
Grantees may include food producers, suppliers, and distributors; school districts; and community partners.
The request for application is open through Feb. 1.
For more information, visit FNS.usda.gov/cnp/healthy-meals-incentives.
Apprenticeship program
Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) is expanding its apartment maintenance technician apprenticeship program beginning on Jan. 9, to include course offerings at its Spring Hill campus.
The expansion helps bolster PHSC’s continued efforts toward increasing opportunities for students seeking nontraditional learning experiences through workforce certification.
The 12-month program includes 183 hours of classroom instruction relating to the technical skills needed, while concurrently placing the apprentices with a leading apartment property management team in the area, where they complete 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training.
Students can expect to earn their OSHA 10, HVAC EPA 608, HVAC EPA General, and certified apartment maintenance technician certifications, as well as a certificate of completion from PHSC.
Upon completion of the program, students will receive job placement assistance to fill industry vacancies as full-time apartment maintenance technicians.
For more information on the program and to apply, visit PHSC.edu/apprenticeships, or contact the Workforce Development/Career & Job Training department at 727-816-3123 or .
Band program headed to D.C.
The Pasco High School Band Program, under the direction of Kyle Spence, is set to head to Washington D.C., from May 25 to May 30, to perform in the National Memorial Day Parade.
The “Marching Band of Pirates” also are scheduled to perform in front of the Lincoln Memorial, and will visit the Smithsonian Museums and Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at the World War II Memorial and the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier.
If you would like to donate to the band’s trip, visit PHS.pasco.k12.fl.us/dc-page/. A schedule of the trip also is on the website.
