Wildcats spring into action
The Wildcat Garden at Wesley Chapel Elementary School is blooming with fruit trees, strawberries, tomato plants, broccoli, lettuce, okra, and a variety of other fruits and vegetables. The NFL Fuel Up To Play 60 and the Dairy Council of Florida provided funds to purchase plants and supplies, and students and volunteers dug in on Wildcat Garden Day to plant, mulch and water the garden. Fourth grade student Sania Siddiqui prepares her pomegranate bush for planting. (Photo courtesy of Wesley Chapel Elementary School)
New space dedicated with prayer and song
Father Stephan Brown and Saint Leo University music instructor Cynthia Selph recently celebrated the renovation of a university campus building to house the music department, along with female members of the Saint Leo Singers, one of the student choral groups. Students and faculty perform in both fall and spring semesters in programs that are free and open to the public, in addition to the annual Christmas program. (Photo courtesy of Erin Skoczylas)
Wiregrass Ranch named distinguished school
Wiregrass Ranch High School has received the Apple Distinguished School designation for the second time.
Apple recognizes a select class of institutions nationwide as exemplary learning environments and centers of innovation, leadership, and educational excellence.
Wiregrass Ranch was recognized for consistently supporting student learning with daily, instructional technology use.
School board elects Crumbley, Luikart
The Pasco County School Board recently elected Alison Crumbley as chairwoman, and Steve Luikart as vice chair.
Crumbley was elected to the District 4 school board seat in 2010 to complete the final two years of Kathryn Starkey’s term when Starkey ran for county commission, and was re-elected in 2012 to a four-year term. Crumbley is marketing director for her family’s real estate company.
Luikart was elected to the District 5 school board seat in 2010, and is serving a four-year term. Luikart is a retired school administrator.
Center for the Arts host school bands
The Center for the Arts at River Ridge, 11646 Town Center Road in New Port Richey, 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. 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
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:
• 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.
New charter school launches website
Classical Preparatory School, a new charter school planned for Land O’ Lakes opening in fall 2014, has launched its website at 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 of Lutz.
