New resource store
Teachers in Pasco County have a new source for collecting much-needed school supplies for their classrooms, thanks to the Pasco Education Foundation and donors.
The Wise Supplies store at the District Office in Land O’ Lakes officially opened on Dec. 8 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, according to a news release.
“This is going to be a tremendous resource for our teachers,” said Pasco Superintendent Kurt Browning, in the release.
“We all know that teachers spend some of their own money to provide extras for their students. Now, they can arrange to visit Wise Supplies and get those supplies for free,” said Browning.
President of the Pasco Education Foundation Stacey Capogrosso said, “We are so excited to launch our Wise Supplies Center. This has been a vision for quite some time and is now a reality. Wise Supplies allows Pasco County Schools teachers to shop at no cost for essential supplies, ensuring that all students have access to equitable resources.”
The supply center is supported by community partners like Suncoast Credit Union, Creative Contractors, Florida Avenue Brewing, Florida Medical Clinic Foundation of Caring, Volkswagen of Wesley Chapel, and Lutz Walmart.
For information on the store, visit PascoEducationFoundation.org.
Breakfast with Santa
The Cypress Creek High School girls’ lacrosse team will host an inaugural Pancake Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 18 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., in the school’s cafeteria, 8701 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel.
Those attending will be served a pancake breakfast catered by Mind Over Matter Meals.
Santa will be on site for family photos, and there will be Christmas movies on a big screen, cookie decorating, and holiday music.
Tickets are $10, and $5 for children younger than age 10.
To purchase tickets, visit tinyurl.com/4pmc5yxv.
New bell times await students
Pasco County Schools wants to remind students and parents of some of the changes that are being put in place for when students return after Winter Break.
New bell times begin on Jan. 4 and are available online at tinyurl.com/53xekftj.
Bus passes are now available in myStudent. The district sent an email notifying parents of the updated bus information. If not received, call the bus garage in your area.
The bus garage phone numbers are as follows:
West Compound: 727-774-0400
Northwest Compound: 727-774-0540
Central Compound: 813-794-0520
East Compound: 352-524-0560
Southeast Compound: 813-794-0500
Temporary delays can be expected. These delays will be reduced, as everyone adjusts to the new schedule.
Pasco County Schools will have safety precautions in place, just as it did during the first week of school.
Students & checking fees
Students interested in opening a checking account first should research the fees that may be charged by a financial institution.
Understanding service fees can help students choose the best option and can save money, according to the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA), in a news release.
Establishing good financial practices early is essential for students, to build a financial future.
Fees vary by institution. The most common are maintenance and overdraft fees.
To avoid maintenance fees, a minimum daily or an average daily balance may be required.
To avoid a monthly fee, enough money has to be deposited in the account to meet the minimum balance requirement.
Overdraft or non-sufficient funds fees occur when a transaction costs more than the amount of money in the account. These fees can be expensive.
Most institutions will offer overdraft protection to cover the transaction, but there will be a fee each time.
ATM fees are another cost factor to consider.
Financial institutions charge a fee when an ATM is used that isn’t part of its network. In addition, you can be charged a separate fee by the ATM owner.
KHEAA is a public, nonprofit agency that aims to improve students’ access to college, as well as provide information about financial aid and financial literacy at no cost to the students and parents.
Visit KHEAA.com for information.
