Bringing the holiday spirit to families in need
Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’Lakes Woman’s Club donated Christmas gift items to several families in need, so that they, too, can have a happy holiday with presents under their tree. The ladies worked with three local schools — Connerton Elementary, Land O’ Lakes; Lutz Elementary; and Miles Elementary, Tampa — and delivered requested items from each family member’s wish list.
Aquaponics project unveiled
The students at Wendell Krinn Technical High School on Dec. 10 hosted a grand opening of its KTech Aquaponics Project, according to a news release.
Aquaponics is a way for students to gain hands-on, practical experience by applying what they are learning in their technical education programs.
The project incorporates the combined skills of the school’s many technical programs, including engineering, robotics, welding, electricity and cybersecurity.
The result is a structure that produces green, leafy vegetables and herbs, as well as raises tilapia fish, using the classic application of the principles of aquaponics, a sustainable system that combines hydroponics (growing plants without soil) and aquaculture (farming fish), the release says.
In this project, the fish provide nutrients that benefit the plants, and the plants filter and clean the water for the fish.
“This has really been a team effort,” said KTech Principal Chris Dunning, in the release.
Students studying welding and electricity built the structures. The robotics team built a robotic arm that will feed the fish. The cybersecurity students installed cameras to monitor the fish, and the culinary arts program prepares the fish and the vegetables.
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.
Fee adjustment meeting
The Pasco-Hernando State College’s District Board of Trustees (DBOT) will consider approving proposed adjusted course-related fees at its Jan. 18 board meeting.
Fee adjustment proposals are reviewed and approved for DBOT consideration by PHSC’s Council of Academic Affairs, a committee that includes representation by administrators, deans, academic department chairs, program directors, faculty and staff.
Many fee adjustments relate to vendor increases for workforce courses, laboratories, and program testing.
Some fees may be covered by financial aid, scholarships and grants.
For details regarding proposed fee adjustments, justification for the fees and fee implementation details, visit Policies.phsc.edu, and click on Policies and Procedures, Public Disclosure.
Financial aid tip
Students should learn an important phrase in the language of student aid — satisfactory academic progress (SAP) — according to a Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) news release.
All colleges that award federal student aid must have SAP standards, which are based on three key areas: GPA, pace and a maximum time frame.
The GPA that students are required to have may vary by school, major, and whether a student is pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree.
Pace means that students have to pass a stated percentage of the classes they take, in a given period of time. This also may vary by college.
The maximum time frame SAP standard means that a student may have to finish his or her degree within a given number of attempted credit hours.
KHEAA is a public, nonprofit agency that provides information about financial aid and financial literacy at no cost to students and parents.
Visit KHEAA.com for more information.
