Pasco School Board elects chairwoman
The District School Board of Pasco County elected Joanne Hurley (District 2) board chairwoman and Allen Altman (District 1) board vice chairman at its annual reorganization.
Hurley will serve a one-year term as chairwoman before her retirement from the school board next November. She was first elected in 2008, and was re-elected in 2012. Hurley served as chairwoman of the board once, and vice chairwoman twice.
Altman will serve a one-year term as vice chairman. He was elected to the school board in 2006, and was re-elected without opposition in 2010 and 2014. Altman has served as vice chairman and chairman of the board.
Bright Ideas contest
Belle of the Ball Project is supporting Bright House Networks’ program, “Bright Ideas STEM from Today’s Youth,” to help youth develop into innovative entrepreneurs. In the program, students are encouraged to submit a new idea, powered by STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) that can help make the world a better place.
By entering, high school students will vie for the opportunity to compete head-to-head on TV, in front of a studio audience in Orlando. The winner will have the chance to work with a leading innovation firm.
The program is currently open and available for students ages 14 to 19. The deadline to enter is Jan. 4.
To enter, visit BrightIdeas.BrightHouse.com/.
School board meeting cancelled
The District School Board of Pasco County has cancelled the regularly scheduled Jan. 5 board meeting due to winter break.
The district is closed from Dec. 21 through Jan.4.
Magnet school offers tour
Sanders Memorial Elementary STEAM Magnet School, 5126 School Road in Land O’ Lakes, will offer a school tour on Jan. 8, to show parents and prospective students the programs and facilities.
Principal Jason Petry and staff will lead parents through each grade level area, the collaboration center, outdoor classroom areas, boardwalk, and athletic facilities. Sanders is Pasco County’s first magnet school and was designed to focus on science, technology, engineering, arts and math.
For information, call Kristie Newsome at (813) 794-1500.
STEM magnet school info meetings
Centennial Middle STEM Magnet School, scheduled to open in August, will host parent information sessions at 6 p.m., as follows:
- Jan. 11 at Raymond B. Stewart Middle School, 38505 10th Ave., Zephyrhills
- Jan. 12 at Pasco Middle School, 13925 14th St., Dade City
- Jan. 13 at Thomas E. Weightman Middle School, 30649 Wells Road in Wesley Chapel
- Jan. 19 at Dr. John Long Middle School, 2025 Mansfield Blvd., Wesley Chapel
- Jan. 20 at Centennial Middle School, 38505 Centennial Road in Dade City
- Jan. 21 at Chester W. Taylor Elementary School, 3638 Morris Bridge Road in Zephyrhills
Parents of sixth- and seventh-graders at the host schools, as well as those of current fifth-graders in the elementary schools that feed into them, are encouraged to attend.
The superintendent, the magnet school principal, and district staff will discuss the STEM magnet theme and programs that will be offered at the school. Parents also will hear about magnet school application timelines and options for transportation.
Still time to enroll for spring classes at PHSC
Currently enrolled and returning Pasco-Hernando State College students are encouraged to register for spring classes as soon as possible. Spring classes begin on Jan. 11.
New students interested in taking classes this spring should visit PHSC.edu/wise, for admissions information. The application fee is $25, with an additional $20 assessed during the late registration period, which is Jan. 11 through Jan. 15.
For more information, visit PHSC.edu, or contact the Student Development Office at a nearby PHSC location.
Lutz native performs at Belmont concert
Sarah Fechtel, a native of Lutz and commercial music major at Belmont University, performed in the “Christmas at Belmont” concert at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center. The concert was taped live and aired nationally on PBS this holiday season.
More than 700 student musicians joined the Belmont School of Music faculty and the Nashville Children’s Choir for the concert. This year’s edition featured the University Symphony Orchestra, Belmont Strings, University Singers, Belmont Chorale, Percussion Ensemble, Musical theatre, Jazz Band, Jazzmin, Southbound and Company, and mass choirs.
Thursday Musicale offers scholarships
The Thursday Musicale, a women’s choral group formed to promote music in Pasco and Hernando counties, offers scholarships to graduating high school seniors in Pasco and Hernando counties who plan to study music in college and make it a career.
The deadline to apply for a scholarship is Jan. 22. Auditions will be Feb. 2 and Feb. 9 at Trinity Presbyterian Church of Seven Springs in New Port Richey.
For applications, contact your high school career counselor and/or music director.
Take Stock in Children applications
Take Stock in Children scholarship applications are now being accepted online through Jan. 24 for Pasco County Schools’ students on free/reduced lunch in grades eight to 10.
The organization, a program with the Pasco Education Foundation and partnered with Pasco County Schools, has provided scholarships, mentors and hope since 1995.
For information and an application, visit PascoEducationFoundation.org.
