Free and reduced-price lunch applications
The Pasco County school district is accepting applications for its free and reduced-price household meal applications for the 2012-13 school year.
Households below the federal income eligibility guidelines may qualify for free or reduced-priced meal benefits. Households must complete a new free and reduced-price meal application for the upcoming school year. Families can apply online by visiting the Food and Nutrition Services Department website at www.pasco.k12.fl.us/nutrition/free_reduced. Applications also will be available beginning Aug. 1 from any Pasco County school cafeteria or administration office, at student orientation and throughout the school year. A new household application is required at the start of each new school year.
Cornell University graduates
A number of area students graduated recently from Cornell University. They are:
—Nikkita Mehta of Lutz, with an Artium Baccalarius degree in statistical science
—Katie Lee Meusling of Lutz, with a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science
—Anne Huang of Odessa, with an Artium Baccalarius degree in French.
Free English as a second language classes
A free English as a second language (ESL) class meets at Tampa Bay
Presbyterian Church, 19911 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Thursday mornings from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Activities for school-aged children are provided. A native English speaker teaches the course using several ESL and Bible study resources. American culture, English idioms and slang are also discussed. For more information, call (813) 973-2484.
Host families sought for foreign exchange students
World Experience is looking for three loving families to host foreign exchange students for the upcoming school year.
The students in the program are ages 15 to 18 and have passed an English test. They have their own medical insurance and spending money. Host families provide a bed, study area, meals and support. Students arrive in August. For more information, email or visit www.worldexperience.org.
Area student achieves dean’s list
Michael Filer of Lutz was named to the dean’s list of Emory College, the undergraduate
liberal arts college of Emory University in Atlanta, for the 2012 spring semester. To make the list, students must be in the top-20 percent of Emory College or have a 3.859 grade point average or better.
AP numbers increase in Hillsborough schools
A record number of Hillsborough County Public Schools students participated in Advanced Placement (AP) courses in 2012, while also setting a new high for the number of those with a score of three or above.
The percentage of students earning a three or above increased from 38 percent to 42. The passing improvement is more significant given the increase in the number of students taking AP exams.
“This is more evidence that our students — and our teachers — are up to the task,’’ Hillsborough County Public Schools Superintendent MaryEllen Elia, said in a release. “These are the toughest, most rigorous courses available. These external exams are proof that with the right preparation and with excellent instruction our students are doing college-level work.”
Autism Awareness Walk raises funds
Lennar’s Autism Awareness Walk at Concord Station in Land O’ Lakes raised $5,701.50 in contributions for Pasco County Schools.
Lennar’s Central Florida Division recently presented the check to the school board to benefit the district’s autism programs. More than 30 volunteers participated in the walk.
