• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About Us
  • Videos
    • Featured Video
    • Foodie Friday
    • Monthly ReCap
  • Online E-Editions
    • This Week’s E-Editions
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
  • Social Media
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
  • Advertising
  • Local Jobs
  • Puzzles & Games
  • Circulation Request

The Laker/Lutz News

       

Click to join our weekly e-newsletter

  • Home
  • News
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills/East Pasco
    • Business Digest
    • Senior Parks
    • Nature Notes
    • Featured Stories
    • Photos of the Week
    • Reasons To Smile
  • Sports
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills and East Pasco
    • Check This Out
  • Education
  • Pets/Wildlife
  • Health
    • Health Events
    • Health News
  • What’s Happening
  • Sponsored Content
    • Closer Look
  • Homes
  • Obits
  • Public Notices

Pasco schools seek ‘near-normal’

May 4, 2021 By B.C. Manion

As the Pasco County public school district wraps up an academic year that was anything but normal, Superintendent Kurt Browning hopes things will be different in the 2021-2022 term.

Browning discussed his hopes for the district, along with a full range of other topics, during a webinar hosted last week by the Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce, as part of its Business Development Year series.

“This year has been incredibly challenging,” Browning told those listening.

“Whoever knew … when everything got shut down (in March 2020) that we would literally be shut down for the fourth quarter and that we’d still be dealing with COVID … more than a year later,” the superintendent said.

Browning praised district teachers, administrators and staff for making rapid adaptations to conduct the rest of last school year virtually.

Then, he said, the district made more adjustments before the 2020-2021 year began to create a new option called mySchool Online. That option has allowed students to learn virtually, following a normal school schedule — being taught remotely by teachers.

When the 2021-2022 school year begins, Browning said mySchool Online will be discontinued. Students will either return to school campuses for in-person learning or learn remotely through Pasco eSchool.

MySchool Online, Browning acknowledged, “had its challenges.”

“We’ve had some students that have been very successful on it. I will tell you that we’ve had some students that have not been very successful,” he said.

Concerns about students lagging behind prompted the district to make an all-out push in an effort to persuade parents of those struggling students to return them to campus.

Some parents simply refused, Browning said.

That’s concerning, the district leader said, because “the performance this year is certainly going to set them up for future success. We just want to make sure our kids are prepared, going forward into the next grade level.”

As of last week, details were still being worked out regarding the summer instructional program and the upcoming school year.

Browning wants to reintroduce activities that were diminished or curtailed by COVID-19.

“Kids need some sense of normalcy. They need to have their clubs. They need to have athletics. They need to have their dances. They need to have the social interaction with other students,” Browning said.

“And so, we are going to try to have as normal of a school opening as we possibly can, starting in August,” Browning said.

At the same time, the district will take guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and will work closely with the Department of Health-Pasco County, he said.

Social isolation, mental health
Browning said he doesn’t consider himself a “touchy-feely” type of guy. But added: “I have been very concerned about the mental well-being of our kids this year.”

When students are learning remotely, they don’t have the safety nets that schools provide, he said.

“Teachers can’t physically lay their eyes on these kids. They can’t see that they’re dirty.

“They can’t see that they’ve got bruises on their arms.

“They can’t see that they’re thinner because maybe they’re not eating.

“At least when they were face-to-face, they could see some things. Teachers could let their administrators know. We could make phone calls. We could do a wellness check with the family. We could provide food. We could provide clothing.

“Not only that, we could provide hope.

“What we found through COVID is that some parents have just not had any hope.”

“My heart just breaks when I hear about these kids that are struggling,” Browning said.

He then told those listening to the webinar about a call he received from a fellow superintendent — who told him two students in that district had committed suicide.

A few weeks later, Browning said, he learned of a Pasco student who had committed suicide and then, a couple of weeks later, another student did.

“I don’t know all of the underlying circumstances to what brought that kid to make that decision,” Browning said. Then, he reiterated: “I have been concerned about the mental well-being of our kids.”

Browning touched on some other topics, too.

In response to a question, he said he expects COVID-19 to have a negative impact on the district’s graduation rate.

He also told listeners that the district will be opening its Starkey Ranch K-8 school in the fall. Located in the Starkey community, off State Road 54, it is the district’s first school specifically designed for kindergarten through eighth-grade students.

The school is expected to have about 1,000 elementary school students and 600 middle school students.

The campus will have a facility that has been dubbed TLC, which stands for theater, library and cultural center.

The TLC will accommodate public library for patrons and students. It also will have a 250-seat theater and three makerspaces.

Michael Francis, conductor for the Florida Orchestra, has been helping the district with its arts planning for the campus, Browning said.

On another topic, the superintendent told the crowd that unlike many districts across the state, Pasco is projected to experience growth in the coming year.

The district also has been included in a 10-county intensive reading pilot project, which will allow the district to provide some intensive literacy help.

Although Browning expects the district to fare well, overall, in terms of the state budget, he said the district needs to improve salaries overall, but teacher salaries, in particular.

“It really is tough work out there, and with some of the other districts out there having additional sources of revenue that we don’t have, it makes it difficult to compete with those other districts,” Browning said.

Published May 05, 2021

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Email
  • Print

Like this:

Like Loading...

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Search

The Recap Presents…

Sponsored Content

ICI Homes Continues to Sell and Expand in Today’s Market

June 28, 2022 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

ICI Homes, one of Florida’s best-known and prestigious homebuilders, is continuing to sell and expand, as a large number … [Read More...] about ICI Homes Continues to Sell and Expand in Today’s Market

Toni Hedstrom Gets Creative for Buyers and Sellers

June 28, 2022 By Kelli Carmack

Toni Hedstrom, a Lutz resident for 13 years and real estate agent for Compass Realty, is always looking to be creative, … [Read More...] about Toni Hedstrom Gets Creative for Buyers and Sellers

More Posts from this Category

What’s Happening

07/04/2022 – 4th of July celebration

Avalon Park’s 4th of July Celebration will take place on July 4 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., in Wesley Chapel. There will be a patriotic bake-off, a bike parade, bounce houses, food trucks, community performances, vendors, and fireworks at 9 p.m. Visit AvalonParkWesleyChapel.com, or call 813-783-1515 for more information. … [Read More...] about 07/04/2022 – 4th of July celebration

07/04/2022 – Cake Contest

Entries for the Lutz 4th of July Cake Contest can be dropped off at the Lutz Community Center, 98 First Ave., N.W., between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., on July 3; or between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m., on July 4. Cakes must be no larger than 9 inches by 13 inches. Cakes or pies that require refrigeration will not be accepted. Categories include: Adult Best Decorated; Adult Best Tasting; Youth Best Decorated (ages 11 to 18); Youth Best Decorated (10 and younger); Youth Best Tasting (11 to 18); Most Patriotic (all ages); Guv’na Favorite; Cupcakes Best Decorated; Best Pie (all ages); and Youth Best Tasting (10 and younger). All entries will be auctioned off after the parade. For information, email . … [Read More...] about 07/04/2022 – Cake Contest

07/04/2022 – Starkey Market’s Fourth

Starkey Market, 3460 Starkey Blvd., in New Port Richey, will host a 4th of July evening from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., for the whole family. The event will include food, fireworks and music. Bring your own chairs and blankets. No outside food, beverages or coolers will be allowed. The cost is from $10 to $25. Children ages 6 and younger are free. Limited tickets are available. Visit tinyurl.com/bdh9vjs7. … [Read More...] about 07/04/2022 – Starkey Market’s Fourth

07/04/2022 – Tax collector closure

The five Pasco County Tax Collector’s Offices will be closed on July 4, in honor of Independence Day. Offices will reopen on July 5 at 8:30 a.m., for normal business. … [Read More...] about 07/04/2022 – Tax collector closure

07/05/2022 – Read with a furry friend

The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, in partnership with Pasco County Animal Services, will host a “Tale for Tail Reading Session” on July 5 from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., for ages 5 and older. Participants can bring their own book or borrow one from the library to practice their reading skills with an adoptable furry friend. Registration and liability waiver are required. Register online at PascoLibraries.org. … [Read More...] about 07/05/2022 – Read with a furry friend

07/06/2022 – Cribbage club

Weekly Cribbage Club meetings are every Wednesday at 6 p.m., at the Wilderness Lake clubhouse, 21326 Wilderness Lake Blvd. in Land O' Lakes. The club is currently playing informally, but is looking to join the ACC cribbage organization. For more information/questions call 732-322-7103, or email . … [Read More...] about 07/06/2022 – Cribbage club

More of What's Happening

Follow us on Twitter

The Laker/Lutz News Follow

Your home for weekly news that impacts your life and community. Serving Land O' Lakes, Lutz, New Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills and Dade City.

LakerLutzNews
lakerlutznews The Laker/Lutz News @lakerlutznews ·
1 Jul

LCOAL UPDATE: Mike Carballa is Pasco County’s new interim administrator, effective July 30. He has been selected to replace Dan Biles as the county’s new administrator, when Biles’ contract lapses on Oct. 1. Full story: https://lakerlutznews.com/lln/2022/06/103096/

Reply on Twitter 1542894556789833730 Retweet on Twitter 1542894556789833730 Like on Twitter 1542894556789833730 Twitter 1542894556789833730
Retweet on Twitter The Laker/Lutz News Retweeted
mositampa MOSI @mositampa ·
1 Jul

We continue to celebrate MOSI’s 60th Anniversary through our Social Media Contest. In July, we are asking our friends to submit a funny Science meme or photo. Submissions accepted July 1- July 31. Winning submission gets one free MOSI Pioneer Membership. https://conta.cc/39JPT09

Reply on Twitter 1542817813831745537 Retweet on Twitter 1542817813831745537 4 Like on Twitter 1542817813831745537 8 Twitter 1542817813831745537
Retweet on Twitter The Laker/Lutz News Retweeted
pascocountypio Pasco County PIO @pascocountypio ·
30 Jun

#HurricaneSeason 2022 TIP: High winds can whip up with or without warning - having the same effect as a strong thunderstorm or tornado. Older homes can be more at risk. To minimize damage, keep up with home repairs. More info http://MyPasco.net #PascoCounty #PascoPrepares

Reply on Twitter 1542568660304142338 Retweet on Twitter 1542568660304142338 2 Like on Twitter 1542568660304142338 Twitter 1542568660304142338
Load More

Archives

 

 

Where to pick up The Laker and Lutz News

Copyright © 2022 Community News Publications Inc.

    Doc
%d bloggers like this: