• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
  • About Us
  • Videos
  • Online E-Editions
  • Social Media
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
  • Advertising
  • Local Jobs
  • Puzzles & Games
  • Circulation Request

The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Lutz since 1964 and Pasco since 1981.
Proud to be independently owned.

  • 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
  • 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
  • Closer Look
  • Homes
  • Obits

Done Peace

School district adapts to distance learning

April 14, 2020 By B.C. Manion

While parents suddenly found themselves thrust into the role of being frontline teachers, educators in Pasco and Hillsborough counties also found themselves making a big shift when the state ordered school campuses to be closed.

The order is in effect until April 30, and as press time for The Laker/Lutz News it remained unclear whether that will be extended.

During a virtual Pasco County School Board meeting on April 7, district officials discussed how county schools made the switch to online learning.

Superintendent Kurt Browning told the audience viewing the meeting, “When this thing hit, I remember our first meeting in the superintendent’s conference room. We were all a little shell-shocked by the fact that school was going to be closed for an additional week after Spring Break.”

But, district staff stepped up, and by the time the shift was made, the district was well-poised to make the shift.

He credited Joanne Glenn and her eSchool team for the guidance and encouragement they provided to district teachers.

“Our brick-and-mortars classroom teachers, for a large part, most part, have never done virtual education before,” he said. But, once they received the training that the district’s Office of Leading and Learning and the eSchool staff put together, he said, “a lot of the angst disappeared.”

The district also distributed about 17,000 devices to families needing them, including roughly 9,000 for elementary school students and about 8,000 for secondary school students, said Assistant Superintendent Kevin Shibley. A small number of devices were still in the process of being provided for families.

Don Peace, president of the United School Employees of Pasco, complimented the district’s handling of the transition of shifting from direct to distance instruction.

“As we work in our second week of distance learning, I want to recognize our district superintendent and staff for having a Plan B in place,” Peace said.

“A special thanks goes out to Joanne Glenn and the wonderful group of eSchool employees who have willingly served as resources to those in need of help, during this transition period,” he said.

“I also want to thank you for how you are handling the thousands of ‘new teachers’ in our district, by that I mean, the parents, grandparents and guardians who have suddenly been thrust into the role of teacher. They are now the first people asked to help with questions or concerns when students struggle.

“I know in my grandson’s case, resources, tutorials and updates are going out constantly to provide information and reassurance in these situations.

“I would urge all of us to be caring and compassionate when dealing with student and parent concerns,” Peace said.

School board chairwoman Colleen Beaudoin expressed gratitude on behalf of the board for the district’s leadership and extra efforts made by teachers and staff.

“The last several weeks, everyone has been thrust into new ways of teaching and learning, and doing the work that supports that learning,” she said.

“On behalf of the board, we are very grateful to everyone who has worked so hard to make sure our students will continue to have learning opportunities and to have food in their homes.

“Thank you to the district staff who worked through the entire Spring Break getting things put into place.

“Thank you to Mrs. Glenn and the eSchool staff who have been supporting the teachers across the district, 24/7, answering questions and troubleshooting.

“Thank you to our communications team for pushing out all of the information, in multiple formats.

“Thank you to the teachers who have had to make this difficult transition to distance learning in such a short time. I have seen you collaborating and problem-solving at all hours to help our students and families.

“Thank you to the students for doing your work, even when it can be difficult to log on and while you are experiencing stressful life circumstances.

“Thank you to the parents for extending grace. We appreciate your patience as we work through some bumps in the road.

“I am confident that this district and our community will get through this and our students will continue to make academic progress,” Beaudoin said.

Assistant Superintendent Betsy Kuhn also expressed appreciation to district staff for pulling together to ensure that meals could be delivered to students who depend on school meals as their only reliable source of food.

The district delivered food to 27 sites and 16 bus stops.

“This was our second week of doing the once-a-week on Tuesdays, where we give out 10 meals to each child who comes through the line,” Kuhn said.

“The unofficial number for today is that served over 121,000. That does not include our bus stops. Those are still being calculated.

“What that means is that we served over 12,000 children in our community. That is up 8,000 served last week. And, the first week we served, March 23, we served about 5,500 students per day.

“This would not be possible without the support and very hard work of FNS (Food and Nutrition Services) and transportation, after school enrichment programs and maintenance,” Kuhn said. Kuhn also gave kudos to human resources for helping to coordinate and schedule 200 volunteers that stepped up to help.

Browning said he’s incredibly proud of district employees.

“We could not be where we are today without everyone in this district pulling together and doing what’s right for our kids,” the superintendent said.

Published April 15, 2020

Filed Under: Education, Local News Tagged With: Betsy Kuhn, Colleen Beaudoin, Done Peace, eSchool, Joanne Glenn, Kevin Shibley, Kurt Browning, online learning, Pasco County School Board, United School Employees of Pasco

Primary Sidebar

Plaza Mexico

Foodie Friday Gallery

Search

Sponsored Content

Avalon Applauds… Norah Catlin

February 23, 2021 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

CONGRATULATIONS to Norah Catlin, for being applauded by Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. Catlin, a senior at Wiregrass Ranch … [Read More...] about Avalon Applauds… Norah Catlin

More Posts from this Category

Archives

What’s Happening

‘Aladdin jr.’

Live Oak Theatre is now selling tickets for its Acorn Theatre production of “Aladdin jr.” Performances will be March 18 through March 28, at the Carol and Frank Morsani Center for the Arts, 21030 Cortez Blvd., in Brooksville. Seats are $15 for adults and $8 for children ages 13 and younger, when accompanied by an adult. For show times and tickets, visit LiveOakTheatre.square.site, email , or call 352-593-0027. … [Read More...] about ‘Aladdin jr.’

03/05/2021 – Apple Pie Bombs

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will offer “Foodie Feast: Apple Pie Bombs” on March 5. Participants can learn how to make tasty, apple pie bombs. Watch the prerecorded video between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., online at Facebook.com/hughembrylibrary or Facebook.com/newriverlibrary. For information, call 352-567-3576, or email Danielle Lee at . … [Read More...] about 03/05/2021 – Apple Pie Bombs

03/06/2021 – Bridal Trunk Show

The Gulfside Hospice New Port Richey Thrift Shoppe, 6117 State Road 54, will host a Bridal Trunk Show on March 6 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. There will be more than 250 dresses to choose from, starting at $29.99 and many brand new. Admission is free, but limited spots are available to allow for social distancing. Brides must register online in advance, by March 3, at bit.ly/NPR-Bridal-Trunk-Show. All proceeds from the shop go to help hospice patients in Pasco County. For questions, contact Jeremi Sliger at , or call 727-842-7262. … [Read More...] about 03/06/2021 – Bridal Trunk Show

03/11/2021 – Economic security

The Pasco Unit of the League of Women Voters of Hillsborough County will sponsor a panel discussion on “Economic Security in Pasco County During the COVID Outbreak” on March 11 at 7 p.m. Panelists will include Brian Hoben, community services director, Pasco County Public Services; Marcy Esbjerg, director of community development, Pasco County Public Services; Don Anderson, CEO, Pasco Homeless Coalition; and, Mike Bishop, director, Stakeholder Engagement, Pasco Economic Development Council. For information on how to register, email . … [Read More...] about 03/11/2021 – Economic security

03/13/2021 – ‘Grease’ event

T-Mobile will sponsor “Grease is the Word” on March 13 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. There will be a sing-along contest pitting Pasco County Fire Rescue against the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, a free movie “under the stars,” and a classic car show with prizes. There also will be food trucks and games. Admission is free. … [Read More...] about 03/13/2021 – ‘Grease’ event

03/13/2021 – Exhibitors needed

Demene Benjamin and UrEsteem will host “UrSelf: A Dabble in Self-Care” on March 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. Exhibitors can be anyone who has a product or service to promote physical, mental and social health, including physical and massage therapists; counselors; churches; nail techs/hairstylists; yoga/pilates/exercise; or natural products. For information, call 813-334-6006, or email . … [Read More...] about 03/13/2021 – Exhibitors needed

More of What's Happening

Follow us on Twitter

The Laker/Lutz NewsFollow

The Laker/Lutz News
LakerLutzNewsThe Laker/Lutz News@LakerLutzNews·
4h

This week in SPORTS: Sports agency in Lutz building reputation, clientele. https://buff.ly/3qZDdpc

Reply on Twitter 1366070716072943616Retweet on Twitter 1366070716072943616Like on Twitter 1366070716072943616Twitter 1366070716072943616
LakerLutzNewsThe Laker/Lutz News@LakerLutzNews·
27 Feb

Pasco board looks to put pause on multifamily. https://buff.ly/2MtqP1Z

Reply on Twitter 1365708311912415237Retweet on Twitter 1365708311912415237Like on Twitter 13657083119124152371Twitter 1365708311912415237
LakerLutzNewsThe Laker/Lutz News@LakerLutzNews·
26 Feb

Grove Theater now open in Wesley Chapel. https://buff.ly/2Nye3zP

Reply on Twitter 1365346133065814018Retweet on Twitter 1365346133065814018Like on Twitter 1365346133065814018Twitter 1365346133065814018
Load More...

 

 

Where to pick up The Laker and Lutz News

Top Stories

Grove Theater now open in Wesley Chapel

Pasco board looks to put pause on multifamily

An entertainment venue in downtown Zephyrhills?

Ash Wednesday events vary, across region

State testing should not be punitive, board members say

Retiring ‘Old Glory’ with dignity

SWFMD executive director wins geology alumni award

Perils on Pasco roads continue to climb

New fire truck welcomed with a ‘push-in’ ceremony

Efforts underway to help deputy’s family

PHSC panel seeks solutions on racial equity, social justice

Celebrating one life, saving another

Two Rivers will offer places to live, work, play

Secondary Sidebar

More Stories

Check out our other stories for the week

Grove Theater now open in Wesley Chapel

Pasco board looks to put pause on multifamily

An entertainment venue in downtown Zephyrhills?

Ash Wednesday events vary, across region

State testing should not be punitive, board members say

Retiring ‘Old Glory’ with dignity

SWFMD executive director wins geology alumni award

Perils on Pasco roads continue to climb

New fire truck welcomed with a ‘push-in’ ceremony

Efforts underway to help deputy’s family

PHSC panel seeks solutions on racial equity, social justice

Celebrating one life, saving another

Two Rivers will offer places to live, work, play

Sports Stories

Sports agency in Lutz building reputation, clientele

Conference champs!

1,000-point club

Locals athletes ink with colleges on National Signing Day

Seniors keep active at East Pasco Family YMCA

Copyright © 2021 Community News Publications Inc.

   