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Pasco Schools uncertain about COVID-19 impacts on growth

July 14, 2020 By B.C. Manion

Pasco County Schools expects to experience some growth in the coming school year, but the district remains uncertain about just how much.

The district has been projecting a growth of slightly more than 1,900 students, district-wide, including charter schools.

But, Chris Williams, the district’s director of planning, said he’s not sure whether that projection will hold up.

“I’ve been looking at the situation and the housing situation with COVID-19, and the big question is are we going to hit our 1,900 growth? I don’t know if we are, it’s hard to tell,” Williams said, during a Pasco County School Board budget workshop session on July 7.

“I do anticipate that we will have growth,” Williams said.

“I don’t know that we’ll hit our 1,900. We may. But, with a slowdown in housing, we may not get that high,” Williams said.

In a 6 p.m. board meeting the same day, Superintendent Kurt Browning addressed a parent’s concern about trying to choose an option for next school year, at a time when COVID-19 is spiking.

The school district is offering parents three choices for the 2020-2021 school year: Traditional brick-and-mortar; mySchool Online, a more structured approach to online learning than during the last part of last school year; and Pasco eSchool, which offers greater flexibility for virtual learners.

A caller into the telephonic board meeting expressed concerns about having to choose an option so many weeks before school starts, when so much still could change.

Browning reassured the parent that parents who choose the brick-and-mortar or mySchool Online won’t be locked into their choice.

There’s less flexibility with Pasco eSchool, he said, because that’s a separate entity with its own curriculum and different funding method.

The district’s initial deadline for parents to make a choice was July 1, but it extended the deadline to July 8, to give parents more time.

Browning said the district’s options resulted from extensive feedback it received from stakeholders through a Thought Exchange and discussions with stakeholder groups.

“We need to have decisions made by parents so that we, as a district, can allocate positions,” Browning said.

The district understands this is a trying time, Browning said. “We have to be flexible. We do know that things are changing literally hourly.”

The superintendent also addressed the issue of requiring face masks.

Board members appeared to be leaning toward mandatory masks during a previous workshop session, but Browning said he wants the district to hold off on that decision for now.

“We’re monitoring that situation. We’re looking at research, best practices,” Browning said, adding that the district is working with the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County.

“We’ll make a decision as we get closer to school start and that decision will be made public to our parents as soon as it is made,” Browning said.

“We will be making decisions right on up to the day that teachers return on Aug. 3, and we’ll be making decisions right on up, including to the start of school on Aug. 10.

“We know that parents are eager for information. They’re eager for accurate information.

“We’ve received hundreds, if not thousands, of questions,” Browning said.

School board member Megan Harding said that she has been flooded with emails and telephone calls relating to masks.

“I think that’s been a lot of worry for parents, on both sides,” Harding said.

Deputy Superintendent Ray Gadd said the district has been working on guidelines, so it will be ready to use them, if that’s the direction the district decides to take.

Browning said he prefers to monitor the situation and make a decision closer to the start of school.

“I think it’s a little premature at this point. I understand the parents want either a yes or a no, but things are changing. And, quite honestly, they are changing hourly.

“I think having guidelines in the que, ready to go for consideration, is a wise move. But, I think it’s early to make a decision about masks right now,” the superintendent said.

Published July 15, 2020

Filed Under: Education, Local News Tagged With: Chris Williams, COVID-19, face coverings, face masks, Florida Department of Health, Kurt Browning, Megan Harding, mySchool, Pasco County School Board, Pasco County Schools, Pasco eSchool, Ray Gadd, Thought Exchange

Hillsborough public schools will require masks

July 14, 2020 By B.C. Manion

Hillsborough County Public Schools will require face coverings when school resumes, Aug. 10.

Hillsborough Schools Superintendent Addison Davis made the announcement on July 7.

In a video posted the same day on the district’s website, Davis elaborated on his decision.

Each staff member will receive three reusable masks when they return for pre-planning and each student will receive three reusable masks on Day 1 of the new school year.

“I spent the last few days speaking with medical professionals from the University of South Florida, Tampa General Hospitals, teachers, school administrators, business leaders and local department of health to help guide our decisions around protocols that affect the safety of our entire district.

“We all can agree that the safety and health of our students, teachers, staff and this community are paramount to the reopening of our schools,” he said.

“The CDC has identified face coverings as one of the most effective tools in stopping the spread of COVID-19, along with social distancing, handwashing and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces,” he said.

Davis said that he’s said from the beginning that the district’s reopening plan is fluid and that the district will continue to make adjustments as it continues to monitor the spread of the coronavirus within the community.

“I believe that requiring face coverings is the best option we have in providing an additional layer of protection for everyone on our campuses,” he said.

In total, the district will have more than 760,000 masks through purchases and donations from the Hillsborough County Emergency Operations Center and community partners, such as Humana and AVID.

“The spread of the coronavirus in our community has shown no sign of decreasing over the past three weeks,” he said.

“We have to do everything we can to keep our students, our staff and our families safe and healthy,” he said.

Meanwhile, parents of Hillsborough County students have until July 17 to indicate their declaration of intent for their preferred way of learning for their student in the new school year. Options include instruction at brick-and-mortar buildings, structured online learning, or self-paced virtual learning. Another potential option is a hybrid approach, which combines face-to-face instruction and online learning. There’s also an option for online learning only, if the district is required to close its campuses due to COVID-19.

To get more details, visit the district’s website at SDHC.k12.fl.us.

Published July 15, 2020

Filed Under: Education, Local News Tagged With: Addison Davis, AVID, COVID-19, face coverings, face masks, Hillsborough County Emergency Operations Center, Hillsborough County Public Schools, Humana, Tampa General Hospital, University of South Florida

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Family Fun at Molly’s Hatchet — Axe Throwing, Virtual Reality and Video Games

April 13, 2021 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

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04/16/2021 – Parenting exhibit

The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, 400 N. Ashley Drive in Tampa, will present “Picture (im)Perfect,” a documentary-style exhibition that shows the everyday ups and downs of parenting, worldwide. Documentary family photographers use raw, unposed, undirected family moments to create visual narratives that elevate family routines to an artistic expression. The display will run from April 16 through May 31, and is included with museum admission. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students/military/seniors. For information and tickets, call 813-221-2222. … [Read More...] about 04/16/2021 – Parenting exhibit

04/20/2021 – Republican club

The East Pasco Republican Club will meet on April 20 at 6 p.m., at the Golden Corral, 6855 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills, in the Tuttle Room. The guest speaker will be Brian Corley, supervisor of elections. … [Read More...] about 04/20/2021 – Republican club

04/21/2021 – Democratic Club

The Central Pasco Democratic Club will meet on April 21, via Zoom, to discuss voting rights and current legislative issues. Socializing starts at 6:30 p.m., followed by the meeting at 6:45 p.m. For information, email , or call 813-383-8315. … [Read More...] about 04/21/2021 – Democratic Club

04/21/2021 – Financial wellness

The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative will present “Strategies for Short-Term Financial Wellness” on April 21 at 6:30 p.m., for adults. Participants can learn tips and information for building emergency funds, managing debt and increasing cash flow. Registration is through the calendar feature at HCPLC.org. … [Read More...] about 04/21/2021 – Financial wellness

04/23/2021 – Improv Night

Live Oak Theatre will present an Improv Night on April 23 at 7:30 p.m., at the Carol & Frank Morsani Center, 21030 Cortez Blvd., in Brooksville. The family friendly event will feature the Conservatory’s Improv Troupe with games, skits and actor’s choices inspired by the audience. Doors open at 7 p.m. Seats are $10 per person in advance and $15 at the door. For information and tickets, visit LiveOakTheatre.org, call 352-593-0027, or email . … [Read More...] about 04/23/2021 – Improv Night

04/24/2021 – Keep Pasco Beautiful Earth Day

Keep Pasco Beautiful will celebrate Earth Day on April 24 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Crews Lake Park, 16739 Crews Lake Drive in Spring Hill. There will be educational and upcycle vendors; a ladybug release; presentations by Croc Encounters and the Owl’s Nest Sanctuary for Wildlife; native plants for sale from the Nature Coast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society; document shredding from 9 a.m. to noon; a rain water harvesting workshop at 10 a.m. ($45 fee); and compost workshop at noon. Preregistration is required for both workshops, at KeepPascoBeautiful.org/earth-day. There also will be a free household hazardous waste collection with Pasco County Solid Waste. The first 50 people to bring a thermometer containing mercury will receive a $5 Publix gift card (one per vehicle). For information on what waste will be accepted, call 813-929-2755, ext. 2046, or visit PascoCountyUtilities.com. … [Read More...] about 04/24/2021 – Keep Pasco Beautiful Earth Day

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