The Laker/Lutz News

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

Wiregrass School Road

Principal raises the roof to promote literacy

By

Students at Wiregrass Elementary School have a summer tradition.

They take part, every year, in the Scholastic Book reading challenge.

Several students passing by the courtyard area wave excitedly at Steve Williams, the school principal, as he broadcasts on Facebook Live from on top of the school’s roof to fulfill a promise he made to his students, who logged more than 160,000 minutes in the nationwide Scholastic Book summer reading challenge. (Christine Holtzman)

Two years ago, the students logged in over 43,000 minutes, and came in eighth in the state.

But, Steve Williams, principal of the school at 29732 Wiregrass School Road in Wesley Chapel, knew they could do better.

So, he challenged them to log in more than 50,000 minutes.

If they could, he promised he would spend time reading to them from the school’s roof.

The students slayed the challenge — logging more than 160,000 minutes of reading.

And, the principal responded by spending a full day on the school’s roof — about 32 feet above ground — reading through a megaphone to the students below.

Steve Williams, principal of the Wiregrass Elementary School, reads a book into a megaphone, so the students seated in the courtyard below could hear. The top student readers from each group and their classmates earned the right to enjoy a story from the courtyard.

About every half-hour or so, the principal went on Facebook Live to connect with the community and with his students.

Teachers could log in and let their students watch.

The principal read a series of fiction and nonfiction books. He read newspapers and textbooks. He regaled the audience with his thoughts about the characters, plots and illustrators.

As a special treat, the top reader in every grade level was invited to come to the courtyard to listen to the principal read a book to them, from his high perch, through a megaphone.

Williams said that the kids love the fact that their principal is willing to do fun and extreme things.

He summed up the rooftop challenge like this: “Today is really all about supporting literacy.”

Published November 06, 2019

From approximately 32 feet above the ground, Steve Williams, the principal of the Wiregrass Elementary School, waves to passing students and staff members from the school’s roof. Williams spent the whole school day on the roof, reading books through a megaphone, as well as broadcasting on Facebook Live, to promote literacy and to fulfill a promise he made to his students during the summer reading challenge.
Steve Williams, principal of the Wiregrass Elementary School, holds up a book that he will read during one of his broadcasts via Facebook Live. Every half-hour or so, Williams went on Facebook Live to connect with the community and with the students. Throughout the campus, teachers were able to log in and let their students watch.

 

Study continues on Wesley Chapel congestion

By

The Metropolitan Planning Organization heard a report about the Wesley Chapel Roadway Connection project — along with pros and cons on various aspects of potential roadway connections during the board’s Dec. 13 meeting.

Some residents worry about safety issues near schools because of traffic congestion on Mansfield Boulevard. (File)

The presentation was for information only, with no action taken by the board.

Meghan McKinney, of the AECOM organization, has been collaborating with the MPO to conduct studies on the pros and cons of potential connections.

The project is focused on three potential connections:

  • Mansfield Boulevard and Kinnan Street
  • Meadow Pointe Boulevard and Meadow Pointe Boulevard Extension
  • Wyndfields Boulevard and Wyndfields Boulevard Extension

Public workshops have been held, as part of the study, in both April 2017 and May 2018.

“The reasons we wanted to do this study is we wanted to get public input, to hear if views have changed,” McKinney said.

In general, it’s a consensus in the community that the area’s roads can’t handle the current traffic demands, and there are especially concerns about safety near schools, she said.

Of all three potential connections, the most controversial involves a possible link between Mansfield Boulevard and Kinnan Street.

In a 2017 survey, 36 people said they favored the connection, while 37 people were opposed.

Several alternatives are being considered, McKinney said.

  • No Build Alternative: Would have no connections for public use but only provide a gate for emergency vehicles, and would make accommodations for cyclists and pedestrians
  • Alternative 1: Would focus on connecting Mansfield Boulevard and Kinnan Street
  • Alternative 2: Would focus on the Mansfield Boulevard/Kinnan Street and Meadow Pointe Boulevard Extension
  • Alternative 3: Meadow Pointe Boulevard Extension
  • Alternative 4: Mansfield Boulevard/Kinnan Street, Meadow Pointe Boulevard and Wyndfields Boulevard Extension

McKinney also told board members that regardless of which alternative is selected, the area’s traffic projections for 2040 reveals significant traffic increases.

“Basically you have an area where just by connecting the road, you’re not necessarily adding more people to the area,” she reasoned. “You’re just shifting the routes they may use.”

However, the projection also showed that the No Build Alternative would have its greatest increase near Beardsley Drive and Mansfield Boulevard.

The alternative’s biggest decrease in traffic would occur on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard between County Line Road and Cross Creek Boulevard, she said.

Aside from the road connection proposed, McKinney also addressed several planned improvements, including additional traffic lights and turning lanes.

One plan addresses concerns about traffic near schools on Mansfield Boulevard.

The bus drop-off and pick-up area near Dr. John Long Middle School contributes to the heavy congestion on the road, she said.

She suggested relocating the bus area from Wiregrass School Road onto Mansfield Boulevard, to enable a more steady flow of traffic.

A new crosswalk on the north side of Wiregrass School Road already is funded and underway, she said.

Another proposal calls for adding lanes at all four stops at the intersection of State Road 56 with Mansfield Boulevard, Meadow Pointe Boulevard and Wyndfields Boulevard.

Any road expansions on State Road 56 would be independent projects from the three proposed roadway connections, she said.

Published December 26, 2018

Wiregrass Elementary revving up for first day

By

Crews are kicking it into high gear at Wiregrass Elementary School to ensure the school is ready to open for students on Aug. 15.

Music teacher Christine Reed is clearly excited about the musical tools that children at Wiregrass Elementary School will get to use. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photos)
Music teacher Christine Reed is clearly excited about the musical tools that children at Wiregrass Elementary School will get to use.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photos)

The new school, at 29732 Wiregrass School Road in Wesley Chapel, will have its “first” first day of school, and Principal Steve Williams said he and his staff can’t wait.

“This is going to be a fantastic school. It’s going to be an outside-the-box kind of school. It’s going to be a school that doesn’t necessarily do things the way everybody else does, because we are pushing for incredible outcomes. Intentional outcomes,” Williams said.

The school was built to relieve crowding at other nearby schools. As of Aug. 4, its enrollment was 505 students, but that number has been increasing every day, the principal said.

“We certainly anticipate that this is going to be a growing school. There’s a lot of subdivisions being built,” he said.

Williams said the school has features he thinks will help to make it special.

There’s an area called Wiregrass Court, an inclusive play area for children and a park.

There are other differences, too.

Principal Steve Williams and teacher Maria Pita chat, while the teacher sets up her new classroom at Wiregrass Elementary School.
Principal Steve Williams and teacher Maria Pita chat, while the teacher sets up her new classroom at Wiregrass Elementary School.

“We’re trying to push what the definition of learning spaces look like. So, we don’t have a media center. We have what we call The Wiregrass Innovation Factory. That’s where you have the large space with technology and books, and opportunities to collaborate and create,” the principal said.

Each grade level team also has its own “Local innovation Factory,” tailored to each age group.

“It looks different. It feels different. It’s got great technology in it. In addition, it’s got some furniture. It’s got a maker space. It’s got some instructional materials. Ultimately, you’ll have two 65-inch TVs, plus an interactive whiteboard, all with wireless technology,” Williams said.

The school’s staff was set to report to work on Aug. 8, but some teachers dropped in earlier to unpack boxes and arrange their classrooms.

“We’ve opened these past two days — yesterday and today — for staff that wanted to move in,” Williams said on Aug. 4. “For most of them, this is their very first time being on this campus. They’re here to drink it all in and to move stuff,” he said.

Heather Crouch, music teacher at Wiregrass Elementary School, knows a thing or two about shaking a tambourine.
Heather Croucher, music teacher at Wiregrass Elementary School, knows a thing or two about shaking a tambourine.

“They’ve been very, very excited and I understand it, because I’ve been excited, too,” the principal added.

Robin Kestenbaum, who teaches first grade, loves the idea of helping to launch the new school.

“I honestly felt like a little first-grader, getting ready for the first day of the school,” she said.

Kestenbaum, a teacher for 17 years, said she has taught in Massachusetts and Tennessee, and on the east coast of Florida. Most recently, she taught at Pine View Elementary.

The beginning of every school year is exciting, she said, but that’s especially true this year.

“I have to be honest with you, this is one of the most exciting for me, personally,” Kestenbaum said.

Third-grade teacher Maria Pita brought a crew along to help her move in. Her husband was there, and so was her daughter and her daughter’s friend. And, another daughter was expected to arrive to join in, too.

The teacher previously taught at Pasco Elementary.

“It’s going to be a whole new adventure,” Pita said, who taught at Pasco Elementary last year.

Wiregrass Elementary is outfitted in all of the latest technology, but will also be using traditional teaching tools, too.
Wiregrass Elementary is outfitted in all of the latest technology, but will also be using traditional teaching tools, too.

Music teachers Heather Croucher and Christine Reed are also delighted to help open Wiregrass Elementary. Croucher, who taught at Denham Oaks Elementary, will be at Wiregrass Elementary five days a week. Reed will be Wiregrass Elementary for two days a week and Pine View Elementary for three days a week.

“We’re excited about all of the new stuff that we have,” Croucher said. The music department also has two rooms, she said. “This is our music suite.”

“That’s S-W-E-E-T,” Reed added.

“We’re looking forward to doing lots of musicals here,” Croucher said, including “maybe a xylophone group, and maybe even utilizing that outdoor area for some recitals.”

The school has four things it is focusing on, Williams said. Those are: Safety pursued. Learning focused. People valued. And, outcome driven.

“All of our conversations and all of our systems are all based around those four things,” he said.

First-grade teacher Robin Kestenbaum is sorting out some books for the bins in her classroom.
First-grade teacher Robin Kestenbaum is sorting out some books for the bins in her classroom.

In learning focused, for instance, “this first year we’re doing a lot of conversations about students owning their own learning and what does that look like?” the principal said.

“How do we help our student to own their own learning? Of course, that looks different at kindergarten than it does at fifth grade,” the principal said.

Helping kids “own” their own learning can mean that different kids will be doing different things in the room at the same time — aiming for the same learning goal, but coming at it from different paths, he explained.

The goal is to prepare students leaving the elementary school to be successful in middle school, said Williams, who previously was the director of teaching and learning for Pasco County Schools. Before that, he was the principal at Sunlake High School and worked in other roles.

When the opportunity to lead Wiregrass Elementary came along, Williams said he was pleased to accept the role.

“One of my professional goals was always to open a school as principal,” he said. “This has been the chance to cast a vision, to hire the staff, to buy the materials, to do everything from the ground up.”

Published August 10, 2016

Pasco prepping to ring in a new school year

By

Teachers headed back to Pasco County Schools this week to prepare for the first day of school on Aug. 15.

Opening day is a big deal on every campus every year, but it will be especially meaningful at Wiregrass Elementary School, at 29732 Wiregrass School Road in Wesley Chapel because that school is having its “first” first day.

Technology teacher Dalton Smith and Assistant Principal Josh Borders are busy moving boxes — getting ready for the first day of classes at Centennial Middle School in Dade City. (Courtesy of Centennial Middle School)
Technology teacher Dalton Smith and Assistant Principal Josh Borders are busy moving boxes — getting ready for the first day of classes at Centennial Middle School in Dade City.
(Courtesy of Centennial Middle School)

The mood across campus during a teacher move-in day last week offered a glimpse into the significance. People were focused on getting things ready — but there was an obvious excitement, too.

Like many schools, Wiregrass been counting down the days, hours, minutes and seconds until school starts.

This label is above the ticking clock on its website: “Countdown until Wiregrass Elementary changes the world forever.”

The opening of Wiregrass Elementary, of course, caused a shifting of school boundaries. That means some Wesley Chapel children will be experiencing their first day of school this year at at Denham Oaks Elementary, at 1422 Oak Grove Blvd., in Lutz.

The 2016-2017 school year also marks the beginning of a new S.T.E.M. (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Magnet program at Centennial Middle School at 38505 Centennial Road in Dade City.

The school will be using the Learning Active Technology Infused Classroom model, said Principal Rick Saylor. That instructional approach centers around rigor, student engagement and student responsibility.

Centennial Middle also has been equipped with new technology, offering new opportunities for students. For instance, it now has flight simulators that it will be using in its technology education class.

And now, because it’s a magnet school, it will be drawing students from outside its traditional boundaries, as well.

Pasco Elementary School, at 37350 Florida Ave., in Dade City, will be adding 50 minutes of daily instructional time for students in grades four and five, to comply with a state requirement.

In a July 18 letter posted in English and Spanish on the school’s website, Principal Nena Green tells parents: “We see this as a great opportunity for us to provide students with the additional support that they need to be successful.”

As a result of the additional instructional time, the school day for Pasco Elementary students in grades four and five will be from 8:40 a.m. to 3:40 p.m., while student in prekindergarten through third grade will remain on the school’s 8:40 a.m. to 2:50 p.m., schedule.

Students stream out of the portable classrooms at Wiregrass Ranch High School during a class change last school year. The school will again have a 10-period day, to relieve crowding on campus by staggering the time that students arrive and leave the campus. (Fred Bellet/Photo)
Students stream out of the portable classrooms at Wiregrass Ranch High School during a class change last school year. The school will again have a 10-period day, to relieve crowding on campus by staggering the time that students arrive and leave the campus.
(Fred Bellet/Photo)

This will be a special year at Rodney B. Cox Elementary, at 37615 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., in Dade City, as the school celebrates its 90th anniversary — with festivities planned throughout the year.

While some schools are launching new initiatives, others are continuing on paths they began last year.

For instance, Wiregrass Ranch High, at 2909 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, will stick with a 10-period school day for the 2016-2017 school year. Next year, a new high school, now being built on Old Pasco Road, will open to relieve overcrowding.

By having a 10-period day, the school can provide a less crowded campus for most of the school day, according to Principal Robyn White

There will be some changes, though, White said. For instance, it will go back to having pep rallies during the day, instead of after school, because it found it had a higher participation rate.

It also has changed its schedule to close down one of its buildings later in the day because it found that most of the discipline issues it dealt with last year happened in that building later in the day, when there were fewer classes there.

“Typically, during passing, the teachers are standing outside the door,” White explained.  When there are just a couple of classes in a building, there are fewer teachers to supervise the area, she explained.

The school will be keeping the fifth lunch period it added last year because it helped make the lunch periods more manageable, White added.

At Pine View Middle, 5334 Parkway Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes, the school will be entering its second year as an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme Candidate School. The program aims to expand learning opportunities for all children, and to broaden connections by providing instruction that’s deeper and wider.

Some schools will stick with tried-and-true traditions.

Wesley Chapel Elementary School, at 30243 Wells Road in Wesley Chapel, for example, will have its annual Boohoo Breakfast.

“Whether you are saddened or excited, we would love to see you in the cafeteria on the first day of school, beginning at 9:30 a.m.” the school’s website proclaims, referring to  the breakfast.

When children arrive on campus at Wesley Chapel Elementary, they’ll be greeted by Stan Mykita, the school’s new principal.

Parents who want to know more about their child’s school, how to get involved, how to help their child and details about such things as bus stops, school lunch prices and supplies, can find much of the information they need on their individual school’s website. Some information is also available on the district’s website, at Pasco.k12.fl.us.

Registration requirements
Students entering a Florida school for the first time at any grade level, will be asked to present the following items upon registration:

  • Current immunization records (vaccination requirements vary by grade level)
  • Proof of a physical examination dated and signed by a licensed health professional within the last 12 months
  • Proof of age, through a birth certificate or other acceptable documents
  • Social Security number, if one is available.
  • Proof of Florida residency, such as water, gas, electric or other utility bill; a properly executed lease agreement; or some other evidence
  • Copy of the student’s last report card, if applicable
  • Legal guardianship records, if applicable

Students entering kindergarten for the first time must be 5 years old before Sept. 1. Pre-kindergarten and Head Start/Early Start programs are available to students who are younger.

Help for parents
Useful information often can be found on the websites maintained by Pasco County Schools and Hillsborough County Schools. Local schools also often provide practical tips to help parents help their children succeed in school.

For instance, Connerton Elementary School, in Land O’ Lakes, offered these pointers for parents to help foster school success:

  • Ensure that your child is at school on time each day.
  • Attend parent/teacher conferences and school events.
  • Monitor your child’s homework daily.
  • Expect and support positive behavior at school.
  • Read with your child or encourage your child to read daily.

 

Getting ready for Day 1

  • Before doing your back-to-school shopping, check your school’s website to find out out what supplies are needed.
  • Also, check the website to find out what time school begins and ends, the code of conduct and dress code for the school, and applications for free or reduced-price lunch.
  • Information also is available through individual and district websites regarding child care, the school year calendar and transportation.

Published August 10, 2016