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Denham Oaks Elementary

This community servant knew how to find life’s silver lining

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Rosie Heim — a former Honorary Mayor of Land O’ Lakes, and a former president of the board of the Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club — has succumbed to her battle with cancer.

She will be remembered in a celebration of life service on April 13 at 10:30 a.m., at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 20735 Leonard Road in Lutz. A reception will follow.

Rosie Heim was widely known in Central Pasco. She belonged to several organizations and generously shared her smiles and goodwill. (File)

Rosie was widely known around Central Pasco for her willingness to serve local organizations, and as an Avon representative — who always dispensed her brand of good cheer, while delivering her customer’s orders.

Mary Rathman, editorial assistant at The Laker/Lutz News, a regular customer, developed a deep affection for Rosie.

“I’ll miss her smiles and hugs,” said Rathman, who admired Rosie’s ability to remain upbeat, despite her grim prognosis.

“She just had such an amazing attitude throughout her ordeal and she was always happy,” Rathman said.

When Rosie decided to toss her hat into the ring for a run at honorary mayor of Land O’ Lakes, she did so with the intention of raising the profile of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club. The club is already widely known in Lutz, but she wanted more people in Land O’ Lakes to become familiar with the club and its good works.

In a 2017 interview, she told The Laker/Lutz News she wanted the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s club to become “a household name in Land O’ Lakes.”

Pat Serio, a member of the woman’s club, considered Rosie to be a dear friend.

“We’ve worked together on more projects and issues than I could possibly count,” Serio said.

She had a “unique insight and fun personality,” Serio added, and “she loved glitz and glamour.”

“All our (club members) hearts are very heavy with our loss of this wonderful woman after her very valiant battle with cancer,” she added.

In Rosie’s quest to win the Land O’ Lakes title, she hosted eight events.

For Rosie, it was never about being a member of a particular clique — she believed in reaching out to everyone.

Gloria Dale and Rosie Heim worked a booth at Land O’ Lakes Music Festival in 2017, as Heim made an effort to drum up support for her bid to become the new Honorary Mayor of Land O’ Lakes. Dale is the deputy honorary mayor, a title she’s been given for life.

She was involved with Women-N-Charge, a women’s networking group. She was also involved with AARP and with other groups.

She was always looking to recruit more members to the woman’s club because she saw a need to help with community services.

She also saw the need to develop reinforcements, as members of the woman’s club grow older and are unable to do as much volunteering as they did in the past.

In a previous interview, she explained: “Not all of the ladies are physically able to move tables and set up crafts. We would love younger people with better backs.”

She also was a cheerleader for the Central Pasco Chamber, too.

She looked forward to presiding at ribbon cuttings and representing the chamber in the Lutz Fourth of July Parade.

Before she retired, she was a special needs school assistant at Denham Oaks Elementary.

Elayne Bassinger, who was Rosie’s friend for 15 years, but particularly close to her during the last five years, said Rosie’s passing has left a hole in her heart.

“She had a remarkable, caring, giving, dynamic spirit — with a bit of spitfire thrown in,” Bassinger said.

“She was an inspiration to those who were fortunate enough to know her, and I was blessed to call her my friend,” Bassinger added.

Rosie possessed a can-do spirit and a great sense of humor, Bassinger said.

“Her heart was true community service,” Bassinger said.

Rosie enjoyed being involved, and was thrilled when some of that goodwill was returned during a pasta dinner fundraiser she held when she was campaigning to become honorary mayor.

She described the pasta dinner, in a 2017 interview.

Ninety-six people turned out.

“I was just so honored and overwhelmed by the love shown in that room,” she said. “They were chanting my name, ‘Rosie. Rosie.’”

It was incredible, she recalled.

“When you give, it’s always returned to you 10-fold,” she said

Rosie is survived by her husband, Charlie; her son, Daniel; her daughters, Sharon and Dawn, and her grandchildren.

Published April 03, 2019

Cypress Creek Town Center wants more retail, residential

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The Pasco County Planning Commission has recommended approval of a request that would allow an increase in commercial square footage and more multifamily units on 490 acres at the northwest and southwest quadrants of State Road 56 and Interstate 75.

Planning commissioners joined with Pasco County’s planning staff in recommending approval of the request to modify the master-planned unit development. The Pasco County Commission has the final say.

The developers of Cypress Creek Town Center are seeking permission to add more commercial development and to increase the number of multifamily dwellings allowed within the development, at State Road 56 and Interstate 75. (File)

Attorney Clarke Hobby represented the applicant during a Jan. 10 public hearing before the Planning Commission at the county’s historic courthouse in Dade City.

Planning commissioner Peter Hanzel raised questions about the potential impacts the modified plan could have on Pasco County Schools.

But Chris Williams, a school district representative who sits on the board, said the school district can absorb the impacts.

The additional multifamily units would generate 27 elementary students, 12 middle school students and 16 high school students — which the district would be able to serve through Denham Oaks Elementary, which has existing capacity, and Cypress Middle and Cypress High schools, Williams said.

“We feel we have sufficient capacity to house these students in the middle and high school, as well, when the new (middle)  school opens.” The new middle school will open in 2020, Williams said.

The proposed modification would allow for an increase of retail/commercial square footage from 1,998,400 square feet to 2,399,500 square feet — an increase of 401,000 square feet. It also calls for a decrease in hotel rooms from 350 rooms to 135 rooms; and, an increase of multifamily units from 230 units to 600 units.

“The Sierras (who own the property) believe that they need some additional commercial,” Hobby said. “That’s the primary thing we’re doing here, over the long haul.”

The Sierras plan to continue ownership of these parcels in their family entities for many years, Hobby said. “They wanted to extend the buildout date.”

“On the multifamily, the Sierras have one parcel that is located near the northern boundary of the north parcel that already has some approval for multifamily and fits within the 230 number of units they already have.

“There’s only one more parcel up near the north boundary that they are thinking of adding multifamily on, but they have no plans immediately,” the attorney added.

“They’re trying to plan for the next 15, 20, 25 years. And, they do believe because of the mixed-use nature of the project, with all of the office and all of the retail that’s going to build out there, that it’s a good site, ultimately, for multifamily.

“We’re trying to make a true mixed-use parcel,” Hobby said.

Published January 16, 2019

Pasco schools adopt tentative budget

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The Pasco County School Board has adopted a tentative budget for the 2018-2019 fiscal year, with a final public hearing set for Sept. 18.

The proposed general fund budget for 2018-2019 is $630,860,337. That’s a $15.2 million increase over last year’s general fund, which represents roughly a 2.47 percent increase.

The capital projects funds in the budget for 2018-2019 total $244,516,610, which reflects an increase of $31.5 million or 14.78 percent above the 2017-2018 budget.

Capital Projects Funds are used to account for expenditures on acquisition or construction of major capital facilities and improvements to existing facilities. The funds also are used for the maintenance of approximately 2,400 buildings across the district, to purchase land and to pay for equipment, technology equipment, buses and vehicles.

Under the proposed rate, the owner of a $125,000 home, after deducting the $25,000 homestead exemption, would pay $627.90 in school taxes — a decrease of $28.60 from last year.

The state’s basic student allocation for the 2018-2019 school year is $4,204.42. That’s 47 cents more per student than last year. But, since the state applies a cost of living adjustment, Pasco’s base student allocation for the coming year is $4,144.72.

Here are some big-picture highlights of the proposed budget:

  • Teaching makes up 61.78 percent of the district’s expenditures
  • Teaching combined with other school-level programs, including transportation, media, counseling, psychological services, school administration, capital outlay, community services, and operations and maintenance, makes up 92.38 percent of the operating budget
  • Curriculum development and staff training make up 3.26 percent of the operating budget.
  • Human resources, finance, purchasing, warehouse, data processing and mail services
    make up 4.36 percent of the operating budget.

While the state provides funding for schools, it also dictates how much of that money is spent.

For instance, during the 2018 session, the Florida Legislature passed the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act, which addresses gun violence on school campuses and promotes school safety. The bill requires armed security guards at every school. Each of those officers is required to undergo training, a background check, drug screening and psychological evaluation.

Pasco already has School Resource Officers at its middle schools and high schools, and is adding school security safety guards at its elementary schools this year.

The public safety act also requires the development of a mental health assistance plan, which will establish or expand school-based mental health care, through assessment, diagnosis, intervention and treatment.

The Safe Schools allocation of $3,725,606 will be used for school resource officers, school safety guards, traffic control and year-end security.

The Mental Health allocation of $1,721,460 will be used to expand school-based mental health
care.

In another area, the district must provide an additional hour of intensive reading beyond the normal school day, for the entire year, at 10 schools that were identified as low-performing schools.

The district also intends to spend its Digital Classrooms allocation of $1,419,851 for computers, iPads and digital devices to support the district’s classrooms.

The budget also includes $80,459,730 for debt service, which is an increase of $5.9 million or nearly 8 percent higher than 2017. The district must repay debt service before making other expenditures.

The budget also lists scores of capital projects, including several in central and east Pasco.

They include:

  • Major renovation/remodeling of Land O’ Lakes High School, Woodland Elementary School and Zephyrhills High School
  • Construction of the new Cypress Creek Middle School
  • Design of a kindergarten through eighth grade school at Starkey Ranch
  • Cafeteria renovations at several schools, including Denham Oaks Elementary, Chester W. Taylor Elementary and Lacoochee Elementary
  • Replacement/repairs of heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems at Centennial Elementary and Sand Pine Elementary
  • Site improvements at Wendell Krinn Technical High School, a new technical high school that is opening this fall in the former Ridgewood High School, which was closed and refurbished, in New Port Richey

Published August 15, 2018

Serving the community is Rosie Heim’s motto

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When Rosie Heim decided to toss her hat into the ring to run for honorary mayor of Land O’ Lakes, she had a purpose in mind.

She wanted to raise the profile of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club in the community of Land O’ Lakes.

She wants the club to become “a household name in Land O’ Lakes.”

Gloria Dale and Rosie Heim worked a booth at Land O’ Lakes Music Festival, as Heim made an effort to drum up support for her bid to become the new Honorary Mayor of Land O’ Lakes. Dale is the deputy honorary mayor, a title she’s been given for life. (File)

She explained: “We are very well-known in Lutz because we do the parade, we do the art show. “But, Land O’ Lakes didn’t know the ladies in the green shirts. I wanted some of the businesses to know who we are, and some of the community to know the wonderful work that we do,” she said.

The club is active in many ways.

It pitches in at the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Land O’ Lakes.

It sponsors the annual Lutz Arts & Crafts Show.

It has an annual flea market, supports survivors of domestic abuse, helps to plant trees, decorates graves of veterans, packs boxes to ship to troops stationed overseas, and does all sorts of other things to support the communities of Lutz and Land O’ Lakes.

It uses the money it raises to help local community groups, and support scholarships.

So, Heim has learned a thing or two about fundraising.

In her quest to become the honorary mayor, she hosted eight events.

When she began the race, she was competing against Andre Pamplona. But, he needed to divert his energy to his family when owners of Royal Lanes decided to close the bowling center that Pamplona managed, Heim said.

That didn’t slow her down, though.

The woman’s club will get a portion of the money she raised, she said. “The chamber will get the rest for the community services that they do.”

Heim said she doesn’t have a clique that she hangs out with, but she has loads of connections.

Besides the woman’s club, she’s involved with Women-N-Charge, which is a networking group. She’s also involved with AARP, churches and other groups.

Heim said she wants to recruit more ladies to be involved with the woman’s club because more help is needed.

“There is a need in the community to help with community services,” Heim said.

Many of the women in the club are getting older and aren’t able to do as much as they once could, she said.

“Not all of the ladies are physically able to move tables and set up crafts,” she said. “We would love younger people with better backs.”

Besides working to increase the woman’s club’s ranks, Heim hopes she can attract more members to the Central Pasco Chamber, too.

She plans to be an ambassador for the organization — reaching out to new businesses and giving them a warm welcome from the chamber.

“I’ll do the ribbon cuttings,” she said.

She’ll also be participating in the Lutz Fourth of July Parade.

“They’re going to get me a convertible,” said Heim, who joined the woman’s club 10 years ago, after retiring from her job as a special needs school assistant at Denham Oaks Elementary.

She said she’s happy to be the face of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce, and will do what the chamber would like her to do to spread its goodwill.

“If any of the schools asks me to come and speak and give awards to the kids, I’m available to do that,” Heim said.

Being involved is rewarding, said Heim, noting she was overwhelmed during a recent pasta dinner fundraiser she had.

Ninety-six people turned out.

“I was just so honored and overwhelmed by the love shown in that room,” she said. “They were chanting my name, ‘Rosie. Rosie.’”

It was incredible, Heim said. “When you give, it’s always returned to you 10-fold.”

Published June 21, 2017

Wiregrass Elementary revving up for first day

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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

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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

Hillsborough heads back to school this week

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Hillsborough County public school students are heading back to school this week, and their counterparts in Pasco County public schools begin next week.

Whether they’re streaming to Lutz Elementary School, Steinbrenner High, Liberty Middle, an area charter school or to a private school — the beginning of a new school is a time that’s always marked with fresh starts and new enthusiasm.

The Lutz Elementary School campus — quiet and calm in this photo — soon will be buzzing with activities, as a new school year begins.
The Lutz Elementary School campus soon will be buzzing with activities, as a new school year begins.

Motorists need to remember that area roads will be busy, as yellow buses hit the streets to pick up children, high school students drive themselves and parents drop off their kids.

Adding to the mix are teachers, administrators and other school staff members who will be back on the roads again, too.

To help keep things safe, AAA advises that motorists slow down, come to a complete stop at stop signs, eliminate distractions such as using a cellphone or eating while driving, be careful when backing up and to watch out for bicyclists.

The motor club also urges parents to talk with their teenage drivers about being safe behind the wheel.

“Car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States, and nearly one in four fatal crashes involving teen drivers occur during the afterschool hours of 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.,” according to the motor club’s website. It offers tips to help teenage drivers on its website.

Steinbrenner High School is one of several public high schools serving Hillsborough County students living within The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.
Steinbrenner High School is one of several public high schools serving Hillsborough County students living within The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.

Students arriving this fall at Wharton High School, 20150 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., will find three new assistant principals, Principal Brad Woods announced in a letter to parents and students on the school’s website.

Changes also are in store for Denham Oaks Elementary, 1422 Oak Grove Blvd., in Lutz.

This school, in Pasco County, draws students living on the Pasco side of the county line.

This year, the school also will be picking up some students from Wesley Chapel neighborhoods, who have been reassigned there because of the opening of Wiregrass Elementary.

As a result of the boundary change, Pasco County Schools has added gifted education services at Denham Oaks. Parents of the Wesley Chapel students had complained their children would be losing those services, so the Pasco County School Board added them.

For parents wanting more information about Hillsborough or Pasco county public schools, they can visit the Hillsborough district website at SDHC.k12.fl.us or the Pasco district 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. Prekindergarten 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.

Published August 10, 2016

Grades slip at numerous local schools

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The Florida Department of Education has released its annual school grades, and the news was not good for numerous Pasco County schools in The Laker/Lutz News’ coverage area.

“As soon as I saw the information, I was pretty distraught,” said Pasco County School Board member Alison Crumbley.

“This has to really be broken down,” she said, noting she has requested a school board workshop to address the issue. “We need to pick this apart. This is priority one — priority one, to figure this out.”

The district needs time to analyze the results, Crumbley said, so she requested the workshop be held following the board’s Aug. 2 meeting.

Overall, 10 central and east Pasco elementary schools slipped by one letter grade. Six elementary schools maintained the same grade as last year, and two improved by a letter grade. Pine View Elementary had the biggest drop, slipping from an A to a C. Sanders Elementary, which opened last school year, received a B. Quail Hollow, which reopened last year, received a C.

All seven middle schools, meanwhile, maintained the grades they received last year, including three As, at Rushe, John Long and Pine View.

But, the news was not as good at the high school level. Four high schools in east and central Pasco dropped a grade, while two remained the same.

No Pasco high school within the newspaper’s coverage area received an A grade. Last year, Wiregrass Ranch High, Land O’ Lakes High and Sunlake each received an A, but this year, they each dropped to a B. Wesley Chapel High, which had a B last year, dropped to a C.

Meanwhile, each of the Pasco charter schools, serving the newspaper’s coverage area — Academy at the Farm, Countryside Montessori and Imagine School at Land O’ Lakes —received an A, mirroring the score they each received last year.

Crumbley said she’s trying to understand why some schools performed at the same level, or even improved, while others slipped.

“Nothing is really straight up, cut-and-dried, in this business, and I do know that,” Crumbley said. “But by the same token, we have to get to the bottom of this. We have to. Period.”

School board member Steve Luikart also expressed concerns.

“Some of the schools slipped and the district slipped. We went from B to C,” Luikart said.

On one hand, Luikart said, “it’s hard to throw mud at something, when you’ve got a change of criteria every year … It’s impossible to nail down data, when the criteria is not consistent.”

On the other hand, he continued: “We’re still competing with everyone else in the state,” he said.

“We’re going to have to look at what we’ve got to do differently to head it back in a different direction. There’s no doubt about that,” he said.

“I’m definitely concerned. It’s very disappointing,” Luikart said.

This chart provides scores for east and central Pasco County schools.

Elementary schools
Centennial Elementary                         2016: D           2015: C
Chester W. Taylor Jr. Elementary                   2016: C           2015: C
Connerton Elementary                         2016: C           2015: B
Denham Oaks Elementary                               2016: C           2015: B
Double Branch Elementary                             2016: B           2015: A
Lacoochee Elementary                         2016: D           2015: F
Lake Myrtle Elementary                                  2016: B           2015: A
New River Elementary                                    2016: B           2015: B
Oakstead Elementary                                       2016: A           2015: A
Pasco Elementary                                            2016: D           2015: D
Pine View Elementary                         2016: C           2015: A
Quail Hollow                                                  2016: C           2015 (Not open)
Rodney B. Cox Elementary                             2016: D           2015: F
San Antonio Elementary                                 2016: C           2015: C
Sanders Elementary                                        2016: B           2015 (Not open)
Seven Oaks Elementary                                  2016: B           2015: A
Veterans Elementary                                       2016: B           2015: A
Watergrass Elementary                                    2016: C           2015: B
Wesley Chapel Elementary                              2016: A           2015: A
West Zephyrhills Elementary                          2016: D           2015: C
Woodland Elementary                         2016: D           2015: C

Middle schools
Centennial Middle                                           2016: C           2015: C
Charles S. Rushe Middle                                2016: A           2015: A
Dr. John Long Middle                                    2016: A           2015: A
Pasco Middle                                                  2016: C           2015: C
Pine View Middle                                           2016: A           2015: A
Raymond B. Stewart Middle School               2016: C           2015: C
Thomas E. Weightman Middle School            2016: B           2015: B

High schools
Land O’ Lakes High                                       2016: B           2015: A
Pasco High                                                      2016: C           2015: C
Sunlake High                                                  2016: B           2015: A
Wesley Chapel High                                       2016: C           2015: B
Wiregrass Ranch High                                    2016: B           2015: A
Zephyrhills High                                             2016: C           2015: C

Charter schools
Academy at the Farm                                      2016: A           2015: A
Countryside Montessori Academy                  2016: A           2015: A
Imagine School at Land O’ Lakes                   2016: A           2015: A

Published July 20, 2016

 

2015 marked by growth, loss, compassion

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New construction captured many headlines during the year 2015 in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.

But, so did traffic issues and changes happening in area schools.

Other news chronicled setbacks and tragic losses. But, there were inspiring stories, too.

Tampa Premium Outlets, a 441,000-square-foot mall with 100-plus designer brand shops, opened in October off State Road 56, near the Interstate 75 interchange.

Saint Anthony Catholic School in San Antonio held a dedication ceremony in February, to celebrate the school’s new brick classroom building. (File Photos)
Saint Anthony Catholic School in San Antonio held a dedication ceremony in February, to celebrate the school’s new brick classroom building.
(File Photos)

Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel embarked upon a $78 million expansion project – 2 ½ years ahead of schedule — to add 112,000 square feet and renovate 11,000.

Florida Hospital Center Ice, a new 150,000-square-foot sports facility, broke ground on Feb. 24. It will have an Olympic-sized hockey rink, four other rinks and the ability to accommodate other sports.

Lutz and Land O’ Lakes also saw their share of growth.

New homes and apartments are popping up along the State Road 54 corridor and along portions of Land O’ Lakes Boulevard.

A Lowe’s home improvement store opened on State Road 54, the Land O’ Lakes Community Park underwent a $2.3 million upgrade, and a new Pasco County Utilities Administration building opened off Land O’ Lakes Boulevard, also known as U.S. 41.

Just outside Dade City, an aerial adventure park, known as Tree Hoppers, began operation, and a number of new businesses have settled into the downtown historic district.

Of course, the new development has added to the area’s traffic jams, which won’t be resolved in the short term.

But, there are efforts being made to address the issue.

The Florida Department of Transportation is exploring solutions to address traffic flow at U.S. 41 and State Road 54. There are efforts to extend State Road 56 between Meadow Pointe and Zephyrhills, and, construction work continues at the I-75 and State Road 52 interchange.

On the education scene, there was a changing of the guard in top leadership at Saint Leo University, just outside Dade City. Dr. Arthur Kirk retired, and Dr. William J. Lennox Jr. assumed the top post.

Pasco-Hernando State College also has a new president, with Dr. Timothy Beard being named to the post after the retirement of Dr. Katherine Johnson.

This photo, taken in the 2014-2015 school year, gives an idea of the crowding that Wiregrass Ranch High was experiencing before it went to a 10-period school day. The school went to a staggered schedule this school year, to reduce the impacts of crowding.
This photo, taken in the 2014-2015 school year, gives an idea of the crowding that Wiregrass Ranch High was experiencing before it went to a 10-period school day. The school went to a staggered schedule this school year, to reduce the impacts of crowding.

The state college’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch also hit a milestone, announcing that it would be surpassing the 3,000-student enrollment mark.

On another front, Sanders Memorial Elementary School reopened in Land O’ Lakes, as Pasco County Schools’ first magnet school. It is a STEAM school, with a curriculum that focuses on science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics.

Pine View Middle School also launched an effort to become the public school district’s first International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme.

And, Wiregrass Ranch High School in Wesley Chapel began operating on a 10-period school day, to reduce the number of students on campus at the same time.

A more permanent solution to Wiregrass Ranch’s overcrowding is expected to occur when the district opens a new school for grades six through 12 that is being constructed on Old Pasco Road.

In another change, the district adopted new boundaries for a new elementary school in Wesley Chapel, off Mansfield Boulevard, which is scheduled to open next fall.

The new school will relieve significant overcrowding at Seven Oaks Elementary. The boundary shifts, which were controversial, will increase enrollment at Denham Oaks Elementary in Lutz.

In other school news, St. Timothy Catholic Church in Lutz opened the Saint Paul II Youth Center and opened a new elementary school to house Mother Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School.

Saint Anthony Catholic School also marked a milestone — dedicating a new brick classroom building in February.

While much of the news in 2015 was about progress and new beginnings, not all of the news was positive.

For instance, the GFWC Lutz Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club was forced to cancel its 36th annual arts and crafts show, because a sinkhole developed at Lake Park.

Chairman Ted Schrader, holding scissors, slices through the ribbon, as he and other dignitaries celebrated the opening of the Utilities Administration Building.
Chairman Ted Schrader, holding scissors, slices through the ribbon, as he and other dignitaries celebrated the opening of the Utilities Administration Building.

The annual two-day event, which has drawn about 30,000 shoppers a year, was the club’s biggest fundraiser. So, besides disappointing shoppers and about 300 vendors, the cancellation also will reduce the club’s ability to help scores of community organizations and charities.

The year also was marked by the passing of Land O’ Lakes cross country coach Kris Keppel and Laura Hauser, a former non-instructional employee of the year, who worked at Wesley Chapel Elementary before she became too ill to work. Both lost battles with cancer. And, car accidents claimed the lives of Pasco High student Jordan Ivie and Wesley Chapel High.

These deaths inspired demonstrations of respect, generosity, compassion and kindness — to help those grieving their loss.

In another show of support, the community of San Antonio rallied to hold a benefit for Lewis and Diane Riggleman, whose home was destroyed by fire.

Other uplifting moments involved Suellen Smith, the cafeteria manager at Zephyrhills High, who continues her tradition of collecting and giving away dress shirts, dress pants, gowns and dresses to help outfit young men and women for prom, homecoming, weddings and other special occasions.

Another big moment for 2015 involved Leigh Dittman, a Gaither High student from Lutz.

The 15-year-old recently reached a goal she set when she was 7: To raise $1 million for Shriners Hospitals for Children.

The young woman has a disorder known as Osteogenesis Imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease.

During a recent interview, she said she was motivated to raise the money for Shriners because of how giving it has been to her.

“They are such an amazing group of people, and they’ve given me so much, with my life. It seemed like the right thing to do,” Dittman said.

Published December 30, 2015

Superintendent calls social media appeals ‘problematic’

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Concerns raised about a Go Fund Me site during a recent Pasco County School Board meeting prompted Superintendent Kurt Browning to voice concerns over how appeals for help are posted by teachers on social media sites.

The issue came up when Amy Bracewell, a parent who lives in Northwood, told school board members that a posting on a Go Fund Me site was seeking funds to purchase materials for students at Denham Oaks Elementary.

Superintendent Kurt Browning said social media appeals can create a false impression about district’s efforts.
Superintendent Kurt Browning said social media appeals can create a false impression about district’s efforts.

The posting said that 42 percent of the students in the school’s first-grade have reading deficiencies and need additional materials.

Bracewell lives in Northwood, a community in Wesley Chapel, which has been reassigned to attend Denham Oaks Elementary, in Lutz, next school year.

She and other parents objected to their children being moved from their Wesley Chapel community to attend a school in Lutz, with a lower academic rating.

“Considering that I have a kindergartner starting in the fall, I find it extremely disturbing to find a Go Fund Me page set up for the first-graders of Denham Oaks Elementary School,” she told board members.

Browning said he became aware of the Go Fund Me site the evening before the Dec. 15 school board meeting.

The superintendent said the post “was somewhat troubling to me, because it made it sound that we, as a district, were not providing the level of materials to those schools. That is just not the case.

“We provide the materials at every one of our schools that support our students in learning to read and learning to read on grade level,” Browning said.

“They wanted additional materials and were asking for contributions to pay for those additional materials,” he said.

He also asked teachers and other staff members to be careful when they are making social media appeals to be sure they accurately convey the nature of the request.

“The whole Go Fund Me pages and the Donor Choose pages, in my opinion, are incredibly problematic for this district,” he said. “They’re problematic as a whole.”

Sometimes requests are made for materials that are not compatible with district needs, he said. For instance, “iPad minis will not support many of the things that we do in classrooms,” he said.

Browning also noted, it’s impossible for the district to monitor all of the requests that are posted on social media.

With 87 schools in the district, he said, “We just don’t have the resources to do that.”

So, he urged caution in the postings, noting the message they send doesn’t just affect one school, but reflects on the entire district.

Published December 30, 2015