School News

• Pasco County Schools Together We Stand annual summit will be held in two sessions on June 4 at the Center of the Arts at River Ridge, 11646 Town Center Road, New Port Richey. The secondary schools portion will be from 8:30 to 11:15 a.m. and the elementary schools portion from 12:15 to 3 p.m. The summit was created to bring school administrators and student leaders together to learn about building inclusive and safe schools. School teams work together to strengthen their collaborative culture through specific activities, events, student leadership work and community building. This year’s theme is Everyone Matters: UNITY (Understanding Needs in TRANSFORMING Youth).

• Pasco County Schools Food and Nutrition Services Department has expanded its Summer Food Service program, which runs from June 4 through August 1, to more than 100 sites across the county.

Meals will be provided at 50 school sites and 50 additional locations, including libraries, churches, parks, housing complexes, and more. Last year, the program was offered at 42 school locations and 45 additional locations. Summer lunch bus stops are included among the 100 sites.

Any child age 18 and under is welcome to participate with no enrollment or fees, and no requirement that they attend a Pasco County public school. Families can find the nearest location by visiting www.summerfoodpasco.net, texting "food" to 877-877, or by calling (813) 794-2480. Children can receive meals at any of the 100 sites, including lunch bus stops.

Families are invited to attend one of the Summer Kick-Off events, which will include food, games, prizes, cool treats, and lots of fun for the whole family. The parties are from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. June 8 at Crews Lake Park, 16739 Crews Lake Drive, Spring Hill and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 14 at Zephyr Park, 5039 4th Street, Zephyrhills.

• The Florida Partnership for Healthy Schools has recognized Pasco County Schools as a GOLD level district for the period of May 2018 through April 2020.

The designation is based on the Florida Healthy School District Self-Assessment. The self-assessment tool considers sustainable infrastructure, policy, programs and practices identified from national and state guidelines, best practices and Florida statutes. It was developed by the Florida Partnership for Healthy Schools to recognize and celebrate the success of school districts related to the physical, mental, and social health of students and staff.

FPHS collaborated with Florida Action for Healthy Kids, Florida Association of District School Superintendent’s and Florida Healthy Kids Corporation to recognize 50 Florida Healthy School Districts. These districts have established a culture and climate that embrace the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child approach to reduce barriers to learning and support academic achievement.

Pasco County Schools will be invited to participate in the Healthy District Collaborative facilitated by the Florida Departments of Education and Health, where they will be provided professional development, technical assistance, and information for resource and funding opportunities.

Newsmaker

Camellia Moors, a 2018 graduate Land O’ Lakes High School International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and member of the National Honor Society at Land O’ Lakes High School, has been named one of 500 semifinalists in the National Honor Society Scholarship program. Moors was chosen from more than 11,000 applicants and will receive a $2,850 scholarship.

High school seniors who are members in good standing of an active National Honor Society chapter are able to apply for an NHS Scholarship. Finalists are selected on the basis of: their leadership skills; participation in service organizations, clubs and other student groups at school and in the community; and their academic record.

As a semifinalist, Moors is recognized as one of the top 500 NHS members in the nation this school year. She has been a founder of the Green Club, President of Model UN and Treasurer of National Honor Society while heading several service projects, including bringing county libraries to LEED status, a $9 million bond vote and fundraising endeavor. This fall, she plans to attend Princeton University to study Global Affairs and Environmental Policy.