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Shift to online learning poses challenges
By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
When the state of Florida decided to shift to distance learning in March — parents, teachers and students found themselves facing a steep learning curve. “This thing came on pretty quick.We’re all learning on the fly,” said George O’Connor, who is supervising his 7-year-old granddaughter Julia’s instruction, in his Wesley Chapel home. Normally, Julia attends Sand Pine Elementary. Now, she’s beginning her school
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day by reciting The Pledge of Allegiance in her grandparents’ dining room. “The first week was a challenge, getting all of the programs and things like that,” O’Connor said.“We started the second week off yesterday, and it seems to be going a lot better.” “It’s a least four hours of scheduled work. “The teachers are holding something on Zoom, like a teleconference with the students.They’re also offering tutoring over the phones, as to how to work the programs,” O’Connor said. Their granddaughter is staying with her
grandparents because her mom, Kim, is an officer with the Tampa Police Department. Normally, Kim is assigned as a School Resource Officer at Benito Middle School, but while school campuses are closed because of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, she’s assisting the department’s patrol officers. George said Kim is practicing social distancing, to avoid any potential spread of the virus. Kim said she and Julia are communicating See ONLINE, page 9A
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Concert eases isolation blues With the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic changing the routines of everyday life, the Keystone Place at Terra Bella senior living community, at 2200 Livingston Road in Land O’ Lakes, came up with a creative way to safely engage and entertain its residents. To help reduce isolation during these challenging times, the community hired The Boomer Band (keyboard/vocalist Kevin de Champlain and drummer/vocalist Vance Fontanella) to perform oldies from a flatbed trailer that was being pulled around the property. Many residents enjoyed the concert from the comfort of their apartment balconies.
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While practicing social distancing, several residents of the Keystone Place at Terra Bella senior living community in Land O’ Lakes enjoy the parking lot rock ‘n’ roll concert.
The Boomer Band, a Pinellas County-based, two-piece pop/dance band, perform a Fats Domino hit for the residents of the memory care unit at the Keystone Place at Terra Bella senior living community.
School district adapts to distance learning Tampa crisis line’s call volume rises
By B.C. Manion
bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
lakerlutznews.com
B INSIDE, PAGE 1B
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 wellpoised to make the shift, Browning said. He credited Joanne Glenn and her eSchool team for the guidance and encouragement they provided to district teachers. “Our brick-and-mortars classroom teach-
ers, 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, See SCHOOL, page 9A
By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
The call volume has been increasing at the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, amid the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Statistics kept by the crisis center reveal that from March 21 through March 27, a total of 1,617 calls came in — with 540 of those being related to COVID-19. Calls from March 28 to April 3 totaled 1,828, including 704 pandemic-related calls. “The biggest reason right now is regarding financial assistance, but we also saw a high rate of individuals seeking emotional support, as well,” said Clara Reynolds, the crisis center’s president and CEO. “And, as you can imagine, you may be calling because you’re worried about your finances, but you can see where that would also have an emotional toll,” Reynolds said. During the week ending March 27, there See CRISIS, page 9A
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Food pickup points
The YMCAs of the Tampa Bay are teaming up with community partners to feed families and fight food insecurity during these unprecedented times. The Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA, YMCA of the Suncoast and YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg are working with Feeding Tampa Bay, local school districts and other organizations to help provide fresh food to families across Greater Tampa Bay.
Help prevent the spread of COVID-19: • Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care. • Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. • Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily. Source: Florida Department of Health
FEEDING TAMPA BAY MOBILE PANTRY Anyone can receive a free pre-packaged box of groceries in a drive-thru type model. Mondays, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the James P. Gills Family YMCA, 8411 Photonics Drive, Trinity.
GET LAWN AND GARDEN ADVICE
Working on the yard? Expert advice for lawn or garden issues is now just a click away thanks to new Virtual Plant Clinics with UF/IFAS Pasco County Cooperative Extension Service. Meet online with a master gardener on Mondays,Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at bit.ly/pascoplantclinic. Master Gardeners can help with pest identification, weed control, spring growing tips and more.
PASCO COUNTY SCHOOLS School buses deliver free bags of food, which include breakfast and lunch for five days for each student. Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at the East Pasco Family YMCA, 37301 Chapel Hill Loop, Zephyrhills. For additional food pickup locations and information, visit the Pasco County Schools website (Pasco.k12.fl.us) and the Hillsborough County Schools website (SDHC.k12.fl.us).
DON’T CAUSE PLUMBING HEADACHES
If you’re using wipes to clean surfaces in your home and office, be sure not to flush them. Flushing wipes, even those labeled as “flushable,” can create a costly plumbing mishap in your home later. Visit HCFLGov.net/DontFlush for information.
work with good pay and no interview required. These cons often use real company names and can be convincing. After you are “hired,” the company may charge you upfront for “training.” You may need to provide your personal and banking information to run a credit check or set up direct deposit. You may be “accidentally” overpaid with a fake check, and asked to deposit the check and wire back the difference. Or, you are asked to buy expensive equipment and supplies to work at home. • Shortage Scams (price gouging): Supplies such as hand sanitizer, face masks and toilet paper are selling out in stores across the U.S. and Canada. Scammers take advantage of this situation and stockpile items in high demand.Then, they seek out potential clients, online and in person, and sell the products at extremely high prices. Price gouging is illegal and high demands for products can lead to con artists selling products that are used, defective or otherwise mishandled. In some cases, scammers will con people out of their money by accepting payments for products that don’t exist. This has been an issue with face masks. Masks are sold out in most local stores and major online sellers. Instead, consumers are turning to unfamiliar online shops. Unfortunately, phony sellers abound. These scam online retailers take shoppers’ money – as well as personal information – and never deliver the masks.
TOP SCAMS
Con artists are trying to take advantage of the uncertainty and anxiety caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Better Business Bureau urges you to protect yourself from these common scams: • Phony cures and fake masks: The BBB Scam Tracker has received numerous reports of people receiving emails and messages claiming that, for a price, they can buy products the government is supposedly keeping secret – ways to prevent or cure coronavirus. Medical experts are working hard to find a coronavirus vaccine, but none currently exists. • Economic impact payment (Stimulus Check) scams: As soon as stimulus packages were announced and approved, scammers quickly got to work sending out fake economic impact checks and asking consumers to pay fees to get their money earlier than what the IRS has promised. These claims are false and open consumers to the risk of identity theft and outright theft of the funds in their bank account. • Phishing Scams: As more people work from home, con artists have stepped up phishing scams. They may claim to be from an official department of the employer to offer IT support or claim the company issued computer has a virus.They may use scare tactics, stating the computer will crash if you don’t act immediately, all in an attempt to gain access to your computer remotely, or to your personal or company’s information. • Government Impersonation: Another common phishing scam brought on by the coronavirus pandemic is fake emails and text messages claiming the government needs you to take an “online coronavirus test” by clicking a link they provide. No such test currently exists, but if you click on the link, scammers can download malware onto your computer and gain access to your sensitive personal information. • Employment Scams: Many people are looking for work online in the wake of coronavirus shutdowns. Fraudsters find ways to take advantage of this by posting phony work-from-home jobs promising remote
PREVENT MOSQUITOES
As people spend more time at home and outdoors, during the pandemic, these tips from Hillsborough County’s Management Services, may be useful. Following them can help reduce the population of mosquitoes on a property, and reduce the potential for being bit. Here are the pointers: • Empty water containers at least once per week • Wear long sleeves, long pants, and lightcolored, loose-fitting clothing • Properly apply an approved repellent, such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemoneucalyptus or any other EPA-registered repellent For more information about mosquito protection and breeding prevention, visit HCFLGov.net/Mosquito.
These websites offer a wealth of information • Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.: PascoEDC.com • North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce: NorthTampaBayChamber.com • Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce: GreaterPasco.com • Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce: ZephyrhillsChamber.org • Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce: DadeCityChamber.org • Hillsborough County government: HillsboroughCounty.org • Pasco County government: PascoCountyFl.net • Centers for Disease Control and Prevent: CDC.gov • Florida Department of Health: FloridaHealthCovid19.gov • Florida Department of Economic Opportunity: FloridaJobs.org
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Stepping forward to help, in time of need By B.C. Manion
Local sources of help include:
bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
These are not normal times and the community is responding to surging needs in light of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel and Firefighters Charities of Pasco joined together to purchase $10,000 of nonperishable food items, as well as toilet paper, tissues and paper towels — to help Pasco County seniors. The two groups collaborated with Pasco County Senior Services’ center based in Land O’ Lakes, to ensure seniors in the Central Pasco community are helped during this unique time in the history of the United States. The Land O’ Lakes senior center serves 84 seniors, Monday through Friday. The food drive organizers also partnered with a local food pantry operated in the Angus Valley community of Wesley Chapel, by Life Church.The pantry is located at Life Community Center. The donated food bags include pasta, yellow rice, black beans, fruit cups, applesauce, tomato sauce, cereal, oatmeal, tuna, fruit snacks, animal crackers, white kidney beans, chewy bars and cookies. The pantry items, which are in large bulk, include tuna, pasta, animal crackers, fruit cups, ravioli, beans, cereal and pasta sauce. Goodwill Industries Suncoast Inc., also is stepping forward to help collect food during this record time of unemployment.They are collecting food for Feeding Tampa Bay’s community food outreach program. All Goodwill-Suncoast retail stores in Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties will be collection points for nonperishable food donations. Items most needed include canned fruits and vegetables, peanut butter and canned chicken. Those wishing to help are asked to leave donated items in carts outside of the stores. The food drive is being conducted April 15 through April 30. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m., on Sunday. For store locations, visit Goodwill-suncoast.org/store-locations/. While some groups are focusing on food needs, volunteers from the GFWC Wesley Chapel Woman’s Club are making masks for first responders. Numerous members are involved with picking up and dropping off supplies they can find, to allow the mask production to continue. Meanwhile, employees of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office are making a point to purchase items at local businesses to help them weather the financial blow the pandemic has caused, and Sheriff Chris Nocco and members of his team are featured in department videos, offering suggestions intended to help people through the crisis. “We don’t know how long this will last. I know people are frustrated being at home. They’re frustrated by being on the couch, and especially for parents having those little
Feeding Tampa Bay Visit the website to find a pantry. FeedingTampaBay.org/find-a-pantry/
COURTESY OF ROTARY CLUB OF WESLEY CHAPEL
These are some of the volunteers from the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel and the Firefighters Charity of Pasco who helped in the food drive to feed the hungry.
COURTESY OF GFWC WOMAN’S CLUB OF WESLEY CHAPEL
Volunteers with the GFWC Woman’s Club of Wesley Chapel are working around the clock to make masks for first responders. Shown here are some of the masks they made.
ones constantly running around. “But, please continue to follow the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines. Stay at home. Keep social distancing. If you’re sick, stay inside and quarantine yourself,” Nocco said. “We have to do this to flatten the curve because it’s not going to be over next week. It’s an extended period of time. Nocco also informed the public that they will be seeing deputies wearing masks. “They have the option, like you, to follow the CDC guidelines. Please understand, it doesn’t mean they have symptoms of COVID-19, nor the person they are interacting with has symptoms of COVID-19. “They’re just taking precautions like they want to, like you can, following the CDC guidelines.
COURTESY OF ROTARY CLUB OF WESLEY CHAPEL
Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel and the Firefighters Charity of Pasco teamed up to feed the hungry, to help ensure that elderly people and those suffering from financial hardships have access to food during these trying times.
The sheriff also encouraged parents to keep a close eye on the social media their children are using. “Be nosy. Get involved,” he urged parents.“Unfortunately, we’ve found incidents where young girls, under age, were meeting up with adult males. So, please get on those social media sites. Know what they
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B.C. MANION, Editor bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
TERRI WILLIAMSON, Sr. Acct. Mgr. twilliamson@lakerlutznews.com
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LISA GORE, Account Manager lgore@lakerlutznews.com CAROLYN BENNETT, Customer Service cbennett@lakerlutznews.com
LOCATION: 3632 Land O' Lakes Blvd. Suite 102 • Land O’ Lakes, FL 34639 MAIL: P. O. Box 479 • Lutz, FL 33548 PHONE/FAX: ph: 813.909.2800 • fax: 813.909.2802 IT SUPPORT: STEVE MISTRETTA
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are doing.” The sheriff’s office also has videos featuring department employees talking about the issues of maintaining mental health and de-escalating stressful situations during these difficult times. To find out more, visit the department’s Facebook Page and click on the videos tab.
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LUTZ, ODESSA, LAND O’ LAKES, WESLEY CHAPEL, NEW TAMPA, ZEPHYRHILLS, DADE CITY Serving Pasco since 1981 / Serving Lutz since 1964
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TelePals • Free program that provides telephone reassurance to seniors • If you enjoy, value and love our seniors, if you love listening to their great stories or heartfelt advice, if you love engaging in conversation and knowing that you are bringing happiness to a senior simply by listening and caring on the phone - this may be just the volunteer opportunity you’ve been seeking. • Go to TelePalNow.org to apply to be a TelePal (A person who makes a phone call) or a TeleClient (A person who receives a call). • Training, a background check and monthly crosschecks are required for all participants. • Volunteers must be at least 18 for this program, which operates in Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.
A new effort has started in Pasco County that’s part of a national initiative. The Pasco chapter of the Frontline Appreciation Group, FLAG2020Pasco, is raising money to hire local restaurants to prepare meals for frontline employees working in intensive care units in hospitals. “You know it brings a smile to our frontline workers and it helps our local restaurants in these challenging times,” said Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, who is calling attention to the effort. To find out more, check the Facebook Group, FLAG2020Pasco.
The LAKER / Lutz NEWS
KEVIN WEISS, Staff Writer kweiss@lakerlutznews.com
Life Community Center, 6542 Applewood Drive, Wesley Chapel Services available include: • Laundry and showers for the homeless by appointment. Call (813) 994-0685. • Drive-thru hot meal Tuesday, from noon to 1 p.m. • Limited access to printing and faxing as needed. Call (813) 994-0685. • Food ministry/pantry drive-thru, Friday from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. • Emergency food boxes on case-bycase basis. Call (813) 994-0685.
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NOTE TO READERS: Due to the continuing developments regarding coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) —the cancellations of events, and shuttering of schools and businesses — The Laker/Lutz News continues to compile a list of websites that are offering free online activities, for kids and adults, as well as screen-free activities to encourage creativity. — Compiled by Mary Rathman
AT-HOME RECESS:
The Connerton Community Association in Land O’ Lakes offers these creative game ideas for kids to take a break from eLearning or from being inside. • Aqua limbo: Use the stream from a water hose as the stick for a game of limbo. • Balloon volleyball: Break into two teams and sit on the floor facing each other. Using your hands, do not let the ‘volleyball’ touch the ground. Another version is paper plate balloon volleyball: Use paper plates to bat at balloons. • Box road: Flatten out a box and draw a road in marker.Add blocks, trucks and other toys to build a city. • Bug hunt: Grab a clipboard, a piece of paper and a marker, and head outdoors. Use a magnifying glass and a plastic jar, too, for more fun. • Button jewelry: Buttons come in so many interesting sizes, shapes and colors. Kids can string them into necklaces or bracelets. • Flower painting: Dip a full flower into paint and use as a paintbrush to create unique artwork. • Freeze Dance: Choose a person to be in charge of music. When the music starts, everyone dances – the crazier, the better. When the music stops, dancers must freeze in their position. Anyone caught moving is out of the game, leaving the last one left as the winner. • Frisbee tic tac toe: Tape a cheap shower curtain to the ground and make a tic tac toe grid with colored tape. Stand behind a given line to throw a Frisbee (you will need nine Frisbees) on a square. • Glow-in-the-dark bowling: Pop glow sticks into 10 bottles of water to make bowling pins you can use at night. • Indoor/outdoor hopscotch: Use painter’s tape to create a hopscotch grid on carpet or tile. Instead of stones, use crumpled up paper. • Kitchen utensil bubble wands: Collect your slotted spoons, fly swatters, spatulas and anything else that has holes in it. Make your own bubble solution and head outside to see which utensil creates the best bubbles. • Outdoor field hockey: Grab pool noodles, balloons and a laundry basket. Use the pool noodles as the stick to move the balloon across the yard to score a goal in the laundry basket. • Paper boat race: Make paper boats and race them in a kiddie pool by blowing through a straw to propel them. • Rock hunt: Collect rocks and paint them for use as garden decoration, paperweights or pet rocks.
• Sponge bullseye: Draw a bullseye on the driveway and assign a point value to each circle of the target. Kids stand at a starting line and throw a wet sponge at the target.
The University Area CDC also is working on Get Moving! exercise videos, which will be free to the public. Visit UACDC.org/getmovingonline.
PHOTOGRAPHY ACTIVITIES
VIRTUAL PLANT CLINICS
Local photographer Jeanine McLeod, owner of Cloud 9 Studios in Wesley Chapel, has developed a free weekly series on her Facebook page and blog, to help keep kids creatively active while at home. The series will feature activities such as an at-home photography scavenger hunt; learning stop motion animation; stay-athome photography lessons; and, a photography journal to remember the history we are living. The first two activities for kids are posted at: • PhotosOnCloud9.com/photographyscavenger-hunt/ • PhotosOnCloud9.com/stop-motion-animation/ For information, call Cloud 9 Studios at (813) 997-1340, or email Jeanine@photosoncloud9.com.
ONLINE TUTORIALS
Prodigy Cultural Arts, a University Area CDC (Community Development Corporation) program, is offering free online tutorials, in response to the pandemic. The program’s instructors have developed video tutorials on the topics of: life skills, painting, drawing, dancing, bass guitar, the shaker (musical instrument) and more. Additional videos are being developed on a variety of subjects, and are expected to be added weekly. The videos all are available at UACDC.org/prodigyonline.
UF/IFAS Pasco County Cooperative Extension Service is hosting virtual plant clinics on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at bit.ly/pascoplantclinic, through Zoom video conferences, or email virtual pcpasco@gmail.com. A Pasco master gardener volunteer will offer advice for lawn and garden issues, including pest identification, weed control, spring growing tips and more. Residents also can call the UF/IFAS agents and teams for phone consultations Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at (352) 518-0156.
WATER MATTERS EDUCATION
The Southwest Florida Water Management District is offering free online resources that can be accessed by both educators and students at WaterMatters.org/Education. Parents can download an activity sheet and have children calculate how much water is being used at home daily and devise ways to reduce the use. There also is a teacher resource block that includes: • Virtual Watershed Excursions: Students can learn about ecology, history, restoration and recreation through the exploration of major watersheds online. Each ‘tour’ comes with a teacher’s guide and a student worksheet. • Short Water Education Videos: Watch short five-minute videos that cover a variety of water-related topics, such as the water cycle, wetlands, watersheds and more.A teacher’s guide is included. • Student Workbooks and Teacher Guides: Student workbooks are available for all grade levels and cover many topics. All workbooks and teacher guides are available for download as PDFs. If the workbooks cannot be printed out, the PDFs can be used as a guide and answers recorded separately.
WRITE TO UNITE
Young Writers has launched “Write to Unite,” a creative writing campaign to help raise the nation’s spirits, according to a news release. First established in 1991,Young Writers works with schools and parents to encourage young people to engage in creative writing, as a way to express feelings. Write to Unite is free and aims to bring people together regardless of background or age.
Help spread positivity by writing a poem, a story or giving a thoughtful message to loved ones. To take part, visit WriteToUnite.co.uk, for a selection of resources and templates. View the trailer for the campaign at Youtu.be/m_lenUHvJC4. Participants are encouraged to share this opportunity with family and friends on social media. Use the #writetounite hashtag.
THEMED SCAVENGER HUNTS
Book Scavenger Hunt: Ask your child to flip through the pages of books at home to find an animal, someone helping someone, a sun, something that makes you laugh, a bug, someone sleeping, a character eating, a pet, a cat, a superhero and a bike. Inventor Scavenger Hunt: Find something that you can turn, something that is bumpy, something that is metal, something you put together, three things that are round, something you twist, something shiny, something you can roll, a tube, three things that are squishy, something clear, and something that can bounce. Math Scavenger Hunt: • Find two pencils and one blue crayon. How many items do you have? • Find five blocks and two pennies. How many items do you have? Take away three blocks. How many items are left? • Find four socks and two stuffed animals. How many items do you have all together? • Find eight crackers. Eat four of them. How many are left? • Find three spoons, four books and one orange crayon. How many items are there in total? Rainbow Scavenger Hunt: Find something in each of these colors: red, yellow, orange, green, blue, purple. Name a fruit that is red. Name an animal that is yellow. Name a vegetable that is orange. Name a plant that is green. Name a flower that is purple. Find something outside that is blue. Spring Scavenger Hunt: Find a yellow flower, three different shaped leaves, something that is red, a spider web, something that flies, two things you see in the sky, something that is long, something that grows that is green, two birds, some water, something purple and something that crawls. Don’t Forget: All the What’s Happening online and screen-free suggestions from the past weeks are on our website, too: LakerLutzNews.com.
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Holloway y’s Farm Supply y Library services still larr bbuusiness hours durring this time. eguula en rreg available, in a different way Oppen By Mary Rathman mrathman@lakerlutznews.com
Hillsborough County libraries have a number of online services and resources available to support and enhance student eLearning. With schools closed at least through April and teachers doing lessons remotely, online traffic to the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative’s website has surged. These are some of the offerings available to help students learn from home: • Tutor.com:Take the guesswork out of
homework with a live tutor. One-to-one help is available daily from 2 p.m. to midnight. • Call the library: Got a question? Call (813) 273-3652, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. • Ask a librarian: Chat with a librarian from your computer or mobile device about homework or educational needs.The service is available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. To access more educational online resources to support student success at home, visit the public library website at HCPLC.org.
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Local home store helps during crisis The Laker/Lutz News Staff Report
Furniture retailer Ashley HomeStore announced in a news release that it is donating 250,000 meals to Feeding Tampa Bay, part of the national Feeding America network, during the current crisis. The donation aims to help Feeding Tampa Bay’s programs and ensure neighbors in need have required food and resources. Ashley’s contribution not only will help cover people that the Feeding programs already serve daily, but it will help others at risk, too, including: • Children who are out of school and will have no access to school meals or afterschool meals
• High-risk seniors and others who cannot reach food • Families experiencing higher expenses and lower wages who would not normally need their services Due to recent events, the size and scope of these populations are now significant and Feeding Tampa Bay’s response reflects that growing reality. “We are in the midst of a time when more people than ever before are facing challenges in getting food and supplies they need,” said Thomas Mantz, president and CEO of Feeding Tampa Bay. “Ashley HomeStore is standing with Feeding Tampa Bay, giving us the ability to direct these crucial resources to our neighbors who need them most,” Mantz said.
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PAYING IT FORWARD
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce presented a combined $14,250 in donations to local youth groups, civic clubs and scholarships at the annual Pigz Pay it Forward Dinner.The event takes place every year to recognize volunteers and sponsors involved in the Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Fest. The chamber will give out $5,000 in scholarships to Zephyrhills High School graduating seniors, which will include a $1,000 performing arts scholarship, a $1,000 Turn Around scholarship, and six academic scholarships.
CLASSROOM GRANTS AWARDED
ArtsFirst, the public-private collaboration between the First National Bank of Pasco and the Pasco County School Board, has distributed the first and second quarter fine arts classroom grants to 13 area schools. The first-quarter grants were given to Dr. John Long Middle School in Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills High School, Rodney B. Cox Elementary School in Dade City, Sanders Memorial Elementary School in Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel High School, and Pasco Elementary and Pasco Middle schools in Dade City. The second-quarter grants were awarded to Veterans Elementary School in Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes High School, Schraeder Elementary in Bayonet Point, the Harry Schwettman Education Center in New Port Richey, Calusa Elementary School in New Port Richey, and Pine View Middle School in Land O’ Lakes. Grant funds were used to purchase a wide variety of fine arts tools, supplies, technology, and even costumes.
SAINT LEO RESCHEDULES COMMENCEMENT
As a result of stronger guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding large group gatherings, Saint Leo University’s commencement ceremonies, originally scheduled for May 2 at the Florida State Fairgrounds, have been rescheduled for June 1. The Saint Leo Under the Stars graduation celebration and Baccalaureate Mass have been rescheduled for May 31. Due to the ever-changing dynamics of the pandemic and its ramifications, visit SaintLeo.edu/coronavirus for updated information.
COURTESY OF PASCO-HERNANDO STATE COLLEGE
From left: Heather Fiorentino, Katherine Johnson, Madeline Pumariega, PHSC president Timothy L. Beard, Carol Morsani, Tonjua Williams and South Campus Hillsborough Community College president Jennifer Wells China. Not pictured: Susan Duval.
PHSC honors women in education Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) honored six women with Trailblazer awards at the Empowered! PHSC Women in Education Conference. The awards recognize women who have made a different in education within the community or their profession. The honorees were:
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
• Kaylyn Burroughs, of Odessa, was initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at the University of Tampa • Emily Gerber, of Odessa, was selected for inclusion on St. Lawrence University’s Dean’s List for academic achievement. Gerber is a member of the Class of 2020 and is majoring in conservation biology. St. Lawrence University is in Canton, New York. • Kayla Whittyngham, of Lutz, was initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at the University of Tampa
VIRTUAL MOSI
As Virtual MOSI (Museum of Science and Industry) enters its third week, The Imagine School of Land O’ Lakes has started using the program as part of
• Susan Duval, board chair of the Hernando County School Board • Heather Fiorentino, former superintendent of Pasco County Schools • Katherine Johnson, Ed.D., president emerita of PHSC • Carol Morsani, director of the Frank and Carol Morsani Foundation, and a phiengagement curriculum for the second grade. JoAnn Slay, second-grade math and science teacher at the school, said, in a release, “MOSI in Motion has been a great addition to our online science experience. By adding the MOSI in Motion link to my Google Classroom page and encouraging the kids to view the daily experience, my kids have started exploring other science topics on their own.They are becoming more curious and more involved in their own learning.” The children leave comments about the videos, and the first experiment about gravity aligned with the unit the class was starting on forces and motion, Slay said. MOSI will continue to produce content for its Virtual MOSI program as long as needed during these unusual times.
The health health of our comm munity d depends ds on you you. Thank you to all the health care c workers, first responders, educators, grocer y store and pharmacy employees, deliver y personn nel, and truck drivers for being there when we need you most.
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lanthropist and community leader in the Tampa Bay area • Madeline Pumariega, Ph.D., executive vice president and provost of Tallahassee Community College, and former chancellor of the Florida College System • Tonjua Williams, Ph.D., president of St. Petersburg College Content plans also included a Forensics Week and a Chemistry Week. For more information, visit Facebook.com/MOSIinMotionTampa. The Laker/Lutz News likes to keep our readers informed about news from our local schools, including upcoming events, photos of events, recognitions and so on. Submissions need to include who, what, where, when, contact information, identifications for individuals in a photo (unless it is a large group), and a photo credit. Please send your information two weeks prior to desired publication date, and email it to news@lakerlutznews.com. If you would like The Laker/Lutz News to consider coverage of an event, send a request to the same email.
Pandemic affects Pasco services The Laker/Lutz News staff report
• All Pasco County Libraries (closed until April 30)
Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has affected local government services. Here’s a look at some of the changes. Be sure to check the Pasco County website, at PascoCountyFl.net, for updated information.
CLOSED
Closed Pasco County buildings and properties until further notice: • Historic Pasco County Courthouse, 37918 Meridian Ave., Dade City • Guardian Ad Litem Office West • Guardian Ad Litem Office East • Elderly Nutrition East, 13853 15th St., Dade City • Elderly Nutrition Central, 6801 Wisteria Loop, Land O’ Lakes • Elderly Nutrition West, 8600 Galen Wilson Blvd., New Port Richey • All Parks are closed, along with Recreation Complexes, Community & Education Centers.
OPEN
Open Pasco County buildings and properties until further notice: • The Animal Services shelter is open. Animal Services is restricting all field operation calls to only emergency response and priority calls. Animal Services is not accepting owner/agent surrendered animals; intakes will be scheduled for a later date. In-person pet licensing sales are suspended until further notice. • Pet licensing is available online: secure.pascocountyfl.net/petlicensing. • Select boat ramps and the Suncoast Trail will remain open. (Please follow all CDC social distancing guidelines.) • Pasco County Public Transportation (PCPT) is suspending all fares until further notice.The number of riders will be limited, and to accommodate the change, there will be more buses on the county’s busiest
• All parks-sponsored large events and mass gatherings are cancelled, until further notice, and the following parks facilities in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area are closed: Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex; Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park Community Center; and Starkey Wilderness Park Education Center. • All Pasco County Senior Centers are closed, and all senior programs, activities, classes and meetings are cancelled until further notice. Call (727) 834-3340 for more information. • Pasco County Recycling closed its three community recycling drop-offs until further notice. • All Property Appraiser’s offices are closed to the public until further notice. Employees are working remotely, and online services are available: PascoPA.com. • The Pasco County Tax Collector’s five offices are closed to lobby traffic, but drive-thru services are available for certain transactions.Visit PascoTaxes.com for more information.
routes by temporarily suspending services on Routes 18, 25, 31 and 41. For more information, visit: bit.ly/PCPTRiderAlerts. • Pasco County Solid Waste is limiting access to the West Pasco Resource Recovery and the East Pasco Transfer Station. Only commercial vendors and customers with bagged, household waste will be able to drop off trash. • The Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller’s Office is encouraging the use of online and telephone resources to resolve issues, pay fines, check on public records, track court events and much more. To see a full list of services available to you remotely, visit PascoClerk.com/809/COVID19-Coronavirus-Pandemic. • UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County is offering online webinars, meetings and activities, and postponing all in-person events, meetings and activities through April 30.Visit its website for more information.
Three Essential Tips For Caregivers By Charlie Lowry Director of Caregiver Support Services Gulfside Healthcare Services
As a result of the COVID-19 crisis and Stay-AtHome Order, caregivers are feeling more overwhelmed and sequestered than ever. The important thing to know is that you’re not alone, and there are essential resources available to help. The new Caregiver Support Services program at Gulfside Hospice is currently helping those who are caring for their hospice patients, with the goal of empathetically interacting with them to improve quality of life for them and those for whom they provide care. We have over 700 caregivers in our program right now — some who are new to Hospice whose loved one has been recently diagnosed, and others who have been caregivers for years with their loved ones entering the final phase of their life. Some caregivers live with the patient, and some live out of the area and yet are still responsible for their loved one’s care. Either way, caregiver services are important for family members who manage their loved one’s care. That’s why we have put together this quick list of tips to help you stay organized and take time for self-care. While love and commitment are at the core of caregiving, and it can produce feelings of joy and fulfillment, we understand the stress and chaos that can also be produced by caregiving responsibilities, especially during this time, and we want to lend a helping hand. 1. Take Care of Yourself If you are a caregiver, you are the person responsible for running your household and making sure quality care is being provided. It is essential that you take care of yourself first, so you don’t get sick or run out of energy. • View yourself as your top priority – if you aren’t healthy in mind and body, you won’t be able to properly take care of others. • Set aside 15-20 minutes, two or three times a day, to unwind and focus on yourself. Do a crossword puzzle, work on a jigsaw puzzle or color a page with pencils or markers. • Take a 30-minute walk around
the neighborhood, and/or exercise along with a You Tube video. • Schedule your personal breaks into your day planner — just like you do meals and medication. 2. Build Your Support System Don’t be afraid to ask people to help. Grow your support system so you can utilize them when you need help with errands, or to help with family communications that can take up much time and be emotionally draining. • Your support system can be family, friends, neighbors, and hospice volunteers and staff. Ask in advance if they are able to help when the need arises, and keep their contact information in an easy to remember spot, so you have it when you need it. • Your support system can shop for groceries and other household needs, pick up medications and even fill up your gas tank. All this can be done without coming into your home and exposing them or your household during this crisis. 3. Get Organized It’s important to have everything you need in one place when you are a caregiver. This includes assembling a medication list, banking information and passwords, a list of email addresses and passwords to pay utilities, mortgage and auto loans, credit cards and other monthly obligations, maintain an updated list of family names, phone numbers and email addresses, and assemble wills and other legal documents, such as do not resuscitate orders and other medical directives. Charlie Lowry is the Director of Caregiver Support Services and has been at Gulfside Healthcare Services for three years, and has worked in hospice services since 2012. The caregiver services that Lowry’s team provides are not covered by Medicare and other insurance companies, and are dependent on fundraising events and private donations. To contribute, go to Gulfside.org/make-a-gift, or call
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The Area Agency on Aging Pasco Pinellas (AAAPP) has given these recent operational updates, in an April 6 press release. • All AAAPP offices are closed and staff is working remotely. All critical services will continue to be available by phone. • The Helpline and Intake/Screening/Medicaid teams remain open during normal business hours. For outof-area callers, dial (800) 963-5337 or (727) 217-8111. • Nutrition providers remain available. Home meal deliveries are being completed with 6 feet of distance to protect the elderly. Congregate dining has transitioned into drivethru dining services. Drive-thru meal options are available for any adult age 60 and older.To sign up, Pasco residents can call (727) 8343340. In Pinellas, call (727) 573-9444. • The SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) and the Senior Victim Advocacy/Elder Abuse teams are available for support and assistance by telephone only, through the numbers listed above. • Case management teams are continuing to coordinate and provide services wherever possible to individuals, using extra precautions to avoid the spread of COVID-19. • Adult day care, senior center programming and other community sites are largely suspended. Check with the direct provider or municipality for updates on site closures. For more information, visit AgingCareFl.org/covid-19-updates-and-information/.
TELEHEALTH SERVICE LAUNCHED
In response to the coronavirus (COVID19) pandemic, Premier Community HealthCare has launched its telehealth service for established adult patients seeking care. The software is user-friendly, accessible, and seamlessly integrates with Premier’s electronic health record system, according to a news release. Additional telehealth services for pediatrics, behavioral health, women’s health, and dental services are also in the process of being developed. All Premier offices (except the Brooksville Dental Center) will remain open for emergency services, five days a week. Currently, Premier’s waiting room capacity is limited to five patients, with the option for patients to wait in their car. “Our clinics are forced to evolve in ways much faster than we are financially ready for, but this is what community health is about. We will keep moving forward and adapt in innovative ways to care for our community,” said Delisa Heron, Premier Community HealthCare’s chief medical officer, in the release. For information, visit PremierHC.org.
KEEP KIDS SAFE FROM TRAFFICKERS
In Our Backyard links arms across Oregon and America to fight human trafficking through education, mobilization and partnership. The organization offers these tips for parents to protect their kids online from traffickers. • Educate your kids about human trafficking: That it exists, what it looks like, and to talk to you or another responsible adult if they think they have been approached by someone online. • Children should not accept friend requests or chat with someone online (gaming systems, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, etc.) that they have not met in person. Even if it is a friend of a friend. • Make sure your children do not post personal information about where they go to
school, or any contact information (phone number, email or home address) or pictures with geo tags of places they hang out. • Set up parental controls so it’s harder for children to get access to something they shouldn’t see. • Know your kid’s passwords.Your child’s privacy is important, but so is their safety. • Set time limits for device usage. • Make a rule that devices can only be used in common areas of your home. • Communicate with your kids and let them talk to you without judgment. They need to know they are safer with you than anywhere else. For more information, visit InOurBackyard.org.
PASCO KIDS FIRST RECOGNIZED
Pasco Kids First has been awarded re-accreditation by the National Children’s Alliance, following an extensive application and site review process. Pasco Kids First was established in 1989 with the mission to assist in the protection of children from the devastating effects of child abuse and neglect, providing services for 30 years to children and families. The Children’s Alliance awards various levels of accreditation and membership to centers responding to allegations of child abuse in ways that are effective and efficient, and put the needs of child victims of abuse first. Accreditation is the highest level of membership with the National Children’s Alliance and denotes excellence in service provision. Accredited children’s advocacy centers must undergo a re-accreditation process every five years to ensure that best practices are continually being applied. With standards being updated in 2017, Pasco Kids First’s re-accreditation reflects its commitment to providing evidence-based methods practice.
TOBACCO-FREE POLICY ENCOURAGED
The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County’s Tobacco Prevention Program has worked closely with local worksites to encourage them to adopt a Tobacco Free Grounds Policy. It is estimated that smoking costs Florida billions of dollars a year in workplace productivity losses, premature deaths and direct health care expenditures. Tobacco use is a leading contributor to lost productive work time. Tobacco Free Florida recommends that employers implement a worksite model, which includes these three principles: • Provide employees with access to proven successful tobacco cessation medications and counseling • Create a supportive workplace environment that makes it easier for your employees to quit tobacco • Evaluate your progress and success, and adapt your plan accordingly The Tobacco Prevention Program recently acknowledged Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point in its efforts to maintain a Smoke Free Campus policy, in which the hospital’s staff is leading by example. Tobacco Free’s Quit Your Way program offers free Phone Quit, Group Quit and Web Quit services, in addition to individual tools like text support, a Quit Guide and helpful emails. Free nicotine replacement therapy (patches, gum or lozenges) also are available to tobacco users age 18 and older, if medically appropriate. For information, visit TobaccoFreeFlorida.com/quityourway. The Laker/Lutz News likes to keep our readers informed about available classes, seminars, lectures and events regarding health and wellness issues. Hospitals, doctors, individual practitioners and anyone related to the health care industry can submit information, at least two weeks in advance, to be considered for publication. Photos of events, recognitions and so on, also are welcome. Submissions should include who, what, where, when, cost, contact information, identifications for individuals in a photo (unless it is a large group), and a photo credit. This information should be emailed to news@lakerlutznews.com.
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April 15, 2020
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ONLINE, from page 1A through texts, FaceTime and games they can play together on their devices. Meanwhile, George’s other daughter, Meg Lewandowski teaches 10th grade Honors English at Freedom High School and her 6year-old daughter, Margaret, attends Chiles Elementary in Tampa. So, Lewandowski is experiencing online both as a teacher, and a parent of an online learner. “I’ve been an educator for 15 years and this is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced,” Lewandowski said. “Trying to reach students through a computer screen and keep them engaged has proven to be a new challenge,” she said. But, she added: “I’m finding that my students generally want to succeed, and they want to complete their work and continue with their learning.” She said her daughter, who is kindergarten, is adjusting. “We’ve kind of fallen into our routine,” she said.“Her teacher has been great about updating all of her assignments.” But, she said her daughter misses going to school, and seeing her teachers and friends. Lewandowski can empathize. “I miss my routine of going to work and doing my job, a job that I really love,” she said. On the other hand, she said, “it’s been a great opportunity to just kind of slow down a little bit.We tend to miss out on a lot of things when we’re in our normal rush of going to
SCHOOL, from page 1A 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
work and coming home, and doing activities.” Being able to slow down some, she said, also provides more time to play with Margaret and learn some new games, she said.
ONLINE LEARNING HAS SOME ADVANTAGES
Rowena Mendoza said that social distancing put a damper on Spring Break because her children are accustomed to being able to go somewhere during the break, but they couldn’t this year. So, when online learning started, Mendoza said it helped her and husband, who are both working at home in IT. “It’s very relieving for me, as a mom. I know my kids have things to do during the day, and they’re very focused,” she said. Plus, 12-year-old Kayla who attends John Long Middle School and 15-year-old Colin, who attends Wiregrass Ranch High, have enjoyed virtual learning because they can work at their own pace. “My kids like to finish their work ahead of time, so the rest of the week they can do anything,” she said. But, they do miss their friends and classmates, she said. Also, there have been some technical glitches.And, with so many users on the system, it is sometimes overwhelmed, she said. Overall, she thinks the school system has done a good job — but it may need to upgrade its system, she said. Things haven’t gone so smoothly for some other families. Angel Shannon’s daughter, Shaylee, is a
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.
When life gives you time, make art If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it’s likely this: When the routines of everyday life come to a screeching halt, we need to find creative ways to take care of ourselves and each other. This trio of kids decided to celebrate the completion of an online week of school by doing some sidewalk chalk art. Fortunately for us, their grandmother, Sheila Withum, decided to send us the photos. Front to back: Madi, Kenzie and Easton, children of Darrell and Sarah Seelochan, of Heritage Harbor, in Lutz, lift the tape they used to separate colors in their liquid chalk art design. Please share your photos and blurbs, to help us tell our community’s story. Send your submissions to COURTESY OF SHEILA WITHUM bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com.
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third-grader at Lutz Elementary. Trying to help her daughter, while she’s doing her job at home, has been very challenging, Shannon said. She doesn’t blame the school. “It’s a fabulous school.We love the school, and I know they are trying very hard. “The teachers are available, but the problem is, I have a 9-year-old and they’ve never taken instructions off a computer screen for every subject,” she said. Besides that, they have to log in to different softwares.“I have to sit, not only read the instructions, go over it with her — and it’s like six hours of me, sitting there with her, doing it with her,” said Shannon, a Medicare Advantage sales agent. “I’m trying to talk on the phone. She’s trying to ask me questions. It’s causing a lot of stress. It’s not going well,” Shannon said. Plus, she said, she can’t help Shaylee with her Common Core math work. “This math, I don’t even understand what they’re asking, let alone how to help her. “To me, it’s so ridiculous — and, I was an honors student. Between my husband and I, we read it, I get so frustrated I have to take a break. “And then I think, I’ve only got one child. I couldn’t even imagine if there were more than one child in the home — trying to get their schooling done,” said Shannon, noting her husband works as a truck driver and when he gets home from work, she’s still trying to help Shaylee with her schoolwork. It’s frustrating for both of them, she said. “This is just for the birds,” Shannon said.
She said the principal understands the parents’ frustration and sent home a note, suggesting they not do more than three hours a day, but she worries about her daughter falling behind. Annaliese Reese, who has a child in middle school and one in high school, understands Shannon’s frustration. Reese’s 18-year-old son, Dante, a senior at Land O’ Lakes High School does his work, no problem, Reese said. But, it’s a different story for her 12-year-old daughter, Gabriella, who attends Pine View Middle. “I think she feels like because she’s not in school, she doesn’t have to do it,” Reese said. The fact that she and her husband are working makes it tougher, she said. She also feels for her son, who is missing out on the traditions of senior year. Clara Reynolds, the president and CEO of The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, said the shift to online learning has added to the stress and anxieties many are facing during this time of COVID-19. She offered this guidance. “I think it’s important for parents to remember, you need to set up routines, but you don’t have to try to recreate a classroom environment, where kids are in class for 6 hours a day, in front of a computer,” she said. “I think you can build it into little bitesized chunks. Make sure you’ve got some time for enjoyable activities and things like that, because otherwise everybody is going to be very frustrated and anxious,” Reynolds said.
CRISIS, from page 1A
“It’s going to be this new ‘normal,’ that many of us are not going to know how to manage or navigate,” Reynolds said. Before COVID-19, she said. “we would spend about 7 minutes on average, with each caller, helping them to talk through what their issues were, so we could really get to the root of a problem.” Now, it’s taking 15 minutes to 20 minutes. “There’s so much stress, we’ve got to deescalate first before we can then get to the root of the problem,” she said. There’s also a percentage of callers that Reynolds described as “high-need, high-utilizers.” Those callers may call in as may 200 to 300 times a year, because the crisis center is their outlet, she said. Typically, a call like that may take 15 minutes to 20 minutes to de-escalate. Now, it’s maybe taking 30 minutes to 45 minutes, Reynolds said. “So, not only has our call volume increased, but it’s taking us longer to get through each call to make sure that we’re providing a real benefit,” Reynolds said. Concerns about the pandemic can affect people of all ages, so Reynolds offers this advice on how to talk to children about it. “I think it’s important for them to understand how they can help because kids are natural helpers.Anything that they can do to feel like they are doing something positive to contribute, will help to lessen their anxiety.” Teach them about washing their hands, covering their coughs and sneezes, staying 6 feet away from others, she said. It’s also easy for people to feel socially isolated and miss having contact with family and friends, she said. She recommends making creative use of technology to bridge gaps, such as holding virtual happy hours. She said it’s also a great time to journal, express yourself artistically, do coloring sheets, or cook. At a time when you can’t make in-person connections with your family and friends, it’s a good time to give yourself permission to engage “in more self-care than you normally would,” Reynolds said.
were 236 calls involving financial need; during the week ending April 3, the volume of those kind of calls increased to 412. “Certainly, what we have seen, too, added into this stress over the past week, now Week 2, is adding the home educational requirement that many families are experiencing as well,” Reynolds noted. “You’ve got one — the stress of the virus. Then you’ve got lockdown, which can add additional stress to households.Then you add people losing their jobs, or seeing their jobs change significantly, i.e., working from home, versus working in an office. Then, you add these children on top of it that have to have some educational stuff at home, as well. “It is just a soup of stress and anxiety,” Reynolds said. On top of that, there’s additional stress and anxiety for people who are living in a domestic violence situation, or in a home that’s not stable and steady. When people call 211 looking for assistance and support, they may be calling in regarding whatever the top issue is at that time, Reynolds said. But, she added:“it’s always a symptom of bigger problems.” “Right now, the big symptom is, ‘I don’t know how I’m going to keep this roof over my head. I don’t know how I’m going to feed my family,’” Reynolds said. “We believe that after we watch the COVID-19 spike and then start to decline — we are going to see an incredible increase in the number of behavioral health calls,” she said. “People right now are just trying to survive, whatever survival looks like. “Once we get past it and life returns to this ‘normal’ place, we believe we’re going to see a behavioral health crisis like we’ve never seen before,” she said. Those mental health needs are likely to come from first responders, who are working 16-hour to 20-hour days. Or, from people who had jobs and don’t have them now, or the jobs they have, have changed.
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April 15, 2020
9A
Community Sports Your Neighborhood Sports Source
Local karate academy kicks to virtual By Kevin Weiss kweiss@lakerlutznews.com
T
he dojo is closed for now, but karate lessons press on. The novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has put a halt to many organized recreational activities, but Wesley Chapel-based Keiko Shin Karate Academy has found another way to keep members sharp, while staying home — via virtual classes using the Zoom online video conference platform. Many Keiko Shin students find themselves training in their living rooms. Others find enough space in their bedrooms, backyard or lanai. Even Sensei Ernesto Fuentes, who operates Keiko Shin, makes it a point to change up his own backdrop when facilitating karate activities and workouts to students. Though it’s not quite the same as the traditional Keiko Shin dojo on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, students make do to practice katas and kick-punch combinations. “Our kids are so dedicated that they made room, they found room,” Fuentes said. “They moved some furniture, and you’d be surprised to see how much space they have.” The online classes have been continuing for the past month or so, around when the Pasco County School Board suspended all in-person school events and extracurricular activities until at least May. To Fuentes, the virtual offerings help maintain students’ progress in achieving their karate goals, also keeping them active and motivated. “We train hard. Virtually or no, we do train hard,” said Fuentes, who started the academy 15 years ago.“Parents are happy to not see their kids sitting on the couch, playing video games.” Even in cyberspace, the academy has maintained a full schedule, Monday through Friday. Classes are offered for beginners and advanced athletes of all ages, including adults. As many as 28 students have joined in at once for an online class, Fuentes said. To help monitor and ensure proper techniques are followed by all, the sensei enlists the help of black belt-level teenagers to monitor the many split screens “and make sure the kids are doing it right.” Fuentes said the handful of helpers frankly has made the transition to online easier. He explained it allows those younger, beginner students to get more personalized attention and correction — perhaps the biggest “limitation” of virtual classes, as compared to live, in-person instruction at the academy’s physical facility. Either way, the virtual classes have kept
COURTESY OF KEIKO SHIN KARATE ACADEMY
Sensei Ernesto Fuentes now is offering virtual karate lessons from the Keiko Shin Karate Academy in Wesley Chapel. Fuentes opened the academy about 15 years ago.
entire families occupied with each week through her smartsomething positive to do. phone. Les Borowski is an adult black While she admits it’s “not the belt student at Keiko Shin. His two same as being at the dojo,” children, Nicholas and Olivia, are Anderson said the online instrucstudents, too. His wife participates tion is “a really good way to stay in in early morning workout sessions shape, and keep my karate going.” that are offered through the acadeShe added: “I get a full workout, my. I’m sweating, I’m sore, even though The regular activities — albeit I’m at home.” online — have kept the family up Anderson has been a member of to speed in their respective karate the karate academy for six years. FILE and fitness progression. Though the virtual setup is right “It doesn’t seem like we’re af- This is how Sensei Ernesto Fuentes normally interacts with now the only option to maintain fected, to be honest, by the his students at Keiko Shin Karate Academy. karate skills, the teen is hoping to COVID-19, because we’re still in someday return to the Wesley shape, still doing what we’re supposed to. such as pushups, sit-ups and squats, along Chapel dojo she loves, after the coronavirus The only drawback is we cannot compete with plyometrics, like jumping in place. He’s pandemic passes. because all the tournaments are closed,” also resorted to water bottles and one-gal“It’s just nice to be there and have that Borowski said. lon water jugs as makeshift dumbbells. open space, and have that communication He said his children “love” the virtual Borowski finds the creative workouts and personal connection with people, and I setup, because there’s no commute, which “very helpful” for families without home actually get to talk to people, and sensei can ultimately gives them more free time. “As gyms or specialized equipment. actually go up to me and say something,” soon as they’re done with karate, they can “Sensei’s very adept at using all the items Anderson said. come back into their Minecraft or Fornite you find around the house — chairs, water Meanwhile, Fuentes insists Keiko Shin (video games), or whatnot,” he said. bottles, things like that — so he builds the will follow guidelines put forth by the Borowski noted he also makes it a point exercises around everyday stuff that every- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to jump in on his children’s regular body has at home already,” Borowski said. and other state and federal health officials, Wednesday classes, as a bonding mechaFor 17-year-old black belt Lauren before reopening the academy. nism.“The three of us are bouncing around, Anderson, Keiko Shin’s virtual classes keep That means virtual karate lessons will so it’s pretty neat, actually,” he said. her moving and focused through the rela- continue indefinitely, he said. Besides teaching varied karate forms and tive monotony of this new temporary “We try to keep everyone safe and the techniques, Fuentes has developed impro- stay-at-home lifestyle. families safe,” Fuentes said. “To be honest, vised at-home strength and conditioning “If it weren’t for this,” Anderson said,“I I’m dying to have my kids back in the acadwarmups and workouts for both Keiko Shin would be on my couch, and I would feel emy, but whenever it’s safe and when students and anyone in the community, in like I’m lazy and not doing anything produc- (health officials) decide it’s safe to come lieu of full-service fitness centers now tive.” back, then we’re going to open our dojo.” closed. Anderson, a student at Wiregrass Ranch For information, visit KeikoShin.com, or That includes bodyweight exercises, High School, simply connects to the classes email hombudojo@keikoshin.com.
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THIS OUT
COURTESY OF SAINT LEO UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS COURTESY OF PASCO-HERNANDO STATE COLLEGE ATHLETICS
Kyran McClure, Isaiah Hill and Yalen Reed.
Linsey Christianson
Saint Leo hoopers join record books
LOCAL SIGNINGS
• Pasco-Hernando State College women’s volleyball sophomore libero Linsey Christianson signed with Bethel University, an NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics program in McKenzie,Tennessee. Christianson led the Bobcats in 2019 in digs (494) and digs per set (5.31). • Land O’ Lakes High senior guard Mekhi Perry verbally committed to play basketball at Eckerd College, an NCAA Division II program in St. Petersburg.The 6foot-2 Perry is the Gators boys program’s all-time scoring leader, with 1,616 points. • Steinbrenner High senior receiver Carson Franks signed to play football at Oberlin College, an NCAA Division III program in Oberlin, Ohio. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound Franks registered 18 catches for 320 yards and three touchdowns in 2019. He also was a member of Steinbrenner’s varsity lacrosse, and track and field programs.
FHSAA SPRING SPORTS COULD RETURN
In response to concerns about coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) released a statement that leaves open the possibility of a spring sports season, which
10A
April 15, 2020
A trio of Saint Leo men’s basketball seniors end their career with their names etched in the program’s all-time record books. Here is a closer look at each:
KYRAN MCCLURE
The 6-foot-2, 170-pound guard from Concord, North Carolina, became the Saint Leo all-time program leader in threepointers made (92) in a single season and free throws made in a single season (207) — which was tops in the NCAA Division II ranks for the 2019-20 season. McClure’s marks surpassed those previously held by Saint Leo products
could run from as soon as May 3 through June 30. The FHSAA also indicated if a spring sports season is canceled altogether, it’s working on a solution to create additional athletics eligibility for students who were unable to participate. FHSAA-sanctioned spring sports include baseball, flag football, lacrosse, softball, tennis, track & field, boys volleyball, water polo and boys weightlifting.
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Marcus Dewberry (88 three-pointers in 2015-16) and Tyrone Graves (165 free throws made in 1991-92). McClure concluded his Lions threeyear career inside the top-15 all-time in program history in free throws made (second, 451), three’s made (fourth, 193), assists (ninth, 276), and points (11th, 1,374). He eclipsed the 1,000-point plateau on Dec. 14, with a 24-point effort against University of Tampa.
ISAIAH HILL
The 6-foot-6, 175-pound guard from Richmond Hill, Georgia, tied McClure
The statewide athletics organization released the following statement on its website: “Pending schools are back in session and afforded the opportunity to resume activities after May 3, by federal, state and local authorities, the FHSAA will follow the advice and guidance available to us at that time regarding the continuance of all FHSAA spring sports. “In light of the current situation, the
with 276 career assists and became the 25th Lions player to score 1,000 career points, sitting 19th all-time with 1,092. Hill also put his name in the Lions record book in career steals, finishing seventh with 138.
YALEN REED
In two seasons in the Green and Gold, the 6-foot-6, 205-pound forward from Nashville,Tennessee, etched his name in the Lions record book with 71 career blocks — good for ninth-most in program history. Reed posted 39 blocks his junior season and 32 this past season.
FHSAA staff is actively working on creative solutions for the continuance of spring sports, which could extend through June 30. The FHSAA does understand the hardships caused by COVID-19 and the inability to play spring sports. If we are not able to continue spring sports, the FHSAA is working diligently to create a plan regarding additional eligibility for students who have not been able to participate in spring sports.”
The LAKER / Lutz NEWS INSIDE: Directories, Classifieds, Games & More
B
APRIL 15, 2020
B.C. MANION
The school community of Countryside Montessori wants its Cougars to know that they’re missed.
B.C. MANION B.C. MANION
Most of the time, when kids aren’t in school, they can just go to the park to play. But, during this time of COVID-19, that is not an option.
This flashing sign, in front of the Pasco County Fairgrounds on State Road 52, reminds passersby to ‘Stay Safe.’ The phrase has become a common expression, during this time of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic.
Signs of our time COVID-19 is taking its toll on ordinary life, across The Laker/Lutz News coverage area. By By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
C
ronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has affected every aspect of life. The global pandemic has caused thousands of deaths and has rocked the economy — with no clear end in sight. The unemployment rate has soared; millions are out of work. School campuses are closed and parents, teachers and students are adapting to distance teaching and learning. Businesses have suffered huge losses. Some have shuttered temporarily. Some don’t expect to be back. Others are trying to hold on by changing the way they do business. Grocery stores have signs on shelves, limiting the number of items patrons can purchase, such as toilet paper, hand sanitizer, eggs, canned fruits, bread and others. More customers are ordering gro-
ceries online and having them delivered. The threat posed by the deadly virus has halted social gatherings, shut down parks, and closed gyms and libraries. It has forced movie theaters to go dark. Churches, synagogues and other religious centers have had to find new ways to share their faith. Efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 have resulted in nursing homes closing their doors to visitors. Hospitals have imposed strict visitor policies. Large gatherings for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays and even funerals are being postponed, or skipped entirely. People in some states, including Florida, are being ordered to stay home when possible, and to wear masks in public places. In the midst of the upheaval, there are those who offer hope, humor, optimism and help. And, there are some offering encouragement, too, such as Sanders Memorial Elementary School in Land O’ Lakes. Its sign reads: “Stay safe and healthy.”
B.C. MANION
This signs informs patrons that the B.C. MANION CrossFit facility in Lutz is closed due Sugar & Spice Learning Center expresses its grati- to the governor’s mandate, relating to tude for the continued support it has experienced. COVID-19.
B.C. MANION
Sanders Memorial Elementary School offers an upbeat message on its school marquee, encouraging everyone to be strong and stay healthy.
CHRISTINE HOLTZMAN
Hungry Harry’s, a mainstay in Land O’ Lakes, is still serving to-go orders pit-side. Call ahead for faster service.
CHRISTINE HOLTZMAN
Ukulele Brands, on Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes, is still cooking meals, but patrons will have to take them to go.
CHRISTINE HOLTZMAN
B.C. MANION
CHRISTINE HOLTZMAN
Roller-skating at Eddie’s Roller Rink, on State Road 52 in San Antonio, will have to wait — until the pandemic passes.
The fate of the school year has shifted from an extended Spring Break, to weeks of distance learning. Students are scheduled to return to campuses on May 1, but like the sign says, check the website for the latest information. Also, as the sign says: Don’t forget to social distance — which means stay at least 6 feet away from other people.
B.C. MANION
$1.99 Cleaners, on Land O’ Lakes Boulevard, was open during the early phase of the pandemic. A few days later, it decided to at least temporarily close. A sign on the door told customers it has applied for a loan and hopes to reopen, but noted there’s no guarantee that will happen. The sign currently reads: ‘CLOSED. HOME READING MY BIBLE.’
Coronavirus Care CoronavirusResourceHub.com
PET PAWS
Guide dog charity benefits from campaign Southeastern Guide Dogs was a recent Charity of the Month at the Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office. The organization trains dogs for people who are blind or have other severe visual impairments, and for veterans with posttraumatic stress syndrome and other disabilities. It also COURTESY OF THE PASCO COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR helps develop rela- From left: Pasco County Tax Collector staff members Violeta tionships between Gomez, Christopher Peynado, Diane Cole and Sarita Blommel people and dogs. Guide Dogs does not charge for its giving programs, visit PascoTaxes.com, or services or receive government funding, call Greg Giordano, assistant tax collecso it relies solely on donations to operate. tor/communications and special projects, Members of the community donated a at (727) 847-8179. total of $6,300 to support the charity. Visit GuideDogs.org, for information on For information about the charitable Southeastern Guide Dogs.
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In search of the next meal
Karen Whitenton, of Lutz, often sees a Mallard duck family in her yard eating sunflower seeds the birds have dropped. However, this time she caught them in the Willow Bend subdivision pond looking underwater for things to eat.
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Gina Botticello was named Supervisor of the Year by the Florida Animal Control Association. She said she was humbled, and surprised, by the honor.
Working with animals is this woman’s passion By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
Gina Botticello can’t remember a time in her life when she didn’t love animals. It wasn’t because her house was full of them, though. Her dad was allergic to cats. So, officially, there weren’t any cats in the house. But, Botticello admitted:“I would find a kitten and hide it in my room.” That didn’t last long, though.“That was not OK,” she said. Still, even when she was very young, she knew she wanted to work with animals. “I feel very fortunate that I always knew what I wanted to do.And, I always loved it. I think that’s a blessing.” And, her work at Pasco County Animal Services also has resulted in bringing honor to Botticello and her department. Recently, she was named Supervisor of the Year by the Florida Animal Control Association. She was humbled by the selection. “There were some really accomplished nominees, so it was very surprising and very exciting.” Her path to the honor began when she was 18 and she began working at Bayonet Point Animal Clinic.Then, as she got older, she became interested in working in the not-for-profit industry. Then, she became interested in working for an animal shelter. “A lot of people told me that would not be a good direction.They felt that it would make me very sad. “But, whoever listens to advice, right?” So, Botticello joined the team at Pasco County Animal Services. “I ended up taking a massive pay cut. I left Animal Coalition of Tampa as a technician and came over (to animal services) as an animal care tech, which is the entry position.” She was willing to take less pay and begin at a lower level to get her foot in the door. “It was the best thing I ever did,” she said.“So, the leap of faith really paid off.The pay cut.The fear.All of that second-guessing. It really paid off,” Botticello said. Over time, she worked various positions and was named Pet Services Supervisor in 2017. To her, it’s more than a job. It’s a mission. “We’re wearing a lot of hats, and that’s a challenge throughout the day — to shift gears, from placing kittens in foster; to organizing a transfer of an aggressive animal; to solving a customer’s need. “It’s not an 8 to 5. It’s not, ‘Oh, it’s 5’oclock, I’ve got to go. “You want to do more because you believe in it. You know you can get a result. You know you can help.And, when you are able to accomplish what you need, it feels amazing,” she said. She’s quick to credit the roughly 400 rescue partners, the volunteers and her colleagues at Animal Services for the success the agency has achieved. “It takes a village, and we have an amazing one,” Botticello said. The shelter is a Save 90 shelter, which means its goal is to save 90% of the animals that arrive there.
Under Gina Botticello’s leadership • 1,650 animals were sent to rescue partners (a 120% increase over 2017, and a 45% increase over 2018) • Dozens of animals that would have been automatic euthanasia decisions in years past are now being transferred to willing rescue groups and veterinary partners. • Animal services has pulled animals from Polk, Hillsborough, Hernando and Levy counties, and it has worked closely with Pinellas, Marion and Citrus counties in life-saving efforts through rescue program development and partnership growth. • Achieved a save rate for cats exceeding 90% in August of 2019, the first month that has ever happened.
“That can be a challenge because a lot of the animals coming through our door are sick or injured,” she said.They don’t have a family claiming them, so they may be unaccustomed to positive interactions with people. “The animals that come into our care, they need help,” said Botticello, noting most are a “bit broken” when they arrive. “There are days when you walk up and down the rows, and your heart is breaking,” she said.“The animals are shaking. Some of them are growling.They don’t know where they’re at, and that’s their defensiveness.” The flip side of that scene, however, is “to see that same animal walking out of the door, with their tail wagging and relaxed body language.They’re not scared anymore.” And, they’re on their way to someone’s living room, or a veterinarian, to get the help that the shelter cannot provide. Botticello greatly appreciates the shelter’s volunteers. “They are an extension of us,” she said. “They have the deepest love for these animals. They go home from the shelter and they work all night, posting animals on social media to get them help. “To me, they’re almost like family.” Being able to adapt, especially when facing challenges, is crucial, Botticello said. “I definitely think you need to be flexible and creative, and just take things in stride,” she said. “If it’s not a hurricane, it’s a pandemic, or a hoarding case of 400 animals that are coming. “You just have to have that ‘hit the ground running’ approach, and work together, because one person certainly cannot do the work. It takes a team.” Botticello said the department always is looking for ways to serve both the animals, and the public. “We are a public service.That’s a mentality that is saturated in all that we do,” she said. “We embrace suggestions, ideas. “Anyone that has any kind of time or energy to give us information, I have time to listen to it. I don’t want to disregard anything,” she said. When she received her award, she said, it felt odd to be standing there alone. “Nobody accomplishes this much, independently,” Botticello said.
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Protect your vehicle while it sits unused By Mary Rathman mrathman@lakerlutznews.com
Many cars will be parked in the driveway or garage for at least another month, as a result of the statewide Stay-At-Home order urging residents to shelter in place, unless they are making essential trips, as outlined by the executive order. According to a news release from AAA-The Auto Club Group, state figures show that residents already are driving less, in an attempt to ‘flatten the curve.’ “Leaving the car unused for an extended period of time could leave it vulnerable to problems with your battery, brakes and tires,” said Mark Jenkins, AAA spokesman, in the release. “There are a few simple things you can do to make sure your vehicle is ready to roll when it’s time to hit the road again,” Jenkins added. The auto group offers these tips for longerthan-expected parked vehicles: • Battery boost. Start your vehicle every
couple of days to keep the battery at a full state and prevent deterioration. Let the engine run for a few minutes to recharge, then turn it off. • Tire pressure. Add 10 psi of pressure (more than usual) to each tire to prevent flat spots from forming on the tires.You can also move the vehicle a couple of feet periodically. • Windshield wiper placement. Prop up the wiper arms so the blades are off the windshield.This way the wipers will not get stuck to the glass. • No parking brake. Do not use the parking brake when storing the vehicle.The brake could become frozen, and the brake pads could rust the rotors or the brake shoes could distort the drums. For an automatic transmission, simply put the vehicle in park. For a manual transmission, put it in first gear or reverse gear and use wheel chocks to help hold the vehicle in place. • Sun shade. If your car is always outdoors and exposed to the sun, use a sun shade to prevent UV rays from deteriorating the dashboard and steering wheel.
CHRISTINE HOLTZMAN
Keeping up with the classics
Classic car owners and enthusiasts looking to meet other like-minded individuals are in luck. The local Kumquat Chapter of the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) is looking for new members. Currently, all meetings are cancelled, but the club stays in touch through emails and texts. During normal times, the Kumquat Chapter has monthly meetings, attends car shows and has an annual picnic. Ownership of a classic car is not necessary to become a member, but anyone interested can join AACA.org. The cost is $40 a year for national dues, and $10 a year for local dues. Paul Wells, vice president of the Kumquat Chapter of the Antique Automobile Club of America, left, and David Rios, chapter president, stand alongside their cars. Wells, of Land O’ Lakes, owns a 1957 Ford Thunderbird, and Rios, of San Antonio, owns a 1959 Edsel Wagon, which he bought as a retirement gift for himself in 2013. For information about the local club, email David Rios at Riosdh@verizon.net.
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