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Tag: APP Education

  • Collegiate high school seniors in St. Pete all receive associate’s degree

    Collegiate high school seniors in St. Pete all receive associate’s degree

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — St. Petersburg Collegiate High School North Pinellas celebrated and unprecedented first: 100 percent of its graduating seniors also earned their associate’s degree.

    With the rising cost of tuition, this program helps a lor of students save money on higher education, and they say that working together to achieve the same goal keeps them focused.

    “Being in a program like this that was everyone’s goal, everyone was working towards it, so it was nice to do that with people who also cared about doing it at the same time as me,” said senior Alexandra Hooker. “It’s nice that it relieves a little bit of a financial burden of course.”

    St. Petersburg Collegiate High School North Pinellas is a charter school that’s partnered with St. Petersburg College and allows students to earn their high school diplomas while simultaneously earning an associate’s degree and a Bright Futures scholarship — all for free.

     

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    Fallon Silcox

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  • USF St. Pete campus welcomes therapy K-9

    USF St. Pete campus welcomes therapy K-9

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — University of South Florida St. Petersburg has a new way to offer emotional support to students, staff and faculty.

    “Snowbird,” a facility therapy dog, was recently sworn in as the only comfort K-9 on campus.

    What You Need To Know

    • “Snowbird,” a facility therapy dog, was recently sworn in as the only comfort K-9 at USF St. Petersburg

    • Snowbird has been roaming the halls of USF St. Petersburg for two months so far, providing emotional support for students, staff and faculty

    • The campus hopes to provide additional therapy dogs in the future


    The two-year-old Golden Retriever Labrador mix will spend days crossing campus with his handler, UPD Officer Mark Lickenfelt.

    Lickenfelt says it comes at a time when mental health-related calls on campus have steadily increased over the years.

    Research released by The Healthy Minds Network also suggests 41% of college students suffer from depression symptoms.

    “He’s here to provide comfort and therapy to students, staff and faculty that are going through anxieties,” said Lickenfelt. “Such as stress, such as exams, life stressors, going through personal issues, as well as any type of just having a bad day.”

    Snowbird has been roaming the halls of USF St. Petersburg for two months so far and is already making an impression.

    “I love Snowbird. He’s so cute. He’s the bestest boy,” said freshman Tong Tavachara. “I was studying just now, and I saw his little head out the window and I just immediately just light up.”

    Other students echo benefits of the extra emotional support.

    “I feel that having snowbird is a great addition to our campus,” said David Nguyen, who serves as campus governor. “It provides our students a place to like to have their concerns and worries evaporate away. They’re just in that moment with Snowbird.”

    Snowbird is also requested for campus events, community outreach and provides emotional support for victim advocates and veterans.

    The campus hopes to provide additional therapy dogs in the future.

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    Melissa Eichman

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  • A+ Teacher spends summer helping students practice reading skills

    A+ Teacher spends summer helping students practice reading skills

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    SEMINOLE, Fla. — This week’s A+ Teacher went back to her roots this summer at Osceola Middle School.

    What You Need To Know

    • Dorene McNulty has been a teacher at Osceola Middle school for more than 20 years
    • SAhe loves teaching reader to her students
    • Now she is a case manager at the Pinellas County school

    Dorene McNulty is now a case manager there. She has been a teacher at the school for more than 20 years and spent 12 years as a reading teacher.

    “Reading is in everything, which I tell them all the time. Every single subject, you have to be able to read,” said McNulty.

    She helped kids practice their reading skills over the summer through Pinellas County’s Summer Bridge program. During the school year, McNulty is a case manager at the school. She helps students with special needs create plans for the future.

    “I like that I’m able to write a plan and try to help those students that have those needs. Try to help them meet those needs, setting goals, working with them. These are your goals. Talking to them about how they’re progressing,” said McNulty.

    Her goal is to help her students pursue a path forward toward something they’re passionate about.

    “You try to find that interest, something that will bring them back to school. Something they want to come to school for and then remind them [that] in high school these are the things you get to do also so then they’ll have those skills when they get older and they can apply that in their real life,” said McNulty.

    McNulty says she’s looking forward to continuing that mission and watching the progress the students make from the beginning of the year to the end.

    “It’s amazing. It just fills your heart. You get to see that their light comes on, they get bright, they’re proud of themselves. I’m proud of them. It’s a really sweet moment,” said McNulty.

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    Jorja Roman

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  • Shirley Proctor Puller Foundation’s M.A.S.T.R. Plan Program helping kids succeed

    Shirley Proctor Puller Foundation’s M.A.S.T.R. Plan Program helping kids succeed

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Shirley Proctor Puller Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to closing the achievement gap for students living in South St. Pete. They offer after-school programs for children and teens of all ages, and over the summer months, one of their programs focuses on middle and high school students — the High School M.A.S.T.R. Plan Program.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Shirley Proctor Puller Foundation’s High School M.A.S.T.R. Plan Program is for middle and high school students who live in South St. Pete

    • The goal is to close the achievement gap, and increrase graduation rates

    • Students explore trade school career options, learn interview & communication skills, study black history, and learn financial literacy

    The purpose is to expose teens to different college and career options, while teaching them valuable skills so they can set goals for their own futures, keeping them focused through these formative years.

    The High School M.A.S.T.R. Plan Program students took their weekly black history lesson out of the classroom and into a place where the history itself happened.

    “This space that you’re in was a segregated grocery store, and so my uncles, my parents, my grandparents could not set foot in this building as it was erected,” said Marcus Brooks, Executive Director for the Foundation for a Healthy St. Peterburg’s Center for Healthy Equity.

    The Shirley Proctor Puller Foundation partnered with the Foundation for a Healthy St. Peterburg, which intentionally re-wrote the purpose of the building to advance equity, and now, Pinellas County’s civil rights history lines the walls with pictures and descriptions of events.

    “We were learning and talking about black history and more black history in St. Pete and the origins of some of the places we see every day,” said Torri Gammage, who is going into 7th-grade at Thurgood Marshall Middle School.

    Torri has been in the M.A.S.T.R. Program for four years, and says she’s found the black history lessons to be very important. 

    “So that we don’t make the same mistakes over again and we can know why certain things happened and how it affects us, and how we should react to it,” she said.

    Which is exactly why the Foundation includes black history in its High School M.A.S.T.R. Plan Program.

    “What we’ve discovered is that if the kids can get some exposure to African American history, they’re typically very grounded in who they are, why they are here, what are their unique strengths,” said Bridgette Heller, Co-Founder and CEO of the Shirley Proctor Puller Foundation.

    Heller says the confidence it builds is key. The Foundation first focused on just closing the achievement gap for reading and math, but then realized, even when students were at grade level, their graduation rates were still lower than other populations, so they created this program.

    “We interviewed people in the community to find out what were some of the barriers and the key was that our kids weren’t really prepared. They didn’t really know or understand what kinds of careers were out there, or what those careers meant or how high school connected to careers, and so we set out to try to do that for them,” said Heller. 

    Through field trips like this, and a partnership with Pinellas Technical College, Heller says the gap is closing because these teenagers now have goals.

    “If you can stay focused on the goal and why you’re there, it makes all the difference,” she said. 

    Torri’s goal is to become a cosmetologist, and she says through the friends she’s made here, there’s nothing that can stop her.

    “You don’t find a lot of people like that at school and stuff. If they’re in the program, then they’re learning a lot of the same stuff you are and you can talk to them about that kind of stuff,” said Torri.

    Students in the High School M.A.S.T.R. Plan Program are exposed to eight different career trades at Pinellas Technical College, and also learn how to interview and communicate, as well as financial literacy.

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    Fallon Silcox

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  • Camp Early Bird helps Polk County students prepare for kindergarten

    Camp Early Bird helps Polk County students prepare for kindergarten

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — You’ve heard the saying “the early bird gets the worm,” and in a summer camp offered by Polk County Schools, the “worm” is confident, capable kindergarteners. 

    The district offers “Camp Early Bird” over the summer to children who will be starting kindergarten in the fall, and the goal is to get campers on the same level and ready to begin “real” school.

    What You Need To Know

    • Camp Early Bird is offered by Polk County Schools to incoming kindergartners

    • Campers learn letters, numbers and work on social-emotional skills

    • Camp Early Bird is free, and registration opens every April


    According to the University of Florida’s Lastinger Center for Learning, 40% of children walk into kindergarten one to three years behind, and those students struggle to catch up.  

    According to the center’s research, most never catch up, which is why Polk County Schools say Camp Early Bird is so important.

    It looks like it’s all fun and games, but the children in Camp Early Bird are actually hard at work, going through a kindergarten crash course.

    “We try to provide enrichment for kids who’ve already been exposed to our VPK (voluntary prekindergarten) curriculum, but some of our kids have not had any exposure,” said Dr. Ben Henry, a regional superintendent for Polk County Schools. “We provide them certain intervention to really get ready for Day 1.”

    Henry said the district started Camp Early Bird three years ago, and it’s grown every year. Students work on learning the basics while having fun. 

    “We do certain things with language for learning, which really gets kids some of the language acquisition skills they need to be ready for the first day of school. We do some number sense activities,” Henry said.

    Social-emotional skills are also very important for incoming kindergartners, and he said a puppet named “Al” helps teachers with those lessons.

    “Al teaches our kids how to really get ready for the first day of school and be able to express some of the emotions they feel so they can have that first day of school and first adventure in big school to be something they’re excited about,” Henry said.

    Getting students excited about learning is most important, Henry said.

    All kindergarteners are given a readiness test, and there’s a direct correlation between those who score well on it, and their future academic success, according to Henry.

    “When we start looking at our kindergarten rate of success and getting them ready for kindergarten, in a couple years we look at third grade reading scores, and we want kids to be ready, so we can really start all kids on the right path starting in kindergarten by third grade. They’ll be ready to read and be successful for everything moving forward,” he said.

    With a head start, students are set for success. 

    The school district accepts open registration for Camp Early Bird every April. The camp is free, and students also receive free breakfast and lunch. 

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    Fallon Silcox

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  • Bay area woman and recent West Point grad makes history

    Bay area woman and recent West Point grad makes history

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A St. Pete native, who had hoped to go to college on a track scholarship and make her family proud, has found herself on the list of history makers in the Bay area.

    What You Need To Know

    • St. Petersburg native Jazmine Alderman became the first African American female graduate from Admiral Farragut Academy, to go to the United States Military Academy West Point

    • It was a first for any female student in the St. Pete school’s history

    • Alderman is hoping to serve as an example for young girls in her community


    Jazmine Alderman became the first African American female graduate from the prominent private school, Admiral Farragut Academy, to go to the United States Military Academy West Point.

    It was a first for any female African American student in the St. Pete school’s history.

    Alderman said she had planned to just run track at the school, but once she got involved more, she studied, got accepted and then graduated from the prestigious military academy.

    This semester, she graduated and celebrated the history-making moment and an accomplishment she was able to celebrate alongside 49 other young Black women at West Point.

    She’s hoping to serve as an example for young girls in her community.

    “I think hopefully this gives them encouragement. I know for me, I definitely want to use my voice to share this opportunity that I had, because I know there’s plenty of other kids out here for the younger generation who can use the same avenue that I used,” she said.

    Alderman will head back to New York before going to her first assignment.

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    Saundra Weathers

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  • Returning to Japan: SPIFFS foreign exchange program restarts

    Returning to Japan: SPIFFS foreign exchange program restarts

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A St. Petersburg foreign exchange student program with Japan is starting back up after a four-year hiatus.

    What You Need To Know

    • The St. Petersburg International Folk Fair Society hasn’t sent students to Japan for four years

    • Between border closings and vaccine requirements due to the pandemic, it wasn’t until this spring the decision came to send students again

    • In total, three students are heading to Japan and three are coming to St. Petersburg from Takamatsu, each staying with a host family


    Paused because of the pandemic, the St. Petersburg International Folk Fair Society (SPIFFS) is thrilled to send students across the globe once again. 

    Madison Schmitz is one of the students embarking on a journey to Takamatsu, Japan.

    From Japanese manga, pop culture, to music, Madison said she’s always been fascinated by Japanese culture.

    “It’s one thing to research their culture, any sort of culture from a distance,” she said. “It’s entirely different to actually be immersed in it.”

    Between border closings and vaccine requirements due to the pandemic, it wasn’t until this spring the decision came to restart the program.

    Madison is thrilled to explore Takamatsu, but she’s just as eager to welcome a Japanese student to the area.

    “One of the biggest things I’m excited about with this program is being able to have the chance to show off St. Pete,” she said.

    In total, three students are heading to Japan for ten days and three are coming to St. Petersburg from Takamatsu, each staying with a host family.

    After the trip is finished, Madison will create a project about what she learned and share it with other students.

    Applications for the 2025 exchange program will open Dec. 1.

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    Matt Lackritz

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  • Nonprofit foundation helps south St. Pete students close achievement gap

    Nonprofit foundation helps south St. Pete students close achievement gap

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A Pinellas County nonprofit is determined to close the achievement gap for underserved students in south St. Petersburg, and their work doesn’t stop over the summer. 

    The Shirley Proctor Puller Foundation offers the M.A.S.T.R. kids program while school is out to help prevent what’s known as the “summer slide.” 

    What You Need To Know

    • The Shirley Proctor Puller Foundation offers the M.A.S.T.R. kids program while school is out to help prevent what’s known as the “summer slide”
       
    • M.A.S.T.R. stands for “Math, Art, Science, Technology, and Reading,” all of which are covered, and the foundation says 80% of its students at least maintain with more than half who show gains in reading and math

    • The nonprofit says statistics show only 27% of Black students read at their grade level, but by coming here and working with certified teachers all summer, they’ve seen that number increase to 64% through their program


    M.A.S.T.R. stands for “Math, Art, Science, Technology, and Reading,” all of which are covered, and the foundation says 80% of its students at least maintain with more than half who show gains in reading and math.

    M.A.S.T.R. kids are spending their summer having fun while learning. 

    “We know that summer slide is real and instead of having the scholars slide, we have them immersed still in their academics, but through fun, hands-on ways of learning,” said Keisha Snead, the academic director for the Shirley Proctor Puller Foundation.

    Snead has worked with elementary school children for 24 years, and it’s her passion. She says there are about 150 M.A.S.T.R. kids total, at two locations in south St. Pete. At the beginning of the summer, all the kids take a test to see what their ability level is and they’re grouped accordingly.

    “We’re trying to close that achievement gap by filling in those things you don’t know, so those foundational skills you may be missing — phonics, high-frequency words — you may not have a true solid understanding of those things, which is hindering you from not necessarily reading, but comprehending what you’re reading,” said Snead.

    She said statistics show only 27% of Black students read at their grade level, but by coming here and working with certified teachers all summer, they’ve seen that number increase to 64%.

    It’s not just reading where students are improving: Snead says students are also taught about their culture and history, like learning about Juneteenth.

    This summer’s theme is “Inventors and Inventions 101,” encouraging these young scholars to be creative.

    “Just because you think it, it doesn’t have to stay in your thoughts. You can put some power behind it and it can become reality,” she said.

    M.A.S.T.R. kids are also tested throughout the summer and at the end to monitor the progress they’re making. The Shirley Proctor Puller Foundation also offers an after-school program during the school year, where they pick up students from 21 schools in the area. 

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    Fallon Silcox

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  • College graduates face potential targeting for scams

    College graduates face potential targeting for scams

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    COLUMBUS, Ohio — Graduation can be one of the happiest days of a student’s life, but it can also make them easy targets for scammers.

    What You Need To Know

    • Scammers will target recent graduates through email, phone or a hoax link

    • Graduates should be weary of people calling about loan forgiveness programs 

    • Employment scams were the number one riskiest scam for ages 18-44

    As graduates gear up for their next opportunity, scammers might target them claiming a former student has an unpaid tuition bill, has been enrolled in a student loan forgiveness program or is being offered a “can’t miss” job opportunity.

    The Better Business of Central Ohio shares some things recent graduates should know to protect themselves. 

    • If a scammer claims to have a loan forgiveness opportunity — graduates should know not to pay any fees upfront and know the ins and outs of their current student loans (interests, payment dates, payment amounts, etc.)

    • If someone reaches out claiming that a former student has unpaid tuition, they’ll often threaten to resend your degree. The BBB suggests calling your school directly if this happens

    • According to the BBB’s 2023 risk report, employment scams were the number one riskiest scam for ages 18 to 44. Indicators that it’s a scam will be a claimed recruiter asking you to pay for training and often want access to personal information. 

    Judy Dollison, who serves as the President of the Central Ohio BBB, said that employment scams can be one of the most dangerous and hard to spot. 

    “Get on the website of that company and see if they’re listing that position on their website,” said Dollison. “If those aren’t listed on their website, then it’s likely a scam. You know, it’s best to go directly to the source and scammers are known to use those real company names, so if you have to, just call the company and verify the information.”

    Dollison said whether it’s a job offer or a claimed loan forgiveness program, recent graduates can always use the BBB website to cross reference if a business or organization is accredited. Recent graduates want to be wary of giving information out to unknown numbers, websites or email addresses. They should also be cautious of what they post on social media because anyone could be looking and tracking. It’s also important to stay cool, calm and collected. If a graduate feels pressured to act within minutes and thinks it’s a scam, it most likely is. 

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    Jamilah Muhammad

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  • Manatee County moms to turn homeschool co-op, Unschool Squad, into a nonprofit

    Manatee County moms to turn homeschool co-op, Unschool Squad, into a nonprofit

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — More families in Florida are homeschooling their children. According to the Florida Department of Education, it has increased more than 69% in the 2021-2022 school year since 2017.

    What You Need To Know

    • Three Manatee County moms, Brandy Lemire, Allee Noordzy, and Stephanie Moyers started a year-round homeschool co-op called Unschool Squad

    • The moms said they plan on becoming a nonprofit by 2025 to make school free for families 

    • According to the Florida Department of Education, homeschooling has increased more than 69% in the 2021-2022 school year since 2017

    • The kids are learning to run their own business at Menchies at UTC on Friday, June 28, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

    Brandy Lemire and other moms don’t want their kids to have a “typical day at school.”

    “You don’t get to experience things like this. Most schools you are sitting at a desk,” Lemire said.

    Lemire is part of a group of moms in Manatee County that started a year-round homeschool co-op called Unschool Squad. Allee Noordzy, Stephanie Moyers, and Lemire all started the co-op together.

    They created the program in March and already have 50 students enrolled.

    “With the way public school is today, you have zero control over what your kids are learning. So we created this co-op so we could teach the kids what we felt we wanted them to learn,” Lemire said.

    The students went to Menchie’s this month to learn about business and finance. They got to experience firsthand what it would be like to run a business and learned how to write checks and pay the monthly rent.

    “How much did you think the rent was? Did you think it was $10,000? $1,600? What did you think?” she asked the students.

    However, before taking field trips, the group learns the basics in more formal educational situations.

    “If we do excursions and classes and whatnot, they will focus more, they’ll retain it better, and they’ll actually enjoy learning,” she said.

    The goal is to give students some freedom.

    “Their attention span is really short. So if we can do something with the fidget game or something with counting the blocks, it keeps their hands and their minds engaged,” she said.

    This way of learning has been so successful for the families that these moms decided to turn their homeschool co-op into a nonprofit, they claim.

    “These are the options we found. You can either become a 501(c)(3) or a 508(c)(1)(a). And so we’re trying to navigate which one is best for us to do,” she said.

    They hope to make the school free for families.

    “2024, things are crazy expensive. And so I think if we can make it free for families, no family can ever say, like, ‘hey, I can’t go because I can’t afford it,’” she said.

    Now the students are gearing up for their next field trip.

    They are creating tie-dye scrunchies, bracelets, shirts, and other items to sell at their own market while using their new finance and business skills.

    “The stuff we are teaching them is real-life skills that they aren’t teaching in public school,” Lemire said.

    These moms aim to make a difference by pushing their students to focus on real-life experiences.

    The moms said they plan on becoming a nonprofit by 2025. The class will be completing their finance month during their next class on June 28. The students will be selling their handmade items and learning what it means to own their own business for a day.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Dozens petition Hernando school board to save removed principal’s job

    Dozens petition Hernando school board to save removed principal’s job

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    BROOKSVILLE, Fla. — Dozens of teachers and staff members came out to Tuesday night’s Hernando County school board meeting to show support for the longtime principal of Deltona Elementary.

    The district removed Debi Shellabarger from her position earlier this month after nearly 15 years at the school. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Dozens of supporters came out to Tuesday’s Hernando County school board meeting to show support for the longtime principal of Deltona Elementary

    • The district removed Debi Shellabarger from her position earlier this month after nearly 15 years at the school

    • The district did not provide further information on Tuesday night

    Those who know and work with her call it a shocking decision.

    Her supporters showed up to the meeting with “SHELLABARGER STRONG” T-shirts.

    Nearly a dozen teachers, parents, and community members showed their support while speaking to the board. They provided the board with petitions with more than 600 signatures asking to save Shellabarger’s job.

    The district sent a letter to parents and staff earlier this month, stating Shellabarger will not return as principal next school year.

    “I’m still trying to figure out what my reaction is, because it’s just shocking,” said Kenny Hill, Deltona Elementary ESE Resource. “She cares about her teachers as much as she cares about her students.”

    The school board’s attorney advised members during the meeting not to comment on the situation.

    But Shellabarger’s supporters say she was let go because she compensated staff with flex time for working extra hours in a way that may have clashed with district policy.

    Speakers told board members Shellabarger didn’t do that with ill intent and that the policy was unclear and recently had to be rewritten.

    Those who spoke at the meeting praised Shellabarger’s more than 20 years with the district.

    They told the board that since she arrived at Deltona in 2010, she took the ESE-focused school from a “D” to a “B” rating. 

    Several called her a fierce advocate for students and said kids are the ones losing out. They asked the district to reconsider the decision.

    “As legal said, we can’t really get into it, just know that you are appreciated for being here tonight,” said John Stratton, Hernando School District Superintendent.

    The district did not provide further information on Tuesday night.

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • SofWolf offers STEM program at USF St. Pete for Gold Star family members

    SofWolf offers STEM program at USF St. Pete for Gold Star family members

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Around 25 high school and college students from across the country came to the University of South Florida St. Pete campus in June to take part in SofWolf‘s STEM program for military families. 

    What You Need To Know

    • The STEM program, with a focus on machine learning, automation, robotics and more, is for military youth between the ages of 16-24

    • The program happens once a year but they’re looking to expand
    • Many of the attendees lost a family member that was serving on active duty


    With a focus on machine learning, automation, robotics and more, program leaders say they try to bring in Gold Star family members like Jada Newman, who lost her father while serving in the military.

    The company’s co-founder, Mike Vaughn, said it’s their way of giving back to those who served.

    For Newman, she said the program is about much more than learning. It’s a chance for her to remember her father, who served in the army for nearly a decade.  

    “He wanted to protect everyone that lived in this country and he especially wanted to protect us,” she said. “He knew there would be people who work with him that would take care of us.” 

    Newman is attending nursing school in the fall but sees the course as a way to stay connected to her father.  

    This is Newman’s 6th year attending the program, saying Vaughn and the other leaders have been instrumental in helping her grow. 

    “I think he’d be glad that people are coming around us and supporting us and teaching us skills that we can use that maybe he would have taught us,” she said. “If I can be even half the person he was, I would be successful and a good human being.”

    Vaughn said they hope to expand to other parts of the country and hold the lessons more than once a year.

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    Matt Lackritz

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  • BayCare nurse camp hopes to inspire next generation of health care workers

    BayCare nurse camp hopes to inspire next generation of health care workers

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    DUNEDIN, Fla. — It only takes a second to create that spark of interested needed to shape a child’s life. And a camp is hoping to do that as it exposes students to nursing and other health care careers.

    “This is how we do blood draws for babies,” said a BayCare nurse at Diane Rauch Camp Nurse Jr. 

    What You Need To Know

    • The camp, held at Mease Dunedin Hospital, is offering students entering seventh and eighth grade the opportunity to explore nursing and other health care careers

    • Students get exposure to a multitude of health care fields during the three-day camp and receive hands-on training in vital signs and CPR
    • Students must apply to get into the camp by email: campnursejr@baycare.org
    • 24 students were accepted into the camp this year. 


    Patricia Cronin is a rising eighth grader at Palm Harbor Middle School. She knew she wanted to be a part of this camp for a while, with family members who are nurses. 

    “How the nurses were helping patients with their medications, helping patients get up and moving around,” said Cronin. “I just talked about how like it’s like how much stuff they have to do because it’s really crazy how much they have to handle.”

    Cronin is one of 24 students who applied to be BayCare’s Diane Rauch Camp Nurse Jr.

    “So, this is the sixth year since the camp has been renamed. And I just can’t wait to see what you guys do in the future in health care,” said Heather Peirce-Wheeler, the daughter of the camp’s namesake. 

    The goal of the camp is to educate middle schoolers on many health care jobs. 

    “I’m hoping that I make this fun enough where they realize they can have a job they love. And thankfully, even last year I had two campers who are now BayCare employees, and one is a nurse and one is currently a tech in nursing school. And they came to Camp Nurse Junior as children,” said Megan Tartaglia, BayCare Nursing Professional Development practitioner.

    They have learned a lot this week, from vital signs, CPR and lab and pathology. 

    For Cronin, it has already inspired her to think about other careers beyond nursing. 

    “I’m thinking about a pharmacy being a pharmacist, but I’m not sure yet. Maybe a nurse, maybe a pharmacist,” said Cronin.

    Students must apply to be in the camp. The application process usually opens in February for that year. Students are accepted on a first come, first served basis.

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    Erin Murray

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  • Kent State expands Police Training Academy

    Kent State expands Police Training Academy

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    Warren, OHIO — Police departments across the country are struggling to find enough police officers, and Kent State is hoping to address that shortage by opening a new police training facility in Twinsburg. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Police agencies across the country are eperiencing officer shortages

    • Kent State is expanding their police academy to help attract more officers to the field of law enforcement

    • Cadets get hands-on expereince and go through simulation training at Kent State’s police academy 

    Cadets go through simulation training to prepare them for real-life scenarios they might encounter as police officers.

    “Don’t be John Wayne. You’re outnumbered, you need back up, you need assistance, call for it,” advised Jim Willock, Director Public Safety Training and Police Academies at Kent State while speaking to a police academy cadet. 

    Kent State is planning to expand their police academy in Twinsburg, he said.

    According to a survey from the Police Executive Research Forum, police staffing levels are down and resignations are up. In 2021, the number of resignations increased by more than 40%. Kent State hopes expanding their police academy will help address that problem.  

    “We have multiple classrooms for our cadets,” Willock said.

    The current academy on Kent State’s main campus has only one classroom for training. 

    At the academy, cadets get hands-on learning for how to handle situations police officers might encounter.

    “All of our simulations, there’s lecture and PowerPoint presentations,” Willock said.

    Willock showed Spectrum News 1 around the Trumbull Campus where cadets currently train. The new facility in Twinsburg will be modeled after this facility.

    “The police academy is housed out of here. Even when we were on the main campus, this was the main academy,” Willock said.

    The Trumbull Campus will continue to be the main campus for the Academy, and Twinsburg will be a satellite campus that serves the Cleveland area and northern part of the state, according to Willock. 

    “Here’s our multipurpose room or regional training classroom. We can train up to 50 police officers in this room. Last week we had police officers from all over the state in here,” Willock said during a tour.

    One of the training exercises involves domestic violence training with actors.

    “You’re actually able to go into a scenario where they’re actually fighting, yelling, swearing, trying to hit each other. You’re able to go in and get kind of the adrenaline pump that you would get and be able to calm yourself down and do what you need to do,” Academy Cadet Noah Benza said.

    Because of these staffing shortages, Willock said now is one of the best times to become a police officer.

    “Young people, but anyone that wants to make a difference, wants to get a job that is going to pay well and have good benefits and that gives you a future, so you can make a difference in your community and make a good living at the same time,” he said.

    Most cadets secure jobs by the time they complete their training and start out earning more than $70,000 a year. Some are reimbursed for their tuition and hired or sponsored by agencies while in the Academy.

    They plan to move in to the Twinsburg facility in July for limited training. The Twinsburg location will be fully operational in January 2025, according to Willock.

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    Desirae Gostlin

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  • ‘FUNctionable Clubhouse’ now open at the Nina Harris ESE Center

    ‘FUNctionable Clubhouse’ now open at the Nina Harris ESE Center

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    PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — Pinellas County students at the Nina Harris ESE Center have a brand new “FUNctionable Clubhouse,” thanks to the Mr. Strong Foundation. All the students have special needs and the clubhouse allows them to play and receive therapy, all at the same time.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Mr. Strong Foundation created the FUNctionable Clubhouse, where students can play while receiving therapy
    • Michelle Morales, creator of the Mr. Strong Foundation, says being a parent to a special needs child has its challenges, but one of the hardest to overcome is the financial aspects of their care

    • The Mr. Strong Foundation is a nonprofit that provides funding for special needs children to get the therapy services they need, but often aren’t covered by insurance

    “Are you going to do ‘shake, shake, shake?’” Michelle Morales asked her son, Landon, while he played a special new video game in the FUNctionable Clubhouse.

    “Landon is 14 years old. He has cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, autism, sensory processing disorder — those are just his diagnoses — but it’s definitely not who he is. He is the happiest little kid. He makes my world,” she said.

    Landon has attended the Nina Harris ESE Center since he was three years old. Morales says being a parent to a special needs child has its challenges, but one of the hardest to overcome is the financial aspects of their care.

    “I was constantly sitting in waiting rooms and I would hear other parents talk about therapies that they needed for their kids, and they couldn’t afford it,” she said.

    Which is why Morales started the Mr. Strong Foundation. It’s a nonprofit that provides funding for special needs children to get the therapy services they need, but often aren’t covered by insurance, and the brand new FUNctionable Clubhouse is one way to do that.

    “A lot of them are adaptive equipment, so even though they’re fun things, they’re actually using their dexterity and fine motor skills, so it’s actually doing therapy in here, but they don’t know they’re doing it,” said Morales.

    There are all kinds of fun and therapeutic activities, like the Rocket League video game Landon likes to play. It’s a co-pilot game where Landon is in charge of shaking his controller to kick the ball.

    Morales says the FUNctionable Clubhouse provides these kids with a safe space where they don’t have to be on the sidelines — they’re in the game.

    “It’s a great space for them to interact and just play with their peers and it’s a place that is safe, and just have fun with their therapist, but in a place where there’s no judgement,” she said.

    The creation of the FUNctionable Clubhouse was made possible with support from several local nonprofits and private donors, like former Tampa Bay Rays player Evan Longoria. 

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    Fallon Silcox

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  • Pasco County school volunteers will incur charge for screening

    Pasco County school volunteers will incur charge for screening

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    PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — This coming school year, helping out will cost Pasco County school volunteers more than just their time.

    What You Need To Know

    • IN the coming school year, all Pasco County school volunteers will be required to pay $41.25 for a Level 2 background screening

    • District officials say it is necessary to ensure students safety, but some parents say they worry it will discourage people from volunteering

    • Volunteer applications will open July 1.

    Starting Aug. 1, all volunteers will be required to pay $41.25 for a Level 2 background screening. District officials say it is necessary to ensure students safety, but some parents say they worry the cost will discourage people from volunteering.

    “While I agree with increasing security, it puts and undue strain on families, especially the poorer families,” said Danielle Dukes, who has three boys, aged 8, 10 and 11.

    She has volunteered at their school for the last few years, but while she has the time to give this coming school year, she doesn’t have the money.

    “I know myself, I’m struggling with how I’m going to be able to pay the fee,” she said. “Because they want you to do it 30 days ahead of time. So that pretty much gives us until the end of the month.”

    Pasco County Schools sent all of its volunteers an email a few days ago to let them know about changes to volunteer requirements and the application process. 

    “Some of our schools, especially our Title I schools, they have a hard enough time getting volunteers as it is, because a lot of the families work two, three jobs, or they just don’t have the ability to give their time,” Dukes said. “And the ones that can, can’t necessarily afford the fee.”

    With nationwide teacher and staff shortages, Dukes says she has noticed volunteers at her boys’ school doing more, and playing a crucial role in students’ education. She said she worries what will happen without them.

    “If there’s only a couple left at the end now, and people are going to struggle to pay the fees, we’re going to really struggle having volunteers to do anything,” she said.

    Pasco County Schools volunteer applications will open July 1.

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    Fallon Silcox

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  • School District of Manatee County considers workforce housing for teachers

    School District of Manatee County considers workforce housing for teachers

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    BRADENTON, Fla. — The School District of Manatee County is looking into building workforce housing for its teachers and staff.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Manatee County School Board met with a local developer that specializes in workforce housing

    • Members said the rental units would be available to teachers and staff for about 30% to 40% below market rate

    • Board is considering building two four-story buildings with apartments on land the district already owns that’s adjacent to the Professional Support Center in Bradenton

    The Manatee County School Board is currently exploring the idea, saying preliminary results from a survey show there is interest. The idea is to help teachers and staff who are struggling to afford a place to live

    The board has met with a local developer that specializes in workforce housing. They say the rental units would be available to teachers and staff for about 30% to 40% below market rate.

    “In today’s workforce, retaining and recruiting our quality teachers and quality staff is of the utmost importance,” said School District of Manatee County executive director of administration Kevin Chapman.

    Chapman said that’s what affordable workforce housing can do, and it’s the reason so many school districts across the state are considering it.

    “I think most school districts are exploring the idea, as you take a parcel of land and there’s a few acres left that a school doesn’t really fit on there, that this could be an idea using workforce housing,” he said.

    The School District of Manatee County is considering building two four-story buildings with apartments on land the district already owns. Board members met with a local developer, One Stop Housing, that specializes in these type of projects, and they’re in the process of surveying employees now.

    “We have over 6,000 employees here, we’re the largest employer in Manatee County, so we wanted to see if our employees were interested in a one-bedroom, a studio, three-bedroom type of apartment — what would rent need to be?” Chapman said.

    One Stop Housing converted a Bradenton motel into affordable apartments, and has plans to build additional workforce housing on that site, too.  Chapman said by providing teachers with a housing option, Manatee County will be able to attract the best and brightest, which would ultimately benefit students.

    “The School District of Manatee County has one of the highest starting salaries for teachers in the Tampa Bay area,” he said. “And if you add an opportunity for workforce housing to that competitive salary, I think that really puts us at a place where teachers and other staff would want to come here and work.”

    The survey has been open for less than one month, and Chapman said more than 1,000 employees have already completed it, so the interest seems to be there.

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    Fallon Silcox

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  • ‘Summer Break Spot’ feeds Manatee Co. children breakfast and lunch during summer

    ‘Summer Break Spot’ feeds Manatee Co. children breakfast and lunch during summer

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    BRADENTON, Fla. — With food costing more, and many families struggling, the Summer Break Spot program is helping feed thousands of children this summer. 

    What You Need To Know

    • USDA’s “Summer Break Spot” feeds children breakfast and lunch during summer months

    • School District of Manatee County is raising price of school lunch for 2024-25 school year

    • Applications for benefits for free or reduced school lunch will be accepted in July

    It’s a federal program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and officials with the School District of Manatee County say they’ve seen a steady increase in the number of families taking advantage of it in recent years. 

    “It’s really important that kids stay fed over the summer, so that when they come back to school they’re ready to learn, they have the proper nutrition,” said Skye Grundy, the School District of Manatee County’s Supervisor of Student Nutrition.

    On Wednesday, Skye helped at one of the mobile Summer Break Spots — a school bus turned mobile meal service that brings breakfast and lunch to kids in Manatee County.

    Skye said the School District of Manatee County facilitates the Summer Break Spot program with 65 locations, including some mobile locations.

    “We started this about eight years ago, and we were going to be happy if we got 20 people to show up to a mobile spot,” she said. “And now we serve almost 300 a day at Lincoln Park, so it’s really taken off.”

    Spectrum Bay News 9/Fallon Silcox

    Anyone under the age of 18 can come out for a free meal. There’s no registration or application needed, but despite the need, the school district says it is forced to raise the price of school lunch this coming school year. Lunch for elementary school students will go up $0.35 to $3.10, and secondary school lunch will go up $0.40 to $3.40.

    “Unfortunately, with the situation with inflation the last few years, we’ve had to keep pace with our meal prices,” said Regina Thoma, the School District of Manatee County’s director of Food & Nutrition Services. “Fortunately for us in Manatee County, breakfast is free for all students, at all schools, regardless of income. We also have 25 schools this year that will be part of the USDA’s Community Eligibility Program where lunch will also be free for the students at those schools.” 

    Thomas said that food at schools isn’t funded by the school district. It’s self-sustaining, and the funding comes from the USDA through the Florida Department of Agriculture. She says there has been a 19% increase in food prices over the last two years, a 16% increase in utility costs, and a 10% increase in labor costs. 

    With only 14,000 students in Manatee County who are considered “full pay,” Thomas said no student will go hungry. However, since pandemic programs that provided free meals to all students are now over, more families may find themselves needing some help.

    “If you do feel that you can qualify for meal benefits that you please apply,” she said. “It’s an important resource that’s available to our community.”

    Applications for benefits for free or reduced lunch will become available in July.

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    Fallon Silcox

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  • Pinellas school board unanimously approves new cell phone policy

    Pinellas school board unanimously approves new cell phone policy

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    LARGO, Fla. — Pinellas County School Board members unanimously approved a cell phone policy that creates a standard set of guidelines for all students in the school district. The policy is set to take effect in August.

    Until now, it was up to the discretion of each individual principal to determine school cell phone rules.

    What You Need To Know

    • Pinellas County School Board members approved a district-wide cell phone policy

    • To date, it’s up to the discretion of each individual principal

    • The policy is set to take effect in August

    The new policy states that elementary school students must keep phones and other similar devices in the ‘off’ position and stored away during the school day. Phones can be used once the day concludes to coordinate transportation.

    Middle school students have the same guidelines as the elementary schools, but may additionally use phones before school.

    Meantime, high school students can leave their phones on silent but may only use them before and after school, during lunch, and when transitioning between classes. Phones cannot be used in ways that violate academic integrity, in restrooms, locker rooms, or swimming areas. Photos or video recordings cannot be taken while at school without prior consent.

    All rules for cell phones for each age group also apply to smartwatches, the policy states. They must be turned to silent mode during the day and removed during district and state assessments.

    Earlier this year, the school district surveyed more than 8,000 students, parents, and teachers and gathered information on what they felt the best way to enforce the new policy would be. Area Superintendent Dywayne Hinds told school board members during an April meeting that after the policy gets approved, the district will create a plan for how it will be rolled out to teachers and students and create guidelines for students who violate policy.

    “When we did the survey, we did include questions on the survey that gave us some information about what are reasonable consequences of the specific policies related to cell phones,” Hinds said. “So these are things we’ll also be sharing with our administrators when it comes to best practices as they roll this out in their schools.”

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    Angie Angers

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  • One million students will soon get access to food assistance

    One million students will soon get access to food assistance

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    WAKE COUNTY, N.C. — For the first time, more than one million North Carolina students will be eligible for extra food assistance this summer. The state is taking part in a new USDA program known as SUN Bucks to help prevent child hunger while school is out until the fall.

    What You Need To Know

    • A new USDA program, SUN Bucks, helps prevent child hunger while school is out

    • SUN Bucks is a one-time $120 benefit that will be issued Friday, June 14

    • For eligible students, SUN Bucks will loaded onto current EBT cards and all others will get a SUN Bucks card in the mail
    • Any store that accepts EBT cards will take these SUN Bucks benefits as well

    Nearly 60% of public school students across the state qualify for free and reduced-price meals at school. This SUN Bucks program is meant to help those students, as well as others who may be eligible.

    “900,000 students in North Carolina depend upon meals at school during the school year for their primary source of nutrition,” Dr. Lynn Harvey, the NC DPI School Nutrition Services Director, said.

    Harvey adds that a well-balanced meal is something some kids only experience while they’re at school.

    “In fact, for many students, it’s the best, most nutritious meal they’re going to have. And for others, it may be the only meals they have,” Harvey said.

    Harvey says the impact food can have on growing bodies and minds has been proven time and time again.

    “Children can’t learn when they’re hungry. They’re limited in their capacity to pay attention in the classroom fully. When we make sure they’re well nourished, when they’re well-fed, they can concentrate, they can focus on the task at hand. They can achieve their best,” Harvey said.

    While these meals are consistent during the school year, there’s a gap the state is hoping to fill.

    “So what happens when school’s out for the summer months? Those meals are not there,” Harvey said.

    This year, for the first time, more than one million North Carolina students will be eligible for extra food assistance over the summer, a one-time $120 benefit known as SUN Bucks.

    “The SUN Bucks program will provide cash assistance to children and, of course, to their households that will enable them to purchase groceries throughout the summer months,” Harvey said.

    Those who already receive no-cost or reduced-cost meals at school, take part in Food and Nutrition Services, receive Medicaid with income below 185% of the federal poverty level or are in foster care, automatically qualify for the program.

    The program is just one way to make sure students aren’t forgotten about and are ready to learn when they come back to school in the fall.

    “We hope to close that summer gap so that children won’t be hungry during the summer months, as many have been in years past,” Harvey said.

    SUN Bucks benefits will be distributed starting Friday, June 14.

    Families and kids who currently receive food and nutrition services like food stamps will see their SUN Bucks loaded onto their current EBT cards. All others will get a SUN Bucks card in the mail. Any store that accepts EBT cards will take these SUN Bucks benefits as well.

    North Carolina is one of only three states in the Food and Nutrition Services Southeast Region to take advantage of this new USDA program.

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    Kyleigh Panetta

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