New Tampa families looking for a private, Christian education for children in grades pre-kindergarten (Pre-K) through high school will soon have another option — thanks to the Florida Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists.
Scheduled to open for the 2018-19 academic year, the still-unnamed school will be located on County Line Rd., on the New Tampa (south) side of the road. A groundbreaking ceremony for the school was held at the school’s future location on Nov. 6.
The Florida Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists has hired Georgia-based School Growth to manage all aspects of the school’s opening, aside from the design and construction of the building.
“We work with the Department of Education and the Florida Conference to design everything from the structure of the school, its operation, brand, and curriculum, to human resources strategies,” explains Scott Barron, the founder and CEO of School Growth.
The campus will occupy about 43 acres of land. In the fall of 2018, it is expected to be open to students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, although Barron says the school would enroll a ninth grade class if there is enough demand for it. Higher grades will be added in subsequent years.
“We expect to attract families looking for a more personalized approach to learning,” says Barron, who explains that the school will emphasize project-based learning and will provide, “awareness and support for each student as an individual.”
Barron says his company works with public and private schools all over the world and can take best practices from these schools — as well as the best professional development strategies — to implement one of the most advanced schools anywhere. “It’s kind of like a dream school,” he says.
The school will integrate outdoor learning as an essential focus of its curriculum. Barron says his company is working with an ecological architect to create an estuary and outdoor classroom, and take advantage of retention ponds on the property, so that students will be able to learn about birds and other wildlife that are attracted to the campus.
“We can do this in a way you can’t in many other locations,” says Barron. “First of all, because of the weather, and then also because of the natural features of the land.”
Barron says Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, which is owned by the Adventist Health System, part of the worldwide organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, is supporting the school by providing resources for its development.
Architects for the project are Fielding Nair International, a global firm that builds schools worldwide, which has an office in Lutz, and St. Petersburg-based Wannemacher Jensen Architects, Inc.
Owner Amanda Justus (left) and director Heather Perez invite you to check out KidsPark, located just off I-75 on S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel.
KidsPark is a totally new concept in childcare for the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel area.
“If you’re a mom, you get it,” says Amanda Justus, the owner of the KidsPark Tampa, located just off of S.R. 56, east of I-75, in Wesley Chapel. She explains that KidsPark is available for children ages 2 through 12, for drop-in childcare.
“We offer hourly childcare on days, evenings and weekends with no reservations,” says Amanda. “For date nights, meetings, grocery shopping, appointments, anything… you just drop your kids off.”
The concept is popular. Since opening in August, KidsPark has registered about 600 families. The Wesley Chapel location is part of a growing franchise headquartered in San Jose, CA. Its 17 locations are in seven states, including three KidsPark facilities in Florida.
“My first experience with hourly childcare was when I was living in North Carolina and my husband was in the Marines,” Amanda says. “Hourly childcare saved my life. Sometimes, it was the only way for me to get to the store or clean the house.”
Amanda and her husband Ricky live in Wesley Chapel with their two children, Camryn, who is 10, and Gavin, who is 6. Amanda worked as a microbiologist at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel before leaving her job to focus on opening and running KidsPark. While her undergraduate degree is in microbiology from the University of South Florida in Tampa, she also holds a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from nearby St. Leo University, which she earned in 2013.
“I’ve always wanted to own my own business, and I knew this was something the area needed,” she says.
When Amanda realized that she could open a KidsPark franchise, she says she signed the paperwork immediately, “And, it’s exceeded our expectations.”
KidsPark’s full-time director, Heather Perez, has 20 years of experience as a preschool director in Pasco County. “Heather has been a huge help for me,” says Amanda. “My background is in science, so it’s great that Heather understands all of the licensing and requirements.”
Meeting Your Needs
For anyone who works 12-hour shifts or evening hours, such as nurses, servers, or anyone in retail, traditional daycare just doesn’t work. Amanda says that since her husband is a firefighter, she used to pay for full-time childcare, even though she didn’t need it.
Whether your kids are pre-school age or as old as age 12, they are welcome to enjoy KidsPark.
Dads and moms apparently like it for date night, too. “Parents tell us we’re saving their marriages,” says Amanda. “Dads actually high-five us and say thank you.”
KidsPark has something for all kids, from dramatic play to air hockey, board games and puzzles, as well as karaoke, Wii dance, Wii sports, and Xbox. Kids Park also has a private, enclosed outdoor space so kids can get some fresh air.
While visitors to KidsPark get time for open play, there also are scheduled activities. “We try to make sure every child takes home a craft or art project,” Amanda says, “so parents can see what they’ve been doing.”
KidsPark serves lunch at noon every day, and dinner at 6 p.m. The meals are catered and cost just $4. Snacks are provided at no additional charge at 10 a.m., 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.
“It’s huge to know that you always have child care, and – unlike what might happen with a babysitter – that they aren’t just sitting there watching TV,” Amanda says.
Preschool, Too
In addition to hourly childcare, KidsPark offers both Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) for four year olds and preschool for ages two and three.
KidsPark’s one VPK class filled up quickly. These families use a voucher and pay nothing when they pick their child up by noon. On any day, whether the parent is running late or would like additional childcare, the kid simply stays longer and parents pay just the regular hourly rate for any additional time.
“Buddy Preschool” also is held each day from 9 a.m. to noon, but parents have the flexibility to choose which days they attend and pay hourly just for the times their child is there.
Affordable Rates
“We try to make it so everyone can afford child care,” Amanda says. The hourly rate is just $7.75 for one child, or $11.75 for two. Additional siblings are $3 per hour. A “preferred customer rate” is available for anyone who pre-pays $100 or more (in $50 increments, up to $250). Ten percent is added to your prepayment, so if you pre-pay $100, you actually get $110 credited to your account.
There is a $25 registration fee per family (not per child), which is a one-time fee, as long as you come at least once a year. Also, once you’ve paid the registration fee at any facility, you can use all of the KidsPark facilities across the country if you’re traveling.
Amanda also offers discounts to hospital employees and to anyone in the military.
On Sundays, before and after Kids Park is open, the staff hosts birthday parties and other private parties.
“For a private party, you have the whole center to yourselves,” says Amanda. “You choose a craft and a game, and the cost includes face painting, two staff members to keep the kids busy, and also includes invitations, paper products and even decorations.”
Happy Customers
Denise Drury’s two-year-old twins, John and James, were KidsPark’s very first clients.
“It’s a wonderful place,” says Denise. “The caregivers there treat my boys like they’re their own.”
Denise adds that KidsPark is, “the best concept ever, for a mom to be able to drop her kids off at the last minute,” whether it’s for grocery shopping, an appointment, or a night out with her husband. “It’s affordable, and I can’t get over all of the activities the kids get to do there.”
KidsPark is located at 26240 Golden Maple Loop, just off of S.R. 56 (east of I-75) in Wesley Chapel. The center is open Monday–Thursday, 8 a.m.–10 p.m., 8 a.m.–midnight on Friday, 10 a.m.–midnight on Saturday, and 1 p.m.–6 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, see the ad on page 18, call 803-4972, or visit KidsPark.com.
Kelly and Todd Phillips opened their first Massage Green Spa in the New Tampa Center this summer, and they say locals are finding the membership-based pricing and options to their liking.
Todd Phillips was the chief operating officer (COO) of a medical practice in Pinellas County when his attention first turned to overall wellness.
The doctor in the office, a young, forward-thinking physician, began focusing on wellness, and the last project he and Todd worked on together was a 10,000-sq.-ft. wellness facility that included a variety of services, including massage therapy.
“When I started to see some of the benefits of a more proactive approach to self care and wellness, it piqued my interest,’’ Todd says. “When my experiences started moving in that direction, that’s when we decided this would be a good move for us.”
Todd’s wife Kelly also was very interested in wellness, from her experience working as a registered nurse (RN) at Tampa Community Hospital in Town & Country. Together, the former New Tampa residents opened Massage Green Spa this summer in the Publix-anchored New Tampa Center on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. at New Tampa Blvd.
So far, the Phillips’ say the spa has been a hit. They benefit from a great location (its proximity to Publix) and a huge amount of daily traffic, and believe they offer a great product that has created positive word-of-mouth, swelling the membership ranks at Massage Green Spa. Kelly spearheads the spa’s aggressive approach on social media.
“The response we’ve gotten from that (social media) has been amazing,’’ she says. “The biggest thing is that people are coming in. And, when they come in, we make sure they have a good experience.”
The concept is simple, but everyone at Massage Green Spa works hard to perfect it: create a fresh, clean environment and beautifully designed waiting room; while offering quality massages, infrared heat therapy, facials and aromatherapy. The spa also includes options for couples — the couples massage room is warm and inviting — and offer a discounted introductory price to go with membership pricing that includes a number of different, affordable combinations.
“The concept is affordable luxury,’’ Todd says. “For a business to offer these kind of services at a price point more people can afford, and see the benefits of wellness in their lives, I think that’s a great thing. It shouldn’t be an exclusive service.”
“Green” is more than just a word at Massage Green. The spa was built with recycled cellulose drywall and decorated with hand-cultured stone. Part of the Massage Green Spa mantra, in fact, is “Healthy Bodies, Healthy Buildings.”
The equipment, like the Sunlighten infrared sauna, is the highest-rated in terms of efficiency, Phillips says. The products used are all natural. Heck, you can even save a tree by having your receipt emailed to you.
The couples massage room at Massage Green Spa provides affordable, licensed couples massages in an intimate setting.
“All organic, no additives,” Phillips says. “We take it seriously. It’s an important part of what we do. We try to leave as small an environmental footprint as we can.”
Massage Green Spa is a membership-based spa, although non-members also are welcome. You’ll get a better price with a membership, with a variety of different combinations to choose from. And, if you’re unsure about joining, the spa offers introductory pricing for your first visit only.
“We think our price points are a little bit better than our competitors,” Todd says. “And, although it is still a subscription-based model, it’s a little less around-the-throat aggressive than some others. It is truly a month-to-month commitment. At other places, if you want to leave after two months, you’re still paying for another 10. Not here.”
Pro tip: I treated my wife to a massage at Massage Green Spa two weeks ago, and she couldn’t stop raving about the work Latoya, a licensed massage therapist (LMT), did on her. And afterwards, she was so relaxed she fell asleep during her infrared therapy session.
Latoya and fellow LMTs Keesha, Devonia, Malik, Nicole, Jose, Lynda and Clifton have all received similar reviews from their clients, Todd says.
About That Infrared Therapy
What Todd says truly sets Massage Green Spa apart from others is its Full Spectrum Infrared Therapy, powered by Sunlighten.
“It’s an amazing adjunct to licensed massage,” Todd says. The benefits of heat therapy have been around forever, in Finnish culture and in Asian culture for literally thousands of years. “Infrared is simply just a more efficient way of delivering the heat. The same technology has been used for a long time in hospitals and neonatal wards to warm babies.”
The Sunlighten infrared sauna offers a number of health benefits…and Netflix, too!
While the idea of a sauna may not be pleasant to many, due to the stifling heat, the sweating and the boredom, infrared therapy offers a different experience.
“I’m a big guy,” Todd says. “If you put me in a traditional sauna, I’m running for the door in 10 minutes,. I feel like I can’t breathe; it’s almost claustrophobic. Because of the efficiency and the way the way the infrared heats, it doesn’t feel as hot but you’re still getting all of the health benefits.”
Todd says that infrared therapy aids in detoxification and dissolving toxins in the blood, helps with fat loss, chronic fatigue and skin disorders. He notes that 30 minutes of infrared therapy burns 600 calories.
It is also known to lower your blood pressure and increase blood flow — which has a ton of health benefits, including helping to reduce muscle soreness and even arthritis pain.
“The cardiovascular program is proven to lower your blood pressure,” says Kelly, citing a 2005 clinical study at the University of Missouri-Kansas. “Self-care is very important for everyone.”
Todd says the infrared sauna and massage go hand-in-hand many times. Many of Massage Green Spa’s clients use the infrared sauna afterwards to help with some of the residual soreness from a deep-tissue massage. And for those who have trouble relaxing on a massage table, the infrared sauna can be taken before to help with relaxation.
If sitting still for 30 minutes to an hour in the heat is too boring, the saunas are enabled with a wifi-enabled touchscreen, allowing you to pull up Netflix or Pandora or even check your Facebook page. There is even an app that will sync your health device, like a Fitbit, to the computer.
Customers can purchase Infrared Therapy memberships (or come in and try it once at a $19.95 introductory price). In fact, Todd says one client who recently signed up only comes for the sauna.
Massage Green Spa also has two licensed aestheticians on staff, Christina and Katrina, and the offer a number of different European spa facials. A typical one-hour session includes extractions, mask and a neck/shoulder. Massage Green Spa also uses Skin Script, an all natural-enzyme based product line.
The spa does not offer microdermabrasions or peels, but it does offer aromatherapy with doTERRA essential oils, hot stone treatments and if you’re short on time, try a 15-minute chair massage for $15.
Massage Green Spa, which is Michigan-based, has 80 locations nationwide, including one in Jacksonville and four in the Miami area. The New Tampa location is the first of three franchises that Todd and Kelly plan on opening in the Tampa Bay area.
They know the Massage Green Spa CEO, Allie Mallad, through Kelly’s father Keith Sirois — the current CEO of Big Boy in Michigan and former CEO of Tampa-based Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. — who also is a Massage Green franchisee.
But, don’t be fooled by the word “franchise.” Kelly says she and her husband go out of their way to make sure their location always has that hometown feel. One of them is always working behind the counter, and they are active in the community.
Massage Green Spa sponsors teams in the Police Athletic League Pop Warner football and North Tampa Athletic League baseball programs. They sponsor the Freedom High football team, the Freedom PTSA and Clark Elementary PTA, and even offer discounts on Tuesdays to teachers.
“Even though it’s a franchise, we have a real commitment to the community and doing business with other small businesses,’’ Todd says. “That’s the way it should be.”
Massage Green Spa is located at 19040 BBD Blvd., next to the Publix supermarket in the New Tampa Center and is open Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m., and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday. Massage Green Spa has introductory prices on all of its services, as well as monthly memberships. For more information, visit MassageGreenSpa.com or Facebook/MassageGreenTampa, or call 333-7703.
New Tampa families looking for a private, Christian education for children in grades pre-kindergarten (Pre-K) through high school will soon have another option — thanks to the Florida Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists.
The campus will occupy about 43 acres of land. In the fall of 2018, it is expected to be open to students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, although Barron says the school would enroll a ninth grade class if there is enough demand for it. Higher grades will be added in subsequent years.
nt one of the most advanced schools anywhere. “It’s kind of like a dream school,” he says.
