“Stuff The Bus” Campaign Raises $15,000+ In Wesley Chapel!

The Pasco Education Foundation (PEF) has raised more than $15,000 in school supplies for its Wise Supplies program in three separate “Stuff the Bus” events held in and near Wesley Chapel (similar events are held throughout the county) in July and August. Wise Supplies program manager Sierra Johnson says that all told, the “Stuff the Bus” events held at the Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills Walmart stores (almost $5,000), at Bubba’s 33 (in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel, which raised nearly $6,000) and the most recent event hosted jointly by Rock & Brews and Main Event on S.R. 56 on Aug. 25 together (about $5,000) were “hugely successful and will help many teachers provide school supplies for their students who need them throughout the school year.” 

According to PEF’s website, “Wise Supplies is a Free Teacher Resource Store founded by the Pasco Education Foundation to help alleviate the financial burden for families and teachers. Many times teachers spend their own funds before letting their students go without. We want every student to have the basic supplies they need for academic success.” Johnson says that even though the Main Event/Rock & Brews event (which ended up being held the same day as a previously scheduled car show on the 25th), had to be rescheduled from Aug. 4 and wasn’t held until after the 2024-25 school year had started, “Pasco teachers need these supplies throughout the year for their students. The need doesn’t go away just because school starts.” 

To help PEF’s Wise Supplies program, which provided more than $154,000 in supplies for more than 1,300 teachers in 83 Pasco schools during the 2023-24 school year and will accept donations throughout this school year, visit PascoEducationFoundation.org.

GiGi & Friends Brought A Ton Of Family Fun To The Shops!

Based on the reaction of the families who attended “GiGi & Friends Family Fun Day” at the Shops at Wiregrass on Aug. 24, it seems that a return visit would definitely be welcome, as there was a constant flow of kids running around and waiting in line for the many activities. There was a balloon artist making animals, kids being taught how to spin plates like a circus performer, a small mini-golf course, cornhole, glitter tattoos (this was GiGi’s station), a small climbable playground area, and facepainting (with many of the kids running around as dragons, butterflies and Spider-Man). Jabz Boxing brought hula-hoops, a punching bag and giant inflatable boxing gloves for the kids to play around with. There also was a stage for karaoke, so the kids could sing their favorite songs. Even though it was insanely hot that day, all we saw were smiles from the kids and even their parents.

Cheers & Jeers For Grand Hampton’s Main County Line Rd. Entrance Signal 

Grand Hampton residents hail the new traffic light as a much-needed safety improvement; while others complain about its timing. 

The map shows the new traffic signal at the main entrance to the Grand Hampton community on County Line Rd., the location of the Grand Hampton back gate & the existing traffic signals at Northwood Palms Blvd., Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., Imperial Oak (IO) Blvd. & Aronwood Blvd. (Google map modified by NN) 

Back in the spring of 2004, left and right turn lanes were constructed on County Line Rd, leading into the then-brand-new, 600-acre community of Grand Hampton. Even back then, news reports talked about the delays and “bothersome” lane closures along County Line Rd to accommodate these changes, and the “rapid growth” of the area was causing inconvenience for a few long-time locals. Sounds like some things never change, right? 

Well, some 20 years later, the residents of Grand Hampton (which today has a little more than 1,000 homes) got something new out front on County Line Rd. — a traffic signal. The signal was recently constructed, and then put into full operation on July 30. The county put it in “flash mode” for a week prior, and put up temporary electronic signs to alert motorists to the change in the traffic pattern. 

When the new signal became fully operational, some local residents on social media expressed their frustration with it — citing long initial backups. Others, especially people living in Grand Hampton, countered that they saw the new signal as a necessary safety improvement and defended the county’s decision to put one up at that location. 

Several local residents said that there have been serious crashes at that intersection over the years, and with the growing population in the new and existing communities along County Line Rd., including Woodside Trace and Belle Chase (see map), plus The Hammocks townhomes and the North Tampa Christian Academy and Creative Times Academy of Wesley Chapel, that risk would just continue to grow with an increasing number of cars passing the intersection everyday. 

Why NOW? 

A signal was first installed less than a mile down the street at Northwood Palms Blvd., at the entrance to the Northwood community (in early 2015), which helped in the interim, because when that signal turned green for the Northwood side street, it would create some gaps in the westbound traffic in front of Grand Hampton. 

That was important, because in order to find a gap to make a left turn out into traffic at the Grand Hampton Dr. entrance to the community, both the east and west approaches have to be clear at the same time, and that can be challenging and tricky for motorists to safely judge on a busy two-lane “rural” road. That’s why the engineering signal warrants for a two-lane undivided road are traditionally lower, than say for a four-lane divided road that might have a median opening cars can pull into, pause, and check if the other direction is clear is safely proceed. 

As more support businesses have been getting constructed to the west, including places like the Tampa Premium Outlets, Costco, Aldi, etc., residents began making more lefts out at Grand Hampton Dr. than they used to, gradually changing the traffic pattern over time, reducing the effectiveness of the “down stream” signal at Northwood Palms Dr. to provide relief. This also increased the through volumes on County Line Rd. 

Traffic does back up on County Line Rd. at the new Grand Hampton Signal. (Photo by Charmaine George)

In 2018, in an effort to try and help make it a little easier to get out of Grand Hampton, the county reduced the speed limit along the corridor from 55 miles per hour to 45 mph. This was around the same time that the North Tampa Christian Academy finished construction. 

But, even with those improvements, the corridor still retained its original high speed rural characteristic; as a two-lane undivided road with narrow lanes, no shoulders, no curb and gutter and, most critically, no sidewalks or bike lanes. Unfortunately, because the road still “felt” the same, speeds stayed on the higher side, and even though it’s been six years, some online commenters joked (at least we hope they were joking) that they didn’t even know the speed limit was ever reduced to 45 mph. 

Accordingly, those who live in Grand Hampton had been reaching out to Hillsborough County for years about adding a signal for themselves, due to growing and continual concerns. And in his June 10 town hall meeting at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center (as we reported in our June 25 New Tampa issue), County Commissioner Ken Hagan said he was pleased that he was able to get funding for that need and mentioned that construction (of the now active signal) would be completed at the end of June. 

Although County Line Rd. serves both Pasco County and Hillsborough, any issues or problems with the new signal can be reported to Hillsborough County, the entity that is responsible for monitoring and adjusting the signal’s timing and detection. 

PHSC Porter’s Campus Adds Nursing & Allied Health Advancement Institute 

The ribbon at the new Nursing & Allied Health Advancement Institute was cut by (l.-r., all holding scissors) PHSC Trustee & BayCare Hospital Wesley Chapel president Becky Schulkowski, State Rep. Randy Maggard & Dr. Jesse Pisors. 

I was proud to attend the Nursing & Allied Health Advancement Institute’s Grand Opening and ribbon cutting on July 17 at Pasco Hernando State College (PHSC)’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch (where the Institute will be housed), where the room selected was so crowded (with probably in excess of 100 people in attendance) that I couldn’t get close enough to sit down and take notes (or record the proceedings). My story in the August 6 Wesley Chapel issue is therefore drastically different from what you’re reading, as I didn’t receive the video of the actual proceedings until after that Wesley Chapel issue went to press. 

At any rate, PHSC received $1.5 million in state appropriations in Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ most recent state budget to fund the establishment of the new Nursing & Allied Health Advancement Institute and the event on July 17 brought together local healthcare leaders, community stakeholders and PHSC staff and faculty to celebrate the establishment of the Institute. 

Among those who spoke at the Grand Opening of the Nursing & Allied Health Advancement Institute at Pasco Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch on July 17 were (below right) PHSC President Dr. Jesse Pisors, (below left) State Senator Danny Burgess (who appeared via Zoom) and (above) Dr. Lisa Richardson, PHSC’s VP of Advancement, Innovation & Strategic Partnerships. 

According to Lisa Richardson, Ed.D., PHSC’s VP of Advancement, Innovation & Strategic Partnerships, this innovative and collaborative institute will address the well-documented allied healthcare and nursing shortage in the state of Florida and can be used as a model nationwide. 

“We are committed to building strong relationships, driving innovation and making a positive impact on the lives of those we serve,” Richardson said. 

Through a multi-pronged, comprehensive and collaborative approach, the institute will increase nursing and allied health pipelines on both sides of the equation — increasing the talent pipeline for faculty as well as for future nursing and allied health employees. 

Andrea Brvenik, PHSC’s General Counsel and VP of Government Relations, said that, “There really was a lack of harmony in trying to address our workforce issues. Synergy is what we hope to achieve with this Institute, with the idea of bringing funding to a problem that is needed. We do get state funding to buy equipment, but we don’t get state funding to truly address the workforce issues. But, this whole thing started to come together when (District 54) State Representative Randy Maggard called to ask me, ‘What are the things we can do here?’ And then, this whole thing started to come together.” 

Rep. Maggard said he was proud to get the ball rolling for the state appropriation for the new Nursing Institute at PHSC. 

“Well-trained nurses and medical staff are needed over the next several decades not only for our community, but for our entire state,” said Rep. Maggard. “I was honored to sponsor this funding request for my Alma Mater, so that we can ensure our best and brightest have the opportunity to study nursing right here in our community. Through this program, these future nurses and medical professionals will have the tools they need to prevent a crisis level nursing shortage in the future.” 

Rep. Maggard also noted that, “It’s no secret that this area is becoming the medical hub of the state. We have doctors calling us from Europe and Asia wanting to come here.” He added that he and District 20 State Senator Danny Burgess, who appeared at the meeting via Zoom, are committed to trying to get additional funding for the new Nursing & Allied Health Advancement Institute in next year’s budget, too. 

“We both asked, ‘What’s our next step to keep this growing and growing?,’” Maggard said. 

The Institute will be housed at the college’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch in Wesley Chapel. The first step in establishing the new institute will be to develop a strategic plan. 

“This isn’t going to be a new building,” PHSC President Jesse Pisors, Ed.D., said. “This is an effort to solve a problem. [This nursing shortage] is one of the major workforce problems our entire nation is facing and in the Tampa Bay area, with our growing and aging population, it is particularly acute.” 

Pisors pointed to PHSC’s 47-year history of adding nurses to the workforce — including more than 160 last year alone — “In fact,” he said, “NursingProgress.org listed PHSC as the best on-line and in-person LPN (Licensed Practical Nursing) program in the state of Florida, but the shortage has still grown, so we still need to do more.” 

He added, “Higher education institutions, including PHSC, desperately seek highly qualified faculty, and institutions of health services struggle with significant gaps in nursing and allied health employees. The circumstance is amplified because improved retention and development strategies are critically needed, and without a plan in place, a real threat exists in the health care system. The Nursing and Allied Health Advancement Institute will provide these plans and focus on solutions in collaboration with significant stakeholders.” 

Pisors also noted that the state budget was tight at the State level his year, “So I am grateful to Governor DeSantis for preserving this particular initiative. This wasn’t an easy year for him to do that, but I think this [allocation] is indicative of his commitment to workforce in the health care industry.” 

In addition to Dr. Pisors, Rep. Maggard, Dr. Richardson and Brvenik, other speakers at the event included PHSC Trustee Becky Schulkowski and Billie Gabbard, Ed.D., the Dean of Nursing & Allied Health Programs at PHSC. 

“I am here wearing two hats today,” Schulkowski said. “As a Trustee for the Board of PHSC and as a member of the health care community. As the president of BayCare Hospital Wesley Chapel, I can tell you that this institute is greatly needed by our community and our entire state. Hiring and retaining qualified nurses and allied health care professionals is a top priority for not only our hospital but for hospitals across our entire state. We simply can not provide the quality of care that our patients deserve without a qualified pool of candidates from which to hire.” 

Schulkowski also noted that since so many nurses and allied health care workers left the workforce during the Covid-19 pandemic, “the industry has been slow to recover. But, through this new institute, we hope to find solutions to facilitate greater engagement among those who may be interested in pursuing a medical career and provide a clear pipeline from education to employment.” 

She added that it is estimated that Florida will need “an additional 59,000 nurses over the next ten years to meet [the state’s] demand. That is why this Institute is such an important need in this community and our state.” 

Meanwhile, Gabbard hailed the establishment of the new Institute as a “major accomplishment. This Institute will further strengthen the symbiotic relationships that already exists between PHSC and our community health care partners. Together, we can move forward and ensure that the health care needs of Pasco and Hernando counties are met. It is an honor to be part of such an innovative endeavor.” 

Among the many dignitaries who attended the Grand Opening event in person was County Commissioner Seth Weightman, whose District 2 includes the Porter Campus. 

The ribbon at the Grand Opening was cut by Schulkowski, Dr. Pisors and Rep. Maggard. 

For more information about the Pasco Hernando State College Nursing & Allied Health Advancement Institute, contact Lisa Richardson, Ed.D., VP of Advancement, Innovation & Strategic Partnerships, at (727) 816-3404. 

The room for the Grand Opening event was packed to standing room only. 

2023-24 Schools Grades Are In — So, How Did Wesley Chapel’s School Fare? 

The chart above shows all of the letter grades received by all 18 public and charter schools located in Wesley Chapel after both the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years. 

The Florida Department of Education released school grades for the 2023-24 school year on July 24, assigning a B grade for Pasco County Schools. Pasco has maintained a B rating since 2017. 

Superintendent Kurt Browning said in a release, “We are incredibly proud of our students, teachers, and staff for their hard work and dedication. These grades show that we are on the right track, and our efforts are paying off.” 

All of Wesley Chapel’s schools earned an “A,” “B” or “C” letter grade, along with 85 percent of schools throughout the county. 

While the vast majority of Wesley Chapel schools maintained the same grade as last year (14 of the 18 schools stayed the same from 2023), only one improved by a letter grade — Pinecrest Academy K-8 school, which improved to an A from last year’s B, while three dropped a letter grade, with Quail Hollow and Veterans elementary schools moving from a B to a C, and Sand Pine moving from an A to a B. 

In a letter to Sand Pine families, principal Angie Shauger explained the disappointing change. “We missed the A grade by just one point, scoring 61 when the cut score for an A was 62,” she wrote. “While this news is disappointing, it is important to recognize the hard work and dedication that our staff and students have shown throughout the year.” 

She said she’s “very proud of all the progress we have made and the commitment everyone has shown” and is optimistic that Sand Pine will earn an A again next school year. 

Five schools maintained their A status, including Seven Oaks Elementary, Union Park Charter Academy, John Long Middle School, Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation, and Wiregrass Ranch High School. While Kirkland Ranch has earned an A both school years since opening in 2022, Wiregrass Ranch’s history of A ratings goes back to 2018. 

Principal Robyn White says it’s a team effort that creates such consistent excellent performance. “The teachers work really hard and the kids are very motivated to do well,” she says. “They take what the teachers are providing them and make use of that.” 

She says the grade is maintained by encouraging success across the board, not in just one area, but in English, math, social studies, science and more. One area of measurement is the school’s graduation rate, which was an impressive 97 percent for 2022-23, the year that was evaluated for this year’s school grade. 

White says that her goal has always been to get a 100-percent graduation rate. She plans to retire from Wiregrass Ranch at the end of the 2024-25 school year, so she has one last chance to hit that mark. 

“We look at each individual student and do what’s best for kids,” she says. “I firmly believe that’s why we’re an A school.” 

For more information about school grades, visit FLDOE.org/accountability/accountability-reporting/school-grades/.