Wesley Chapel, FL — The northbound I-275 (Exit 59) and northbound I-75 (Exit 275) exit ramps to State Road 56 may be closed from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Friday (May 16 – 21) nights as work on the diverging diamond interchange (DDI) continues. Traffic will be detoured to I-75 Exit 279 as described below.
Detour to SR 56, east of I-75: Continue north past SR 56 and use I-75 Exit 279 to SR 54/CR 54. At the bottom of the ramp, turn right and go east on SR 54. Turn right onto SR 581 (Bruce B. Downs Boulevard) and go south to SR 56.
Detour to SR 54/SR 56, west of I-75: Continue north past SR 56 and use I-75 Exit 279 to SR 54/CR 54. At the bottom of the ramp, turn left and go southwest on Wesley Chapel Boulevard/CR 54 to SR 56 and SR 54. — FDOT
Kids ‘R’ Kids Learning Academy of Meadow Pointe, for children ages six weeks to 12 years, offers both full- and part-time care, and before- and after-school care, including drop-off and pick-up service to and from four local schools. (Photos: Charmaine George).
Right before Spring Break last year, the Kids ‘R’ Kids Learning Academy of Meadow Pointe had 264 students enrolled. With new owner Payel Dutt and director Roxanne Jeffcoat, the school — a licensed childcare facility for children ages six weeks to 12 years — was thriving.
Then, all of a sudden, everything changed.
As the Covid crisis began and people were told to stay home, public schools closed, and many families pulled their kids out of daycare.
“By the end of March in 2020,” says Payel, “we had 12 kids enrolled.”
However, Payel and Roxanne were determined to keep the doors open for those 12 kids, who were from families of front-line workers.
One such family was the Johnsons, who live in New Tampa. Julie is a nurse and her husband, Desmond, is a nurse anesthetist. Their daughters, Kyah (now 5) and Kenna (now 3), attend Kids ‘R’ Kids.
“We have no family here,” explains Julie, “so daycare is our only option. We were very concerned about what we were going to do. So many centers closed.”
But, Kids ‘R’ Kids didn’t. That’s what Payel says her school is all about — connecting with families and serving the community, while doing what’s best for kids.
“It’s about being here for our children and their parents,” says Payel. “We still paid our teachers. We tried to make sure we were here keeping kids safe.”
Over time, as the crisis has waned and families’ needs have changed, the children have started to come back. Many new families have joined the school community, too. The center is growing again, as it is now back up to more than 150 students.
New Ownership
Kids ‘R’ Kids Learning Academy of Meadow Pointe first opened at its County Line Rd. and Mansfield Blvd. location in 2006. When the original owner retired in August 2019, Payel and her husband, Prabir Das, purchased the local franchise, which has more than 170 locations across the United States.
Kids ‘R’ Kids director Roxanne Jeffcoat (left) and owner Payel Dutt are ready to care for your children like their own. They offer in-person tours of the facility after hours.
Payel’s previous career was as a financial analyst, but she wanted to own her own business. As a mom of two kids, now 8 and 12, she says she is passionate about helping families who need daycare and wanted to use her experience to be hands-on in running her new business.
The following January, in 2020, they hired Roxanne, who has 30 years of experience in childcare. Roxanne lives in Wesley Chapel, where she started working at a small school which her kids — now 29, 27, and 25 — attended. She continued her career, becoming licensed by the State of Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) as a Director about seven years ago.
“She is awesome,” says Payel. “We go hand in hand.”
The respect is clearly mutual, as Roxanne says about Payel, “Most owners don’t do the things I’ve seen her do. She’s here every day, and that’s a real big motivator for the staff. We’re not asking anyone to do anything that we’re not doing ourselves.”
In fact, Payel used the slower times of the pandemic to also get credentialed as a Director by DCF, so that she can better understand all the nuances of the day-to-day operations of running a school.
Payel and Roxanne emphasize that while they are part of a large franchise, which can sometimes get a bad rap, the school is there for one main purpose — to serve the local community.
“We’re very family oriented,” says Roxanne. “And we’re all about the kids.”
Curriculum/STEAM
One benefit of being part of a franchise is the school’s exclusive curriculum, with learning methods supported by leading educational theories. Its Brain Waves curriculum is designed to stimulate brain development during the most critical years.
Kids of all ages use learning stations, math manipulatives, science elements and stimulating visuals, with lots of hands-on learning and Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (aka “STEAM”) activities. In fact, Kids ‘R’ Kids has a dedicated STEAM teacher who leads the students in activities such as making thermometers, kinetic sand, storm in a jar, snow globes, slime and crystals.
Last fall, with restrictions in place that prevented students from going on field trips, the staff came up with the idea to set up a dramatic play area featuring a campground. The teachers lined the classroom walls with black paper and stars to look like a night sky, then the kids helped fill in the space by making trees, a bonfire, sticks with marshmallows, and a pond complete with fish and lily pads.
“The kids did story time in there, and pretended they were camping,” Roxanne explains. “They went into caves and read stories. It was quite an adventure.”
Full-Time, After-School Care & More
Kids ‘R’ Kids of Meadow Pointe offers flexible scheduling to help families with their child-care needs for its young attendees.
The center is open weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., offering both full- and part-time care, and before- and after-school care, including drop-off and pick-up for four local schools. Payel and Roxanne emphasize that they are here for families. Let them know what your family needs, and they will work to accommodate you.
For school-age children, care is available during days off from school, and Kids ‘R’ Kids currently is enrolling students for summer camps.
While last year’s summer camps could not have field trips, the camps are designed to be fun and engaging, with lots of indoor and outdoor activities, which include a very large outdoor play area, jungle gym, basketball court and bicycle path. The kids do chalk paint, bubbles, parachute, jump rope, and even have water days with balloons and foam sprayers.
The school has a full kitchen serving hot breakfasts and lunches, rotating kid-friendly meals prepared by a professional chef, always carefully served, being mindful of allergies.
Partnerships With Parents
At Kids ‘R’ Kids of Meadow Pointe, it’s a priority for teachers and parents to collaborate with each other for the betterment of the children. “We are very transparent with parents,” says Payel. “We ensure parents are informed about their child.”
Payel says that she and Roxanne and all the teachers communicate with parents about what their kids do each day, what they are learning, and are always happy to answer questions. Conferences also are scheduled.
They also have cameras in the classrooms, so parents can have access to view their children at any time during the day. Private logins and passwords are provided.
Covid Precautions
The school has several precautions in place to keep kids safe, such as a station where everyone washes their hands as they come in, and temperature checks at the door. Staff and teachers wear masks at all times. And, while the school always has been sanitized and disinfected several times throughout the day, Payel says those procedures have been enhanced.
Kids ‘R’ Kids of Meadow Pointe also does not currently allow any third parties in the building. So, classes such as robotics that used to come in to the school are currently paused. Payel and Roxanne now give tours to prospective families at the end of the day, when all of the children have left the building.
“We appreciate all the extra steps,” says Julie Johnson. “It’s an adjustment to drop the kids at the door rather than going in every day and talking with the teachers, but I’ve been very grateful for them to stay open and all the extra steps they went through to make it a safe environment for everybody.”
She says the care that Payel, Roxanne and the teachers offer is evident, and families at Kids ‘R’ Kids of Meadow Pointe are very happy with their choice.
“I absolutely recommend it,” says Julie. “With my oldest being in VPK, I’m hypersensitive to whether she’s going to be prepared for school and where she’s at compared with other kids. I’m very happy with the education my kids are getting.”
The Kids ‘R’ Kids Learning Academy of Meadow Pointe is located at 1540 Mansfield Blvd. at the corner of County Line Rd. For more information, call (813) 994-4525, or visit KidsRKidsMeadowPointe.com.
Congratulations go out to the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel, which meets every Wednesday for lunch at Omari’s Grill at the Lexington Oaks Golf Club (GC), for hosting a record-breaking first-ever Charity Golf Open on Apr. 30. The golf tourney attracted nearly 130 golfers to the recently revamped Lexington Oaks GC course.
Although no final figures were available at our press time, current president Jodie Sullivan said it probably raised more than any of the club’s previous fund raisers and benefited the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office Charities, as well as the club’s community projects.
It was a hot day, but the golfers complimented the course, the Lexington Oaks staff (including owner/WC Rotary member Anass El-Omari), the Rotarians and the camaraderie — even though no one won the car donated by Parks Ford or the Sandals vacation by sinking a hole-in-one.
Lunch was served prior to the shotgun start and an awards dinner reception — which also included a cool silent auction of sports memorabilia — was held immediately after in Omari’s Grill.
“This was a great event for the club, the community and the charities,” event chair Justine Esposito said.
For more information about the club, visit WCRotary.com. — GN
Lauren Murray, DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts), couldn’t keep the smile off her face, which was obvious by the twinkle in her eyes as she showed off the new Pasco Hernando State College (PHSC) Instructional Performing Arts Center (IPAC) to the media.
Standing in the middle of the state-of-the-art, 444-seat theater that is the centerpiece of the 35,000-sq.-ft. project, the new executive director of the IPAC called it her dream job to help turn the IPAC, which is located in front of Cypress Creek High on Old Pasco Rd., into one of Wesley Chapel’s true jewels.
“It’s a beautiful addition to the community,” Dr. Murray says.
Murray (photo), who PHSC lured away from her position as the music chair at the Patel Conservatory at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa, says she has two objectives — to provide a space for the community, local schools and art and performance organizations that need space to perform and have a hunger to learn, as well as to provide programs for PHSC students who are practical and viable.
No expense was spared on creating the IPAC to achieve those goals. Because the 5.85 acres to build on was donated by Pasco County Schools (PCS), PHSC provost Dr. Kevin O’Farrell said his school was able to “pour more money into what’s happening there instead of acquiring land and preparing it for building.”
The theater will have the benefit of an orchestra pit, which allows for the best acoustics. It also features a high-tech counterweight rigging system — also known as a fly system — which should make anyone playing Peter Pan or any other high-flying character happy as the IPAC serves high school and college students from all over the county.
Murray says she hopes to lure touring companies to the IPAC to put on quality shows. At the groundbreaking in 2019, Pasco County deputy superintendent of schools Ray Gadd raved that it would be a “full-blown, professional theater.”
From the spacious lobby to the new classrooms for dance, music, drama and multimedia, the IPAC, a joint $18-million venture between PCS and PHSC, is brightened by large windows everywhere.
Covid delayed the opening, which was originally scheduled for fall 2020. Like many construction projects, the IPAC dealt with supply issues. The rigging system came from New York, the seats from Michigan and much of the sound equipment from California — three of the hardest-hit states during the pandemic.
However, PHSC will offer limited online classes this summer and, in the fall, will hopefully welcome students back to a full complement of classes.
PHSC will offer two programs at the IPAC. The first will be an Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree, within which there will be four pathways — two in music (instrumental and vocal), one in dance and another in theater.
Second will be an Associate of Science (A.S.) degree, which will focus on multimedia and digital technology and include things like web and graphic design, as well as video editing and production. It includes one lab featuring Apple computers, and another with PCs.
O’Farrell calls the new IPAC a missing link, or missing piece, for area students with an interest in fine arts.
“A lot of people will graduate high school and have to go away because there’s nothing here locally for them,” he says. “This will allow them to continue here locally and earn that A.A. degree in a fantastic, state-of-the-art facility.”
PHSC also has found the perfect person to lead the IPAC into its future, O’Farrell says. Murray is an accomplished oboist who has performed at New York City’s renowned Carnegie Hall. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Stetson University in DeLand, FL, a Master of Music degree from Yale University in New Haven, CT, , and her DMA from the University of North Texas in Denton. She also has taught at a number of universities, including at USF.
This, however, may be her most exciting challenge yet.
“The opportunity to come into a brand new building that someone has built and create programming from the ground up is completely unheard of,” she says. “Friends of mine who I called and told about this were like, ‘What? You’re in a brand new place that they just built?’ No one could say no to this. It’s dream job, it really is.”
Finally! Total Wine & More is coming to Wesley Chapel.
When it comes to surveying our readers about what they would like to see next in Wesley Chapel or New Tampa, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods always top the list, but Total Wine & More is always pretty close behind.
Well, cheers everyone — Trader Joe’s is about to lose its toughest non-grocery competition for that most anticipated title, because Total Wine & More is on its way and opening pretty soon.
While no grand opening date has been revealed, construction is ongoing to convert the failed 24,000-sq.-ft. Earth Fare store on S.R. 56 to the area’s first Total Wine & More, or America’s Wine Superstore, as it dubs itself.
Started in 1991, Total Wine & More has more than 200 stores in 26 states, and a typical store carries more than 8,000 different wines, 2,500 beers and more than 3,000 different spirits.
It’s been more than three years since Dilip Kanji, who was building the Hyatt Place Hotel on the north side of S.R. 56, told local business leaders at a meeting that Total Wine & More was coming to Cypress Creek Town Center North.
This may not have been the exact original plan for the store, but locals will be happy that it is finally almost here.
CHICKEN AND MORE CHICKEN: While the Zaxby’s in front of Costco just south of S.R. 56 has finally gone vertical, another chicken joint is on the way right next door.
Chicken Salad Chick will soon be under construction in the parcel right next to Zaxby’s, according to county permitting records. A 2,665-sq.-ft. restaurant is planned.
While both restaurants serve chicken and are concentrated primarily in the south, Zaxby’s focus is on chicken wings, chicken tenders and chicken sandwiches, most of which are fried.
Chicken Salad Chick specializes in chicken salad served in varieties that include chopped pecans, cranberries and Fuji apples, to name a few.
The menu has more than a dozen different kinds of chicken salad served on bread, lettuce or atop a salad. Pimiento cheese, broccoli and grape salad and other salads also are available.
Chicken Salad Chick has nearly 200 locations in 17 states, mostly across the south, including a few in Tampa.
Stacy Brown, a stay-at-home mom in Auburn, AL, started the business by perfecting her recipes and dropping off samples door-to-door. Demand became so great, she and husband Kevin opened their first restaurant in 2008.
ALSO COMING: Just a few doors down from the Total Wine & More, a Badcock & More Home Furniture store is currently under construction at 25665 Sierra Center Blvd.
The long-awaited Ferman Harley Davidson also is finally ready to begin construction on it’s 37,000-sq.ft. dealership on the west side of Wesley Chapel Blvd. north of S.R. 56 and the Tapestry at Cypress Creek apartments. The new Harley dealership was approved last Nov.
With a BMW dealership under construction on S.R. 56 and ready to join other luxury car dealerships like Audi, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz already with locations in Wesley Chapel, a Harley-Davidson dealership is another feather in the cap for our area. Milwaukee-based Harley-Davidson is not only one of the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturers, its brand is absolutely iconic.
AND, ON S.R. 54: On S.R. 54, just west of the entrance to Saddlebrook Resort, a BayCare Medical Group office has opened in a new plaza, called Clearwater Crossings. BayCare, of course, is building a new hospital expected to open on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. just south of S.R. 54 in 2023.
Michelle Spencer, M.D., a family medicine doctor, is the first physician to be located at the new office, and she says she sees patients 2 years old and up.
A dental office and a restaurant (which Dr. Spencer says is rumored to possibly be a breakfast chain) also are scheduled to open in the plaza, which is nearing completion.
For more information about BayCare Medical Group (28864 S.R. 54), call (813) 998-2870 and tell Dr. Spencer and her staff that we sent you.
And, a little west of Clearwater Crossings in the Publix-anchored Hollybrook Plaza shopping center at the corner of BBD and S.R. 54, Banfield Pet Hospital is in the midst of a $680,000 renovation job, as it takes over the 5,500-sq.-ft. space previously occupied by Mattress1One.
