Land O' Lakes High Gator Gazette

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we near the end of the school year, we are entering a critical testing period. The upcoming days will be filled with various exams, including FAST English, BEST standards for math, social studies, and science, as well as AP, IB, and Cambridge assessments, and Pasco's District Finals. It's crucial for students to attend and give their best effort, as these tests affect graduation, college credits, and final grades.

We are also preparing for the next school year. We are hiring staff and finalizing course offerings, so please let us know promptly if your student's class selections need any adjustments. Parking applications for the 2025-2026 school year will be available this summer, with early priority given to the Class of 2026. Students must complete the Safe Behind the Wheel course before applying for a parking tag, meet academic criteria, and clear any financial obligations.

We encourage you to maintain open communication with the school as we close out the year. Your involvement and feedback are invaluable in ensuring a smooth transition for your student. Additionally, we ask for your support in encouraging good attendance during this testing period. Consistent attendance is essential for your student's success and helps them perform their best on these important exams.

Thank you for your continued support. Have a wonderful summer!

Ric Mellin - Principal

College-bound Seniors still have time to submit the Florida Financial Aid Application to be considered for 17 different state scholarships/grants through the Office of Student Financial Assistance. This includes Bright Futures, Jose Marti Scholarship, Florida Student Assistance Grant, and more. The deadline to apply is August 31st but DON’T WAIT!

Create your student account and apply here: https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/SAPHome/SAPHome?url=home

Important Dates

Friday, May 2 Herff Jones will be on campus during all 3 lunches. Seniors will be able to pick up any orders that were made to Herff Jones with the exception of cap and gowns.

Monday, May 12 5-7 pm Cap and gown pick up night in the commons. All students will be able to pick up their gowns on this night. You will not be able to pick up gowns for your friends. If you do not pick up your gown on this date, you will be given your gown at senior breakfast. All honor cords will be given out at senior breakfast.

Honor Cord Information

If you are interested in purchasing an academic honor cord that can be worn during graduation they are now available to eligible students on RYCOR.

Students must meet the following criteria to be eligible to purchase an honor cord (This is based on cumulative weighted GPA)

GPA 3.2-3.79 Cum Laude

GPA 3.8-4.19 Magna Cum Laude

GPA 4.2 and higher Summa Cum Laude

If a student does not have a button on RYCOR for honor cords it is because your current GPA does not meet the above criteria.

Students can access their GPA on Mystudent under the REPORTS section. Then click on transcript to view cumulative GPA.

Honor Cords are $15 and they will be passed out at senior breakfast. Students will be given the correct cord based on their GPA at the breakfast. All honor cords must be purchased by Friday, May 16.

Senior Breakfast/Graduation Practice – Mandatory

All senior students are required to attend our Senior Breakfast that will be held on Tuesday, June 3, at Grace Family Church (22920 FL-54, Lutz, FL 33549) at 9AM. Students will be required to dress in business casual attire. This would include dress pants, dress shirt with tie, socks and dress shoes (no sneakers, sandals, flip flops, etc.) for boys. For girls, a dress or skirt and blouse or pant suit. Jeans, shorts, shirts without a collar, tennis shoes, and flip-flops will not be permitted, and students will be sent home to change if they come to the event dressed in this manner.

Graduation Practice and Senior Checkout will be held at the conclusion of the senior breakfast. Students will receive their cap and gowns at this event if they did not pick them up on May 12. In addition, students will be given their honor cords at senior breakfast. Attendance is MANDATORY for participation in graduation. Only students who have properly completed senior checkout and attended graduation practice will be able to participate in the graduation ceremony or receive diplomas. The administrator in charge of graduation (Mrs. Wall) MUST review and approve any extenuating circumstances which prevent a student from attending graduation practice. Students must be dressed according to the Pasco County School District Dress Code. Students will be sent home to change if they are out of dress code, and this may jeopardize their participation in graduation. There is no exception to this policy.

Senior Painted Parking Spots

If you have a painted parking spot you must paint over it with Flat black exterior paint by May 16, 2025. If you don’t, you will be charged $50 at senior breakfast.

Graduation Ceremony Information

The graduation ceremony will be held on Thursday, June 5, 2025. It will begin promptly at 6:00PM. Seniors are to report at 5:00PM to the University of South Florida Yuengling Center in Tampa in order to line up for the ceremony. Please follow the signs upon entering the University of South Florida Yuengling Center, as they will direct students and guests to the areas in which they should go. Students should enter the Corral, which is to the left of Gate A. Parents are not allowed in the corral.

Dress Expectations

Dress Code for Graduates: Dress pants and dress shirt with tie, a dress, skirt and blouse or pantsuit are recommended outfits. If wearing pants, wear matching/dark socks with dress shoes. No sneakers, sandals, flip flops, etc. are allowed. We recommend that students not wear high heels, as there will be a lot of walking and stair climbing. No visible “bulky” jewelry, scarves, ribbons, etc. are permitted.

Personal Items: Leave purses, cameras, and personal items with a parent or friend in the audience; they may not be taken in during the processional. Flowers or corsages are NOT permitted.

Graduation Gowns: You must order your caps and gowns from Herff Jones. Please carry your cap and gown into the University of South Florida Yuengling Center. We will not have extra gowns on hand. Make sure that you bring yours to the ceremony. Gowns are to look like they did when received from the company. Nothing extra may be added to them.

Graduation Cap: The mortarboard (graduation cap) is to be worn flat with the tassel over the right eye. Once the seniors are declared graduates, the tassel is moved to the left side in unison with the class. Make sure that you bring yours to the ceremony. Students can decorate their graduation caps for graduation. Please adhere to the expectations below. If you do not follow the guidelines, you will be required to purchase another cap to wear at graduation and will not receive your diploma until the fee is paid.

Guidelines for Cap Decoration

Decorations must be SCHOOL APPROPRIATE

Caps may NOT: contain any advertisement, symbols, abbreviations, initials, words, slogans, patches, or pictures that refer to drugs or controlled substances, tobacco, alcohol, weapons, or anything of a sexual nature. Denote an affiliation with gangs or which advocate drug use, violence, illegal activity, or disruptive behavior with is detrimental to the safety and welfare of other students. Be obscene, profane, vulgar, or lewd threaten the safety and welfare of any person.

• Only the flat, top area of the mortar board may be decorated. There may be nothing hanging down from the sides, front or back of the cap.
• Securely fasten decorations onto the mortarboard
• You CANNOT cover the entire mortarboard (edges MUST remain the original color of the cap)

Failure to comply with the dress policy may result in the student not being permitted to participate in the ceremony. Security will do a visual search and wand of all of the graduates and any guests to the University of South Florida Yuengling Center.

Parking applications will be made available this summer, with early priority for the Class of 2026. Students must complete the Safe Behind the Wheel course before applying for a parking tag, meeting academic criteria and clearing any financial obligations.

Students can come to the Media Center before school, during lunches and after school to return books and check their library accounts. ALL textbooks checked out for the 2024-25 school year are to be returned by the last week of school. Books not returned will affect the ability of getting books for the 2025-26 school year.

Recently, our Genetics class conducted a fascinating experiment involving bacterial transformation. We used plasmids to genetically modify some bacteria to produce blue pigmentation. The results were clear: bacteria that didn't take up the plasmid remained white, while the transformed bacteria turned blue. This hands-on activity provided a great learning experience about genetic engineering!

Yearbooks are at the printer and scheduled to arrive around mid-May. Extra yearbooks will be on sale for $85 at that time until sold out.

Any students still interested in joining the Alligate yearbook staff or the Swamp Talk crew, please see Ms. LaBarbara in room 522 or email llabarba@pasco.k12.fl.us

Attention Class of 2026! It is never too early to take your senior pictures for next year! Contact Gigante to schedule your appointment for this summer. You will need to take your photo (both a formal and casual pose) for the yearbook. We do not accept submissions from other photographers for the yearbook. You have until early December to get your photos taken to be included in the book. Do not wait until the last minute, as they book up quickly and may not be able to accommodate you. Visit their website https://www.giganteproductions.com/senior-packages-samples to get started.

After your child has taken state assessments, you can access the results through the Pasco Parent Portal. Log in by going to http://www.pasco.k12.fl.us/parents. Scroll down to School/Classroom Resources and click on myStudent. Log into the system.

1. To access basic information, click on your child’s picture/first name on the left-hand side of the screen. Then choose Test History. A list of tests will appear. To view the results of a test, click on the light gray arrow to the right of the name of the test. Your child's testing information will appear.
2. To access an Individual Score Report (if available), click on Portal at the top of the left-hand navigation column. In the middle of the page, under your child’s name, you will see several tabs and an icon that says Florida Statewide Assessments. When you click on this icon, you will be taken to the Florida Statewide Assessments Family Portal icon. From here, you will be able to download Individual Score Reports. Using the drop-down at the top, you can access previous years' score reports.

Fall Dual Enrollment information will be posted in the coming weeks. For more information, please visit https://lolhs.pasco.k12.fl.us/dual-enrollment/ and keep an eye on your student email.

We had an incredible Prom night on Saturday, April 26. Thank you to everyone who made it such a memorable event. The evening was filled with unforgettable moments. A special shout-out goes to Mrs. Hydes for her outstanding job in organizing the event. Her dedication and hard work were evident in every detail, from planning to execution, making the night truly special for our students. We also want to extend our sincere thanks to the Culinary Academy for catering the event, and to all the chaperones who attended and provided their support. Your presence and assistance were invaluable in ensuring the evening ran smoothly and safely.

This May, our local elementary team from Land O’ Lakes will head to Michigan State University to compete in the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals. We’re thrilled to share that Connerton Elementary has qualified to compete at the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals in Michigan this May, where they’ll join top teams from around the world to showcase their creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.

We’re also proud to share that the Land O’ Lakes High School band played a part in helping the team on their way to state competition—truly showing the power of community and collaboration across generations!

To help make this incredible opportunity possible, they're seeking support from local community partners to cover travel and tournament expenses. All donations are tax deductible, and 100% of contributions go directly toward supporting the students on this exciting journey.

They would be so grateful if you would consider making a donation to help their team represent Connerton Elementary on the world stage. Importantly, your support helps alleviate the financial burden on families, ensuring that all of our students can participate regardless of individual circumstances.

Thank you for supporting the future of creative education and for helping our young innovators take part in this once-in-a-lifetime experience. To make a donation, visit: https://www.studentquickpay.com/pasco/MyAccount/Main.aspx?webitemid=23151

The Land O' Lakes High School Environmental Club proudly participated in the Earth Day celebration at Crews Lake Park this past weekend. Students showcased their passion for protecting the planet by hosting activities, sharing information about conservation efforts, and encouraging community members to take eco-friendly actions. It was a wonderful opportunity for our club members to connect with the community and celebrate our commitment to making a positive impact on the environment!

Our students recently participated in the Florida HOSA State Leadership Conference, which attracted over 3,000 members, advisors, and guests from all over the state. This event allowed HOSA members to showcase their healthcare and leadership skills.

We are proud to announce that after competition Jacob Brown has advanced to the International level! He will be traveling to Tennessee in June to compete on a global stage. Congratulations Jacob and to all of the other members who made us proud at the convention.

Emily Coss has broken her own school record in the pole vault! At a recent meet, Emily achieved an impressive height of 2.95 meters, surpassing her previous record. This remarkable accomplishment is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and athletic prowess. Congratulations Emily, we are incredibly proud of you and look forward to seeing what you will accomplish next as you attend the University of North Florida. Fly high as an Osprey!

Alexis Matthews has been honored by the Florida Holocaust Museum as the Land O' Lakes High School recipient of the prestigious Anne Frank Humanitarian Award. This award celebrates exceptional humanitarian efforts by high school juniors in both public and private schools across the Tampa Bay area. Alexis earned this recognition through her remarkable initiative, the HOPE Ambassadors Program, which she developed to provide vital support and assistance to individuals facing various challenges. Her dedication to making a positive impact in the community is truly inspiring, and this award highlights her outstanding commitment to helping others. Congratulations, Alexis, on this well-deserved honor.

Ihnel Richards is our Turnaround Student of the Year! Ihnel's story is more than just doing better in school; it's about personal growth, overcoming tough times, and being strong when things seem impossible. He has shown that no matter where you start, it's never too late to change, grow, and reach your potential. His journey proves that transformation takes hard work, persistence, and honesty about where you are and where you want to go.

Ihnel's success didn't come easily or quickly. It took many hours of effort, dealing with setbacks, and reflecting on his progress. His determination to improve himself and work hard for more than just good grades made all the difference. His story reminds us that success is about how we handle challenges and rise above them, not where we begin. Ihnel will graduate as a member of the Class of 2025, and we couldn't be any prouder of his tenacity and perseverance!

Get ready for an evening of excitement as LOLHS takes on Gulf HS in our Spring Football Game! Join us on Friday, May 23rd at 7:00 PM at GHS. Let's pack the visitng stands and cheer on our team to victory!

As we reflect on another remarkable school year, we are filled with immense gratitude for the unwavering support of our parents, guardians, and the broader community. Since our founding in 1975, LOLHS has stood as a beacon of pride, and it's your continued support that helps us maintain that legacy.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you who has played a role in supporting our school throughout the year. Your contributions, whether big or small, make a significant difference in the lives of our students and staff.

In particular, we want to express our gratitude to those who generously contributed to the success of our recent Staff Appreciation Week. Thanks to your kindness and generosity, every member of our staff received a gift card, and their smiles spoke volumes about how much they appreciated the gesture.

As we look ahead, we remain committed to humbly serving our students and nurturing an environment where they can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Your continued support makes this mission possible, and for that, we are truly grateful.

Consistently recognized as one of America's Best High Schools. Rated B by the Florida Department of Education. Named a 2025 Magnet School of Excellence by Magnet Schools of America.

An International Baccalaureate and Cambridge World School.

Website: lolhs.pasco.k12.fl.us
Location: 20325 Gator Lane, Land O' Lakes, FL, USA
Phone: 813-794-9400
Twitter: @lolhsprincipal