Land O' Lakes High Gator Gazette

As we start the month of February, I am delighted to share some exciting news with our school community.

Academic Excellence:

We had an amazing time celebrating our Honor Roll students at the event on January 29th! A whopping 629 students made the A/B Honor Roll, and an impressive 317 students earned straight As for the first semester. Then, on Friday, January 31, we recognized 872 students who achieved Honor Roll status for the second quarter with certificates and a fun snack, celebrating them as "all that and a bag of chips!" We encourage all our students to strive for excellence and challenge themselves by taking the most rigorous courses we offer.

Attendance Matters:

I continue to stress the importance of regular attendance and punctuality. Being in class on time not only contributes to academic success but also helps foster a sense of belonging within our school community. We encourage all parents to prioritize attendance and punctuality, working together with us to ensure that every student has the opportunity to maximize their learning experience.

Course Selection for the Next Academic Year:

The course selection process for the upcoming academic year begins in February. Our staff works diligently to provide a diverse range of courses that cater to the interests of our students. This year, you can browse an online course-catalog to see descriptions for every class. All students should be selecting courses that are challenging and setting them up for success after high school. We appreciate parent attendance at the information nights that we have held at the school. Included above is a picture from the Class of 2026 parent night.

We value your support in your child's education. Together, we will continue to create an environment that promotes both academic and personal growth. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to our staff.

Ric Mellin - Principal

Testing Requirements: If your senior has not yet met the testing requirements for graduation, we have a few more months to earn the passing scores. Students must pass the 10th grade ELA test and the Algebra 1 EOC exam to graduate. Those who haven't passed have been given ongoing opportunities to meet these requirements. We are offering study sessions, boot camps, and study guides to all students still needing to pass these tests.

Upcoming CLT Dates: February 20, 2025. Study Session and boot camps will be offered for both dates.

Cap and Gown Orders: All cap and gown orders must be placed by Feb 1, 2025. Orders can be made through the Herff Jones website. If you purchase a graduation package that includes a cap and gown, the walking fee is also included. On the order form, Line 41 covers both the cap and gown as well as the walking fee for this year. The walking fee includes the cap and gown, diploma, diploma cover, a medallion given at graduation, and the use of the Yuengling Center. All students must purchase a new gown this year, as the students have designed a new gown that will be unveiled at graduation. Gowns from previous years cannot be borrowed. For questions about cap and gown orders, announcements, or tassels, please contact Herff Jones directly.

Class of 2025 Dates

Grad Bash April 5, 2025

Prom April 26, 2025

Graduation June 5, 2025 at 6:00 pm

Please reach out to Mrs. Wall, senior class assistant principal if you have any questions. hwall@pasco.k12.fl.us

We host our School Advisory Council (SAC) meetings on the fourth Wednesday of each month in the media center at 1:45 PM. This council talks about school data, student activities, and funding requests. This council is a great opportunity to share opinions, support, and concerns about our school with a group that is interested in making Land O' Lakes High School the best option for students in our community.

If you are interested in being a part of this community, please click this link to sign up.

We are thrilled to announce that Betty Skoglund has been named the Pasco County Schools Teacher of the Year! This prestigious honor was revealed at the Star Banquet on January 29, 2025. Mrs. Skoglund’s celebration was made even more special with the presence of her mother, husband, and two daughters. As a dynamic educator, she embodies the incredible spirit of our faculty and staff. With 20 years of unwavering dedication to our community, Mrs. Skoglund’s passion for teaching continues to inspire us all and highlights the excellence of our school community.

Mrs. Skoglund is pictured with Mrs. Cynthia Armstong, School Board Chairman and Dr. John Legg, Superintendent of Schools.

Pasco County Schools will host the 5th annual Virtual College and Career Fair on March 5th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The purpose of this event is to ensure helpful information is shared with middle and high school families across the district as they plan for college entrance and/or careers after high school. Each session will be hosted live by experts, with recorded versions being shared here after the event.

Yearbook students are working hard creating a book that will keep memories for years to come. The yearbooks are still on sale on RYCOR for $75. The price will go up on March 1st to $85. Consider adding this as a gift for the holidays if you haven't already purchased one!

We have sold quite a bit of books so far, but there are still many to purchase. However, we usually sell out, just like we sold out of our ad space. Parents - if you ordered a tribute page, you will get a tribute page proof emailed starting the end of January. So, make sure your photos and completed order form were sent to Ms. Labarbara at llabarba@pasco.k12.fl.us.

Swamp Talk students have created new videos of electives offered at LOLHS to help parents and students make their course selections. You can find them on our YouTube LOLHS Swamp Talk channel under the playlist LOLHS Electives 2025-26.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhySOJfGx7yqrDDVi814RBjwGnVUqnxFE

Additionally, there is a video from our student services team for incoming freshman (class of 2029) and next year's Juniors (class of 2027) on our channel as well to help with course selections.

Subscribe and Like our channel today to stay updated with any new videos added

In the months of January and February, we invite stakeholders to participate in the review of textbooks that are being considered for adoption for a number of science courses. Digital access to resources is provided for families and community members who would like to review the options. Please access the textbook adoption website for resource access and information on how to submit your input for consideration. We also invite you to attend the Science Vendor Night on February 4th from 5-7:30 p.m. To RSVP to attend, click here.

Each February, as our Nation celebrates Black History Month, students throughout the state will be learning about significant contributions that African Americans have made to our history. It includes the history of African nations before the political conflicts that led to slavery, the passage to the Americas, the history of enslavement, abolition, and the legacy of many amazing societal achievements.

Various activities are being organized to commemorate Black History Month. These include educational programs, displays, and school-community events.

February is Career & Technical Education (CTE) Month allowing us the opportunity to celebrate the value of CTE and the achievements and accomplishments of our programs, faculty, and students!

CTE instruction directly prepares students for high-wage, high-demand careers. In Pasco County, our CTE faculty and staff support collaborative, innovative learning environments that prepare students for meaningful careers in a diverse and changing world. Students can engage in courses centered around 14 of the national career clusters with opportunities in 42 unique programs. We are proud to offer a vast array of CTE courses at our school!

We are excited to announce that the Drama Department and Student Council will be sponsoring a series of activities throughout the week to celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Week, which takes place annually from February 14–20.

This special week is a wonderful opportunity for us to come together as a school community and recognize the profound impact that kindness can have on others' lives. Whether it's offering to help another student, paying for someone's snack, or leaving a kind note, every small act of kindness can make a big difference.

Enjoy the special performances of Mean Girls by the Drama Department that highlight the theme of social dynamics, conformity, and the harmful effects of cliques.

National School Counseling Week is an annual event that takes place during the first week of February. It is a time to recognize and appreciate the contributions of school counselors who play a crucial role in the academic and personal development of students. These professionals provide support in various areas, including academic achievement, career planning, and personal/social development.

During National School Counseling Week, we honor our school counselors and other key student services personnel for the valuable work they do. It is also an opportunity for people in the school community to express gratitude and acknowledge the positive impact that these staff members have on the school community.

Pasco County Schools is proud to announce that Magnet Schools of America have recognized several of our magnet schools and programs with prestigious awards for their outstanding achievements. These awards celebrate our schools' dedication to academic excellence, innovation, and community engagement.

Top Magnet School of Excellence:

Land O’ Lakes High School International Baccalaureate Magnet Program

Magnet Schools of Distinction:

Anclote High School Cambridge Magnet Program

Pineview Elementary International Baccalaureate Magnet School

San Antonio Elementary Cambridge Magnet School

These schools will be officially recognized during the Magnet Schools of America National Conference, held April 7-10, 2025, in Nashville, TN.

The awards are a testament to the hard work of our students, teachers, and families. Congratulations to all our schools for their incredible accomplishments! To learn more about the Magnet Schools of America awards program, visit magnet.edu. More information about these innovative choice options can be found by visiting the Pasco Pathways Catalog.

LOLHS has earned the College Board AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in AP Computer Science A (CSA). Schools honored with an AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award have expanded access to AP computer science courses for female students.

During the 2023-24 school year, 1,153 institutions achieved an AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award for CSA, CSP or both courses. Award contenders must either have reached 50% or higher female representation in one of the two AP computer science courses or have achieved a percentage of female computer science exam takers that meets or exceeds that of the school’s female population. LOLHS was one of only 237 recognized for improving female representation in AP CSA.

All LOLHS Juniors are eligible to take the SAT at no cost. This year the SAT is digital. We have selected the dates of Wednesday, March 5 and Thursday, March 6 for administration during the school day. Students will be assigned the date and location. Those students who have been approved for accommodations by College Board will be placed in an appropriate room.

There are some great benefits about taking the SAT at LOLHS during the school day:

• Your student is more comfortable and confident by testing in a familiar place.
• You don’t have to worry about the logistics of getting your teen to a test center.
• No one must worry about weekend conflicts or disrupting family time!

Land O’ Lakes High School marked a significant moment in our history with the unveiling of the inaugural Staff Hall of Fame. This event, held in January 2024, was a resounding success, drawing many attendees, including students, alumni, staff, and distinguished guests.

The Staff Hall of Fame, a tribute to the esteemed educators and staff members who have played a pivotal role in shaping the institution, proudly features the names of thirty-four remarkable staff members. These individuals, selected for their exceptional service and positive influence on generations of students, represent the foundation upon which the school’s legacy is built.

We are excited to announce that we will be adding to this number by recognizing our Year Two initiates at an event on March 26, 2025. This years inductees include: Bryan Babij, David Berger, Leslie Bozeman, Linda Davies, Jerry English, Cindy Good, Margaret Higgins, Kris Keppel, Jamie Martin, Elizabeth Perez, Mary Walker, and Wendy White.

This momentous occasion not only honors the past but also inspires current and future staff members to uphold the high standard of excellence that is a hallmark of our school. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supports this achievement.

Land O’ Lakes High School remains committed to celebrating its history and fostering an environment where learning and excellence thrive. We look forward to continuing this tradition and honoring more exemplary individuals in the years to come.

Course Selection:

Over the next several weeks, our school counselors will be visiting classrooms to complete course selection for the 2025-26 school year. An initial copy of the course card has been distributed to students (either hard copy or via school email) to review prior to counselor visits, and course selection presentations are available on the LOLHS website. Now is a great time to look over the course card with your student.

Students are encouraged to speak with their current teachers regarding class recommendations for next year. They will receive a fresh course card on selection day and will enter their requests at that time. If you have any questions, please reach out to your student's school counselor.

Dual Enrollment Information:

If you are interested in pursuing Dual Enrollment next year, please see below

Xello: As students are beginning to select next year’s classes with their School Counselors, I recommend spending time on Xello! This app found on the myPascoConnect dashboard where students using their single sign-on credentials to complete some career assessments, research different education or career options after graduation, or review course offerings to continue with their future-focused mindset.

Log into the Xello app on your myPascoConnect Dashboard

1.Complete at least one of your assigned lessons in the Xello app between February 18th and March 24th.

2. After completing a lesson, you will be entered into a drawing to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card.

Juniors College Seminar: College-bound Juniors and families are invited to attend a seminar with Mrs. Colon called “My Roadmap to College” scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 25th beginning at 6:30pm in the Commons. Mrs. Colon will be going over college options, the application process, college entrance testing (SAT/ACT/CLT), and a suggested timeline for 2nd semester and over the summer.

PHSC Free Application Days: Current Seniors who want to attend PHSC after graduation can complete the application for FREE with Mrs. Colon and a PHSC Recruiter. The next date will be February 13th during 2nd period. Pre-registration is required: https://forms.office.com/r/pkrghGGGVh

We had the pleasure of hosting approximately 500 students and their families for our first-semester Honor Roll Celebration on January 29th! It was an evening filled with excitement and joy as our top-of-the-class students walked the red carpet, received their certificates, and captured fun moments with various backgrounds and silly props. To top it all off, everyone enjoyed delicious ice cream sundaes with a variety of toppings!

A BIG THANK YOU goes out to Jessica Cooper, Kim McGhee, April Figueroa, and Spencer Bryant for their invaluable help throughout the evening. Students and families loved chatting with them, and their assistance was greatly appreciated. We also extend our gratitude to Mr. Russell for providing the fun props, which were a big hit!

It was truly a GREAT night for our students and families, and we look forward to many more celebrations in the future!

Nine of our brightest students will represent Land O’ Lakes High School at the Pasco Science & Engineering Showcase on February 8th at the Angeline School of Innovation. Saptashwa Banerjee, Alexander Graybill, Mahesh Gummadidala, Abhinav Katkoori, Nayonika Pondicherry, Cedric Matthew Ramos, Camille Richard, Madelyn Rodriguez, and Sanab Sahu will showcase their amazing research and innovation.

Good luck, Gators!

Recently, our AP Statistics students participated in a unique and engaging review activity designed to test their knowledge in a fun and dynamic way. The activity allowed students to spend a few minutes with each topic, quickly assessing their understanding and identifying areas for improvement.

During the session, students rotated through various stations, each focusing on a different statistical concept. This fast-paced format not only kept the energy high but also encouraged students to think on their feet and apply their knowledge under time constraints.

One of the key benefits of this activity was the opportunity for students to revisit topics they found challenging. After the initial round, students could return to specific stations to deepen their understanding and clarify any doubts. This iterative process helped reinforce their learning and build confidence in their abilities.

Overall, the activity was a resounding success, providing a refreshing break from traditional review methods and fostering a collaborative learning environment. Our AP Statistics students are now better prepared and more confident as they continue their journey through the course.

Stay tuned for more innovative learning experiences from our dedicated educators!

Our school wide Resiliency Focus for February is PERSONAL RESPONSIBILTY. Students will be encouraged to identify healthy choices that affect their personal wellness. We will continue to expect students to follow school wide rules and expectations. School counselors will work with students to set goals during their classroom visits as well as help them to identify personal strengths. We will have a school wide focus on empathy, listening, courage and leadership.

Please use this link to discus personal responsibility with your high school student.

Valentine's Day is coming up and we wanted to remind parents/guardians that the school should not be used to deliver packages or gifts to students. We have well over 2200 students at the school, and it is not practical for us to accept deliveries on behalf of students. We lack the capacity or personnel to handle deliveries and ensure that students receive what's been sent to them. Please keep this in mind and have the delivery set up for the home.

Members of the LOLHS coding club volunteered to teach the Connerton 2nd and 3rd grade Odyssey of the Mind team basics of engineering and coding. They served as positive role models, while sharing their expertise, so that the elementary students could apply what they learned to design their own robot to compete in a district competition.

These students were amazing when working with my the youngsters. They had a lot of patience and understanding as they explained coding concepts so that they could be understood by younger kids.

This is the inagural season for flag football. Their first home game is 2/18 vs WCHS. Lets fill the swamp.

Spring Home openers

Baseball 2/4 7pm

JV Baseball 2/17 6pm

Boys Lacrosse 2/14 7pm

Boys Tennis 2/11 3pm

Girls Tennis 2/25 3pm

Softball 2/18 6pm

Flag Football 2/18 7pm

Girls Lacrosse 2/27 5pm

Let’s get out to support our Gator athletes.

Our girls' basketball team recently took a moment to recognize and celebrate our senior players for their invaluable contributions to the team. The honored seniors are:

- Mackenzie Yates

- Julia Foster

- Jayda Craft

These dedicated athletes were pictured with Coach Foster, capturing a memorable moment of appreciation and camaraderie. Their hard work, leadership, and commitment have greatly impacted the team, and we are grateful for their efforts.

Thank you, seniors, for your dedication and for being an inspiration to your teammates!

Last weekend, our Gators showcased their strength and determination at the district meet. Out of the nine athletes who competed, seven placed in their respective weight classes. Congratulations to:

- Riley Hunter (5th)

- Vanessa Becker (2nd)

- Kora Brown (3rd)

- Kaylee Benedetto (5th)

- Valerie Templar (5th)

- Allie Brink(1st)

A special shoutout to Allie Brink, who not only secured first place in her weight class but also achieved the top lifter title across all weight classes with a combined score of 730 pounds between the two scoring methods.

We are thrilled to announce that four of these outstanding athletes have earned a spot in the regional meet this weekend at St. Cloud High School. Join us in cheering on our senior leader, Allie Brink, and our talented freshmen, Kora Brown, Vanessa Becker, and Riley Hunter, as they represent the Gators at regionals.

On Friday night, January 17, the Lady Gators Soccer team celebrated their six seniors during the final home game of the season against Tampa Catholic. It was a memorable evening filled with recognition and appreciation for the hard work and dedication of our senior players.

The Lady Gators concluded the regular season with an impressive 10-3-2 record, showcasing their skill and teamwork throughout the season. Congratulations to the entire team for their outstanding performance and a special thank you to our seniors for their leadership and contributions.

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