Main Editor: Amyah Ilnicki

Contributor(s): Amyah Ilnicki, Jaylah Tirado, Colleen Jakubowski, Heather Campbell, Natalia Brophy

Thanks to generous community donations, we proudly opened the Tigers Den gym/fitness room at East Pasco Education Academy. This facility has sparked a remarkable 60% increase in student participation in PE class since its opening in August. We are deeply grateful for the community's support, which has not only provided our students with a valuable resource but has also fostered a sense of pride and ownership in our school. The Tigers Den is more than just a fitness room; it is a symbol of our commitment to providing our students with the tools they need to succeed.

Our first speaker of the year was Mr. Sammy Ortiz. Mr. Ortiz works with young people, helping them develop an entrepreneurial mindset and launch their own businesses. He shared his insights with our students, discussing the challenges, perseverance, and opportunities that come with entrepreneurship. Mr. Ortiz encouraged our students to never give up on their dreams and to embrace the entrepreneurial spirit.

We believe in hands-on and collaborative learning. This month, our EPEA High School teachers explained the importance of the Neolithic Revolution to our students, incorporating perspectives from Math (Mr. Lail), Science (Mr. Jones), English (Mrs. Campbell), History (Mrs. Gomez), and Agriculture (Ms. Crane). Students were able to experience a real-life exhibit of the Neolithic lifestyle.

Zamiah Giles - August Student of the Month

We're excited to announce that Zamiah Giles has been named our Student of the Month for August! Zamiah is a shining example of academic excellence and excellent behavior. Her dedication to her studies, her active participation in school clubs and the YES program, and her positive attitude make her a true role model for her peers. Congratulations, Zamiah! We're proud of your accomplishments.

Amyah Ilnicki - September Student of the Month

Amyah Ilnicki has been selected as our Student of the Month for September! Amyah's exceptional grades, strong work ethic, and respectful demeanor make her an outstanding student. She is a valuable member of our school community, an active participant of the YES program. She is always willing to lend a helping hand and support her classmates. Congratulations, Amyah! We're thrilled to recognize your achievements.

Our inaugural Hispanic Heritage Assembly was a truly inspiring celebration, enriching our students and staff through cultural discovery, music and even dynamic dance! Our students, Amyah Ilnicki, Richard Bates, and Corbyn Adams delivered outstanding presentations. Our sincere appreciation goes to Mr. Nelson Cruz for bringing Grupo Barriplé's exhilarating performance to our campus, filling our hearts with joy! We are looking forward to having Grupo Barriplé back on campus to teach our students about music and cultural instruments.

To kick off the book, The Great Gatsby, Mrs. Campbell's class and visitors engaged in a carousel walk to learn about the time period, setting, and characters. Students were able to make some accessories to dress the part. A fun time in the Roaring 20’s was had today!

Our students in the Cares program are having a lot of fun while learning. Mrs. Spinney led the Cares students in a math activity to learn about ratios and investigate whether M&Ms have the same color distribution in each bag. The students were surprised to see the discrepancies.

Meanwhile, students in Ms. Lasiewicz's class made paper airplanes and had to determine how the design of their airplane affected how far it would travel!

We kicked off our Tiger handoffs at our most recent staff meeting, recognizing our amazing staff. The first Tiger recipients of the school year are Mrs. Spinney, our EBD teacher, and Mrs. Jakubowski, our RMA. Mrs. Spinney's leadership as well as her creative teaching strategies are making a significant impact on our campus. Mrs. Jakubowski has been going above and beyond to support our teachers, beautify our campus and elevate our school's professional atmosphere.

This month we welcomed Loida Vazquez from Keiser University. Her presentation focused on the importance of career alignment, navigating life after graduation, and Keiser's available opportunities. She also highlighted beneficial career exploration resources, including Xello.

Our Gold and Silver Card students had an amazing time at Field Day! They enjoyed a variety of games, delicious snacks, and fun activities. These students truly earned this celebration through their hard work and dedication. It's always great to see them having such a good time while enjoying the rewards of their efforts! Keep up the great work!

Even though our Freedom Week was cut short due to Hurricane Helene, our staff and students made the most of the time we had! Students and staff showed their spirit by dressing up as their favorite heroes, rocking stars and stripes, and representing their favorite decades. The week may not have gone as planned, but our school community came together to enjoy the celebration in style.

You can view more photos on our Facebook and Instagram pages.

By Amyah Ilnicki

Mr. Brooks is a particularly important man that I have had the pleasure of interviewing. As students, we seem to forget that the people that inspire us the most are people too. Mr. Brooks wasn’t always set out to be a motivational speaker, as soon as he turned 18, he joined the military. He then served in the army for 25 years straight. After a while, he wanted to do something different, he wanted to inspire. So, he acquired his master's degree in social work. His audience? Young men and women like us. Mr. Brooks wanted to inspire children like us, teenagers who might not have someone to give us wisdom and advice to help us achieve our goals. His motivation to keep on inspiring is the fact that he sees himself in all the kids he speaks to, “I didn't have someone to give me wisdom to make better opportunities,” - he recalls. He uses his own experiences to relate to the people he's trying to motivate to be better people. “When I see a student, I don't see them as they are, I see as far as their potential will take them. I see their future.” Since I got to East Pasco, Mr. Brooks has been such an eye-opening person for me. Mr. Brooks makes me believe that I can be a better person. He makes me want to not only be better, but to do better, act better, and even think better. Mr. Brooks leaves a lasting impression on every student he meets and talks to; he’s loved by all, and smiles fill the room as soon as he preaches. “I don’t want things to be easy, I just want to be better.” So, thank you, Mr. Brooks, for being the best you can be, you truly mean a lot to all of us, and I hope you feel our love.

By Amyah Ilnicki

Hispanic heritage month is more than just a month for me. It is a month to remember and acknowledge my culture and how I was raised. As a Dominican, growing up my home was filled with the delicious smell of freshly cooked rice and the sounds of Spanish music playing all throughout the house.

To me this month means coming home from school to the scent of rice and gandules, super excited because my mother cooked something I thought was a delicacy. It was the best ending to my night, and it tasted as if she made it with love.

To me this month means stumbling over my feet laughing while I try to dance bachata with my mother or grandma to the beats of whatever Spanish radio they had on, knowing I have two left feet.

To me this month means watching my mother cook what smells to be the best dinner ever while loud Spanish music pours into each and every room of the house, getting antsy at the idea of a feast.

Though I may not look Hispanic like most, the culture of my ancestors is pumping through my sancocho filled veins.

To me this month means celebrating where I came from and truly embracing my culture.

By Amyah Ilnicki

September is suicide prevention month, a time to raise awareness of this stigmatized topic. This is a month to remember the lives that have been lost due to suicide, pay attention to those who have had suicidal thoughts, and a month to truly show people that might be struggling that you care for them. Anybody can struggle mentally. Mental health is a real thing that we need to pay attention to when people show signs. Suicidal thoughts can linger in anyone's mind, it’s a silent killer that affects all ages.

So how can you help? The number one thing you can do to help a suicidal person in need is just be there. Be present and offer a listening ear or a helping hand to those in need. Even if it’s a simple “Hey, I’m here for you”, it’ll go a long way and shows them that someone is there for them, and they don’t have to feel so alone. If you yourself struggle with these thoughts, talk to someone. Whether that be a friend, family member, or teacher, you can get help. If you don’t have those outlets, find a therapist, or if you’re afraid of telling your family, call or text 988 to be connected to a counselor or someone to talk to in as little as 5 minutes. Hope is not lost. You can always get help. Remember, you are loved, you are wanted, and you are valued.

By Colleen Jakubowski

Immune Boosting Foods:

Eat foods rich in vitamins C and D, zinc and antioxidants like citrus fruits, leafy greens, nuts, garlic, ginger, turmeric, spinach, papaya, red bell peppers and blueberries are a few foods that can help support the immune system.

The Role of Sleep:

Set aside no more than eight hours for sleep for adults and 8-10 for teens. Most people don't need more than eight hours in bed to be well rested.

Go to bed and get up at the same time every day, including weekends. Being consistent reinforces your body's sleep-wake cycle. Proper sleep supports the immune system, especially with the return of school routines.

Exercise and Fresh Air:

Outdoor exercises boost your cardiovascular health, build strength, and enhance endurance. The varied terrain and natural resistance of the outdoors push your body in ways a treadmill simply can’t.

Ever felt that sense of calm after a walk in the park? That’s nature working its magic on your mental health. Outdoor activities can significantly reduce stress, elevate your mood, and even combat symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Natural Remedies:

Elderberry, echinacea and probiotics may help reduce the risk of colds and flu. Elderberries are rich in tons of antioxidants, too (anthocyanidins, flavanols, and vitamin C, to be precise), meaning they also have the power to fight inflammation and free radical damage in the body. Studies suggest that complex substances called ‘phenolic compounds’ are responsible for echinacea’s immune supporting properties. Echinacea has been traditionally used to relieve the symptoms of the common cold and influenza type infections. Coming down with a sniffle? It’s time to fix yourself a cup of warming echinacea tea. Different strains of gut flora bolster your immune function, so having enough ‘good’ bacteria in your gut is vital. Eating more fermented foods, like sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir and kombucha, will give your gut with a good dose of friendly bacteria and work wonders for your immunity.

Practice good hygiene:

One of the simplest yet most effective ways to stay healthy is through washing our hands thoroughly and doing so often.

As the school year begins, supporting your immune system with these few simple ideas can help keep you energized and ready for the school year ahead.

To read our College and Career Lab Newsletter, please click the button below.

We expect students and staff to adhere to our Core Values:

Click below to access the Student Code of Conduct

For families who are in need, we have support that can be provided through the Tender, Loving Care program. Our social worker has contacts in the community to help with food during the holidays, clothing, and school supplies. If you need any services, please reach out and we will see what we can do to assist.

School address - 35830 County Road 52 Dade City, FL 33525

Phone Number - 352-524-5700

Fax Number - 352-524-5791

Principal - Shelley Carrino E-mail - scarrino@pasco.k12.fl.us

Assistant Principal - Jessica Mitch E-mail - jeawilli@pasco.k12.fl.us

School Counselors - Sherri Harris E-mail - ssharris@pasco.k12.fl.us & TBA

Career Counselor - Natalia Brophy E-mail - nbrophy@pasco.k12.fl.us

Behavior Specialists - Jose Olmo (Dr. J) E-mail - jolmo@pasco.k12.fl.us and Travis Wisdom (SBP) E-mail twisdom@pasco.k12.fl.us

Social Worker - Michael Brooks E-mail - mlbrooks@pasco.k12.fl.us

Social Services Coordinator (Attendance) - Leslie Cinnante E-mail - lcinnant@pasco.k12.fl.us

Check out our website and Facebook pages below:

EPEA WEBSITE

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