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Land O' Lakes High Gator Gazette
April 2024 Newsletter
Principal's Message
April and May are very busy months at our school with lots of exciting and important events on the horizon! For our upperclassmen, there are two major happenings: Grad Bash at Universal Orlando (reserved for seniors) on April 13 and the highly anticipated Prom on May 4. Rest assured, we've provided information about both occasions and posted additional details on our website. Should you have any inquiries, please feel free to reach out to Sabrina Hydes at shydes@pasco.k12.fl.us.
In a departure from what many other schools in the area are doing, we've chosen to honor our dedicated staff during April, as the entirety of May is dedicated to conducting national, state, and local student exams. This year, our Staff Appreciation Week will be celebrated April 22-26 instead of the usual first week of May. We typically ask families to contribute $10 gift cards for distribution to the staff. This is very popular and much appreciated. If you are willing to provide this donation, the gift cards can be dropped off at the main office prior to April 22. The school is not allowed to accept money to purchase gift cards. While tangible tokens of appreciation such as gift cards are welcomed, heartfelt notes of support and encouragement are truly cherished. Please consider expressing your gratitude to our hardworking staff in whatever way feels most fitting.
I am extremely proud of our seniors, and it's time to start celebrating the many achievements of our Gators as they plan for their futures! Over the past few weeks, our students have received acceptance letters from many prestigious universities including Princeton, Columbia, Brown, University of Pennsylvania, Cornell, Stanford, Emory, Northwestern, Duke, Georgia Tech, Berkeley, UCLA, Colgate, Washington University in St. Louis, University of North Carolina, University of Miami, UF Honors, UCF Honors, and USF Honors. This remarkable accomplishment speaks volumes about the dedication and excellence of our students and educators alike.
Finally, I've included the spring testing calendar below. It cannot be overstated how crucial it is for your student to be present and fully engaged during these exams. Each test holds significance, whether it's fulfilling graduation requirements, earning college credit, or contributing to final course grades. If you have any questions regarding these tests, please don't hesitate to reach out to your student's school counselor.
Warm regards,
Ric Mellin - Principal
Yearbooks are almost sold out! They are still on sale through RYCOR for $85. Distribution of yearbooks will occur mid-May. If there are any left, they will be sold after those who purchased books have picked them up. More info to come through email when they arrive.
The Alligate yearbook staff wants to thank everyone for their support of the program. The students have worked really hard to make the book something that captured the essence of this school year. "Can you hear us?" is the theme, and students tried to get as many voices as possible in the book. It is our biggest book yet, with 384 pages!
Swamp Talk
Don't forget to subscribe to our Swamp Talk YouTube channel to see our latest episodes! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXs5w03kS6_cwgyISlDPlhg.The news crew put together advertisement videos for many of our elective classes that can be found on our YouTube channel. Click the playlist tab to see them all.
Contact Ms. LaBarbara with any questions. llabarba@pasco.k12.fl.us
Student Kickball Tournament
Please us the Kickball Registration Packet to sign up to participate in the Student Council event. If we don't get registrations by April 24 the event will be cancelled.
Prom
Prom tickets are currently on sale for junior and seniors. The last day to purchase a ticket is April 19. If a student submitted a guest form, they should check RYCOR for their guest ticket.
Questions about the prom go to Mrs. Sabrina Hydes at shydes@pasco.k12.fl.us.
Grad Bash
Grad Bash is April 13. Seniors that have paid and turned in their permission slips will need to be at LOLHS on that day by 3:30pm. We will return to LOLHS around 4am. Please make sure your ride is aware. Click here for the Grad Bash dress code.
SAT Results
If your student took the SAT- School Day, scores will be available on the College Board website.
Student can get personalized practice recommendations based on their results. Click the link and follow the steps to connect with the College Board and Khan Academy.
https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/steps-linking-college-board-khan-academy-accounts.pdf
Accessing Your Child’s State Test Scores
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.
- 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.
- 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.
Beyond – Career and Tech Expo
The Beyond – Career and Tech Expo is an opportunity for current 12th grade students to meet with potential employers, receive information about on-the-job training/apprenticeship opportunities, and current job openings. There is also break-out sessions where students will learn more about resume writing, interviewing skills, and the importance of first impressions. Transportation and lunch will be provided but space is limited, so, have your senior register today! (QR Code)
Construction Career Day
Mrs. Colon recently took over 30 juniors and seniors to learn all about careers within the construction industry.
Girls Tennis
The Land O’ Lakes Girls Tennis Team completed their regular season undefeated with a record of 12-0! They are headed to the district tournament soon to qualify for states. Good luck!
National Assistant Principal Appreciation Week
This week marks a special occasion as we honor a group of hard-working educators whose invaluable contributions often go unnoticed - it's National Assistant Principal Appreciation Week! We extend our heartfelt appreciation for the exceptional work they undertake to ensure our amazing school runs smoothly.
Their unwavering dedication, profound commitment, and genuine passion for education serves as a foundation upon which our school thrives. Their tireless efforts, often behind the scenes, do not escape notice, and we are deeply thankful for the profound impact they have on our community.
Their leadership is the linchpin of our school's distinctiveness as a high performing school. Their steadfast support for teachers, students, and parents alike has fostered an environment of positivity and growth. It is through their guidance and vision that we have attained remarkable achievements; under their continued guidance, our journey towards greater success can be achieved.
To Mr. Batchelor, Mrs. Beerman, Mrs. Marriott, Mrs. Nienaber, and Mrs. Wall - your tireless efforts, unyielding dedication, and pursuit of excellence resonate deeply within our school community. Thank you immensely for the invaluable contributions you make to our Gators community. Your impact is immeasurable, and your leadership is truly invaluable!
Honoring Coach Jerry English
The Pasco School Board recently approved the naming the LOLHS softball press box in honor of our esteemed former head coach, Jerry English, in recognition of his outstanding contributions and achievements during his remarkable 27-year tenure at our school.
Coach English's impact on our softball program is immeasurable. Over the course of 26 years as the head varsity softball coach, he demonstrated unwavering dedication and commitment, leaving an indelible mark on the sport and the lives of countless student-athletes. His remarkable achievements include an impressive record of 462 wins, 11 district championships, five regional championships, three sectional championships, three state final four appearances, and two-time state runner-up achievements.
Coach English's excellence extends beyond the field, as evidenced by his two-time recognition as Florida Coach of the Year and two-time United States Southeastern Coach of the Year. He also earned multiple Suncoast Area Coach of the Year awards. In 1994, his illustrious career led to induction into the Florida Athletic Coaches Association (FACA) Hall of Fame after serving as the State Softball Chairman for two years.
The naming of the softball press box in Coach English's honor is not only a fitting tribute but also a meaningful way to immortalize his legacy for generations to come. It serves as a constant reminder of the high standards of excellence he set for our softball program and the positive impact he had on the lives of student-athletes.
Mrs. Betty Skoglund - Teacher of the Month
Mrs. Skoglund has truly been a leader within the Biology department this year! Despite facing numerous challenges, she has navigated through them with grace and determination. Not only has she welcomed new faculty into the fold, but she's also gone above and beyond to ensure their smooth transition into their roles. Sacrificing her own planning and personal time, Mrs. Skoglund has provided invaluable support to her colleagues, ensuring they have the tools and knowledge to excel in their classrooms and beyond.
Her dedication doesn't stop there – Mrs. Skoglund has taken on the responsibility of guiding her colleagues through school practices and policies outside the classroom, ensuring their success in all aspects of their roles. It's clear that her hard work and commitment have not gone unnoticed. Her colleagues want her to know that they see her efforts, and they are deeply grateful for her unwavering support and leadership. Mrs. Skoglund truly embodies excellence in teaching and mentorship, and her impact on the Biology department is immeasurable.
Mr. Kyle Simcox - School Related Personnel of the Month
Mr. Simcox is more than just a great communicator and hard worker – he's a powerhouse of dedication and enthusiasm! With an unwavering commitment to student success and school improvement, Mr. Simcox consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty. His tireless work ethic sets the standard for excellence, and his passion for creating a positive environment radiates in everything he does.
As our 9th grade discipline assistant, Mr. Simcox embodies patience, attentiveness, and a genuine rapport with the students at LOLHS. He's the epitome of reliability, always ready to step in and lend a helping hand with a contagious smile on his face. He not only assists students and faculty but also takes on the role of mentor and leader, guiding our students by example on a daily basis.
In short, Mr. Simcox is an invaluable asset to our team, staff, and school community. His unwavering dedication and positive attitude make him a true standout at LOLHS, and we are incredibly fortunate to have him in the community.
Class of 2024 Yard Signs
Land O' Lakes High School
Website: lolhs.pasco.k12.fl.us
Location: 20325 Gator Lane, Land O' Lakes, FL, USA
Phone: 813-794-9400
Twitter: @lolhsprincipal