Riverview/Apollo Beach
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Students Learn More Than Sports With New Deputies And Kids Program
By Kate Quesada
Detective Michael Bucciarelli started the Deputies and Kids Program at Rodgers Middle and Riverview High schools five years ago. He is looking for donations to keep the program growing for the more than 200 participants.
in Boston, which inspired him to pursue a career in law enforcement, Bucciarelli began the program in Riverview in 2014. “Statistics show that with the use of these programs, students often have a higher school attendance rate, are better behaved and receive better grades,” he said, adding that students who are not interested in the athletic side of the program can still participate by setting up, running the score board or helping out in other ways. Last year, more than 215 students joined the program, which consists of teams participating in regular season, playoff and championship games at the two schools. “Each year is better than the past,” he said. “Even just having something they enjoy that they can participate in after school is life-changing for some kids.” In order to continue, Buccarelli is asking for help from the public and local businesses. “We are looking for donations which will help buying T-shirts, trophies and other items,” he said. “Some of these families do not have money for extras like shoes, shorts and equipment, so donations would be greatly appreciated.” Anyone interested in making a donation can contact Bucciarelli at mbucciar@hcso.tampa.fl.us or Deputy Aaron Cater, the Resource Deputy at Riverview High School. The school is located at 11311 Boyette Rd. in Riverview and can be reached at 671-5011.
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School Safety Is Rep. Beltran’s Top Priority As He Heads To Tallahassee In March
By Kathi Hayes
Rodgers Middle School Resource Officer discusses school safety issues with Rep. Beltran and School Board Vice Chair Melissa Snively.
As Rep. Michael Beltran (R), Hillsborough, prepares for the legislative session beginning in early March in Tallahassee, he will focus his efforts on school safety, making it his top priority. Umbrellaed under school safety comes single point access, gates and security, bus transportation, safe roadways, safe sidewalks and crosswalks, school resource officers and mental health. Hillsborough’s school board vice chair Melissa Snively invited Rep. Beltran to walk the campuses of Marion S. Rodgers Middle School in Riverview and Joe E. Newsome High School in Lithia. “As we are upon the anniversary of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, school safety is in the forefront of the district’s priorities. Beltran will have his own kids entering the school district in a few years, so education is important to him. Walking the campuses allows him to see and experience it for himself,” said Snively. “We are asking for additional funding to fund resource officers on every school campus. It costs almost $17 million and the district falls short about $7 million after the state funds $10 million.” Rep. Beltran discussed with Rodgers Middle School’s Resource
Officer about his own driving experience. “I was driving and kids were biking in the road and walking on the shoulder and I had to look out for them. I fear parents late for work or late for school and the temptation to drive a little faster-it is dangerous.” He sees the congestion, dangerous walkways and crosswalks in the mornings and afternoons in his own community of FishHawk Ranch. He added, “We spend a lot of money in terms of preventing shooting incidents, which is very important. Traffic is also a safety issue and a lot more kids are exposed to getting to school safely than will ever be
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In This Issue CAMP BAYOU.....................................PG 3 START FRESH COUNSELING ...............PG 6 NEW SUNRISE MODEL .......................PG 8 EASTER THE BUNNY BOOK ..............PG 10 IMPACT’S GOT TALENT ....................PG 17 Y STITCHERS.....................................PG 22 CHALKLINES .....................................PG 28 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT................PG 36
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One of the area’s finest is asking for help in touching the lives of hundreds of Riverview students. Detective Michael Bucciarelli, former Resource Deputy at Rodgers Middle School, started the Deputies and Kids Program five years ago, offering a free after-school sports league at two local schools. He is now looking for help to make the program even more impactful. Through Bucciarelli’s program, more than 200 students at Riverview High and Rodgers Middle schools have the opportunity to participate in a basketball or flag football league, depending on the time of year, with Bucciarelli and other local deputies. “The program has allowed kids and deputies to interact in a non-law enforcement setting,” said Bucciarelli, who now works in the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office District III Latent Investigations office. Inspired by a Cops and Kids program he participated in while growing up
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March 2019 Volume 17, Issue 3 Ph: 657-2418
Serving Our Customers in 4 Locations: Lithia • Big Bend, Riverview • 301, Riverview • Sun City Center A Big Top travelling circus is coming to the corner of Bloomingdale Ave. and Watson Rd. in Riverview for 16 shows March 13-24. Tickets are on sale now. See full article on page 13.