Riverview/Apollo Beach 41-48
7
May 2021
Volume 19,
Issue 5
Ph: 657-2418
CELEBRATING 19 YEARS OF PUBLISHING P OSITIVE COMMUNIT Y NEWS
SPURLINO Y NAMES JEREMY ADKINS AND SUE JACOBSON VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR
CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES ON WATERSET’S PK-8 MAGNET SCHOOL
By Michelle Caceres
By Kathy L. Collins Jacobson said, “I love serving as main coach for the girls’ basketball program at the Y, creating a culture that is both competitive and inclusive. I enjoy helping to improve a group of competitive players as much as I do teaching kids who are new to the sport, showing them how fun and rewarding it is. I appreciate the opportunity
Jeremy Adkins and Sue Jacobson were recognized as the 2021 Volunteers of the Year from the Spurlino Family YMCA. Both of these dedicated volunteers serve as youth sports coaches. They were recognized this year during the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA’s four-day virtual event.
to be a part of the Y’s wonderful family atmosphere driving all of us to improve and have fun.” Tampa YMCA longtime supporters Cy and Joanne Spurlino were recognized with the Red Triangle Award. This prestigious award is given to Y volunteers whose leadership, dedicated service and devotion to the Y mission have made significant and lasting impact in the community. “No one has held our hand more tightly than Cy and Joanne Spurlino, and we are so fortunate to have them as friends. It is an honor to recognize them as true owners of our mission and purpose,” said Mitchell. The Spurlino Family YMCA is located at 9650 Old Big Bend Rd. in Riverview. For more information, please call 228-9622 or visit www.tampaymca.org.
Osprey Observer 2109 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Valrico, FL 33596
April 12 marked a significant milestone in the construction of a new PK-8 magnet school located at 5995 Covington Garden Dr. in the Waterset subdivision. With the help of impact fees assessed by the county government to new construction homes, construction on the school’s first building is underway in Apollo Beach. The groundbreaking ceremony took place in March. Construction will continue through June 2022 with an anticipated August 2022 school opening. While plans are still being developed, the school is intended to be a first-of-itskind, application-based magnet school that hosts an International Baccalaureate (IB) program that will incorporate unique arts and science pathways and be rich in technology. “The school will be the most unique IB magnet school in the district and will be replete with labs, equipment and materials that will not only engage students in their learning but will appeal to all students— those whose interests lie in the arts, those whose interests lie in the sciences and those who are interested in both,” said Erin Maloney with Hillsborough County Public Schools. The program’s unique approach is expected to attract applications from families throughout the area and ensure the schools launches at or near capacity. The new school will give parents another magnet option in Southern Hillsborough County. Currently there are only two magnet high schools (Lennard and Spoto), three magnet middle schools (Dowdell, Progress Village and Rodgers) and no magnet elementary schools in the area. “The introduction of the K-8 model infused with this magnet program will give families in the southern portion of the county a magnet school that can appeal to all students of all interests and provide the
community with its first K-5 magnet presence,” said Maloney. The school will also address higher school enrollment at schools brought on by increases in residential development. The new school will have a capacity of 1,620 students. Magnet schools will begin taking applications during the school choice window, which takes place in the fall before the following school year. If all goes as scheduled and planned, applications will open up in the choice window this fall. Pease call the Office of Student Planning and Placement at 272-4692 or visit www. hillsboroughschools.org/magnet.
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Each year, the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA recognize those individuals who make an impact on the community. The local Ys also recognize volunteers who go above and beyond to make their YMCA a great place to be a member. This year, in an effort to ensure the safety of the community, the annual event was held as a four-day virtual event on Facebook. The celebration included compelling videos, stories and more to celebrate the Y’s impact, thank donors and honor community volunteers. Thomas Mantz, president and CEO of Feeding Tampa Bay, was awarded the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA’s Community Impact Award for his dedication and positive impact on the Tampa Bay community. “Thomas Mantz exemplifies the very purpose of what the Community Impact Award is all about,” said Tampa YMCA President and CEO Matt Mitchell. Locally, the Spurlino Family YMCA recognized two volunteers, Jeremy Adkins and Sue Jacobson. Both volunteers are youth sports coaches. Adkins said, “I love coaching at the YMCA. I am grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of my players. My greatest joy is watching each child grow in their ability and attitude.”
A rendering of Waterset’s PK-8 Magnet School, which is now under construction.
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