35 Pasco schools get Five-Star recognition

Thirty-five Pasco schools have been named Five Star Schools for exemplary work in family and community involvement by the Florida Department of Education.

"This prestigious achievement is a testament to the hard work and continued commitment to excellence displayed in each of these schools," superintendent Heather Fiorentino said in a news release. "In their pursuit of actively engaging stakeholders in school improvement efforts, they are building a solid foundation for the success of all students."

To see the list of schools, read on.

Pasco's Five-Star schools are:

Anclote Elementary School
Northwest Elementary School
Centennial Elementary School   
Pasco Elementary School
Chasco Elementary School
Pine View Elementary School
Chasco Middle School
Quail Hollow Elementary School
Cotee River Elementary School
Richey Elementary School
Cypress Elementary School
San Antonio Elementary School
Deer Park Elementary School
Sand Pine Elementary School
Double Branch Elementary School
Sanders Memorial Elementary School
Fox Hollow Elementary School
Schrader Elementary School
Gulf Highlands Elementary School
Seven Oaks Elementary School
Gulf Middle School
Seven Springs Elementary School
Gulfside Elementary School
Shady Hills Elementary School
Gulf Trace Elementary School
Trinity Elementary School
Hudson Middle School
West Zephyrhills Elementary School
James M. Marlowe Elementary School
Wiregrass Ranch High School
Longleaf Elementary School
M. P. Locke Elementary School
Moon Lake Elementary School
New River Elementary School
Trinity Oaks Elementary

Comments

[SAC member/PTO officer/Proud Parent]

Mr. Connolly,

I respect your humble apology.

[Pat Connolly]

SAC member/PTO officer/proud parent,

I apologize for offending. You should be proud of this recognition and I did not mean to belittle the achievements of these fine school communities. Don't feel sorry for me, my school has been a 5-Star Award recipient for more years in a row than I can recall. I don't understand why we weren't recognized again this year, as we (as usual) led all county high schools by a large margin in the number of volunteer hours. But c'est la vie, that is not why we do what we do, in any event.

You are right in guessing that my "negativity" isn't anywhere to be seen in my classroom. From first bell to last, I am in heaven and a poster child for positivism. It's only afterward, when I think about this county I love - the county where I have spent most of my professional life, the county where my three children were educated, the county where my grandson has just started out on his educational journey - and see what's happening to education in this county. Only then does my spirit sadden. Only then does my heart tremble in fear over what might befall this county if good people remain silent. And I am compelled to speak out in the hope of stopping this descent. What you call "negativism", I call shining the light of truth on the darkness which is destroying the thing I love and to which I have dedicated my life.

Please forgive me for allowing my passion to intrude upon what is rightfully a joyous moment for all these schools.

[SAC member/PTO officer/proud parent]

I've read these blogs for months and was just wondering, Mr. Connolly -- do you have anything positive to say about anything? Or do you just try to put a negative twist on any issue you discuss? Schools receive awards and you turn it into something negative??!?!? I don't get it. (But I'm SURE you'll TRY to explain.) I'm guessing your negativity isn't reflected in your classroom, but one would have to wonder based on your posts.

Sorry you don't work at a five star school, but the school where my children attend is quite proud of this achievement. Can you just let us enjoy our "pat on the head" without trying to put some negative spin on the award?

[Alex]

Kudos to all the schools. May be they can take a cue from www.K5Stars.com for making learning more interesting.

[Susie]

Pat Connolly is right, again.

[Pat Connolly]

Because that's the level at which parents stay most involved at the school.

But the real question is,"So what?" The award is a pat on the head, a certificate, a banner to display in the front office, and a photo-op for the Superintendent. (Earned by doing a substantial amount of documentary paperwork, which keeps District-level people happy because it gives them a reason for their paper-shuffling, $60K+ jobs.) Oh, we do get one more thing - words of appreciation from our leader, but not one iota of true respect, and certainly not one penny towards honoring the contract to reward that "hard work and continued commitment to excellence."

What we do every day, we do because of our professionalism and love of our students. Not for these hollow displays of "thanks".

Why are they mostly elementary?