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- Issue #326: Hillsborough Schools Focus on Attendance + Crystal River’s HGTV Spotlight
Issue #326: Hillsborough Schools Focus on Attendance + Crystal River’s HGTV Spotlight
3/6/2025
Ted Grellner
06 Mar
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In this issue of NewTampa | WesleyChapel
Local Pulse
Our Event Calendar
Local News
— Hillsborough County Schools Launches Kindergarten Attendance Initiative
Of Interest
— Crystal River Named One of America’s ‘Most Charming’ Small Towns by HGTV
Medical News
— Moffitt Cancer Center Studies Pickleball’s Benefits for Cancer Survivors
Sports
— USF’s Abdul-Rasheed and Babin Qualify for NCAA Indoor National Championships
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Hillsborough County Schools Launches Kindergarten Attendance Initiative
To encourage regular attendance, Hillsborough County Schools has partnered with Florida Prepaid to launch a kindergarten attendance initiative that rewards students for showing up to school.
Students who maintain at least 90% attendance during the challenge period (Feb. 1 – April 30) will receive a $100 contribution into a Florida 529 savings plan. Additionally, each elementary school principal will award three $1,000 scholarships to randomly selected students from a qualifying attendance group.
In total, over 400 students will benefit from this $1.6 million investment aimed at reinforcing the importance of early education.
"They're learning how to learn, and it's really hard to reach them when they're not here," said kindergarten teacher Natalie LaRoche, emphasizing how absences impact foundational skills.
Deputy Superintendent Shaylia McRae highlighted that consistent attendance builds a strong educational foundation for first grade and beyond.
By making attendance rewarding, the initiative aims to set students on the path to long-term academic success.
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Crystal River Named One of America’s ‘Most Charming’ Small Towns by HGTV
Crystal River, Florida, has earned a spot on HGTV’s list of the 50 "most charming" small towns in America. Located along the state's Nature Coast, this hidden gem is celebrated for its scenic beauty, outdoor activities, and unique wildlife encounters.
HGTV praised the town for its boating, diving, fishing, and eco-tours, making it a haven for nature lovers. What sets Crystal River apart is its distinction as the only place in the U.S. where visitors can swim, kayak, and paddleboard with manatees—a rare experience made possible with trained guides.
Other notable attractions include Three Sisters Springs and Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, both offering stunning views and diverse wildlife.
For those seeking a mix of adventure and small-town charm, Crystal River stands out as a must-visit destination.
The full list of HGTV’s 50 most charming small towns is available on their website.
Moffitt Cancer Center Studies Pickleball’s Benefits for Cancer Survivors
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center, in partnership with YMCA of the Suncoast, have been studying how pickleball could help cancer survivors stay active and improve their well-being.
The study included 23 participants, 18 of whom were cancer survivors, who took up pickleball under the guidance of a certified coach. Researchers aimed to determine whether the sport could be scaled into a larger wellness program for survivors.
Dr. Nathan Parker, from Moffitt’s Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, was surprised by the enthusiasm participants showed. "They stuck through. It seemed like they became pickleball addicts," he said.
For participants like Jacie Rowe, 77, a multiple myeloma survivor, the game provided physical and emotional support. “It keeps me young,” she shared, adding that playing helped her connect with others facing similar challenges.
Encouraged by the results, researchers hope to expand the study in the future.
One astonishing fact about exercise and cancer survival is that physical activity can actually reduce the risk of cancer recurrence by up to 50% in some cases.
Studies have shown that regular moderate exercise can significantly lower the chances of cancer coming back, particularly in breast, colon, and prostate cancer survivors. This is because exercise helps regulate insulin levels, reduce inflammation, and strengthen the immune system—all factors that can influence cancer progression.
Even more surprising? Exercise has been found to enhance the effectiveness of certain cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy, by improving blood flow and allowing medications to reach tumors more efficiently.
So, while exercise is often seen as just a general wellness tool, it’s actually a powerful, science-backed strategy for increasing survival rates and preventing recurrence.
USF’s Abdul-Rasheed and Babin Qualify for NCAA Indoor National Championships
University of South Florida track and field stars Saminu Abdul-Rasheed and Kobe Babin have secured spots at the NCAA Indoor National Championships, set for March 14-15 in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Abdul-Rasheed qualified in the 60-meter dash, tying the USF program record with a 6.57-second finish at the Windy City Invitational. A first-team All-American in 2024, he made history as USF’s first male track athlete to receive the honor since 2012. He was also named Most Valuable Performer at the 2025 AAC Indoor Championships, winning both the 60-meter and 200-meter events.
Babin earned his place with a record-breaking pole vault clearance of 5.58 meters (18 feet, 3.75 inches) at the Arkansas Qualifier. A three-time AAC Athlete of the Week, he has ranked among the nation’s top-20 this season and is a back-to-back AAC indoor champion.
Following the NCAA Indoor Championships, USF will kick off its outdoor season at the Tampa Distance Classic on March 7.
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25 Biggest Music & Comedy Acts Coming to Tampa Bay
& Sarasota thru March
Source: heraldtribune.com
Best Live Music in Tampa Bay
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