Pinellas school news: Women's center expands to SPC, summer STEM programs offered, and more

Tampa women's center partners with spc for Pinellas expansion

The Helen Gordon Davis Centre for Women this week announced it will expand services in Pinellas County through St. Petersburg College's Women on the Way program. The Hillsborough County center — named for the longtime Tampa legislator who died last year — is a nonprofit that helps area women succeed personally and professionally through leadership, employment, wellness and other programs. Women on the Way helps females succeed in college by offering scholarships, workshops and seminars, a clothing boutique, a textbook lending library, and other services. "The Centre for Women is able to broaden our services to serve a greater number of individuals in Hillsborough County, and to now provide more services in Pinellas County as well, thanks to funding from the state's Office of Economic Opportunity for Displaced Homemakers," said Ann W. Madsen, the center's executive director. The center's office will be adjacent to the Dr. Vilma Zalupski Women on the Way Center at SPC's Clearwater Campus, 2465 Drew St.

Summer Bridge enrollment for students will start March 7

Enrollment begins March 7 for the Pinellas school district's Summer Bridge program, which will take place June 20 to July 14, running Monday through Thursday each week. The program aims to provide engaging activities and intensive instruction to help students in elementary, middle and high school keep pace academically. District officials say the program focuses on students performing below grade level or who need extra support. Starting March 7, parents can register for Summer Bridge using the Student Reservation System at reservation.pcsb.org. For more information or assistance, parents can contact their child's school or visit pcsb.org/ summerbridge.

Annual SPC jazz festival this week

The 2016 St. Petersburg Jazz Festival is in full swing with concerts through the weekend at three locations. Originally dubbed the St. Petersburg College Jazz Fest, the event has evolved into a citywide celebration now in its eighth year. The Silvano Monasterios Trio will perform at 7:30 p.m. today at Side Door at the Palladium Theater, 253 Fifth Ave. N in St. Petersburg (tickets $15 online at mypalladium.org). Also today, local jazz artist Fred Johnson will conduct a free "music and healing workshop" at 1 p.m. at SPC's St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus, 6605 5th Ave. N, Room HS 117. Johnson and the Helios Jazz Orchestra will perform Saturday at the St. Petersburg College Music Center, also on the St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus (tickets $15 at the door, free for SPC students, faculty and staff with college ID). On Sunday, the Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association will host the Post-Festival Jazz Jam at 6 p.m. at the Manhattan Casino, 642 22nd St. S. in St. Petersburg (tickets $5).

Individual honors

The Tarpon Springs High show choir, Syndicated Sound, recently won the grand champions title in the regional competition in Alabama with first-place finishes for Best Choreography, Best Effects and Best Overall show choir. The group, under the direction of Charles Cheeseman, is headed to the national competition March 4 at the Lincoln Center in New York City. … Student Michaela Polmann and teacher Shaday Lackey were winners in Florida's 2016 Black History Month Student and Teacher Contest announced this month. Polmann is a student at Dunedin High and the SPC Early College Program, and received a four-year Florida College Plan provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation. Lackey is a teacher at Melrose Elementary in St. Petersburg and will receive $1,500.

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Spring break schedule

Here is a look at where spring break will fall this year for the Pinellas school system and local colleges.

• USF St. Petersburg: March 14-19

• St. Petersburg College: March 6-13

• Eckerd College: March 26-April 3

• Pinellas County schools: March 21-25

Elementary school lunches

Students choose from a variety of fruit, juices and milk.

Monday: Chicken sandwich, cheesy mac and beef with roll, beef ravioli with roll, farmers salad, turkey and cheese sub, baked beans, veggie dippers.

Tuesday: Turkey tetrazzini with roll, mini calzones, chef salad, chicken caesar wrap, marinara cup, sweet potato waffle fries, romaine side salad.

Wednesday: Beef dippers with rice, cheese lasagna roll up, yogurt parfait, ham and cheese croissant, steamed broccoli, sliced cucumbers.

Thursday: Breakfast for lunch, bean and cheese burrito, chicken caesar salad, Italian sub, deli-roasted potatoes, mixed or tossed side salad.

Friday: Cheesy fish filet sandwich, veggie double dipper salad, school favorite sandwich, green beans, veggie dippers.