TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Tampa Palms 11-Year-Old Is One Fast Learner

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 19, 2008

NEW TAMPA - Sheela Ranganathan, 11, of Tampa Palms, has earned the distinction of being the first Kumon Math & Reading Center student in the nation to complete its after-school programs before entering middle school.

As a result, the Liberty School sixth-grader, who is the daughter of Nagarajan "Ranga" and Radhika Ranganathan, has been selected to represent the 1,400 Kumon Centers in the United States at the company's 50th anniversary celebration and conference Dec. 6-7 in Tokyo.

Kazu Shibata, the Kumon North America president, said Sheela, who in January completed the math component and the reading curriculum in August, is one of just a handful of students worldwide who has completed both programs at such an early age. She began the program at age 5.

In the Kumon learning system, students are tested to determine their placement levels. According to their ranking, instructors select their assignments from a range of material that includes preschool to college curricula. The children are allowed to progress at their own pace.

Joyce McKenzie

Event To Honor Homeless Helpers

TAMPA - Three residents will be honored today for their efforts helping homeless people.

One recipient, Lee Hoffman, was homeless before becoming an activist. When he saw a need for tables and chairs at Monday nights' free meal site in Hyde Park, Hoffman found a way to get them each week.

His efforts helped make the meal more welcoming and dignified for the guests, said Lesa Weikel of the Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County.

Other recipients being recognized are Thomas Chandler, volunteer director of Open Arms Ministries at Hyde Park United Methodist Church, and state Rep. Faye Culp of Tampa for advocating for homeless people.

The event, which takes place during National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week, starts at 12:50 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn North, 13305 Tampa Oaks Blvd. For more information, call (813) 223-6115.

Sherri Ackerman

Dangerous Road To Get Upgrades

DADE CITY - Nearly two dozen drivers wrecked their cars on the eastern half of Prospect Road last year, compelling state highway officials to improve the narrow country road in rural northeast Pasco County.

Beginning next year, the state Department of Transportation will spend nearly $1 million to upgrade Prospect between Handcart and Clinton roads. That stretch includes a 90-degree curve to the north that can take many drivers unfamiliar with the road by surprise.

Pasco County Commissioner Ted Schrader said the improvements are needed.

Schrader's concern about traffic on Prospect has grown because of the number of dump trucks using the narrow road as they come and go from dirt pits on the west side of Dade City.

In 2007, the most recent year for which figures are available, county and state officials recorded 21 crashes on Prospect between Handcart and Clinton.

Kevin Wiatrowski

Board Considers Closing 6 Schools

LARGO - The Pinellas County School Board was presented with a plan Tuesday that calls for five elementary schools to be closed.

They are Palm Harbor, Gulf Beaches, North Ward, Kings Highway and Rio Vista elementaries. The board had already agreed to close a sixth, Clearview.

If the plan is approved, the six schools would be closed at the end of this school year, said Jim Madden, an assistant superintendent. The proposed closings would save roughly $4.2 million. A workshop on the plan is set for Dec. 2.

Administrators are attempting to shave $40 million from a budget of roughly $1.5 billion.

The proposed school closings come as the Pinellas school system is seeing its enrollment decline. The population of students from kindergarten to the 12th grade was 111,483 in the 2005-06 school year, but is expected to drop to about 98,000 students in 2011-12, school administrators say.

Stephen Thompson

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT