Across Pasco

Published: Aug 29, 2007

Students' Math Scores Up, But SAT Reading Marks Sag

High school students in Pasco County improved their SAT scores in math but experienced a drop in their reading and writing scores, according to results released Tuesday by the school district.

Pasco students who took the test during the 2006-07 academic year averaged a score of 492 in reading, 493 in math and 474 in writing.

That compares with 497 in reading, 492 in math and 477 in writing the previous year.

Many colleges use SAT scores in determining whom to admit.

Statewide, Florida students averaged 497 in reading, 496 in math and 479 in writing, according to the Florida Department of Education.

Last year the statewide scores were 496 in reading, 497 in math and 480 in writing.

Nationally, this year's averages were 502 in reading, 515 in math and 494 in writing.

A year ago, the nationwide scores were 503 in reading, 518 in math and 497 in writing.

A staff report

Cell Phone Donations Can Help Domestic Abuse Victims

Sunrise of Pasco County and the nationwide 911 Cell Phone Bank want more old cell phones so domestic violence and sexual assault victims can have a free emergency lifeline.

In the past five months, Pasco residents have come through with more than 400 phones for the east Pasco-based shelter.

According to industry statistics, more than 16,000 cell phones are retired every month in the county, a statement said.

"We would love to collect all of the old cell phones retired in our area," Veronica Calderon, a legal advocate with Sunrise, said in the written statement. "Why keep an old cell phone tucked away in a drawer when it can provide a real sense of safety and security to someone in need?"

"We find that communities are more than willing to help by simply donating a used cell phone that they aren't using anyway," said James Mosieur, a director of the 911 Cell Phone Bank.

More than 500 law enforcement and victim advocate agencies, as well as businesses across the country, have signed up to participate in his organization's efforts, he said.

Here's how the program works:

Cell phones collected in a community are sent to the bank for processing. Higher value phones are converted to cash that's sent back to the participating agency. Lower value functioning phones are added to the "bank" to provide emergency communications for someone in need.

Sunrise's participation since 2004 is part of its mission to provide protection, sustenance and a healing environment for those who have suffered physical or emotional abuse or sexual assault.

Phone collection points are located throughout Pasco. To get involved or to find a drop-off location, call Cheryl Ceperano at (352) 521-3120.

To learn more about the phone bank, visit www.911CellPhoneBank .com.

A staff report

NEW PORT RICHEY

Police Get $25,000 To Join Street Narcotics Squad

Renewing its participation in a countywide antidrug effort, New Port Richey is receiving $25,000 to help pay the salary of a full-time vice detective who will work with the multiagency task force.

The Street Narcotics Apprehension Program is administered through the Pasco County Sheriff's Office. New Port Richey and other participating cities match federal funding they get. Also involved in the Pasco SNAP effort are the Port Richey, Dade City and Zephyrhills police departments.

"Having a task force with different players in the different places allows us to overcome jurisdictional issues," said Darryl Garman, New Port Richey's assistant chief of police.

The multiagency unit focuses on prosecuting drug offenders and seizing illegal drugs and the assets of suspected dealers.

Some specific SNAP team objectives will be to conduct at least five multijurisdictional investigations during the grant period; seize 15 pounds of marijuana, excluding plants collected as part of eradication operations; seize 750 grams of powdered or crack cocaine; and arrest 125 drug offenders.

Jessica Bair