SPC instructors teach around the world
This summer, SPC continued to make a global impact through instructors who taught in various locations around the world. Some taught classes through the college’s International Programs, some sought opportunities for the college to expand overseas, and at least one represented the college in travels with a community organization. SPC values the intellectual and cultural diversity international programs bring to our college. Visit our International Programs page for more information.
Mathematics Instructor Manuel Gerakios returned from Armenia, where he is working to set up a mathematics study abroad trip next summer. He also discussed ways to assist students in taking online classes at SPC. Learn more about Armenia. Belize, Jim Wallis and Mark Peebles Students taking a two-week trip to Belize enjoyed earning science credits in Tropical Ecology and Tropical Geology while interacting with the pristine rain forests and carefully preserved Mayan artifacts with Jim Wallis, Academic Chair, Natural Science, Seminole Campus and Mark Peebles, Natural Science Instructor, Tarpon Springs Campus. The students also completed a volunteer project, working with Green Hills Butterfly Farm and designing signs to educate visitors on the many species of plants that butterflies utilize in their life cycles. Many students commented that this was one of the best activities on the trip because it helped the people of Belize to better enjoy the diversity of their country's wildlife. Learn more about Belize. View image gallery. Roxana Levin, Foreign Language Instructor, Tarpon Springs Campus, took students on a four-week intensive Spanish language experience, immersing them in the culture of Ecuador. They lived with host families and became like a son or daughter to these families. They joined in typical family activities such as eating all meals together at the table and attending school five days a week. Some cultural activities included salsa dancing, cooking classes and day excursions to other locations. "The Spanish Immersion Program in Cuenca, Ecuador was an outstanding experience," Levin said. "Students were totally engaged with the culture, their host families, the traditions, and the language. " The program was so enriching that some students went back to Cuenca to continue their language education before starting the fall term at SPC. Other students can't wait for the summer 2010 to enroll in a new study abroad program. Learn more about Ecuador. View image gallery. Tarpon Springs Fine and Applied Arts Instructor Kimberly Felos traveled to Kalymnos and other Greek islands to plan a study abroad program with the country next summer. She hopes to lead a group of students on a two-week study abroad trip to Athens and the island of Kalymnos. The island’s government officials visit Tarpon Springs every year and recently signed an agreement of cooperation with SPC. "The highlight of the trip will be spending time on the island of Kalymnos, where they will be immersed in the Greek culture,” Felos said. Learn more about Greece. View image gallery. SPC Dual Enrollment students traveled to Rome for nine days and learned about world religions at the Vatican. John Venturella, e-Campus Instructor, Seminole Campus, led the course as students attended class at Pontificia Urbanania University and visited sites such as the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica and the Coliseum. They even saw some of the world’s greatest art in Florence on a day trip. “The trip was unbelievable," Venturella said. "It was a great experience for the students to study there.” Learn more about Italy. View image gallery. Tim Wolter, Humanities Instructor, St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus, recently returned from Lithuania where he spent July teaching English to students from Belarus, Moldova, Latvia, Russia, Poland, Italy and Lithuania. The Summer Language Institute (SLI), hosted by LCC International University, is located in the port city of Klaipeda, the third largest city in Lithuania.
Wolter was one of 35 volunteer teachers who came from Lithuania, Canada, the United States, Czech Republic and New Zealand to teach 230 secondary and adult students in this summer’s program. The curriculum integrated reading, speaking, writing, listening and grammar skills. He also is working to set up a Humanities study abroad trip to Lithuania next summer. Learn more about Lithuania. View image gallery. John Hesting, History and Ecology Instructor at St. Petersburg Collegiate High School, was selected to study abroad in Turkey through the Rotary Internationals Group Study Exchange (GSE). The GSE program is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for businesspeople and professionals between the ages of 25 and 40 who are in the early stages of their careers. The program provides travel grants for teams to exchange visits in paired areas of different countries. For four to six weeks, team members experience the host country's culture and institutions, observe how their vocations are practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas. The group visited Turkey May 6 - June 6 and went to 20 schools from kindergarten to the university level, meeting with many teachers and students. They came away with a better understanding of that country's school system as well as their own. "The ideas and issues shared not only will support our teaching practices, but will better help us become active leaders in guiding the continuing evolution of education," said Hesting. "Along the way, we were able to soak up an immense amount of the history of a land of unequaled diversity and culture." Learn more about Turkey. View image gallery. Tarpon's Olympia Building to be remodeledThe SPC Board of Trustees has approved a change in the design for remodeling the Olympia Building on the Tarpon Springs Campus that will create new classrooms for the College of Education. The new design decreases warehouse room to make way for a two-story, approximately 40,000-square-foot space to house the College of Education. This space will be connected to the campus bookstore and Café Olympus. Originally, the plan was to do intensive structuraland utility infrastructure work to install a second floor in the entire warehouse portion of the building. The space was to be left unfinished for future use. But college officials decided it would be better to finish a portion of the building now to address growth in the College of Education. “This change allows us to build out space for the College of Education and consolidate it into one place instead of it being spread over two buildings,” said Michael Carter, SPC’s director of Design & Construction. “We hope to accelerate the start date and begin construction before the end of the year.” Currently, COE offices and classrooms are in a wing of the Olympia and the Bilirakis buildings. Once the COE moves completely into the Olympia building, lower-division classes will be offered in the Bilirakis building. “It’s an answer to our rapid growth up here in the northern part of the county,” said Tarpon Springs Campus Provost Conferlete Carney. “Eventually, we think this renovation will allow us to phase out some or all of our portables." Campus preparedness for H1N1In June 2009, the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced a global outbreak of a new H1N1 influenza virus. This virus, also referred to as “swine flu,” emerged in April 2009 and has since spread worldwide, including here in our region. SPC has confirmed an employee case of the flu and expects more. The SPC Pandemic-Influenza Plan provides the following guidance for students, faculty and staff:
These resources are provided by the Pinellas County Health Department: Wellness discount updatesBy now, employees covered by the college’s Aetna health insurance plan should have completed the Health Risk Assessment to determine what areas of their health need to improve; doing so allowed for a discount in coverage. Those hired after July 1 will need to complete their Health Risk Assessment during their first month of benefits coverage. The next step in maintaining the discount is for employees to complete either:
Aetna now has a new vendor that offers a variety of healthy living programs such as weight management, healthy heart, and diabetes management. Explore the opportunities offered here. Features of the Simple Steps to a Healthier Life program include:
The healthy living programs are easy to follow and provide step-by-step guidance for making health changes. Each program provides action steps to help build skills for long-term success and tools for tracking progress. Those who were employed at the college on July 1 will need to complete these programs by Dec. 31. Those hired after July 1 will need to complete the program by the end of their sixth month of benefits coverage. Please note: Employees who started a healthy living program in June and completed it by Aug. 14 will receive credit for it. Meeting noticesThe Board of Trustees of St. Petersburg College will hold a public meeting to which all persons are invited, commencing at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8, at the EpiCenter conference room (1-453), 13805 58th St. N, Largo, Fla. The meeting will be held for the purpose of continuing efforts in the presidential search process; however, there are no rules being presented for adoption or amendment at this meeting. A copy of the agenda, if applicable, may be obtained by writing to the Board of Trustees in care of the Board Clerk, If any person wishes to appeal a decision made with respect to any matter considered by the board, he or she will need a record of the proceedings. It is the obligation of such person to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made. Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes. Those planning to attend who have a disability and are in need of an auxiliary aid or other accommodation are requested to telephone 727-341-3260 at least seven days before the meeting date so that their needs can be accommodated. The Development Committee of the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art’s Board of Directors will meet at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, in the museum’s Interactive Gallery to discuss general museum business. The Board of Directors of the SPC Alumni Association Inc. will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, at SPC’s District Office, 6021 142nd Ave. N, Largo. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss general business.
A new Wellness Coordinator joins college
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 Steve Malla |
It’s a new school year and a year of wellness at St. Petersburg College. With the opening of text books and the wrapping up of the dog days of summer, we cannot forget what enables us to do all the wonderful things we enjoy….our physical and mental wellness. It is the vital tool for success personally and professionally. Your wellness is a workplace a priority. Join the movement with me, the new full-time Wellness Coordinator, Steve Malla.
I come to St. Petersburg College with eight years experience programming health and wellness activities for all ages. My background in municipal Parks and Recreation will be an asset to your wellness, as creating fun with fitness always has been a passion. As a St. Petersburg College alumnus, I plan to utilize all the wonderful skills this college’s staff and faculty have provided me. This is when your work pays off with your wellness.
In the next year, you can expect:
- Weekly articles in the Blue & White that will help maintain the outlook on a healthy lifestyle.
- Opportunities to get active within the work environment.
- Wellness activities to participate with your family.
- Health and wellness expos featuring local organizations.
- Group activities to reinforce the commitment to a healthy way of life.
We are all creatures of habit and creating habits that maintain a healthy lifestyle are beneficial in all aspects of our life. St. Petersburg College is concerned about your well being on and off the job. The principles and activities we will explore together in the next year will carry over from work to home. You, your family, and co-workers will all benefit from the lifestyle you lead. Healthy habits are addictive and infectious, so join me with the right attitude to make a change.
Feel free to contact me with any comments and suggestions via the Wellness Blog, e-mail, or phone at 341-3083.
Explore SPC Wellness to read additional wellness articles.
For more information, contact SPC’s Wellness Coordinator Steve Malla.
Unwanted, old prescription medication
- When we flush unused medication down the drain or throw it away, it can eventually end up in our rivers and even our drinking water. In addition, studies have linked hormone exposure to fish abnormalities, and germs exposed to antibiotics in the environment may become more drug-resistant.
- The U.S. Geological Service found that more than 80% of sampled rivers tested positive for antibiotics, birth control hormones and antidepressants.
- Most treatment plants (including bottled water) aren't designed to filter trace amounts of pharmaceuticals, so they end up in our drinking water.
- Environmental effects aside, protecting children and pets from accidental ingestion of unused medication should be everyone’s concern.
How do I safely get rid of the old medications?
- Contact your physician or pharmacy to see if they have a take-back program.
- Keep the medicine in the original container. For privacy, mark out any personal information. Add water or soda to start dissolving pills, or something inedible like cat litter, dirt or cayenne pepper to liquids (to make it less appealing for pets and children to eat). Secure the lid with duct or packing tape. Dispose in the garbage.
- The FDA advises the following controlled substances be flushed rather than thrown away: Actiq (fentanyl citrate), Daytrana Transdermal Patch (methylphenidate), Duragesic Transdermal System (fentanyl), OxyContin Tablets (oxycodone), Avinza Capsules (morphine sulfate), Baraclude Tablets (entecavir), Reyataz Capsules (atazanavir sulfate), Tequin Tablets (gatifloxacin), Zerit for Oral Solution (stavudine), Meperidine HCl Tablets, Percocet (Oxycodone and Acetaminophen), Xyrem (Sodium Oxybate), Fentora (fentanyl buccal tablet).
- For additional information, contact Pinellas County Utilities at 727-464-4000, or the Florida Department of Environmental Protection at 850-245-8707.
Want to become involved with SPC’s exciting sustainability initiatives?
To participate in the sustainable | SPC initiative, e-mail green.jason@spcollege.edu or call 341-3283.
Onward & Upward
Chad Mairn, Information Services Librarian, SP/G, conducted two presentations via the Internet. He presented "Discover-e: Tips and Tricks for Connecting Users to Library-provided Electronic Resources," via WebEx and Skype, for an Online Computer Library Center event at the American Library Association’s Annual Conference. He also presented “Tweeting and Texting,” via Eluminate, for the College Center for Library Automation’s Talking Tech Series. You can explore these presentations and more by visiting www.slideshare.net/chadmairn.