Tampa Bay Parent

There will be some changes in the Pinellas County School schedule next year. One difference is that Wednesdays will be shorter next school year. Students will leave school earlier on Wednesdays and allow the teachers to have extra planning time. There will be 1 hour and 15 minutes of planning time given to teachers on Wednesdays. The time will be well appreciated by teachers. Teachers spend a lot of personal time grading assignments during their personal time.

If you know a teacher then you know that their personal time is not always their time because of the extra time they spend planning for the school day, and grading papers.

Pinellas County will also be adjusting the assignment of students in schools so that more students are closer to home. This will allow the elimination many of the bus routes.

These changes are for the 2009-2010 school year.

Source: tbo.com, Bell Schedule of Pinellas County Schools

The month of May is almost over but it is not too late to take advantage of their 14^th anniversary promotion. Anyone born in the month of May can get free admission to the Florida Aquarium during the month of May. You will have to present proof of the May birthday. The promotion requires that adults provide a picture id that has the birthday listed. Children should bring a birth certificate.

This Memorial Day local businesses have decided to show their appreciation to the military and their families. Memorial Day, of course, is not about the barbecues, beach and time away from work. Memorial Day is time to remember and celebrate those gave the ultimate sacrifice in service for the United States of America.

Florida Aquarium

May 23 – 25

All military active duty, activated, retired or drilling reservist or National Guardsmen are entitled to two free general admission tickets to The Florida Aquarium for themselves and a guest. Additional family members (up to 4 people) can receive 50% off of general admission tickets. Must present military ID at time of purchase. Discount is valid May 23, 24, 25.

Lowry Park Zoo

In honor of Memorial Day on Monday, May 25, any active duty, activated, retired or drilling reservist, or National Guardsman is entitled to free admission on May 25, 2009 (Memorial Day). He or she will need to show a Department of Defense photo ID at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo ticket counter. As many as three direct dependents of military personnel also are entitled to free admission. Dependents may take advantage of the offer without their service member, though an adult must accompany minor dependents.

Busch Gardens

Not just on Memorial Day, but throughout the year, Busch Gardens offers free park admission to members of the military.

Here’s to the Heroes provides a single day’s free admission to any one SeaWorld or Busch Gardens park, Sesame Place, Adventure Island or Water Country USA for the service member and as many as three of his or her direct dependents. This is for active duty military

All along I thought that Tara was going to be crowned this season’s Biggest Loser. She, however, came in second place and that was a big shocker. Helen, from the pink team won and Mike came in 3^rd. This was not the outcome that I had expected and probably neither of the other Biggest Loser contestants expected it either. Helen was below the line a few times and the only reason some people kept her around is because they thought that she was not going to be a threat; their all kicking themselves now. Game play really didn’t help any of them.

Game play is one thing that I dislike about the Biggest Loser. I really enjoy seeing the transformations that happens in each contestant’s life and I wish that there was a way for everyone to stay on the ranch all season and get the help that they need. Maybe once they are voted off they can train, but not be a part of the weigh-ins. Biggest Loser is so much more about the change that people have than what strategy they are using. I know people would still watch and that it would still be very interesting.

I hope all moms get to sleep in, if that was your heart desire. These are the days of homemade cards, delivered floral packages, and lunch with the kids. Some moms may have received their gifts yesterday and I hope that the kids or grandkids made it special for you.

If this is a day that you do not want to stay in bed and just want to go with the family then you can try some of our local attraction. Lowry Park Zoo and United Skates are offering free admission for moms.

Tampa Bay Mother’s Day Freebies and Deals

It is nothing new that the United States Post Office is raising the price of stamps. This Monday the price of first class stamps will be raised from 42 cents to 44 cents. Every year the cost of stamps go up , but you can help to avoid the price hikes by purchasing a Forever stamp. Forever stamps can be used for forever for the mailing one ounce of first class mail.

United States Postal Service

On Mother’s Day the lady that has been so sweet to you all your life can get something sweet in return from TGI Fridays. The restaurant is giving a free dessert to moms with the purchase of an entrée. Moms can choose between the Brownie Obsession and the Spice Up Cupcake.

Other Mother’s Day Specials.

TGI Friday’s Mother’s Day Special

Moms want to have fun too and they can for free this Mother’s Day. United Skates in Tampa is offering free skating for Moms on Sunday May 10^th. You can go to their web site to print a coupon. The rest of the family is not left out on the savings. A family of 4 gets admission and skate rentals for $10.

Check out some other Mother’s Day Deals in Tampa Bay

Although there are no confirmed cases of anyone having the Swine Flu at any Hillsborough County Schools, three local schools have been closed for a week. There are probable cases of the swine flu at Freedom High School, and Wilson Middle School. As a precaution, Liberty Middle school has also been shut down for a week. These schools will be closed the week of May 4, 2009 to May 9, 2009.

During this time the schools will all be sanitized. School officials are asking that those that attend these schools or work at these schools to try to stay at home and away from crowds, so that if they are infected with the swine flu, they can avoid transmitting it to another individual.

Hillsborough County School officials are contacting the College Board to arrange makeup exams for the Advancement Placement test being given to students this week. Freedom high school students will need to take make-up exams since they will be out of school for the entire week.

Along with not being able to take Advance Placement exams, students in the shut-down schools are not having extracurricular activities this week.

School District of Hillsborough County on Twitter