Largo Boy Who Danced With Bucs Cheerleaders to Appear on 'Today' Show

Christian Bottger, whose "Gangnam Style" routine at a Tampa Bay Buccaneers game has made national news, is slated to perform Tuesday morning on NBC's "Today" show.

A 10-year-old Largo boy who's been showing off his dancing skills at Tampa Bay Buccaneers games is set to appear on the "Today" show Tuesday morning. Christian Bottger, who became a nearly overnight sensation thanks to a clip of him dancing with the Bucs cheerleaders to "Gangnam Style," is flying to New York to appear on the morning show, the team reported on its website Monday. Bottger is a student at Fuguitt Elementary School in Largo; his father, Ed, is the Bucs' video production manager. Christian Bottger has been performing routines to "Thriller" and "Teach Me How to Dougie" at Bucs home games this year with the team's cheerleaders and mascot Captain Fear, to the delight of Ramyond James Stadium crowds. It was a TV clip of his "…

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Largo Schools Earn Passing Grades in 2010-11

Osceola Fundamental High School is the best in the area, and Largo's other middle and high schools all earned a "C" or higher in new rankings from the state Department of Education.

Pinellas County Schools earned a "B" in new school rankings from the Florida Department of Education. Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco and Manatee counties in the Tampa Bay area were all graded "B" school districts. Sarasota County received an "A." The rankings are based on points derived from FCAT scores and other factors. Here's how individual schools in the Largo-Seminole area ranked: Elementary schools Middle schools High schools Since the 1998-99 school year, Floridians have used school grades to help assess the quality of their local schools. The school rankings, based on the points used to determine school grades, are part of the Department of Education’s ongoing effort to increase transparency by providing clear measures and metrics …

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School Board Approves Elementary Rezoning Plan

Boundary changes for Oakhurst, Fuguitt, Frontier and 24 other elementary schools will take effect in the 2012-13 school year.

  An elementary school rezoning plan designed to stabilize school populations across the county was unanimously approved Tuesday evening. School leaders say the changes are intended to relieve crowding at some schools while taking advantage of room at others. The rezoning plan will affect more than 2,100 students at 27 elementary schools.   Three schools in Largo will be affected by the rezoning plan: Frontier, Oakhurst and Fuguitt elementary schools. The 6-0 vote came after Pinellas County School Board heard from a dozen parents who voiced a variety of concerns. The public discussion was set for 7 p.m. to allow parents who work during the day to participate. But Rebecca Paone, a real estate consultant with Keller Williams Realty Gulfside…

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School Rezoning Up for Final Vote Today

Students at three local elementary schools would be affected if the school board approves boundary changes for 2012-13.

  Boundaries for 27 elementary school districts in Pinellas County are poised to be redrawn if the school board gives final approval to a 2012-13 rezoning plan at today's meeting. Largo students at Frontier, Oakhurst and Fuguitt elementary schools would be affected if the rezoning proposal is approved. At a preliminary hearing Nov. 8, Oakhurst parent Michelle Allred spoke out against the plan. Her son would be zoned for Fuguitt if the proposal is approved. "It's unfair for you to cause anxiety and frustration for families year after year after year, and parents worry that their children won't be allowed to attend their current school every year," said Allred, a former public school teacher in Pinellas County. "If you've made a commitment, …

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3 Largo School Districts Could Be Redrawn

The Pinellas County School Board has given preliminary approval to a rezoning plan that would change boundaries for 27 elementary schools in the 2012-13 school year, including three in Largo.

School board members will decide next month whether to move forward with a rezoning plan that could affect 2,100 students at 27 elementary schools, including Frontier, Oakhurst and Fuguitt elementary schools in Largo.  A vote at Tuesday's Pinellas County School Board meeting was the first of two needed to approve the plan, which would take effect during the 2012-13 school year. School officials say rezoning is needed to relieve crowding at some schools, while taking advantage of room at others. In Largo, that would mean changing the boundaries of:  Local Parents Speak Out Against Changes About two dozen parents spoke against the change Tuesday, including Michelle Allred, a former public school teacher in Pinellas County whose son is in …

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Student Spotlight

Kindergartner Katie Kapcik Raises Her Own Chickens and Loves Math

Fuguitt Elementary student Katie Kapcik enjoys kindergarten and helping others. She wants to be a mom when she grows up.

Congratulations to Largo Patch's Student of the Week: Katie Kapcik Age: 5 School: Fuguitt Elementary School Accomplishment: Katie Kapcik is a kindergartner who loves math.  Keys to Awesomeness: Katie Kapcik's teachers say this kindergartner is as sweet as can be. She's a polite, kind and a thoughtful girl who does well at home and school. She enjoys learning and loves her kindergarten teacher. She is a good student and math as her favorite subject. Free play comes in as a close second. Fuguitt Elementary kindergarden teacher Jenny Pile nominated Katie for her kindness and her interest in the family's activity of raising chickens. Katie’s family owns six chickens, which they raise for eggs. She likes their chickens, though she mentioned her…

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Student Spotlight

Whiz Kid: Maxine Fahy Edible Gardener Extraordinaire

First-grader Maxine Fahy has adopted her parents' love of gardening. She volunteers at Fuguitt Elementary to care for its garden of edible plants.

Congratulations to Largo Patch's Whiz Kid of the Week: Maxine Fahy  Age: 6 School: Fuguitt Elementary School Accomplishment: Maxine Fahy, first grader at Fuguitt Elementary,  volunteers at the school's garden and helps to care for its edible plants. Keys to Awesomeness: Maxine is a smart and determined young girl. She has followed in her parents' footsteps of edible landscaping. Her father owns a local business in this special landscaping, which features all types of edible plants. Their front yard is filled with flora that's fit to eat. Their garden has plants like lettuce and banana trees.  Maxine volunteers in nurturing the garden at her school. Her mother, Cindi Hetz, visits to plant seeds, tend to weeds and enrich the soil with coffee…

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Student Spotlight

Whiz Kid: Kindergartener Cassidy Rae Blaine Excels in Reading

Fuguitt Elementary student Cassidy Rae Blaine was recommmended for her excellence in reading. She has surpassed her current grade level and now reads at a first grade level.

Congratulations to Largo Patch's Whiz Kid of the Week: Cassidy Rae Blaine Age: 6 School: Fuguitt Elementary Accomplishment: Kindergartener Cassidy Rae Blaine excels in reading. She has surpassed her current grade level and now reads at a first grade level. Keys to Awesomeness: Six-year-old Cassidy Rae Blaine is a friendly and outgoing girl. She enjoys school, especially building blocks and learning time during quiet activities. One of her favorite activities is reading, and she excels at it. Fuguitt Elementary teacher Jenny Pile recommmended Blaine for her outstanding reading accomplishment. "She reads above her grade level, on a first grade level, and she's in kindergarten," Pile said. Besides reading, Blaine enjoys painting. Blaine hopes…

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Student Spotlight

Whiz Kid: New Resident Dora Bodruzic is Learning English at Fuguitt Elementary

Five-year-old Dora Bodruzic moved from Croatia to Florida in August 2010. She didn't know a word in English but now can speak in short sentences.

Congratulations Largo Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Dora Bodruzic Age: 5 School: Fuguitt Elementary Accomplishment: Five-year-old Dora Bodruzic moved to this country in August 2010 without knowing a single word in English. With her teachers' help, she now speaks in short sentences. Keys to Awesomeness: Dora Bodruzic is a sweet girl who wants to communicate with her teachers and classmates. She started kindergarten at Fuguitt Elementary without being able to speak a word of English. In August 2010, her family moved to Largo from Croatia. This school year, Bodruzic has made huge strides in understanding English and speaking in short sentences. Her teacher, Jenny Pile, recommended Bodruzic for her achievements in learning English. "At the …

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Student Spotlight

Whiz Kid: Aaron Booth, Model Student Wants To Be a Palentologist

Fuguitt Elementary student, Aaron Booth is a child model and musically talented. He wants to be a palentologist when he grows up.

Congratulations to Largo Patch's Whiz Kid of the Week: Aaron Booth Age: 5 School: Fuguitt Elementary Accomplishment: Aaron Booth is a talented kid: he's a child model, musically talented and earns good grades. Keys To Awesomeness: Five-year old Aaron Booth is a young kindergarden student compared to his classmates, but don't let his young age fool you. He has a wide range of talents and interests. Booth has been a child model for over a year, with bookings for Disney World and Bealls. Booth does well in school and enjoys reading and outdoor activities. His talents extend to musical interests, too. He plays guitar and sings. Booth's teacher, Jenny Pile, recommended him for Patch's Whiz Kid of the Week. "Aaron is a neat kid, smart... and a …

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