The digital magazine for faculty, staff, students and friends of Pensacola State College
June 2, 2021
Pensacola State College Planetarium and Space Theater specialist Billy Jackson loves seeing the stars. But for nearly a year, something was missing.

“The stars are great,” Jackson said. “But I missed people.”

After shutting down at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in spring 2020, the PSC Planetarium has now reopened to groups of 15 people or more. 

“We’ve probably had about 20 shows since January,” Jackson said. “We’re still following all of the CDC guidelines ─ you have to be masked, and we’re social distancing. We have capacity for about 100 but we’re not admitting beyond half of that.”

It wasn’t just the pandemic that sidetracked the PSC Planetarium. Hurricane Sally in September 2020 damaged the structure’s ceiling, causing water to leak into the facility. All damage has since been repaired.

Now, the Planetarium is back giving visitors the chance to spy stars, constellations and even planets.

“We can showcase different constellations, or just turn of the stars to show the planets,” said Jackson. “Or I can show the passage of time. We can go forward in time, backwards in time. We can do a lot of amazing things.”
Pensacola State ‘Kids College’ opens June 7, spots are filling quickly
Pensacola State College’s popular Kids College has courses and classes designed to educate and entertain children no matter their interests.

There are science camps, art camps, sports camps and so much more to help stimulate and develop growing minds and bodies.

“What makes our Kids College special is the variety,” said Deven Walther Thead, PSC Coordinator of Continuing Education. “They have choices and are able to pick the courses they want.”

The 31st Kids College runs June 7 through July 30 and is open for children ages 6 through 12 years of age. Still, age groups are segregated into two groups– ages 6 through 8 and ages 9 through 12. 

Each Kids College “camp” runs for a week and is broken down into morning half-day camps and afternoon half-day camps. Parents and guardians can register their children for weekly half-day camps or pay for both morning and afternoon sessions for a full-day camp experience. Morning half-day camps run from 8:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Monday through Friday. Afternoon half-day camps run from 12:45 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.

Half-day camps are $75 each week. Full-day camps – both the morning and afternoon half-day sessions - are $150 per week. When registering, students – and their parents or guardians – can chose from one of two classes offered for each session. For instance, during Week 1, children ages 6 to 8 can chose between Martial Arts Mania and Zoology during the morning sessions and Recycled Art and Science Camp in the afternoon sessions. 

There are also a handful of specialty camps that are slightly more intensive, Walther Thead said. The specialty camp fees are higher than the regular Kids College classes. Specialty camps include an all-day theatre camp ($185 for the week), a martial arts camp, a specialty arts camp and a movie-making camp ($85 each for the week).

Lunch is from noon to 12:30 p.m. and children can bring their own lunches or order through the Kids College official meal provider, Subway. Registration for classes – and the Subway lunches – can be found at www.pensacolastate.edu/ce. 

Last year’s Kids College was primarily virtual because of the Covid-19 pandemic, though an in-person session was conducted for one week and with limited students.

This year’s Kids College will have safety and health protocols in place. All students and teachers must wear mask when inside and temperature checks will be given to students each day upon arrival. Each class will be limited to 15 students per session.

Walther Thead said sessions have been filling quickly.

“I have parents calling me every day asking about the classes," she said. “They are filling up quickly.” 


--Troy Moon
Pensacola State’s Lumberjack Festival returns in October
After a year’s absence because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pensacola State College will host the 32nd annual Northwest Florida Forestry Conclave and Lumberjack Festival on Oct. 2 at the Milton campus.

The popular festival was last held in 2019.

“It was pretty disappointing,” Milton campus dean Jennifer Hill Faron. “We had everything planned and ready and then COVID hit. But we’re excited to bring it back in October.” 

The festival will take place near the outdoor track and softball fields. In previous years, the festivities had been tucked behind Building 4200. Moving the festival provides more space for participants, spectators and vendors. 

Event categories will be offered for both children and adults.

Admission to the festival is free, though there is a $5 competition fee for those who want to participate in an event. There is no competition fee for senior citizens and students.

The hours for the festival have not yet been released. More details will be available as the festival approaches. 

-- Troy Moon

NOTE: This Pirate was previously distributed with an incorrect date for the festival. The correct date is Oct. 2. We apologize for the inconvenience.
The summer application for emergency grants for currently enrolled students through Cares Act 3 is now available. Based on new guidelines, international students are now eligible to apply. In addition, students do not need to be degree seeking or Title IV eligible to be considered for an emergency grant. Dual Enrollment and Recreation and Leisure (Continuing Education) students are not eligible for an emergency grant. 

You can access the link to the application on the PSC website at www.pensacolastate.edu/cares.

The first priority deadline to apply for a summer emergency grant is Sunday, June 13. A second priority deadline for new summer applications will be announced in July. 

If you have any questions about the application or the emergency grants, please contact the Pirates CARE Team at piratescare@pensacolastate.edu.
Managing stress, worry, and wellness can sometimes feel like a daunting task. How can you create your Sphere of Support? How can you attend to the well-being of others while still holding boundaries to care for yourself? What specific tools can you incorporate into your daily routine to live a more present and joyful life? Join Licensed Mental Health Counselor Adam-Jon Aparicio for a discussion on how to support your own mental well-being while being there for friends, family, and colleagues.

Sponsored by: Pirates CARE Team and Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention Grant

Zoom Registration Link: https://pensacolastate.edu/mentalhealth
Music, poetry, storytelling, dance, food and much more! Featuring two special presentations (via Zoom and before a live audience): Workshop by Bradley Simmons, Percussionist/Educator, Duke University; theatrical play "Harriet" by Kisha Kenyatta. Social distancing and masks required!

PTK-Beta Beta Gamma chapter is collecting brand-new children’s bedding, in original, unopened packages. PTK is partnering with Sleep in Heavenly Peace to provide mattress pads, kid-themed twin-size sheets, blankets, comforters and Teddy bears to area children in need. Drop-off locations: Pensacola Campus: Veterans Center, Bldg. 6, Room 658; Milton Campus: Bldgs. 4200 and 4400.