Hillsborough Responds
eLearning overview for parents during the school closure
APRIL 6 - APRIL 10
A MESSAGE FROM SUPERINTENDENT ADDISON DAVIS
Dear Hillsborough Schools Families,
I hope you had a relaxing, safe and healthy weekend. We are getting ready to embark on our second week of eLearning. I hope your family, in partnership with our educators, is beginning to find a routine to make eLearning successful for your student.
As we seek to continuously improve, your feedback from our eLearning process is important. All information gathered will be used to refine our way of work and reach a place of comfort for all stakeholders. Hillsborough County Public Schools understands how stressful and challenging this time may be and we are here to provide ongoing supports where needed. I encourage all families to communicate our areas of opportunities with your teachers and school-based leaders in an effort to genuinely get better.
As we navigate through the next few weeks, rest assured that district leaders are working tirelessly to address our community’s pressing needs. To date, we have provided more than 500,000 “Grab-and-Go” Meals to students along with extending more than 34,000 mobile devices to ensure that our students have the necessities. With this said, we will continue to lead in a transparent manner with quick and consistent feedback to all stakeholders as we continue to make decisions in the best interest of all students.
My hat is off to each of you as parents for remaining focused on helping your learner reach new educational heights. I am proud to be your Superintendent and serve in unprecedented times. Please know that we will improve our practice daily and I look forward to our partnership during eLearning.
Respectfully,
Addison Davis
Superintendent of Schools
FOLLOWING A DIRECTIVE FROM THE STATE, ALL SCHOOLS WILL BE CLOSED THROUGH MAY 1
What does this extended closure mean for our students and schools?
THE SECOND SCHOOL CHOICE WINDOW - After careful consideration, the second School Choice window scheduled for April 3 -13 has been postponed until further notice. We will keep you up to date when the next application period is scheduled to open. Updates will be posted on social media and on our website.
GOVERNOR DESANTIS SIGNS 'STAY AT HOME' ORDER - The Governor's order does not affect families who are taking advantage of our Grab-and-Go meal options or families who are going to schools to collect devices.
eLEARNING CONTINGENCY PLAN - Through the school closures, our amazing teachers and staff will continue to educate our learners through online resources. You can find our district's eLearning plan here.
GRAB-AND-GO MEALS AVAILABLE FOR KIDS UNDER 18
No quota has to be met regarding the number of meals that need to be served at each site and rest assured that jobs are not at risk during this time.
Friday, April 10th is a previously scheduled Non-Student Day and Grab-and-Go meals will not be provided that day. However, meals will be doubled up on Thursday, April 9th to make sure our students have enough meals to last them Thursday and Friday.
You can check out which schools are providing Grab-and-Go meals online at HillsboroughSchools.org/coronavirus/grabandgo
WHAT DOES THE SCHOOL CLOSURE MEAN FOR GRADUATIONS?
Our hearts are breaking for all our students missing their schools, teachers and big events that happen toward the end of a school year. However, we know the school closure is affecting high school seniors the most.
Teachers, administrative staff and district personnel are working tirelessly to ensure all seniors have the opportunity to experience graduation along with other school-based activities.
At this time, all graduation dates and times are still scheduled as planned and will be held at the Florida State Fairgrounds. While this is the plan today, everyone must understand the national landscape and remain flexible, knowing this is an evolving situation.
Leadership team members from your school will be communicating with you regarding the distribution of graduation announcements. Please note, although verbiage will have the currently scheduled graduation date and time, things are constantly changing.
Currently, our graduation committee is looking at all possible scenarios, if changes must be made moving forward. As a proactive measure, our graduation committee is working closely with our venue on alternative summer dates if we are unable to hold graduations in May, as planned. Rest assured that you will be the first to know if changes are made based on recommendations from the Governor’s Office, Florida Department of Education, or Centers for Disease Control.
Our goal is to preserve the graduation experience for our students, while adapting to ongoing developments.
WE WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE OUTSTANDING SENIOR IN YOUR LIFE!
Is there an outstanding senior you want to recognize? If so, please email us at newsletter@sdhc.k12.fl.us - Tell us the senior's name, why they deserve to be recognized and attach a picture of the senior. We will be highlighting some of our seniors on the district's social media accounts.
eLEARNING... FROM A TEACHER'S POINT OF VIEW
"We're all in this together and your teachers are there to help you"
Teaching through Zoom is the new normal for fourth grade teacher, Aviva Baker.
Last week, Baker held her first teaching lesson for her students at Jackson Elementary through the video conference program.
“They’ve [my students] gotten much more adaptive, sending messaging and email so it has been great,” said Baker
Throughout her Spring Break, Baker, along with hundreds of teachers in our district, took various types of trainings.
“One of them was an amazing webinar, which included teachers from Washington state, they were able to give good insight on things that worked with their students,” said Baker. “Including the packets, putting notes in the packets and communicating with students.”
Baker feels confident in using Edsby to teach her students online. This week, new content is being taught to her students, which includes geometry. She wants her students to continue learning while not falling behind.
“I think that we should remember that our entire nation is going through this,” she said. “I am very proud that Hillsborough County and the state of Florida is continuing to teach our students because we need to keep doing that.”
On a weekly basis, her students are required to turn in up to three assignments. Some of them are uploading pictures while others are sending the homework packets back, which Baker says has been successful.
“This is the security for many of our students that they get day in and day out,” said Baker. “I think as a parent, it’s probably very overwhelming but we’re all in this together and your teachers are there to help you.”
AMAZING RESOURCES FOR OUR FAMILIES
As the world responds to COVID-19 we are all feeling a range of emotions. Frameworks understands the importance of acknowledging these emotions. Social and Emotional Learning offers a powerful way to explore our emotions and support each other.
Looking for ways to motivate your high school students to write? Encourage them to enter the Tampa Bay Times Newspaper in Education science fiction writing contest. The deadline is April 30 and they could win hundreds of dollars.
Check out Miss Liz the Science Wiz! A teacher from Walker Middle is taking science eLearning to a whole new level and she has created these really great online experiments!
Did you know, Hillsborough County Public Schools students are able to download and install Microsoft Office ProPlus desktop applications on their home computers for FREE? Click on the image for more information.
WHEN TIMES ARE TOUGH... OUR DISTRICT COMES TOGETHER
Kindergarten students at Gorrie Elementary are spreading cheer to senior citizens in retirement homes. They are drawing pictures and writing letters to seniors to let them know we care!
Jennifer Clayback Bell, a teacher at Wharton High, is making dozens of masks for friends, family and co-workers at her school.
Last week we told you about Lennard High senior Richard Canales Calles, whose last wish was to receive his high school diploma. Sadly, Richard passed away this week, just days after he was presented his diploma in his hospice room. Thank you, Titus O'Neil and Sheriff Chad Chronister for stepping up to pay Richard's funeral expenses.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Email: newsletter@sdhc.k12.fl.us
Website: HillsboroughSchools.org
Location: 901 E. Kennedy Boulevard
Phone: 813-272-4000
Facebook: facebook.com/HillsboroughSch
Twitter: @HillsboroughSch