THINKING CAP
Put it on and DIVE into news & deals just for HCPS staff
IN OUR MAY EDITION...
The American Cancer Society needs YOU this summer! Find out how you can make a huge difference in someone's life with the Road to Recovery program
We've tracked down incredible deals ESPECIALLY for Hillsborough Schools staff
Enter to win a $100 gift card donated by Village Inn—just by entering your Lawson number
IS SPARK A SUCCESS?
Two months ago, Superintendent Jeff Eakins announced the creation of Spark, a teacher incentive program to recruit top talent into our highest needs schools.
Spark offers extra pay of up to $13,000 a year along with free or discounted child care.
So, is it working?
The short answer is YES.
As of mid-May, we have hired 72 new teachers into our Achievement Schools. Those are teachers BRAND NEW to our district! In addition, 149 teachers already working in Hillsborough have transferred into an Achievement School.
The work isn't done yet! Since we launched Spark, 916 teachers have completed an application to work at one of our Achievement Schools.
Click HERE to learn more about Spark.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
- May 23—FREE seminar, Getting & Keeping Good Credit. ISC, Room 102, 5:30—6:30 p.m.
- May 27—Memorial Day (non-student day)
- May 31—Last day of school for students
- June 11—School Board meeting at Temple Terrace City Hall, 11250 North 56th Street, public comment at 3:30 p.m. business portion of meeting at 4 p.m.
The American Cancer Society needs YOU! Join Road to Recovery this summer and be someone's blessing
The American Cancer Society is asking for help from teachers and school staff this summer.
One of the biggest roadblocks to cancer treatment can be transportation.
That’s why the American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery program provides rides to treatment to patients in need.
That’s where you come in. Volunteer drivers are needed BADLY. The American Cancer Society says it’s not unusual to lose 75% of its drivers over the summer—and since a lot of school team members have more availability during the summer, it’s a perfect fit!
The requirements are simple and the training is minimal—but the reward is great.
For more information on Road to Recovery visit www.cancer.org/roadtorecovery or call 1-800-227-2345.
DEALS FOR OUR AMAZING STAFF
TEACHER FEATURE
Battling Cancer While Helping Students Read & Succeed: Just Elementary's Kindergarten Assistant Le'Jean Miller
As Le'Jean Miller helps her students face down the challenges in their lives with energy and strength, it's easy to forget the fight she's facing in her own life.
“Once upon a time there was a teacher who was filled with goodness,” said Danayla Bowser, one of Le’Jean Miller's kindergarten students at Just Elementary in Tampa. “She loves everybody, and she loves working with children. Ms. Miller is a superstar!”
Bowser, who is reading at an advanced level spoke on behalf of Miller at the Excellence in Education Awards ceremony and wowed the crowd with her reading ability.
“For her to be on that type of reading level and move on to a different grade, it really makes her feel strong in what she’s accomplishing and what she’s doing,” said Miller. “And I have that hope for all of my students – to make them feel like ‘I’m smart enough to do this, I’m smart enough to go to the next grade.’”
Read more HERE
WATCH DANAYLA'S FANTASTIC READING SKILLS IN THIS VIDEO:
WE ASKED AND YOU ANSWERED!
Every month in Thinking Cap we ask for nominations of staff who go above and beyond. Below are just a few of the amazing people in our HCPS family...
Faith Evans, Reading Coach at Burnett Middle School
"I am nominating Faith Evans at Burnett Middle School. Faith goes above and beyond as a Reading Coach to provide the best possible help and assistance to the teachers on her team. She designs and plans PowerPoints, lessons and more that assist all of the students in grades 6-8 with much-needed expertise in the area of reading and writing. She deserves to be recognized for everything she does for everyone all the time!"
Nominated by Kelly Goshorn, Reading Teacher at Brandon Epic
Shawnyna Gundy, Cafeteria Team at Lamb Elementary School
"It is a delight to see how she interacts with the students and the staff. Her smile and laughter are infectious. She truly has the heart and the passion to work with children. Ms. Gundy does not hesitate to take notice of the students' faces and quickly cheers them up when the stresses of their little lives are evident on their faces. I want to put Ms. Gundy in the spotlight and share with the world the radiant light of her personality that shines through her daily."
Nominated by Ladashia Wilson, Kindergarten Teacher at Lamb Elementary
Julie Rivera, Data Clerk at Alexander Elementary School
"Despite her office being tucked behind the main office, she's become the face of our school. Families depend on her to answer questions, translate parent conferences with teachers and offer guidance. Our students know her by name, as she's walked many of them to their classrooms when they've been sick or come in late. She seems to know every one of our students and cares about each and every one."
Nominated by Cassandra Albergaria, 3rd Grade Teacher at Alexander Elementary
Nancy Nowakowski, PE coach at Lithia Springs Elementary School
From 2nd Grader Emily Ayala: "I love going to PE with Coach Nowakowski because she is kind, happy to see me and has a positive attitude. She believes in me." From Emily's mom, Music Teacher Yvonne Ayala: "I couldn't agree more with Emily's suggestion. Coach is an amazing colleague. Nancy puts the needs of students first in every decision she makes and always supports our team. I cannot say enough about this amazing woman, educator and friend!"
Nominated by Emily Ayala, 2nd Grader at Lithia Springs and Yvonne Ayala, Mom and Music Teacher at Lithia Springs Elementary.
INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS IN OUR SCHOOLS
It's a bird, it's a plane, it's Robinson High School's Aerospace program! Students are finding success thanks to these courses and an out-of-this-world teacher
Restorative Practices—how Bloomingdale High is using a peer jury, and McLane Middle is using student ambassadors to improve student relationships
Reading is RUFF! This therapy dog is helping young readers succeed at Stowers Elementary
CELEBRATING OUR SUCCESSES!
Early Thursday morning, May 9, Terrie Campbell drove her school bus up to Plant City High School, like she does every day. But this morning, something was different. There were hundreds of people outside the school, waving signs and screaming Terrie's name.
Good Morning America chose to honor Terrie's love for others by surprising her live on television!
Congratulations Terrie! We are so proud of you and happy you're part of the HCPS family!
DR. GRAHAM IS SURPRISED... AGAIN!
Dr. Dakeyan Graham, who is Hillsborough County Public Schools Teacher of the Year, is now one of five finalists for STATE Teacher of the Year!
The winner will be announced in July! Good luck, Dr. Graham! We're all rooting for you!
A Message From Our Superintendent
It’s hard to believe another school year is nearly behind us.
As you know, this is an exciting summer in Hillsborough County due to the passing of the half-penny sales tax. While we wish we could do absolutely everything right now, replacing more than 200 air conditioners may take up to ten years. This is because we can only spend sales tax money as we receive it over time and because the contractors available to take on these types of projects are limited.
With that being said, big improvements ARE on their way now.
We are excited to move forward in the replacement of 21 air conditioning units, improvements on school security systems, 25 playgrounds, resurfacing parking lots and the reconditioning of several athletic areas.
I would also like to take this time to congratulate our soon-to-be-graduates! More than 14,000 high school seniors are set to walk across the stage and receive their diplomas. This is an incredible accomplishment and I can’t wait to shake the hand of each and every one of them!
Our families, along with our dedicated teachers and staff, have given so much to prepare our graduates for life—and I believe they are ready!
I hope you have a relaxing and safe summer, and I’ll see you back here for the first day of school!
Twitter: @Jeff_Eakins
A Message From School Board Member Steve Cona
Dozens of new options for your student are coming to Hillsborough County Public Schools next year. Innovative STEM programs, more ways to prepare for the workforce and college, computer skills for every student and schools that connect even more strongly with their communities are all on the way.
You’re asking for more options, and your School Board and district staff are listening.
Here are some of the new and expanded programs arriving across Hillsborough County in the next few months:
- STEM Expansion at Twin Lakes ES, Egypt Lake ES and Just ES
- New Community Schools at Greco MS, Foster ES, Potter ES and Gibsonton ES
- New Collegiate Academy at Spoto HS
- IB Candidate School Applicants at Greco MS and Alonso HS
- NFTE Entrepreneurship teaching business skills at Achievement Schools middle schools
- New NAF Academies for modern workforce skills at five schools per year
- Junior Achievement 3DE connecting schools with the business world at Chamberlain HS and Hillsborough HS (planning year)
- Digital Literacy & Coding Skills with new middle school courses, expanding to all elementary schools
The strength and variety of our programs make our district a state and national leader. As just one example, MacFarlane Park Elementary Magnet School, an IB World School in West Tampa, was just named the #1 Elementary Magnet School in America! Two of our schools, Alonso High School and Greco Middle School, are applying this year to become IB Candidate Schools and—if approved—add more locations to our world-class IB offerings.
We offer more than 50 school options, all tuition-free, in fields ranging from art and architecture to welding and veterinary science. You can find out more at our Choice Options website. Many innovative programs are available in your neighborhood school, and others are in dedicated Magnet schools.
We are committed to adding even more outstanding offerings. One of your School Board’s priorities is working with Superintendent Eakins, teachers and support staff to bring more great options our district.
Wherever your unique student is headed—a career in the workforce, technical training, enrolling in college or military service—we’re all working to make sure Hillsborough County Public Schools continues to deliver the ideal option to prepare your student for life.
What programs would you like to see in a school near you? Please email us and share your thoughts.
Twitter: @SteveCona
OUR OUTSTANDING GRADS!
Each high school picks one extraordinary graduate to meet with Superintendent Eakins and School Board members before graduation. Here are just a few...
Alex Figueroa: Spoto High School
He spent 15 years in the foster care system, but he learned from it and has grown from it. After graduation he hopes to go into the social services sector to eventually become a judge. He wants to make sure the child has a voice in situations like his.
Alex has also traveled to Washington D.C. as part of a youth advisory council to speak to lawmakers about how to improve the foster care system.
Alex will be going to HCC and then USF and then law school.
Laura Contreras: Gaither High School
This young woman is pure fire, determination and fun. Laura is preparing to graduate from Gaither with a 7.6 GPA and she is salutatorian of her class.
Looking back on high school, Laura says her favorite moment was when Gaither's JROTC won its National Championship this year.
As you can imagine, Laura had her choice of schools—she has decided on Yale, where she will major in math.
Mykaila Monroe: Armwood High School
Mykaila has overcome challenges in life to succeed in school.
And she has done so much MORE than succeed—Mykaila is one of Armwood's Collegiate Academy students and will be graduating with her Associates of Arts Degree and a 6.4 GPA!
She has also been selected for the USF ACE program, which provides an all-expense paid opportunity for her to study abroad.
Mykaila will be attending USF in the summer!