HILLSBOROUGH RESPONDS
An eLearning and school closure update for our families
A MESSAGE FROM SUPERINTENDENT ADDISON DAVIS
Dear Families,
I hope you are staying safe and healthy.
The end of the school year is finally upon us. These last few months have been unprecedented. I am so proud of each and every one of you for your flexibility and partnership during eLearning.
I’d like to take a moment to recognize not just our seniors, but also our 5th and 8th grade students. Making the transition from elementary school to middle school and from middle school to high school is a huge accomplishment. Like our seniors, I know you have missed out on end of the year celebrations and the opportunity to spend these last few months in a school setting with your friends and teachers. Thank you for working so hard to achieve this important benchmark and I can’t wait to see your successes next year.
Even though the school year may be over, the work has only just begun for me as your Superintendent. I, along with my staff, have much to focus on over these summer months. We will also continue to communicate with you about important decisions that are made about COVID-19 and how it impacts our schools.
I hope you enjoy the rest of your Memorial Day weekend. Remember, there is no expectation of eLearning tomorrow, so let’s pick back up Tuesday and finish this year strong.
Respectfully,
Addison Davis
Superintendent of Schools
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GRAB-AND-GO
- Our Snack Stops will not take place tomorrow, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day. We will resume Grab-and-Go meal distribution on Wednesday
- Since COVID-19 caused us to close our schools, our district has served more than 5 million meals! Thank you to our Student Nutrition Services staff, transportation employees and school security officers for making this happen
- We will be communicating our summer meal plans soon
Apply for school meal benefits:
Have you recently lost your employment? Has your income changed because of COVID-19?
You can apply for school meal benefits HERE.
INFORMATION ABOUT HILLSBOROUGH VIRTUAL SCHOOLS
As part of the school choice options for the 2020-2021 school year, the Hillsborough Virtual School application window for full-time enrollment is open until July 24.
Students who wish to begin their classes starting August 10, 2020, should apply online. This full-time choice program is for students wishing to take all classes online. Click here to access our application.
Does your child need a class to meet promotion or a graduation requirement? Do they want to take a class as part of or in addition to their school day? Courses will remain open for co-enrollment through early February 2021. Click here for a list of our courses. You do NOT need to submit an application for co-enrollment. Classes begin August 10th.
Elementary students must obtain approval through the school’s Assistant Principal. Middle and high school courses are selected through FLVS.net and approved by your school counselor. Choose County Virtual School when beginning your enrollment.
For more information, visit our website at virtual.mysdhc.org or contact our office at 813-983-7278.
JACOB KEY - A SICKLES HIGH GRADUATE WHO HAS OVERCOME INCREDIBLE ODDS
Over the last few years, Jacob Key has watched his peers mature and develop their athleticism, while noticing that his own skills seemed to be challenging to maintain or were even diminishing.
During the spring and summer of 2019, Jacob was finding it difficult to keep his balance, he was having difficulty hearing, and one of his teachers pointed out that his speech was slurred.
In June 2019, Jacob was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor nearly 6 cm across positioned between his inner ear and brain stem. Based on the size and location it is believed to have been growing most of his 18 years.
This tumor primarily impacted muscle development, muscle function, and balance on Jacob’s right side along with the hearing in his right ear. Over the last 9 months Jacob has undergone 2 brain surgeries and a month of daily radiation treatments. Each day of February began at 5:30 am with a drive to downtown Tampa for radiation and then a drive to Sickles (always beating the first bell) a full day of school and then many nights announcing for basketball or filming baseball until late evening.
Classes for Jacob's senior year started 2 weeks after his being released from the hospital from the first surgery. Jacob had to work hard to regain his balance, climb stairs, walk in crowds, and eventually swim again in the last few Sickles meets.
He has maintained his high GPA all while relearning simple fine motor skills like grasping a pencil. His attendance is nearly perfect and he was able to start his senior year and final semester in time and just a few days removed from the ICU after both surgeries. Jacob continues to fight for normalcy and is looking forward to the day when he can say that the tumor has been beaten.
Jacob will attend the University of Alabama in the fall and major in Communications.
CELEBRATING OUR STUDENTS
Bloomingdale High held a huge party for its seniors! They showed up, in cap and gown, and were celebrated by staff and photographed next to the Bloomingdale Bull!
Attorney Dennis Hernandez, a Chamberlain High School alum, wanted to do something special for the graduating class, so he bought this billboard and placed the Class of 2020's pictures on it all weekend!
Look at those smiles! Administrators, staff and parents from Tampa Heights Elementary Magnet spent the day delivering signs to the schools' graduating 5th graders! Great job and see you in middle school!
NEWSOME HIGH SCHOOL VALEDICTORIAN EARNS NATIONAL DISTINCTION
Newsome High School senior Alex Dyer already has quite an impressive resume. He is Newsome High School’s valedictorian with a 9.68 GPA and will attend Harvard in the fall. And now he has earned a national distinction few others can boast. Alex was just named a 2020 U.S. Presidential Scholar.
The U.S. Department of Education announced the 56th class of U.S. Presidential Scholars, recognizing 161 high school seniors across the nation for their accomplishments in academics, the arts and career and technical education fields.
Alex Dyer has many achievements and accolades to be proud of and is a well-rounded young man. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout demonstrating strong character and leadership qualities. He also spends time as a volunteer and researcher with the Veterans’ Memorial Park and Museum in Tampa. Alex took dual enrollment courses at USF earning a 4.0 GPA while taking 27 credits. He also enjoys soccer, traveling and giving back to his community.
Of the 3.6 million students across the country expected to graduate from high school this year, more than 5,300 candidates qualified for the 2020 awards but just 161 were chosen. The honors are announced annually based on students’ academic success, artistic and technical excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership and demonstrated commitment to high ideals.
RECOGNIZING OUR SCHOOLS, VOLUNTEERS AND STUDENTS DURING THE SCHOOL CLOSURE
We have amazing people that help make our district great. We didn't get the opportunity to recognize them in person this year due to social distancing, but we appreciate them nonetheless.
Volunteers and community partners empower students with the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary to prepare students for life.
We usually celebrate with our schools, students, families and community volunteers with an evening award ceremony. Since social distancing rules are making that impossible this year, our Volunteer Services Department has put together a special presentation that can be viewed from the comfort of your own home.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR GOLD, SILVER AND BRONZE STATUS "HEALTHY SCHOOLS"!
Is your school a Healthy School?
We are proud to announce the schools that have earned The Hillsborough Healthy Schools Award.
This is an achievement, championed by School Board Member Lynn Gray, that recognizes and celebrates the many aspects of what makes a healthy school and healthy students and staff.
Earlier this year, each school was sent a survey where they were asked about their schools’ best practices in nutrition, family and community involvement, health education, physical activity, health services, counseling, safe and supportive school environment and employee wellness.
IMPORTANT NEWS FOR OUR FAMILIES
The final day of the 4th quarter is Friday. Information about report cards will be communicated shortly.
Apply Now. Head Start is now accepting applications for the 2020-21 school year. Head Start is a federally funded, comprehensive child development program that serves children ages 3 and 4 years old. Eligibility is based on income.
Apply now, or if you have questions please contact us at 813-740-7870, ext. 379
Check out our Parent Press newsletter-specifically for our Exceptional Student Education families. Important resources & information for our students.
CELEBRATING OUR EXTRAORDINARY SENIORS! CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2020!
Aditya Das - Senior at Sickles High. Aditya will be graduating with high honors with a GPA of 6.68. Aditya has been involved with the golf team, Mu Alpha Theta and dual enrollment classes at HCC. Aditya has chosen to attend USF this fall as a pre-dental student to stay close to his family, teachers and friends. He has been awarded 100% Bright Futures and the USF Directors award.
Brindha Iyer - Senior at Strawberry Crest High. Brindha is the valedictorian for Strawberry Crest Class of 2020. She is a member of National Honor Society, Student Council, Forensics club and Keeping America Beautiful club. Brindha has been quadruple enrolled in Harvard summer school, USF, FLVS and earned graduation from HCC at age 15. Brinda plans to complete Harvard summer and secondary university and then finish off with Harvard Medical school.
Jack Florence - Senior at Hillsborough Virtual School. School has always been important to Jack and he has always excelled academically. Jack is planning on attending college in the fall to become a high school history teacher. His mom wants him to know how exceptionally proud she is of him and she knows he'll go on to do amazing things in life.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Email: newsletter@sdhc.k12.fl.us
Website: HillsboroughSchools.org
Location: 901 East Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, FL, USA
Phone: 813-272-4000
Facebook: facebook.com/HillsboroughSch
Twitter: @HillsboroughSch