Thinking Cap
Put it on and DIVE into news & deals JUST for HCPS staff
IN OUR APRIL EDITION...
We asked principals, "How do your teachers inspire you?" Grab a tissue for their answers...
We've tracked down incredible deals ESPECIALLY for Hillsborough Schools staff
Enter to win a $50 dining card good for Outback, Bonefish Grill, Carrabba's or Fleming's
Large blue and yellow poles littered the lawn around Potter Elementary School in East Tampa on a warm afternoon last week. Teachers, students, School Board members and camera crews from local television stations looked on as crews turned the random array of poles into a bright, new and safe playground for the school.
“I am glad we have this playground; it is cute and beautiful and I thank everyone for helping us build this playground,” said first grader Aylssa Brown.
Read MORE & see all the projects now underway HERE
DEALS FOR OUR AMAZING STAFF!
Reduced Airport Parking for Hillsborough Schools staff
Discount for Educators at Gifts.com
Hillsborough Schools educators are eligible for 15% off their purchase at Gifts.com when using the code FLDOE15 at checkout
Reduced Rates on rooms at Tradewinds Resorts
Hillsborough County Public Schools Spirit Night—$20 tickets to see the Rays play the Yankees!
The Tampa Bay Rays have put together a fantastic offer for Hillsborough County Public Schools staff and our friends and families. The team is offering $20 tickets for its game against the New York Yankees on Saturday, May 11th at 6:10pm.
Deadline to purchase tickets is April 23. Simply fill out the form distributed by your school or print it out here
The Notes This Teacher Wrote Could Make All the Difference
“Every year, I run into a former student that tells me they still have the card I gave them!”
Across our schools, teachers did a lot of things to help students feel confident as they prepared to take the FSA.
Some left candy or trinkets on their students’ desks. Others asked parents to leave notes for their children before they took the exam.
But Aviva Baker, a fourth grade teacher at Jackson Elementary, went even beyond that. She took the time to write an individual letter to each one of her students.
“They know that I believe in them,” said Mrs. Baker. “Every year, I think I’m never going to do it again because it takes so much time. I’m not really crafty, so each letter I have to transpose and it takes a long time to think about what you want to say to that student."
It’s a simple act that had a huge impact on students like Terrence.
Read more HERE
Last month, we asked you to nominate outstanding staff in our district. THANK YOU for all your replies!
Kerri Aman is the Media Specialist at Dover Elementary. She wrote, "Stephanie Hurst is new to Dover this year and it has been an honor to see what she brings to the 'World's Best School.' She is so loving and kind to her students and holds them to the highest standards."
Thank you BOTH for all you do for our students!
We went out to Dover Elementary in eastern Hillsborough County to talk with Ms. Hurst thanks to Ms. Aman's wonderful recommendation! Watch the video below as Ms. Hurst explains why she LOVES teaching in Hillsborough County Public Schools.
5 things that make a school GREAT, from the #1 Elementary Magnet School in the country, MACFARLANE PARK!
Umm.. YUM! Students from Italy share culinary secrets with Sickles High—thanks to a program started by Gaither
"They see the HUMAN side of me. I'm not just a math machine." How this math coach at Sligh Middle Magnet helps students succeed
A note from our Superintendent
There’s nothing like holding a $9,000,000 check in your hand, knowing it is immediately going toward improving our schools. April 2nd was a landmark day for our school district. It was the day the first monthly check from the Education Referendum arrived from the state. Those are YOUR sales tax dollars that are going to work in our schools to benefit our students and our staff. I wanted to take this time to thank you again for making it all possible and contributing to our students’ education.
I’d also like to take this time to recognize our Chief of Security and Emergency Management, John Newman. Earlier this month, Chief Newman was one of four Safe School Specialists out of Florida's 67, who was asked to testify in front of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Commission. Chief Newman provided an update on how Hillsborough County Public Schools was able to implement Florida's new school safety law, and ensure compliance in all areas. We are proud to be moving toward fulfillment, with fidelity, and we remain committed to being a model for the state of Florida.
With a little more than a month left in this school year, I wanted to remind each of you how much your contributions have meant to our district. Thank you for making a difference and for all you have done.
I look forward to ending the school year strong, and shaking the hands of each of our graduates as they walk across that stage to accept their diploma!
Twitter: @jeff_eakins
A note from School Board Vice Chair Melissa Snively
When a member of our military signs up to serve our country, he or she is not alone. That servicemember’s family signs up, too. They agree to a life of uncertainty. Growing up, a military-connected student will typically attend between six and nine different schools. And they’ll always face the anxiety that comes when a loved one’s life it at risk.
Your School Board and school district staff have made it a priority to support these families. We were recently honored with the nationwide Pete Taylor Award, recognizing the strongest partnership between a school district and a military base in America.
Our district employs a full-time military liaison and we have created a council with MacDill Air Force Base to ease the transitions of military children and maximize their success. The base also hosts MacDill STEAM Day, bringing thousands of our students onto the base to see first-hand how their classroom lessons in Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Math can translate into real-world careers.
This culture of support from our community produces remarkable results. The 2018 valedictorian from Robinson High School, Eve Glenn, was named the National Military Child of the Year. Her next school move was into the Ivy League! Eve now attends Brown University.
Our district also proudly helps build the future leaders of our armed forces. Our 27 JROTC military leadership programs are leaders across Florida and the nation. Just days ago, Gaither High School’s Navy JROTC brought home a national championship from the National Academic, Athletic and Drill Championship. And Cadet Katherine Metheny of Newsome High School was named Hillsborough County’s 2019 JROTC Cadet of the Year—a model for all her fellow students, she will graduate next month with an incredible 10.0 weighted GPA.
Twitter: @melissasnively
Click HERE to read their responses