THINKING CAP
News & Deals for Our Hillsborough Schools Team - Feb. 2020
IN OUR FEBRUARY EDITION...
Great deals especially for our Hillsborough County Public Schools staff! And this month, they're all about health & fitness!
A school on lockdown. How staff, students, families & deputies worked together to stay safe.
Enter to win 5 free meals courtesy of our friends at PDQ
Congratulations to last month's winner, Dana Barfield, who works in our ESE department.
ADDISON DAVIS HAS SIGNED HIS CONTRACT... NOW WHAT?
The contract is signed and Addison Davis is officially our next superintendent!
At Tuesday's School Board meeting, our board unanimously approved Addison Davis' contract. Joined by his wife Natalie, our incoming superintendent signed his contract and School Board Chair Melissa Snively presented him with a Hillsborough County Public Schools shirt and hat.
So, what happens next?
- March 2—Addison Davis will start in Hillsborough County Public Schools and work side-by-side with Superintendent Jeff Eakins for two weeks, leading up to Spring Break.
- March 23—Addison Davis will become Acting Superintendent after Spring Break and Jeff Eakins will go on administrative leave until his contract ends at the end of June.
- July 1—Addison Davis will formally become Superintendent of Hillsborough County Public Schools.
After he signed his contract, Addison reaffirmed his excitement for this opportunity to work alongside our district's 24,000 employees in the best interest of our students.
BEHIND THE SCENES OF A SCHOOL ON LOCKDOWN
Recently, Barrington Middle was placed on lockdown because of a false threat called into 911. The response by staff, students, families and deputies was outstanding.
I'm sitting in a meeting when I get the first text message from my 7th grade son: “We’re on lockdown. I’m okay. I’m with a teacher in the classroom.”
I work in the Office of Communications for Hillsborough County Public Schools.
But I'm a parent first.
I immediately leave my meeting and head toward the Communications office.
Tanya Arja, our Media Outreach Manager, is looking for me. Her first words are “don’t panic.”
Yeah, right.
She proceeds to tell me Barrington Middle School in Lithia, my son’s school, is on lockdown.
Lockdown.
It’s a scary word.
Fortunately, there aren’t many lockdowns in our district. A lockdown means there is an active threat or emergency on campus.
Tanya has two phones up to her ears—on one phone is John Newman, our Chief of Security and Emergency Management. On the other is Superintendent Jeff Eakins.
Tanya puts down the phones, grabs her car keys and computer, and says she’s heading to Barrington. I’m shaking like a leaf… caught between doing my job and being a mom.
Read more about how the school & the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office responded
HOW OUR SCHOOLS ARE PREPARING STUDENTS FOR LIFE
Raimon Malone, from McLane Middle, won the Sandy Hook "Start with Hello" contest. In his essay, Raimon talks about how the death of his brother put everything in perspective.
Pull up the app and award positive points! Sligh Middle Magnet launched the Ron Clark Academy's House System, with impressive results! The House System is a dynamic, exciting & proven way to create a positive school culture.
A one-of-a-kind Aquaculture Program at East Bay High School is teaching students how to raise an aquatic animal from the beginning... and eventually sell it!
AWARDS & OPPORTUNITIES - NOMINATE SOMEONE YOU KNOW
"Outstanding Teacher"—Do you know a teacher who understands the developmental stages of play and cultivates imagination, resilience and learning through play? A teacher whose classroom culture encourages curiosity, creativity, exploration and innovative problem solving? This educator understands the building blocks of play and forges opportunity for students in a playful environment of joy and wonder.
"Outstanding Student"—Do you know a student with a playful spirit who encourages others to learn and grow through play? Nominees in this category embody playfulness and become more curious, engaged and fulfilled through play. This student is dedicated to creating opportunities that encourage fellow students to embrace play.
Learn more about Education is Key Awards here. Each winner will receive $250.
Music Educator Award
More than $25,000 in prizes will be distributed! This award is to bring attention to the importance of music education and the critical work of music teachers across the United States. Any current classroom music teacher, kindergarten through college, in the United States may apply. ALSO, anyone may nominate a teacher for the award. Visit GRAMMYMusicTeacher.com for more information.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR OUR STAFF
The latest numbers are in. So far, our district has received $112,750,237 from sales tax funds with $95.9 million already invested in our schools. We are now at a point where we are able to accumulate money to start more major summer projects.
All seven of our School Board members, plus our current and incoming superintendents, traveled to Tallahassee recently to advocate for students and schools.
Health, safety & wellness are top priorities for our district. We know many of you work hard to make your students and staff feel secure and give them healthy choices. We want to make sure your school is recognized for that work.
FREE BOOKS, CRAZY CREATURES AND TONS OF FUN!
The hunger and need for books was apparent at our very Early Childhood Literacy Fair
Hundreds of students have a new home library thanks to the Early Childhood Literacy Fair held this past Saturday at SouthShore Regional Library.
School Board Member Dr. Stacy Hahn is making literacy her top priority and says getting books into the hands of our youngest readers is crucial.
Families showed up to the library and were able to choose five FREE books to take home with them.
There were also free vision and dental screenings, crafts, a petting zoo, face-painting, free breakfast provided by McDonald's and Bess the Book Bus.
Students from Lennard High School performed Aladdin and dressed up as fairy tale characters to read books to our young ones.
It was a wonderful day filled with reading and fun and family!
AND... dozens of students went home with brand new library cards as well! Thank you to our partners from Caspers Company McDonald's Restaurants, Feeding America, Pepin Family Foundation, MyON and the YMCA for making this day possible.
This month's deals are all about health, beauty & fitness
Hillsborough County Public Schools staff can enjoy 3 days of free club access at Harbour Island Athletic Club and Spa! Plus teacher specials available if you join!
Hillsborough County Public Schools staff can enjoy a HUGE discount on a 60 minute facial & peel at Redefine Beauty Aesthetics.
Hillsborough County Public Schools staff can take advantage of an exclusive offer from Youfit Health Clubs
THANK YOU TO OUR OUTSTANDING TEACHERS & STAFF!
Every month in Thinking Cap we ask for nominations of outstanding teachers & support staff to be featured in next month's edition!
Here are a few recent nominations...
Mrs. Buck always goes above and beyond for her students each and every day, making sure her instruction is effective and consistent. Mrs. Buck is so generous to her students and other staff members. She is always bringing in special treats and presents for others to show she cares. Mrs. Buck is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to teaching and is always willing to share and work with other teachers to improve instruction.
Nominated by: Kristel Brammell
Jiyoung Yoon - Technology Assistant, Pride Elementary
Mrs. Yoon is truly an extraordinary gift to our school! She looks for every opportunity to help. Mrs. Yoon always stays positive and finds creative solutions to difficult problems without taking credit and by quietly getting things done. She keeps us laughing and is always there to help with any problem, even if it's not part of her job. She is a treasure!
Nominated by: Suzy Tkacik, Media Specialist, Pride Elementary
Henry Varrada - Green Street Surplus
Mr. Varrada has provided exceptional customer service by assisting in getting us additional furniture for our newly renovated office. He saved us a trip after we described what we were looking for and encouraged us to call him again the following week to see what had come in. After a couple weeks of calling, he invited us to take a look at what had come in as it sounded like what we were looking for. Within a few days, he called to inform us the furniture was on its way! Upon arrival, the furniture had been cleaned and was in better condition than when we selected it. Thank you Henry for your dedication to our district!
Nominated by: Kristina Alvarez, Principal, Alexander Elementary
Laura H. Brown - Assessment Office
Laura treats everyone with respect and shows faith that they will be able to understand sometimes complex data. Her patience seems infinite and she has a knack for explaining things in terms that can be understood. She thinks "behind the data" too, to consider what the numbers imply for the curriculum and for children.
Nominated by: Martha Ford
TWO, FOUR, SIX, EIGHT... IT'S TIME FOR US TO CELEBRATE!
Congratulations to Strawberry Crest High School's Cheerleading squad! Six straight State Championships and NOW National Champions! You make us so proud, as do all our spectacular squads who made it to Nationals!
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