HILLSBOROUGH RESPONDS
eLearning overview for parents during the school closure
MESSAGE FROM SUPERINTENDENT ADDISON DAVIS
Families,
I hope you are staying safe and healthy.
As you probably know by now, on Saturday afternoon, Governor Ron DeSantis made the recommendation for all school districts in our state to continue with eLearning through the rest of the school year.
I know this is heartbreaking for everyone. Our teachers and staff are devastated not to finish the year in classrooms filled with their learners. Our students are missing their friends and our seniors are missing out on the final months of their high school careers. However, the health and safety of our students, staff and community must be our primary concern right now.
With that being said, our teachers and staff are doing everything they can to make eLearning a success. Thank you to our families for all you have done to help our learners through this difficult time. Remember, if you have any questions or concerns about eLearning and the assignments being given, reach out to your teachers and schools. They are there to help.
As for graduations… It’s tough. We want, more than anything, to watch our seniors walk across that stage and get their hard-earned diplomas. Unfortunately, in May, it just will not be possible. District staff is working on other options, including graduations later in the summer, depending on CDC guidelines.
We know you have many questions… Some we can answer now and others will take a little time.
Thank you for your understanding and your flexibility as we all work through this together.
Addison Davis
Superintendent of Schools
ANSWERS TO YOUR SCHOOL CLOSURE QUESTIONS
Q) How will graduations be impacted?
A) We have worked with select seniors, school-based leaders and district staff to develop multiple options for school graduations.
All May graduation ceremonies will be canceled at this time but we have booked the Fairgrounds between July 13 - July 23 for possible dates.
If the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not adjust its current guidelines for the summer months and allow public gatherings of more than 50 people, the school district will explore options to provide virtual graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2020.
Please know that the virtual option will be the LAST resort; we plan to hold a traditional graduation ceremony if CDC guidelines allow for it.
Q) What about summer school?
A) As it relates to summer learning, the district is currently refining plans and considering others as follows:
- Student Credit Recovery opportunities;
- Extended School Year per Individualized Education Program;
- Academic Enrichment Camps for targeted students in need;
- Summer Bridge program for struggling learners to eliminate summer learning loss;
- Procedures for students to return mobile devices and hotspots.
We are working to devise summer plans that offer both eLearning and brick-and-mortar education opportunities that will mirror CDC guidelines established in the coming weeks.
Q) How will students obtain items left at school?
Q) How will students receive class yearbooks?
Q) Are there any modifications to athletic schedules or operational procedures?
A) All extracurricular activities, including before and after school programs, have been canceled for the remainder of this academic year.
Our district buildings will remain closed to the public indefinitely pending guidance from the Governor's Office and the Florida Department of Health.
Q) What if a student is struggling to deal with all these changes?
A) We understand how upsetting this experience can be for so many of our students. We encourage you to reach out to your teachers and let them know how you are feeling.
We are all in this together and we care about your mental health. We also have a mental health hotline we encourage you to call during school hours, if you need help and want to talk: (813) 272-4787.
MONDAY, APRIL 20 IS A NON-STUDENT DAY
April 20 is a previously scheduled non-student day. This means there is no expectation of eLearning on this day.
HOWEVER, YOU CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A SNACK STOP ON MONDAY!
What is a snack stop?
Starting tomorrow, Monday, April 20, families can pick up light snacks at all 147 Grab-and-Go sites between 9a.m. and 1p.m.
You can find a complete list of all the Grab-and-Go locations at HillsboroughSchools.org/coronavirus/GrabandGo.
These snacks will also be available at more than 300 bus stops around our district. We want to make sure all learners have nutritious snacks at home.
920,000 MEALS SERVED THIS PAST WEDNESDAY!
Our district will continue distributing meals at our 147 sites plus bus delivery routes on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Again, we want to remind our families that these bags weigh about 10 pounds all together and may be heavy to carry.
CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBPAGE FILLED WITH AMAZING RESOURCES FOR OUR FAMILIES
We have created a Resources page SPECIFICALLY to address concerns and issues families are having due to the Covid-19 pandemic
There are four main sections:
- Meeting Family Needs - This section provides resources to help families get food, as well as receive assistance with housing and utilities.
- Family Learning Resources - This section is filled with educational opportunities provided by our community partners like the Florida Aquarium and Busch Gardens. There are also social and emotional resources and cool ways to engage the entire family with games and fun.
- Educator Learning Resources - These are resources set up for both our families and our staff. Interesting, unique ideas to make eLearning informative and fun.
- Resource Organizations - This section includes our partners in education who are available to assist families and teachers.
OUR SCHOOL FAMILY IS COMING TOGETHER IN WONDERFUL WAYS
Potter Elementary held its very first farmers style market on Friday that included fresh produce, rice and pasta. The school served 150 families in the community. Thanks to Children's Board of Hillsborough County and Feeding Tampa Bay for their support.
Barbara Meshna, the school counselor for the Teen Parent program has been delivering baby items to her students. Everything from diapers to laptops. To make sure mom and baby are safe, Meshna drops off the items at the door wearing a mask and gloves. Thank you to Champions for Children and the Junior League of Tampa for donating items.
A local artist, who works for Disney, took time during the quarantine to add some beautiful murals to the bathroom stalls at Broward Elementary School. Artist Bernard Cruz says he hopes it gives the kids something special that they will really enjoy when they come back to school. A surprise of spectacular characters and color to welcome them back!
CELEBRATING THE OUTSTANDING SENIORS OF THE CLASS OF 2020
It's more important than ever to recognize the Class of 2020. If you have an amazing senior you'd like us to recognize, email us at newsletter@sdhc.k12.fl.us with their name, a picture and why they're so extraordinary. We will highlight these seniors here as well as on our social media sites.
Aaron Robinson - Senior at East Bay High School. Aaron is taking 3 AP courses along with dual enrollment classes through HCC. He was scheduled to graduate from HCC with his Associate's degree but the ceremony was canceled. Aaron missed two baseball seasons with an injured knee and was excited to return for his senior season. Congratulations on all your hard work Aaron.
Alexzandria Watson - Senior at Tampa Bay Tech. Alexzandria is an honors grad who has maintained a 5.4 GPA! These last few weeks have been tough, knowing she may not get to experience prom or graduation, but her family says she continues to be positive and do her very best.
David DiCesare - Senior at Riverview High. David will be attending the University of South Florida in the fall as a premed student, with a goal of being a neurologist. He has achieved 100% Bright Futures and the USF Directors Award Scholarships. David is not only an academic success but gives back to his community with 200 volunteer hours.
Eva Klotz - Senior at Bloomingdale High. Eva has been part of the Color Guard for all four years and has also served as Captain. Eva cares about her Color Guard family and takes the time to offer practice times outside normal schedules. Eva hopes to take all she has learned from her time at Bloomingdale and become part of the USF Bulls Color Guard team.
Mauli Bhogade - Senior at Middleton High. Mauli is the Magnet Valedictorian, earning a GPA of 10.3! She is President of the Science National Honor Society and NHS and National Technical Honor Society. She is a member of the Varsity Swim team and was captain her senior year. Mauli has volunteered more than 150 hours in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit and received her Biotechnician Assistant Credential. She will be attending the University of Florida in the fall.
Yadalis Adriana Sanchez - Senior at Freedom High. Yadalis has spent four years in the JROTC. She dedicates her time helping senior citizens by running errands for them. Yadalis will be attending NYU in the fall and will continue to try and serve our country.
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