School Shout
Shouting Loud & Proud about Hillsborough Schools!
In our April Edition...
The work has begun! See the entire list of projects going on NOW thanks to money from the Education Referendum
Helping Susana heal. How Sickles High has come together for a Parkland shooting survivor who is now one of their own
Click here for the chance to win a $50 dining card good at Outback, Bonefish Grill, Fleming's or Carrabba's
5 Things That Make a School GREAT—From the #1 Magnet Elementary School in the Country—MACFARLANE PARK!
What makes a school great? What is the secret recipe for success?
According to the staff of MacFarlane Park Elementary Magnet School in Tampa, there are 5 key ingredients to making a school exemplary.
And they should know!
This past weekend, Magnet Schools of America named MacFarlane Park the top Elementary Magnet School in America! This is the first time any magnet school in Hillsborough County won the award.
There are more than 4,000 magnet schools across the United States, which makes winning this award something incredibly special.
“It takes a lot of work and dedication along with a fantastic team to have made this happen,” said MacFarlane’s Principal Denyse Riveiro.
“This is not an easy award to win,” said Robert Cox, Supervisor of Magnet Programs. “We have amazing Magnet Schools in our district, and to have one of them win this award for the first time is wonderful. It is incredible to see our Magnet Schools nominated for awards year after year and set records with the national recognitions they receive every single year.”
There are elements of MacFarlane Park's success that can resonate at every school.
Read more HERE
RESOURCES FOR OUR FAMILIES
Ready Freddy Wants You to Sign Up For FREE Summer VPK
Scholarships Still Available—But Time is Running Out
Community Service Opportunities for our Students
TWO Florida Prepaid Scholarships Still Available
- Future of STEM Scholarship for current high school juniors and seniors
- Preparing Students for Life Scholarship for incoming kindergarten students
Learn more about these great opportunities JUST for Hillsborough County Public Schools students HERE
But time is running out! Must apply by April 30, 2019
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
- April 19 - Non-Student Day - View our district calendar
- April 23 - Ticket deadline for Hillsborough Schools Spirit Night with the Rays! Rays vs. Yankees, May 11, tickets $20. Click here for info, contact your school for tickets
- April 25 - School Bus Safety poster contest. You can win cash prizes! More info HERE
- April 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Autism Awareness Fun Fest at Ippolito Elementary
- May 6 - May 10 - Teacher Appreciation Week
TEAM SUSANA—HOW SICKLES HIGH IS HELPING A PARKLAND SHOOTING SURVIVOR HEAL
They said she should not move to another city. They said people from another school would not understand. They said others would not be able to help her.
Susana Matta Valdivieso says “they” were wrong.
Susana transferred to Sickles High School in Citrus Park this year as a senior. She plans to study business administration and go to law school—but a tragedy last year almost made those goals unachievable.
“On February 14, 2018 there was a shooting at my last high school—Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School—in Parkland, Florida, where 17 people died and 17 others were injured," said Susana. "It started with a fire alarm that sent all students running out of their classrooms, but the shooter was outside waiting for them. It has been hard since then, especially with fire alarms or people dressed a certain way—or just knowing there are people that might have guns that are near me and I don’t know it".
Continue Reading HERE
OUTSTANDING STORIES FROM OUR SCHOOLS!
Chamberlain alumni "pitch" in to give the baseball team an amazing new look!
Notes from teacher! How one teacher's written words are making all the difference for her students.
A teacher at Fishhawk Creek Elementary needs our help to honor her late husband
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.
This is the first playground replacement paid for with the half-penny sales tax referendum passed by voters last November. The state delivered the first money earned from the new tax on April 2. The playground will replace one that has been on campus for 20 years. It will be bigger, last longer, proudly display the school’s colors and, most importantly, have wheelchair accessibility.
Read MORE and see the list of current projects HERE
Florida law requires students to take some end of year tests—here's how to help your student relax and achieve test success
- Talk to your child about testing
- Explain that tests are yardsticks that teachers and schools use to measure how well students are learning what is taught
- Encourage your child; Praise them for what they do well
- Make sure your child attends school regularly
- Help your child avoid test anxiety by planning ahead, and making sure your child understands the material
Find out more ways to help your child with test taking from the Florida Dept. of Education HERE
A MESSAGE 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 want 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!
Jeff Eakins
Twitter: @jeff_eakins
A MESSAGE FROM OUR 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 10.58 weighted GPA.
April is the Month of the Military Child, and now is a great time to remind the military families who live in our neighborhoods that we appreciate their sacrifices, and make sure they know Hillsborough County’s schools stand ready to serve their children as they serve our country.
Twitter: @melissasnively