THINKING CAP
News & Deals for Hillsborough Schools Staff - December 2019
IN OUR DECEMBER EDITION...
Wanna get away? We have found some great deals especially for our Hillsborough County Public Schools staff!
Flexible seating is catching on! What is it, and what are the benefits?
Enter to win 5 free meals courtesy of our partners at PDQ.
Last month's winner was Tiffany Wakefield, 4th Grade Teacher at Carrollwood Elementary
THE SURPRISE PATROL STRIKES AGAIN!
Congratulations to our Hillsborough County Schools 2020 EIE Finalists!
Here are the finalists...
TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Samantha Hartman - 1st Grade Teacher at Mort Elementary School
Miranda Harwood - 4th Grade Teacher at Brooker Elementary School
Chanell Newell - 6th Grade Reading Teacher at Woodson PK-8 Leadership Academy
Sommer SanFilippo - Reading Resource Teacher at Mendenhall Elementary School
Megan Thomas - Biology Teacher at Riverview High School
INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
Natosha Bagley - ESE Paraprofessional at Witter Elementary School
Eliane Broche - Head Custodian at Claywell Elementary School
Shirley Rosario - Principal's Secretary at Farnell Middle School
Angela White - Sign Language Interpreter at Colson Elementary School
IDA S. BAKER DIVERSITY EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR
Keyada George - 7th Grade English Language Arts Teacher at Wilson Middle School
James Martinez - Industrial Education Teacher at Hillsborough High School
Heidi Meyer - ESE Teacher at Lopez Exceptional Center
Julie Snyder - Migrant Advocate Teacher at Robinson Elementary School
2020 Excellence in Education Awards at the Straz, Presented by Suncoast Credit Union
Thursday, Jan 23, 2020, 06:00 PM
Straz Center, North Macinnes Place, Downtown, Tampa, FL, USA
DR. GRAHAM SURPRISES STUDENT WITH $8,000 SCHOLARSHIP!
One of his responsibilities as Florida's Teacher of the Year is to award a Florida Prepaid scholarship to one lucky student...
What an incredible surprise!
A King High School senior was awarded an $8,000 Florida Prepaid Scholarship last week during her band concert.
Bianca Mateo was presented the award by her band teacher, and Florida Teacher of the Year, Dr. Dakeyan Graham.
As part of his prize for winning Teacher of the Year, Dr. Graham was given the responsibility of choosing one of his students for the scholarship.
He says Bianca is incredibly deserving.
“It is just such an incredible opportunity to be able to bless her and to further the importance of education and present her with an opportunity to further her education and get closer to reaching her goals and desires.”
Bianca wants to go to the University of Florida and study biochemistry.
Looking for a quick getaway? Here are some deals that can help!
Hotel Indigo in Sarasota is offering Hillsborough County Public Schools staff a discounted rate between now and January 6, 2020
Hillsborough Schools staff can enjoy a Teacher Appreciation rate, which includes a 20% savings plus a daily $50 Resort Credit when using the link below
All Hillsborough County Public Schools employees get free admission for themselves to MOSI and a discount off a family membership
HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT FLEXIBLE SEATING IN THE CLASSROOM?
Walking into Jennifer Price's fifth grade class at Lanier Elementary looks more like walking into a home than a classroom.
There is a big cozy couch along the wall, pillows on the floor, beanbags pushed together and patio chairs pulled up to large tables.
This is a flexible seating classroom.
“Flexible seating allows children to have options of how they can do their best learning,” explained Mrs. Price. “Students feel like they can still move but still have energy to focus on their task.”
Flexible seating is a classroom concept that’s really catching on.
It does away with traditional rows of desks and allows students to choose how and where they want to learn. It also fosters collaboration and a sense of community. A study from the University of Minnesota found that students participated 48% more in discussions when in a flexible seating classroom.
Find out what Mrs. Price's students think about her flexible seating classroom
SCHOOL NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Join us for our Walk to Run Fitness Clinics with Coach and School Board Member Lynn Gray to create awareness about health, fitness and increasing our district's graduation rate.
Florida's First Lady Casey DeSantis heard students' perspectives on mental health during a round table discussion at Hillsborough High. After the discussion, she announced three new efforts to connect kids with support and encourage them to reach out to one another.
We may be on break, but construction crews will take the opportunity to work on projects using Half-Penny Sales Tax dollars. There are projects going on at nine of our schools over the next two weeks.
WHO'S SPECTACULAR AT YOUR SCHOOL?
Every month in Thinking Cap we ask for nominations of outstanding teachers & support staff to be featured in our next month's edition!
Here are some of last month's nominations...
Megan Leahy, Assistant Principal for Curriculum at Dowdell Middle School
She is a constant resource for assisting with data interpretation and assisting with reaching students' needs. She is a true example of leadership and she makes coming to work a joy every day.
La Shawnda Williams - Executive Secretary, Communications
Not only is she a rockstar in her department but she shares her love, time and knowledge with departments near her. She goes above and beyond with a smile and a contagious laugh!
Dawn Serrano - Migrant Education Service Center
She is a sweet person, always with a great smile and positive attitude, always giving positive comments and helping out, always giving to others and making everybody feel special. We are blessed to have her as part of our team.
Sharon Gilmore Barton - Lennard High School
She is a phenomenal woman. She stretches herself as a para educator to go above and beyond the call of duty. She runs several of our schools' clubs and raises money for different causes. She runs two computer labs like a tight ship and runs the concession stands for every home game event that we have. She is so well-deserving of every accolade she can get!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM SUPERINTENDENT EAKINS
This has been a momentous year in so many ways for us here at Hillsborough County Public Schools.
Truly, our accomplishments are too many to count. I am so proud of all of our employees who work so hard, and give so much, to support the success of our schools and our students.
Because of you, in 2019, our district appears poised to mark five straight years of graduation rate growth, after helping more than 15,000 students walk across that stage to get their diplomas with the Class of 2019.
Because of you, our achievement gaps continue to close. Graduation rates for minority, Exceptional Student Education and English Language Learner students are staying steady or rising faster than the overall rate.
Because of you, we passed an Education Referendum that, in 2019 alone, has brought more than $75 million worth of improvements into our schools.
As I head into my final New Year as superintendent, please know how grateful I am for each one of you and the sacrifices you make every day to fulfill our vision of Preparing Students for Life.
I hope you each have a restful Winter Break with your family and friends. Please enjoy this holiday season and I’ll see you back at school in 2020!
Jeff
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