THINKING CAP
October 2019
In our October edition of Thinking Cap...
Graduation dates have been approved for the Class of 2020—Check them out!
We've found some great deals for our staff—including discounts at Red Roof Inns, Tampa Museum of Art & StubZero
Enter to win 5 free meals courtesy of our friends from PDQ—just by entering your Lawson number
Congratulations to last month's winner, Rebecca Vercher, a 1st grade teacher at Fishhawk Creek Elementary!
GROWING EPIDEMIC OF TEENAGE VAPING—AND VAPING IN SCHOOLS
Students are vaping in classrooms, school hallways and restrooms. It's an epidemic.
At Plant High School, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody announced an investigation into more than 20 vaping companies.
She wants to know whether these vaping companies are targeting to minors in their advertising. Moody says one in four high school students admits to vaping and eight in ten middle school students have seen vaping in online ads.
"I will not let companies play fast and loose with the precious lives of Florida's youth," Moody said.
Students across the state call it an epidemic among their peers.
Read more about the vaping investigation and its impact on schools in Florida
Watch the anti-vaping PSA with Sheriff Chad Chronister & Superintendent Eakins
GRADUATION DATES APPROVED FOR 2019-2020
- Thursday, May 21, 1 p.m. - Adult Schools
- Thursday, May 21, 4 p.m. - Chamberlain
- Thursday, May 21, 8 p.m. - Plant
- Friday, May 22, 9 a.m. - Career Centers
- Friday, May 22, 1 p.m. - King
- Friday, May 22, 4 p.m. - Robinson
- Friday, May 22, 8 p.m. - Bloomingdale
- Saturday, May 23, 9 a.m. - Gaither
- Saturday, May 23, 12:30 p.m. - Blake
- Saturday, May 23, 4 p.m. - Durant
- Tuesday, May 26, 9 a.m. - Newsome
- Tuesday, May 26, 4 p.m. - Riverview
- Tuesday, May 26, 8 p.m. - Steinbrenner
- Wednesday, May 27, 9 a.m. - Jefferson
- Wednesday, May 27, 12:30 p.m. - Armwood
- Wednesday, May 27, 4 p.m. - Lennard
- Wednesday, May 27, 8 p.m. - Plant City
- Thursday, May 28, 9 a.m. - Freedom
- Thursday, May 28, 12:30 p.m. - Hillsborough
- Thursday, May 28, 4 p.m. - East Bay
- Thursday, May 28, 8 p.m. - Strawberry Crest
- Friday, May 29, 9 a.m. - Middleton
- Friday, May 29, 12:30 p.m. - Spoto
- Friday, May 29, 4 p.m. - Sickles
- Friday, May 29, 8 p.m. - Brandon
- Saturday, May 30, 9 a.m. - Tampa Bay Tech
- Saturday, May 30, 12:30 p.m. - Leto
- Saturday, May 30, 4 p.m. - Alonso
All the ceremonies above will be held at the Florida State Fairgrounds. For graduations held at other sites, click here.
Hillsborough County educators receive 10% discount on event tickets by using EDU10 at checkout
Hillsborough County educators receive free admission to the Tampa Museum of Art
Hillsborough County teachers & administrative staff can receive 15% off the best available rate at Red Roof Inns.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW...
Apply to become the Tampa Bay Times 2020 NIE Teacher of the Year!
Do you use the Tampa Bay Times in your classroom to enhance student learning?
Apply to be the 2020 NIE Teacher of the Year before Feb. 3, 2020. The winning educator wins $1,500 cash!
For more information, contact sbedry@tampabay.com or 727-893-8969.
The link to enter: http://bit.ly/320zLhC
Our New South County High School has a name! Introducing Sumner High!
Mr. Sumner was an early pioneer in Hillsborough County.
Level up! Sign up for our Going for the Gold Gasparilla team AND our Walk to Run Clinics!
This is a great opportunity to meet people in the community and increase your endurance!
EVERY MONTH, WE ASK FOR NOMINATIONS OF OUTSTANDING STAFF MEMBERS. HERE ARE JUST A FEW...
"Ms. Jones works hard every day to improve her students' reading and fluency. She spends countless hours preparing her classroom with activities that engage her students to do their very best. Ms. Jones creates a writing quilt every month and includes her students' writing with the special events happening each month."
Nominated by: Jackie MacLean
"Kelly and the fifth graders at Claywell are sponsoring a SLIME fundraiser for Hurricane Dorian victims. Money collected will go to the World Central Kitchen Foundation. With her help, the 5th graders collected nearly $500. This is her second fundraiser she has sponsored at Claywell!"
Nominated by: Linda Brammell, Principal's Secretary
Taylor Willis, Science Coach at Madison Middle
"Taylor is an integral part of our school community. As an academic coach, she assists new and veteran teachers to expand their professional practices. She builds personal relationships with each one of our 702 students and really gets them excited about the world of science. She is also our volleyball coach and recruits and trains our student athletes to go above and beyond what they think is possible."
Nominated by: Trista Snook, Reading Coach at Madison Middle
Laura Hobby, Art Teacher at Mitchell Elementary
"Mrs. Hobby not only teaches art classes to every grade level, she also provides one-on-one art lessons to our ESE students. Mrs. Hobby holds art "Lunch Bunch" on her lunch break where students from every grade level can come in and eat lunch and do some self-directed art projects. Mrs. Hobby also conducts after school enrichment art clubs for specialized art skills: a weaving club, a watercolor club and so on. She is a valued member of our Mitchell family."
Nominated by: Kathleen Thaxton, 3rd Grade Teacher, Mitchell Elementary
Kirsten Simenson, Assistant Principal at Summerfield Crossings Elementary
"Ms. Simenson goes above and beyond EVERY SINGLE DAY! We have started the year without a Reading Coach and with more than 30 new staff members. She has done an amazing job showing them "The Cougar Way." I am proud to work with her and blessed she is part of our school."
Nominated by: Brian Harvey, Principal, Summerfield Crossings Elementary
Alyce Kushner, AIS Teacher at Edison Elementary
"Ms. Kushner is PTA President, SAC Chair, Sunshine Club Member and the sweetest coworker you could ask for. We call her "Mama Kush" because, not only is she an amazing teacher, she is also a nurturer and caregiver to her staff. She is a giver, on a daily basis, without fault. Our school is so fortunate to have her!
Nominated by: Anonymous
GREAT PEOPLE AND PROGRAMS IN OUR SCHOOLS
New principals join forces to serve students and the community in SouthShore
"I love the kids. I love the families. It's very much a community here." - Shaw Elementary's 5th Grade Teacher, Leslie Pannella
Tomlin Middle School's "Lock Wall" provides inspiration and motivation for students
And we leave you with some spooky inspiration from Gary Adult...
A Message from School Board Member Karen Perez
I’m a member of your School Board, and I’m also a licensed mental health professional. So my interest in making sure our students and staff have the mental health support they need is both professional and personal.
In unity with this month’s commemoration of World Mental Health Day, here’s a reminder for us to continue to have a transparent conversation regarding mental health, mental health education, awareness and advocacy against the social stigma.
Hillsborough County Public Schools has resources and supports available for students and those who need it—but you need to reach out to us. The door is open for conversation and assistance.
Mental Health Matters.
That’s the slogan for the mental health work we’re doing in our school district. I think it sums up why it’s so important for us to discuss and act on mental health issues. Mental health has a major impact on our students. And the more we pay attention to it… the better our students will do in school, and in life.
I’m a licensed clinical social worker and traumatologist. I’ve seen the impact that mental health can have on the life of not just one person… But a whole family… And an entire community.
Our Hillsborough County community deserves praise for stepping up in amazing ways to embrace our district’s mental health work and rally around our students. Your School Board will continue to work to create a stronger bond between schools, our community, our partners and our families… all to help students be successful.
Twitter: @karenpereztampa
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