The Weekly Update #4
August 15th, 2024
Thank you for a wonderful first week back!
You're going to hear me talking a lot about attendance this year. Attendance is a challenge across the country right now, and I'm really passionate about making sure our students are in school every day, and in front of one of our amazing teachers. Please partner with me, and our schools, to make this a priority for your family, as well. If you have an issue with your student getting to school every day, reach out to your school counselors and see if there are any resources available to help.
Again, thank you for a successful first week, and let's keep the momentum going heading into week number two!
We are stronger together,
Van Ayres
Superintendent
Make sure you have correct information on file
At the start of the new year, it's always important to make sure you, and your student's, information on file is correct.
If you are not receiving phone calls, emails, and text messages from your child's school, or the district, please contact your school and make sure your information is up-to-date.
Our schools often share important updates, and fun events, through email, text or phone call and we don't want you to miss out.
Learning ParentVUE
ParentVUE is a free app that allows parents and guardians to view student information, including report cards, attendance, class schedule, and course history.
Learn how to create your ParentVUE account, and more FAQ's Here!
Free Breakfast - Always!
Each school day, all students are reminded to take advantage of the district's free breakfast program offered to every student!
Breakfast options often include fruit and yogurt parfaits, whole grain breads and cereals, and hot, fresh breakfast sandwiches. A free breakfast is available before the first bell rings!
Hillsborough County Public Schools is partnering with BusPatrol to launch a Bus Safety Program to keep students safe as they get on and off our school buses.
As part of the BusPatrol program, all buses that transport our students will be outfitted with photo enforcement cameras to detect vehicles that illegally pass while the stop-arm is deployed and red lights are flashing. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office will review the footae to determine whether to issue a citation by mail.
Right now, we are in the middle of a 30-day public awareness campaign that started August 12. The program will then officially go live on September 12.
For more information, visit HillsboroughSchools.org/buspatrol
Purchasing tickets to athletic events
Purchasing tickets to any of these events is really easy! You can do it by clicking here!
Student Online Safety Forums
These forums are filled with valuable information that can help you identify when your child is being talked to inappropriately online, and how to handle it.
September 26, 2024
York Innovation Academy
October 24, 2024
Wilson Middle School
January 23, 2025
Adum PreK-8
February 27, 2025
Turner/Bartels K-8
April 24, 2025
Carrollwood K-8
Meet Paige the Literacy Bus!
This year, we have a new Literacy and Outreach Bus – her name is Paige. Thanks to the vision of School Board Member Dr. Stacy Hahn, as well as funding from a grant, our staff has brought Paige to fruition.
Paige will be out in the community providing books and free resources to students. The resources are aimed at our PreK students. The bus will be making appearances at events across the county. Reach out to Tara Tallon-Stone at 813-272-4502 to learn more about Paige!
Thank you to our partners at Baycare Pediatric for these helpful tips.
Kids feel stress in many ways, including physically and emotionally. Sometimes stress is good. Physically, it can help kids become stronger and grow their bodies to learn new skills. Emotionally, stress helps us become mentally stronger and more resilient.
Stress can come from a situation, our surroundings, or our minds. Learning to handle stress and responding in a healthy way is important. Some signs your child may be having difficulty handling stress include:
- Stomach aches or change in appetite.
- Trouble sleeping, nightmares, or teeth-grinding.
- Headaches
- Increase in tantrums/anger.
Three ways to deal with pressure:
- Notice your thoughts: Ask yourself, 'how's my child feeling right now?' Angry, scared, or excited? The mind may react negatively, but you can relieve those fears.
- Practice mindfulness: Be present in the moment and try not to dwell on the past or get caught up worrying about the future. Focus on the here and now.
- Relax your body: Slow down the breathing and do gentle stretches. Practice "square breathing" to active the part of the brain that tells your body to calm down.
What is Square Breathing?
Together, you and your child take deep breaths while slowly drawing a square shape in the air. Take a deep inhaled breath as you draw the first line of the box, hold that breath for the next line, breathe that breath out as you draw the third line and then hold again to complete the box. Repeat as many times as you like.
For any concerns about your child and stress, you can always reach out to your pediatrician.
Written by:
Katherine Douglas, DO PGY-2
BayCare Pediatric Residency Program