The Weekly Update #4

Dear Families,

We have some incredibly talented students in Hillsborough County Public Schools!

This weekend, I attended the Music Performance Assessments which took place at Durant High School. Marching bands from each of our high schools performed and were rated based on that performance. I was astounded by the music, the artistry, and the focus from these students. Congratulations to them, their teachers, and their families for all the time and sacrifice it took to achieve this level.

I also met an incredible educator named Cheri Sleeper. Ms. Sleeper has been a high school band director for 39 years... The past 16 of those years at Strawberry Crest. She is retiring and this is her final MPAs. She is a truly extraordinary music educator.

I hope you are having a wonderful start to the second quarter of this year!

Superintendent Van Ayres

We are excited to announce that the Magnet and School Choice Application window will open at 5 p.m. on Monday, November 11 and close at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31.

If you are interested in exploring different learning opportunities within Hillsborough County Public Schools, we encourage you to attend our upcoming FREE Magnet School events. These events are designed to help you find the best academic program and learning environment for your child, ensuring they receive the highest quality education.

For families researching high school options for the 2025-26 school year:

Join us on Tuesday, October 29, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at MOSI (4801 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL) to discover all that our high school magnet schools have to offer. This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about your options for the upcoming school year.

For families researching elementary and middle school options for the 2025-26 school year:

We invite you to attend our event on Monday, November 4, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at ZooTampa at Lowry Park in the Saunders Pavilion (1101 W. Sligh Avenue, Tampa, FL 33604). There, you can discover the unique benefits of specialized curricula, experienced teachers, and enriched learning experiences available to your child.

For additional details, please visit https://www.hillsboroughschools.org/magnet

Our Student Academic Calendar has been updated to reflect changes made due to missed instructional time from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Families, please check your emails or our district website (hillsboroughschools.org) for more information regarding our makeup days.

"I decided I was going to throw out my lesson plans. I just wanted to have fun with the kids. I wanted them to know that this classroom and this school was a safe place for them, and we could come back as a school community and rebuild ourselves in a stronger way."

Mrs. Tausha Honey is a music teacher at Buckhorn Elementary.

She's creating magic through music, and helping her students heal from the hurricanes along the way.

Mrs. Correal teaches Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) at Dover Elementary School and understands just how important this early learning experience can be for your child. She genuinely believes that enrolling in VPK is a valuable investment in your child's future, nurturing not just their academic skills, but their social growth as well.

If you're considering enrolling your child in the VPK program, the first step is to apply for the VPK voucher through the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County. Your child must be four years old on or before September 1 to qualify. Keep in mind that VPK is free for the first 3.5 hours during the school year, but spaces are limited. You can start placing your child on school waitlists beginning in January.

For more information about VPK in Hillsborough County Public Schools, please visit Hillsboroughschools.org/VPK. Your child's journey deserves the best start possible!

Lisa Krupp is a College and Career Counselor at Steinbrenner High School. She loves helping students find the path after high school that is best for them!

Roughly 400 cross country runners completed in the Hillsborough County Cross Country Championships Tuesday evening at Freedom High School.

Individual Winners:

Boys varsity winner was Luca Martin from Steinbrenner at 15:21

Girls varsity winner was Rachel Harrar from Newsome at 17:48

Boys JV winner was William Johnston from Newsome with 17:29

Girls JV winner was Addison Hazer from Newsome with 21:40

Team winners:

Boys Varsity Newsome

Girls Varsity Plant

Congratulations to all the runners who competed!

This week, 11 HCPS boys and girls golf teams hit the greens at Temple Terrace Golf and Country Club for the Class 2A, Region 3, District 10 golf tournament.

Congratulations to the Robinson High School boys' team and the East Bay High School girls' team for qualifying for the Regional Championship tournament next week at The Club at Eaglebrooke in Lakeland! Best of luck to all our HCPS golfers as they compete for the title!