The Weekly Update #4
January 22nd, 2025
There is so much going on over these next few weeks. Let's begin with Literacy Week!
I had the pleasure of reading to a class at Lanier Elementary this morning and it was so much fun talking with the students about the book and hearing what they had to say about their favorite characters. I know a lot of our schools are celebrating Literacy Week in creative ways. Thank you to everyone who is taking part in this celebration of reading.
We also have some of our Special Olympics games going on at Jefferson, Gaither and Newsome High Schools over the next few weeks. Jefferson's Dragon's Fury takes place this Friday and I'm so excited to see these athletes compete. Congratulations to all our athletes, coaches, and schools for making these events so wonderful.
Lastly, I encourage you to sign up for the Race 4 Education which is coming up in April. Whether you're one of our cross-country students racing for a trophy, or if you just want to come out with a group of friends for a beautiful walk... It's a really great morning of exercise and community. You can find the registration link and a discount code a bit further down in this newsletter.
I hope you have a great week,
Superintendent Ayres
FASFA aid opportunities
Join us at a FASFA Financial Aid Night. All events will run from 5pm-7pm and be located in the school's media center.
Jan. 28 - Plant City High School
Feb. 6 - Sickles High School
Feb. 13 - Leto High School
Feb. 20 - Jefferson High School
Feb. 27 - Steinbrenner High School
Student Saturdays
The Hillsborough County Tax Collector's Office is bringing back Student Saturdays on February 8! If you know a student ready to take their written or road skills test to get their driver's license, this is their chance.
Pre-registration is required. Families can call 813-347-4386 to register and schedule an appointment for this event, which goes from 9am to 2pm. Please note: spots are limited and appointments cannot be made online.
For eligibility requirements and more information, please visit hillstax.org/student-saturdays.
Race 4 Education
Keep your New Year’s resolution alive by signing up for our 4th Annual Race for Education 5K or 1-Mile Run/Walk, taking place on Saturday, April 12, where all proceeds will directly benefit students and teachers in Hillsborough County Public Schools.
This month, register with the code NEWYEAR to enjoy an exciting 15% discount for the 5K. Let's make 2025 our best year yet — one step at a time! Discover all the details and secure your spot at bit.ly/RaceforEducation5K.
Drop Savers Contest
Calling all K-12 teachers and students! The Drop Savers Poster Contest is now accepting entries for this year's competition.
Students, show off your artistic skills by creating a poster about the importance of water conservation through an image or slogan. School winners will go on to the county-level competition where they will have the chance to win exciting prizes.
Learn more information at tampa.gov/DropSavers
Student Online Safety
Last week, at the Student Online Safety Forum at Adum K-8, families gained important insights and practical tips to help their children navigate today’s digital landscape.
Representatives from the Hillsborough Sheriff's Office, the FBI in Tampa, the No More Foundation, Connie Rose (Founder and Executive Director of Victims2Survivors and a trafficking survivor), and the Hillsborough Parent Teacher Association provided valuable information, statistics, and resources. They addressed critical issues such as online predators, bullying, and prevention strategies to keep children safe.
If you missed that discussion, don’t worry! There are two more sessions scheduled for this year.
Save the dates:
- February 27 - Turner/Bartels K-8
- April 24 - Carrollwood K-8
In the meantime, you can visit https://www.hillsboroughschools.org/sos for more resources and information about these efforts, provided by our HCPS Human Trafficking Committee.
Meet our out-of-this-world 2025 Excellence in Education Awards winners!
Teacher of the Year: Henry Bryson, AICE History Teacher, Leto High School
Instructional Support Employee of the Year: Bonnie Walters, Principal's Secretary, Tampa Palms Elementary School
Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year: Antonyia McCray, Student Success Coach, Freedom High School
These three stellar winners were chosen out of a total of 667 nominees across our district. Congratulations!
Last Friday, Hillsborough County Public Schools had several students representing our county in the Florida Regional Braille Challenge!
Students were scored on braille contests in reading comprehension, speed and accuracy, spelling, audio transcription and interpreting tactile pictures.
Our HCPS students did beautifully! Congratulations to all our division winners and everyone who took part!
Apprentice Division
Harrison Giusto - Tampa Palms Elementary - 2nd place
Eliana Wengert - Tampa Palms Elementary - 3rd place
Jon's Readers Division
Eva Walker - Collins PreK-8 - 3rd place
Freshman I Division
Mohamed Ata - Tampa Palms Elementary - 3rd place
Freshman II Division
Gracie Macias - Shields Middle - 1st place
Sophomore Division
Aviana Nelson - Mann Middle - 1st place
Aniyah Purvis - Mann Middle - 2nd place
Junior Varsity Division
Christopher Johnson - Armwood High - 3rd place
Varsity Division
Andrew Moorehead - Armwood High - 1st place
Tyler Maddox - Armwood High - 2nd place
Thank you to our Community Partners at BayCare for this important information about talking to your children about body image.
Bodies come in different shapes, sizes and features, and it is important to remember all the wonderful things the body does for you. Taking care of our body requires healthy choices including physical activity, good nutrition and keeping it clean.
Body image is the belief in how someone thinks their body looks and how they feel about it. This differs from person to person. Body image is not only about your body size, weight or what you see in the mirror; it is also about how you feel about yourself and how you think you should look.
For some kids they focus on a certain size, for others it is fitness, and it can also be physical appearance such as hairstyle and color. What are some of the factors that can affect whether you see your body in a positive or negative way?
- Family beliefs/values
- Other people’s opinions
- Media/social media/advertising
- Your own individual beliefs, views, and mood
So, parents, how can you talk to your kids about body image? As a parent, it is important to know how your child feels and thinks about his/her body. Having a conversation is always a great first step. Start by asking your child if it is a good time to talk. Try to find the right moment in private, with no distractions to talk about positive body image with your kids. Ask them their idea of what a perfect body is and how they feel about their own body. It is important to listen and repeat back to them what you are hearing.
You can help your kids build a healthy body image at home from a young age by:
- Focusing on health and not weight. This can be done by talking about fueling up with nutritious foods (and the effects of poor nutrition/junk foods) for the body, focusing on mental health, staying physically active, and practicing good hygiene. Keeping the body healthy requires consistent work.
- Talking about how amazing our body is and all the processes it goes through to keep us alive, to help us move, to make us learn, allowing us to connect with others. Avoid talking in a non-positive way about other people’s bodies.
- Talking positively about all types of bodies and what makes us all different and special in our own way. Remember that a person’s body changes, their body image can change over time, especially for teens. If you have a concern that your child is struggling with body image, reach out to your child’s healthcare provider. Julissa Rivera-Nieves, PGY-1 BayCare Pediatric Residency Program