May 12, 2024
May 12, 2024
MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
HCPS Families,
This will be my last newsletter of the 2023-24 school year. I can’t believe the school year is nearly over.
For those of you taking tests, relax and know that your teachers have prepared you well for these exams. Get a good night’s sleep, eat a good breakfast, and do your very best.
For those of you graduating, Congratulations! This is the end of 13 years of hard work, dedication, and preparation. I’m excited to see what the next chapter will hold for you, and I can't wait to shake your hand as you walk across the stage at the Fairgrounds!
With just two weeks left of the school year, it can be easy to lose focus, but please remember to keep reading, keep learning, be nice to your teachers, and show up every day!
Pretty soon, you’ll be enjoying summer vacation!
Superintendent Van Ayres
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR OUR FAMILIES
FASFA
There is financial aid available for seniors for college and career school – But you must fill out the FASFA form to get it, and you must do it SOON!
The form is a bit complicated and the process of filling it out could take an hour or so, but it’s worth it.
Financial aid from FASFA includes grants, scholarships, work study funds, and student loans. Right now, only 25% of students in Hillsborough County have filled out a FASFA form, and that’s a lot of financial aid that’s not getting used.
ELECTRIC SCHOOL BUSES
The Hillsborough County School Board voted to purchase twenty electric school buses. In February, the district was awarded $7.9 million in funding for clean school buses as part of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s first Clean School Bus Program Grants Competition.
The twenty buses are seventy-seven passenger capacity Type-C buses and will serve specific inner-city routes to the district’s underserved communities. The buses should be operational in early 2025, after the necessary training and infrastructure construction (e.g., charging stations) can be completed. The school district will have a projected cost savings of over $4 million with reduced maintenance costs and fuel savings.
APOLLO BEACH ELEMENTARY TO BECOME A K-8
In August, Apollo Beach Elementary School will begin a phased-in transition to a K-8 school using the model below:
- 2024-2025 - Add 6th grade
- 2025-2026 - Add 7th grade
- 2026-2027 - Add 8th grade
Important information:
- Students who wish to attend 6th grade at Apollo Beach must apply through our Choice Department.
- An application window will be open May 9 at 6pm - 11:59pm on May 15.
- Results will be available the week of May 20.
- Parents can apply for Apollo Beach K-8 at https://community.sdhc.k12.fl.us
SUMMER CAMP OPPORTUNITIES AT OUR SCHOOLS!
Middleton Robotics Summer Camp 2024
From beginner robotics to engineering and programming, students in grades 2 - 10 will explore and push the boundaries of technology and robotics.
For more information, families can email roboticsmiddleton@gmail.com.
To register, visit middletonrobotics.com/summercamps
Freedom High School Summer Theatre Camp
Freedom High School's theatre troupe is excited to announce their new summer camp program, "Palooza!"
Students rising into the 2nd through 8th grade can join our Patriot Players for a two-week intensive camp ending in a production of Disney’s Finding Nemo Jr. No auditions are necessary as all registered students will receive a role.
Registration is open through May 24
SALE!!!
30% off cost if you use the promo code: NEMO24
STOP THE SUMMER SLIDE
#Just2Books
Hillsborough County Public Schools is teaming with MyON to stop the "summer slide".
Did you know students lose about a month's worth of learning, on average, over the summer? It's called the "summer slide" - but reading just two (on level) books over the summer can prevent the learning loss that comes over summer break.
Remember, Just 2 Books can stop the "summer slide."
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2024 🎓
Graduation season is upon us...!
We are proud to celebrate the Class of 2024!
More than 14,000 seniors will graduate from Hillsborough County Public Schools this year. Thank you to our students for their dedication, and thank you to all the parents, families, teachers, administrators, and support staff for having instrumental roles in helping these seniors succeed!
All traditional high school graduations will be held at the Florida State Fairgrounds - Expo Hall. This link will take you to a list of each school's graduation date and time.
Each school has provided its graduate with ten paper tickets for guests to attend their graduation ceremony. This ticket will be required for guest entry into the Expo Hall; graduates will not need a ticket for entry. Additional tickets will not be available, however, each ceremony will be livestreamed at HillsboroughSchools.tv for the enjoyment of extended family and friends!
Congratulations to the Class of 2024!
There's still time to give your senior a shout-out!
We are putting together a special bulletin of some of our Class of 2024 seniors. There's still time to submit your senior!
E-mail your senior's name, school, accomplishments, a special message, and their picture to Laura.Cross@hcps.net and they will be included in our Senior Shout Out bulletin!
A few examples are below!
Tyler Szymanski is a graduating senior from Sickles High School! Tyler was active in his AFJROTC unit all four years while serving as core commander senior year. Tyler has maintained a 4.0 unweighted GPA throughout high school. He was recently recognized as the 2024 Hillsborough County Cadet of the Year! Tyler is a National Merit Scholar and will be attending the University of Alabama where he will pursue an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering along with an MBA. Tyler has made his family proud by relentlessly pursuing his goals while maintaining a strong moral character.
Jonluke and Rachel Cabrera are graduating (twin!) seniors from Durant High School! They started their freshmen year under the "covid cloud" and were so resilient. "We are so proud of them for all their hard work and accomplishments. They are both on their way to USF where Jonluke will study Theatre (so watch for him on Broadway or in the movies someday!) and Rachel will study criminology with her sights set on a career with the CIA or FBI. Beautiful souls and spirits. We couldn't be more proud! Love Mom & Dad."
La'Niya Copeland is a graduating senior from Wharton High School! She is an honors graduate who also shines on the football field! She concluded her second varsity flag football season impressively, tallying 420 yards, 63 receptions, and 54 flag pulls. Notably, she earned the title of Player of the Game against Armwood. "Congratulations La'Niya! We eagerly anticipate witnessing your future success at FAMU."
STUDENTS SURPRISED WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT SCHOLARSHIP FROM FLORIDA PREPAID
This week, Superintendent Ayres surprised three outstanding high school seniors with a 2-year, $8,000 scholarship. These students have overcome incredible challenges to succeed in school, graduate, and further their educations.
This year's scholarship winners are:
Lenaira Williams from Middleton High School
Misael Lebron from Gaither High School
Alabama Allen from Steinbrenner High School
Florida Prepaid, the largest and longest running college savings plan in the nation, partnered with Hillsborough County Public Schools to help create awareness about the importance of education and saving for college early.
Lenaira Williams - Middleton High School
Misael Lebron - Gaither High School
Alabama Allen - Steinbrenner High School
THANK YOU FOR CELEBRATING TEACHERS
This past week was Teacher Appreciation Week. Thank you to all our families, schools, and community partners that honored and celebrated our teachers.
One thing is for certain, every teacher makes a difference.
We sat down with four teachers who thought they were being interviewed for Teacher Appreciation Week - Little did they know, a surprise was in store.
Thank you, teachers 💗
Thank you to Irish 31 for recognizing & honoring our teachers!
Each year, our community partners at Irish 31 take nominations of extraordinary teachers.
Then, Irish 31, along with the Junior League of Tampa and Ford of Port Richey, give each of these teachers $1000 with the explicit instructions to spend that money on themselves!
Congratulations to this year's Hillsborough County Public Schools, Cheers to Public Service, winners!
Brainard Harris - Stewart Middle School
Brian Krautter - Sumner High School
Fernando Guillen - Plant City High School
John Taft - Robinson High School
Karen Hartman - Lewis Elementary School
Tim Fox - Wilson Middle School
Magali Garcia Rosado - Ruskin Elementary School
Patricia Ates - Tinker K-8
Bailey Dillehay - Franklin Middle School
Arielle Blobner - Spoto High School
Art Flores - Leto High School
Ingrid Ashby - Greco Middle School
Joseph McLemore - Sulphur Springs K-8
Katie Thomas - Yates Elementary School
Margaret Ochs - Schwarzkopf Elementary School
Check out Irish31.com/Cheers to check out these teachers' stories!
Superintendent Ayres surprised some teachers with fantastic prizes!
We had so much fun handing out these prizes this week!