HALF-PENNY SALES TAX REFERENDUM
We are proud that Hillsborough County Public Schools continues to be the #1 choice for families in our community. That success is possible because of the incredible support we receive from our families and community members.
One example of this support is the half-penny sales tax referendum approved by voters in 2018. At that time, our district faced more than $1 billion in deferred maintenance. Many schools needed immediate A/C replacements, roof and window repairs, and other facilities and technology upgrades.
Thanks to voters, the half-penny referendum provided funding to address these needs, with a promise that every school would receive at least $500,000 in improvements. Since then, more than $1.2 billion has been invested in school facilities, safety, and technology across the district. More than $680 million of that work was awarded to local businesses, supporting jobs in our community.
We are grateful for your continued support. If you would like more information about the referendum and the projects it has funded, please visit the district’s website >> https://www.hillsboroughschools.org/o/hcps/page/half-penny-sales-tax-referendum
Dunbar Elementary Magnet School recently brought together generations of alumni, staff, families, and friends to celebrate 100 years of memories and learning! 🩺❤️🎉
From BBQ and games to free books and plenty of Dunbar pride, the centennial celebration was a wonderful reminder of the lasting impact this special school has had on generations of students and families.
Our Dunbar Docs have the prescription for success!
Here’s to the 100 years of memories, and to the many more still to come!
From BBQ and games to free books and plenty of Dunbar pride, the centennial celebration was a wonderful reminder of the lasting impact this special school has had on generations of students and families.
Our Dunbar Docs have the prescription for success!
Here’s to the 100 years of memories, and to the many more still to come!
The future of Tampa’s hospitality is looking bright! 😎🌴🏨✈️🍽️
This week, we celebrated the ribbon-cutting of the expanded Hospitality and Tourism Magnet Program at Jefferson High School.
Made possible through an exciting partnership with Visit Tampa Bay, this expansion will give students even more opportunities for hands-on learning, industry connections, and real-world experience in one of Tampa Bay’s largest and fastest-growing industries.
We’re preparing the next generation of hospitality and tourism professionals right here in Hillsborough County, and we can’t wait to see where they will go!
This week, we celebrated the ribbon-cutting of the expanded Hospitality and Tourism Magnet Program at Jefferson High School.
Made possible through an exciting partnership with Visit Tampa Bay, this expansion will give students even more opportunities for hands-on learning, industry connections, and real-world experience in one of Tampa Bay’s largest and fastest-growing industries.
We’re preparing the next generation of hospitality and tourism professionals right here in Hillsborough County, and we can’t wait to see where they will go!
2026–2027 Student Code of Conduct
Families can now view the 2026–2027 Student Code of Conduct online. The Code of Conduct provides important information about student expectations, rights, responsibilities, and district policies. It is broken up into four sections:
Introduction
Students’ and Parent/Guardians’ Rights and Responsibilities
Policies and Procedures
Discipline
For the full code of conduct, please visit hillsboroughschools.org/o/hcps/page/student-code-of-conduct.
The Plant City Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual New Teacher Breakfast on Friday morning, welcoming new teachers from more than 20 HCPS schools! 🍎📚
Teachers enjoyed a delicious breakfast, had the chance to win raffle prizes, and received an assortment of school supplies generously donated by local Plant City businesses to help them start the school year off right!
Teachers enjoyed a delicious breakfast, had the chance to win raffle prizes, and received an assortment of school supplies generously donated by local Plant City businesses to help them start the school year off right!
The HCPS Transportation Team kicked off the new school year this morning with its annual kickoff meeting at the Lake Wimauma Convention Center! 🚌
Team members heard inspiring messages from Superintendent Van Ayres, School Board Member Patti Rendon, and special guest Cordarius Jones, better known as "Mr. Bus Driver," who shared strategies for building meaningful connections with students, families, and school staff.
Here's to a safe, successful, and connected school year for our Transportation Team!
Team members heard inspiring messages from Superintendent Van Ayres, School Board Member Patti Rendon, and special guest Cordarius Jones, better known as "Mr. Bus Driver," who shared strategies for building meaningful connections with students, families, and school staff.
Here's to a safe, successful, and connected school year for our Transportation Team!
A huge thank you to the Valrico/FishHawk Chamber of Commerce for hosting their Back-to-School Breakfast and to the Carrollwood Area Business Association for their annual Back-to-School Brunch this morning!
Thanks to the generosity of local businesses, teachers and students will head into the new school year with much-needed school supplies, helping ensure our newest educators have everything they need for a successful start. We appreciate our community partners for investing in our schools and supporting student success!
Thanks to the generosity of local businesses, teachers and students will head into the new school year with much-needed school supplies, helping ensure our newest educators have everything they need for a successful start. We appreciate our community partners for investing in our schools and supporting student success!
Student schedules will be available to view beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, August 4, through the Focus Parent Portal.
To access your student's schedule, you must first complete all required back-to-school forms online.
For more details and information, visit: https://www.hillsboroughschools.org/article/3057201
Congratulations to Beth Silva, the new principal of Dorothy Thomas Exceptional Student Education Center!
Beth began her career with HCPS in 1984 as a prep aide at Graham Elementary School. She later became a teacher, serving students at Schwarzkopf Elementary, Citrus Park Elementary, and Pizzo K-8 Schools across a variety of grade levels and exceptional student education settings.
In 2018, Beth was appointed AP at Dorothy Thomas Exceptional Center, where she currently serves.
Our Dorothy Thomas students, staff, and families are fortunate to have such a dedicated leader, Beth!
Meet the proud new principal of North Tampa Success Center, Dr. Larry “Glenn” Bramlett!
Dr. Bramlett began his career with HCPS in 1999 as a social studies teacher at Robinson High School. In 2005, he was appointed AP at Middleton High School before serving in other leadership roles at Spoto and Plant High Schools, Giunta and Memorial Middle Schools, Brandon Success Center, and LaVoy Exceptional Center.
In 2023, Dr. Bramlett joined North Tampa Success Center as assistant principal, where he currently serves.
Congratulations, Dr. Bramlett!
Dr. Bramlett began his career with HCPS in 1999 as a social studies teacher at Robinson High School. In 2005, he was appointed AP at Middleton High School before serving in other leadership roles at Spoto and Plant High Schools, Giunta and Memorial Middle Schools, Brandon Success Center, and LaVoy Exceptional Center.
In 2023, Dr. Bramlett joined North Tampa Success Center as assistant principal, where he currently serves.
Congratulations, Dr. Bramlett!
Congratulations to the new principal of Mulrennan Middle School, Nicole Hildebrand!
Nicole began her career with HCPS in 2002 as a math teacher at Coleman Middle School. She later taught math at Shields and Barrington Middle Schools before becoming a math resource teacher at Monroe Middle School in 2015.
In 2018, Nicole returned to the classroom as a math teacher at Riverview High School before being appointed as AP at Progress Village Middle School in 2019, where she currently serves.
Our Mulrennan Mustangs are excited to welcome you into their herd, Nicole!
Nicole began her career with HCPS in 2002 as a math teacher at Coleman Middle School. She later taught math at Shields and Barrington Middle Schools before becoming a math resource teacher at Monroe Middle School in 2015.
In 2018, Nicole returned to the classroom as a math teacher at Riverview High School before being appointed as AP at Progress Village Middle School in 2019, where she currently serves.
Our Mulrennan Mustangs are excited to welcome you into their herd, Nicole!
Back-to-school forms are now available through the HCPS Focus Parent Portal!
Starting today, families can complete all required new school year forms online before the first day, which is on Monday, August 10.
For more details and information, visit: https://www.hillsboroughschools.org/article/3047169
🌟 Registration for HCPS Head Start opens July 27!
Head Start offers 3- and 4-year-olds a high-quality early learning program that supports academic, social, and emotional development at specific HCPS elementary schools.
For eligibility information and registration details, visit hillsboroughschools.org/headstart.
Head Start offers 3- and 4-year-olds a high-quality early learning program that supports academic, social, and emotional development at specific HCPS elementary schools.
For eligibility information and registration details, visit hillsboroughschools.org/headstart.
🚌 Congratulations to the Hillsborough County Public Schools Transportation team for proudly representing Florida at the International School Bus Rodeo in Austin, Texas! After winning the state competition, Cassandra Varnes, Juan Maldonado, and Romy Taju competed against the best drivers from across the U.S. and Canada, while Carlos Hernandez, David Munoz, and Juan Estramera were selected to serve as judges—a tremendous honor. Thank you for representing HCPS with professionalism, skill, and an unwavering commitment to student safety! 👏
🏆 Hillsborough County Public Schools students delivered an outstanding performance at the 2026 FBLA National Leadership Conference, earning 6 national championships and 40 top 10 finishes in business, technology, finance, entrepreneurship, and leadership events! Congratulations to our incredible students and advisors for representing HCPS with excellence on the national stage. 👏🎉
See all the winners here: https://www.hillsboroughschools.org/article/3025351
See all the winners here: https://www.hillsboroughschools.org/article/3025351
Rodgers Middle Magnet School students made their mark on the world stage! 🤖🌎
Jake Phome, Carter Britt, and Tan Tran earned 2nd place in the world at the Robofest World Championship in Michigan in the Junior Bottle Sumo Robot Time Trials. After winning their regional competition, the Rodgers Robotics & Engineering team competed against students from 22 countries, showcasing STEM excellence, teamwork, and innovation!
🏆 Congratulations to 44 Hillsborough County Public Schools seniors named 2026 College-Sponsored National Merit Scholarship winners! Their academic achievement, dedication, and commitment to excellence have earned them this prestigious national recognition. We are proud of these outstanding students! 🎓✨
See the complete list of winners: https://www.hillsboroughschools.org/article/2966795
🎻 #ThrowbackThursday to Randall Middle School's incredible end-of-year Spring Concert!
Principal Colin Gerding joined Orchestra Director Robert Barnes and 120 Randall orchestra students on stage to perform an original composition written by Mr. Barnes. The piece was specially created so every 6th-, 7th-, and 8th-grade orchestra student could perform together. To make the moment even more memorable, Mr. Barnes surprised each student with matching orchestra "tattoo sleeves" for the performance.
What a fantastic finale to an outstanding year of music and memories!
See the full performance here: https://youtu.be/ENQFmRuPFWI
Principal Colin Gerding joined Orchestra Director Robert Barnes and 120 Randall orchestra students on stage to perform an original composition written by Mr. Barnes. The piece was specially created so every 6th-, 7th-, and 8th-grade orchestra student could perform together. To make the moment even more memorable, Mr. Barnes surprised each student with matching orchestra "tattoo sleeves" for the performance.
What a fantastic finale to an outstanding year of music and memories!
See the full performance here: https://youtu.be/ENQFmRuPFWI
Throwback Thursday to an incredible achievement! 🇺🇸🏆
Back in May, Middleton High School Cadet Major Arthi Gouravelli earned the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) Outstanding JROTC Cadet Award. After winning at the Tampa chapter and Florida state levels, Arthi went on to capture the national title, becoming the #1 JROTC cadet among more than 600,000 cadets from 3,400+ JROTC programs worldwide across all military branches.
We are incredibly proud of Arthi’s outstanding leadership, dedication, and achievement! 👏
PLANNING AHEAD? 🗓️ We've got you covered! The 2027-2028 Student Academic Calendar is now available, giving families an early look at important dates for the FOLLOWING school year.
Students' First Day of School -Tuesday, August 10, 2027
Regular Student Day/No Early Release - Monday, August 16, 2027
Labor Day/Non-Student Day - Monday, September 6, 2027
End of 1st Grading Period - Friday, October 8, 2027
Veterans Day/Non-Student Day - Thursday, November 11, 2027
Fall Break/Non-Student Days - Monday, November 22 - Friday, November 26, 2027
Students Return to School - Monday, November 29, 2027
End of 2nd Grading Period/1st Semester - Friday, December 17, 2027
Winter Break/Non-Student Days - Monday, December 20 - Friday, December 31, 2027
Non-Student Day - Monday, January 3, 2028
Students Return to School - Tuesday, January 4, 2028
Martin Luther King, Jr./Non-Student Day - Monday, January 17, 2028
Florida State Fair/Non-Student Day - Friday, February 18, 2028
Presidents' Day/Non-Student Day - Monday, February 21, 2028
Strawberry Festival/Non-Student Day - Monday, March 6, 2028
End of 3rd Grading Period - Friday, March 10, 2028
Spring Break/Non-Student Days - Monday, March 13 - Friday, March 17, 2028
Non-Student Day - Monday, March 20, 2028
Students Return to School - Tuesday, March 21, 2028
Non-Student Day - Friday, April 14, 2028
Last Day of School; End of 4th Grading Period/2nd Semester - Friday, May 26, 2028
Tentative Hurricane Make-Up Day(s) if needed: November 11, November 22-24, January 3, 2028.
Student Early Release Day schedule has not been finalized.
Monday, August 16, 2027, will be a regular student day.
The last day of school is a 2.5-hour early release.
In case you need THIS YEAR'S calendar, visit hillsboroughschools.org/o/hcps/page/calendar26-27.
