Voices from the School Board - Member Lynn Gray
Listen on your favorite podcast platform and subscribe so you don’t miss upcoming episodes! 🎙️
In this episode, we focus on an issue that is more important than ever—protecting our students and helping them stay safe in an increasingly digital world. We’re joined by School Board Member Lynn Gray, a long‑time advocate for student safety, who brings important perspective on topics such as human trafficking awareness and online protection. Together, we explore why these conversations matter, what families and schools should be paying attention to, and how education plays a critical role in prevention and awareness.
Students in the Agriculture Program at Gaither High School took learning beyond the classroom with a visit to Lowry Park Zoo 🐘🌿
During their trip, students explored the zoo, discovered career opportunities in animal care and conservation, and even got an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience—participating in a training session with Sdudla, a male African elephant.
During their trip, students explored the zoo, discovered career opportunities in animal care and conservation, and even got an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience—participating in a training session with Sdudla, a male African elephant.
Congratulations to three of our incredible HCPS bus drivers for taking home the top awards during this past weekend's Florida Association of Pupil Transportation State School Bus Safety Roadeo! 🚍🎉
The event welcomed drivers from Sarasota, Manatee, and Gadsden counties to compete in a series of precision driving and safety challenges.
And once again, HCPS showed up and showed out!
🥇 Juan Maldonado (Area 1 driver)
🥈 Cassandra Varnes (Area 5 driver)
🥉 Romy Taju (Area 7 driver)
All three champions will now represent Florida at the International Roadeo Competition this summer in Austin, Texas! We’ll be cheering them on all the way! 👏
The event welcomed drivers from Sarasota, Manatee, and Gadsden counties to compete in a series of precision driving and safety challenges.
And once again, HCPS showed up and showed out!
🥇 Juan Maldonado (Area 1 driver)
🥈 Cassandra Varnes (Area 5 driver)
🥉 Romy Taju (Area 7 driver)
All three champions will now represent Florida at the International Roadeo Competition this summer in Austin, Texas! We’ll be cheering them on all the way! 👏
Florida Prepaid enrollment is open through April 30. Lock in costs now. Hillsborough families may receive $50 towards a plan with code HILLSBOROUGH2026. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4bQ2a0D
We are so proud of our Woodbridge Wildcats! 🤩🎉🐾
As the school year begins to wind down, Woodbridge Elementary School took time to celebrate the amazing growth students have made since August. During the school’s annual Growth Parade, students were recognized for their progress in math, reading, and other core subjects.
The whole campus joined in the fun as students paraded around the school with pride and even enjoyed a special performance from the Leto High School drumline! 🥁
As the school year begins to wind down, Woodbridge Elementary School took time to celebrate the amazing growth students have made since August. During the school’s annual Growth Parade, students were recognized for their progress in math, reading, and other core subjects.
The whole campus joined in the fun as students paraded around the school with pride and even enjoyed a special performance from the Leto High School drumline! 🥁
ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL FAMILIES! Join us for our first-ever HCPS Apprenticeship Night on Wednesday, April 29!
Learn more about local apprenticeship programs and paid, hands-on career opportunities in fields like ironworking, electrical work, and pipefitting. Apprenticeships allow students to earn while they learn and can lead to rewarding careers after high school.
📍 Riverview High School – Cafeteria
⏰ 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Explore exciting career opportunities and learn how apprenticeships can help students build a successful future!
Learn more about local apprenticeship programs and paid, hands-on career opportunities in fields like ironworking, electrical work, and pipefitting. Apprenticeships allow students to earn while they learn and can lead to rewarding careers after high school.
📍 Riverview High School – Cafeteria
⏰ 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Explore exciting career opportunities and learn how apprenticeships can help students build a successful future!
Throughout April, students from more than 30 HCPS high schools are attending Future Fair Hiring Events—connecting with 50+ employers, training programs, and community partners. 🤝
Students explore career pathways, learn about internships and apprenticeships, take part in on-the-spot interviews, and even receive job offers—making real moves toward their post-graduation future. 🎓💼🚀
Students explore career pathways, learn about internships and apprenticeships, take part in on-the-spot interviews, and even receive job offers—making real moves toward their post-graduation future. 🎓💼🚀
Voices from the School Board - Vice Chair Nadia Combs
Listen on your favorite podcast platform and subscribe so you don’t miss upcoming episodes! 🎙️
For this episode, we’re talking about leadership — the kind that sets vision, makes policy, and helps guide the 7th largest school district in the country. Joining us today is Nadia Combs, the Vice Chair of our School Board. She is here to share her priorities, what drives her work, and how she sees the future of public education in our community.
Congratulations to Young Middle Magnet School on an outstanding showing at the 2026 Entrepalooza Competition! 🎉
As part of their Fundamentals of Marketing course, 7th graders Naomi Artis and Emonii Pasco presented their business concept, “Echo of the Wild.” They designed a biodegradable bracelet that reminds customers of nearby volunteer opportunities to help clean the environment. A portion of each bracelet sold also supports the protection and care of endangered animals. The duo earned first place in their division!
In the Entrepreneurship I competition, 8th-grader Kathlyn Augustin also earned first place with her business, “Forever Sleek.” Her product is a plant-based, chemical-free weave made from banana fibers, offering a healthier alternative to synthetic hair weaves that can contain harsh chemicals.
Kathlyn will now represent our district at the National and Global Youth Entrepreneurship Showcase later this year in New York! 👏
We’re proud of these students for their creativity, innovation, and commitment to solutions that benefit both people and our planet.
As part of their Fundamentals of Marketing course, 7th graders Naomi Artis and Emonii Pasco presented their business concept, “Echo of the Wild.” They designed a biodegradable bracelet that reminds customers of nearby volunteer opportunities to help clean the environment. A portion of each bracelet sold also supports the protection and care of endangered animals. The duo earned first place in their division!
In the Entrepreneurship I competition, 8th-grader Kathlyn Augustin also earned first place with her business, “Forever Sleek.” Her product is a plant-based, chemical-free weave made from banana fibers, offering a healthier alternative to synthetic hair weaves that can contain harsh chemicals.
Kathlyn will now represent our district at the National and Global Youth Entrepreneurship Showcase later this year in New York! 👏
We’re proud of these students for their creativity, innovation, and commitment to solutions that benefit both people and our planet.
Over 180 students from 12 HCPS schools attended Auto Career Day at Erwin Tech! 🚗
Students toured the automotive shop, heard from industry professionals during a panel discussion, and connected with more than 25 local dealerships to explore career paths, internships, and job opportunities.
#CTE
Students toured the automotive shop, heard from industry professionals during a panel discussion, and connected with more than 25 local dealerships to explore career paths, internships, and job opportunities.
#CTE
The first-ever HCPS Teen Parent Diaper Drive is officially in the books, supporting student parents across the district through an incredible collaboration with high school SGAs.
Shoutout to Leto High School for leading the way—collecting over 4,000 diapers to help our teen parents and their families. Your generosity is making a real difference! 💛
Shoutout to Leto High School for leading the way—collecting over 4,000 diapers to help our teen parents and their families. Your generosity is making a real difference! 💛
Literacy at Every Level
TAKE A LISTEN 🎧 The latest episode of “More to the Story” is out now!
For this episode, we’re talking about something that touches every subject, every classroom, and every student — literacy. Literacy is so much more than the ability to read at an early age. It’s about comprehension, communication, critical thinking, and the ability to engage with the world — from elementary classrooms to advanced high school coursework and beyond. Tracie Bergman, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, joins us for this very important topic.
Listen on your favorite podcast platform and subscribe so you don’t miss upcoming episodes! 🎙️
Meet Melissa Triebwasser, the proud new principal of Walden Lake Elementary School!
She began her teaching career in 1998 with Alachua County Public Schools in Gainesville, FL. She later joined the HCPS family in 2001 as a teacher at West Tampa Elementary School.
During her time in the district, she has taught at Cypress Creek Elementary, Doby Elementary, McDonald Elementary, Walden Lake Elementary, and Lincoln Elementary, and has also served as a resource teacher and district science coach.
Most recently, she served as the AP at Buckhorn Elementary.
Congratulations!
She began her teaching career in 1998 with Alachua County Public Schools in Gainesville, FL. She later joined the HCPS family in 2001 as a teacher at West Tampa Elementary School.
During her time in the district, she has taught at Cypress Creek Elementary, Doby Elementary, McDonald Elementary, Walden Lake Elementary, and Lincoln Elementary, and has also served as a resource teacher and district science coach.
Most recently, she served as the AP at Buckhorn Elementary.
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Eric Felder on being named the new principal of Oak Park Elementary School!
He began his career with HCPS in 2001 as a kindergarten teacher at Just Elementary School. He later taught kindergarten and 3rd grade at Sheehy Elementary School before returning to Just in 2009 as an administrative resource teacher.
He has held administrative roles at Dunbar Elementary, Potter Elementary, and Graham Elementary. Most recently, he served as AP at James Elementary.
He began his career with HCPS in 2001 as a kindergarten teacher at Just Elementary School. He later taught kindergarten and 3rd grade at Sheehy Elementary School before returning to Just in 2009 as an administrative resource teacher.
He has held administrative roles at Dunbar Elementary, Potter Elementary, and Graham Elementary. Most recently, he served as AP at James Elementary.
Congrats to Freedom High School junior Gaige Spano on throwing a perfect game last Saturday! 🔥
Spano retired all 21 batters he faced—no hits, no walks, and a flawless defensive performance behind him. 👏⚾
Spano retired all 21 batters he faced—no hits, no walks, and a flawless defensive performance behind him. 👏⚾
Congratulations to our newest cohort of Principal Induction Program graduates! 🎉
This morning, we celebrated 27 phenomenal leaders who have successfully completed the final stage of our Principal Pipeline initiative, marking their first year as principals!
Collectively, this group brings a remarkable 580 years (yes, you read that right) of educational experience to the table, with each leader having served between 11 and 29 years in the field.
Throughout all four stages of the pipeline, they received targeted training as assistant principals, ongoing coaching and professional development, and hands-on experience to confidently transition into the principal role.
We’re so proud of their growth and excited to see the continued impact they’ll make across our schools!
This morning, we celebrated 27 phenomenal leaders who have successfully completed the final stage of our Principal Pipeline initiative, marking their first year as principals!
Collectively, this group brings a remarkable 580 years (yes, you read that right) of educational experience to the table, with each leader having served between 11 and 29 years in the field.
Throughout all four stages of the pipeline, they received targeted training as assistant principals, ongoing coaching and professional development, and hands-on experience to confidently transition into the principal role.
We’re so proud of their growth and excited to see the continued impact they’ll make across our schools!
In recognition of National Assistant Principals Week, we proudly celebrate all of our Assistant Principals for their exceptional leadership and dedication. Thank you for all you do!
GROWING SOMETHING SPECIAL 🌱🍯 Students at Edison Elementary School hosted their first-ever SEEDFOLKids Community Market Day, selling fresh vegetables, herbs, and honey they’ve grown through the school’s garden program.
In partnership with Sanwa Farmer’s Market, the event brought families and community partners together to celebrate hands-on learning, healthy living, and student leadership. Proceeds will support the SEEDFOLKids Garden Club and future student programs.
In partnership with Sanwa Farmer’s Market, the event brought families and community partners together to celebrate hands-on learning, healthy living, and student leadership. Proceeds will support the SEEDFOLKids Garden Club and future student programs.
🌟 Happy School Library Month!
Our library is a hub for discovery, imagination, and growth. We are grateful for our amazing library staff who inspire a love of reading and learning in our students. 📚✨
Our library is a hub for discovery, imagination, and growth. We are grateful for our amazing library staff who inspire a love of reading and learning in our students. 📚✨
Congratulations to Blake High School Senior Cora Bowen on receiving the top prize for U.S. Representative Kathy Castor's annual Congressional Art Competition! 🎉🎨
Her mixed media piece titled "A Million Paths To Take" will be featured for one year in the U.S. Capitol alongside other Congressional Art Competition winners from across the country.
Her mixed media piece titled "A Million Paths To Take" will be featured for one year in the U.S. Capitol alongside other Congressional Art Competition winners from across the country.
