📚 Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! Schools across the district are hosting exciting events that highlight the power of reading, creativity, and student voice. Our students are showing that literacy is more than reading—it’s creativity, voice, and expression.
Literacy is alive and thriving in our schools! 🎉📖
🎉 Results are available!
Hillsborough County Public Schools Magnet & School Choice Application results are live online.
✅ If you received an offer, you have until Friday, January 30 at 11:59 p.m. to accept.
Don’t miss your opportunity to secure your spot!
👉 bit.ly/MagnetChoiceHCPS
Hillsborough County Public Schools Magnet & School Choice Application results are live online.
✅ If you received an offer, you have until Friday, January 30 at 11:59 p.m. to accept.
Don’t miss your opportunity to secure your spot!
👉 bit.ly/MagnetChoiceHCPS
Meet our treasured 2026 Excellence in Education Awards winners! 🤩💎🐠🎉 These three outstanding educators and support staff rise above the tide and make a lasting impact across our district:
🌊 Teacher of the Year: Christi Atkinson, Science/AICE Teacher, Wharton High School
🌊 Instructional Support Employee of the Year: Mary Torres-Cerezo, Licensed Professional Nurse, Willis Peters Exceptional Student Education Center
🌊 Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year: Ché Counce, Access Points Teacher, Symmes Elementary School
Chosen from 690 nominees districtwide, these incredible individuals are true gems of Hillsborough County Public Schools. Congratulations!
🌊 Teacher of the Year: Christi Atkinson, Science/AICE Teacher, Wharton High School
🌊 Instructional Support Employee of the Year: Mary Torres-Cerezo, Licensed Professional Nurse, Willis Peters Exceptional Student Education Center
🌊 Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year: Ché Counce, Access Points Teacher, Symmes Elementary School
Chosen from 690 nominees districtwide, these incredible individuals are true gems of Hillsborough County Public Schools. Congratulations!
There will be no classes for students on Monday, January 19. Regular classes will resume on Tuesday, January 20.
📣 Attention HCPS families!
Results for the Magnet & School Choice Application Window (including Hillsborough Virtual) go live on Friday, January 23, at 5 p.m.
⏰ Set a reminder to check your status and take the next step!
🔗 bit.ly/MagnetChoiceHCPS
Results for the Magnet & School Choice Application Window (including Hillsborough Virtual) go live on Friday, January 23, at 5 p.m.
⏰ Set a reminder to check your status and take the next step!
🔗 bit.ly/MagnetChoiceHCPS
We are proud to announce a historic milestone for Hillsborough County Public Schools! Our 2024-2025 graduation rate is an impressive 90.9%, marking the highest rate in the district's history. 🎉🎓
This means 910 more students than the previous year crossed the stage, ready for college, careers, the military, or whatever their next journey in life may hold.
This achievement belongs to our entire HCPS family. From our staff and families to our community partners, thank you for helping our students succeed. Together, we are #LeadingTheWay!
This means 910 more students than the previous year crossed the stage, ready for college, careers, the military, or whatever their next journey in life may hold.
This achievement belongs to our entire HCPS family. From our staff and families to our community partners, thank you for helping our students succeed. Together, we are #LeadingTheWay!
Chamberlain juniors pitched 25 student-created companies—Shark Tank–style—to local business leaders for real feedback and real start-up funding. The top teams earned support to launch at Market Day on March 11. Let the innovation continue! 🚀
New year. New opportunities. 🚦
Looking for stability, great benefits, and work-life balance? Attend our Transportation Job Fair on Wednesday, January 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
📍9455 Harney Rd, Thonotosassa
We offer medical insurance, retirement plans, free training, paid holidays, guaranteed hours, school calendar vacations, summer 4-day work weeks, and overtime opportunities. Hiring bus drivers and mechanics!
➡️ HCPSJobs.com
Looking for stability, great benefits, and work-life balance? Attend our Transportation Job Fair on Wednesday, January 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
📍9455 Harney Rd, Thonotosassa
We offer medical insurance, retirement plans, free training, paid holidays, guaranteed hours, school calendar vacations, summer 4-day work weeks, and overtime opportunities. Hiring bus drivers and mechanics!
➡️ HCPSJobs.com
Congrats to Matthew Glassman (Alonso High School), Cierra Roth (Schwarzkopf Elementary), Ashley Shalna (Liberty Middle), Jimmy Lu (Lopez Elementary), and Khrystina Zurita (Sumner High School) on each receiving a $1,000 ACP Scholarship from the Hillsborough Education Foundation! 🎉🎓 Thank you for your hard work and dedication to your schools and students!
Students at Mort Elementary started their day singing and dancing with Jack Hartmann 🎶💃🕺 What a fun and energetic way to kick off a day of learning! 📚✨
Fifth-grade students from McKitrick Elementary School put their football skills to the test with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this morning. 🏈
A fun activity to kick off the second half of the school year! 🤩
A fun activity to kick off the second half of the school year! 🤩
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! To ensure we continue to provide high-quality, rigorous learning opportunities that meet the needs of our students and prepare them for college and careers, we are asking HCPS families to complete a brief survey.
The survey shouldn’t take more than a few minutes to fill out and will be a valuable source of information for us as we work to make our schools and district stronger.
You may complete the survey online using a computer, tablet, or smartphone now through Friday, January 23. Please check your email for a direct link from your school's survey coordinator.
We thank you in advance for your thoughtful responses and support.
The survey shouldn’t take more than a few minutes to fill out and will be a valuable source of information for us as we work to make our schools and district stronger.
You may complete the survey online using a computer, tablet, or smartphone now through Friday, January 23. Please check your email for a direct link from your school's survey coordinator.
We thank you in advance for your thoughtful responses and support.
LEADING THE WAY FOR SKIN HEALTH ☀️ We’re proud to announce that three Robinson High School seniors have been named 2025 Congressional App District Challenge winners by U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor!
Sharan Santharam Srinivasan, Ammar Omar, and Sujay Korada developed “SunScreened,” an app designed to educate users about the dangers of UV exposure and the importance of sunscreen for overall skin health.
Inspired by Florida’s sunny climate, the students created SunScreened to raise awareness about skin health. The app features real-time UV tracking, personalized SPF recommendations, burn-time calculations, and AI-powered skin analysis.
Watch a demonstration of their app via the video link below ⬇️
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnrJUq6MK-A
Monday, January 5, is a non-student day. We look forward to welcoming students back on Tuesday, January 6.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT SPOTLIGHT 🎉 Congratulations to 11 students from Turner/Bartels K-8 School for their outstanding performance at the 2025 Florida Technology Student Association (TSA) Space Coast Regional Competition!
Our Tigers placed in multiple categories, showcasing their creativity, collaboration, and technical skills.
🥈 2nd Place – Chapter Team Parliamentary Presentation
🥈🥉 2nd/3rd Place – Dragster Design
🥉 3rd Place – Biotechnology
🥉 3rd Place – Children’s Stories
🥉 3rd Place – Inventions & Innovations
🥉 3rd Place – Parliamentary Exam
We’re proud of these students as they advance to the Florida TSA State Competition in March! To learn more about TSA and the competitive events, visit https://floridatsa.org/.
Our Tigers placed in multiple categories, showcasing their creativity, collaboration, and technical skills.
🥈 2nd Place – Chapter Team Parliamentary Presentation
🥈🥉 2nd/3rd Place – Dragster Design
🥉 3rd Place – Biotechnology
🥉 3rd Place – Children’s Stories
🥉 3rd Place – Inventions & Innovations
🥉 3rd Place – Parliamentary Exam
We’re proud of these students as they advance to the Florida TSA State Competition in March! To learn more about TSA and the competitive events, visit https://floridatsa.org/.
Congratulations to our students who recently participated in and received top honors at the 2025 Congressional App District Challenge, hosted by Congresswoman Laurel Lee!
This national competition encourages middle and high school students to learn coding and create innovative applications that address real-world problems.
🥇 1st Place: Sarayu Karedla, Yashika Garg, and Navita Mishira (Middleton High School) — NeuroPath App: An AI-powered app designed to detect and monitor neurodegenerative diseases, supporting earlier diagnosis and care.
🥈 2nd Place: Alex Sun (Steinbrenner High School) — RemindMe App: An app created to help individuals with memory-related conditions stay connected with their loved ones.
🥉 3rd Place: Sahil Patel, Krishiv Patel, and Shaan Patel (Steinbrenner High School) — CareConnect App: An app that connects people in need of assistance with those ready to help.
We are so proud of these students for using their creativity and technical skills to make a meaningful impact beyond the classroom!
This national competition encourages middle and high school students to learn coding and create innovative applications that address real-world problems.
🥇 1st Place: Sarayu Karedla, Yashika Garg, and Navita Mishira (Middleton High School) — NeuroPath App: An AI-powered app designed to detect and monitor neurodegenerative diseases, supporting earlier diagnosis and care.
🥈 2nd Place: Alex Sun (Steinbrenner High School) — RemindMe App: An app created to help individuals with memory-related conditions stay connected with their loved ones.
🥉 3rd Place: Sahil Patel, Krishiv Patel, and Shaan Patel (Steinbrenner High School) — CareConnect App: An app that connects people in need of assistance with those ready to help.
We are so proud of these students for using their creativity and technical skills to make a meaningful impact beyond the classroom!
COZY UP AND GRAB A BOOK 📚❄️ Don't forget, the Superintendent’s Winter Break Reading Challenge is underway! Students in PreK–12 are encouraged to grab their favorite book during Winter Break and log every minute they spend reading.
Through Monday, January 5, students can record their reading in Beanstack (Visit hub.hcps.net and click on the Beanstack icon to get started).
Schools with the highest participation will earn a Reader Leader trophy and $500 for library books! Winners will be announced during Celebrate Literacy Week, January 26 through 30.
Let’s keep reading and #GetCaughtReading this Winter Break!
Through Monday, January 5, students can record their reading in Beanstack (Visit hub.hcps.net and click on the Beanstack icon to get started).
Schools with the highest participation will earn a Reader Leader trophy and $500 for library books! Winners will be announced during Celebrate Literacy Week, January 26 through 30.
Let’s keep reading and #GetCaughtReading this Winter Break!
❄️ Take a moment for YOU this Winter Break!
This Winter Break, we’re sharing simple daily tips to help you recharge, stay active, and find balance. Follow our social channels each weekday for quick, feel-good ways to support your mind, body, and overall wellness all season long!
This Winter Break, we’re sharing simple daily tips to help you recharge, stay active, and find balance. Follow our social channels each weekday for quick, feel-good ways to support your mind, body, and overall wellness all season long!
From classroom to career — right here in Plant City. 🍓
Rick Lott Technical College provides hands-on technical training through Hillsborough County’s network of CTE programs. Students learn in real-world lab environments and can complete many programs in just one year, earning credentials that lead directly to high-demand jobs in the Tampa Bay region.
We’re proud to support Plant City — in education and in the community. That’s why we've partnered with Plant City Main Street to sponsor the 2nd Annual Plant City Strawberry Drop happening on New Year's Eve! https://www.plantcitymainstreet.org/strawberrydrop2026
For more information about Rick Lott Technical College, visit:
https://www.hillsboroughschools.org/rltc
Students in Durant High School’s Agriculture Program recently completed their 30th Annual Bike Drop-Off 🎄🚲, delivering donated bicycles to local Plant City elementary schools.
The Agriculture Department collected bike donations from Durant students and families, FFA Alumni, and several generous community businesses 🎁🤝. These bikes were distributed to J.S. Robinson Elementary, Trapnell Elementary, Nelson Elementary, Valrico Elementary, Walden Lake Elementary, and Yates Elementary 🎅🎄, helping bring smiles and holiday joy to students across the community.
This long-standing tradition highlights the program’s commitment to service, leadership, and community involvement during the holiday season ❤️✨
The Agriculture Department collected bike donations from Durant students and families, FFA Alumni, and several generous community businesses 🎁🤝. These bikes were distributed to J.S. Robinson Elementary, Trapnell Elementary, Nelson Elementary, Valrico Elementary, Walden Lake Elementary, and Yates Elementary 🎅🎄, helping bring smiles and holiday joy to students across the community.
This long-standing tradition highlights the program’s commitment to service, leadership, and community involvement during the holiday season ❤️✨
