Hillsborough County Public Schools -

FIND YOUR FUTURE! ⚙️🍓 It was a wonderful morning in Plant City as we welcomed in the future of workforce education during today’s ribbon-cutting ceremony for Rick Lott Technical College! City officials, county and community leaders, along with district leadership, came together to celebrate the opening of this exciting new campus. Students will have the opportunity to enroll in hands-on programs such as building construction, electricity, HVAC, and welding, allowing them to gain the skills and industry certifications needed to enter the workforce. To learn more information or enroll, visit hillsboroughschools.org/rltc. Classes begin January 12!

DON'T FORGET! Tonight is one of our District Financial Aid Nights. The workshop will take place at Tampa Bay Technical High School from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the media center.

The next one will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 10, at Durant High School.

For a full list of dates, locations, and more information, visit hillsboroughschools.org/page/fafsa-nights.

COZY UP AND GRAB A BOOK 📚❄️ We are excited to announce the Superintendent's Winter Break Reading Challenge! Students in PreK-12 are encouraged to dive into their favorite stories this upcoming break and log every minute they read.

From December 19 through January 5, students can record their reading in Beanstack (Visit hub.hcps.net and click on the Beanstack icon to get started). The schools with the highest participation will earn a Reader Leader trophy and $500 toward library books! Winners will be announced during Celebrate Literacy Week, January 26 through 30.

Let's #GetCaughtReading this Winter Break!

Congratulations to Leanne Way, the new principal of Dover Elementary School! 🎉 Leanne began her career with HCPS in 2004 as a 5th grade teacher at Knights Elementary School. She later served as the school’s reading resource teacher before becoming assistant principal in 2010. While we know her Knights family will miss her, we are excited to see her lead and inspire our Dover Dragons. Congratulations, Principal Way!

Meet Asya Adkins-Cenatus, the new principal of Oak Park Elementary School! Asya began her HCPS career in 2013 as a kindergarten teacher at Oak Park before teaching multiple grade levels and serving as the school’s reading coach. She later supported the Transformation Network as a reading coach in 2021 and became assistant principal at James Elementary School the following year. In 2022, she returned to Oak Park, where she has continued to serve as assistant principal. Congratulations, Principal Adkins-Cenatus! We can’t wait to see all you will accomplish in this next chapter.

Congratulations to the next round of our Buccaneers Best Krewe Award recipients for the 2025-2026 school year! 🎉☠️ 🏈 Scott Weaver, principal of Adum K-8 Magnet School 🏈 Beverly Hawkins, school social worker at Potter Elementary School 🏈 Victoria Fulton, lunchroom aide at Lanier Elementary School They were recognized during tonight’s board meeting.

Tonight, we proudly recognized two exceptional leaders whose service on our Citizen Oversight Committee strengthened transparency, accountability, and public trust in the half-penny sales tax referendum. Thank you to Chair Betty Castor for her lifelong dedication to education and steadfast leadership, and to Vice-Chair Sheriff Chad Chronister for his disciplined, community-focused service. Together, their commitment to integrity and responsible stewardship has made a lasting impact on our schools, students, staff, and families.

Congratulations to our Hillsborough Reads Bookmark Contest winners! 📚🎉

From hundreds of submissions across more than 85 schools, these bookmarks stood out with incredible designs that brought our theme — “Get Caught Reading!” — to life.

Our winners are:
🏅 Mason R., 1st grade – Chiles Elementary
School
🏅 Emilie (Ziyu) W., 5th grade – Clark Elementary School 

🏅 Fiona L., 8th grade – Burns Middle School
🏅 Ashley R., 12th grade – Jefferson High School
🏅 April McMillion, Art Teacher – Sumner High School

Thank you to every student and educator who shared their creativity with us. We can’t wait to see these bookmarks printed and shared across our schools!

📣 The Armwood Hawks lost a heartbreaker to the West Boca Bulls Friday evening at Lyle Flagg Field in the state semifinals, 14–13.

💙 The Hawks close out an incredible season with a 13–1 record.

#HillsboroughNightLights 🏈

✨ Career Quest 2025 was a huge success! ✨

Over 600 Hillsborough County Schools seniors spent this morning exploring programs and career pathways at Hillsborough College. 🦅💙

Students connected with faculty, experienced hands-on learning, discovered the Hawk community, and enjoyed free swag and lunch! 🎉

Thank you to Hillsborough College for giving our seniors a powerful start to their college and career journeys. 🚀

Students in Durant High School’s Technical Agriculture Operations class got hands-on with a variety of hand and power tools thanks to DeWalt and Grainger! 🔧⚡️ They explored tool safety, proper use, and even got a sneak peek at the newest gear hitting the market in the coming year. 👀✨

The New York Yankees and the Steinbrenner family held their annual Christmas concert for more than 1,800 fifth graders yesterday! 🎼🎄

The celebration featured performances by The Florida Orchestra, Tampa City Ballet, Steinbrenner High School A Cappella, and a surprise visit from Yankees superstar Aaron Judge and Santa! ⚾🎅

📣 Congrats to all the students who competed in the DECA District 6 competitions and were celebrated this morning at The Regent in Riverview!

DECA empowers students to explore careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management through hands-on learning and competitive events. 🌟

From leadership development to real-world business simulations, these students are building the skills and experience they need to thrive. 👏🔥

DON'T FORGET! Tonight is one of our District Financial Aid Nights. The workshop will take place at Steinbrenner High School from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the media center.

The next one will take place on Thursday, Dec. 11, at Tampa Bay Technical High School.

For a full list of dates, locations, and more information, visit hillsboroughschools.org/page/fafsa-nights.

Congratulations to our fifth and final 2026 Teacher of the Year finalist, Melissa DeGusipe! 🎉 She is a math teacher at Davidsen Middle School. 🔢

“I am blown away! It’s a shock, but I’m very honored!”

Meet our fourth 2026 Teacher of the Year finalist, Francesca Doran! 🤩 She is a third-grade teacher at Westchase Elementary School. ✨

“I’m honored! I never thought I would get this far… I absolutely love this job and I love this school!”

Congratulations to our third 2026 Teacher of the Year finalist, Tracy Moore! 🥳 She is a math teacher at Ben Hill Middle School. 🔢

“When you think of all the teachers who impact lives daily, and to be honored as one of the top five… there are no words to express that feeling! I’m beyond honored.”

Our second 2026 Teacher of the Year finalist is Christi Atkinson! 🎉 She is an AICE Marine Science teacher for our Wharton Wildcats. 🌊

“Unbelievable, honestly! It was a great surprise… The students are the ones that make this worth it!

SURPRISE! 🤩🎉 Meet our first 2026 Teacher of the Year finalist, Rochelle Phillips! She is a kindergarten teacher at Kenly Elementary School.

“I’m ecstatic! It’s surreal. Words can’t describe the feelings that I have right now. My heart is just fluttering!”

Armwood rolled past South Lake 42–0 in the FHSAA Class 6A Regional Finals. The Hawks put up 21 points in the first quarter and 21 more in the second to take full control early. 🏈🔥