Smiles are big, and summer is here! Thank you for a year full of growth and great moments. Have an amazing summer.
Episode 17: Student Voices
For the final episode of our very first podcast season, we turn the microphone over to the voices at the heart of our schools — our students. Two graduating seniors, Ella Connell and Dillon Colaso, join us to reflect on their K–12 journey, from their earliest days in kindergarten to the milestones of their senior year. They share the moments, experiences, and educators that made an impact, how they’ve grown along the way, and what lies ahead as they prepare to take their next steps beyond high school.
Listen on your favorite podcast platform and subscribe so you don’t miss upcoming episodes! 🎙️
More information about the More to the Story podcast>>
Give your student a boost this summer.
More Opportunities Start Here with Hillsborough Virtual School’s flexible online courses for credit recovery, GPA improvement, or acceleration. Local HCPS teachers support students every step of the way.
Learn more at hillsboroughschools.org/virtual.
More Opportunities Start Here with Hillsborough Virtual School’s flexible online courses for credit recovery, GPA improvement, or acceleration. Local HCPS teachers support students every step of the way.
Learn more at hillsboroughschools.org/virtual.
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities have shaped our nation through language, art, science, leadership, and innovation. This month, we invite students to dive into the rich histories and vibrant cultures across Asia and the Pacific Islands as we celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month.
Celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week! 🌟
Thank you to our incredible educators who work tirelessly to support and uplift our students.
Want to make an impact? Visit TeachHCPS.com
Thank you to our incredible educators who work tirelessly to support and uplift our students.
Want to make an impact? Visit TeachHCPS.com
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Every student deserves to feel seen, supported, and valued. All month long, we’ll share simple ways to support emotional well‑being for students, families, and staff.
Check our social channels each week for:
✨ Motivating Mondays – Encouragement to start the week strong
🌿 Wellness Wednesdays – Tips and resources for mental wellness
Explore additional resources anytime at https://www.hillsboroughschools.org/mentalhealth
Check our social channels each week for:
✨ Motivating Mondays – Encouragement to start the week strong
🌿 Wellness Wednesdays – Tips and resources for mental wellness
Explore additional resources anytime at https://www.hillsboroughschools.org/mentalhealth
Bright mornings, safe rides, and kind smiles — our school bus drivers make every school day possible. 🚍✨
Today is School Bus Driver Appreciation Day! Help us celebrate the people who guide our kids to learning with care and patience. Thank you for going the extra mile!
Today is School Bus Driver Appreciation Day! Help us celebrate the people who guide our kids to learning with care and patience. Thank you for going the extra mile!
We were proud to recognize our Color Run top fundraisers with some exciting and well‑deserved rewards! Students earned memorable experiences such as a limo ride, being a staff member for a day, and enjoying free lunch. These celebrations highlighted the hard work, generosity, and school spirit shown during our PTSA Color Run. Thank you to our students, families, and PTSA for helping make this event a fun and successful experience for our school community.
LET’S GO BOLTS! ⚡️💙🏒 Alright, HCPS Family, it’s time to show off our Tampa Bay Lightning pride!
Be sure to wear your favorite Bolts gear this Friday, April 17, to celebrate the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs as the Lightning take on the Montreal Canadiens.
Be sure to wear your favorite Bolts gear this Friday, April 17, to celebrate the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs as the Lightning take on the Montreal Canadiens.
Lights, Camera… Farewell!
8th Grade Farewell Party
Our 8th graders are invited to celebrate the end of middle school in Hollywood style!
📅 Friday, April 24
⏰ 6:00–9:00 PM
📍 Hunters Green Country Club
💵 Tickets: $35
Students will enjoy dinner, music, games, and more!
Dress to impress — from glamorous to casual — just be sure to follow the 8th Grade Night dress code.
🎟 Tickets are on sale during 8th grade lunches 4/17–4/24 (cash or check payable to Benito PTSA) or can be purchased online.
📝 Completed dance permission slip is required to attend.
This is a night our students won’t forget — let’s send them off in style!
8th Grade Farewell Party
Our 8th graders are invited to celebrate the end of middle school in Hollywood style!
📅 Friday, April 24
⏰ 6:00–9:00 PM
📍 Hunters Green Country Club
💵 Tickets: $35
Students will enjoy dinner, music, games, and more!
Dress to impress — from glamorous to casual — just be sure to follow the 8th Grade Night dress code.
🎟 Tickets are on sale during 8th grade lunches 4/17–4/24 (cash or check payable to Benito PTSA) or can be purchased online.
📝 Completed dance permission slip is required to attend.
This is a night our students won’t forget — let’s send them off in style!
Tomorrow's Girls and Boys Flag Football game against Turner-Bartles has been cancelled. Practice will resume for both Girls and Boys on Thursday.
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!
🌟 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. 📚✨
Celebrating Volunteer Appreciation Month!
Thank you to all of our incredible volunteers who help our schools thrive and our students succeed. We are deeply grateful for the time, dedication, and heart our volunteers give to support our students and schools every day.
Thank you to all of our incredible volunteers who help our schools thrive and our students succeed. We are deeply grateful for the time, dedication, and heart our volunteers give to support our students and schools every day.
💜 At our school, we are proud to support and celebrate our military children and families during the Month of the Military Child.
Your strength, adaptability, and commitment inspire our students and staff every day.
PLAN AHEAD 🗓️ As families begin planning for next year, we want to remind you that the 2026–2027 Student Academic Calendar is available.
A slight update has been made to reflect the Strawberry Festival/Non-Student Day, which will take place on Monday, March 8, 2027.
For printable versions of the calendar, visit hillsboroughschools.org/events.
A slight update has been made to reflect the Strawberry Festival/Non-Student Day, which will take place on Monday, March 8, 2027.
For printable versions of the calendar, visit hillsboroughschools.org/events.
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🚨 REMINDER 🚨 We hope our students and families are enjoying Spring Break! Just a reminder that students return to school on Tuesday, March 24.
To view important upcoming dates and the remaining schedule for the 2025–2026 school year, visit hillsboroughschools.org/o/hcps/page/calendar25-26.
We look forward to welcoming everyone back next week!
To view important upcoming dates and the remaining schedule for the 2025–2026 school year, visit hillsboroughschools.org/o/hcps/page/calendar25-26.
We look forward to welcoming everyone back next week!
We wish all students, families, and staff a restful and enjoyable Spring Break! 🏖️
We look forward to welcoming students back on Tuesday, March 24, as we finish the school year strong.
