Students from Armwood High School’s agriculture program got a behind-the-scenes look during a tour of M&B Dairy in Lecanto! Led by Armwood graduate Leon McClellan, students explored every aspect of dairy farm operations—from milking cows and processing milk to safety protocols and how waste is sustainably reused in on-site hay and corn fields.
They also got hands-on experience working with a veterinarian to check if cows were pregnant, giving them a real-world look at animal care and herd management. 🐄
Students learned just how much milk is produced daily—around 150,000 pounds from roughly 700 cows.
Students also heard from Citrus County Sheriff’s Agricultural Deputy Bo Gallant, who shared career opportunities at the intersection of agriculture and law enforcement.
Congratulations to our students who were recognized this week during the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office Kids Tag Art Awards Ceremony!
This program, led by Nancy Millan in partnership with our district and the Hillsborough Education Foundation, gives fifth-grade students the chance to design their own vanity license plates while learning about local government.
Proceeds from Kids Tag Art sales will go directly back to each participating school's art program to fund various resources and supplies. The online store features license plates, keychains, mugs, and mousepads, all showcasing our students' designs!
Visit hillstax.org/shop to browse the collection. You can even search by student name or school to find specific artwork.
The event celebrated the following seniors who are continuing their education in the performing and visual arts:
Andre Lane
Erin Nakamura
Faythe Grayson
Isabel Geskey
Lucia Redner
Madelyn Hubbard
Ty’Driana Attis-Brock
Una Blenke
Amelie Heine
Anika Das
Jakob Stinson
Delaney Kane
Ryan Leahy
Emma Laitinen
Jayden Vega
Hayden Wahlgren Brown
Pearl Dolce
Elijah Turner
Sarah Glenn
Zane Polins
Calvin Van Pelt
Wade Richards
Evangelyn Rodriguez-Almague
NadyaMonet Adams
Nathaniel Johnson
Jaelin Borders
In total, these students earned over $1 million in scholarships!
"It was worth letting the students know that we wanted to celebrate them and how proud we were of them, and we felt that it would also empower them as artists as well as young learners." - Kandace N. Johnson, Blake High School's Magnet Lead.
Bright Futures: College & Career Pathways - Listen on your favorite podcast platform and subscribe so you don’t miss upcoming episodes! 🎙️
For this episode, we’re talking about a big question many students — and families — are asking: What comes next after high school? For some students, that path may include college. For others, it may be a technical program, military service, or entering the workforce. The important thing is that students have guidance, support, and a plan that reflects their goals and interests. Joining me today to talk about how students can navigate those choices is Ansberto Vallejo, Supervisor of Adult and Community Education.
Our students had an incredible time enjoying the game, making memories, and experiencing a day at the ballpark. We’re grateful to the Tarpons for being such great partners in education and for supporting our students both on and off the field. 💙🙌
Watch their feature story here >>> https://bit.ly/48M23kj
Hillsborough County Public Schools is committed to preparing students for success in a world where artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies are increasingly common. We know you may have questions about how AI is being used in your child’s education, and we want to provide you with clear, transparent information about our approach. Visit our Parent Resource Guide to learn more.
Visit the Artificial Intelligence (AI): A Parent Resource Guide>>
The HCPS RAISE High School Tutoring Program is now accepting applications for the summer! This initiative is designed to train, equip, and support juniors and seniors as they tutor kindergarten through 3rd-grade students in early literacy skills.
Participants will earn volunteer service hours and may qualify for the New Worlds Scholar award from the Florida Department of Education.
For FAQs or to apply, visit https://bit.ly/Su26_HCPS_RAISE_HS_Tutoring_FAQ.
They recently had the opportunity to meet Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, who congratulated them on receiving this award, which honors projects focused on water conservation and real-world solutions to protect and manage our water resources.
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.
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.
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.
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! 👏
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! 🥁
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!
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.
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.
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
