Register Today for the 5th Annual Race for Education!
Lace up your running shoes and join Hillsborough County Public Schools for a morning of fun, fitness, and community!
There's less than two weeks left to register for the 5th Annual Race for Education, taking place at our new location on the University of South Florida's Tampa campus!
Whether you're a seasoned runner or just looking for a fun way to get moving with family and friends, there's something for everyone!
When: Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 8 a.m.
Where: University of South Florida, Tampa campus
What: 5K or 1-mile run/walk
Enjoy student performances along the route as we come together to celebrate education and our school community! All registered participants will receive a T-shirt, swag bag, and finisher medal!
Don't miss out on this exciting event. Gather your family, friends, and coworkers, and register today!
Register here:
https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Tampa/HEF5K
Student of the week- Week of 10-26
Tampa Bay Lightning and Hillsborough County Public Schools Team Up for Attendance All-Stars!
Hillsborough County Public Schools is teaming up with the Tampa Bay Lightning to make showing up for school more exciting and rewarding!
As part of the district's Every Day Matters attendance initiative, the new Attendance All-Stars program will recognize and reward schools and students demonstrating the greatest improvement in attendance throughout the school year.
The campaign will launch in November, with the first attendance awards presented in December. Each month, schools will have the opportunity to earn recognition based on improvements in student attendance. Winning elementary and middle schools will celebrate with a special visit from Thunderbug, while winning high schools will enjoy an in-game experience.
Students who demonstrate the greatest improvement in their individual attendance will also have opportunities to win Lightning game tickets, merchandise and other exciting prizes. The partnership will also include ongoing school recognition, promotional activities and opportunities to celebrate attendance achievements throughout the school year.
By celebrating progress rather than perfect attendance, Attendance All-Stars gives every school and student a chance to shine while reinforcing one important message: Every Day Matters!
Read the official Tampa Bay Lightning press release: Lightning, Hillsborough County Public Schools partner to celebrate ‘Attendance All-stars’ | Tampa Bay Lightning
Calling all Florida high school students! 🚨 Enter the Florida Farm to School Essay Contest for a chance to win up to $3,000 in college funds. Share your appreciation for local agriculture and submit an essay by November 16! Learn more:
https://farmtoschoolfl.com/essay/
https://farmtoschoolfl.com/essay/
Upcoming Testing Dates- Mark your calendars now and make every effort to be at school every day!
What an incredible evening celebrating MORE opportunities for Hillsborough County families!
💙🙌 Thank you to everyone who joined us at Jefferson High School for our Magnet & School Choice Expo!
✨🔎 It was exciting to see families connect with our schools, discover innovative programs, and explore the many pathways available to help their children prepare for bright futures!
👏 Thank you to our dedicated school teams and district departments for showcasing what makes HCPS such a great choice for families!
📣 Couldn't make it tonight? There's still time to explore your options!
📆 The Magnet & School Choice application window for the 2027–2028 school year is OPEN through December 7, 2026! AND we have more events planned in the coming weeks.
🔗 Explore your options and apply at www.HCPSChoice.com
💙🙌 Thank you to everyone who joined us at Jefferson High School for our Magnet & School Choice Expo!
✨🔎 It was exciting to see families connect with our schools, discover innovative programs, and explore the many pathways available to help their children prepare for bright futures!
👏 Thank you to our dedicated school teams and district departments for showcasing what makes HCPS such a great choice for families!
📣 Couldn't make it tonight? There's still time to explore your options!
📆 The Magnet & School Choice application window for the 2027–2028 school year is OPEN through December 7, 2026! AND we have more events planned in the coming weeks.
🔗 Explore your options and apply at www.HCPSChoice.com
Attendance Matters, Raiders!
Parents and students, if your student is absent from school, absences can be excused by:
Calling the Attendance Manager
Uploading attendance documentation through the FOCUS Parent Portal
Please submit documentation as soon as possible to ensure attendance records remain accurate.
Seniors, every day counts! Regular attendance is essential for staying on track for graduation, scholarships, career and college readiness, and end-of-year activities. Missing school means missing valuable instruction and important opportunities.
The best way to succeed is to be present, engaged, and on time each day.
Show up. Stay focused. Finish strong, Raiders!
#AttendanceMatters #EveryDayCounts #PCHSRaiders
¡La Asistencia Importa, Raiders!
Padres y estudiantes, si un estudiante falta a la escuela, la ausencia puede ser justificada de una de las siguientes maneras:
Llamando al Administrador de Asistencia para reportar la ausencia.
Subiendo la documentación de la ausencia a través del Portal para Padres de FOCUS.
Por favor, envíe la documentación lo antes posible para mantener los registros de asistencia correctos y actualizados.
Estudiantes de último año (seniors): ¡cada día cuenta! La asistencia regular es fundamental para mantenerse en camino hacia la graduación, las oportunidades de becas, la preparación para la universidad o una carrera y la participación en las actividades de fin de año. Faltar a clases significa perder instrucción importante y oportunidades valiosas para el éxito.
La mejor manera de alcanzar sus metas es asistir a la escuela todos los días, llegar a tiempo y mantenerse comprometido con su aprendizaje.
¡Asiste, mantente enfocado y termina el año con éxito, Raiders!
#LaAsistenciaImporta #CadaDiaCuenta #PCHSRaiders
Parents and students, if your student is absent from school, absences can be excused by:
Calling the Attendance Manager
Uploading attendance documentation through the FOCUS Parent Portal
Please submit documentation as soon as possible to ensure attendance records remain accurate.
Seniors, every day counts! Regular attendance is essential for staying on track for graduation, scholarships, career and college readiness, and end-of-year activities. Missing school means missing valuable instruction and important opportunities.
The best way to succeed is to be present, engaged, and on time each day.
Show up. Stay focused. Finish strong, Raiders!
#AttendanceMatters #EveryDayCounts #PCHSRaiders
¡La Asistencia Importa, Raiders!
Padres y estudiantes, si un estudiante falta a la escuela, la ausencia puede ser justificada de una de las siguientes maneras:
Llamando al Administrador de Asistencia para reportar la ausencia.
Subiendo la documentación de la ausencia a través del Portal para Padres de FOCUS.
Por favor, envíe la documentación lo antes posible para mantener los registros de asistencia correctos y actualizados.
Estudiantes de último año (seniors): ¡cada día cuenta! La asistencia regular es fundamental para mantenerse en camino hacia la graduación, las oportunidades de becas, la preparación para la universidad o una carrera y la participación en las actividades de fin de año. Faltar a clases significa perder instrucción importante y oportunidades valiosas para el éxito.
La mejor manera de alcanzar sus metas es asistir a la escuela todos los días, llegar a tiempo y mantenerse comprometido con su aprendizaje.
¡Asiste, mantente enfocado y termina el año con éxito, Raiders!
#LaAsistenciaImporta #CadaDiaCuenta #PCHSRaiders
Fall Foodbank Info
Student of the Week for October 12
PCHS is school choice!
Letter Jackets- Order by 10-30 to ensure Christmas delivery.
The school day starts before students reach the classroom.
During National School Bus Safety Week, we’re recognizing the HCPS transportation team that helps safely get 78,000+ students to and from school every day.
Keeping students safe is a community effort. Thank you to our bus drivers, mechanics, and transportation team members!
🚌 Want to join the team? Explore opportunities at our Transportation Job Fair on October 7, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Register today and drive your career forward with HCPS: https://bit.ly/FallBusDrive
#SchoolBusSafetyWeek
During National School Bus Safety Week, we’re recognizing the HCPS transportation team that helps safely get 78,000+ students to and from school every day.
Keeping students safe is a community effort. Thank you to our bus drivers, mechanics, and transportation team members!
🚌 Want to join the team? Explore opportunities at our Transportation Job Fair on October 7, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Register today and drive your career forward with HCPS: https://bit.ly/FallBusDrive
#SchoolBusSafetyWeek
DON'T FORGET! Tonight is one of our District Financial Aid Nights. The workshop will take place at Plant City High School from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the media center.
The next one will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at Armwood High School.
For a full list of dates, locations, and more information, visit hillsboroughschools.org/page/fafsa-nights.
The next one will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at Armwood High School.
For a full list of dates, locations, and more information, visit hillsboroughschools.org/page/fafsa-nights.
LAST CHANCE TO APPLY! Know a high schooler who’s passionate about helping younger students succeed? 📚🤝
The HCPS RAISE High School Tutoring Program is still accepting applications for the 2026-2027 school year! 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 bit.ly/26_27_HCPS_RAISE_HS_Tutoring_FAQ.
The HCPS RAISE High School Tutoring Program is still accepting applications for the 2026-2027 school year! 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 bit.ly/26_27_HCPS_RAISE_HS_Tutoring_FAQ.
Don't forget to submit your designs for the Hillsborough Reads Bookmark Contest! 📚
Help our students "Get Caught Reading!" by creating a colorful and engaging bookmark that celebrates our district-wide literacy initiative.
Educators and students in all grade levels can design a 2.5" x 7" bookmark for a chance to have their artwork professionally printed and shared across schools!
Entries are due to your school’s art teacher by EOD on Friday, Oct. 30. Winners will be announced in December!
For the full guidelines and entry form, visit https://aptg.co/qn1B2l.
Help our students "Get Caught Reading!" by creating a colorful and engaging bookmark that celebrates our district-wide literacy initiative.
Educators and students in all grade levels can design a 2.5" x 7" bookmark for a chance to have their artwork professionally printed and shared across schools!
Entries are due to your school’s art teacher by EOD on Friday, Oct. 30. Winners will be announced in December!
For the full guidelines and entry form, visit https://aptg.co/qn1B2l.
Student of the Week- Week of October 5
DON'T FORGET! Tonight is one of our District Financial Aid Nights. The workshop will take place at Wharton High School from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the media center.
The next one will take place on Monday, Oct. 19, at Plant City High School.
For a full list of dates, locations, and more information, visit hillsboroughschools.org/page/fafsa-nights.
The next one will take place on Monday, Oct. 19, at Plant City High School.
For a full list of dates, locations, and more information, visit hillsboroughschools.org/page/fafsa-nights.
🍎🥕 Lunch is fuel for learning!
During National School Lunch Week, HCPS celebrates the nutritious meals and dedicated Student Nutrition professionals who keep students energized and ready to learn every day.
With more than 1,700 employees serving 180,000+ nutritious meals each day, our Student Nutrition team plays an important role in supporting student success all school year long.
🍽️ See what’s on the menu: sdhc.nutrislice.com/menu
During National School Lunch Week, HCPS celebrates the nutritious meals and dedicated Student Nutrition professionals who keep students energized and ready to learn every day.
With more than 1,700 employees serving 180,000+ nutritious meals each day, our Student Nutrition team plays an important role in supporting student success all school year long.
🍽️ See what’s on the menu: sdhc.nutrislice.com/menu
📣 Family Reminder: Schools and campuses will be closed on Monday, October 12. We hope our HCPS families enjoy a relaxing day and some extra time together! 💙
💙 Kindness is something we can all practice. During National Bullying Prevention Month, HCPS is encouraging students and adults to create welcoming school communities where everyone feels respected, included, and supported.
