Message from the Superintendent

Dear Families,

Did you know our school district is the 7th largest in the country? With more than 220,000 students and 24,000 staff members, there’s always something happening!

That means every single day is full of events—sports games, award ceremonies, school celebrations, info nights, and more. There’s a lot going on, and we don’t want you to miss a thing.

I encourage you to keep an eye on the messages from your child’s school. Whether it’s from their principal or their teachers, those updates are the best way to stay connected and involved. Your support makes a huge difference, and we truly value the partnership we have with you.

Thanks for being part of our school community. We’re glad to have you with us and excited for all that’s ahead this year.

Superintendent Ayres

Important Information for our Families

Mark your calendars! We have two College Fair Nights coming soon for all juniors and seniors. Wednesday, Sept. 24, from 6pm-8pm at Newsome High School. Thursday, Sept. 25, from 6pm-8pm at Plant High School.

FASFA nights — Do you have a high school senior? In partnership with the University of South Florida, Hillsborough Community College, and The University of Tampa, we are hosting 16 District Financial Aid Nights. Students and families will get the chance to receive help creating a Federal Student Aid ID, assistance completing the FAFSA application, speak with financial aid experts, and gain insight into other types of financial assistance. The first workshop of the school year will take place on Thursday, October 9, at Middleton High School. Families are welcome to arrive anytime during the two-hour window for guidance.

Student Online Safety — Join a powerful panel of speakers at York Prek-8 on Thursday, September 25 from 6pm-7pm as they discuss ways to keep your students safe online. You will receive information and resources that will truly make a difference in how you manage your student's online profile. Childcare and light refreshments will be provided during this discussion.

Join the Tampa Bay Lightning for the Bolt Run on November 1! Thank you to the Lightning for providing all HCPS employees a $5 discount on registration! Use promo code HCPS2025 when you register!

math homework hotline — Math Homework Hotline is in full swing! On most Thursdays during the school year, our amazing math teachers take students' math homework calls from 5:30pm - 7pm. Students can call 813-840-7260 and watch the show on Spectrum channel 635 or Frontier channel 32. Check out the whole schedule at www.hillsboroughschools.org/mhh

harvest festival — Join us for the Mid-Autumn Children's Harvest Moon Festival at Alonso High School. This is a cherished tradition throughout Asia - a time to honor children, celebrate family, and give thanks for the season's blessings. The event will be Saturday, September 27 at 6pm.

Get Your Child Ready for Kindergarten - Enroll in VPK Today!

Hillsborough County Public Schools is excited to offer Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) programs at 30+ schools across Hillsborough County. VPK is a free educational program designed to prepare 4-year-olds for kindergarten and beyond.

The standard 3.5 hours of VPK each day are completely free.
Families who need care before or after the VPK day can enroll in the wraparound extended day program, available until school day dismissal. Fees for extended day care are based on family income.

To be eligible, children must be 4 years old on or before September 1, 2025, and reside in Florida.

Give your child a strong start in a safe, supportive, and engaging learning environment where they can grow, explore, and thrive.

For a list of available VPK school sites and steps to apply, visit: HillsboroughSchools.org/vpk

Congratulations to our National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists!

Congratulations to the 80 HCPS students named Semifinalists in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program! Strawberry Crest High School led the way with 28 students, the most of any public school in Florida! These seniors now have the chance to advance and earn part of nearly $26 million in scholarships!

100 Years of Amazing!

The year 1925 was a very big year for Hillsborough County Public Schools.

We opened four brand new schools that year…

Which means, this year, those schools are celebrating their Centennial!

Congratulations on 100 years of success to Roosevelt Elementary, BT Washington Elementary, Edison Elementary, and Brewster Technical.

Each one of these schools has something big planned to honor its 100 years of educating students.

“As the first Black school in Tampa, Booker T. Washington Elementary School holds a profound place in the heart of our community,” said Monica Barber, proud principal of BT Washington. “This Centennial marks not only 100 years of educational excellence but also the enduring spirit, resilience, and legacy of generations who have passed through our halls. We are honored to celebrate this milestone with our students, families, and the greater Tampa community, recognizing the pivotal role our school has played in shaping history and inspiring futures.”

To celebrate this special year, BT Washington will hold a formal Centennial Celebration on Tuesday, September 26. Tickets are still available!

Edison Elementary is also proud to celebrate 100 years as a legacy school in East Tampa. “Our Centennial honors the generations of families who have called Edison home, and on October 4th we will host a community-wide celebration with food, entertainment, and fellowship,” said Principal Jennifer Heinze. “Guided by our mission to Educate, Encourage, and Empower, Edison continues to serve as a Community School and a lasting source of pride for families past, present and future.”

Congratulations to all four of these schools for 100 years of excellence!

Roosevelt's Spectacular Centennial Celebration!

Celebrating 50 years is pretty cool too...!

Highlighting our School Resource Officers!

What is your name, and how many years have you worked in Hillsborough County Public Schools?

My name is Kerry Guy. I have been working with Hillsborough County Public Schools since 2012. I currently work at Tampa Heights Elementary.

What inspired you to become a School Resource Officer?

I was inspired by my mom Warsana Guy, her brother (my uncle) Coach Kevin Guy, her father (my grandfather) the late great HCSO Corporal Robert Guy. I watched them help change so many lives by serving, protecting, and coaching kids in our community. It’s truly an honor to follow in their footsteps being able to serve our community. My youngest son Kye Guy who is a second grader at Tampa Heights also wants to serve. So be on the lookout for another Officer Guy in the future.

How do you support students and staff during the school day?

I support our students and staff by making sure our school is safe and secured from any potential threats.

What do you enjoy most about working in a school?

I enjoy so many things about working at Tampa Heights Elementary. I would say it’s working with our great staff and students. It’s an honor working with my Principal Ms. Metzler, A.P Mrs. Redfearn, and Media Specialist Mrs.German. They are awesome. The way they inspire and motivate every kid to achieve their dreams every day. I also enjoy working with the students. Definitely want to give a shoutout to Mrs.Negron and our amazing safety patrol. The students are awesome... Seeing their growth from the first day of school to the last day of school. It’s a joy for me to be able to help provide a safe and fun learning environment for our students and staff. Wow... I almost forgot to mention the enjoyment of playing at P.E with our students. I’m currently undefeated in Basketball and 40-yard dash going on 4 years!

What’s your favorite memory from working with students so far?

Wow that’s a great question. I’m laughing just thinking about the fun times and great memories. My favorite has to be beating our 5th graders in the students versus staff kickball game. The whole school was there, and it was so much fun. Every year our 5th graders are pretty good athletes it was no easy task. They’ve gone on to their middle school and represented well in their respective sports. We have produced some pretty good student athletes at Tampa Heights Elementary. Don’t be surprised when you see those boys and girls sign with Division 1 schools. Hey, even some of our alumni may be running in the Olympics in the near future.

What hobbies or interests do you have outside of work?

I love spending time with my wife and two sons. Coaching and training student athletes. Watching the kids I train play on television. This is a big year for me as I have some athletes that are playing in college and turning pro in a couple years.

What advice would you give students about staying safe and making good choices?

I would let them know if you see something that’s not safe, please let your nearest teacher and staff know as soon as possible.

Contests for our Students

Congressional App Challenge

Every Day Matters Poster Contest

Congratulations to the Winners of the 2024-2025 Newspaper in Education Science Fiction and Fantasy Writing Contest

The Tampa Bay Times has announced the winners of the 2024-2025 Newspaper in Education Science Fiction and Fantasy Writing Contest... And several of the winners are from Hillsborough County Public Schools!

Congratulations to:

First Runner Up: Lisa Zahjmoul, Freedom High School. "Fifteen Years Watching"

Third Runner Up: Raina Kim, Strawberry Crest High School. "Broken Keys and One Hotteok, Please"

Honorable Mention: Abigail Alperovich, Strawberry Crest High School. "Something's Wrong With Reality"

Children & Anxiety - Recognizing the Signs and How to Help

Baycare Kids — Thank you to our partners at BayCare Kids for sharing this important information with our HCPS families

There is a growing need for mental health awareness in children. Parents often wonder how to enhance their child’s mental health and monitor for signs and symptoms of issues like anxiety and depression. In anxiety, for example, children may not openly express their thoughts and fears. This may require caregivers to spark conversation, monitor for warning signs, and seek appropriate help when needed. Helpful tips for common questions are included below.

Can children have anxiety?

School-aged children become aware of dangers such as storms, fires, accidents, burglars, and illnesses.
Adolescents can experience anxiety regarding grades, friendships, and dating.

How might anxiety appear in my child?

Children may be worried in the days, weeks, or months leading up to an event.
Frequent "what if" questions about a potential danger.
Your child may have trouble paying attention, difficulty sleeping, or increased irritability.
Your child may want to avoid an activity.

How can I help?

Help your child practice deep breathing and positive self-talk. "I can do this".
Gradually face fears together. Your child should be able to cope and not avoid.
Praise and reward brave behavior.
Healthy habits like staying active, eating healthy, and getting enough sleep can reduce stress.

When should I worry?

If their worrying is out of proportion to the situation.
Constant avoidance of typical activities.
Sleep problems, nightmares, or refusal to sleep alone.

Who can help?

Seek help from your child's pediatrician, school staff, or mental health professional.
Downloadable resources to start the conversation can be found at https://www.BayCareKidsOnOurSleeves.org
If you or your child need immediate help due to suicidal thoughts: National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: call 988. Tampa Bay Cares: call 2-1-1.