YOU’RE INVITED: We are hosting a series of town hall meetings for our community to learn more about the Half-Penny Promise referendum, which will appear for renewal on the November ballot.
The town halls will provide information about the referendum, including projects completed, ongoing investments in school facilities, and what reauthorization would mean for students and schools in the future.
Since voters approved the Half-Penny Sales Tax in 2018, HCPS has invested more than $1.326 billion in school improvements, with more than $716 million awarded to local businesses. These investments have supported critical upgrades across our district, including air-conditioning replacements, roof renovations, safety and security upgrades, and other essential infrastructure projects.
Town Hall Dates:
✏️ Tuesday, Sept. 22 | Noon to 1 p.m. | Online >> https://bit.ly/3UZ0Gej
✏️ Tuesday, Sept. 22 | 6 - 7 p.m. | Newsome High School
✏️ Tuesday, Sept. 29 | 6 - 7 p.m. | Gaither High School
✏️ Thursday, Oct. 1 | 6 - 7 p.m. | Hillsborough High School
✏️ Wednesday, Oct. 14 | Noon to 1 p.m. | Online >> https://bit.ly/4ivKpqX
We hope you’ll join us to learn more about the Half-Penny Promise and its impact on our schools. To learn more, visit hillsboroughschools.org/half-penny-sales-tax-referendum.
📣 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.
🚶♀️🚲🛴 Sulphur Springs PK-8 students and families got moving for National Walk, Bike & Roll Day! Thanks to everyone who joined us on the journey to school and helped promote healthy, active ways to get around. 💙
➕➖ MATH HOMEWORK HOTLINE WEEK 5 ➗✖️ Tonight's topic for Math Homework Hotline is "Quarter 1 Review."
Tutors will begin taking calls at 5:30 p.m., and the show will start at 6 p.m. For help on any math topic, call 813-840-7260.
Tune in on Spectrum Ch. 635, Frontier Ch. 32, or online at hillsboroughschools.org/mhh.
PRINCIPAL'S PORTRAIT 📸 October is National Principals Month, and all month long, we're shining a spotlight on the incredible principals who lead, inspire, and make a difference in our schools every day! 💙
Through Principal's Portraits, you'll get to know some of the tremendous leaders behind the principal's desk, learning what they love most about leading their school, a tradition they love to participate in, plus a fun fact their students and families might not know!
Next up, meet Denise Savino, the proud principal of Lennard High School! Join us in celebrating Principal Savino and the incredible work she does for our Longhorns!
How many years have you served in education, and how many as a principal?
I’ve been in education for 35+ years. Eight years in New Jersey, 27 in HCPS, plus four as a substitute teacher for our district. For 10 years, I’ve served as a principal at Lennard High School.
What do you love most about being a principal?
Always being able to help my students, staff, and families.
What is one word that describes your leadership style?
Empowering.
What is your favorite school tradition?
My favorite tradition is our Stampede of Excellence, which provides meaningful opportunities to celebrate and recognize our students' accomplishments. From honoring our valedictorians and salutatorians with monogrammed blankets to having our drumline recognize our Special Olympics student-athletes and home game Friday Night Lights. This also includes inviting students into our weekly staff meeting to recognize their outstanding accomplishments both in and out of the classroom. These Stampedes of Excellence remind us that every achievement deserves to be celebrated and that recognizing student success helps build a culture of pride, encouragement, and excellence across our school.
What is something students might be surprised to learn about you?
I am not a native Floridian. I was born in New York and raised in New Jersey.
🎤📚 Who knows what career might inspire a student’s future? The Great American Teach-In brings community members into classrooms to share their careers, experiences, and expertise — giving students a firsthand look at the world beyond school.
E-mail Partnerengagement@hcps.net to be paired with a nearby school with openings
E-mail Partnerengagement@hcps.net to be paired with a nearby school with openings
Congratulations to the next round of our Tampa Bay Buccaneers Best Krewe Award recipients for the 2026-2027 school year! 🎉☠️
🏈 Otto Weiss, interventionist at Pierce Middle School
🏈 Ashley Cochol, principal of Temple Terrace Elementary School
🏈 Roberto Talamantez, head custodian, and Steven Sims, principal of FishHawk Creek Elementary School
They were recognized during last night’s board meeting.
🏈 Otto Weiss, interventionist at Pierce Middle School
🏈 Ashley Cochol, principal of Temple Terrace Elementary School
🏈 Roberto Talamantez, head custodian, and Steven Sims, principal of FishHawk Creek Elementary School
They were recognized during last night’s board meeting.
DON'T FORGET! Tonight is one of our District Financial Aid Nights. The workshop will take place at Spoto High School from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the media center.
The next one will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at Wharton 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 Wednesday, Oct. 14, at Wharton High School.
For a full list of dates, locations, and more information, visit hillsboroughschools.org/page/fafsa-nights.
Thank you, Barrington Middle School's jazz band, for the phenomenal performance before yesterday's board meeting! 🎷🥁🎵
DON’T WAIT TO REGISTER! 👟 Prices for the 5th annual Race for Education increase tomorrow!
Join us for our 5K and 1-mile run/walk at our NEW LOCATION, the University of South Florida campus! 🎉
In partnership with Hillsborough Education Foundation and USF College of Education, this event brings our community together to support our schools. Runners and walkers of all ages and fitness levels are welcome!
Participants will receive a T-shirt, swag bag, and finisher medal, plus enjoy music performances by students along the route.
Register TODAY before prices go up tomorrow!
🏃https://bit.ly/RaceforEducation5K
Join us for our 5K and 1-mile run/walk at our NEW LOCATION, the University of South Florida campus! 🎉
In partnership with Hillsborough Education Foundation and USF College of Education, this event brings our community together to support our schools. Runners and walkers of all ages and fitness levels are welcome!
Participants will receive a T-shirt, swag bag, and finisher medal, plus enjoy music performances by students along the route.
Register TODAY before prices go up tomorrow!
🏃https://bit.ly/RaceforEducation5K
🔬🚀 It’s STEMtober! At HCPS, students can turn curiosity into possibilities through STEM programs like engineering, robotics, computer science, and more.
From hands-on learning to real-world problem-solving, students can explore their interests, build new skills, and imagine what’s possible. This month, we’re celebrating the curiosity and creativity that drive discovery!
From hands-on learning to real-world problem-solving, students can explore their interests, build new skills, and imagine what’s possible. This month, we’re celebrating the curiosity and creativity that drive discovery!
🏆💙 Coaches teach much more than plays and techniques. They teach teamwork, discipline, resilience, leadership, and how to keep going when things get tough. Happy National Coaches Day to our HCPS coaches!
PRINCIPAL'S PORTRAIT 📸 October is National Principals Month, and all month long, we're shining a spotlight on the incredible principals who lead, inspire, and make a difference in our schools every day! 💙
Through Principal's Portraits, you'll get to know some of the tremendous leaders behind the principal's desk, learning what they love most about leading their school, a tradition they love to participate in, plus a fun fact their students and families might not know!
Next up, meet Steven Sims, the proud principal of FishHawk Creek Elementary School! Join us in celebrating Principal Sims and the incredible work he does for our Falcons!
How many years have you served in education, and how many as a principal?
I have served in education for 35 years, including 17 years as a principal.
What do you love most about being a principal?
I love building strong teams and fostering connections among teachers, students, and families. Seeing people work together toward a common goal and watching students thrive is incredibly rewarding.
What is one word that describes your leadership style?
Coaching
What is your favorite school tradition?
Falcon Fest, an annual event hosted by our PTA. I’m always amazed by the incredible support from our families and community members. It’s a special evening that shows how strong the Fishhawk community is, and it's a great night for the kids.
What is something students might be surprised to learn about you?
Outside of school, I really enjoy spending time golfing and captaining my boat at my lake house.
READ, LEAD, AND INSPIRE! 📚 October is National Principals Month, and we're celebrating with a districtwide reading challenge.
Throughout the month, principals, students, and teachers are invited to log their reading minutes in Beanstack and help their school climb the leaderboard.
Thanks to our partner in education, Suncoast Credit Union, winning principals and top student readers will receive prizes.
Ready to read? Visit hub.hcps.net and click on the Beanstack icon to get started!
Let's all Get Caught Reading! 📖
🍎💙 Teachers don't just teach subjects — they help students discover what they're capable of. On World Teachers’ Day, we celebrate the educators who inspire curiosity, encourage perseverance, and make a difference every day. Thank you, teachers!
Join us on Thursday, October 15, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at Leto High School for the annual Hispanic Heritage Community Celebration!
This event honors and celebrates our Hispanic community with incredible student performances, delicious food, a raffle, and free resources from our community partners. 🎉🤩
This event honors and celebrates our Hispanic community with incredible student performances, delicious food, a raffle, and free resources from our community partners. 🎉🤩
SEE THE IMPACT! We’re proud to share our 2025–2026 Impact Report, highlighting the progress happening across Hillsborough County Public Schools, from student achievement to operational improvements and the impact of our community’s investment in public education.
Behind every achievement are the students, educators, employees, families, and community partners who make it possible.
Together, we’re continuing to move HCPS forward and create more opportunities for every student.
Take a look at what we accomplished together and where we’re headed next ➡️ hillsboroughschools.org/impact
Behind every achievement are the students, educators, employees, families, and community partners who make it possible.
Together, we’re continuing to move HCPS forward and create more opportunities for every student.
Take a look at what we accomplished together and where we’re headed next ➡️ hillsboroughschools.org/impact
🧹 More than keeping our schools clean, they help make them feel like home.
On National Custodian Day, HCPS is celebrating the dedicated custodians who work behind the scenes to keep our schools clean, safe, and welcoming for students and staff every day.
Their work makes a difference throughout our schools and communities.
Thank you to our incredible custodial teams for all you do. We appreciate you today and every day!
On National Custodian Day, HCPS is celebrating the dedicated custodians who work behind the scenes to keep our schools clean, safe, and welcoming for students and staff every day.
Their work makes a difference throughout our schools and communities.
Thank you to our incredible custodial teams for all you do. We appreciate you today and every day!
It's time to leave your own mark with a bookmark for our Hillsborough Reads Bookmark Contest! 🎨📖
We are inviting HCPS educators and students in all grades to design a colorful 2.5" x 7" bookmark that captures the theme "Get Caught Reading!" for a chance to have their artwork professionally printed and shared across our schools.
Students can ask their school's media specialist or art teacher for a copy of the bookmark contest guidelines and must submit their entries to their school's media specialist by EOD on Friday, Oct. 30. Winners will be announced in December!
For more details or the official entry form, visit https://aptg.co/qn1B2l.
