By Tamas Mondovics
District Hosts New Teacher Orientation
Nearly 1,200 newly-hired teachers were welcomed by School Board members, the Superintendent, and district staff as part of the district’s new teacher orientation.
Held earlier this month at Armwood High School the four-day event featured classroom learning with various break-out sessions helping the new recruits to learn the district’s vision, mission, and goals.
New teachers received training in classroom management, instructional strategies, exceptional student education, professionalism, and meeting the needs of diverse learners.
School officials emphasized that teachers new to education were assigned a district-based mentor to work with them during the four-day event as well as throughout the school year. Optional follow-up training sessions are also scheduled to take place throughout the fall.
For more information please visit www.sdhc.k12.fl.us.
District Presents Important Dates for 2015-2016 Season
More than 207,000 HCPS students have made their way back to the classroom on Tuesday, August 25, ready for the 2015-2016 season.
To help parents get a jump start on what’s to come as well as to navigate through the year’s busy schedule, school officials confirmed the approved calendar, noting some of the important dates to keep in mind.
Please see these events listed on the HCPS’ official 2015-2015 calendar:
Open House Dates
Open house dates are set for Monday, September 14 for high school, Wednesday, September 16 for middle school and Thursday, September 24 for elementary school.
Some schools might deviate from this schedule so it’s best to confirm with each individual school.
Monday Early Release Days
Another 33 days have been designated as “early release” for the 2015-2016 school year, and all of them cut the day short by one hour every Monday.
Parent University
Saturday, September 12 at Jefferson High School
Saturday, November 14 at Bloomingdale High School
Holiday Observances
Some holiday observances fall on a Monday, which means there will be no school Monday, September 7, Labor Day; Monday, January 18, 2016, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day; Monday, May 30, 2016, Memorial Day.
Three “nonstudent” break days also fall on Monday, October 26; Tuesday, January 19, 2016; and Friday, March 25, 2016.
Veterans Day will be observed Wednesday, November 11.
School Breaks
Major breaks are scheduled in the fall, November 23-27, winter, Monday, December 21 through Friday, January 1, 2016 and spring March 14-18.
Fairs or Festivals
To allow for attendance to the Florida State Fair, students in western Hillsborough County will have no school Friday, February 5, 2016.
In eastern Hillsborough County, students will be out Monday, March 7, 2016 so they can attend the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City.
Grading Periods and Report Cards
The 181 day school year contains four grading periods.
First Grading period: October 23
Second grading period: January 15, 2016
Third grading period: April 1, 2016
Fourth grading period: June 10, 2016
Reports cards for elementary school students will be distributed Monday, November 9; Monday, February 1, 2016; Monday, April 18, 2016 and Friday, June 10, 2016.
For secondary school students, report cards will be sent home Friday, November 13; Tuesday, February 9 and Thursday, April 21, 2016.
Final report cards will be mailed home.
For online access to grades visit mySPOT to gain access to your child’s Edsby account.
Other Important Dates
American Education Week is set nationally for November 16-20.
Great American Teach-In Thursday, November 19.
National School Bus Safety Week, October 19-23.
College Nights
College Night dates have been set for Monday, September 28 at Sickles High, Tuesday, September 29 at Plant High, Wednesday, September 30 at Chamberlain High and Thursday, October 1 at Brandon High.
