Tampabay.com
FEBRUARY 05, 2010

Here a half-day, there a fair. Let us know when Hillsborough students will be in session

Fair450 Attention Hillsborough parents. In case you missed it, if you live in the west part of the county, there's no school today. Again.

Today is State Fair day, and instead of getting lessons, the kids got a ticket to enter the fair for free. (Yes, parents have to pay.) This comes on the heels of a half-day Wednesday both last week and this week, with another on the way in two weeks.

And don't forget about Strawberry Festival day for east Hillsborough on March 8.

We've heard our share of complaints from parents and even some district employees about this set-up. It's hard to begrudge teachers planning time. But days off for fairs and festivals? Tell us: Is it time to change this practice?

(Times file photo)

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Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How is the FCAT being used to compare Florida schools? What's going in on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.

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THE TEAM

Rebecca Catalanello covers Pinellas County schools. E-mail her: rcatalanello@tampabay.com.

Tony Marrero covers Hernando County schools. E-mail him: tmarrero@tampabay.com.

Marlene Sokol covers Hillsborough County schools. E-mail her: sokol@tampabay.com.

Ron Matus covers Pinellas County schools. E-mail him: matus@tampabay.com.

Jeffrey S. Solochek covers Pasco County schools. E-mail him: solochek@tampabay.com.

Kim Wilmath covers the University of South Florida. E-mail her: kwilmath@tampabay.com.

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