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Principals are named at Freedom High, Mann Middle
Hillsborough teachers union president is challenged by two critics of Gates reforms
Voting started Monday for president of the Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association in what contenders describe as a referendum on the district’s education reform efforts.
Empowering Effective Teachers, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, marks a radical reform in the way teachers are evaluated, and ultimately it will replace seniority in determining their pay.
Union president Jean Clements, who was first elected in 2002, collaborated closely with the Hillsborough school district in implementing the reforms. ... Read more
Did you take your kids to the Florida State Fair?
With all due respect to the Florida State Fair and its deep fried bubblegum, did Hillsborough County students living in the western part of the county really need a day off today for the fair?
To be sure, the district calendar committee has faced pressure from fair supporters and organizers not to end the practice. If they can get even a portion of the thousands who got one free ticket to bring their families and spend on entry, parking, food and rides, that's a decent take.
But is the original reason behind the day off -- that many kids had displays or competitions at the fair -- really relevant anymore? Are children raising cattle in the suburbs to show and sell? ... Read more
Hillsborough teachers union president joins NCTQ board
Hillsborough teachers union president Jean Clements is the newest member of the advisory board for the National Council on Teacher Quality. The 36-member board is a who's who of big but sometimes controversial names in ed reform circles, including Michelle Rhee; Teach for America founder Wendy Kopp; and former New York City schools chief Joel Klein. Clements "has been a wonderful voice of reason, supporting reforms which are in the best interests of students and teachers," the group said in its latest newsletter. (Image from stateimpact.npr.org)
This year they're calling it the STEM fair
If you didn't think STEM was an enormous buzzword in education these days, consider this: What the Hillsborough County School District used to call the Science and Engineering Fair is now called the STEM fair.
STEM, of course, stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Politicians of all persuasions are advocating policies to get more students interested in science, and keep them there through college.
The STEM fair will take place Tuesday, Feb. 7 for private judging; and Wednesday, Feb. 8, for public viewing at the Tampa Convention Center. Awards ceremonies are 6 p.m. for elementary school and 8:30 p.m. for middle and high school.
Winners will represent Hillsborough County at the 57th annual State Science & Engineering Fair of Florida from April 3 - 5 5 at the Lakeland Center.
Hillsborough School Board names new principals, promotes Freedom principal
Freedom High School Principal Christopher Farkas was promoted to the position of principal coach at Tuesday’s Hillsborough County School Board meeting. His new job is part of the grant-funded Principal Pipeline initiative, which seeks to recruit and train the strongest possible candidates to lead schools. Coaches remain involved in their former schools until they can be replaced.
The board also named three new principals, some because of vacancies created by the Pipeline project.
Keith Laycock, assistant principal of Dover Elementary School will become principal of USF/Patel Partnership Elementary school. ... Read more
Deadline approaches for Hillsborough magnets
The clock is ticking if you want to enroll your child in a magnet, choice or career education program in Hillsborough County.
The enrollment period for high schools and middle schools ends Wednesday, Jan. 11. The application period for elementary school closes Wednesday, Feb. 29.
There is no need to apply to remain at a magnet or choice program; or attend your neighborhood school.
Enroll online if your child already attends school in Hillsborough County or download the appropriate application if you are from out of the county, and mail it to the address on the application. Questions? Call (813) 272-4692.
Hillsborough foundation hires coffee house founder as president
The new head of the nonprofit Hillsborough Education Foundation is Barnie Philip “Phil” Jones, whose unlikely claim to fame is a coffee shop chain that bears his name.
Jones, 64, is the founder of Orlando-based Barnie’s Coffee & Tea Company, which he grew into a $60 million, 125 store retail chain at its height, according to the foundation. Over the years his ownership position has changed several times, and in 2010 he stepped down as chief executive officer.
The foundation, however, said it was attracted by Jones’s significant experience with non-profit organizations. He chaired the Central Florida YMCA and is a long-time supporter of Habitat for Humanity International. He has experience as a college chaplain, and his degrees are in both education and the ministry. Jones, his wife and his children are products of the central Florida public schools. ... Read more
Hillsborough attendance down on Jan. 2, spokesman says
More here.
Seffner school aide accused of neglecting 3-year-old special needs girl
SEFFNER — A 61-year-old school aide was arrested Monday after leaving a 3-year-old girl with special needs unattended on a school bus for five hours, deputies said.
Sarah Thomas, 61, of Riverview been charged with child neglect.
Thomas, a Hillsborough County School District aide, was working as a caregiver for students on a school bus Friday, when the 3-year-old girl boarded the bus in Seffner about 7:20 a.m., deputies said.
The toddler was supposed to get off the bus at Lopez Elementary School, 200 N Kingsway Road, but was found five hours later still sitting in the bus, deputies said.
Read the full story here.
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