Following on the Make America Healthy Again movement, in July, the U.S. government advocated to “Make America Fit Again” to reverse the decline in children’s health. One way it has done so is by bringing back the presidential fitness test. Well before the federal government began this initiative, First Sergeant Aarik Karlson, US Army (RET), […]
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PLANT CITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY WANTS TO ADD SPORTS COURT
“Plant City Christian Academy (PCCA) is just special,” Tiffany Lewis, vice president of Ways and Means for the Parent Teacher Association (PTA), said. “There is a sense of community there we have never experienced at any of the other schools my kids have attended. The teachers are like an extension of your family.” The school, […]
Continue ReadingLisa Westcott Launches Homeschool Program in Plant City
A new homeschool program will debut Aug. 19 at Red Calliope Gallery on Evers, offering preschool through third grade students the chance to learn music fundamentals in small, age-specific classes. The program, Music with Nona Lisa, is led by Lisa Westcott, affectionately known as “Nona Lisa,” meaning grandmother in Italian, a veteran music educator with […]
Continue ReadingBULLYING
Where did summer go? The first day of classes for Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) is August 11. Along with all of the positives of schools, like learning, classes, sports, and clubs, one negative consistently raises its ugly head, bullying. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, bullying is abuse and mistreatment of someone vulnerable by someone […]
Continue ReadingPCHS GRADUATES WIN AT SKILLSUSA COMPETITIONS
According to SkillsUSA Florida, employers in the state can’t find applicants with the necessary skills to fill available jobs. To make matters worse, this skills gap is widening because students are trying other sorts of education and employment instead of going into skilled technical fields, also known as trades. To address this problem and help […]
Continue ReadingCenter Stage Success
In a remarkable achievement that has sent ripples of excitement through the local performing arts community, Plant City High School’s theatre program has been honored with the coveted Disney on Broadway School of Excellence Award. This prestigious recognition celebrates the program’s outstanding commitment to theatre education and its transformative impact on students, placing PCHS among […]
Continue ReadingHCPS LOOKS AT DELAYING NEW PLANT CITY SCHOOLS
At the June 24 Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) School Board Workshop, part of the agenda addressed how to manage building new schools to meet the needs of the burgeoning population growth of Hillsborough County. The booming areas are the southern part of the county and Plant City. HCPS has been putting together data-driven projections […]
Continue ReadingYOU COULD NAME “PLANT CITY TECHNICAL COLLEGE”
Currently known as Plant City Technical College, the school is a Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) project that sits on 16 acres on East Park Road, just west of the Plant City Stadium. The project kicked off in July 2024 and is projected to be completed “fall-ish,” depending on the speed of construction and how […]
Continue ReadingSTRAWBERRY CREST HIGH SCHOOL GETS AN “A”
For the 2024–2025 academic year, Strawberry Crest High School (SCHS) earned the highest grade possible from the Florida Department of Education (FDOE). For the first time since 2019, the high school brought home an “A” on its report card. Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) released a statement that credited the achievement to the school’s continued […]
Continue ReadingBurney Elementary Earns First ‘B’ Grade in More than a Decade
For the first time in more than 10 years, Burney Elementary School has earned a “B” grade from the Florida Department of Education, a major milestone that school leaders say is the result of teamwork, consistency, and a relentless commitment to student growth. Burney’s improved performance reflects steady progress over several years, said Principal Brooke […]
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