HCPS NEWS DESK

Florida Hospital Tampa is partnering with Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) to design and implement programs providing education, support and development to the whole child and community at large, with a special emphasis on health-related initiatives and those events which include studying science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The partnership started in January of 2012 with the formal agreement signed on March 19, 2013, and will last until March 19, 2015. The cooperative educational program entitled, “Alliance to Benefit the Whole Child” will support six schools operated by HCPS. The schools include Boys Preparatory Academy at Franklin Middle Magnet School, Girls Preparatory Academy at Ferrell Middle Magnet School, Shaw Elementary School, Sligh Middle Magnet School, Dunbar Elementary Magnet School and Tampa Bay Technical High School. Throughout the year, Florida Hospital Tampa will participate in a number of activities including building an obstacle course at Franklin Middle School, located at 3915 East 21^st avenue in Tampa. Volunteers from Florida Hospital Tampa and TECO will gather this Saturday, May 18, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The obstacle course will allow students to learn the benefits of working as a team, competing and exercising at the same time. In the fall, Dr. Charles Lambert, Medical Director of Florida Hospital Pepin Heart Institute, will invite students to observe a live surgery in a teaching setting.

“The Partnership with Hillsborough County Public Schools is vitally important to Florida Hospital Tampa and its mission. The hospital’s commitment to the children and families of Hillsborough County will benefit the whole child.  The hospital also provides outreach and education through mentorships, speakers, and teaching in the schools while serving the community by teaching healthy living and wellness. Florida Hospital Tampa also provides financial assistance, food drives, and physical manpower for projects” said Alan Schneider, Vice President of Outpatient Services at Florida Hospital Tampa. 

SERVE Volunteers In Education and Hillsborough County Public Schools Parent/Family Involvement recently recognized the following 2013 award recipients on Thursday May 9, 2013. Schneider was presented with the Fred T. Rodgers Memorial Award for lasting impact on volunteerism. Bonnie Lambert, BPA Intervention/Behavioral Specialist & Partnership Liaison won SERVE Coordinator of the Year. Lambert helped nurture and develop the partnership with Florida Hospital Tampa for Franklin and other schools in the district.

“The School District’s partnership with Florida Hospital Tampa has provided life changing experiences for many of our students. Young men and women in the school district are now considering careers in the field of medicine. The reason for this change is the exposure Florida Hospital Tampa has provided in our elementary, middle and senior high schools. The school district is very fortunate to have staff members at Florida Hospital Tampa seeing the value of supporting public education. We hope the relationship will last for many years to come,” said Gwen Luney, HCPS Assistant Superintendent for Student Services and Federal Programs. During the year, students will have the chance to shadow Florida Hospital Tampa staff members during clinical rotations through Nursing, Radiology, and Surgery. Florida Hospital Tampa will also host a number of health and wellness programs and has delivered cases of water to students during FCAT testing, and participated in spring painting and gardening projects.

“Our goal is to work with Hillsborough County Public Schools to create special events around studying science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), so we can ultimately inspire the next generation of health care providers,” said Lauren Key, Vice President of Marketing at Florida Hospital Tampa.

Howard W. Blake Magnet High School of the Arts will host “A Night of Jazz” festival in the Blake Riverside Courtyard on Friday, May 17, at 7 p.m.

The New Orleans themed event will feature jazz played by The Jazz Messengers, Blake’s Jazz Band and art displays.  Guests will feast on Cajun food dishes ranging from dirty rice, red beans and rice, delectable beignets from NOLA Café, fried chicken and biscuits from Popeye’s Louisiana, and Gumbo from the Blake Band Boosters Gumbo Cook-Off!  There will be a special performance by the musical group “Distinguished Men of Brass,” as seen on America’s Got Talent.  Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, and towels to enjoy the outdoor Bourbon Street Blast.

Ticket prices for the event are $8 for adults and $5 for children and students.  For more information about the evening, contact Carmen Griffin at 813-272-3422 ext. 564. 

Howard W. Blake Magnet High School of the Arts is located at 1701 N. Boulevard, Tampa.

The Hillsborough County Public Schools 19^th Annual Elementary School Battle of the Books will take place 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, May 23, at the Tampa Convention Center.

This is the culminating competition for fourth graders who have read 15 pre-selected Sunshine State Young Reader’s Award program books.  Each elementary school hosts a local battle comprised of class teams of four students competing against one another.  The winning team from each school participates in the district battle.

All participants are asked questions about a book’s contents, and the team that responds fastest gets to answer the question.  One school from each of the district’s eight areas with the most correct answers wins.

The battle is designed to encourage recreational reading, offer a variety of types of literature, increase familiarity with different authors, and to share books through written and oral expression.