Florida’s Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday: Know Before You Go!
Florida’s popular Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday returns in 2026 from Monday, July 20, to Sunday, August 20, 2026.
Education
- Back to School | Big Kids | Education | Elementary School Years | In Print | Lil Kids | Middle School Years | Summer Break Fun
Back-to-School Fair Returns Aug. 1 with Free Backpacks, Family Fun and School-Year Inspiration
Picture this: a student proudly slinging a brand-new backpack over their shoulders, a favorite sports mascot posing for photos nearby, performers taking the stage to showcase their talents, and parents crossing items off their back-to-school shopping lists … all while enjoying a break from the Florida heat. That’s the scene families can expect at the…
Summer Support for Children with Dyslexia: How to Build Skills Without Burning Out
Summer can be a chance to grow confidence — not just catch up. We’re sharing practical, realistic ways to support children with dyslexia over the break, with ideas that strengthen literacy while keeping stress low for the whole family. Summer is finally here, bringing a much-needed break from the rigors of the school year. However,…
Watermelon Swim & St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Foundation Partner to Prevent Childhood Drownings
Watermelon Swim and St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Foundation have united to promote water safety and drowning prevention throughout the community.
Support Over Swag: How Parents Can Truly Appreciate Teachers
Teacher Appreciation Week is fast approaching. It’s a week many parents look forward to — a time to buy little gifts and create fun surprises to show teachers just how much they’re valued. No doubt, teachers enjoy these thoughtful gestures. However, what’s even more meaningful is how parents show appreciation all year long. Daniele Pepe…
Raising Young Entrepreneurs: The Tampa Bay Kids Market
Tampa Bay Kids Market is reshaping kids’ learning about entrepreneurship, ownership and navigating real-world challenges in real time.
Fossil hunting in Florida lands BIG find and you can make a discovery, too!
An amateur fossil hunter who found a record-breaking giant armadillo fossil shows how everyone can indulge in this hobby! Fossils are an important link to our past that help tell the story of how our planet has changed and how life has adapted — or didn’t. They’re also just really cool to look at and…
Easy Ways to Prepare for PreK
Corbett Prep’s PreK3 team compiled a list of skills they recommend parents work on with their children before school begins.
To Outer Space… And Beyond! Books about Astronomy.
Children are naturally curious about what lies beyond our planet. Here are some books the Tampa-Hillsborough County Library has about astronomy: the science that studies everything beyond earth’s atmosphere. For younger children/ preschool and lower elementary school. “Space: Let’s Zoom up to the Stars!” by DK Publishing introduces young children to vocabulary about the…
A Summer to Shine on Stage
Outsmart Lord Farquaad. Dive Under the Sea. Dance in Dalmatian dots. If you’re looking for a summer camp experience for your child that combines movement and music and generates thunderous applause, a week on stage may fit the bill. Musical theatre camps – a longstanding tradition at Corbett Prep’s CAMP IDS – give students of…
The Science of Beauty – in Hillsborough County Public Schools
Microscopes, Bunsen burners and beakers: Let’s face it—sometimes it takes a little more to get students interested in science. Especially girls. Especially middle school girls. It’s unfortunate, but the numbers tell the story. In elementary school, 74% of girls express interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). However, during the middle school years, there…
Teacher to Know: Denise White, Pinellas County School Teacher of the Year
Caring, positive and inspirational — that’s how students describe Denise White of James B. Sanderlin K-8 IB World School. This year, she was named 2026 Teacher of the Year for Pinellas County Schools, recognizing more than three decades of dedication to local students. A proud Pinellas County native, White was honored at the Evening of Excellence hosted by the…
10 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day, Every Day
Earth Day is April 22. Check out this list of ten actions that we’re considering taking that can help make our world a better place.
Teaching Teens to Think Like Innovators, Leaders and Problem-Solvers
At a time when financial literacy, economic understanding and entrepreneurial thinking are more essential than ever, Shorecrest Preparatory School is proud to introduce a new Signature Distinction for Upper School students: the Ross Roeder Institute (RRI) Certificate in Financial Literacy, Economics, and Entrepreneurship. Designed for students who are curious about how ideas become ventures and…
Teacher to Know: Christi Atkinson, Hillsborough County Public Schools Teacher of the Year
At Wharton High School, Christi Atkinson is doing far more than teaching science; she is shaping future environmental leaders and elevating excellence across campus. Serving as head of the science department, she teaches Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE)/Cambridge Marine Science and AICE Environmental Science, where her students consistently outperform global averages in these rigorous…
Uncovering the Gift in Every Child – Corbett Preparatory School
It’s easy to spot giftedness in some children, such as the precocious reader who devours books above their grade level or the math whiz who solves complex problems quickly. But what about the child who mediates a conflict with empathy or who notices details others miss? The creative thinker who builds something from nothing? The…
Unlock Your Child’s Potential: Explore Pinellas County Schools
Pinellas County families have an exciting range of options when choosing the best learning environment for their children. With 89% of Pinellas County Schools earning A and B ratings—and the district earning an A rating for two consecutive years—families can feel confident their children have access to a high-quality education.
Nurturing Bright Futures Why Parents Choose CREATE Education
Education is at the core of development in childhood and early adulthood. With the right curriculum, community, and resources, an educational program can be the bridge to a bright future. Through evidence-based teaching, a unique blend of cross-disciplinary learning, and a focus on holistic development, the CREATE program (Children’s Recreational, Educational, Arts and Therapeutic Experience),…
The Gift of Giving: How IB Students Spread Holiday Cheer All Year Long
Learn how IB students at Walker Middle Magnet School and Adum K-8 plan to spread holiday cheer this season.
Teacher to Know: Micaela Spatola, Tampa Bay Technical High School
Get to know Micaela Spatola, Tampa Bay Technical High School’s Agriculture and Veterinary Assisting Instructor, and her hands-on learning method.
Future Career Academy Helps Seniors Plan What’s Next
“Come to us for the job … stay for the career.” Those were the words of Bill McDaniel, City Manager of Plant City, as he addressed a packed auditorium of seniors at Durant High School. McDaniel was one of several panelists representing the Future Career Academy (FCA), a program that partners with Hillsborough County Public…
Academy at the Lakes: The Importance of Teaching Information Literacy and the Value of the Liberal Arts
In today’s media-saturated world, students are taught how to critically engage with the information that shapes their understanding of the world.
Corbett Prep: Building Confidence Through Public Speaking at Every Grade
Corbett Prep takes a unique and dramatic approach to help kids in grades Pre-K through eighth learn public speaking skills.
Teacher to Know: Kimmy Sanford, History and Social Sciences at Tampa Prep
Q&A with Kimmy Sanford, a passionate and dedicated middle school teacher of history and the social sciences at Tampa Preparatory School.
USF Basketball: Tampa Bay Home For Hoops
USF’s women’s and men’s basketball programs – “Tampa Bay’s Home for Hoops’’ – have some special treats ahead for area fans.
Options, Options Everywhere: Expanded HCPS Magnet Schools & School Choice Opportunities
Hillsborough County Public Schools offer a growing list of innovative magnet and school choice options for the 2025-2026 school year.
Setting The Stage: Winter/Spring Arts Classes Now Enrolling At The Marcia P. Hoffman School Of The Arts
Discover all about the Marcia P. Hoffman School of the Arts Winter Classes, beginning January 10, 2026 at Ruth Eckerd Hall!
Encouraging Wonder: What Happens When Preschoolers Ask Why
It happens almost overnight. You blink, and your baby suddenly has become a walking, talking little person with an intense desire to know things. The word “why” probably falls from their mouths at least a few times a day. Like most parents, you provide them with an answer. Sure, it might be a really good…
Opening New Chapters: New Worlds Reading Brings Free Books and Joy to Young Florida Readers
New Worlds Reading helps Florida children develop strong reading habits by delivering free books and activities to their homes. The program supports VPK through fifth-grade students in Florida public and charter schools who are not yet reading on grade level. Each month during the school year, enrolled children receive a free book and fun literacy…
The Art of Negotiation: High School Students Learn Essential Life Skills
Whether you are a teen asking your parents for an extended curfew or a seasoned professional closing a big business deal, the art of negotiation is a critical life skill that is not typically included in the average high school curriculum. At Shorecrest Preparatory School in St. Petersburg, students had the chance to dive into…
Meet the 2025 Recipients of Hillsborough County’s Anti-Bullying Award
Get to know Tampa Bay’s Bully Busters: Hillsborough County students who go above and beyond to fight bullying in our community.
Celebrating National Walk To School Day
National Walk to School Day is Wednesday, October 8th, and this year will mark Tampa Bay’s biggest and best celebration in history!
Rooted in Learning: Local Farm Helping to Grow Young Minds at Corbett Prep
The Lawrance family teaches life lessons to students at Corbett Preparatory School of IDS in Tampa through a new raised-bed garden system.
INSIDE LOOK: YA BY THE BAY’s Story Warrior Festival
Meet Goosebumps legend R.L. Stine, meet bestselling author Tiffany D. Jackson, and more YA BY THE BAY: Story Warrior Festival.
Explore Arts Education Classes This Fall At The Marcia P. Hoffman School Of The Arts At Ruth Eckerd Hall!
Discover exciting arts education classes offered this Fall at the Marcia P. Hoffman School of the Arts at Ruth Eckerd Hall for students ages 5 and up!
Leading the Way: A Vision for Excellence in Hillsborough County Public Schools
Learn how Van Ayres is shaping excellence in Hillsborough County Public Schools with a focus on growth and goals.
Teacher to Know: Yung Romano, M.Ed., Strawberry Crest High School
Pre-IB Biology teacher at Strawberry Crest High, Yung Ramano, is sharing how STEM students are being prepared for world-changing careers.
Kids to Know: Samira Garcia, 9th Grade, Blake High School Dance Magnet Program
Read how Samira Garcia is embracing her passion for dance at Blake High School and inspiring others to follow their artistic dreams!
Kids to Know: Aahan Swain, 7th Grade, Walker Middle Magnet IB World School
Learn how Aahan Swain’s experience in robotics and coding is preparing him for a future in medicine and inspiring others to never give up!
The Science Behind Why Nature Is the Best Classroom
Find out how nature is the best classroom for early childhood education, from STEM lessons to emotional growth and creativity.
Shifting Terrain: Helping Kids Navigate the Middle to High School Transition
Learn how to make the middle to high school transition smoother with insight from pediatric psychologist Dr. Jennifer Katzenstein.
School is Over – But the Work is Not! Summer Referendum Projects 2025
Hillsborough Co. public schools is sharing just how important that half-penny sales tax referendum is in making a difference at your kids’ schools.
Learn Your Way: Flexible Options at Hillsborough Virtual School!
Learn about Hillsborough Virtual School and how it offers flexible online learning with certified teacher support for K-12 students
Why Summer Reading is Crucial in the Age of AI
Learn about how summer reading keeps kids’ minds active, builds confidence, and helps then get ready for a future shaped by Artificial Intelligence.
Month of the Military Child: Proud to Support our Military Students
Learn how Hillsborough County Schools celebrate Military Child Month by supporting students with special programs and resources.
Why Being a Mandatory Supporter Matters in Child Welfare
Learn how the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County encourages being a mandatory supporter to help families and prevent childhood trauma.
Digital Balance: 4 Tips for Managing Technology for Young Children
Discover four effective ways to balance technology for kids and help them develop healthy digital habits in a screen-filled world.
Sweet Succes at Tomlin Middle School with the Strawberry Festival
See how Tomlin Middle School plays a key role in the Strawberry Festival, from selling produce to creating art and helping with parking.
Run, or Walk… For Education!
The Hillsborough Co. Public Schools Race 4 Education is coming up on April 12! Sign Up now to help support students’ physical education.
Happiness Increases When Students Focus on Helping Others
Discover how Corbett Prep students and teachers learned how volunteering creates happiness when they worked together to create their new Watershed Warriors club.
New Year, New Adventures at Your Public Library
Discover how public library resources can help you learn, explore, and create new opportunities for your family with free programs and tools.
Sustainable Seafood: PBS docuseries “Hope in the Water” highlights the possibilities in our world’s waters
Discover how the PBS series Hope in the Water highlights the importance of sustainable seafood and saving our oceans.
Hillsborough County Public Schools Names Top Educators!
Did your child’s teacher make the list? See who’s been nominated for Teacher of the Year in Hillsborough County for 2024!
HCPS Students are Laying Down the Law!
Learn how Hillsborough Co. students are inspiring change at the state legislative level in Tallahassee during the annual “Ought to be a Law” event.
Raising Readers in a Parent-Child Book Club
Corbett Prep is sharing simple tips on starting a family book club that everyone will look forward to and enjoy together.
Avoiding Car Line Chaos!
It’s your average Tuesday morning. You’re running late for work. Maybe it’s starting to rain. And car line is taking FOREVER. Parents are not adhering to the zipper method, kids aren’t prepared to get out of the car, and… Oh my gosh, NO! Did you just see a mom get out of the car, walk…
St. Pete STEAMfest Returns for 7th Community Festival
St. Pete STEAMfest returns for the seventh community festival celebrating the study of science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) on Saturday, October 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free, family-friendly festival, designed for families of children in preschool through eighth grade, brings hands-on experiential learning from some of the Tampa Bay area’s…
Navigating a Competitive Admissions Season Without Stress
The school year still feels brand new, so how is it time to begin thinking about 2025-26? If you’re considering enrolling in a private school, it’s smart to start early. Applications are open at private schools, where admissions officers expect another busy season. A Cato Institute survey showed that 50 percent of private schools received…
Hurricane Related School Closures in Tampa Bay
As we keep an eye on Helene, some Tampa Bay Area schools are announcing school closures in preparation for the storm’s potential impacts and so designated schools can serve as storm shelters.
Attendance Awareness Month – Show up & Be a Success!
My son is a senior in high school. There’s no doubt he will pass all his classes and graduate. I want him to enjoy his senior year. It’s okay if he misses a few days of school here and there, right? My daughter is in seventh grade. She’s brilliant! She makes straight As without even…
