Second choice window for schools opening
Parents interested in enrolling their children in magnet schools and choice attractor programs in Hillsborough County will have another application window next week.
Hillsborough County Public Schools is opening its second choice application window at 5 p.m. May 8, accessible online at hillsboroughschools.org/choice. Families will have until 11:59 p.m. May 17 to apply for magnet schools and Choice Attractor Programs which, according to HCPS, “include everything from medical and Environmental Sciences to IB and Cambridge/AICE programs.”
The school district listed the following options in a press release:
Elementary
- Lomax Elementary Magnet: Lomax is a Gifted and Talent Development Academy, with activities such as LEGO and VEX Robotics, along with enrichment classes like World Drumming, Violin, and Little Kids Rock band.
- Riverwalk STEM Academy at Just Elementary: Students are immersed in a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math curriculum with exciting options like EV3 Robotics and coding, along with family STEM nights.
Middle
- South Tampa Academy at Monroe Magnet: Incoming 6th grade students will be the first class to take part in one of the district’s newest IB programs. South Tampa Academy is an IB Candidate School that aims to develop active and internationally-minded learners.
- Dowdell Middle Magnet: Students focus on an Environmental Studies curriculum with outdoor learning centers along with hydroponics and aquaponics labs.
- Greco Middle Magnet: Also one of the newest IB programs in the district, Greco is an IB-Candidate school that also houses a STEM academy with academically rigorous courses and high school credit options.
High
- Jefferson High: Jefferson is home to several Magnet academies to fit a number of student interests. They include a Business and Finance Leadership Academy, Culinary Arts, Maritime, Law, and Criminal Justice Leadership Academies.
- Freedom High: Students can participate in New Tampa Digital Academy where they can prepare for careers in web design, game design and 3D animation.
- Chamberlain High: Chamberlain is introducing a new 3DE program, which partners students with the local business community. Students are provided relevant case studies geared toward entrepreneurial thinking and authentic workplace experiences.
Families who apply will find out about their potential offers via email between May 29 and June 8.
County WIC program expands remote offerings
The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County WIC program is now offering services over the phone to limit possible COVID-19 exposure.
Qualified participants in the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program can get healthy food, nutritional education, counseling, breastfeeding support and referrals for health care and community services for free.
Call 813-307-8074 for more information.
Judicial candidates for 2020 ballot named
Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer announced last week the following candidates will be on the ballot for Hillsborough County Court Judge, Group 7, in the 2020 Primary Election ballot:
Nancy L. Jacobs
Monique Scott
Rickey “Rick” Silverman
Bill Yanger
Latimer said candidates in groups 6, 9, 16 and 17 are unopposed and will be elected. All other candidates who will appear on the ballot in other areas, including school board races, will be finalized after the qualifying period from June 8-12.
Voters must be registered by July 20 to participate in the election, and this is doable online at votehillsborough.org.
Plant City Y to host blood drive
The Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA announced the Plant City Family YMCA and others in its network are getting ready to host a blood drive on May 21.
Citing a “severe” blood shortage due to the novel coronavirus and subsequent closures and cancelations, the Y and OneBlood are teaming up in Hillsborough, Pinellas and eastern Pasco counties for the blood drive. After registering, you will be able to give blood between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. that day. All donors will get a free wellness check-up including blood pressure, pulse, temperature, iron count and cholesterol screenings, as well as a t-shirt.
Register online at https://buff.ly/3bKc4ix. Call 1-888-936-6283 for more information.
Railroad & Industrial Federal Credit Union earns top 200 ranking
Railroad & Industrial Federal Credit Union was recently named one of the top 200 credit unions in America, coming in at No. 80 on DepositAccount.com by Lending Tree’s list.
“It’s an honor to have earned this recognition on a national level, and we look forward to many more years providing outstanding personal service to our members.” Peter Giorgianni, President/CEO, said. “We work hard for our members, and this honor reflects the passion our team has as they help our member-owners with their financial decisions.”
Railroad & Industrial received A+ grades in Lending Tree’s categories of Texas Ratio, Texas Ratio Trend, Deposit Growth, Capitalization and DepositAccount.com’s proprietary formula.
Railroad & Industrial is a non-profit with a branch in Plant City as well as others around Hillsborough, Pasco and Polk counties. Visit rifcu.org for more information.