Tampa Bay schools start next week. Here's what to know
Whether you're a parent, grandparent or other caretaker — or just want to avoid traffic at pick-up or drop-off time — here's what you need to know.
⏰ Bell schedule: In Hillsborough County, elementary and K-8 schools operate from 7:40am to 1:55pm; middle schools run from 9:30am to 4:30pm; and high schools are in session from 8:30am to 3:32pm.
Bell times are less uniform in Pinellas County, with schools divided into tiers.
Most high schools in Pinellas run from 7:25am to 1:55pm; most middle schools from 9:40am to 4:10pm; and most elementary schools from 8:45am to 2:55pm.
You can find specific schools here and here.
📱 What's new: A new state law (HB 1105) bars cellphone use in elementary and middle schools. Teachers can no longer allow phones during class, even for educational purposes.
All wireless devices must be off or in airplane mode for the entire school day, starting when students arrive on campus. Hillsborough had previously limited its ban to the "instructional day."
High schoolers can't use phones during class unless a teacher allows it for schoolwork. Use outside class time is still allowed.
Read the districts' policies: Hillsborough, Pinellas.
Meanwhile, marching band students who complete two years in the program can now earn credit for physical education or performing arts under the new law.
🍎 Teacher vacancies: There are 430 vacancies in Hillsborough, down from 600 last year, according to WFTS. Pinellas has just 30 vacancies.
Hillsborough County teachers are set to receive a $6,000 raise this school year, funded by a tax increase approved by county voters last year that adds $1 for every $1,000 of assessed property value.
💰 Back-to-school savings: Florida's sales tax break on school supplies doesn't end even after classes begin. Shoppers have until Aug. 31 to take advantage of the following exemptions:
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Axios
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Tampa Bay schools start next week. Here's what to know
Classes resume Monday as Hillsborough and Pinellas schools welcome students back from summer break. Whether you're a parent, grandparent or other caretaker — or just want to avoid traffic at pick-up or drop-off time — here's what you need to know. ⏰ Bell schedule: In Hillsborough County, elementary and K-8 schools operate from 7:40am to 1:55pm; middle schools run from 9:30am to 4:30pm; and high schools are in session from 8:30am to 3:32pm. Bell times are less uniform in Pinellas County, with schools divided into tiers. Most high schools in Pinellas run from 7:25am to 1:55pm; most middle schools from 9:40am to 4:10pm; and most elementary schools from 8:45am to 2:55pm. You can find specific schools here and here. 📱 What's new: A new state law (HB 1105) bars cellphone use in elementary and middle schools. Teachers can no longer allow phones during class, even for educational purposes. All wireless devices must be off or in airplane mode for the entire school day, starting when students arrive on campus. Hillsborough had previously limited its ban to the "instructional day." High schoolers can't use phones during class unless a teacher allows it for schoolwork. Use outside class time is still allowed. Read the districts' policies: Hillsborough, Pinellas. Meanwhile, marching band students who complete two years in the program can now earn credit for physical education or performing arts under the new law. 🍎 Teacher vacancies: There are 430 vacancies in Hillsborough, down from 600 last year, according to WFTS. Pinellas has just 30 vacancies. Hillsborough County teachers are set to receive a $6,000 raise this school year, funded by a tax increase approved by county voters last year that adds $1 for every $1,000 of assessed property value. 💰 Back-to-school savings: Florida's sales tax break on school supplies doesn't end even after classes begin. Shoppers have until Aug. 31 to take advantage of the following exemptions:
Yahoo
03-06-2025
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Local students help pass more legislation in Tallahassee
The Brief Students from Hillsborough County are helping pass more legislation in Tallahassee. The "Ought to be a Law" program is sponsored by Hillsborough County Public Schools and the Florida legislature. The students say the program gives them a voice and an opportunity to advocate for their own educational experiences. TALLAHASSEE - Students from Hillsborough County are helping pass more legislation in Tallahassee. The "Ought to be a Law" program has been in Hillsborough County Schools since 2004. On Monday, Rep. Susan Valdes announced the passage of two Florida House bills that were crafted with the help of students from Hillsborough County high schools. What they're saying "You can simulate civics all day, but putting kids in a position where they can live civics, they can learn how to address their local representatives, they can find out that these representatives are people who are interested in the things that they see as important and are willing to listen," Tony Pirotta, the project coordinator of Ought to be a Law and a teacher at Sumner High School said. Valdes says HB 1105 and HB 1255 were signed into law last week. She says HB 1255 includes proposed legislation from other bills. "Students from Jefferson High School created the language in House Bill 1261, which requires the mandatory financial literacy course to cover post-secondary expenses, like how to apply for the FAFSA," Valdes said. The students said they shared input about issues they noticed with their peers firsthand. "There are so many kids that we know that don't even know what a tax is," Genesis Salcedo Lima, a student at Jefferson High School said. "They don't even know what a tariff is. They don't know these simple economic things." PREVIOUS: Hillsborough students help propose legislation to help kids abused in foster care Big picture view The students say the program gives them a voice and an opportunity to advocate for their own educational experiences. "We think it's very important for these students to gain this education before they graduate high school, because it's the only way we can ensure that they will make it and be successful and are able to sit in these important seats as they grow older," Laraina Fernandez, a student at Jefferson High School said. Valdes says the new law addresses a plethora of education matters, including opportunities for children of military members. "We said, 'What issues in our community are we facing? How are these military students struggling?' And as we hear stories from kids who don't share the same backgrounds as us, I'm not a military student, none of our team members are military students, but we see that these children have these problems," Kaitlyn Chin, a student at Sumner High School said. The students said this program opened their eyes to different issues happening within their communities. "It inspires me to continue doing that and helping my peers know that they're not going unheard and that their worries and concerns are actually being listened to," Yeny Espino Vasquez, a student at Sumner High School, said. Valdes says the high school students were heavily involved in coming up with the legislation and moving it forward. "Students from Sumner High School created language for Senate Bill 1528 and their amended language saves the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children from repeal," Valdes said. The students visited Tallahassee with lawmakers to gain hands-on experience and learn how the legislative process works. "It's different than just filling out a worksheet on how a bill gets turned into a law," Grace Siderio, a student at Sumner High School said. "I actually sat there, and we watched the press conferences, and we watched the meetings, and we got to go up there and testify on the floor." Valdes says HB 1105 also addresses a number of matters, including requiring the Department of Education to implement a workforce credential for students with autism or on a modified curriculum. She says it also removes the certificate of completion that is given to students in place of a diploma. She says the certificate is a "phony diploma" that acknowledges a student's completion of school in the public school district, but it's not equivalent to a diploma. "This particular certificate does not allow the students to even go to the military, go to trade school, go into college, even apply for the FAFSA," Valdes said. Valdes says the encompassing pieces of legislation steer away from a one-size-fits-all education model. "We're learning how to be able to cater to children," Valdes said. "How to be able to educate children and meet them where they are." The "Ought to be a Law" program is sponsored by Hillsborough County Public Schools and the Florida legislature. CLICK HERE:>>>Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The Source Information for this story was gathered by FOX 13's Kylie Jones. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
CBS News
30-05-2025
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DeSantis signs bill expanding cellphone restrictions in Florida schools
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed a bill that will expand a restriction on cellphone use in Florida schools. The bill (HB 1105), which was approved by the legislature on May 2, revises the law that has prevented students from using cellphones during instructional time. The bill will prohibit cellphone use throughout the school day in elementary and middle schools. It also will create a pilot program in six counties that will prevent cellphone use in high schools throughout the school day. Charter school funding and conversion changes The House voted 85-14 to pass the bill, which includes a series of education issues, while the Senate approved it in a 26-5 vote. The bill also will make changes that could help charter schools. For instance, it will require that charter schools get a cut if school districts receive sales-tax money through what is known as a local-government infrastructure surtax. Charter schools would receive proportionate shares based on school enrollment. Also, the bill will make it easier to convert traditional public schools to charter schools. Currently, such conversions must receive support from a majority of parents and a majority of teachers. The bill, which will take effect July 1, removes the requirement for teacher support.
