Student Headed to Justin Bieber Concert

A lucky Hillsborough County school student took the top prize in a cooking contest.

Hillsborough Schools Closed Monday for Holiday Observance

All Hillsborough County public schools are closed for students on Monday, Jan. 21, for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday observance. Link to the district calendar to see future days off as well.

Hillsborough Teacher of the Year Finalist Surprised at Spoto High School

The principal of Spoto High School said it was an honor to witness Cassandra Mattison receive recognition as a 2013 Hillsborough County Teacher of the Year finalist. He first met her as a student at King High School.

Teacher of the Year Finalists To Be Named This Week

On Friday, Jan. 18, the finalists for Hillsborough County’s 2013 Teacher of the Year are scheduled to be announced with “surprise patrol” visits at their schools. Here’s the list of contenders from Hillsborough’s public schools.

Music Showcase Hosts Music Makers Workshops for Youngsters

Can playing a musical instrument help with school studies? See for yourself, with free Music Makers Workshops at Music Showcase in Brandon.

Academic Enrichment Center at Brandon Sports & Aquatic Center

A ribbon-cutting for the newly opened Academic Enrichment Center at the Brandon Sports & Aquatic Center is scheduled for Jan. 18 at noon. The center features 10 iPad learning stations and a Smart Board.

School Board Rejects Security Guards for Brandon Schools

The board turned down Superintendent MaryEllen Elia's recommendation to hire 130 security officers until it can get a better handle on the best way to ensure the safety of public school children.

College Financial Aid Workshop at Brandon High Tonight

The first of a series of financial aid information nights is set for tonight, Jan. 15, at Brandon High School. Can't make the date? Additional workshops are scheduled for Jefferson, Gaither, Riverview and Hillsborough high schools.

2012-13 Teacher of the Year: A List of Finalist Contenders

On Friday, Jan. 18, the finalists for Hillsborough County’s 2013 Teacher of the Year are scheduled to be announced with “surprise patrol” visits at their schools. Here’s the list of contenders from Hillsborough’s public schools.

Superintendent Wants Armed Security At All Hillsborough Public Schools

Superintendent MaryEllen Elia proposes a plan that calls for a review by a security expert, and an additional 130 armed personnel at Hillsborough's public schools. The extra staff would cost $4.1 million.

Firings, Demotions Sought After Probe Into Rodgers Middle School Student’s Death

Superintendent of schools MaryEllen Elia calls for two firings and the demotion of both the principal and assistant principal after a three-month investigation into the death of Jenny Caballero, a Rodgers Middle School student with Down syndrome.

Brandon School Security Plan Announcement Coming Today

Hillsborough County Public Schools Superintendent MaryEllen Elia has called a press conference this morning to discuss long-term security plans.

HCC Campuses Go Tobacco-Free

Signs have been posted throughout the Hillsborough Community College network alerting students, employees, visitors and vendors that with the new year, there can be no smoking, no use of tobacco products anywhere on campus, indoors or out.

Principal Mark West Leaves Bloomingdale To Head Armwood High

Armwood High welcomes a new principal. Mark West leaves his post at Bloomingdale to head the school in Seffner. A new principal for Bloomingdale is expected to be named in January.

FHSAA Sets Tentative New Football Assignments

Ready for a Durant versus Newsome rematch? It won’t happen in the playoffs, not with the tentative new football assignments announced by the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) for local schools. See your school’s assignment.

State Grades Show Challenge for Higher-Need Title I High Schools

Four of Hillsborough’s public high schools in 2012 received a "C” grade from the Florida Department of Education. At each of the schools, more than 70 percent of the students qualified for a free or reduced-price meal.

Mango Student Thanks Sheriff’s Corporal for Security Support at School

A heightened security presence at local schools in the wake of the Newtown massacre caused a Mango student to hand-deliver a note of thanks after a chance meeting with a corporal from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

Walmart, Dick’s Suspend Sale of Certain Semi-Automatic Rifles—What Do You Think?

In the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary mass shooting, Dick's Sporting Goods also has removed all guns from the store closest to Newtown, CT.

SAT Scores 2012: How Did Local Public High Schools Fare?

SAT scores for 2012 have been released, showing some improvement, on average, in Florida scores, which nevertheless came in lower than national averages. Here’s how Hillsborough County’s public high schools fared on the college admission exam.

FIRST Lego League Tourneys Set Stage for Regional Competition

Florida's FIRST Lego League (FLL) tournaments, held as fundraisers for local robotics teams, including at Desh Bagley’s TechPlayZone in the Greater Brandon community of Riverview, determine who will compete at regionals in February.

Hillsborough Superintendent Elia Sends Safety Message to School Employees

School employees received a telephone message from Hillsborough County Superintendent of Schools MaryEllen Elia concerning safety measures in place following the Newtown, Conn., massacre. Parents were sent a similar message.

Newtown Aftermath: Schools Chief Sends Safety Message to Local Parents

The superintendent of schools for Hillsborough County schools sent a phone message to parents to discuss the safety and counseling measures in place as students went back to school Dec. 17, the first day after the Newtown, Conn., massacre.

How Would Brandon Schools React In A Crisis?

Normally, the school's ParentLink System is used to call or email parents in a crisis situation. But, in the event of a school shooting, officials caution that they may not be able to use that system.

FIRST LEGO League Teams Set for Tournament at HCC Brandon Campus

FIRST LEGO League teams are scheduled to compete Dec. 8 at the Brandon campus of Hillsborough Community College.

Armwood Football: Hawks End 2012 Season with 42-10 Loss in Gainesville

The Armwood Hawks lost to the Gainesville Hurricanes in the final game of the 2012 Class 6A-Region 2 contest.

Newsome Football: Wolves Fall 3 Points Shy of FHSAA Region Title

The 2012 season comes to an end for the Newsome Wolves, but not before a stunning finish that ends in Osceloa Kissimmee, with an almost-win in the Class 7A-Region 2 final game.

Armwood Football: Hawks Face Gainesville for Region Title Tonight

The Armwood Hawks travel to Gainesville tonight, Nov. 30, for the FHSAA Class 6A-Region 2 final. Arwmood advanced after last week's 9-7 revenge defeat of the Hillsborough High Terriers, who beat the Hawks 3-0 earlier in the season.

Newsome Football: Durant Win Video, What's Next in FHSAA Playoffs

The Newsome Wolves, after upsetting the undefeated Durant Cougars in FHSAA football Class 7A-Region 2 playoff action last week, take aim Nov. 30 against another undefeated team, the Osceola Kissimmee Kowboys.

Durant's Record Season To Remember, Last Game Photos and Video

The Cougars this year went down in school history with Durant's best-ever record, 11-1. Their first loss in a perfect season ends their state title bid. It comes with a sting, but long remembered will be the team's "uniqueness" and f

Armwood Football: Hawks Advance in FHSAA Playoffs With Hillsborough Win

The Armwood Hawks at Hillsborough High handed the Terriers a tough, close loss, Nov. 23, in the second round of FHSAA football playoffs.

Durant Football: Newsome Snaps Streak, Advances in FHSAA Playoffs

The Newsome Wolves snapped Durant's streak, giving the Cougars their first loss of the season, in the second round of Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) football playoffs, at Ron Frost Stadium on Nov. 23.

FHSAA Football Playoffs Schedule for Nov. 23

What local teams are playing in tonight's Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) playoff action? Here's a schedule to keep track.

Armwood Football: Hawks at Hillsborough in Playoff Action (Nov. 23)

The Amwood Hawks seek a rematch victory in their second post-season game, facing the Hillsborough Terriers in Tampa. The last time the perennial rivals faced off the Terriers shut out the Hawks in a 3-0 squeaker. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Cougars Host Wolves in Regional Semifinals Tonight (Nov. 23)

The undefeated Durant Cougars vie for their second prep playoff win, facing the Newsome Wolves at home in Plant City at the Ron Frost Stadium. The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) regional semifinal games kicks off at 7:30 p.m.

Brandon High Alumni To Meet at The Clubhouse Sports Cafe

The alumni association for Brandon's oldest high school meets monthly at The Clubhouse Sports Cafe in Brandon. The meeting tonight, Nov. 19, is the final such "meet-and-greet" for the year.

Durant Football: Post-Game Playoff Huddle, Congratulatory Walk (Videos)

After each game at the Ron Frost Stadium, head coach Mike Gottman talks to his players on the field after they walk in formation before the fans in the stands. It's a Durant High School tradition.

Durant Celebrates Regional Quarterfinal Win (Photos)

Friday Night Lights coverage at the Ron Frost Stadium in Plant City, where the Durant High School Cougars furthered their undefeated season in the first round of 2012 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) playoffs.

Armwood, Newsome Advance in 2012 FHSAA Football Playoffs

A great night for high school football in the Greater Brandon area, with Armwood and Newsome wins in the first round of the 2012 FHSAA football playoff season. They join Durant next week for regional semifinal games.

Durant Football: Undefeated Still With Tampa Bay Tech Playoff Win

The Durant Cougars at home Nov. 16 had a decisive win against the Tampa Bay Tech Titans in the opening round of the FHSAA 2012 football playoffs. Next up for the Cougars, at home Nov. 23, is a face-off against crosstown rivals the Newsome Wolves.

Armwood Football: Hawks Face Largo in Regional Quarterfinals (Nov. 16)

The Armwood Hawks face the Largo Packers in Largo for the opening game of the 2012 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) football playoffs. Game time is 7:30 p.m.