Teaching and Learning Information Item

DATE:	Tuesday, September 25, 2018
TO:	School Board Members
FROM:	Jeff Eakins, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Recognition of the Champions of the High School eSports League for 2017/2018 (Office of Teaching and Learning)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
eSports, or competitive gaming, is becoming its own billion-dollar industry on par with professional athletics, with 17 states recognizing eSports teams as a varsity sport. Colleges and universities are also now awarding full scholarships for eSports players, and the University of South Florida has a full eSports team.   In 2018, Bloomingdale High School formed its first eSports team with over 120 members, quickly becoming the largest club on campus, and competed in the High School eSports League, the nation's largest high school eSports competition. Students practiced and played in the Summer Open Tournament from home, some teams with multiple students playing collaboratively, and some individual games as well. Through the competition, students learn valuable skills in collaboration and professionalism, while feeling pride for competitively representing their school. This past summer, the High School eSports League held the first national tournament for Fortnite; out of a field of 35 students, 2 Bloomingdale High School 11th grade students rose to the top to play each other in the finals. Daniel Thomas placed first in the tournament in Fortnite, and Giovanni De Carvalho placed second in the tournament.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Improve the high school graduation rate • Provide a student-centered learning environment that engages every child
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  No)
This agenda item is for recognition and has no financial impact to the district.
EVALUATION
N/A
SUBMITTED BY:

Larry R. Plank, Ed.S.		Deborah Cook
Director, K-12 STEM (813) 272-4622		Chief Academic Officer (813) 272-4221
		A 07
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20180925_899 (Board Recognition Meeting) * Section A Item# 07