HCPS FL Logo Teaching and Learning
Information Item
DATE: Tuesday, April 18, 2017
TO: School Board Members
FROM: Jeff Eakins, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Recognition of the Winners of the 2017 Hillsborough County Public Schools District High School Poetry Jam (Office of Teaching and Learning)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In coordination with the Arts Council of Hillsborough County, the 12th Annual District High School Poetry Jam took place on January 18, 2017, at the Robert W. Saunders, Jr. Public Library.  This year, students from 23 high schools participated.  At each participating high school, a local poet worked with the library media specialist to host a poetry writing workshop and spoken-word Poetry Jam competition where students performed their own work.  The first place students from each high school then represented their school at the district Poetry Jam where judges, including our Chief Diversity Officer, Minerva Spanner-Morrow, and local poet and Tampa Chapter president of Black on Black Rhyme, Phillip Scott and local poet and USF Instructor, Chelsea Dingman, scored and selected the district champions.  The 2nd and 3rd place students from each school site also attended and selected the Students’ Choice Award winner.  The District’s High School Poetry Jam winners are:

  • 1st Place - Bryce Allen from Wharton High School
  • 2nd Place - Makaella Stewart from Blake High School
  • 3rd Place (Tie) - Isabella Cruz-O'Grady from Steinbrenner High School and Jordan Theocharakis from Durant High School
  • Students' Choice Award - Noah King from King High School
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Improve the high school graduation rate • Provide a student-centered learning environment that engages every child • Develop a culture of respect, trust, and collaboration
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  No)
This agenda item is for recognition and has no financial impact to the district.
EVALUATION
N/A
SUBMITTED BY:  Leslie S. Granich, Instructional Leadership Director, Secondary
Kimberly DeFusco, Supervisor, Library Media Services 6-12
Deborah Cook   Dr. Alberto Vázquez
Chief Academic Officer, Office of Teaching and Learning
(813) 272-4221
  Chief of Staff
(813) 272-4986
    A 06
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20170418_810 (Board Recognition Meeting) * Section A Item# 06