School Principals Begin City Council Presentations

The City Council turned the spotlight on local middle and high school officials at its meeting Tuesday evening, allowing principals and students to talk about the programs and educational opportunities that they are proud of.

Although the city and local schools are two separate entities, Mayor Joe Affronti and city council members said they wanted to showcase each school to the community. They encouraged residents to watch the meeting on Verizon channel 39 and Bright House channel 950. It will be rebroadcast on Mondays and Thursdays at 7 p.m. and Wednesdays and Fridays at 2 p.m.

“Schools really are the heart of the community,” said Councilmember Alison Fernadez. “…My request (to residents) is that you all get involved in some capacity.”

Principal Tim Binder said Greco is known for its Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Program in which they can earn high school and even college credit for the cross-curricular courses they take. Many Greco students move on to King High School, so Greco also offers the Pre-KAPS (King Advanced Placement Studies), which focuses on liberal arts and offers advanced and honors courses.

“Greco’s really come a long way,” Affronti said. “We’re very proud of what you’re doing.”

’s Tahvia Shaw, who will take over as principal after this school year, said the school also offers STEM initiatives. She said the school’s students are held to high standards and learn problem-solving skills. The school also encourages students to be involved in the community. It recently had a and invited local residents to participate.

“It was a huge success, and we enjoyed that,” Shaw said.

Students have been studying the migration of monarch butterflies. They raised the butterflies at the school and then allowed them to migrate. Butterflies are supposed to be in Mexico now and return to the school later.

Principal Mike Rowan said the school’s volleyball team is having its best season in program history. He also said that one student in the JROTC program has received a full scholarship for all four years at the University of Florida. He introduced students Neil Kamath and Miguel Labrador.

Neil is a student in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program who placed third in the nation in public speaking in a competition organized by the Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda.

Miguel is also a student in the IB program. He won Florida's Hispanic Heritage Essay Contest and was recently invited to a ceremony at the Governor's Mansion and awarded four-year, fully paid college tuition at any state university. He told the council that his teachers at King helped him get to where he is today.

“I’m just looking forward to college and what the future holds,” he said.

Principal Scott Brooks has adapted to changes in technology. It offers architecture, art, health, culinary, computer and other programs.

“All of our students have to apply to come to our school,” he said.

Tampa Bay Tech’s football team has been top in the district for the last two years, and Brooks joked it will be again for the third year in a row after Friday night’s game against Gaither High in Carrollwood.

Arias Welch, a 12th-grade student in the early childhood program said she is honored to be a student at the school and thinks she has learned a lot there.

“Tampa Bay Tech has a lot to offer,” she said. “…I really love my school, and I’m really proud of my school.”

Principal Kristine Bennett and co-founder Derrick Brooks said the school focuses on preparing students for college. It offers Advanced Placement (AP) and Dual Enrollment (DE) courses.

“Supporting the education of our kids is our legacy,” Brooks said.

Bennett introduced two students who shared why they chose to attend Brooks-DeBartolo. One was taking dual enrollment courses and said she chose the school because it offered transportation to Hillsborough Community College. The other, 10th-grader Zach Salazar, said he likes the individual attention he receives.

“It’s a small school, and it feels like a family,” he said.

At the next council meeting, Nov. 15, elementary school principals are scheduled to discuss their programs.