Bloomingdale/FishHawk
13
September 2021
Volume 20,
Issue 9
SEE ARTICLE ON PAGE 25
Ph: 657-2418
CELEBRATING 19 YEARS OF PUBLISHING P OSITIVE COMMUNIT Y NEWS
RETIRED MARINE BRINGS TRAVIS FISHHAWK CREEK IS NUMBER ONE RANKING SCHOOL IN COUNTY MANION HEROES RUN TO COMMUNITY By Pauline Derry By Michelle Caceres
FishHawk Creek staff celebrates its third, fourth and fifth-grade students earning top marks on the Florida Standards Assessments (FSA).
language arts Florida Standards Assessments (FSA). FishHawk Creek students in third, fourth and fifth grade had a passing rate of 78 percent, 82 percent and 81 percent, respectively, on the English/language arts FSA. Hillsborough County 49 percent of third, 50 percent of fourth and 51 percent of fifth-grade students passed the mathematics FSA. FishHawk Creek students in third, fourth and fifth grade had a passing rate of 75 percent, 83 percent and 86 percent, respectively. Other schools in the district also showed improvements. “This stellar performance can be attributed to our talented school principals, teachers, administrators and support staff who have worked diligently and consistently to ensure our learners have rigorous coursework paired with high expectations,” said Superintendent Addison Davis. “As a district, we are determined to continue this upward trend by keeping laser-like focus on the proper instructional framework of small group instruction while supporting individual student needs.” For more information on FSA test scores, visit www.fldoe.org or call the Florida Department of Education at 850-245-0505. FishHawk Creek Elementary is located at 16815 Dorman Rd, Lithia, FL 33547.
Osprey Observer 2109 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Valrico, FL 33596
Community members volunteer every year at the 9/11 Heroes Race to give back.
As the 20th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, the Travis Manion Foundation is honoring first responders, active-duty military, veterans and families of the fallen. For the sixth year this September, FishHawk resident Beau Higgins is putting on the 9/11 Heroes Run at the Park Square Plaza. Higgins is a retired Marine who was Travis Manion’s commanding officer in the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion before Manion tragically passed away while serving his country. Since Manion’s passing, a race was created in his hometown Doylestown, Pennsylvania to raise money for the family. From there, it has grown into a foundation that puts on over 30 races nationwide. “I am a big believer that this race is not just about raising money for 9/11,” said Beau Higgins, race director. “It is truly about bringing the FishHawk community together,” he added. That is why, in addition to the race, there will be a OneBlood Bus available for people to donate blood and members of the nonprofit organization Seeds of Hope giving out food to the community. Registration for both the 5K run, walk and ruck and the 1-mile fun run take place online and in person on race day. After registration, every runner will receive gift cards from local businesses in the Park Square Plaza, such as Amici’s Pizza & Pasta, Cherry’s Bar & Grill, Art
IN THIS ISSUE: MARKET DAY RETURNS .....................PG 3 MOTORING TAMPA BAY ................... PG 5 EYE ON BUSINESS...................PGS 25-26 FOOTBALL PREVIEW..............PGS 46-47
Postal Customer
ECRWSS EDDM
PRSTD STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TAMPA, FL PERMIT #2397
Data released this summer by the Florida Department of Education showed a decline in standardized test scores in language arts, mathematics, science and social studies— not surprising in the wake of a school year fraught with mass quarantines, mask mandates and social distancing requirements. The staff at FishHawk Creek Elementary is celebrating though, because their students as a whole achieved a score of 542 out of a possible 700 points (a percentage score of 77 percent), earning them the top spot in the county. The score is calculated on a scale of zero to 100 in each of seven categories: English/language arts, mathematics, science, all student learning gains in English/language arts and mathematics and the lowest 25 percent learning gains in both subjects. Principal Steven Sims is thrilled with student performance as the district grappled with seemingly impossible choices that balanced health risks associated with in-person learning against the educational needs of children, which may be better served when students are in their physical schools. “Obviously, we are very proud of our students for performing at such a high level,” he said. In Hillsborough County, only approximately 50 percent of students in third, fourth and fifth grade passed the English/
Monkey and Park Square Social. The Travis Manion Foundation has gone on to do more than put on races. The foundation puts on service projects throughout the year. One includes C h a ra c ter Does Matter (CDM), where veterans bring a strengths-based character curriculum into local schools. For more information on how to donate, sponsor, volunteer or register, visit www. travismanion.org and click on the Lithia location on the map.
9/30/2021
The 2021 Brandon Honorary Mayor’s Race, won by Melissa Canfield, co-owner of Hi-Tech Automotive, raised money for four local charities. Members of her committee include (l. to r.) Abi Merkle, Karyn Scech and Angie Kagey to name a few. See full story on Page 4.
9/30/2021