For Immediate Release

Contact: Tanya Arja
Office of Communications
813-272-4060

Several school visits planned, including stops with Local Law Enforcement Leaders at Elementary Schools

Tampa, Fla. – (August 9, 2018) – Superintendent Jeff Eakins and School Board Chair Sally Harris have a full day of school visits planned on the first day of school, which begins tomorrow, Friday, August 10.

More than 212,000 students are expected to fill classrooms across the district. Our theme for this school year is We Climb Together. When our students succeed, our schools succeed. And when our schools succeed, our community thrives. We’re proud to create a major positive impact in our communities — and we know we can’t do it without the support of our communities.

Every elementary school will have an officer on campus from the first day of school. While the district continues to hire and train school security officers, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Tampa Police Department and Plant City Police Department will place their deputies and officers on our campuses.

Please see the list below of the locations and approximate times for arrival at each school. Please contact Tanya Arja if you have specific requests.

• Carrollwood Elementary School
  Arrive 6:15 a.m. (school begins at 7:40 a.m.)
  Principal: Melanie Bottini
  Address: 3516 McFarland Road, Tampa
  (Supt. Eakins will meet Sheriff Chad Chronister. Both are available for live interviews at 6:30 a.m. and the top of 7 a.m.)
  Departure by 7:10 am.
  
  
• Crestwood Elementary School
  Arrive 7:30 a.m. (school begins at 7:40 a.m.)
  Principal: Diane Sanchez
  Address: 7824 Manhattan Ave. N., Tampa
  (this school had a full air conditioner replacement over the summer)
  Departure by 7:50 a.m.
  
  
• Leto High School
  Arrive 8:00 a.m. (school begins at 8:30 a.m.)
  Principal: Larissa McCoy
  Address: 4409 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa
  (this school is one of our premiere high schools preparing students for careers after graduation)
  Departure by 8:30 a.m.
  
  
• Gorrie Elementary School
  Arrive 9:00 a.m. (school begins at 7:40 a.m.)
  Principal: Margie Sandler
  Address: 705 W. DeLeon St., Tampa
  (Supt Eakins will meet Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan, both are available for interviews)
  Departure by 9:20 a.m.
  
  
• Edison Elementary School
  Arrive 9:40 a.m. (school begins at 7:40 a.m.)
  Principal: Marc Gaillard
  Address: 1607 E. Curtis St., Tampa
  (this school, which is named after the inventor of the light bulb, has a new LED lighting system for energy efficiency and cost savings)
  Departure by 10 a.m.
  
  
• McDonald Elementary
  Arrive: 10:30 a.m. (school begins at 7:40 a.m.)
  Principal: Melanie Cochrane
  Address: 501 W. Pruett Rd., Seffner
  (this is one of our Achievement Schools, where the district is enhancing supports and resources)
  Departure by 10:50 a.m.
  
  
• Tomlin Middle School
  Arrive: 11:15 a.m. (school begins at 9:25 a.m.)
  Principal: Traci Durrance
  Address: 501 Woodrow Wilson St., Plant City
  (this school has strong academics and continues to prepare our students to be successful in high school and beyond)
  Departure by 11:30 a.m.
  
  
• Burney Elementary
  Arrive: 11:35 a.m. (school begins at 7:40 a.m.)
  Principal: Alan Black
  Address: 901 S. Evers St., Plant City
  (Supt. Eakins will meet with Plant City Police Chief Ed Duncan, both are available for interviews)
  Departure by noon
  
  
• Shore Elementary Magnet School
  Arrive: 12:30 p.m. (school begins at 8:45 a.m.)
  Principal: Cheri Bollinger
  Address: 1908 E. 2nd Ave., Tampa
  (this school has one of the district’s brand new VPK classes)

School Board members will be out in schools across the district, visiting with teachers, students and staff. For more information, please contact Tanya Arja in the Communications Office at (813) 272-4602.

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