FUN AT THE LIBRARY-ACTIVITIES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY: There are

Enjoyable Library Activities for Busy Parents

by Cheryl Wolfe, photos provided by Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library

Fall is underway and winter will soon be here. As the kids take time to relax during school breaks, it is a perfect opportunity for you to revisit favorite hobbies. Many library resources are available to meet your enrichment and entertainment needs.

Connect with new and old friends alike at one of the library’s online book clubs. Book clubs offer a relaxed, friendly atmosphere, thought-provoking discussions, and a chance to discover your next favorite author. Several featured events are coming up soon. https://bit.ly/2ZJ4JPh

Have you tried #READorREJECT? Your perfect book match is waiting for you! Our book experts will pair your book tastes with personalized selections for you and mail them directly to your home to enjoy. HCPLC.org/READorREJECT

Learn a new language or expand your everyday communication with courses on over 70 languages. Try listening to downloadable bite-size lessons in the Mango app and soon you will be ready to speak like a local on your next trip. HCPLC.org/OnlineClasses

Polish your family pics in mere minutes with easy photo editing techniques or get inspiration to take your mobile photography to the next level. You can hone your photography skills with quick online videos or dive deeper into professional photography with learning paths and longer courses. HCPLC.org/OnlineClasses

Nurture your mind with the library’s educational classes. Courses are available online for learning at your convenience, and live virtual library events are a cool way to connect with others who share your interests. The library regularly offers gardening, technology and writing classes. You may find yourself discovering a new hobby or a new career path. The recordings of these classes are posted to the public library’s YouTube channel @TampaHillsLib. HCPLC.org/Events

There are few joys in life like relaxing on the couch with a digital magazine. Choose from thousands of full-color titles and read for information or entertainment. Digital magazines on crafts, health and fitness, finance and travel are available at your fingertips. HCPLC.org/Magazines Escape on a reading adventure when you are on a bike ride or a solo road trip. Travel to another place just by reading audiobooks and eBooks set in faraway places. Simply add them to your phone or tablet, and they are ready for your enjoyment at home, in the car or on a plane. HCPLC.org/Audiobooks

Discover the soundtrack to your holiday season as you entertain family and friends, relax at home or take part in outdoor activities with streaming and downloadable music. Easily borrow your favorite songs from a variety of genres to create a fun and festive playlist. HCPLC.org/Music

Make some time for solitude and swing by your local branch to use one of the small meeting rooms or find a quiet corner.

FIND MORE GREAT READS WITH THE LATEST BOOK RELEASES:

New and Intriguing Fantastic Fiction:https://bit.ly/3zNHyQd New for You! Nonfiction:https://bit.ly/2ZJohmD

The library has a variety of options to help you enjoy a few leisurely moments or meet your learning goals this winter. Visit us at HCPLC.org.

DOWDELL MIDDLE MAGNET (ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES)

1208 Wishing Well Way, Tampa 33619 813-744-8322; hillsboroughschools.org/dowdell

We bridge passion for the environment with real world learning. Students can take unique environmental and animal science electives. Students learn outdoors with our salt marsh grass nursery and land lab and experience our hydroponics and aquaponics labs. Our partnerships with the Florida Aquarium and surrounding recycling companies helps strengthen our mission to educate students to understand the environment around them and how to help it.

DUNBAR ELEMENTARY MAGNET (MEDICAL SCIENCE)

1730 Union St., Tampa 33607 813-276-5677; dunbar.mysdhc.org

We partner with AdventHealth, the Patel Conservatory and USF Health's Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine to create the doctors and nurses of tomorrow. Students participate in show choir, drums and Little Kids Rock band. Student-led inquiry and goal setting help students truly engage in their learning. National Elementary Honor Society, 3-D printing and Genius Hour are other elements that create a great learning experience.

EDUCATED MINDS ACADEMY 10025 W. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa 33615 813-243-0310; educatedminds.net

We give each child the skills for success in school and in the future. We encourage their young minds through play and hands-on, creative activities as well as encourage the development of physical, social and emotional skills. enrollment: 625 Grades: 6-8 Tuition: FREE

Enrollment: 260 Grades: K-5 Tuition: FREE

Enrollment: 120 Class-Size: 10-15 Grades: Infants to grade 2 Tuition: $100-$225/ week, 3% off when paid by month

FERRELL GIRLS PREPARATORY ACADEMY

(CAMBRIDGE CANDIDATE)

4302 24th St., Tampa 33610 813-276-5608; hillsboroughschools.org/ferrell

As a Cambridge International Magnet School and the only girls-only school in the district, we are dedicated to developing confident, dynamic, educated young women. Our technology-rich, interactive learning campus—including our 1:1 technology program—infuses 21st century tech skills into every student’s learning. Mentoring opportunities and community engagement create well-rounded learners.

FOCUS ACADEMY 304 Druid Hills Road, Temple Terrace 33617 813-443-5558; focusacademytampa.org

Serving ESE students ages 14-22 since 2013, Focus Academy helps special needs students succeed in a safe, caring environment. Our strong academic program is tailored to individual student needs, offering outstanding therapeutic support. We have received the highest academic rating for an ESE center from the State of Florida. Enrollment: 583 Grades: 6-8 Tuition: FREE

Enrollment: 110 Class-Size: 8-16, 3:1 to 8:1 ratio Grades: 9-12 and post12th grade Transition Program (up to age 22) Tuition: FREE

FRANKLIN BOYS PREPARATORY ACADEMY (CAMBRIDGE CANDIDATE)

3915 21st Ave., Tampa 33605 813-744-8108; hillsboroughschools.org/franklin

As a Cambridge International Magnet School and the only boys-only school in the district, we are molding young men of distinction who will achieve greatness. We promote academic achievement, professionalism and self-confidence. Our young men prepare for college in a technology-rich environment with a robotics makerspace and Smart Boards and iPads available for every student. Free after-school Enrichment Academies include debate, golf and Model UN.

GRECO MIDDLE MAGNET (IB CANDIDATE)

6925 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa 33617 813-987-6926; hillsboroughschools.org/greco

Our school-wide IB candidate program, guided by International Baccalaureate World School principles, works with community partners and the city of Temple Terrace to create a unique IB experience every day. Our school has exceptional programs on campus that allow students to explore their passion, all under the IB program umbrella. Enrollment: 530 Grades: 6-8 Tuition: FREE

Enrollment: 819 Grades: 6-8 Tuition: FREE

HILLSBOROUGH VIRTUAL K-12 2704 N. Highland Ave., Tampa 33602 813-983-7278; hillsboroughschools.org/virtual

Hillsborough Virtual K-12 offers personalized learning in a structured, yet flexible environment. It is a school choice option in which students learn in a digital space using a web-based curriculum with highly-qualified teachers from Hillsborough County. Students can take part in athletics and extracurricular activities at their zoned school.

HILLSDALE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 6201 Ehrlich Road, Tampa 33625 813-884-8250; hcatampa.org

Hillsdale provides a variety of activities and learning opportunities for our students. Our primary purpose is to help children grow spiritually, socially, physically, intellectually, and creatively in welcoming surroundings as a supplement to the home environment. Our staff will work hard to create a loving, Christian atmosphere for children's development.

HOLY TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL 3712 W. El Prado Blvd., Tampa 33629 813-839-0665; htlstampa.org

Holy Trinity Lutheran School is a co-educational school located in the heart of South Tampa. Founded in 1958, HTLS offers an enriching and rewarding academic education in a loving and safe Christian environment. Our mission is to provide Christ-centered academic excellence and care for the whole child that equips them for lifelong learning and service.

INDEPENDENCE ACADEMY 12902 E. U.S. Highway 92, Dover 33527 813-473-8600; iacademies.com

Independence Academy provides a tuition-free, well-rounded college preparatory education. The challenging and rigorous curriculum includes a special concentration on math and science, a technology-rich atmosphere, and a focus on character development preparing students for their secondary education and beyond. Offerings include the Cambridge program for Advanced Studies, Edvantage before and after school program, Tampa Bay’s Grasses in Classes Program and Cognia accreditation.

KEYSTONE PREP HIGH SCHOOL 18105 Gunn Highway, Odessa 33556 813-264-4500; keystoneprep.org

Get ready to experience a school unlike anything you have encountered! Keystone Prep High School is a non-profit private school located in Odessa, just outside Tampa, with small classes and individualized support. Our mission is to not only help students achieve their full potential, but also reach pinnacles of success they never thought possible.

LAND O’ LAKES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 5105 School Road, Land O’ Lakes 34638 813-995-9040; lolcs.org

A Christ-honoring atmosphere for preschool through high school, LOLCS trains students to develop and grow spiritually, intellectually, socially and physically. We offer a fully accredited, balanced program that emphasizes spiritual life, challenging academics for college preparation and opportunities for students to explore their interests and talents in fine arts and athletics.

LCC DAY SCHOOL 4400 Chancellor St. NE, St. Petersburg 33703 727-522-8331; lccdayschool.com

LCC Day School is a partnership of school, church and families, inspiring superior academic performance while instilling leadership, responsibility and values in a nurturing environment. Our mission is to meet the changing needs of our students as they develop their God-given potential from early childhood through adolescence. Enrollment: 3,400 Grades: K-12 Tuition: FREE

Enrollment: 170 Class-size: 15 Grades: PreK-grade 7 Tuition: $180/week (preschool) - $7,900

Enrollment: 200 Class-Size: 16 Grades: PreK-grade 5 Tuition: $6,240

Grades: K-8 Tuition: FREE

Enrollment: 60 Class-Size: 8-15 Grades: 9-12 Tuition: $18,500 - $25,000

Enrollment: 430 Class-Size: 10-20 Grades: PreK3-12 Tuition: $6,750-$7,250

Enrollment: 500 Class-Size: 8-17 Grades: PreK2-8 Tuition: $3,240-$12,880