Are you a human who shares our affinity for elf culture? Christmas cheer will be off the Clausometer in Kissimmee this holiday season! You’ve seen the movie. Now, experience Elf™ at Gaylord Palms with ICE!, featuring 10 favorite scenes from the movie. It’s the coolest holiday attraction around!
Nov. 15 - Jan. 4 • ChristmasAtGaylordPalms�com
Bryson
Got ouchless stitches at BayCare Urgent Care
So many West Central Florida parents trust BayCare Kids because we treat their kids with compassion and expertise. From St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital and our dedicated pediatric emergency departments to more than 75 pediatric and primary care locations—you have one network for all your child’s needs. Whether it’s routine checkups to highly complex care or everything in between, it’s expert care just for kids. That’s the BayCare effect.
NOVEMBER 2024
CREATIVE DIRECTOR AND EDITORIAL MANAGER
Laura Byrne
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Anu Varma Panchal
Brie Gorecki
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
Zoë Joiner
INTERN
Maddie Henning
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Laura Byrne
Brie Gorecki
Anu Varma Panchal
Jennifer Katzenstein, Ph.D., ABPP
Laura Cross
Stephanie Bechara
Sam Scaglione
Karimah Henry
Maggie Rodriguez
Julie Tingley
Tara Payor, Ph.D.
Courtney Cairns Pastor
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Ralf Gonzalez
LAYOUT & DESIGN
Jennifer Dufek
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Laura Byrne
Andi Diamond Photography
Karimah Henry
Preston Rudie
Lindsay Block
Jeffrey Kamis
BOOKKEEPING
James Anderson
TAMPA BAY
PARENTING MAGAZINE
320 W. Kennedy Blvd. Ste. 220 Tampa, Florida 33606
10 // COVER STORY: Finding Light After Dark: Clearwater Marine Aquarium demonstrates resilience after the hurricanes
12 // A Glimpse of Hope: See how Tampa Bay’s HELPERS made a difference in our community before and after the storms
15 // Coping After Disaster: 10 expert tips from Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital to help your child handle post-hurricane emotions
16 // Turning Schools into Shelters: It’s a team effort at Hillsborough County Public Schools
25 // Election Day Books Kids Will LOVE: Explore new titles for kids of all ages
33 // A Conversation for Moms: Maggie Rodriguez, co-host of Daytime on WFLA, launches new podcast for mothers
38 // Conquering Kilimanjaro: A local father’s journey to the roof of Africa
47 // Parent-Child Book Clubbing: Corbett Prep shares fun ways to help you get started on this literary journey as a family
65 // The Muma Children’s Hospital at TGH: Top Tier Pediatric Trauma Care exemplifies National Injury Prevention Day
69 // A Truly Golden Celebration: St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital celebrates 50 years of serving the community
Every Issue:
6 // Noteworthy: What’s new and notable this month in Tampa Bay
2024-2025 EDUCATION GUIDE
YOUR GUIDE TO TAMPA BAY AREA SCHOOLS
Celebrate Holidays in Tampa Bay:
19 // Kick Off Seasonal Celebrations in Tampa Bay: Check out some of our favorite events opening this month
21 // Celebrate the Holidays Bricktastic Style: Get a peek at what’s in store for your family at LEGOLAND Florida
23 // Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay: See what’s new and explore returning favorites
27 // Bust Holiday Travel Boredom Blues: Take your fun on the road with these family-friendly library offerings
28 // Crafting a Tradition of Gratitude: Karimah Henry of @craftingafunlife shows us how to make a Thankful Tree
BECOME A FAN tampabayparenting @tampabayparenting @TBParenting
Tampa Bay Parenting is published twelve times per year and distributed throughout the Tampa Bay community. Tampa Bay Parenting is not responsible for any errors, inaccuracies, omissions or incorrect information (or the consequences related thereto) contained within the magazine or online; readers should not rely on any information contained in the magazine and they should always consult with an appropriate professional for guidance. Tampa Bay Parenting accepts no responsibility for the consequences of error or for any loss or damage suffered by users of any of the information or materials provided by Tampa Bay Parenting. Some content published by Tampa Bay Parenting is sponsored or paid for advertising content, and some individuals quoted or cited in articles have paid for advertising or sponsorships; this content or opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Tampa Bay Parenting.
9 // November Top Picks: Our favorite things to do this month with the kids
35 // Moms to KNOW: Meet Corina Kowalski, founder of Bubbles & Blowouts
37 // Kids to KNOW: Remembering Jacob Kamis
70 // What’s Trending on TampaBayParenting.com: Check out some of the most popular stories and events!
ABOUT THE COVER:
Clearwater Marine Aquarium animal care specialist Chloe Neighbarger (seen here with Nicholas the dolphin) shares her experience on the ride-out team as the storm surge from Hurricane Helene inundated CMA. Read more on page 10 about how CMA is facing the aftermath with resilience.
31 // How to Volunteer as a Family: Learn how to support local nonprofits together this holiday season
ROUTINE TO HIGH RISK
WHERE YOU DELIVER MATTERS
Tampa General Hospital is ranked top 10 in the nation for Obstetrics & Gynecology and high performing for Maternity.
As the highest-ranked hospital in Florida for Obstetrics & Gynecology for the second year in a row, and high performing for Maternity by U.S. News & World Report, Tampa General delivers more babies than any hospital in the region and is the only hospital in Hillsborough County designated a Baby-Friendly® birth facility. Our team of USF Health specialists and private practice physicians provides unrivaled support and care — from pregnancy to delivery. And should you need it, our Jennifer Leigh Muma Neonatal Intensive Care Unit delivers the highest level of care to infants and women with high-risk pregnancies.
NOTEWORTHY november
Meet Azizi – Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s newest resident!
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay recently welcomed a female southern white rhino calf to the park’s crash (herd) of rhinos. The approximately 100-pound calf, born to experienced mother, Kisiri, joins the diverse collection of African wildlife including zebra, ostrich, giraffe and several antelope species that reside in the park’s expansive 65-acre Serengeti Plain. After a public vote, the new baby was named Azizi, which means “precious treasure” in Swahili.
Tampa Bay Water Mini-Grants are available for schools and organizations around town.
Tampa Bay Water is dedicated to conserving water and protecting our region’s drinking water sources, which come from groundwater, river water and seawater. Do you have a great project that helps conserve water and protect drinking water sources in Tampa Bay? Get your share of funding from Tampa Bay Water! Mini-grants from $2,000 to $10,000 are available to schools, community groups and nonprofits in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties. Apply today at tampabaywater.org/grant.
St. Joseph’s Hospital South adds a special sensory room to its pediatric ER.
The newly added room helps meet the needs of pediatric patients with varying cognitive conditions who come into the ER needing medical treatment and attention. It is designed to make being in the ER easier for pediatric patients and their families. The room includes various visual and touch tools to promote a calming environment that can lessen overstimulation.
Christmas magic starts with YOU! Order your child's Letter from Santa by Nov. 30!
Make this Christmas magical with personalized Letters from Santa that bring the North Pole right to your child's mailbox! Each letter is uniquely crafted with your child's name, city where they'll be spending Christmas, and special details that make the experience truly personal. These keepsake letters not only spark holiday joy but also encourage good behavior as children strive to stay on Santa's Nice List. Perfect for all ages, letters ship the first week of December – just in time for Christmas magic! santa.joeyprints.com
Upcoming SEA LIFE Florida celebrates a major milestone at LEGOLAND Florida Resort!
Conservation efforts are already being made at LEGOLAND Florida Resort to protect marine life before the new SEA LIFE Florida Aquarium is even built! During a special structure-signing event, hundreds of guests proudly signed the last piece of steel beam for the new building and generously raised over $1,400 in support of SEA LIFE Florida’s partner charity, SEA LIFE TRUST. The steel beam carrying those signatures has been placed on the building of the new aquarium, marking a significant milestone in its journey toward completion, which is scheduled for early 2025. To learn more about SEA LIFE Florida, visit legoland.com/Florida.
NOVEMBER Top Picks
MOTHER
Our favorite family-friendly events in Tampa Bay
OF ALL BABY
SHOWERS
NOV. 8 AT GLAZER CHILDREN’S MUSEUM IN TAMPA
This adults-only event celebrates all things pregnancy and parenting with a fun night out. It’s filled with giveaways, food and drinks, mini spa treatments, local products and services, educational sessions about parenting and more! You can also “test before you invest” in the latest parenting and pregnancy products. Visit themotherofallbabyshowers.com for tickets.
JUNIOR LEAGUE OF TAMPA HOLIDAY GIFT MARKET
NOV. 7-10 AT THE FLORIDA STATE FAIRGROUNDS IN TAMPA
The Holiday Gift Market is the Junior League’s largest fundraiser, bringing together merchants and shoppers for a unique shopping event. Funds raised go toward their community projects and programs. The event will take place at the Florida State Fairgrounds and tickets are required. Visit jltampa.org to purchase yours.
BUCS BEACH BASH
NOV. 8-10 AT TRADEWINDS RESORT IN ST. PETERSBURG
This year’s event will include mouthwatering food, ice-cold drinks, live music, official Tampa Bay Buccaneers swag and more. So grab your crew, walk the plank and head over for a weekend of sun, fun and pirate shenanigans! Pirate attire encouraged! Visit tradewindsresort.com for VIP package info.
DR. SEUSS’S “HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! THE MUSICAL”
NOV. 12-17 AT THE STRAZ CENTER IN TAMPA
Get in the holiday spirit at “DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! The Musical.” Max the Dog narrates as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is “two sizes too small,” decides to steal Christmas away from the holiday-loving Whos. Magnificent sets and costumes inspired by Dr. Seuss’ original illustrations help transport audiences to the whimsical world of Whoville and help remind us of the true meaning of the holiday season. strazcenter.org/events/
ST. PETE OPERA PRESENTS
“PINOCCHIO”
NOV. 16-24 AT ST. PETE OPERA IN ST. PETERSBURG
Fast-moving, colorful and comical, this one-hour opera adapted from Carlo Collodi’s timeless tale includes captivating scenes and songs that highlight the opera’s heartwarming message of the importance of family, friendship and always telling the truth. Featuring easy-to-understand English lyrics with music by Mozart, Donizetti, Offenbach and Verdi, “Pinocchio” is the perfect introduction to opera for the young and the young at heart! stpeteopera.org/event/pinocchio-opera-central/
YMCA 10TH ANNUAL TURKEY GOBBLE
NOV. 28 AT AMALIE ARENA IN TAMPA
It’s our 10th annual Turkey Gobble! One of Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA’s signature events, the Thanksgiving morning race tradition for the whole family presented by AdventHealth takes place Thanksgiving morning at Amalie Arena with your choice of a 1-mile fun run or 5K run/walk. Race proceeds provide 100% of funding for the Tampa YMCA's LIVESTRONG cancer survivor program and our new Thrivers Club for youth who have undergone cancer treatment. Register at tampaymca.org/turkey-gobble
“ENCANTO: THE SING-ALONG CONCERT”
NOV. 30 AT THE STRAZ CENTER IN TAMPA
“Encanto: The Sing Along Concert” comes to Tampa for one night only and transforms Straz Center into one big celebration of the Madrigal family. Watch the beloved Disney film on an enormous screen and sing along with iconic hits from the score including “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” and “Surface Pressure” performed live by Banda de la Casita. strazcenter.org/events/
WANT MORE? SCAN THE QR CODE FOR WEEKEND TOP PICKS
YULE CACTUS UNVEILING AND LIGHTING CEREMONY
DEC. 3 AT THE JAMES MUSEUM IN ST. PETERSBURG
Kick off the holiday season with a NEW tradition. Join us in the inaugural lighting of The James Museum’s never-seen-before Yule Cactus. Enjoy seasonal drinks, food and artmaking, plus take your photo with Cowboy Santa before a special guest turns on the Yule Cactus lights at 7 p.m. The event will take place on our first floor, and it is free to attend. Museum admission is required for gallery access. thejamesmuseum.org
Encanto: The Sing-Along Concert
YMCA 10th Annual Turkey Gobble
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
Finding Light After Dark at Clearwater Marine Aquarium: Resilience After the Hurricanes
by Laura Byrne
ChloeNeighbarger
Three weeks after storm surge from Hurricane Helene inundated Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) with four feet of water, CMA reopened its doors to guests on the night of Oct. 18 with the debut of Aqua Lanterns, shining bright with hope.
Aqua Lanterns: A Chinese Festival of Lights has long been on schedule, but the team at CMA never imagined that this “light after dark” experience would come to symbolize resiliency in Tampa Bay as the community begins the journey toward recovery after two unprecedented back-to-back storms.
To most, CMA is a world-famous attraction, but it’s so much more than that. It’s home of the helpers – a nonprofit working animal hospital and rehabilitation center that has been a part of our community since 1972.
However, after two storms, even the helpers found themselves in a place where they needed help. Luckily, the community and its network of zoo and aquarium partners have delivered. But, like many of the families impacted by the storms, the road to recovery is still going to be a long one.
We heard from CMA team members Kelly Martin, vice president of zoological care, and Chloe Neighbarger, animal care specialist, who were part of the ride-out team for Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Even though they prepared in advance for the storms, nothing could have prepared them for the gut punch Hurricane Helene delivered on a night that changed so many lives in our community.
TBPM: After making storm preps and moving animals and equipment to higher ground, you felt pretty confident at the start of the night, right?
KM: The ride-out team started off fairly happy and relaxed. We knew that CMA had prepared in every way for the storm.
Quickly, the mood changed when, at about 8/8:30 p.m., our fire alarm alerted us to some sort of trouble within the building. As we moved through, we noticed the storm surge started rapidly coming in through the doors and gates and upwelling through all of the drains throughout the facility – in such a short period of time! Probably within 45 minutes to an hour, we went from zero water to up to about 4 feet.
CN: It was coming in pretty fast, and it all feels like a movie, like replaying it in your head.
TBPM: What was the feeling at that moment?
CN: Scary. It's definitely hard to watch the place you love just
completely flood and become ruined in front of your own eyes. We were trying to act as quickly as possible as far as getting things up high. We had prepared as much as we could, but Helene just brought so much more [water] than we were expecting, so we unfortunately did lose a lot of crucial equipment.
TBPM: At some point, it was no longer safe for you all to move through the building as surge waters moved in, and you had to move to higher ground.
CN: I remember we were all sitting on the fourth floor of our new building once we got to a point where we couldn't do anything anymore. And so we all kind of took a step back and just watched as literally the entire island just completely flooded.
TBPM: As a community, we were all in shock at this point in the night. But, your work was far from over.
KM: Once it was safe for the rideout team to move throughout the building (probably about 3 a.m.),
CMA hurricane ride-out team
we did life checks on animals and noticed a lot of our fish systems and a lot of our pumps and filtration that were at ground level had been inundated by water, which meant we needed to act and react, not only here on the property, but with teams that were off-property. We needed to make sure we were ready and prepared for events that were to come in the future.
First and foremost were our fish systems that rely on the water chemistry so that they can sustain survival. Next, we took a look at our manatees and sea turtles. They themselves were not in imminent danger, but if they were in their environments for prolonged periods of time, our life support systems, which helped keep the water clean, those life support systems had been completely devastated.
So, it was important for us to be able to coordinate events and bring teams of people over the bridge when it was safe to move these animals into an environment where they would remain healthy.
ZooTampa took in manatees Yeti and Zamboni, and seven sea turtles were transported to a facility in Boca Raton, while repairs are made at CMA.
TBPM: Despite it all, it was still business as usual since animals still needed to be fed and cared for.
CN: I think we spent the entire day, four of us, cleaning the kitchen top to bottom, just so we could prep food for them that was at the very tippy top of the freezer that we were able to use, that was still cold enough.
TBPM: What was it like the next day as other team members began to return to recover and rebuild?
KM: It was a sobering moment, a somber attitude – a bit of a shock to those who came in, especially post-storm who hadn’t lived through it. We love this place. It is a home away from home for most of us. We are a family, and it was devasting to see the aquarium in such a state.
The resiliency kicked in. Our team is resilient and we can get through anything … really are inspired by our animal stories. If they can live through these tough events, so can we. We look forward to the future and, I think with the help of our community, we’ll get through this and we’ll come out on the other end brighter than before.
CN: I mean, one thing about tragedy is it really brings the community together, and it's just amazing to see not only the community that we've built as an aquarium but the community as an island, as Clearwater Beach, Tampa Bay as a whole. Everyone coming together to help, it’s just really great to see.
HOW you can Help
Support Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s hurricane recovery by visiting cmaquarium.org/hurricane.
Even as the CMA team worked to clean up and rebuild at the aquarium,
The HELPERS WERE Still Helping.
The animal rescue teams were still able to help during the three-week closure, taking part in a turtle rescue and helping relocate a manatee that was found beached near MacDill Air Force Base due to quickly receding waters after Hurricane Helene.
Aqua Lanterns is a magical experience, and while it’s beautiful to see during normal business hours during the day, it’s a whole different experience to see the 30 lantern displays and light tunnel at night. Tickets for the family-friendly after-hours event are $55 each, which includes after-hours admission to the aquarium’s exhibits. CMA members receive a 10% discount. Children 2 and younger are free.
Aqua Lanterns is being hosted Wednesday-Sunday evenings from 5:30-9:30 p.m. through Dec. 30. It is also open Nov. 25-27, Dec. 23 and Dec. 30.
Feeding Tampa Bay distributed more than 2.86 million meals in the three weeks around the time of landfall of Hurricanes Helene and Milton with the help of nearly 2,700 volunteers.
Tampa Bay's HELPERS Make a Difference a glimpse of hope:
The impacts of back-to-back Hurricanes Helene and Milton left an unprecedented impact on our community, flooding homes, schools and businesses. While the winds and water of the storms may have tried to rip apart our lives, the HELPERS stepped in to bring us back together as we began the journey to heal and rebuild. These images are just a tiny glimpse into the power of community.
HOPE after the Storms — Metropolitan Ministries responds to those affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton by serving more than 48,000 families and counting throughout the Tampa Bay area with hot meals, nights of shelter, food boxes and other essentials.
Thank you to the thousands of linemen from across the country who helped restore our power here in Tampa Bay and beyond!
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office conducted more than 250 water rescues following the hurricanes. HCSO also hosted a donation drive to collect supplies for hurricane victims and helped clear debris on roadways and properties across the county.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
HCPS employees opened 16 schools as storm shelters, providing refuge for nearly 15,000 evacuated residents during Hurricane Milton. Unfortunately, several other schools were impacted by severe flooding, but crews worked tirelessly to clean up and rebuild. Volunteers and staff also joined forces to help clean up campuses from debris and support students and families who were also impacted by flood waters.
ZooTampa employees moved animals to safety before the storms and worked around the clock to keep them safe. In fact, the National Weather Service recognized ZooTampa at Lowry Park as StormReady this year, making it the first non-theme park Zoo in Florida to receive this national designation.
PINELLAS COUNTY SCHOOLS
Mildred Helms Elementary teachers prepared care packages for teachers at Madeira Beach K-5, which was damaged due to storm surge from Hurricane Helene, as was Gulf Beaches Elementary. Students and staff from both of the damaged schools were welcomed back at their temporary school locations with open arms during a heartfelt first day back.
how you can help Scan to learn more about how to support local families and organizations in need.
FLORIDA AQUARIUM
The team at Florida Aquarium in downtown Tampa moved penguins, jellies, alligators and other animals to higher ground while those working at the Apollo Beach conservation campus moved thousands of corals to safer locations around the state and Georgia. The work didn't end there; after Milton's high winds damaged the roof of Tropicana Field, they moved seven cownose stingrays from Tropicana Field back to the Florida Aquarium.
PASCO COUNTY SCHOOLS
Students and staff held supply drives after the storms, and several schools served as shelters.
VISIT ST. PETE CLEARWATER
Visit St. Pete/Clearwater's #StillShining campaign highlights the resiliency of the community to rebuild and reopen. They tell us nearly 80% of the accommodations and restaurants/attractions were back open and ready to welcome guests within weeks after Hurricane Milton hit.
#FloridaStrong
ZOOTAMPA
Sheehy Elementary School in Tampa
CHANGE A LIFE FOR GOOD. FOSTER.
Hundreds of Hillsborough County children have suffered abuse and neglect.
They urgently need foster parents to provide a loving, temporary refuge. If you have ever felt called to help kids, then now is the time to take action.
Open your heart and home to make a lifelong difference for a child, teen, or group of siblings. Contact us today to change a life for good.
Calm After the Storm: How to Help Children Navigate Mental Health After a Hurricane
by Jennifer Katzenstein, PhD, ABPP, co-director of the Center for Behavioral Health at Johns Hopkins All
Experiencing back-to-back hurricanes can be very frightening, and the days following the storm can be extremely stressful. Most families recover over time, especially with the support of relatives, friends and their community. But each family is different, and how long it takes them to recover will depend on their experience riding out the hurricane, evacuation and the extent of damage and loss. The Center for Behavioral Health at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital has experts to help manage a child’s behavioral, emotional and mental health following a hurricane and is here to provide support, stability and reassurance.
10 tips to help your kids after a hurricane:
Maintain Routine
Re-establish normal daily routines for meals, bedtime and activities to provide a sense of stability and predictability. It is sometimes hard when there has been so much transition, but try to keep up with three meals a day, snacks and a routine bedtime and morning wake up time.
Open Communication
Spend time each day with your child, listening for 5-10 minutes. Encourage your child to express their feelings and fears. Listen to them without judgment and reassure them that their feelings are valid. Let them know that it's normal to feel scared, angry or sad after a disaster and that many people experience these feelings.
Limit Media Exposure
Reduce exposure to news coverage about the hurricane to avoid overwhelming or retraumatizing children. Avoid vivid videos and photos of hurricane destruction.
Stay AgeAppropriate
Use simple, honest explanations about what happened, and avoid unnecessary details that may cause additional fear.
Offer
Reassurance and Safety
Encourage Physical Activity
Get outside and involved in activities. Whenever possible, involve them in safe indoor and outdoor activities or exercise to help reduce stress and improve mood.
Address Sleep Concerns
If children have trouble sleeping, offer comfort items like a favorite toy or blanket and establish a soothing bedtime routine. Make sure to keep your child’s sleep and your sleep as strong as possible, as this is a protective factor for mental health concerns.
Recovery Activities
Model Calm Behavior
Children look to adults for cues on how to react. Stay calm and composed to help them feel secure. Model your own coping strategies, including seeking social support, and verbalize how you are feeling to model emotion identificatio and coping.
Monitor
Mental Health
Look out for signs of anxiety, withdrawal or aggression, which may indicate that a child needs more support. Reach out to your pediatrician or trusted counselor or psychologist if needed. If there is a mental health crisis or your child expresses self-harm or thoughts of suicide, please call 988, the Suicide Prevention Lifeline, or go to your local emergency room. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Reassure them that you will do everything you can to keep them safe and that people are working to restore normalcy. Develop a family safety plan so that they know what the plan is in the case of the next potential hurricane.
Allow children to help with simple tasks that make them feel useful, like organizing items or making small repairs.
Children’s Hospital
It’s a Team Effort: Turning Schools into Shelters
by Laura Cross
Angelia Thompson is the cafeteria manager at Shields Middle School in Ruskin, which was one of the first schools to be opened as a shelter during Hurricane Milton. Arriving at school at 6 a.m. on Monday, Thompson wouldn’t leave the school until 3 p.m. on Friday afternoon so that she could ensure everyone was taken care of.
“We always come together,” Thompson says. “In times of need, it’s a team effort, and you just gotta go with the flow.”
The principal of Shields Middle School says Thompson is one of the reasons the shelter runs so smoothly. “This is our fourth hurricane working together, and Angelia is incredible,” says Principal Deanna Fisher. “I’ve told her there’s no other cafeteria manager that I ever want to work with.”
When a school is opened as a shelter during a hurricane, our staff work hard before, during and after the storm.
Before the storm, teachers must prepare their classrooms to be living spaces for evacuees. This means moving all desks, tables and chairs to the side of the room, locking up all academic files, and, in many cases, leaving toys or crayons out so evacuees will feel welcome.
After the storm, it’s once again all hands-on deck. Teachers go back to their schools and return their rooms back to a nurturing environment, the way it was before the storm.
For those who work the shelters, the time during the storm is really the toughest. Anything can happen – as it did at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 8, the day Hurricane Milton hit the bay area.
“The power went out around 1:30 p.m., toward the end of lunch,” Thompson says. “We automatically started prepping dinner bags because the weather was getting bad.”
With no power, the staff at Shields had to feed 1,500 evacuees dinner in the middle of the storm. Thompson, her staff, her family and Principal Fisher started making more than a thousand dinner bags and placed them in large coolers. They then carried the large coolers up the stairs to the second floor and handed the food bags to the evacuees.
It was a labor of love – and the evacuees certainly appreciated it.
Principal Fisher credits Thompson with keeping the evacuees calm and happy.
“Here’s the thing: At a shelter with nearly 1,500 people, if we start panicking, they’re going to start panicking,” Fisher says. “And the one thing we have to do is keep them calm and fed. And we did that.”
And that’s the story at shelters across Hillsborough County.
Sixteen schools were opened as shelters. They housed 15,000 evacuees. Roughly 60,000 meals were served over the course of the hurricane.
Thompson says she loves her job and she loves helping out, whether it’s serving students during the day, or evacuees during a storm.
“I don’t really think I go above and beyond, because this is my job; this is what I signed up to do,” she says. “Especially for a shelter, it’s a great feeling. I will always work a shelter because I like knowing I helped our community.”
During the storm, a skeleton crew of school staff will be on hand 24/7 to assist the county with all needs. This often includes administrators, custodians and student nutrition workers. We always come together.
Aqua Lanterns
Dive into a sea of lights and wonder with Aqua Lanterns: a Chinese Festival of Lights at Clearwater Marine Aquarium. This luminous new after-hours experience, featuring dazzling lantern displays, Is now open Wednesday through Sunday evenings and other select dates through the holidays!
As the sun sets, the aquarium transforms into a glowing seascape, filled with stunning illuminated sculptures of whales, penguins, jellyfish and other sparkling sea creatures. Stroll through this mesmerizing marine world and discover over 30 beautifully crafted lantern displays next to the amazing real animals that will inspire you throughout the aquarium.
Learn more and buy tickets at AquaLanterns.com
Time to Kick Off the Holidays in Tampa Bay!
It’s almost time to pack up the pumpkins! Ready for some sparkling lights and snowflakes? The holiday season is on the horizon and there are several places around Tampa Bay that are kicking off their holiday events this month.
Opening Thanksgiving weekend—just in time to entertain your holiday guests!
Christmas Town at Busch Gardens
NOV. 15, 2024 – JAN. 5, 2025
Enjoy park-wide festive fun at this award-winning holiday event that features millions of twinkling lights and holiday cheer all around. Ride the Holly Jolly Express train, view the lights from the top of a roller coaster, visit Santa in his workshop, and even spend time with Rudolph and his friends from the classic holiday movie, “Rudolph the RedNosed Reindeer.”
Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park
NOV. 22, 2024 – JAN. 5, 2025
Ice skating among the palm trees and holiday lights in downtown is a must-do at Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park! But, there’s so much more than skating here. Stay and explore the village. Shop local businesses in the market, grab a snack and hot cocoa, take plenty of Instaworthy photos and more.
Gingerbread Village at Glazer Children’s Museum
OPENS NOV. 1
Gingerbread Village is the place to unleash your building skills throughout the holiday season. Craft your very own gingerbread house from recycled materials provided by the museum to add to the Gingerbread Village. It’s a maker's winter wonderland! While you’re there, be sure to impress your guests with a visit to Big John, the world’s largest real fossil triceratops, which is on display on the third floor (and included with admission).
Worth the Drive:
ICE! Featuring Elf at Gaylord Palms
NOV. 15, 2024-JAN. 5, 2025
Tampa Bay’s Festival of Lights & Santa’s Village DriveThru Lights at the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds
NOV. 28-DEC. 29
Tampa Bay’s Festival of Lights & Santa’s Village is undergoing a big upgrade for 2023 with an expanded 2-mile drive featuring more than one million lights, including new displays you haven’t seen before. Returning favorites include Santa’s Village, holiday-themed rides, a self-guided walking tour of Hometown Hillsborough Historical Village, fire pits for s'mores, camel rides and more! It’s $25 per car for up to eight people.
Holiday Lights & Carnival Rides at Largo Central Park
NOV. 28-DEC. 29
The annual family-friendly tradition at the 70-acre Largo Central Park will feature a spectacular holiday light display of over 2 million dazzling LED lights. Guests can also enjoy a stunning carousel and a seven-story Ferris wheel for a small fee.
Christmas in the Wild at ZooTampa
SELECT NIGHTS NOV. 29-DEC. 23
Enjoy one of Tampa’s largest light displays as the zoo transforms into a seasonal wonderland. This year’s promises to be bigger, better and brighter, but you are guaranteed to experience returning favorites like the Holiday Signature Animal Encounters, visits with Santa, Cookie Decorating with Mrs. Claus and MORE!
Holidays at LEGOLAND
SELECT DAYS NOV. 29-DEC. 31
Get ready to celebrate an awesome holiday season at LEGOLAND Resort. This bricktacular event features unforgettable seasonal shows, event-exclusive LEGO holiday characters, sweet treats and special activities. Light displays will twinkle throughout the park, and a giant LEGO Christmas tree is sure to mesmerize guests with its 360-degree light show. From Dec. 26-31, you can also ring in 2025 with their Kids’ New Year’s Eve festivities.
YuleTides at The Florida Aquarium
NOV. 29, 2024-JAN. 5, 2025
The Florida Aquarium is excited to introduce an all-new holiday experience for 2024: YuleTides at The Florida Aquarium. Guests are invited to dive into the magic of the season with the immersive event that brings coastal holiday traditions to life. YuleTides is included with general admission and runs from Nov. 29 through Jan. 5 (excluding Dec. 25 and Jan. 1) with special events and activations every weekend. For more details, visit FLaquarium.org/YuleTides.
There are holiday activities here morning, noon and night. Plus, ICE! returns this holiday season featuring Elf! Step into a wonderland carved by expert artisans out of two million pounds of colorful ice. The story of Buddy the Elf will envelop you in larger-than-life sculptures.
Celebrate the Holidays in Brick-tastic Style at LEGOLAND® Florida Resort
by Stephanie Bechara
The holidays are just around the corner, and there's no better place to celebrate the season than at LEGOLAND® Florida Resort! Whether you're a fan of dazzling lights or festive treats or just looking for the ultimate kid-friendly experience, Holidays at LEGOLAND® presented by Hallmark Channel returns on select dates from Nov. 29 to Dec. 31. Want a taste of the season with a bricktastic twist? Let’s sled into the celebration!
Meet
LEGO Santa and Savor the Season!
Stop by the North Pole Postal Service to write a special letter to LEGO® Santa and watch it fly directly to the North Pole! It’s not a true holiday celebration without the chance to meet LEGO Santa’s festive LEGO crew, including LEGO Holiday Elf, Snowman, Nutcracker, Gingerbread Man and more across the park. Don’t forget that you will be able to add some extra flavor to your holidays with limited-time food and drink offerings that are sure to land on the nice list! Whether you’re in the mood for something sweet or savory, the holiday treats are guaranteed to bring some extra cheer to your visit.
Brand-New LEGO Christmas Tree: A Holiday Marvel
This year, LEGOLAND Florida Resort is unveiling a holiday centerpiece like no other: a brand-new LEGO Christmas Tree, a sight that will dazzle your eyes! Built from an astonishing 365,000 LEGO and DUPLO® bricks, this massive tree towers at 30 feet tall and weighs more than 10,000 pounds! At the very top of the tree shines a beautiful LEGO Star, crafted from over 5,000 pieces and tipping the scales at about 175 pounds. This incredible holiday display took a team of Master Builders an estimated 2,800 hours to put together. It’s a must-see for families and LEGO enthusiasts alike, adding an extra sparkle to the holiday festivities!
Cozy Up for the Holidays
#BuildToGive
LEGOLAND Florida Resort is inviting all guests to join a special mission to bring the power of play to children in need. Here’s how it works: Head to the park and build a heart out of LEGO bricks at the Build to Give Workshop. Use any shape, size or color that comes to mind, because when it’s built with love, it’s perfect! For each heart built in the Build to Give Workshop at the park and shared on social media with a photo in front of the festive backdrop using #BuildToGive, a LEGO set will be donated to a child who could use a little extra joy this season. It’s a simple and heartwarming way to make the holidays brighter for kids who need it most!
Kids' New Year's Eve: The Ultimate Countdown Party
Now, let’s talk about LEGOLAND Florida’s Kids' New Year's Eve, running every night from Dec. 26 to 31! During these dates you can partake in a DJ dance party and enjoy a jaw-dropping fireworks display over Lake Eloise. The fireworks explode into LEGO bricks in the night sky with very special viewing glasses! LEGOLAND Florida Resort does things a bit differently on Dec. 31, with a special Brick-drop countdown for families to celebrate the New Year at a kid-friendly hour. This New Year’s Eve experience is tailor-made for kids and wraps up just in time for your little ones to head home and get a good night’s rest.
This event is included with general park admission and LEGOLAND Florida Resort Annual Passes. However, for the ultimate holiday experience, it is highly recommended to extend your visit by staying overnight in one of LEGOLAND Florida Resort’s themed hotels. LEGOLAND’s vacation packages are designed to immerse you in the holiday spirit while ensuring your family will have the best time ever!
Nov. 15 – Jan. 5
Unwrap a Winter Wonderland
Holidays shine brighter at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Make new memories with your family while you enjoy dazzling light displays, holiday-inspired treats, photo opportunities with your favorite festive friends, family-friendly rides, shows and more!
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Christmas Town, the area’s biggest and brightest holiday celebration, returns daily from Nov. 15 through Jan. 5.
• Busch Gardens Tampa Bay transforms into a winter wonderland of seasonal entertainment, unique and up-close encounters with animals, culinary masterpieces, and attractions such as the all-new Phoenix Rising and the award-winning hybrid coaster, Iron Gwazi.
• Iconic and beloved entertainment options will take over the entire park and will be available every day of the event, all included with regular park admission, Fun Card or Annual Pass.
What's new
All new this year, guests can celebrate the season with new light-up orb and confetti style pop-up trees that will take over the Jungala area, and visit the new Blizzard Penguin light-up photo op on the Penguin Point Pathway. At nighttime, soar above the Serengeti Plain in the newly lit Skyride Gondolas presented by Coca-Cola. And while you’re visiting the park, be on the lookout for our new stilt walker, Ms. Mistletoe, all throughout the holiday season!
Festive, Heartwarming Seasonal Menus
From delightful mealtime moments to delectable food samples, Christmas Town offers an abundance of festive flavors to satisfy the holiday cravings. Guests can immerse themselves in a seasonal culinary journey throughout the entire park, with returning favorites such as the Open-Faced Holiday Smoked Turkey Sandwich and Smoked Gouda Mac & Cheese, plus newly reinvented dishes like Braised Short Rib, Vegetable Lasagna Rolls, a Holiday Sundae Bowl and even Mistletoe Margaritas! There’s even a dedicated Hot Cocoa Cabin featuring fun options to choose from.
Returning Favorites
Celebrating the holidays for over a decade, Christmas Town returns with fan favorites that guests hold near and dear. Santa’s North Pole Experience, presented by Coca-Cola, is a unique experience where jolly elves interact with guests as they guide them to see Santa in his workshop. Also returning is Storytime with Mrs. Claus and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Friends at Rudolph’s Winter Wonderland, where guests get to meet and greet the most famous reindeer of all.
Other returning entertainment options are:
Christmas on Ice
Back by popular demand, this energetic and mesmerizing seasonal show opens for multiple showtimes at the Moroccan Palace Nov. 15.
See amazing thrills on ice and moments of wonder as talented skaters perform to traditional and popular Christmas songs.
Elmo’s Christmas Wish Families are sure to have a jolly good time as they help Elmo realize his Christmas wish! Sing along during this festive show featuring appearances by Elmo, Cookie Monster, Rosita, Grover and Zoe. This show opens Nov. 8 in the Sesame Street Safari of Fun area of the park.
Three Kings Journey
The famed journey of the three wise men to Bethlehem is celebrated in this inspiring musical tale during select nights at the Dragon Fire Grill opening Nov. 22.
Holiday in the Sky, a Nighttime Spectacular
The evening sky comes to life with a colorful display of festive fireworks choreographed to a soundtrack of classic holiday tunes. This fireworks display will take place on the Festival Field on select event nights.
Busch Gardens Holiday Magic
This captivating magic show celebrates the wonder of the season in a whole new way starting Nov. 18.
Holly Jolly Express
The jolliest and brightest train will transport guests into the celebration as it loops around the park. While on their journey, guests are encouraged to sing along to favorite songs of the season. All aboard for Christmas Cheer!
Character Appearances
Guests will not want to miss the chance to capture memorable photos with special seasonal characters located throughout the park including princesses, lovable snowmen and many more!
Election Day Books Kids Will Love
The General Election is on Nov. 5, 2024. Don't forget to exercise your right to vote and take the kids to the polls with you if you can! And then check out some of these books to teach kids about the power of voting!
LILLIAN’S RIGHT TO VOTE
By Jonah Winter
Illustrated by Shane W. Evans
As Lillian, a 100-year-old AfricanAmerican woman, makes a "long haul up a steep hill" to her polling place, she sees more than trees and sky – she sees her family's history. She sees the passage of the Fifteenth Amendment and her great-grandparents voting for the first time. She sees her parents try to register to vote. And she sees herself marching in a protest from Selma to Montgomery.
BEN YOKOYAMA AND THE COOKIE WAR
By Matthew Swanson
Illustrated by Robbi Behr
Two best friends are pushed to the breaking point when a class election gets out of hand! Rivalry and ridiculousness abound in this delicious, zanilyillustrated adventure for readers who love Wimpy Kid and Dog Man.
LEO’S FIRST VOTE
By Christina Soontornvat
Illustrated by Isabel
Roxas
Leo's dad is voting in his first election as a naturalized US citizen, and he promises to take Leo to the polls with him. Leo can't wait! But, after his cousin Ray casts doubt on the importance of a single vote, it'll take Leo's class mock election results, as well as a talk with his dad to convince him that each and every vote matters. Also available in Spanish as ¡El primer voto de Leo!
HISTORY SMASHERS: WOMEN’S RIGHT TO VOTE
By Kate Messner Illustrated by Dylan Meconis
In 1920, Susan B. Anthony passed a law that gave voting rights to women in the United States. RIGHT? WRONG!
Susan B. Anthony wasn't even alive when the Nineteenth Amendment was ratified. Plus, it takes a lot more than one person to amend the constitution. The truth is, it took millions of women to get that amendment into law. They marched! They picketed! They even went to jail. But in the end, it all came down to a letter from a state representative's mom. No joke.
ONE VOTE, TWO VOTE, I VOTE, YOU VOTE
By Bonnie Worth
Illustrated by Aristides Ruiz and Joe Mathieu
Laugh and learn with fun facts about voting, the history of democracy in America, and more – all told in Dr. Seuss’s beloved rhyming style and starring The Cat in the Hat!
IF I HAD YOUR VOTE –BY THE CAT IN THE HAT
Think politics is boring for kids? Think again! If the Cat in the Hat is elected president, life in the White House is about to get a lot more interesting – and funny! The Cat plans to shake things up. On his agenda: To change the shape of the Oval Office (to make it far more OVAL-ER-ER); to replant the Rose Garden with Seussian shrubbery; to paint smiles on portraits of frowning world leaders; and (among other things) to shoot a SOCK-IT rocket into space to shower the United States with an explosion of socks!
SEPTEMBER 21JANUARY 5
Step into the World of The Questioneers!
...where everyone can be a Scientist like Ada, an Engineer like Rosie, an Architect like Iggy, a Leader like Sofia, and an Artist like Aaron.
LOCALLY BY
Travel Boredom? Not with a Library Card!
by Sam Scaglione, Librarian at Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library
SCAN HERE
For a list of familyfriendly digital audiobooks that both you and your children can enjoy while travelling.
The American Automobile Association states that over 50 million people will travel 50 miles or more around the Thanksgiving holiday. If you and your family plan to be among that number this year, you’d better stock up on your boredom busters. Fortunately, the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library specializes in free family road-trip entertainment!
In addition to the physical books and DVDs you can check out, the library has digital audiobooks. Audiobooks are a fantastic en-route option that everybody in the car can share and enjoy. The library has two free audiobook apps comparable to those for which you usually pay a monthly subscription fee. They are called Libby, By Overdrive, and Hoopla Digital and are available in your App Store.
Libby is where you can enjoy Ebooks, audiobooks and magazines from your public library. You can stream titles with Wi-Fi or mobile data or download them for offline use and read them anytime, anywhere.
Hoopla provides an enormous selection of digital videos, music, audiobooks, Ebooks and comics. With Hoopla, you can borrow the content you want immediately – no waiting for a digital copy to become available.
Need help figuring out where to start with Libby and Hoopla? Scan the QR code to see a list of family-friendly titles that you and your children can enjoy while traveling.
Maybe you’ll rediscover a classic like “Charlotte’s Web” by E. B. White or “Matilda” by Roald Dahl. Perhaps you’ll enjoy something newer like “How I Became a Spy” by Deborah Hopkinson or “The One and Only Ivan” by Katherine Applegate. Or maybe you’ll check out one of my favorites and listen to “The Bad Beginning” by Lemony Snicket or “Gregor the Overlander” by Suzanne Collins. The choice is yours, and there isn’t a bad one!
After utilizing your library card while on the go this holiday season, connect with us by tagging the library @TampaHillsLib or using #tampahillslib. We can’t wait to make some holiday memories with you and your family!
A Tradition of Gratitude
by Karimah Henry, @CraftingaFunLife
Are you thinking about starting a new tradition for Thanksgiving? This thankful tree is a creative way to spend time with your family while discussing gratitude this holiday season.
SUPPLIES
• Vase
• Small tree branch or branches
• Cardstock (fall colors)
• Twine or yarn
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Marker (black, white or metallic)
• Hole punch
• Vase fillers (optional)
• Die-cutting machine (optional)
• Battery powered fairy lights (optional)
DIRECTIONS
1. First, use a pencil to draw leaf shapes on fall colored cardstock. Use scissors to cut out the leaves. If you have a diecutting machine, use it to cut out at least 3 different leaf shapes.
2. Next, punch a hole in each of the leaves. Thread a piece of twine or yarn through the hole, and tie it into a loop.
3. Invite your family to write what they are thankful for on a few leaves. They can use a black, white or metallic marker.
4. Finally, place the tree branch into the vase, and then hang the leaves on the branch. You can add acorns, pebbles or any other vase filler to the bottom of the vase to hold the tree branch in place. If you want to add a magical touch to your thankful tree, decorate it with battery operated fairy lights.
Here are some prompts your family can use when discussing gratitude this Thanksgiving:
• Who made you laugh or smile today?
• What’s a cool skill you’re thankful you have? (Whistling? Singing?)
• What item are you most thankful you own?
• What’s one kind thing someone did for you recently?
• What’s your favorite thing about being a member of our family?
• What’s the most delicious thing you’ve eaten today?
• What place are you thankful you visited this year? (You can focus on something local.)
• What’s the best thing that happened to you this year?
SPONSORED BY:
Let’s spread some holiday cheer! Pre-show activities start at 4:30PM. Bring the family to enjoy sweet treats, arts and crafts, caroling and photos with Santa!
SUN • DEC 8 • 6PM
How to Volunteer as a Family in Tampa Bay
by Brie Gorecki
Feeding Tampa Bay
Perfect for all ages
Help Feeding Tampa Bay reach its goal of a Hunger-Free Tampa Bay by 2025. Did you know kids as young as 5 years old can volunteer at Feeding Tampa Bay with their parents? It’s a wonderful way for children to actively give back to those in our community while learning at the same time. Sorting foods into bins, for example, is a great time to talk about different vegetables and foods while practicing their reading skills.
This past May, Feeding Tampa Bay moved into a brand-new 215,000-square-foot warehouse, which allows for four times as much cold and freezer storage space. There is also a new volunteer space, community pantry, 11,000 square-foot-kitchen, and more.
Family Night is a popular volunteering event that happens once a month and often books up fast. It’s geared for kids of all ages to volunteer with their parents in the warehouse while taking part in fun activities while they’re there.
Sign up for volunteering events at feedingtampabay.org.
Metropolitan Ministries
Perfect for ages 8 and older
The Holiday Tent is a popular volunteer spot for families with kids ages 8 and older. There is one tent in Tampa and two in Pasco County. Duties include helping to sort donations that come in and even helping families shop the tent.
Metropolitan Ministries anticipates serving more than 37,000 families this holiday season with meals and toys, which means they need thousands of volunteers this holiday season alone. There are 15 volunteer sites throughout Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties, including the Holiday Tents.
If your little ones aren’t old enough to volunteer in the Holiday Tent, consider taking them on a shopping trip to pick up food and toys and then drop off donations at the Tent closest to you. It’s a fun experience and the kids get to see all the volunteers in action to show they truly are making a difference. metromin.org
Each November, we share our annual guide on ways you can give back as a family in Tampa Bay. This year, more than ever, many people and places around Tampa Bay need extra support in the wake of back-to-back hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Volunteering as a family is a great way to get everyone involved, not only during the holidays but year-round. Lucky for us, plenty of local organizations make it easy for you and the kids to volunteer your time together.
Meals on Wheels Tampa Perfect for all ages
Meals on Wheels provides hot, healthy meals to homebound and senior members of the community who live independently in their own homes. The Produce on Wheels (POW!) program delivers fresh, healthy produce free of charge on the third Saturday of every month. Meals on Wheels also provides hurricane preparedness packs, cards and baked goods on Thanksgiving morning between 9:30-11 a.m., and holiday gift bags of books, games, snacks, juice and toiletries the third Saturday in December.
Meals on Wheels has also partnered with The Humane Society of Tampa Bay to deliver free bags of pet food through their Animeals program. Although drivers must be 18 and older, children of any age can tag along to deliver meals, produce, pet food and gifts. mowtampa.org
Humane Society of Tampa Bay Perfect for ages 5 and up
The Paws for Literacy program allows children ages 5-12 to read to animals after school. Children under 16 can volunteer with a parent or guardian to walk dogs, play with cats and clean kennels. The Teen Program for ages 12-15 allows kids to earn 20 hours of volunteer work by working with animals and assisting with the Humane Education program. Volunteers in the Teen Program do not need to have a parent or guardian present.
Donations such as towels, pet food and cleaning supplies are also always welcomed. Humane Society has a special Pet Pantry where those in need are able to come pick up food and supplies at no charge. It’s normally open twice a week, though they sometimes have to open up on additional days due to natural disasters and during the holidays. humanesocietytampa.org
Scan here for even MORE ways to volunteer and give back in Tampa Bay!
You can watch Maggie & the Moms LIVE on Daytime on WFLA News Channel 8 on Mondays at 10 a.m.
A Conversation for Moms
The chat continues in the Maggie and the Moms Podcast!
The popular TV parenting segment, “Maggie and the Moms,” is expanding! In addition to the weekly moms panel discussion Mondays at 10 a.m. on WFLA’s lifestyle show, “Daytime,” the Maggie and the Moms Podcast is now streaming live on Thursdays at 12:30 p.m.
TBPM: Congratulations, Maggie!
MR: Thank you. I’m so excited! I love our ‘mom chats’ on “Daytime,” but because of the time constraints of a TV show, we often have to cut them short, even when there’s more to say. The podcast gives us the freedom to continue the conversation. We’ve also been deliberate in creating an intimate setting in the WFLA Streaming Center so that it’s conducive to open, honest and comfortable conversations.
TBPM: What can we expect form the podcast?
MR: We’re keeping the same mission and motto: to celebrate, but never sugarcoat parenting, so we’ll keep sharing the good, the bad and the ugly of parenting. Over the years, I’ve learned that, as moms,
we all share the same joys and struggles, and we can learn so much from each other. But we also go beyond parenting in the podcast. Being a mom is only part of our identity, so we also talk about issues that affect us as women.
TBPM: Who are your guests?
MR: The moms from our “Daytime” panel, so a diverse group – each of them insightful women of all ages and backgrounds, in all stages of parenting: professionals, celebrities, stay-at-home moms, single moms, grandmothers. We talk about anything and everything. We cry if we want to, laugh if we want to and have a ton of fun together!
Stream the Maggie and the Moms Podcast live Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. and ondemand anytime on Facebook, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and WFLA.com.
Moms to Know
Corina Kowalski
by Julie Tingley, founder of @weemacree Bubbles & Blowouts @bubblesandblowouts
In a month of giving and gathering, I am proud to highlight a local mother who pours into our Tampa Bay community, her hard-working team and every person that walks through the doors of Bubbles & Blowouts – not just because it’s good business, but because she believes that giving back and creating community are what we are all meant to do. With a heart of gold, an abundance of gratitude and a kid-friendly sanctuary with all the girly glamour we could ever want, Corina Kowalski is a mother who is an honor to know.
TBPM: How did you come to open a salon in South Tampa?
CK: I was born and raised in Sarasota and moved to South Tampa after meeting my husband in 2016. Like all women, I love to feel beautiful. I always enjoyed getting my hair blown out, but I found that the products that other places were using weren’t right for my hair, and I couldn’t bring my son to these places. After years of dreaming about it, I decided that I could create something that would offer different products for different hair types and also make space so that children felt welcomed while their moms got treated. With a background in medical sales for 12 years, I had never owned a business, but I knew that my idea was different, and I was excited to offer a unique experience for women in Tampa.
TBPM: Describe your proudest moment as a business owner.
CK: Establishing a business was a major milestone, but finding the team I have now – that are like family – makes me proud every single day. Some of my favorite moments as a business owner have included being a small part of someone else’s special day. From hosting birthday parties or baby showers to getting a woman ready for a bridal shower or gala event, those days are unforgettable. Our relationships with the community and our clients are what we truly treasure most. It makes us feel like we are doing something right in the experience we provide when we build trusted connections and lasting friendships.
TBPM: How does Bubbles & Blowouts represent you as a mother of two boys?
CK: As a mother of two boys, our workplace culture is built around family. It comes first always for my staff and me too. Bubbles & Blowouts as a business allows me to be the mom I want to be so that I never miss time with my sons. Bubbles & Blowouts as a space also represents me as a mom because we have created something that is welcoming for a mother-child experience. In fact, you may see me holding a client’s baby or changing diapers when you come in! This culture is truly what sets us apart.
TBPM: Tell us about your sons and how you stay so involved in their activities while also remaining committed to your team and clients.
CK: My younger son, Liam, is 13 years old and an avid football player. He is in middle school in South Tampa. He’s a great kid with a competitive
fiery spirit, but also very compassionate and kind. My oldest is Gavin. He is a very outgoing 15-year-old freshman high school football player who is also passionate about history. Gavin is calm and confident. I’m able to attend their games, volunteer at school, chaperone field trips, get to know their teachers and friends and also help my husband run his business as an expert witness, neurosurgeon and mechanical engineer all because of my incredible team. My manager, Kelsey Whitt, has been with us for two years and is a wonderful leader.
TBPM: November is a month focused on giving and gratitude. You have always been deeply involved in supporting the community. What causes are you most passionate about, and what inspires you to give?
CK: I was raised by a single mother who worked so hard and yet still remained so involved with at-risk populations. She still is! She’s a huge inspiration for me. I have people in my life that suffer from mental illness that I have taken care of (as a guardian). It’s something that I want to do. My husband is also very charitable, so now giving back is what we do together, and I feel like it’s why we are all here: to take care of one another. I am most passionate about causes that focus on children. Some of my favorite organizations are: Mary Lee House, Children’s Cancer Center, Wee Macree, Metropolitan Ministries, Humane Society, Redefining Refuge, Coastal Recovery in Sarasota, local sports teams and local schools.
TBPM: What do you love to do most with your boys in Tampa Bay?
CK: We love to be outside together! We ride bikes on Bayshore, throw the football, go fishing, visit area museums and go out to eat and experience new cuisines together! We are so lucky to live in a place with such beautiful weather.
photo credit Andi Diamond Photography
Streaming Free November 14 on the PBS KIDS Video App
Jacob Ari Kamis Kids to Know:
by Julie Tingley, founder of @weemacree
From the pride that filled Jacob Kamis as a toddler when he wore his very first suit and the excitement that grew with a perfectly rising cake that he baked in the oven to the vast sense of freedom that surrounded him when he flew a plane, Jacob lived in awe of the world’s wonder and beauty. With adoring parents that supported his dreams and encouraged his creative brilliance, Jacob’s meaningful legacy endures through a student photography contest that honors self-expression and advocates for mental health awareness. His mother, Katherine Alano, and father, Jeffrey Kamis, share more about their son and how a partnership with Hillel Academy Tampa and Florida Museum of Photographic Arts honors his memory.
TBPM: Tell us about Jacob and the person he was.
JK: Even as Jacob fought his illness, he was always focused on taking care of others. If you were having a tough day, he was ready with a hug or words of encouragement. Jacob made a connection with everyone he met, from toddlers to senior citizens. He made everyone feel like they were the most important person, and he loved listening to and learning from everyone he met.
TBPM: At just 16, Jacob demonstrated skills far beyond his age. Please describe his passion for baking and flying, and what he did with these unique talents.
KA: I like to say that Jacob was an old soul. At the age of 3, I bought him his first suit, and he wore the suit jacket everywhere we went. He loved looking like “James Bond.” Jacob later developed a passion for baking when he took interest in baking Christmas cookies with me that we packaged and gave as gifts to our neighbors. He later found a YouTube channel called “The Preppy Kitchen.” That’s when he really evolved into a great baker.
He followed the videos and made the most amazing cakes, cookies and breads. He baked cakes for all of us on our birthdays.
JK: When Jacob turned 13, he expressed interest in being a pilot. We found a local flight school in Atlas Aviation where he took lessons, and his excellent skills in the air had him on a path to earning his private pilot's license. He told us that one of the reasons he loved flying was because when he was up in the sky, there was nothing else around and he felt freedom.
TBPM: Jacob also loved photography and had an exceptional point of view. How did you first discover how gifted he was behind a camera?
KA: Jacob’s gift for photography came very naturally. As soon as he picked up a camera, a Canon EOS Rebel T6, he was taking the most incredible photos. He just had an eye for beauty, and regardless of what the subject was, Jacob made it beautiful. That’s how I came up with the theme for our first photography contest, “Through Their Lens,” because every time I look at Jacob’s photos, I feel as if I’m looking at them through his eyes.
TBPM: Channeling his photography interest, you have developed incredible programming in his memory. Please share what this is.
KA: In honor of Jacob's passion for photography and his deep compassion for others, we have channeled his artistic spirit into programming that supports youth mental health and crisis intervention. One of the central initiatives of the Jacob Kamis Memorial Foundation is a photography program that
encourages young people to use creative expression as a form of healing. Just as photography allowed Jacob to capture the beauty in the world, this program helps children and teens express their emotions, reflect on their personal journeys and find solace through art. It's more than just a creative outlet; it's a means of self-exploration and emotional resilience. Through exhibitions and workshops, the program also raises awareness about mental health challenges and encourages openness and dialogue in the community.
TBPM: What is the best way to honor his legacy and everything he cared about today?
KA: By continuing the work that reflects his compassionate heart and his creative spirit. It’s about supporting young people who, like Jacob, may be silently struggling and giving them the tools, resources and outlets to express themselves and seek help when they need it. His legacy lives on through every life that’s touched by the foundation’s efforts, every photograph taken by a young person in the program, and every family that finds hope and healing through the resources we provide.
JK: In his honor, we're dedicated to helping others so that no other family has to endure the pain of losing someone so dear. Jacob's light continues to shine through the lives he touched and through the work we do in his name.
The contest, themed "Through their Lens: A Journey of Self-Exploration," is open to all sixth through 12th graders in the Tampa Bay area, with entries now being accepted through Jan. 10, 2025. Students can enter the contest and find out more information at HillelAcademyTampa.com/PhotographyContest.
photobyJeffrey
Kamis
Conquering Kilimanjaro: A Father’s Journey to the Roof of Africa
by Tara Payor, Ph.D.
Mount Kilimanjaro, located in Tanzania, Africa, and one of the Seven Summits, captured Preston Rudie’s attention during his childhood. Now a father and husband, Preston committed to the challenge of climbing Kili and reached the summit on Sept. 22, 2023. Founder and CEO of Catalyst Communication Group, Preston documented his journey with an iPhone camera and a drone. The footage, now a 30-minute documentary, “Conquering Kili,” captures Preston’s lifechanging expedition. The journey was personal, inspired by family, and a testament to pushing one’s limits.
TBPM: What motivated your climb up Mount Kilimanjaro?
PR: Creating work-life balance and setting an example for my daughter, London. As a communications consultant, I work long hours, and I wanted to do something that allowed me to step back and focus on myself and my family. Preparing forced me to set time boundaries on work so that I could train physically and be fully present as a parent and husband. The other key reason was showing our daughter that, with determination and effort, you can achieve great things. Remaining intent on my goals, I accomplished something that I probably could not have done earlier in my life.
TBPM: What was your family’s reaction when you told them your plan to climb Kilimanjaro?
PR: My wife asked if my life insurance was up to date. There were initial, serious concerns about safety. It didn’t help that I was going to be gone for 19 days with minimal contact. The climb itself was nine days, and there was no communication except for a 60-second call with my wife, Veronica, during that time. That was tough. While London was initially scared that something bad might happen, I reassured her all would be fine. In the end, Veronica supported me 110%, understanding that the experience interested me since childhood. We previously planned on making the journey together, but the pandemic derailed those plans.
TBPM: Did you go on the journey alone?
PR: I planned on going alone, but three weeks before I left, a friend and one of his employees decided to join me. We didn’t all summit together because they faced some health issues, but we all supported each other throughout the journey. There are significant physical threats to the climb, and things like pulmonary edema can prove deadly.
I did my research and chose a company called Kiliwarrior Expeditions. With them, I completed the Lemosho Western-Breach Route. There were nine people in our group, along with an amazing team of porters and guides – about 70 people in total. It's like a city continuously moving because porters carry food, tents and gear. I carried my own day pack, which includes things like a sleeping bag and clothing.
TBPM: How did you prepare physically and mentally for the climb?
PR: I joined a gym, and about three months before the climb, I ramped up my workouts – going three to four times a week. Working out in the mornings helped immensely with consistency. When I didn’t work out at the gym, I walked three to four miles with my day pack so that my body acclimated to carrying the weight. I started tracking my water intake and making better nutritional choices.
Mentally, I watched every video I could find on the route I was taking so I knew what to expect. I was determined to succeed, despite pulling a muscle shortly before the trip. I understood the importance of mindset and repeatedly told myself that stopping and not summiting wasn’t an option.
TBPM: What was the most surprising aspect of the climb?
PR: How manageable it felt. Though physically challenging, I had prepared. I also took the trek over nine days, allowing my body to acclimate to the altitude, which was key. Going from sea level in Florida to 50% less oxygen at the top of Kilimanjaro takes significant adjustment. Many people try summiting in five to seven days, but I’m grateful I was able to take my time. The change in oxygen also disrupts sleep patterns, which isn’t discussed much. I averaged four hours of sleep a night. I drank four-plus liters of water a day and consumed as much food as possible.
TBPM: Did you find time for self-reflection during the climb?
PR: Without technology – no phone, no internet – you’re left alone with your thoughts. Each night in my tent, I had time to reflect on my relationship with God, my family and the things that really matter in life. Maybe some people aren’t looking to climb or hike, but finding ways to break free from the distractions of daily life and being in nature is healthy. As soon as cell service stopped, I didn’t think about work. Disconnecting and focusing on the present was cathartic and liberating.
TBPM: Was there a particular moment during the climb that stood out?
PR: The moment I reached the summit was unforgettable. It was complete joy, mixed with a sense of wishing I could share it with my loved ones. I had handwritten notes from friends and a photo of Veronica and London in my backpack. I thought about them as I took in the view. You’re literally above the clouds. It’s just an incredible feeling.
TBPM: What advice would you give to someone considering a similar adventure?
PR: Take time for yourself and disconnect. Whether it’s a hike or just a daily walk without your phone, it’s important to step back from the noise of life. Also, do your research and prepare well physically. It’s a mental and physical challenge, but the reward is worth every bit of effort.
2331 Collier Parkway, Land O’ Lakes, 34639 813-909-7919; academyatthelakes.org
Academy at the Lakes is a Prek312th grade independent school dedicated to the success of each individual at school, in the community and in the world. We celebrate the love of learning and the joy in the journey. Students have countless opportunities to lead and to serve, to speak and to be heard, to make a difference, and to feel and be important. Our inclusive school culture comes from our genuine commitment to forming meaningful relationships with each student and each family.
Total Enrollment: 545
Class Size: 16
Grades Offered: PreK3- grade 12
Tuition Range: $18,600-$29,300
Berkeley Preparatory School
4811 Kelly Road, Tampa 33615 813-885-1673; berkeleyprep.org
Berkeley Preparatory School is a coed, independent, Episcopal day school in Tampa that serves students in PreK through 12th grade. Berkeley provides a safe, nurturing environment featuring inspiring teaching, engaged parents and alumni, and outstanding resources, including incomparable facilities on a beautiful 86-acre campus.
Total Enrollment: 1,430
Class Size: Varies by grade level
Grades Offered: PreK-grade 12
Tuition Range: $22,170-$33,970
Canterbury School
1200 Snell Isle Blvd. NE, St. Petersburg 33704
727-525-1419; canterburyflorida.org
Founded in 1968, Canterbury School of Florida is a college preparatory, independent Episcopal day school that educates and nurtures the whole child in mind, body, and spirit in preparation for an honorable life as a responsible steward of our world. We are committed to graduating young adults who are models of integrity and respect for differences. Canterbury emphasizes academic, character education, community, and spirituality and encourages our students to demonstrate leadership and self-discipline by approaching each day with enthusiasm and purpose and viewing the world with empathy, humility, and compassion.
Total Enrollment: 448
Class Size: Varies by grade Grades Offered: PreK3-grade 12
Tuition Range: $7,590-$26,825
Corbett Preparatory School of IDS
12015 Orange Grove Drive, Tampa 33618
813-961-3087; corbettprep.com
Founded 56 years ago, Corbett Prep offers the International Baccalaureate curriculum for all PreK3-8th grade students. Highly trained Corbett Prep teachers use research-based teaching strategies and cooperative learning structures to create hands-on learning experiences that are engaging for all learners. Visual and performing arts, team sports, a STEAM-inspired lab, a social-emotional learning curriculum, and robust after-school programs align to develop confident, creative, innovative thinkers ready to contribute to the world in a meaningful way. Located on a beautiful 15-acre campus, Corbett Prep provides bus service to students from all over the Tampa Bay area.
Total Enrollment: 580
Class Size: Varies by grade level
Grades Offered: PreK3-grade 8
Tuition Range: $15,145-$20,265
The Tampa Bay area is lucky to have such a wealth of incredible private, charter and magnet education options that make it easy to find the perfect school for your child.
Hillel Academy
2020 W. Fletcher Ave., Tampa 33612 813-963-2242; hillelacademytampa.com
Hillel Academy is a vibrant Jewish day school emphasizing individualized education, ensuring each student excels academically, socially, and spiritually. Our comprehensive academic program is complemented by a strong commitment to Israel and the development of lifelong learners. We integrate Jewish and worldly art, music, PE, technology, and languages into our curriculum, preparing students for success beyond the classroom. We nurture confidence, kindness, and respect, fostering a deep commitment to the Jewish people and Israel. Through a collaborative community, we empower students to become ethical leaders, ready to contribute meaningfully to the world.
Total Enrollment: 200
Class Size: 10-18
Grades Offered: Age 1-grade 10
Tuition Range: $5,300-$20,450
Shorecrest Preparatory School
5101 1st St. NE, St. Petersburg 33703 727-522-2111; shorecrest.org
Founded in 1923, Shorecrest is continually on the leading edge of innovation in education and is known for its student-centered approach to teaching and learning, earning the school its Apple Distinguished School recognition since 2016. Signature programs include: the Center for Medical Sciences, the Global Scholars Initiative, the STEAM Certificate Program, and the Ross Roeder Institute for Financial Literacy, Entrepreneurship and Economics. Students enjoy a nationally-recognized performing and visual arts program, competitive Athletics, opportunities for engaged service learning, and the best-fit college placement in the region.
Total Enrollment: 1,020
Class Size: 16
Grades Offered: PreK3- grade 12
Tuition Range: $21,420-33,890
St. John’s Episcopal Parish Day School
240 S. Plant Ave., Tampa 33606 813-849-4200; stjohnseagles.org
Distinguished by more than 70 years of demonstrated success, St. John’s Episcopal School prepares children for lives of learning and service. Located in the heart of Tampa, St. John’s delivers an unparalleled, values-driven, progressive education for children in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. Hard work, faith, respect, honesty and a commitment to excellence allow our graduates to thrive in high school, college and beyond. A feeling of positive energy, inclusiveness, optimism, respect and kindness permeates the school. Without exception, St. John’s students are Empowered to Lead, Inspired to Serve.
Westlake Christian School is accredited by the Florida Council of Independent Schools and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools/Cognia. Westlake’s mission is to help students develop in their faith, academics, fine arts, and athletics. Westlake serves approximately 540 students in kindergarten through eighth grade from Northern Pinellas County, Southern Pasco County, Trinity, Westchase, and surrounding communities.
Total Enrollment: 540
Class Size: 1:18
Grades Offered: K-grade 8
Explore Your Options!
Magnet schools offer specialized curricula and themes, giving parents choices for their child's education within the K-12 public school system. With over 40 Magnet Schools available, students can engage in lessons that align with their interests while fulfilling the core curriculum requirements.
Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) proudly offers more than 80 nationally recognized Magnet Programs, including Montessori, Engineering, Medical, Performing and Technical Arts, Cybersecurity, Collegiate Academy, Environmental Science, Architecture, and many more.
Magnet schools are free to attend, and transportation may be available.
Mark your Calendar! The HCPS School Choice and Magnet application window opens on November 11 and closes on December 31.
your guide to TAMPA BAY AREA SCHOOLS
ACADEMY OF THE HOLY NAMES
3319 Bayshore Blvd., Tampa 33629 813-839-5371; holynamestpa.org
Founded in 1881, the Academy of the Holy Names is a private Catholic school for boys and girls in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade and a college preparatory high school for young women. Sponsored and guided by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, the Academy is a faith community of exceptional love that empowers students to pursue their highest academic potential. The Academy is located on 19 acres fronting scenic Bayshore Boulevard, close to downtown Tampa.
ADUM PK-8
4210 W. Bay Villa Ave., Tampa 33611 813-450-1703; hillsboroughschools.org/adum
At Adum, students are prepared for success in today's fast-changing world. Our international focus encourages a global perspective, critical thinking, and well-rounded individuals. Students will gain essential skills to prepare them for success in IB or other high-performing high schools in HCPS. Their journey will ignite a lifelong passion for learning.
ALEGRIA MONTESSORI
5995 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. S., St. Petersburg 33705 727-310-8243; alegriamontessori.com
Alegria Montessori School is an authentic Montessori program that creates a rich learning environment and supports individual development. We are a bilingual program, with students receiving Spanish instruction throughout the week from native Spanish speakers. We offer a true Montessori education through middle school. Come discover the joy of Montessori.
BELL CREEK ACADEMY
13221 Boyette Road, Riverview 33569
813-793-6075; bellcreekacademy.com
A tuition-free public charter school proudly serving grades 6-12, Bell Creek provides a 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. We are a Cognia-accredited, “A” rated Florida School of Excellence offering the Cambridge program for Advanced Studies and an award-winning athletic program.
BLAKE HIGH
1701 North Blvd., Tampa, 33607
813-272-3422; hillsboroughschools.org/blake
Immerse yourself in a cutting-edge high school dedicated to performing, visual, and communication arts. Students collaborate with local artists, organizations, universities, and mentors, offering a comprehensive education in arts, technology, and academics. This unique approach equips students with a competitive advantage for college and career prospects.
BOYS PREPARATORY ACADEMY AT FRANKLIN MIDDLE MAGNET
3915 E. 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.
At every table in the Corbett Prep Kindergarten Imagineers’ classrooms, parents and students sit together, engaged in discussions and activities centered on the characters, plot and setting of the first book they read together for the Chicka Chicka Book Club.
In its second year, the parent-child book club offers a fun and interactive way for families to share a love of reading and become more involved in their children’s education. Several times a year, teachers suggest a book families can enjoy at home and invite parents to Corbett Prep to participate in conversations about their reading.
Reading together is a valuable experience for families, encouraging empathy and emotional awareness and strengthening family bonds, in addition to bolstering language development.
A 2019 Ohio State study found that kids whose parents read a book a day to them will have heard about 290,000 more words by kindergarten than children without a regular reading habit. The words in books may also be different or more complex than what their parents would typically use, which expands
children’s vocabulary and eventually helps them understand different types of text in school.
Books can also help children develop an appreciation for other cultures or lifestyles and teach them how to process complicated emotions as they read about characters facing challenges, according to the nonprofit Child Mind Institute. When parents and kids take time to read together, their relationship benefits from the focused time together free of distractions.
“We heard from so many parents who were looking for ways to support their child’s development,” says Corbett Prep kindergarten teacher Holly Ralph. “The Chicka Chicka Book Club encourages a lifelong love of books and learning and enhances communication skills by promoting discussion, critical thinking and verbal expression.”
Judy Blume’s “Freckle Juice” had the honor of being the inaugural book in Corbett Prep’s book club, and the clever story offered plenty of fun entry points for discussion among parents, students, teachers and classmates.
While students enjoyed swapping opinions about characters and the plot with their friends in class, a book club at home can accomplish many of the same goals. If you’d like to try one with your children, here are some suggestions for getting started.
PICKING A BOOK: Chances are, your shelves at home are stocked with favorite books and books to grow into. But you can find plenty of inspiration online, such as the book-tracking app Goodreads, which keeps running lists of recommendations. The website Common Sense Media has a list of 50 books kids should read before 12, broken down by age with detailed reviews of each. Scholastic maintains lists by age and explores popular series and seasonal themes. And the education website Edutopia curated lists from teachers with diverse books for all grade levels. Or take a field trip to your library or bookstore and see what the local experts suggest.
WHAT TO TALK ABOUT: If you’re reading side-by-side, you can start the conversation as you go before your official “meeting.” Ask your child before you turn a page or start a new chapter what they think will happen next or check in with them to see if they understood something that might have been confusing. Once you’re done, brainstorm open-ended questions that go beyond “Did you like it?” Scholastic’s “Raise a Reader” blog offers up 5 different types of questions to ask, such as, “Which characters would you like to meet in real life” or “Would this make a good video game?”
KEEP IT FUN: For Corbett Prep’s “Freckle Juice,” families rotated through several stations featuring games, puzzles, worksheets and prompts for thought-provoking questions. Students even had a chance to get their own freckles and drink a tasty Freckle Juice concoction. At home, try special snacks or a themed dinner or a craft or game that ties into the book’s theme or setting. If there’s a movie version, you could have a movie night to spark additional discussions about the comparison. Making book club fun helps kids see eading as an enjoyable activity rather than a school assignment. It also builds relationships and memories.
“This shared experience promotes bonding and reinforces the joy of reading,” Ralph says. “We hope it fosters a love of reading from an early age.”
CAMBRIDGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
6101 N. Habana Ave., Tampa 33614
813-872-6744; ccslancers.com
Cambridge Christian is a college preparatory, nationally accredited, National Blue Ribbon 2020 school serving students from 1-year-olds through 12th grade. Since 1964, CCS has been committed to serving Christ through excellence at every level. Our legacy spans generations of Lancers. We invite you to visit the #1 rated Christian school in Tampa!
CALVARY
CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
110 N. McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater, 33759
727-449-2247; cchs.us
Calvary offers an advanced college preparatory education in an environment where students are taught a Christian worldview with the Word of God being integrated into each subject. Calvary offers Honors, AP, and dual-credit courses. Extra-curricular activities include athletics, fine arts, SGA, clubs, and spiritual growth and leadership opportunities.
CARROLLWOOD DAY SCHOOL
1515 W. Bearss Ave., Tampa 33613 813-920-2288; cdspatriots.org
Carrollwood Day School, the only full International Baccalaureate (IB) institution serving toddlers through 12th grade in Tampa, is a premier educational institution dedicated to fostering academic excellence and global citizenship. We cultivate principled entrepreneurial thinkers for a global society by enriching the mind, strengthening the character and inspiring the passions of our community.
CENTER ACADEMY
Campuses in Palm Harbor, Pinellas Park, Lutz & Riverview 727-781-2986; centeracademy.com
Founded in 1968 and fully accredited, Center Academy provides a small, safe setting to help students to focus, organize, and learn. We work with students in grades 4-12 with ADHD, ASD and learning differences and accept many scholarships, including Step Up/FES Scholarships. Dual enrollment and summer programs are available.
CHANNELSIDE ACADEMY OF MATH & SCIENCE
1029 E. Twiggs St., Tampa 33602
813-579-9649; channelsideacademy.com
Students at this tuition-free, public charter school receive a 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, Edventure before and after school program, Tampa Bay’s Grasses in Classes Program and Cognia accreditation.
Our goal at Community Montessori School is to provide a prepared environment that responds to the developmental needs of the age group and cultivates each child’s unique human potential by adhering to Montessori’s principles.
COUNTRYSIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
1850 N. McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater 33759 727-437-0090; myCCAcademy.org
Countryside Christian Academy's mission is to provide excellence in Christian education while instilling Biblical principles in students’ lives that they might impact their society for Christ. Our program is fully accredited and well-balanced, encouraging the development of the whole child: spirit, soul (mind) and body.
Total Enrollment: 980
Class Size: 15-20
Grades Offered: Ages 1-Grade 12
Tuition Range: $12,000$20,000
Total Enrollment: 845
Class Size: 22 average
Grades Offered: 9-12
Tuition Range: $16,500
Total Enrollment: 1,237
Class Size: 18-20
Grades Offered: Toddlers-Grade 12
Tuition Range: $11,550$28,890
Total Enrollment: 90 per campus
Class Size: 18
Grades Offered: 4-12
Tuition Range: $14,380$16,580
Grades Offered: K-Grade 8
Tuition: Free
Total Enrollment: 135
Class Size: 20 average
Grades Offered: 18
months-grade 9
Tuition Range: $8,250$12,100
Total Enrollment: 280
Class Size: 15 average
Grades Offered: K-Grade 8
Tuition Range: $11,100+
DOWDELL MIDDLE MAGNET SCHOOL
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, 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.
DUNBAR ELEMENTARY MAGNET SCHOOL
1730 Union St., Tampa, 33607
813-276-5677; hillsboroughschools.org/dunbar
At Dunbar’s Medical Magnet Program, young scholars experience STEM fields through hands-on curriculum and an interactive House Program. Students explore the human body systems and healthy habits with partners like St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, USF Health and more. Our Third Grade Accelerated Math Academy prepares students for high school Math courses.
ESSRIG ELEMENTARY
13131 Lynn Road, Tampa, 33624
813-975-7307; hillsboroughschools.org/essrig
Essrig Elementary Montessori Academy is the first of its kind for Hillsborough County Public Schools students 3 years of age through kindergarten. This self-directed and paced learning will foster rigorous, self-motivated growth for children in all areas of their development –nurturing their desire for knowledge, understanding, and respect.
GIRLS PREPARATORY ACADEMY FERRELL MIDDLE MAGNET
4302 N. 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 students' learning. Mentoring opportunities and community engagement create well-rounded learners.
HILLSBOROUGH ACADEMY OF MATH & SCIENCE
9659 W. Waters Ave., Tampa 33635
813-793-6085; hillsboroughacademy.com
Hillsborough Academy of Math & Science is a tuition-free public charter school serving kindergarten to 8th Grade. Challenging and hand-on curriculum includes a special concentration in math and science, a technology-rich atmosphere, and a focus on character development. We are an “A” rated school offering the Cambridge program for Advanced Studies, extracurricular activities, clubs, and Edventure before and after school program.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLSCOLLEGIATE ACADEMIES
hillsboroughschools.org/acceleratedprograms
Collegiate Academies provides students with the opportunity to earn an Associate of Arts degree (A.A.) through Hillsborough Community College while simultaneously completing their high school diploma. Interested students can apply through the magnet application process for Armwood High School, Lennard High School, Leto High School, or Spoto High School. Dual Enrollment courses are offered.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS - IB K-8 SCHOOLS
hillsboroughschools.org/acceleratedprograms
In the K-8 school setting, the IB elementary program aims to develop inquiring and caring students, while the middle school program focuses on cultivating active, internationally minded learners with empathy and the skills to lead purposeful lives. Available at: Roland Park K-8 (Tampa); & York PreK-8 (Apollo Beach).
Enrollment: 556
Grades Offered: 6-8
Tuition: Free
Enrollment: 327
Grades Offered: K-5
Tuition: Free
Enrollment: 593
Grades Offered: K-5
Tuition: Free
Enrollment: 387
Grades Offered: 6-8
Tuition: Free
Grades Offered: K-Grade 8
Tuition: Free
Grades Offered: 9-12
Tuition: Free
Grades Offered: K-8
Tuition: Free
WHAT STARTS stretches
inspires you to forge your own path, challenges you to go far and deep, and encourages you to shine as part of an exceptional and diverse community. is is education as you always imagined it, and it thrives at Berkeley Preparatory School.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLSIB ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
hillsboroughschools.org/acceleratedprograms
The IB elementary program focuses on developing the whole child inside and outside the classroom guided by global learning. Utilizing knowledge and skills from six subject areas with an emphasis on inquiry and effectively enabling students to explore beyond the traditional boundaries of subject-specific learning. Available at: MacFarlane Park Elementary Magnet (Tampa), Riverhills Elementary Magnet (Temple Terrace), & Lincoln Elementary Magnet (Plant City).
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLSIB MIDDLE SCHOOLS
hillsboroughschools.org/acceleratedprograms
The middle school program develops internationally-minded active learners who empathize with others and have the intellect and skills to pursue lives of purpose and meaning. Students develop their potential, explore their learning preferences, take appropriate risks, and create a strong sense of personal identity. Available at the following middle magnet schools: Walker (Odessa/Citrus Park), Williams (Tampa), Greco (Temple Terrace), & Marshall (Plant City).
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS - IB HIGH SCHOOLS
hillsboroughschools.org/acceleratedprograms
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme in Hillsborough County is a magnet program for college-bound students. It offers a rigorous liberal arts curriculum over four years, split into Pre-Diploma (Grades 9-10) and Diploma (Grades 11-12) phases. Students apply in 8th grade to start in 9th grade. Available at: Alonso High (Westchase/ Town 'N' Country), Hillsborough High (Tampa), King High (Temple Terrace), Robinson High (South Tampa), & Strawberry Crest High (Plant City).
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.
IGNITE ACADEMY
1350 E. Lake Road N., Tarpon Springs 34688 727-900-6164; igniteacademy.education
We are a growing Christian School that has an emphasis on health, community, habits and Christ.
INDIAN ROCKS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
12685 Ulmerton Road, Largo 33774 727-596-4342; ircs.org
Indian Rocks Christian School partners with families in the Biblical Formation of students while providing a quality Christian education. We offer a college preparatory curriculum, competitive athletics and a compelling fine arts program. Our mission is to cultivate and empower excellence in the next generation of Christian leaders.
JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL
4401 W. Cypress St., Tampa, 33607 813-872-5241; hillsboroughschools.org/jefferson
Jefferson High School provides a diverse range of magnet classes, such as the Business Ownership & Finance Academy, Culinary Arts, Baking & Pastry Academy, and Law & Criminal Justice Academy. These specialized programs give students in-depth education and practical experience in their selected field of study. Additionally, Jefferson offers various new and innovative programs and elective options for all students.
Grades Offered: K-5
Tuition: Free
Grades Offered: 6-8
Tuition: Free
Grades Offered: 9-12
Tuition: Free
Enrollment: 560
Grades Offered: K-12
Tuition: Free
Enrollment: 120
Class Size : 15
Grades Offered: K-Grade 8
Tuition: $9,750-$10,250
Enrollment: 1,200
Class Size : 20
Grades Offered: K2-
Grade 12
Tuition: $8,250-$16,550
Enrollment: 1,317
Grades Offered: 9-12
Tuition: Free
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, Land 'O Lakes Christian School 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.
LOCKHART ELEMENTARY MAGNET SCHOOL
3719 N. 17th St., Tampa 33610
813-276-5727; hillsboroughschools.org/lockhart
At Lockhart, students learn using the latest technology, such as STEM tools, LEGO robotics and flight simulators. The national Project Lead the Way program engages students in hands-on activities, projects and problems that are reflective of real-world challenges. Students engage with robotics experiences, engineering challenges, outdoor learning and wildlife habitats.
LOMAX ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
4207 26th St., Tampa 33610
813-276-5569; hillsboroughschools.org/lomax
At Lomax Elementary Magnet students are active thinking and learning citizens, engaging their minds with Math Olympiad, TiViTz, chess, Future Problem Solvers and Odyssey of the Mind. We embrace the arts with World Drumming, violin and Little Kids Rock; build with LEGO and VEX Robotics; and grow through Student Ambassadors and National Honor Society.
MADISON MIDDLE SCHOOL
4444 W. Bay Vista Ave., Tampa, 33611
813-272-3050; hillsboroughschools.org/madison
Our Aerospace Engineering Academy is one of four middle school STEM Academies in Hillsborough. Students gain 21st century skills through experiential learning, rigorous coursework, and field trips in the areas of STEM. Aside from learning code, engaging in Advanced-Honors coursework, and off-site competitions, NEW, this year, is the Cambridge Pathway Program.
MEDICAL ACADEMY AT D.W. WATERS
2704 N. Highland Ave., Tampa, 33602
813-233-2655; hillsboroughschools.org/dwwaters
A high school dedicated to providing students with workforce experience. The school has a smaller enrollment, allowing students to receive mentorship opportunities with industry professionals and explore careers in the medical field prior to graduation. Students will be able to take courses and gain experience in subject areas such as Nursing, Allied Health (Radiology), Cardiology, Emergency Responding, and Biomedical Sciences.
MIDDLETON HIGH SCHOOL
4801 N. 22nd St., Tampa, 33610
813-233-3360; hillsboroughschools.org/middleton
Middleton High School's magnet programs focus on preparing students for careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Students take advanced classes and have the opportunity to earn college credit. Elective classes in fine arts, performing arts, business, and journalism are also offered to provide a well-rounded education.
MOTHER TERESA OF
CALCUTTA CATHOLIC SCHOOL
17524 Lakeshore Road, Lutz 33558
813-933-4750; mtctampa.org
As a private elementary school, our mission at Mother Teresa of Calcutta Catholic is to develop young people who strive for academic excellence, respect the dignity of each individual and foster service to others. We are committed to continuing our tradition of academic excellence by providing a rigorous curriculum in a nurturing Christ-centered environment. Guided by the examples of Jesus and Mother Teresa of Calcutta, we strive to develop a dedication of service to others and a devotion to the Catholic faith.
The only elementary magnet school to host TWO programs--arts and environmental science. Students experience strings, dance, music and art classes daily and can engage in the orchestra and rock band, performance groups and our annual musical. Students can explore the outdoor classroom, global gardens and take part in the National Honor Society and student government.
NAVIGATOR ACADEMY OF LEADERSHIP VALRICO
1101 E. Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico 33596
813-603-9340; navigatoracademyvalrico.com
Navigator Academy of Leadership partners with NASA to offer a 21st-century STEM-focused curriculum, including Woz-Ed, blending engineering, coding and creativity. With a “SMART” curriculum in Science, Math, Art, Reading and Technology, the school embraces The Leader in Me framework, fostering a cultural shift alongside 1 to 1 Apple Technology integration.
ORANGE GROVE MIDDLE MAGNET SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
3415 16th St., Tampa 33605
813-276-5717; hillsboroughschools.org/orangegrove
Be a shining star at Orange Grove, where high academic achievement meets creativity. Our historic campus includes two professional dance studios, video production, visual arts with a MAC lab and exceptional music and technical theater suites. We help our students prepare for their next step if they choose to apply to Blake High School or to hone their skills so they can "wow" their families. Our kids get a well-rounded education.
OUR SAVIOR LUTHERAN SCHOOL
5843 4th Ave. S., St. Petersburg 33707
727-344-1026; osls.net
Our Savior Lutheran School, established in 1982, is a Christ-centered academic community that equips students to strive for excellence, live love and share God’s word. Unlock your child's potential with small class sizes, dedicated teachers and a thriving tradition of academic achievement and spiritual growth. Enroll today for a brighter future.
PALM HARBOR MONTESSORI ACADEMY
2355 Nebraska Ave., Palm Harbor 34683
727-786-1854; palmharbormontessori.com
We are proud to introduce you to PHMA. Our entire team of dedicated educators is committed to providing an exceptional Montessori educational experience. Our programs, classrooms and curriculum are specifically designed to foster independence and inspire a love of learning within every child. We are now enrolling ages 12 months-14 years.
PINELLAS PREP
2300 S. Belcher Road, Largo 33771
727-536-3600; pinellasprep.org
Pinellas Preparatory Academy is a high performing, "A" rated, tuition free K-8 public charter school. Besides our strong academics, you will find a culture of strong character and community. The school focuses on developing the talents of each student, while emphasizing high academic standards.
We are proud to offer the largest dance and culinary arts programs in Hillsborough County. We're routinely recognized as a Magnet School of America national award winner and show our craft to organizations and events around the district. Students can try exciting electives such as Costume and Fashion Design, orchestra, journalism and more. The spotlight shines on students at Progress Village.
Enrollment: 421
Grades Offered: K-5
Tuition: Free
Enrollment: 894
Class Size : 18-22
Grades Offered:
K-Grade 8
Tuition: Free
Enrollment: 465
Grades Offered: 6-8
Tuition: Free
Enrollment: 260
Class Size : 20
Grades Offered: Ages 2-Grade 8
Tuition: $5,250-$9,570
Enrollment: 255
Class Size : 16
Grades Offered: 12 Months-14 Years
Tuition: $15,720-$21,420
Enrollment: 800
Class Size : 18-22
Grades Offered: K-Grade 8
Tuition: Free
Enrollment: 718
Grades Offered: 6-8
Tuition: Free
RAMPELLO DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP
802 E. Washington St., Tampa 33602
813-233-2333; hillsboroughschools.org/rampello
Join us for experiential learning with walking field trips through downtown Tampa, and a differentiated instruction focus to meet the needs of all learners. We have strong community partnerships and school-wide AVID instructional strategies. Middle school electives include: Band/Jazz/Orchestra/Steel Drums, Art 2-D and 3-D, Spanish and Creative Writing.
RIVERVIEW ACADEMY OF MATH & SCIENCE
9906 Symmes Road, Riverview 33578
813-412-6111; riverviewacademy.com
Riverview Academy of Math & Science is a tuition-free, public charter school proudly serving students from kindergarten through middle school with a well-rounded college preparatory education. The rigorous curriculum includes a special concentration on math and science, a technology-rich atmosphere, and a focus on character development. Offerings include the Cambridge program for Advanced Studies, Edventure before and after school program, and Cognia accreditation.
As an authorized Cambridge International Magnet School we offer learning guided by the rigorous, world renowned Cambridge Pathways philosophy. Located in Riverview's Bell Creek Nature Preserve, we embrace and empower the whole student. Several National Board-Certified Teachers highlight our exceptional team of educators. Ask us about our Cambridge Honors Institute if you choose to apply!
SAINT PAUL’S - CLEARWATER’S INDEPENDENT SCHOOL
1600 St. Paul’s Drive, Clearwater 33764 727-536-2756; clearwatersindependentschool.org
At Saint Paul's, we focus on childhood and early adolescents because we believe if you get the foundation right, then everything is possible. Our mission is to cultivate tomorrow's leaders and innovators in an educational environment that encourages students to discover their strengths, explore their passions and develop a joyful, inquisitive approach to learning and life.
SHORE ELEMENTARY
1908 2nd Ave., Tampa 33605
813-276-5712; hillsboroughschools.org/shore
We are an award-winning Magnet School of the Arts located in historic Ybor City. Students learn through arts and science integration and can take part in the Annual Arts Festival and school musical. Students expand their horizons through visual art, dance, strings, music, drama, STEAM Engineering and robotics programs. Our partnership with the Straz Performing Arts Center brings Broadway to our students--something you will find at no other school!
SLIGH MIDDLE MAGNET
2011 E. Sligh Ave., Tampa 33610
813-276-5596; hillsboroughschools.org/sligh
Join a culture of future health professionals whose uniforms are doctors' scrubs four days a week. We are preparing students for one of the fastest growing career fields in the country. Electives engage all students with Career and Technical Education, Family and Consumer Science and our AVID college readiness program.
ST. CECELIA INTERPAROCHIAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL
1350 Court St., Clearwater 33756
727-461-1207; st-cecelia.org
St. Cecelia Interparochial Catholic School (SCS) is dedicated to providing an exceptional education rooted in faith, Catholic values and academic excellence. This private school offers the only PK3 to 8th grade International Baccalaureate Programme in Pinellas County and has been recognized twice as a National Blue Ribbon School.
Enrollment: 786
Grades Offered: K-5
Tuition: Free
Grades Offered:
K-Grade 11
Tuition: Free
Enrollment: 1,033
Grades Offered: 6-8
Tuition: Free
Enrollment: 450
Class Size : 14 average
Grades Offered:
Infants-Grade 8
Tuition: $18,682-$31,599
Enrollment: 313
Grades Offered: K-5
Tuition: Free
Enrollment: 550
Grades Offered: 6-8
Tuition: Free
Enrollment: 475
Class Size : 23
Grades Offered:
PreK3-Grade 8
Tuition: $8,940 – $11,623
ST. PETER CLAVER CATHOLIC SCHOOL
1401 N. Governor St., Tampa 33602
813-224-0865; stpeterclavercatholicschool.org
St. Peter Claver Catholic School, Tampa’s downtown private Catholic school serving students aged 3 through 8th grade, provides its students with a rigorous curriculum that is a balance of academics, religion and enrichment subjects—such as music, art, physical education and STREAM. We take pride in preserving the legacy of our beautiful school and community and our students continue this work as they graduate and share their gifts with the world.
ST. PETERSBURG COLLEGIATE HIGH SCHOOLS
Multiple Locations
727-712-5891; spchs.spcollege.edu
Our students have the unique experience of earning a high school diploma and an associate degree simultaneously, for FREE, all while working towards a Bright Futures Scholarship. At our STEM school, students can earn an Associate of Science degree in Computer Information Technology or Data Systems in addition to a variety of industry certifications, which will help them to find positions in high-demand fields with competitive wages. Our families incur no cost for tuition, books or fees.
STEWART MIDDLE MAGNET
1125 Spruce St., Tampa 33607
813-276-5691; hillsboroughschools.org/stewart
Be part of one of the only nationally recognized NASA Explorer Schools in the country! Through our Project Lead the Way curriculum, students choose from electives like aerospace and engineering. Stewart partners with NASA, NOAA and the U.S. Air Force for real-world learning. Our location on the Hillsborough River and next to Blake and near Dunbar Magnet add to the opportunities our students enjoy every day!
TAMPA BAY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Multiple Locations
813-343-0600; tbcarams.org
TBCA is expanding access to extraordinary education to everyone in the community. As a nationally-accredited PK2-12th grade Christian academy, we have partnered with families to prepare students for their next steps for almost 70 years. Come join us at the most diverse private school in Tampa Bay, because everyone deserves an extraordinary education.
TAMPA BAY TECH HIGH SCHOOL
6410 Orient Road, Tampa, 33610
813-744-8360; hillsboroughschools.org/tbt
Tampa Bay Technical High School (TBT) was established in 1969 as Vocational Technical School. TBT's program combines academic rigor and technical training, offering advanced placement and certified technical skill courses. The campus features expansive laboratory facilities for various technology programs and boasts a diverse student population.
TAMPA DAY SCHOOL
10626 Henderson Road, Tampa 33625
813-269-2100; tampadayschool.com
With over 50 years of experience meeting the needs of bright students with Dyslexia, ADHD or anxiety, TDS offers a uniquely designed college-prep curriculum. Our small-class instruction incorporates interactive and hands-on experiences emphasizing study and organizational skills that result in success and improved confidence. Contact us to learn more.
Our students become innovative thinkers who achieve academically and socially through our seven Wonders—leadership, environment, economics, wellness, innovation, communication and culture. Students can participate in Model United Nations and Odyssey of the Mind, learn world languages and leadership, and experience cultural clusters such as yoga, cooking, African art and LEGO makerspace.
Enrollment: 100
Class Size : 10:1
Grades Offered:
Ages 3-Grade 8
Tuition: $8,300-$8,500
Enrollment: 750
Class Size : 21
Grades Offered: Grades 9-12
Tuition: FREE
Enrollment: 744
Grades Offered: 6-8
Tuition: Free
Enrollment: 415
Class Size : 16
Grades Offered:
PreK2-Grade 12
Tuition: $8,800-$9,800
Enrollment: 2,039
Grades Offered: 9-12
Tuition: Free
Enrollment: 153
Class Size : 12:1
Grades Offered: Grades 3-8
Tuition: $26,000
Enrollment: 273
GGrades Offered: K-5
Tuition: Free
TAMPA PREP (TAMPA PREPARATORY SCHOOL)
727 W. Cass St., Tampa 33606
813-251-8481; tampaprep.org
As the only private, independent school in Tampa Bay serving grades 6 - 12, Tampa Prep offers learning that is innovative, forward thinking and tailored to the needs of our students. We foster creativity and excellence on our downtown campus, within walking distance to world-class museums, performing arts centers, parks and more, extending our students’ learning beyond the classroom.
THE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION ACADEMY AT BOWERS/WHITLEY
13609 N. 22nd St., Tampa, 33613 813-558-1750; hillsboroughschools.org/bowers-whitley
We’re a high school dedicated to providing students with workforce experience. The school has a smaller enrollment, allowing students to receive mentorship opportunities with industry professionals and explore careers in the building construction industry prior to graduation. Students will be able to take courses and gain experience in subject areas such as Plumbing, Building Construction (HVAC, Carpentry, Electricity), and Automotive.
A tuition-free, public charter school proudly serving students in kindergarten through fifth grade, Valrico Lake Advantage Academy provides a well-rounded elementary foundation through a challenging curriculum with a focus on teaching math and science in proven and innovative instructional methods preparing students for their secondary education and beyond. We are an “A” rated, Cognia-accredited Florida School of Excellence offering the Cambridge program for Advanced Studies.
WESTMINSTER ACADEMY
804 N. Lincoln Ave., Tampa 33609 813-279-5225; westminstertampa.org
At Westminster Academy, we provide a Christ-centered, academically excellent classical education rooted in the Great Books and study of language. We develop young scholars who are deeply rooted in the fundamentals of knowledge passed down over generations and who are self-motivated, intellectually curious, and compassionate toward their fellow man.
YOUNG MIDDLE MAGNET
1807 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd., Tampa 33610 813-276-5739; hillsboroughschools.org/young
We empower creative learners with our Project Lead the Way STEM curriculum. We focus on engineering, sustainability and "Global Planting"—engaging students in hands-on learning with an on-campus hydroponic farm and greenhouse, along with student-constructed rain gardens. Students learn using state-of-the-art technology, including touch-enabled whiteboards and 3-D printers.
Enrollment: 710
Class Size : 18:1
Grades Offered:
Grades 6-12
Tuition: $29,500$30,565
Enrollment: 273
Grades Offered: K-5
Tuition: Free
Grades Offered: K-Grade 5
Tuition: Free
Enrollment: 62
Class Size : 7:1
Grades Offered:
PreK-Grade 6
Tuition: $7,600-$10,200
Enrollment: 319
Grades Offered: 6-8
Tuition: Free
the world is 71% water. our kids are 100% curious. swim
lessons save lives!
at watermelon swim, our mission is to grow a community full of safer swimmers and reduce the risks while increasing confidence in and around water.
8 1 3 . 2 2 9 . 7 9 4 6 •
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Head to toe coverage for all Florida kids from birth through the end of age 18, even if one or both parents are working. Most families pay nothing at all, and many families pay just $15 or $20 a month. Full-pay options are also available.
The Muma Children’s Hospital at TGH’s Top -Tier Pediatric Trauma Care Exemplifies National Injury Prevention Day
by Tampa General Hospital
The power of the Muma Children’s Hospital at TGH’s renowned pediatric trauma care runs deep with a multidisciplinary team and boundless resources. It reaches beyond TGH’s elite status as a Level 1 Trauma Center for adults and children — Florida’s first accredited Level 1 service since 2014 and one of only three in the state that treats children with severe or life-threatening injuries.
As the country prepares to mark National Injury Prevention Day on November 18 (and observe the theme for the entire month), it’s worth underscoring what also elevates the Muma Children’s Hospital at TGH’s pediatric trauma services: the doctors, nurses and staff who provide the highest degree of care, day in and day out.
“I think the hardest thing is when you lose the ability to take care of your own child and have to trust strangers,” says pediatric critical care surgeon Dr. Keith Thatch, the Muma Children’s Hospital at TGH’s trauma medical director and chief of pediatric surgery. “You have to trust not only that the emergency provider knows what to do, but that you will end up in the place where your child will receive the ultimate care they need. At the Muma Children’s Hospital, you’ll be at a place that not only understands what your child is going through but what you’re going through. And we are uniquely set up to do just that.”
Dr. Thatch and his team live by this simple, reassuring philosophy to families coming to the Muma Children’s Hospital at TGH amid fear and uncertainty: “I say to these families, ‘Okay, you’ve entered these doors, and your child just became my child. It’s what a frightened mom and dad need to hear in that moment.”
Echoes Kristyn Carter, lead pediatric acute care nurse practitioner: “They’re going into surgery or being treated not just as a ‘diagnosis’ but truly as one of our children. We have that evidence-based practice backing us. We have the research. We have the technology. And we have the world-class care to go with it.”
In addition to its main campus on Davis Islands, Tampa General has multiple pediatric emergency locations in the area, including the TGH Brandon Emergency Center freestanding emergency department and a freestanding emergency department at Kennedy Boulevard and North Willow Avenue. The 15,000-square-foot Kennedy location is just a mile from Tampa General’s main facility, offering a convenient option when emergencies arise.
The new Kennedy facility significantly expands Tampa General’s emergency capacity in the community, serves both children and adults, offers easy access, and serves as an ideal complement to TGH’s main emergency department.
In addition, the Muma Children’s Hospital at TGH provides a wide range of multidisciplinary support services that are essential to a child’s well-being during recovery. The team includes child life specialists,
schoolteachers working in a classroom for patients staying at the hospital for an extended period of time, psychologists, case managers, social workers and pediatric occupational and physical therapists.
“We understand not only what your child is going through but what you are going through,” says Melissa Golombek, vice president, Muma Children’s Hospital at TGH & TGH Women’s Institute. “We’re uniquely set up for that, from our Child Life department to our social workers to our neuropsychology department, as well as all our subspecialties. We’re not here to just take care of the injuries, but the psychosocial part of those injuries. And we’re here to help the whole family with the results of those injuries and how we can help them with tomorrow, let alone today.”
And that all ties back to the staff, such as Carter, nurse practitioner and pediatric trauma coordinator Anne Blevins, and many others. “I feel at times I’m the arms and legs of the program,” Dr. Thatch says, “but our nurses and staff are the heart of the program. They’re the ones who keep it beating every day.”
TGH Team Members plant pinwheels each November to show support of child abuse victims.
TGH pediatric patient with one of the TGH therapy dogs.
A Truly Golden Celebration
St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital celebrates 50 years of serving the community
by Anu Varma Panchal
Fifty is a milestone birthday for anyone. Imagine the impact when that milestone celebrates not a person, but a hospital that has served as the birthplace for hundreds of thousands of Tampa Bay residents.
“Legacy is the word that comes to mind,” says Sarah Naumowich, president of St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital and St Joseph’s Children’s hospital. “What a tremendous legacy and impact the hospital has had on our broader community.”
What started as a community hospital in 1974 and joined the St. Joseph’s family in 1993 has grown into a cutting-edge health care institution that uniquely serves the needs of women and children. “St. Joseph’s was the first hospital that was dedicated to women in Tampa Bay,” Naumowich is proud to say. “We continue to be that destination. It is the best place to have a baby – the best place for women of all ages to receive care.”
Babies who were born at the women’s hospital have grown up and come back to have their own children
there; many even work here as physicians now. Recently, at the annual fashion show that supports St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital, a show of hands was asked for of people who were either born here or gave birth here. “The number of hands was phenomenal,” Naumowich says.
And something that phenomenal deserves an appropriate celebration. Throughout this month, St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital is hosting a series of events to mark the momentous occasion, including a communityfocused event Nov. 9 that seeks to include as many “BayCare Kids” as possible.
Recognized by The Joint Commission as a Level 4 maternal level of care, the maximum level possible, St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital can treat the highest acuity moms and pregnancies across the board. St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital’s Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit allows access to an incredible range of services and treatment, including highly specialized care such as that for congenital heart defects.
“We are invited into people’s lives during some of the most momentous moments – and some unfortunately when the outcome wasn’t what they expected,” Naumowich says. While she loves the happy “BayCare Kid” birth stories, she is especially proud of how the staff deals with situations where the outcomes are not what anyone expected. “During a stressful and challenging time in life, the way the team makes people feel lasts a lifetime. That speaks to the heart of who we are.”
As well as cutting-edge surgical care, including robotic surgery and a 24-hour obstetrical emergency department, St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital also offers an array of specialty OB GYN services and postbaby and pelvic health care. At the Shimberg Breast Center, which was founded in 2011, women dealing with a potential diagnosis of breast cancer can find everything they need in one location instead of navigating multiple facilities.
“We are the experts on women,” Naumowich says. “Any time in health care when you can have a dedicated focus audience, it allows you to build infrastructure and support that is customized to them. It’s tailored to their needs comprehensively and more thoughtfully. It’s a facility that not only feels pretty and relaxing (the environmental piece) but provides clinical expertise with care teams of the highest skill.”
As the Tampa Bay community grows, Naumowich says the hospital will continue evaluating its evolving needs with a priority to bring healthcare to an increasingly busy population.
“High level, quality healthcare is the cornerstone of a healthy community,” says Naumowich. “What a privilege to be there for people at every moment.”
Current Photo of St. Joseph's Women's
Labor and delivery nurses at St. Joseph's Women's Hospital have helped bring hundreds of thousands of "BayCare Kids" into the word.
Great food, great wine — what more can you ask for? tampabaydatenightguide.com
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WE'VE EXPANDED!
Check out the first issue of Orlando Parenting Magazine. You can view the digital version now on orlando-parenting.com. Next issue comes out this month!
YMCA Turkey Gobble in Tampa
Santa's House at Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Photo by Laura Byrne.
Charley's Steakhouse. Photo by Lindsay Block.
McIlwain Dental Specialists
Comprehensive Dental Care Under One Roof!
Children’s Dentistry
Leigh Ann McIlwain, DMD
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Cosmetic & Adult Dentistry
Michael Chiaramonte, DMD
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Matthew S. Ahrens, DMD, MS
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Expert Focus on Children
Ranked #1 Children’s Hospital in Florida
Children’s dreams inspire us to help them have brighter tomorrows. We are the # children’s hospital in Florida for 2024–2025, according to U.S. News & World Report , with six pediatric specialties ranked nationally. Our pediatric experts focus on the future for All Children. t.jh.edu/ACHUSNWR24
