Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 10-20-17

Features
School Board Names Auditorium After Retired Educator
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
On Tuesday, five mem- bers of the Hillsborough County School Board voted to name the auditorium at a high school in honor of its former principal. Board member April Griffin was absent from the meeting, and Board member Susan Valdez did not cast a vote.
A date has not been estab- lished however, the audito- rium at Middleton High School will bear the name of Henry “Shake” Washing- ton.”
Washington has deep roots and a long history with Middleton High School. His relationship with the school began when he attended the school in 1965, when he en- rolled. During his tenure as a student, he was a star athlete in football, basketball, and track.
After graduating in 1968, Washington continued his education at Kentucky State College, transferring a year later to Southern University. He interrupted his education to serve in the military and retired as a First Sergeant with 24 years of service in the Army National Guard.
Washington received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Southwest Louisiana. In 1976, Wash- ington returned to Tampa
and obtained employment as an Assistant Teacher at Booker T. Washington, 7th Grade Center.
He worked at several schools, served as a Physical Education and Driver’s Edu- cation Instructor. He also served as a coach for boys and girls basketball.
During his career, Wash- ington moved up the ranks, being chosen as the Principal of Chamberlain High School. On January 8, 2002, Wash- ington was appointed the Principal of the newly con- structed Middleton High School. He oversaw the
opening of the school, and remained there for three years.
He was then appointed Area Director, Area Leader- ship Director, and Area Su- perintendent for the 12 years leading up to his retirement in 2017, bringing to a close, 42 years of service.
Washington is married to Mrs. Cheryl Byrd Washington, the father of two adult children, Henry Washington, Jr., and Dr. Jamia Washington. He is a grandfather and a member of Allen Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church.
On Monday, members of the Hillsborough County School Board voted to name the Auditorium at Middleton High School in honor of Henry Washington, a Retired Hillsborough County School Dis- trict Administrator. Washington is shown with family members from left to right: Zion, Sky, Destiny, Ivey, Mrs. Hattie Byrd White, his wife, Mrs. Cheryl Byrd Washington, and his son, Henry Wash- ington, Jr. (Photograph by LOMAX McINTYRE).
School Board Approves New Bell Schedule For Upcoming Year
Last week, Jeff Eakins, Hillsborough County Public School District Superintend- ent introduced the proposed bell schedule for the upcom- ing year. However, before the new schedule could be imple- mented, it required approval by members of the Hillsbor- ough County School Board.
On Tuesday, October 17th, the Board voted 6-0 to ap- prove the new schedule. The new bell schedule will go into effect August 2018.
Under the new sched- ule, most elementary schools will begin at 7:40 a.m., and end at 1:55 p.m.; elementary magnet schools will begin at 8:45 a.m. and end at 3 p.m.; middle schools will begin at 9:25 a.m. and end at 4:20 p.m.; high schools will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 3:25 p.m.; and magnet middle and high schools will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 3:25 p.m.
The change was necessary because thousands of stu-
dents were late each day. The reason was not enough time for drivers to safely transport the students from one school to another.
The school district held three community meetings and sought input from stu- dents, parents, and others to create the new schedule.
Before-school and after- school care at elementary and middle schools will be avail- able at a low cost for families in need of a safe environment for children.
The schedule also allows additional planning time for teachers and still allows for seven periods of instruction each day. It also allows stu- dents to benefit from such programs as Dual Enroll- ment, Advanced Placement, Credit Recovery and other electives.
For a complete school-by- school list, visit https://tinyurl.com/y7cpldw y. For more information and to see frequently asked ques- tions visit sdhc.k12.fl.us.
PAGE 2-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017