Jule F. Sumner High School

**PLEASE BE SURE TO REFER BACK TO THIS NEWSLETTER OFTEN FOR UPDATES!!**

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PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU OPT OUT OF THE PARENT LINK SERVICE, YOU WILL BE OPTING OUT OF ALL COMMUNICATION FROM SUMNER HS AND THE HCPS DISTRICT.

August 2, 2026

Hello Sumner Families,

I hope you had a wonderful summer! Our Sumner Team is excited to welcome back our Stingrays for the 2026-2027 school year!

As we prepare for the start of school, I would like to share a few important updates and opportunities for our Stingray community.

Sumner Earns a B School Grade! We are proud to celebrate that Sumner High School earned a B school grade this year! This achievement reflects the hard work, dedication, and commitment of our students, staff, and families. Sumner improved by 67 points, moving from a C to a B, and we are committed to building on this momentum.

Thank you for your partnership and support as we continue Raising the Tide for Every Stingray, Every Day!

Congratulations, Mrs. Morehouse! We are proud to announce the appointment of Mrs. Morehouse as Assistant Principal for Administration at Sumner. She has served as an Assistant Principal at Sumner for the past two years and previously taught at both Sumner High School and East Bay High School. A native of Apollo Beach, she attended Apollo Beach Elementary School, Eisenhower Middle School, and is a proud graduate of East Bay High School. Mrs. Morehouse is committed to our school community and is excited to continue supporting students, staff, and families as we work together.

Please join us in congratulating Mrs. Morehouse on her new role and continued leadership as a valued member of our Stingray Team!

Back to School Forms: Families, please access your Focus App to complete all required back to school forms online through the HCPS Focus Parent Portal.

Schedule Preview: On August 4th, students will be able to access their tentative class schedules through the Focus App.

If a schedule adjustment is needed, students may submit a request using the QR code and schedule change request form provided below. School Counselors will review all requests ensuring students remain on track to meet graduation requirements. Please note that schedule changes are based on graduation requirements, course availability, and class size. While every request will be reviewed, not all changes can be accommodated.

Open House: On Thursday, August 6th we welcome our students and families for Open House from 3:30-5:00 PM.

2:30 - 3:30 PM Access Families Meet the Teacher

3:30 – 4:00 PM Graduation Info Session in the Auditorium (Building 6)

Students will begin in their 1st Period Class, just as they will on the first day of school and pick up a copy of their tentative schedule.

A special invitation and additional information will be sent directly to our Access program

families.

See the Open House flyer below for more details.

First Day of School, August 10th: We are excited to welcome students on Monday, August 10th for the first day of school! Students can enter campus at 8:10 AM and get breakfast. All students will begin their day in their 1st period class. We encourage students to review their schedules in advance via Focus and arrive ready for a successful start to the year.

Semester 2 Exam Make-Up: Students who need to complete a Semester 2 exam may do so on August 12th and August 13th. Please see your teacher for specific testing information.

Get involved through PTSA: Sumner's PTSA invites you to participate and engage with our school community. One of the greatest strengths of Sumner High School is the support of our families and community. We invite you to become involved through our PTSA, SAC, and/or Boosters.

Together, we can make a meaningful difference for our students.

As we begin a new year, we remain committed to providing a safe, supportive, and engaging learning environment where every student can thrive. We look forward to working with you as we continue to build belonging and success at Sumner.

We look forward to seeing our Stingrays on campus soon.

Sincerely,

Christine Wasylkiw

Principal

The Sumner Pantry will be open during Open House.

Families, please use the designated Student Pick-Up and Drop-Off location accessible through the student parking lot near the baseball field. For safety and efficiency, we will continue redirecting vehicles that attempt to enter through the bus ramp at the traffic light. This is a district-mandated safety protocol that must be followed.

The visitor lot before and after school is reserved exclusively for families with a special car plate approved by administration.

Additionally, do not park in neighboring communities or along CR 672 to drop off or pick up students. These areas are not safe or permitted for school traffic. Student safety is our top priority, and we appreciate your cooperation in keeping our campus secure and orderly.

See the attached documents to receive information on purchasing a parking pass as well as how a senior can paint a parking spot. Both documents will include rules and regulations.

Hillsborough County Public Schools Parents and Guardians,

We want to make you aware of a new state requirement that will impact some high school athletes beginning with the 2026-2027 school year.

Under Florida Statute 1006.20, known as the Second Chance Act, and effective July 1, 2026, students who are participating in Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) athletics for the first time must have a cleared Electrocardiogram (ECG) before they can participate.

This requirement applies to:

• Rising 9th grade students who plan to participate in an FHSAA athletic program in high school

• Students in grades 10–12 who plan to participate in FHSAA athletics and have not previously played a high school sport

This requirement does not apply to:

• Students participating in Band, Chorus, Orchestra, Color Guard, or ROTC

• Middle school athletes

An ECG completed within two (2) years prior to July 1 of the participation year will satisfy this requirement. Students who have cardiac symptoms should consult with their healthcare provider. If an ECG requires additional evaluation, the student must be cleared by a licensed medical practitioner trained in the diagnosis, evaluation, and management of ECGs before participating in any FHSAA athletic competition, practice, tryouts, or workouts.

Hillsborough County Public Schools has partnered with local healthcare providers to offer regional ECG screening opportunities for students. Click on the link below for free or low-cost opportunities to schedule an ECG.

http://hillsboroughschools.org/ecgscreenings

Thank you for your attention to this important update and for your continued support of student health and safety.

Follow the steps below to login to Focus.

Students will report to their 1st period class on August 10. Students should reference their FOCUS app to determine the room # of their first period class.

The State of Florida DOE has mandated that students may only participate in the graduation ceremony if they have met all requirements for graduation. Students who have not completed all requirements for graduation, including benchmark assessment achievement, will not be able to participate in the graduation commencement ceremonies.

Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) will

implement an updated curriculum frameworks for Cooperative Education On-the-Job Training

(OJT) course.

Under the revised framework, OJT becomes a CTE-restricted capstone course serving as the

culminating experience in a CTE program sequence. It will include several important requirements. To meet the capstone requirement, students must have completed two CTE courses in the same

program.

Join the Sumner High School PTSA and be a vital part of our mission to support students and staff! Your involvement helps fund important programs and strengthen our school community. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students and those who educate them. Visit our website to join the PTSA, become a business sponsor, or order spirit gear.

https://share.google/ZFo360jC9vCPI7G6Z

Only $15. Get yours now!

https://flpta-sumnerhs.givebacks.com/shop

To support the health and safety of our students, Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) has begun installed vaping detectors in high school bathrooms.

At a School Board meeting last school year, the Board approved a contract with Secure US Solutions, the exclusive provider of VapeEd - a comprehensive prevention and intervention system.

As a reminder, smoking and vaping are prohibited on all school campuses at all times. Vaping among students continues to be a growing concern both nationwide and within HCPS. So far this school year, high schools across the district have recorded more than 1,000 vaping-related referrals.

The VapeEd devices detect airborne vapor and immediately notify school administrators, so staff can promptly check the area. The detectors do not record audio or video.

Electronic vaping devices carry significant health risks, including nicotine addiction, respiratory issues, and exposure to harmful chemicals. Expanding our initiative is part of a broader effort to reduce vaping and ensure swift responses when incidents occur.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership in keeping our campuses safe and healthy.

School hours start at 8:35 am and dismissal time is at 3:35 pm on a regular bell schedule.

Parents, please ensure your child is at school ON TIME BEFORE 8:25 am each day. We need you to commit to getting your student to school ON TIME! If you have a student driver, please discuss with them your expectation to be at school prior to the 8:25 bell.

Students may arrive on campus as early as 8:00 am. Free breakfast is served in the Stingray Cafe each day, 8:00 am - 8:30 am. First bell is at 8:25 am. Students have 10 minutes to arrive on time to 1st period. Tardy bell for 1st period is at 8:35 am, all students should be in their classrooms ready to learn!

Absences shall be reported to the school attendance office by the parent/legal guardian on the day the absence occurred. Utilize the attendance reporting link above.

Please refer to the Attendance Policy and information found in the HCPS Student Code of Conduct.