HCSB Exceptional Student Education

03/23/2026

Parents, join the Family Network on Disabilities (FND) and the Project 10 Transition Education Network for our Post Secondary Educational Transition Webinar on Tuesday, March 31st!

They will be covering essential topics for your student's future, including: Graduation Pathways Standard Diploma, and Deferment Preparing for the Age of Majority (turning 18).

Check out the attached flyer for the full schedule of sessions starting at 10 AM! Join us on Zoom here: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84087064920

We hope to see you there!

12/10/2025

Wishing our Hardee County School Board families a season filled with joy, peace, and happiness! 🎄✨
From all of us in the ESE and Student Services Departments, we hope you have a wonderful and safe holiday season. We look forward to seeing our students back in the new year!

12/05/2025

Empowering Our Schools, Protecting Our Students 💚

Today, the Hardee County School District took another significant step in prioritizing student well-being. We were honored to host Kirk Fasshauer, Director of Crisis Response Services from the Peace River Center, who provided specialized training on su***de risk assessments to our Mental Health Staff, School Psychologists, and School Counselors.

Why This Training Matters: Adolescent mental health is a critical issue nationwide.

The Reality: According to the CDC, su***de is the second leading cause of death for youth ages 10-24.

The Trend: Youth su***de rates have increased by approximately 60% over the last decade, making early intervention vital.

The Need: 1 in 5 high school students report seriously considering su***de, highlighting the need for trusted adults who know what to look for.

How Hardee County Schools Are Being Proactive: We believe prevention starts with preparation. Our district is committed to a multi-tiered system of support: ✅ Expert Partnerships: collaborating with local leaders like Peace River Center to ensure our staff has the latest crisis response tools. ✅ Continuous Training: ensuring our counselors and psychologists are certified in evidence-based risk assessment protocols. ✅ Accessible Support: providing students with direct access to mental health resources and "safe spaces" within our schools.

By equipping our staff with these critical skills, we are building a safety net that ensures every student has someone to turn to in a moment of crisis.

Thank you to Kirk Fasshauer and the Peace River Center for their partnership and dedication to our community!

12/01/2025

Families of students in Exceptional Student Education (ESE) in Hardee County, your feedback is vital to improving our programs!

The Florida Department of Education’s 2025-2026 ESE Parent Survey is now open. Your participation helps us and the state understand how well we are meeting the needs of our students with disabilities.

The survey has been streamlined and takes less time to complete, making it easier than ever to share your valuable perspective.

Click the link or scan the QR code to complete the survey today:
➡️ bit.ly/ESEParentSurvey

Thank you for partnering with the School Board of Hardee County to support our students!

10/24/2025

🎉 Congratulations to our 2026 District Teacher of the Year — Mary Ann Duncan! 🎉

Mary Ann serves as our incredible Mental Health Coordinator, dedicating her time, heart, and expertise to the well-being of every student in Hardee County. 💙

Her compassion, leadership, and tireless commitment to supporting students and staff truly make a difference every single day.

We are so proud to recognize her outstanding work and celebrate her as this year’s Teacher of the Year! 🌟

09/11/2025

Gifted fun!

09/10/2025

🎉📚 Learning is FUN in Ms. Formentera’s class at WES! 🎉
Her students have been diving into their University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI) lessons with hands-on manipulatives to master their letters and sounds. 🅰️🔤✨

Who says learning can’t be playful? These future readers are proving every day that when you mix learning with fun, the possibilities are endless! 🌟👏

08/17/2025

Spectrum Sailing Sarasota is a FREE 3 day camp coming on September 19-21 2025. Ages 10-17. For more information please visit: www.spectrumsailing.org or send an email to [email protected]. Please share with those that may benefit from this FREE program.

03/20/2025

ATTN: Students in Private School, Home Education, and/or those using the PEP scholarship may request the opportunity to take the Florida Statewide Assessments with our district. Completion of this form is required.
Please fill out the application below and someone from the district office will contact you.

Application deadline is April 18, 2025.

Students in Private School, Home Education, and/or those using the PEP scholarship may request the opportunity to take the Florida Statewide Assessments with our district. Completion of this form is required. For student(s) with an IEP or 504 plan, please provide a copy to Julie Farr at jfarr@hardee...

03/20/2025

Thank you Hardee County Sheriff's Office for inviting our students to participate.

03/20/2025

So excited for this amazing young lady!