Dear Hillsborough County Public Schools Families, 

For the 2020-21 school year, we are excited to share that we will be moving to a new learning management platform called Canvas—a new hub of learning for our school district for all PreK-12th grade students, parents and educators. Over the next few weeks, we will be providing you with training material and videos so that you are prepared for the school year. 

Click here to view an important Canvas introductory video from Superintendent Addison G. Davis to get you started.

Canvas provides live (in-class instruction for teachers to use, once students are back inside classrooms) and virtual instruction options. This platform is user-friendly regardless of your learning style.  

We want to make sure the transition to Canvas is as smooth as possible; that is why we created a Hillsborough Canvas Family Guide where tips, resources and training will be updated periodically for our entire Hillsborough Schools Family to view.  To access this guide, visit the Families section of hillsboroughschools.org under Helpful Links, and click the Canvas Family Guide.  

Although student courses are not available yet, we encourage you to become familiar with this new platform. Once you have logged into Canvas you can access this guide any time by clicking the help icon. 

NOTE:  If you have already created a district MySPOT account to access Edsby or Online Report Cards, you do not have to create an account.  The current email address and password you use to login will automatically work for Canvas.

Fast Facts about Canvas: 

• 95% of higher education institutions use Canvas—which helps prepare our students for life after high school.  
• Through Canvas, parents can be observers, monitor student progress, see feedback from teachers, and see student assignments.  
• Canvas also offers a free APP where grades and course content can be viewed. Students can submit assignments and keep track of course work with a to-do list and a calendar. Messages can be sent and received; discussions can be posted, and students and parents can receive push notifications for new grades and course updates—a great way to monitor student progress on the go.  
• Canvas provides feedback to students on their work; teachers can leave comments directly on assignment pages. Teachers can also record a video to give details on assignments and encourage students, which builds a better connection between teacher and student during virtual learning. 

Teachers and staff are currently working on professional development training— include Canvas training, to enrich student instruction in a virtual environment.  

Thank you for your patience as we work together to create the tools needed for teachers and students to succeed. We look forward to providing you with this new hub of learning.  

Respectfully, 

Hillsborough County Public Schools