Free Life Jackets, School Supplies and Backpacks in St. Pete

Tomorrow, St. Petersburg Parks & Recreation will be handing out free life jackets. Head to the Northwest Pool at 2331 60th Street North from 4 to 6pm. There will be a free water safety course. No registration for the course or life jacket is required.

There's no word on how many of the life jackets will be available on the St. Pete Parks & Recreation site. They just say the jackets will be free "while supplies last" so arriving early is a good plan.

St. Petersburg Parks & Recreation is also hosting a free school supplies and backpack giveaway for students Sunday, August 6 from 4 to 7pm at the Bay Vista Recreation Center at 7000 4th Street in St. Pete. Students from kindergarten to 8th grade can get their back to school items and there will be free food, a bounce house and music. You do need to register for this one by August 3 using this link.

If you have any questions about the giveaways, you can e-mail St. Pete Parks & Recreation at stpeteparksrec@stpete.org. Their phone number listed on their website and Facebook page (727-893-7441) appears to have been disconnected.

The highest-rated public high school in Florida is right here in our area. Niche is out with their list of the best of the best for 2021. Factors in their research included state test scores, how ready their students were for college, graduation rates, and the quality of their teachers. Participation in sports, absenteeism, suspensions, and survey responses also played a minor role in determining the rankings.

Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School had the second highest ranking in charter high schools in the Tampa area. They scored an A in academics, health and safety, college prep and diversity. 84% of their students were proficient in reading.

Palm Harbor University High School ranked 2nd in Pinellas County and #63 in the state overall. A grades were attained for academics and college preparation.

At #59 in the state, Riverview High School got high marks in academics, clubs and activities, diversity and college prep.

Sickles High School in Tampa came in at #53, scoring A's in teaching, college prep, diversity and academics.

The Polk Pre-Collegiate Academy in Auburndale came in at #1 in the best public high schools of Polk County. They scored an A grade in adademics, teaching, diversity and health/safety. Statewide, the school came in at #51.

Steinbrenner High in Lutz came in at #40. Test scores showed proficiency in 75% of their students in math and 79% reading.

Just behind Plant at #32 in Florida is Strawberry Crest High in Dover. They got an A rating in academics, health & safety, clubs and activities, college preparation and received an A+ rank for diversity.

Tampa's Plant High School ranked 30th in Florida. With a teacher to student ratio of 22 to 1, the school scored an A grade in academics, diversity, and college prep.

St. Petersburg Collegiate High School made the top 20. 85% of their students were proficient in math. 95% were proficient in reading.

Pine View School in Sarasota County topped the list. They got an A+ in academics and college preparation. With 1,877 students, 99% of Pine View's studetns are proficient in math and reading.