Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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For the second time in three years, $2.5 million of Polk State College’s recurring operational budget – more than 5 percent of the College’s total budget – is at risk of veto and the College is requesting the community’s support to protect these funds to ensure the Polk State JD Alexander Center, Polk State’s Lake Wales Campus, may continue to serve southeast Polk County with quality higher education and workforce training. The 2019 Legislative Session concluded May 4 with...
Rotary on the Ridge members presented the "Josh the Otter" water safety program May 14 to about 200 kindergartners at Chain of Lakes Elementary School. The school's adult-size fuzzy otter mascot visited kindergartners at Spook Hill Elementary School in Lake Wales May 1 and May 3 to stress the importance of safety around the water. Rotary on the Ridge President Megan Gillis read the book "Josh the Baby Otter" to teach the children some very important water safety concepts. Club...
An adult-size fuzzy otter is visiting kindergartners at Spook Hill Elementary School in Lake Wales May 1 and May 3 to stress the importance of safety around the water. Rotary on the Ridge Vice President-elect Trey Heath read the book "Josh the Baby Otter" to teach the children some very important water safety concepts. Heath reinforced the importance of having a swim buddy, making sure there's an adult present at all times and floating on their backs should they ever end up...
The Lake Ashton Community Benefit Association recently presented $30,534 in grants to 10 schools in the Lake Wales and Winter Haven area. This is the 15th year the Association has funded school grants and donations to date total $414,119. "The teachers submit grant requests and the members of the Association, with the help of local businesses and businessmen, raise funds through sponsorships and a fun "Casino Night" benefit in late February," according to Annabel Boogher,...
Unique Destiny Learners Studio is soon to be established in the Bartow/South Lakeland area. Their focus is on hands-on learning services through project-based learning, tutoring, and exploratory-styled electives. They will be providing part-time and full-time educational resources for children of all ages. Unique Destiny is currently offering the following programs: Family & Me Academy (Ages 0-3), Little Explorers Academy (Ages 3-4), Unique Destiny Academy (Grades K-6), 1.5...
Bok Academy students recently put a new twist on an old idea. The Lake Wales Charter school's "Renaissance Knight" didn't look back at history but instead provided parents and friends a chance to hear and see the talents and skills of hundreds of middle school students who sang, played and even showed off their television production skills. Beginner and advanced orchestras from both Bok North and South performed on the outdoor stage at Bok South, along with school choirs and...
Webber International University in Babson Park is now offering six undergraduate and three master's degree programs online. Established in 1927, Webber is a nonprofit organization accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC). Webber focuses on a worldwide business environment, modern business practices and entrepreneurship, but also offers more. Webber has a program that caters to the non-traditional student and offers a fully online program for...
High school seniors from Lake Wales and all over Florida gathered in early April for one fun and exciting night at Universal Studios. The graduating seniors, who spent four years of their high school career working hard and studying, were able to relax and enjoy one night of fun and excitement with their peers. It was interesting to watch old friends, who haven't seen each other for years, reunite for that extraordinary night. No one will forget the night of celebrating, the...
The top high school seniors from Polk County Public Schools will be honored on Thursday, April 18 during the fifth annual Superintendent's Scholars Awards. More than 1,000 seniors have qualified for this award that recognizes their outstanding educational achievements. Superintendent's Scholars include graduating seniors who have earned a 3.8 weighted GPA or higher by their seventh semester. During Thursday's ceremony, each student will have an opportunity to introduce...
Many people are aware of Steven Covey's "7 Habit's of Highly Effective People" impact in the business world. But one Lake Wales Charter school has been using it for eight years now as one of the foundations of its educational approach. Recently, Polk Avenue Elementary was honored as a prestigious Leader in Me "Lighthouse School". While thousands of schools across the United States use the program, only a few hundred schools have earned the Lighthouse designation. Leader in Me...
On a beautiful Friday afternoon, the Lake Wales High School Future Farmers of America was having a celebration to end FFA Appreciation Week. Students were playing cornhole, listening to some tunes spun by Cory Greenway of the Outta Hand Band, and eating some burgers and hot dogs donated by Weikert Ford. This day was the culmination of an entire week of celebration for FFA. Even though there was fun to be had the next hour was back to work for the students working hard to...
You might say that Samantha Havens is the Dale R. Fair Babson Park Elementary School Teacher of the Year because she hits all the right notes. Now in her ninth year at the Lake Wales Charter System, the school's music teacher earned a bachelor's in music education from Warner University in 2010, where she was inspired by Dr. Steven Darr. "Dr. Darr taught me that if you want something to be spectacular, then you need to put in the time and effort," Havens noted. "He is...
Enrollment for the summer and fall 2019 semesters at Polk State College will start when students return from spring break. Priority registration will begin April 1 for students who have completed 30 credit hours or more. Students can check their credit-hour status and whether they qualify for priority registration on PASSPORT. Open enrollment will begin for summer April 8, which is also when current students will be able to enroll in classes for fall. Open enrollment for fall...
Polk County Public Schools' TV channel is sporting more than a new look these days. The upgraded channel now features original videos highlighting students and schools. Viewers can still watch broadcasts of School Board meetings, as well as recorded coverage of special events. The channel's new layout also displays various job openings available with the school district, and streams news from our Twitter feed and event calendar. The centerpiece of the revamped channel -...
Polk County Supervisor of Elections Lori Edwards wants college students to know they have until March 29 to apply for one of three $1,200 scholarships to be awarded by the Florida State Association of Supervisors of Elections in 2019. Applicants must be: - Registered to vote in the State of Florida - A Citizen of the United States - Enrolled as a full-time student in a senior college or university in Florida - Majoring in Political Science/Public or Business Administration or...
The Polk County Public Schools surplus book warehouse is a treasure trove filled with hidden gems of knowledge. Every week, people dig through thousands of old textbooks and library books that would otherwise be destined for recycling. Instead, the books find new life as they make their way into the hands of other young learners. Best of all? They're free. "It's like a box of Cracker Jack," said Michael Boire, gesturing to the hundreds of boxes stacked throughout the warehouse...
Parents of students throughout Florida have enrollment options available to them for the 2019-2020 school year through a process called "controlled open enrollment." Polk County parents will be able to seek transfers by applying online between April 1 and April 26. The Florida legislature passed a statute that allows students to request a transfer to another school besides their zoned school, including transfers to public schools in surrounding counties. Parents seeking...
Warner University officially became part of the Citrus Label Tour of Polk County on March 1. What started a few short years ago as an initiative to identify buildings, land, and families with significance to the citrus industry in Polk County has grown to well over 15 locations. Warner University is honored to house two of the label displays which were generously donated by the represented families, the Maxcys and the Keens. The signs were conveniently placed around our Ed &...
Christina Cunningham of Lake Wales has been chosen as one of three Sunshine State Scholars for 2019 from the Polk County School District. The daughter of Lori and Rick Cunningham, Christina is a junior at Harrison School for the Arts. Every year, school districts across Florida select their top 11th-graders in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) for the Sunshine State Scholars program. Each of the Scholars will travel to Orlando in June for a...
Polk County Public Schools began accepting applications March 4 for its Voluntary Pre-kindergarten (VPK) and Head Start programs. Each of the programs is designed to address students' developmental and educational needs. Eligibility requirements vary. Available programs include: • Voluntary Pre-kindergarten, or VPK, a free statewide program for all 4-year-old children. Children must be 4 on or before Sept. 1 of the 2019-2020 school year to participate. VPK is offered at 23 s...
Polk County Public Schools began accepting applications for its Voluntary Pre-kindergarten (VPK) and Head Start programs March 4. Each of the programs is designed to address students’ developmental and educational needs. Eligibility requirements vary. Available programs include: • Voluntary Pre-kindergarten, or VPK, a free statewide program for all 4-year-old children. Children must be 4 on or before Sept. 1 of the 2019-2020 school year to participate. VPK is offered at 23 sites throughout the county. All 4-year-olds must sub...
The Polk County Democratic Executive Committee is hosting a Town Hall on Monday, March 18, to discuss education bills making their way through the Florida Legislature. Open to the public, the town hall is from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Bartow public library, 2150 S. Broadway, Bartow. County residents are invited to understand details of legislation that Florida politicians may be voting on during the 2019 legislative session. From arming teachers to the growing shift of tax dollars...
People wanting to become volunteers in the Polk County Public Schools can now complete volunteer applications online at polkschoolsfl.com/getinvolved With the introduction of this new system, the school district will no longer accept paper volunteer applications from the general public. For security purposes, the new volunteer system will screen applicants with a national criminal background check as well as a Florida Department of Law Enforcement background check. Approved...
Genifer Redmon didn't start her career as a school teacher, but from the sounds of it, it's likely she might finish it as one. Redmon, a graduate of Webber International University, spent six years working as the office manager at a property management firm, but for a time as the university's cheerleading coach as well. It was that part of her work on Crooked Lake that inspired her to a new profession, and the title of Janie Howard Wilson Elementary School of Environmental...
Bok Academy North teacher Margaret Thomas has a daily tradition with her sixth grade students. Every day, she likes to greet them with a question, something that simultaneously can entertain and educate her youngsters at the same time. It's part of the reason she has been named as the school's first-ever Teacher of the Year. Bok North opened its doors this past August. "It is the highlight of my day," she said of her routine, which sets the tone for entering a classroom that...
