Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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Lake Wales newest middle school campus is set to benefit from a $6 million construction project, but Lake Wales Charter Schools is working to find the resources to pay for the new school building at BoK Academy North. Filling the $3 million gap in funding to complete the new campus is being approached through a three-tiered fundraising effort that includes giving away a 2023 Cadillac XT4. Dr. T.J. McKeon spoke with the LakeWalesNew.net this week to explain the crucial need,...
Teaching children to read is one of the most important steps in the life-long project of learning. Getting them started early is critical, many educators believe. Among those who created reading material that draws children into the learning process was the beloved Dr. Seuss. As a way to mark Dr. Seuss' birthday on March 2, Lake Wales Charter Schools Superintendent Dr. Wayne Rodolfich, accompanied by Bilingual Specialist Dr. Julio Acevedo and PD Coordinator Stacie Padgett,...
Polk County Public Schools (PCPS) and Varsity Tutors have launched a new online tutoring partnership that brings live instruction and lessons to 40,000 students across the district. The first-of-its-kind program enables district educators to schedule online, face-to-face personalized tutoring for any student. The services will be available across 43 Polk County schools and utilized by both teachers in the classroom and families at home. "This program was designed to serve as a...
Four $1,200 scholarships will be offered to Florida students in 2023 by Polk County Supervisor of Elections Lori Edwards. Edwards has offered the scholarships each year for a number of years, part of her effort to encourage higher and engagement with government by Polk students. The scholarship will go to those currently enrolled in a senior college of university in Florida. Those students are typically not eligible for scholarships, which often go to those entering college...
Polk County Public Schools’ graduation rate decreased to 78.3 percent in 2021-2022, according to the latest data released today by the Florida Department of Education. District officials continue to analyze the data, but they anticipated a drop due to changes in graduation requirements during the pandemic. State exams were waived as graduation requirements during the pandemic (2019-20 and 2020-21 school years). As a result, students did not need to pass these exams to earn t...
Classes have started at Polk State College, but there is still time to enroll for the Spring 2023 Semester. Registration continues for 12-week classes, which will start on February 6, and eight-week classes that will start on March 7. Currently enrolled students can register for classes in Passport. Prospective students must submit a free online application to Polk State. The application, as well as information about the admission and registration processes, is available at...
A $4,000 grant from Florida's Natural Growers Foundation will support Victory Ridge Academy's School Wide Behavior Management System, school officials have announced. Victory Ridge Academy, located at 501 Burns Avenue in Lake Wales, is a Title 1 non-profit public charter school that exclusively serves children and adolescents with special needs. According to Penelope Updike, Grants/Public Relations representative, Victory Ridge Academy "recognizes the importance of...
Thursday was an exciting day for both students and administrators of Lake Wales' McLaughlin Middle/High School as they broke ground for a new $15 million gymnasium, and welcomed back former student Amar'e Stoudemire to give a keynote address. Stoudemire brought a message of encouragement to students hoping to follow his success as a "student athlete. "Hard work" was the repeated theme he share. Highlighting the need for education as well as athletics, he proudly announced his...
A rare opportunity to touch and operate a surgical robot got a group of Lake Wales High School medical academy students excited this week, after AdventHealth Lake Wales offered them access to the sophisticated equipment. "This is an exciting day for us. These students are our future health care providers," said AdventHealth Lake Wales President and CEO Royce Brown. "We want to do whatever we can to encourage them to follow their dreams and continue their pursuit of a career...
Lake Wales area students in high school or middle school levels are able to sign up for a one-time special Saturday class that will leave them with surprising facts about our community. Those on a college-bound track will appreciate a "Student Naturalist Certificate of Achievement" that will be awarded upon completion of the three-hour program, according to local educator Kyra Love Harriage, who is leading the curriculum for the classes. The history-making people who founded...
Student athletes from four local elementary schools will meet on the gridiron in an afternoon ideal for family fun. Students from Janie Howard Wilson, Hillcrest, Polk Avenue, and Babson Park elementary schools look forward to the highlight of both the autumn of the school calendars and the spring of their football careers. The annual "Elementary Turkey Bowl" takes place on Tuesday, November 15, beginning at 10:00 am. on the storied grounds of Legion Field in Lake Wales....
A special free learning opportunity is being offered to area Middle and High School students, who will learn and earn a special completion certificate as "Student Naturalists."The program is being offered in special Saturday events at Lake Wales Public Library, and will be led by certified Florida educators. The three-hour educational program, described as "a fun experience," is being hosted by Lake Wales Heritage, a local non-profit endeavoring to recreate the "garden city"...
Last year school shootings rose to the highest number in two decades. but according to the U.S. Department of Education, the most reported crimes on college campuses are burglaries, sexual harassment and motor vehicle thefts, Now more than ever, it's important for schools to use the best tools available to help keep campus safe. In response, Warner University and 911Cellular have launched a new smart phone app called "WarnerShield," designed to protect students and staff...
In the aftermath of the ongoing surge in school shootings nationwide, Polk County Schools plan to conduct random "screenings" of students during the coming school year, which begins Wednesday, August 10. According to a released issued by Polk County Public Schools Superintendent Fred Heid, "ALL screenings are done randomly." "Schools will vary the screening location on campus, the time when the screening takes place and the frequency of a screening," Heid wrote "For instance,...
Twenty-seven community leaders will soon begin exploring the complexities of managing one of the largest school districts in the nation. Inside PCPS - a new countywide leadership program - was created through the collaboration of Polk County Public Schools and Polk Vision. Superintendent Frederick Heid said the new program addresses an important goal within the district's new strategic plan. "One of our major goals is to better engage families and the community," Heid said....
Students heading back to school will get a welcome boost as 700 backpacks full of school supplies are given away to students from kindergarten through college age. The event marks the return of the Polk State College "Start Right" campaign and includes free school supplies, haircuts, food, and more for students and their families ahead of the 2022-2023 Academic Year. The event will begin at 9:00 am on Saturday July 23 at Polk State College's JD Alexander Center, 152 E....
The growing enthusiasm of staff, students and parents is lending a boost to McLaughlin Middle School as preparations are made to co-locate a high school on the campus. The results are showing up in positive ways. A new mural entitled "We Paint Our Path," featuring the school's phoenix mascot, was recently dedicated, the result of a week's effort by noted muralist Hamilton Glass. That project was the result of a grant from the Florida Education Association, the teachers' union....
AdventHealth clinicians and Bond Clinic in partnership with 10 Polk County high schools provided annual sports physicals to more than 500 pre-registered student athletes to make sure they were fit and well for their upcoming sports seasons. Providers checked blood pressure, height and weight as well as looked for skeletal, mobility and muscular issues. "We want to make sure these students are healthy and ready to participate in their chosen sport. By offering these no cost...
Quickly advancing plans to co-locate a new high school on the campus of McLaughlin Middle School, administrators brought some 60 parents, students, teachers, and staff together Tuesday to discuss the shape and operation of the school. The school will offer students a second choice of high schools in Lake Wales The charrette-style event, held in the school cafeteria, was themed around "Phoenix Airlines," using the school's mascot as the flight host. Each attendee was given a...
Polk State College is launching two opportunities for individuals seeking education and training in Human Resources Management – a concentration within the Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management and an advanced certificate option. Both prepare students for Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) certification and careers or promotions as HR managers and specialists. “At Polk State, we follow the industry needs in the community closely,” explained Maria...
Open enrollment for Fall 2022 Semester classes at Polk State College will begin on June 6. Currently enrolled students can register now for fall classes in Passport. Prospective students must submit a free online application to Polk State at www.polk.edu/admission-aid/admissionsteps. Assistance with admission, advising, registration, and financial aid is available remotely and on campus. The College has increased access to services remotely and encourages students to utilize...
It's time to raid your art supply closet – the 19th Annual Water Conservation Art Contest is open for entries. The contest is open to all Polk County students from kindergarten through 12th grade. The winners will be featured in the 2023 Polk County Utilities Water Conservation Calendar. Students are encouraged to create an artistic representation that centers on the theme of water conservation. Suggested subjects can include the water cycle, saving water, reclaimed water, sto...
In an amazing display of business acumen, a group of Webber International University students recently swept virtually every top honor in District III Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) competitions. The group of 17 Webber International University (Webber) students and their advisor, Associate Professor of Accounting Dr. Joanne Muniz, traveled to UCF/Valencia Downtown Orlando to compete in the event, which featured 30 categories. Collectively the local...
Polk County Supervisor of Elections Lori Edwards announced today that the Florida Supervisors of Elections (FSE) will award four $1,200 scholarships to Florida students in 2022. Applicants must be: - Registered to vote in the State of Florida - Be 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 Journalism/Mass Communications Applicants must also...
With innovative research in nanomedicine, energy systems, and rare earth element recovery, three Florida Polytechnic University professors have been listed among the top 2% scientists in the world. The prestigious list is compiled annually by Stanford University. Dr. Ajeet Kaushik, assistant professor of environmental engineering; Dr. Hisham Mahmood, assistant professor of electrical engineering; and Dr. Patrick Zhang, director of research mining and beneficiation at the...
