Polk County Public Schools
The Polk County Public Schools are seeking donations of musical instruments. Donated instruments will help some students become part of a band or orchestra program at their schools. Contact Beth Cummings, teacher resource specialist in the school district’s Fine Arts department, at (863) 647-4729 to learn how to donate an instrument or for further information on the need for instruments.
The Polk County Public Schools Foodservice Department is participating in the Florida Department of Agriculture’s Farm to School program. The Farm to School program brings nutritious, fresh foods from local farms to schools. The program provides healthy food choices to students and incorporates locally grown products into school meals. The Farm to School program supports local economies, reduces transportation costs and helps to preserve farms and farmland. Thursday, September 17, Thursday, October 29 and Thursday, December 10 have been designated as official Farm to School Days in Polk’s cafeterias and dining rooms. The first featured food item in the Farm to School program are green beans from R.C. Hatton Farms in Pahokee, Fla.
Information: Marcia Smith, Polk schools foodservice director, (863) 534-0592
John Small, senior director of the school district’s Workforce Education department, was honored by the Fort Meade city commission during the September 9 commission meeting.
The commission approved a proclamation in appreciation of Small’s efforts in establishing a career and adult school at the Gause Riverside Academy building. Gause Riverside, located at 1002 NE Sixth Street, formerly housed a third through fifth grade program until 2008.
Small worked with the East Area Adult School in Auburndale and recruited teachers for GED and ESOL programs at the site. The site is also used for other adult education programs, computer learning programs and programs for children in kindergarten through third grade. An early literacy class for children from infancy to five-years-old is also held at the site.
