Polk County Public Schools
Two teams of Polk teachers were named 2007-2008 Bright House Networks National Star Teachers for outstanding implementation of cable television resources with instruction. Ten teams or individuals from all parts of the country were named National Star Teachers by the network and two were from Polk County.
The team of Raedell Coogler and Jessica Fredricks from Haines City’s Bethune Academy won the award for their project titled “Passport to Africa: Egypt.” They incorporated cable programming into an interdisciplinary study of Africa that focused on geography, grammar, art and music. The project also included raising money for an orphanage in South Africa through the sale of Egyptian art done by Bethune Academy students.
The team of Karen Horsting and Debra Porter of Lakeland’s Southwest Middle were named National Star Teachers for their project titled “The Florida Story: Connecting to Our Environment.” Their students studied Florida’s diverse habitat and the importance of protecting natural resources. Throughout the project, Southwest Middle students learned how environmental issues in another state or country could have a positive or negative effect on Florida. Southwest students designed a neighborhood with city infrastructure that was compatible with ecosystems.
Each team shared $1,000 and received an all expenses-paid trip to Savannah, Ga courtesy of Bright House. Bethune Academy and Southwest Middle also received laptop computers by virtue of their teachers being named National Star Teachers.
For the fourth consecutive year, the Business Services Department of the Polk Public Schools has received a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA).
The department’s presentation report won the award for its comprehensive summary of the 2007-2008 school year budget. The department’s budget presentation also won the award for the 2006-2007, 2005-2006 and 2004-2005 school years.
The GFOA has deemed the department’s budget presentations as satisfying nationally recognized guidelines. According to the GFOA, the department’s presentations have met proficiency criteria as a policy document, financial plan, operations guide and communications device.
The 2008-2009 budget presentation, approved by the school board on September 9, is available for public inspection at the school district’s administrative offices, 1915 South Floral Avenue, Bartow. Contact the Business Services Department at (863) 534-0542 for further information.