Polk County Public Schools, Students
Leann Bennett, District Supervisor
1915 S. Floral Ave.
Bartow FL 33830
863-534-0515
The mission of Family and Consumer Sciences is to strengthen families and empower individuals to take action for the well-being of self and others in the home, workplace, community and the world.
Family and Consumer Sciences prepares students for jobs in related occupations and equips them with lifelong learning skills as family members. The programs of instruction include exploration of careers, employability skills, consumer education and resource management, nutrition and wellness, family living, child development, parenting skills, fashion design and clothing construction, life management skills, and home management and technology.
Training for gainful employment opportunities begins with entry level through technical level, to managerial and professional levels. Wage-earning programs are Early Childhood Education, Culinary Operations and Fashion Design and Production.
Family and Consumer Sciences programs across the county provide serves both to their school and to the community. Please follow the links in the charts below to find out more.
Students in the Early Childhood Education Programs receive training in the state-mandated early childhood modules necessary for employment in child care facilities and can receive the Education Early Childhood Professional Certificate (ECPC) upon completion of the four year program. Students also have opportunity to receive articulate credits to Polk Community College in Early Childhood Education.
| School | Instructor | Academy | Program Run Pre-Schools |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburndale High School | Kathy Woodward Sharon Hodges |
Little Hounds Pre-School | |
| Bartow High School | Joy Smith-Wallace | ||
| Frostproof M/Sr. High School | Angela Theriac | ||
| George Jenkins High School | Merri (Darby) Elson | Early Childhood Academy | |
| Haines City High School | Judy Perry Brystal Michalkiewicz |
Academy of Children’s and Education Studies (ACES) | Happy Hornet Early Childhood Academy |
| Kathleen High School | Bonita (Gail) Williams | Kathleen Pre-School Academy | |
| Lake Gibson High School | Christa Parker | ||
| Lake Region High School | Cynthia Reynolds | Thunderland Pre-School | |
| Lake Wales High School | Lisa Davis | Lake Wales Early Childhood Education Academy | Little Highlander Academy |
| Mulberry High School | Debra Campbell | ||
| Ridge Community High School | Shontia McGarr | Baby Bolts Pre-School | |
| Tenoroc High School | Marlene Lehning | ||
| Winter Haven High School | Tina Seymour | Little Blue Devil Pre-School |
All high school Culinary Operations programs use the ProStart curriculum in conjunction with the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Education Foundation and are supported by the Polk County Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. Upon completion of the ProStart curriculum and the certification examination, students receive a nationally recognized ProStart Certificate. Students may then enter the food service/hospitality industry, the work force, or continue their education at an institute of higher learning.
| School | Instructor | Academy | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburndale High School | Genene Tucker Sharon Hodges | Hungry Hounds Café | |
| Bartow High School | Gail Adams | Jacket's Nest | |
| Fort Meade M/Sr. High | Beverly Barnett-Crockett | Miner's Diner | |
| Frostproof M/Sr. High School | Nina Dyer | The Dogwoods | |
| Gause Academy | Steve Dilorenzo | ||
| George Jenkins High School | Brenda Doss | ||
| Haines City High School | Rebecca Rhodes | Hornet’s Nest Café | |
| Kathleen High School | Karen Kilday | Red Devils Diner | |
| Lake Gibson High School | Glenda Chenault | ||
| Lake Region High School | Ann Redd | The Stable Café | |
| Lake Wales High School | April Perry | ||
| Lakeland High School | Kim Martinez | Naughty Café | |
| Mulberry High School | Kelly MagdanzDebra Campbell | Panther Den Café | |
| Ridge Career Center | Jim Read | ||
| Ridge Community High School | LaShawnee Carlisle | ||
| Tenoroc High School | Jane Urick | ||
| Traviss Career Center | Sue Bullard | ||
| Winter Haven High School | Joy MaynardLana GuerrPatti Winniczuk | Academy of Hospitality and Management | Devil’s Den |
The Desing Services Cluster is designed to prepare students for initial employment or continued education in Interior/Design Decorating Industry or the Fashion Industry. Polk programs forcus on Fashion Design and include the planning, management, finance, and technical and production skills of the fashion industry.
| School | Instructor | Academy | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frostproof M/Sr. High School | Laura Corso | ||
| Lake Region High School | Rebecca Taylor | Thunder Threads | |
| Lakeland High School | Dotty Ivey | Academy of Arts, Design and Technology | |
| Winter Haven High School | Patti Winniczuk | Devil’s in Stitches |
Polk County Family and Consumer Science Middle School programs include the following courses: Career Discovery, Life Choices, Teen Challenges and Personal Development. Three new courses are being developed to lead to the high school wage earning programs.
| School | Instructor |
|---|---|
| Boone Middle School | Christine Hancock |
| Denison Middle School | Shyre Jordan |
| Fort Meade M/Sr. High | Beth Nicholson |
| Frostproof M/Sr. High School | Donna Yost |
| Gause Academy | Steve Dilorenzo |
| Kathleen Middle School | Vikki Jacson |
| Lake Alfred-Addair Middle School | Bobbie Holley |
| Lake Gibson Middle School | Natalie LeePenny LaFountain |
| Stambaugh Middle School | Lynn Maxwell |
Family Career and Community Leaders is the Career Student Organziation associated with Family and Consumer Sciences programs.
To promote personal growth and leadership development through Family and Consumer Sciences education. Focusing on the multiple roles of family member, wage earner and community leader, members develop skills for life through: character development, creative and critical thinking, interpersonal communication, practical knowledge, and career preparation.
More information can be obtained at the following websites:
You can also Contact your schools Family and Consumer Sciences teachers for more information.