The period from May 3 to May 28 is the final opportunity for student applications to Polk County magnet and choice schools for the 2010-2011 school year. Applications can be submitted online only at www.polk-fl.net. Individuals without computer or Internet access can complete the application on school district computers at any magnet or choice school or by visiting the Office of Magnet and Choice Schools at the school district administrative office, 1915 South Floral Avenue, Bartow. Applications will be processed according to the date received. For more information: (863) 534-0631.
The Ledger reports that the Polk Co School Board had refused to support Florida’s application for the Obama Administration’s Race to the Top grant award. They are siding with the Teacher’s Union who oppose the grant because the new dollars to the classroom would require accountability measures and a teacher performance pay plan. Obviously, I’m [...]
In the education post both Carol and I start with this Gallup poll that shows a very high satisfaction rate (77%) with how schools are educating children. Parents generally think their child is getting a good education. But those other kids? The poll shows that only 46% are satisfied with education in the country. What [...]
This press release was released Friday by the Polk County Public School District and addresses the controveresy surrounding President Barack Obama’s scheduled address to students which will be aired on Tuesday. The press release was not posted on the school district’s Web site, so I have copied it from the Lakeland Ledger‘s story. Polk School District Protocol For [...]
Monday marks the 40th anniversary of the moon landing of Apollo 11. For my father, Bill Townsend Jr., this entire summer marks the 40th anniversary of his service in Vietnam. In about three weeks, he'll mark the 40th anniversary of the wound he suffered that ended his tour after about four months. Over the years, the story I heard Dad tell most often recounted the strange duty he was performing when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon. My mother, my sister, and I convinced him to finally write it down. I think it will speak for itself. Enjoy. The moon landing would occur at 4:17 PM Eastern Daylight Time on July 20th, 1969, according to the spate of old news reruns and modern specials I’ve seen as part of the 40th anniversary. In my world, the touchdown happened at 0317 military time--just past three o’clock in the morning--on July 21st. The waning moon had set, and the meager lights of a nearby town were almost nonexistent. It was very dark.
Let’s face it…whenever you go watch a graduation ceremony, you realize that the valedictorian’s address usually follows the same format with much the same ideas in basically the same words. Usually, the vast majority of the audience — including the graduates themselves — are almost dozing off. Jem Lugo wanted to do something different with her opportunity. She was [...]
You will have to begin looking at Polk Community College in a new way and by a new name effective July 1. School trustees voted Monday to approve the new name, Polk State College, to reflect the fact that it will begin offering bachelor’s degrees in addition to the two year associate’s degrees and certificates [...]
Please click the extended entry and take a moment to look at the graphic you'll fnd there. What follows is very long. I'm sorry. It's as much a way to collect my thoughts for future use as it is a post, but I hope you'll read through it. It's a piece-by-piece examination of the general criticisms one hears of the stimulus plan and my reaction to them.
Here we go again. First it was USF Lakeland changing to USF Polytechnic. Now that they're going to offer four year degrees Polk Community College wants to rebrand. The school has placed a survey online to get the opinions of PCC alumni, students, employees and community members. Find your options inside...
USF (Lakeland) Polytechnic hosted the FIRST Tech Challenge this weekend. It's a mid-level robotics competition for high school students. Over 15 teams had a long day at the USFP campus. Tom and I were both on hand to take pictures and I made sure to take video. Enjoy!
Florida's Polk County is home to the state's 8th largest school district with 90,000+ students, and for the last 4 years Gail F. McKinzie. Ph.D., has been the district's School Superintendent. She has enjoyed the accolades of the County's School Board, receiving high praise, and even higher wage increases. So what does James MacMeekin think of McKinzie's performance?
Bio: The short line? Father, husband, writer. My online presence is primarily through as the editor, writer, and occasional photographer for the news sites, Lakeland Local, a sampling of the news, concerns, and events for Lakeland, Florida, and Metro i4 News, which covers the Interstate 4 corridor in Central Florida. Both sites feature the work of myself and other contributors. As a hobby, I manage a forum and some web sites that feature a pulp fiction series written by Lester Dent -- Doc Savage Organized, Doc Savage Info, and Flearun.