The Public Employees Relations Commission has ruled that Florida Polytechnic University must rehire three employees who claim they lost their jobs because of union activism and criticism of the university. The university says it is considering its next steps | ALSO: Ledger coverage Source: Tampa Bay Times
Category: Schools
Posted inSchools
Academy Prep Adjusts as It Rushes to Open
Academy Prep Center of Lakeland, a new private middle school that emphasizes academic rigor and offers scholarships for low-income students, is rushing to finish construction at the corner of Memorial and Lakeland Hills Boulevards. Classes may start in the new gym if remodeling of the old John Cox Elementary School has not been completed when […]
Posted inSchools
Parents Protest Policies at State Education Meeting in Lakeland
As the Florida Board of Education starts a meeting today at Polk State College’s Lakeland campus, parents are gathering outside to protest policies they say starve public schools and expand the power of state Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran. The board is scheduled to approve plans for an “external operator” to help struggling schools in Polk […]
Posted inSchools
Polk Schools Maintain B Grade
New school grades are out, and Polk County’s public school system maintained its B grade from the state education department for a second year after seven year of Cs. Read The Ledger’s article, which lists individual school grades for the last five years. Check this database for detailed data on each Polk school. 2019 grades […]
Posted inSchools
Eight Lakeland Schools Adjust Start, End Times
Start and end times at 19 Polk public schools are being pushed back 15 minutes to accommodate bus transportation issues. Lakeland schools that are affected include Blake Academy, Dr. N.E. Roberts Elementary, Griffin Elementary, Lawton Chiles Middle Academy, R. Bruce Wagner Elementary, Sikes Elementary, Sleepy Hill Middle and Winston Academy. Source: ABC Action News
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Sleepy Hill Middle School Trio Wins Engineering Honor
Three Sleepy Hill Middle School students — Ryder Walters, Michelle Berrios and Madison Dolyac — placed third nationally in the Team Engineering Challenge at the SkillsUSA Championships in Louisville, Ky. Source: The Ledger
Posted inArts & Culture
Local Short Film Explores Food, Culture and Belonging
The internal doubts of a young woman coming to understand her roots and her place in the world inspired the external drama in a short film being shot in Lakeland today and Saturday. Pamela Rodriguez, 22, was born in Puerto Rico but moved to Lakeland when she was very young, she said, but it didn’t […]
Posted inSchools
Poly Prof Chosen for Women in STEM Leadership Program
Dr. Grisselle Centeno, a Florida Polytechnic University professor of data science and business analytics, says she hopes her participation in a prestigious STEM leadership program will help her become an even better role model for young faculty and women students. Source: Bay News 9
Posted inSchools
Rochelle High’s Last Graduates Reunite 50 Years Later
Fifty years after their school’s final graduation, students who attended Rochelle High School in its final years gathered to reminisce, philosophize on discipline and the decline in respect among students and recall the first years of school integration in Lakeland. ALSO: Check Kimberly Moore’s video reporting on YouTube; no Ledger subscription needed. Source: The Ledger
Posted inArts & Culture
LHS Students Reimagine Two Swan Sculptures
View this post on Instagram A post shared by City Of Lakeland (@lakelandgov) Source: Instagram: City of Lakeland