Newsletter: December 2025

This year’s theme at Dundee Elementary Academy is “Power up, be the hero of your own adventure!

Dundee Elementary Academy

At Dundee Elementary Academy, teachers and staff are embracing this year’s theme for students: Power up and be the heroes of their own adventure!

“We encourage each of our Owls to take ownership of their learning and seize every opportunity to grow,” said Dr. Lana Headley, the school’s principal. “With hard work and the help of their teachers, they can ‘power up’ and reach the next level of their academic journey!”

The school was founded in 1976 and later became a magnet school for prekindergartners to fifth graders.

In 2018, the school was authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) – a special program which encourages students to take responsibility and ownership of their learning.
Students embrace the IB learner profile to become:

• Inquirers
• Knowledgeable
• Thinkers
• Communicators
• Principled
• Open-minded
• Caring
• Risk-takers
• Balanced
• Reflective
  

Students select classmates who demonstrate the IB Learner Profile attribute of the month to lead a monthly parade as peers, parents, and staff cheer them on.

The school also promotes good behavior, student success, and positive, safe environments through a multi-tiered system known as Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). The school has achieved Gold Model School status for using PBIS practices at a high level and serving as an example for other schools.

One fun activity is a golden ticket drawing for a staff member, and two students. They receive gifts from community sponsors to celebrate their outstanding positive behavior, hard work and commitment to learning.
Dundee Elementary Academy hosts many family engagement events throughout the year. In December, there will be a family science night. In addition, students will also perform at the Town of Dundee Tree Lighting and march in the Christmas parade.

Boone Middle’s first Multicultural Night brought together families to share their rich food, traditions, and performances.

Shelley S. Boone Middle

Shelley S. Boone Middle is committed to academic excellence and finding ways to support all students on their learning journey.

The school’s English Language Arts (ELA) staff are laser focused on helping students through strong instruction. The effort is paying off with these students achieving historic gains — record proficiency and learning growth.

Boone Middle explores new ways to build a positive school culture by helping students express themselves through creativity and fostering a sense of belonging that reaches far beyond the classroom.

The school’s lunchtime DJ sessions and Tuesday talent shows have become a highlight for students, bringing energy, positivity, and engagement to the cafeteria. Students really enjoy showcasing their talents — whether singing, dancing, playing instruments, and other creative abilities. Every student gets a chance to shine!

Boone’s first Multicultural Night was an unforgettable celebration with families sharing their rich food, traditions, and performances. The inspiring turnout showcased unity, pride, and connection — beginning a meaningful new Boone tradition.

Ridge Technical College recently hosted an open house where high schoolers could learn about many available career paths, such as nursing, mechanics, beautician services, HVAC, welding, commercial truck driving, firefighting, and more!

Ridge Technical College

For nearly five decades, Ridge Technical College has been preparing students with the skills necessary for careers in high-demand industries.

The workforce training institution in Winter Haven is recognized among USA Today’s Top 250 Vocational Schools in the nation. What’s the secret? Students are determined to succeed, and staff members provide technical knowledge, offer hands-on training, and reinforce strong professional work habits.

Ridge Technical College achieved a commendable rating for the 2024–2025 school year. The commendable rating is Florida’s highest school improvement rating for alternative schools.

Ridge Technical College continues to strengthen programs through rigorous accreditation, community partnerships, and measurable student success.

Click here to learn more about Ridge Technical College or call (863) 419-3060.

PCPS employees can scan the code for more information or to access the important resources of the Employee Assistance Program.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

PCPS employees remember that you can call the Employee Assistance Program for free assistance -- 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year!

You’ve got a lot on your plate. Sometimes it can feel like you have to do it all, all by yourself. But you’re not alone.

PCPS employees and all members of their household can use the Employee Assistance Program. There’s help available to support mental health, improving finances, legal consultation, estate planning, and more!

Scan the QR code to be taken to resources.

Resources for Living is an employee assistance program, available at no cost to PCPS employees and all members of their household. Children living away from home can access services up to age 26. Enrollment in PCPS’ Health Plan is not required to use services. Services include emotional wellbeing support, chat therapy, daily life assistance, legal and financial services. Services are confidential and available 24/7.

To access services: 1-800-272-7252

resourcesforliving.com/home/resources/webinars

Username: PCS | Access Code: PCS.

The district’s most outstanding and dedicated volunteers are honored during the annual Volunteer of the Year Awards celebration.

Volunteer Program

Volunteers play a vital role in making public education possible.

Polk County Public Schools has over 17,000 approved volunteers - of which there were over 4,000 active volunteers responsible for logging almost 125,000 hours of service in the 2024-2025 school year!

They serve students and schools in a variety of different ways, such as assisting in classrooms, helping with clerical duties in school offices, maintaining library materials in media centers, and so much more!

Many volunteers are also mentors for students, becoming role models who help children develop self-confidence, improve their academic performance, and inspire them to be successful in life.

The district’s Volunteer Program ensures that all school sites are adhering to volunteer-related policies and procedures.

Volunteers must undergo an application process and receive an appropriate background check before they can begin their service to support our students and schools. In addition, the program provides district-level training and updates to school volunteer coordinators on a regular basis during the year and hosts the annual Volunteer of the Year Awards celebration.

Publix Super Markets Charities is providing $100,000 to supplement 20 existing school food pantries for the 2025-2026 school year.

School Food Pantry Program

The Strategic Partnerships team has secured a donation of $100,000 from Publix Super Markets Charities for the School Food Pantry Program.

Over the summer, Strategic Partnerships worked with the Division of Schools, Student Services and Community Liaisons to compile a list of school sites that indicated they had a school food pantry on-site.

Publix Charities conducted site visits to see the location of the food pantry, meet the principal and school staff managing the pantry, and learn more about the work being done and the needs/challenges of each site.

Publix Charities is graciously providing funding to supplement 20 existing school food pantries for the 2025-2026 school year.

Schools will receive an initial deposit of $1,000 or $500 and can request additional funds in the same increment as initially given.

Some schools are classified as a Community Supported site and will receive $1,000. These pantries are currently receiving donations from nearby organizations (service clubs, churches, private donors) or through on-campus food drives. They include:

• Crystal Lake Middle
• Davenport School of the Arts
• George Jenkins High
• Lake Region High
• Lakeland High
• Loughman Oaks Elementary
• Palmetto Elementary
• Roosevelt Academy
• Sleepy Hill Elementary
• Southwest Middle
• Spook Hill Elementary

Some schools are classified as a Programmatically Supported site and will receive $500. These pantries are partnered with Feeding Tampa Bay (FTB) to receive regular donations of food. They may also get support from nearby organizations/food drives, but their primary source is FTB. They include:

• Bartow High
• Crystal Lake Elementary
• Denison Middle
• Fort Meade Middle/Senior
• Lake Marion Creek Middle
• Lewis Anna Woodbury Elementary
• McLaughlin Academy of Excellence
• Ridge Community High
• Westwood Middle

The Red Devil Wing competed in the Joint Leadership and Academic Bowl Championships in Washington, D.C.

JROTC Program – Kathleen High

The Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) is an important program at many PCPS schools and is sponsored by the U.S. Armed Forces. JROTC instills discipline and develops leadership skills that students will use in their future military service, or wherever life takes them.

This month, we salute Kathleen High.

The Red Devil Wing at Kathleen High School/Central Florida Aerospace Academy earned the prestigious Distinguished Unit Award with Merit for 2024–2025 from Air Force JROTC Headquarters.

The award recognizes cadet excellence, instructor mentorship, and outstanding school and community support. This honor places the unit among the very best of 828 AF/SF JROTC programs worldwide.

The Red Devil Wing also achieved national distinction when cadets Molly Oliver, Dominic Perez, Hannah Bushnell, and Thor Wikman were selected as one of only 16 Air Force teams to compete in the Joint Leadership and Academic Bowl Championships in Washington, D.C., June 20 – 24, 2025.

The Aspiring Leaders Program hosts special seminars and learning opportunities. Over the course of a year, participants sharpen their leadership skills and prepare to lead with confidence, clarity, and purpose.

Aspiring Leaders Program

Polk County Public Schools is working to train the next generation of assistant principals.

The Aspiring Leaders Program (ALP) is a year-long, job-embedded professional learning experience that prepares participants to lead with confidence, clarity, and purpose.

The school district’s strategic plan includes developing great leaders as a major goal.

ALP participants engage in robust leadership development guided by experienced district leaders, principals, and assistant principals. The program covers all pillars of successful school-based leadership while emphasizing instructional leadership that directly supports improved student outcomes.

The program also fosters collaborative learning and a growth mindset. Many participants choose to continue beyond the initial year to deepen their leadership experience and readiness.

District leaders, principals, and assistant principals provide exceptional learning experiences, coaching, and mentoring.

“They are truly gracious with their time and expertise,” said John Hill, director of leadership development. “They understand that their guidance is shaping the next generation of school leaders.”

“Our entire school system benefits from having a deep pool of talented and inspirational aspiring leaders ready to step up when opportunity knocks,” Hill said.