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The districthas lost a third of taxable value from the increases in home values since the Great Recession because of the rollback on millage rates, he added. All rights reserved. Any student or student's parent/guardian who believes s/he has been or is the victim of bullying or harassment should immediately report the situation to the school principal. Those at the top of their respectivesalaryschedules will receive a 3% increase,in addition to the above 2% increase. Instruction regarding bullying, harassment, and the District's violence prevention and school safety efforts shall be integrated into District curriculum at the appropriate grade levels. Polk County Public Schools strives to reduce its energy footprint. Upon the completion of the investigation and if criminal charges are to be pursued against the perpetrator, the appropriate law enforcement agencies shall be notified by telephone and/or in writing. Monthly Meeting Agenda and Meeting Materials Monthly meetings are live streamed. Information on identifying and reporting bullying for parents and students. PBS LearningMedia is your destination for easy, instant access to tens of thousands of classroom-ready, digital resources including videos and presentations perfect for the Interactive Whiteboard, plus audio and photos, and even in-depth lesson plans. Use your Polk County Schools username as follows: Staff: (firstname.lastname only, do not include @polk-fl.net) to access Moodle. Submission of a good faith complaint or report bullying or harassment will not affect the complainant or reporter's future employment, grades, learning or working environment, or work assignments. Employees and retirees can submit requests through Benefitplace to change their benefits due to a qualifying, life-changing event, such as marriage, divorce, death of a dependent/beneficiary, birth of a child, adoption, etc. The next largest category is contracted services at $56.3 million. accessibility concerns, please contact the webmaster. If a bullying (including cyberbullying) and/or harassment incident occurs it will be reported in SESIR, coded appropriately using the relevant incident code and the related element code. The district has high transportation cost because it covers so much land encompassing more square miles than the state of Rhode Island, Pitts said. Such immunity from liability shall not apply to an employee, student, or volunteer determined to have made an intentionally false report about harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying. College funding: Florida Southern College receives $120,000 state matching grant for nursing education, Trailblazer: Winter Haven doctor, a pioneer of emergency medical services in 1960s, dies at age 98, "One of the most concerning things for me is not just this presentation, but in school funding in general, is where we rank in our district's costs differential," Sharpless said. The District will utilize Florida's School Environmental Safety Incident Reporting (SESIR) Statewide Report on School Safety and Discipline Data as prescribed. Nikki Jones Assistant Principal
[email protected] . This policy should not be interpreted as to prevent a victim or accused from seeking redress under any other available law either civil or criminal. Polk School District is a dynamic public school district located in Polk County, Georgia. She said there was simply no way she would be able to teach from home, as she has been doing throughouttheschool year to try to avoid getting sick. Students, parents, teachers, school administrators, counseling staff, and school volunteers shall be provided training and instruction, at least annually, on the District's policy and administrative procedures regarding bullying and harassment. InJanuary, district officials extended the COVID sick leave through March31. 103 0 obj
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2023 www.theledger.com. Accelerated Academic Programs Polk County Public Schools offers many programs for qualified, high-achieving students. Polk is the second largest employer in the county with about 13,500 employees (excluding substitute teachers). The state and federal government also contributes roughly47% and 9% respectively (based on National Center for Education Statistics) to complete the majority of a school districts funding sources each year, Education Week reported. There is even a mobile app, so you can access the system from your smartphone or other mobile device. 110 East Polk Avenue, Lake Wales, FL 33853 PH: 863.678.4244 | FX: 863.678.4680. There are also 145 school resource officers and guardians; and district support personnel of 1,595. The investigator shall collect and evaluate the facts including but not limited to: whether there were past incidents or past continuing patterns of behavior; the relationship between the parties involved including whether the individual was in a position of power over the individual allegedly subject to bullying or harassment; the characteristics of the parties involved; where the bullying and/or harassment occurred; whether there have been other incidents in the school involving the same or other students; whether the conduct adversely affected the student's education or educational environment; the context in which the alleged incidents occurred; and. The investigator shall document in his/her report the reasons for needing up to an additional ten (10) days. ; Accelerated Academic Programs Polk County Public Schools offers many programs for qualified, high-achieving students. For questions related to your benefits or for assistance with Benefitplace, please contact the PCPS Risk Management and Benefits department. 68 0 obj
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Learn about our career academies that help students prepare for the workforce. Log in using the same username and password you created during the self-registration process. Password Quick access to forms, resources, and information. If you have forgotten your Polk County Schools password click here. About 300 teachers in Polk County, both public and private, have contracted COVID-19 between Sept. 6 and April 3, according to records with the Florida Department of Health. The intended audience is 6th-12thgrade students and parents. Implementation of the plan by each principal will be ongoing throughout the school year and will be integrated with the school curriculum, the bullying and prevention program, District disciplinary policies, and violence prevention efforts. This policy is adopted pursuant to the requirements of F.S. Check your childs grades, attendance, and more. Cyberbullying also includes the distribution by electronic means of a communication to more than one person or the posting of material on an electronic medium that may be accessed by one or more persons, if the distribution or posting creates any of the conditions enumerated in the definition of bullying. Polk County Board of Education meetings are held at 6:30 PM on the second Monday of each month. Consequences and appropriate remedial action for students who commit acts of bullying or harassment or found to have falsely accused another as a means of bullying or harassment may range from positive behavioral interventions up to and including suspension or expulsion, as outlined in the Code of Student Conduct. Library Media Services recently purchased Cameron's Collection, a mental health and wellness e-book series for secondary students. School Board Vice-Chairwoman Kay Fields thankedthe staff for their work, acknowledging that it did nothappen overnight, and thanking the staff and PEA negotiators for including a provision to renegotiate if there is a fluctuation in funding. The Superintendent shall develop a comprehensive plan intended to prevent bullying and harassment and to cultivate the school climate so as to appropriately identify, report, investigate, and respond to situations of bullying and harassment as they may occur on school grounds, at school-sponsored events, and through school computer networks. I just want to change my password. The highest level of confidentiality possible shall be provided regarding the submission of a complaint or a report of bullying and/or harassment and for the investigative procedures that are employed. Sara VanHook Principal
[email protected]. "Bullying" and "harassment" also encompass: Retaliation against a student or school employee by another student or school employee for asserting or alleging an act of bullying of harassment. Student safety is Polk County Public Schools first priority. Reports may be made anonymously, but formal disciplinary action may not be based solely on the basis of an anonymous report. District Office:1915 South Floral Ave., Bartow, FL 33830, 2022 Polk County Public Schools | Equity & Compliance | About | Sitemap. The issue came upthis week in Polk afterWendell Watson Elementary School fifth-grade teacher Susan Woolsasked The Ledger about it. Stephanie Yocum, president of the Polk Education Association teachers union, whichrepresents 7,000 teachers, along with534 support staff and 1,546paraeducators, said she and the 26 union negotiators are ecstatic to get a contract ratified this early in the process. Upon completion of the investigation, notification shall be by telephone and/or in writing by first-class mail and shall be consistent with the student privacy rights under applicable provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). Polk County Public schools has partnered with Benefitfocus to provide the members of our insurance plan with a secure, efficient and convenient platform to manage their benefits online. Steps for getting your child started at Polk County Public Schools. ; Bullying Information on identifying and reporting bullying. Find your Board member, access Board meeting calendars and agendas, and learn how you can watch meeting broadcasts. The programs of training and instruction authorized by the District shall include, but not be limited to: Dating Violence Prevention: CDC's Choose Respect. The proposed millage rateforPCPSthis school year was tentatively set at $5.829 per $1,000 of a property's value, The Ledger previously reported. About 300 teachersinPolk County,bothpublic and private, have contracted COVID-19 betweenSept.6 and April3,according to records with the FloridaDepartment of Health. You can search, save, and share with ease. ; ClassLink Online resources and services for students! 2022 Polk County Public Schools | Equity & Compliance | About the District | Style Guide, Designed for iOS and Android mobile devices, the Benefitplace. It was like getting hit by a train and trying to breathe with an elephant sitting on you,saidWools, who rarely gets sick. The investigation of a reported act of bullying or harassment is deemed to be a school-related activity and begins with a report of such an act. After the revised policy has been adopted, it shall be submitted to the Florida Department of Education not later than September 30th. State funding covers just 60% of the district's mandated transportation services. It was obvious that the board really did not propose that the employees premiums increase, so we have kept those the same, saidPCPS Chief of StaffJason Pitts. Learn about the many ways were protecting our students. While Polk's average teacher salary is 35th in the state. The current general fund was set at $1.167 billion. . 1915 South Floral Ave. | Bartow, FL 33830 | 863-534-0500. School Board Member Justin Sharpless wanted something done to improve revenues. acting in a manner that has an effect similar to the effect of bullying or harassment. The ultimate winner: It takes more than numbers to sum up Castle's career. -Serve as Guidance/Student Services department chair for middle school, grades 6-8. But after year of COVID-19, a new reality sets in. a written report by the principal/assistant principal. In a separate section, the District shall include each alleged incident of bullying or harassment that does not meet the criteria of a prohibited act under this policy with recommendations regarding such incidents. The student may also report concerns to teachers and other school staff who will be responsible for notifying the appropriate administrator. School Board of Polk County, Florida The Mission of Polk County Public Schools is to provide a high quality education for all students. Camerons Collection can also be accessed through ClassLink, the Gale GVLR site, or each schools Destiny homepage. If you get "Authentication Failed" message or need assistance , please contact the Help Desk at 519-8040.Authentication Failed" message or need assistance , please contact the Help Desk at 519-8040. User Name. Use your county credentials or email to log in. K-12 Students: (username only, do not include @mypolkschools.net) to access Moodle. The bulk of the current general fund budget goes toward salaries and . Search results from our Services may contain copyrighted material and, if so, you may not use such content unless you obtain permission from its owner or are otherwise permitted by law. "We have the issues when it comes to transportation costs but we don't have the advantages of some of those larger districts' coastal property taxes and things like that," he said, giving one example of a financial disadvantage that Polk County faces. This did elapse, according to the memorandum of understanding with the Polk Education Association, PCPSspokesman Jason Geary said in a statement Friday. While ten (10) days is the expectation for completion of the investigative procedural steps, more time may be needed based on the nature of the investigation and the circumstances affecting that investigation. The School Board is committed to providing an educational setting that is safe, secure, and free from harassment and bullying, including cyberbullying, for all of its students and school employees and applicants for admission. Instruction regarding bullying, harassment, and the District's violence prevention and school safety efforts shall be integrated into District curriculum at the appropriate grade levels. "Within the scope of the District" means regardless of ownership, any computer, computer system, or computer network that is physically located on school property or at a school-related or school-sponsored program or activity. Additionally, the Board expects school staff to conduct themselves in a manner that will protect the rights and welfare of students and other school staff and the care of school facilities and equipment. A helpful overview of Polk County Public Schools Fine Arts programs and opportunities. website. School administrators, faculty, staff, and volunteers serve as role models for students and are expected to demonstrate appropriate behavior, treating others with civility and respect, and refusing to tolerate harassment or bullying. The District expects students to conduct themselves in keeping with their levels of development, maturity, and demonstrated capabilities with a proper regard for the rights and welfare of other students and school staff, the educational purpose underlying all school activities, and the care of school facilities and equipment. If the action is outside the scope of the District and believed not a criminal act, the principal shall inform parents/guardians of all minor parties. Im not going toplay with this, shesaid. Information on identifying and reporting bullying. Conduct that constitutes bullying and harassment, as defined herein, is prohibited: during any education program or activity conducted by the District; during any school-related or school-sponsored program or activity or on a District school bus, or at a District school bus stop ; through the use of data or computer software that is accessed through a computer, computer system, or computer network of the District; or.
All records generated under this policy and its related administrative procedures shall be maintained as confidential to the extent permitted by law. Log In Username: Password: Forgot password? It should have been extended because its the right thing to do. Retroactive to July 1,2021,all affected hourly rates will be increased to a new minimum-base entry-level rate of $11anhour. He added the state lottery provides funding that amounts to five days of the districts operations. This page contains links to important documents, including the Code of Conduct, Student Progression Plan, School Board polices, and more. Capital is needed for the district's wish list of building projects that could add 10 more schools and multiple remodeling projects by 2041 in order to relieve already overcrowded schools and accommodate the endless waves of families with school-aged children moving to Polk County. Your principal has materials for you to certify that you have viewed the training video and have taught the required lesson for your grade level, but there are lots of other materials on the website if you want to explore the topic further with your students. View state and district assessments by grade level, including tips on preparing for exams. In accordance with State law, District staff may monitor as part of any bullying or harassment investigation any non-school-related activity, function, or program. The salary increase was part of a constitutional amendment passed by Florida voters in November to incrementally increase minimum wage each year until 2026, when it will reach $15 an hour. The training and instruction shall include recognizing behaviors that lead to bullying and harassment and taking appropriate preventative action based on those observations. 1006.147 and in conformity with the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) Model Policy. The Superintendent may authorize additional instructional programs or activities not previously listed within this policy on a case-by-case basis. The training and instruction shall include recognizing behaviors that lead to bullying and harassment and taking appropriate preventative action based on those observations. The instruction shall include evidence-based methods of preventing bullying and harassment, as well as information about how to effectively identify andrespond to bullying in schools. Check out your childs grades, attendance, and more! This authorization is to remain in effect until withdrawn by me, in writing, with sufficient notice to The School Board Payroll Department to . Complaints against the principal should be filed with the regional assistant superintendent assigned to the school. Suspected retaliation should be reported in the same manner as aggressive behavior and/or bullying. The District shall provide for appropriate recognition and positive reinforcement for good conduct, self-discipline, good citizenship, and academic success. through the use of data or computer software that is accessed at a nonschool-related location, activity, function, or program or through the use of technology or an electronic device that is not owned, leased, or used by the District or school, if the bullying substantially interferes with or limits the victim's ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or opportunities offered by the District or school or substantially disrupts the education process or orderly operation of a school. respond to bullying in schools. Reminders of the policy and bullying prevention messages will be displayed, as appropriate, at each school and at District facilities. Step - 1: Welcome I have forgotten my password or my password has expired. After his presentation, several School Board members wanted more information or called for legislative action on seeing the outlook for its next spending plan. Its not rocket science.. Work online or offline, anytime, and on any device with myPolkApps, powered by Google. Search the Destiny library catalog, find online resources and learn how parents can give input on library materials. I'm confident we will get it extended,though, and anyone having to take their own time for quarantine will be given their time back, Yocum said. Thank you for visiting the official website of the Polk County Department of Education. Find critical coverage information, insightful plan details, and relevant benefits that meet the needs of your unique life circumstances. hb``b``*c```w01G30i.F E(|_ PyLsY\&mv e4
This content is the sole responsibility of the entity that makes it available. I hereby authorize The School Board of Polk County to initiate credit entries and if necessary, debit entries and adjustments to my account at the above financial institution named. If the action is outside the scope of the District and believed to be a criminal act, the action shall be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency. Student Home Links to additional information for students. Some School Board members and the Polk Education Association teachersunion president agree. Egregious acts of harassment by certified educators may result in a sanction against an educator's State-issued certificate. Click here for more information Community Resources Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Links to additional information for students. Click Here to Change/Reset Your Password