(See the Principles of Professional Conduct of the Education Profession in Florida F.A.C. 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. This policy does not imply to prohibit expressive activity protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution or Article 1, Section 4 of the Florida constitution. Sign up to receive messages from your school. The programs of training and instruction authorized by the District shall include, but not be limited to. "Bullying" means systematically and chronically inflicting physical hurt or psychological distress on one (1) or more students or employees. The intended audience is 6th -12th grade students and parents. Such behavior is essential in maintaining an environment that provides each student the opportunity to obtain a high-quality education in a uniform, safe, secure, efficient, and high-quality system of education. The Student Progression Plan describes requirements for students to be promoted to the next grade. PCPS and the PEA signed a memorandum of understanding on this issue, which did not need a votefromthe School Board. We are located in the southeastern corner of Tennessee in the heart of the. Using our Services does not give you ownership of any intellectual property rights in our Services or the content you may access. Learn the measures were taking to operate more efficiently. 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. 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. Search the Destiny library catalog, find online resources and learn how parents can give input on library materials. Step 3: Interview and Hire! View state and district assessments by grade level; includes tips on preparing for exams. 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. Flyers, posters, and bookmarks are being distributed at schools with QR codes for easy access. In addition,all active employees will receive a 2% increase on their current salary level. 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. School Board member Lisa Miller said she wants to see the employee contribution left at zero,especiallyfor staff and paraeducators. Suspected retaliation should be reported in the same manner as aggressive behavior and/or bullying. The Superintendent may authorize additional instructional programs or activities not previously listed within this policy on a case-by-case basis. There are lessons for all grade levels, plus materials for parents as well. Information on immunizations, medication administration, and head lice. This did elapse, according to the memorandum of understanding with the Polk Education Association, PCPSspokesman Jason Geary said in a statement Friday. MLK Day: Events celebrating legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. planned in Lakeland. Many of the teacher vacancies and other services are covered by contracts with outside vendors such as INVO, providing behavioral support. The tentative budget for the 2023-2024 school year will be prepared by June setting a proposed millage rate, which is determined by a state formula. Step 2: Search For Qualified Applicants. The programs of training and instruction authorized by the District shall include, but not be limited to: Dating Violence Prevention: CDC's Choose Respect. Forgot My Password. PEA President Stephanie Yocum said the school district received more than enough federal relief money to extend the COVID sick leave to those who need it, as other counties have done. This website endeavors to comply with best I know what symptoms to watch forand Im paying close attention. Charter school monies pass through the district coffers and that is expected to be $128 million for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. 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. 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. The ultimate winner: It takes more than numbers to sum up Castle's career. Members are required to set up their own account and designate their own username and password. MetaSearch is intended for research, information and reference purposes only. After the revised policy has been adopted, it shall be submitted to the Florida Department of Education not later than September 30th. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. 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. Teachers, CommonSense Media has developed lessons for Digital Citizenship and Literacy. Since millage rates are set by the state, school boards in Florida have few options for local revenues sources, forcing school districts to cut spending to make ends meet. If you would like additional assistance or have 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. It should have been extended because its the right thing to do. Data reporting on bullying, harassment, unsubstantiated bullying, unsubstantiated harassment, sexual harassment, and threat/intimidation incidents, as well as any bullying-related incidents that have as a basis of sex, race, or disability should include the incident basis. Information on identifying and reporting bullying. The instruction shall include evidence-based methods of preventing bullying and harassment, as well as information about how to effectively identify and. Click here for more information Community Resources Butler state police said in a criminal complaint that it was a little before 7:45 p.m. Thursday when Dakota Hughes, 22, called 911, identified himself by his name and date of birth, and said he . 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. What is up with that? Polk County HUB ; Staff List; Annual Accountability; . It was like getting hit by a train and trying to breathe with an elephant sitting on you,saidWools, who rarely gets sick. Polk K12 Parents: Forgot Password? But she worries about other newer teachers who might not. For property taxes, the Polk County School Board has two-line items on the property tax bill, the general fund and local capital improvement, said Joe Tedder, Polk County Tax Collector. During the first semester, the Superintendent shall inform school staff, parents/guardians/other persons responsible for the welfare of a student of the District's student safety and violence prevention policy. 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. Janie Howard Wilson Elementary; Polk Avenue Elementary School; Edward W. Bok Academy North; Edward W. Bok Academy South; Lake Wales High School; District; Library & Curriculum; Choose Lake Wales! A step-by-step guide for becoming licensed to drive. Valuable information and resources for families who are already homeschooling their children or those interested in home education. Information on dress code, Code of Conduct, attendance, and Student Progression Plan. He asked his colleagues and administrators present at the session to let the district's lobbyist know about the financial presentation. The principal shall report the occurrence of an incident of suspected bullying as defined by District policy to the parent/guardian of all students known to be involved in the incident on the same day an investigation of the incident has been initiated. The Staff Portal is where you can update your address & phone number, view remuneration statements, tax information, and more! We are very proud of our students, our schools, and our communities. This content is the sole responsibility of the entity that makes it available. Cyberbullying includes the creation of a webpage or weblog in which the creator assumes the identity of another person, or the knowing impersonation of another person as the author of posted content or messages, if the creation or impersonation creates any of the conditions enumerated in the definition of bullying. LAKELAND Polk County Public Schools' paraprofessionals and support staff can expect a whopping paycheck at the end of October, thanks to a contract negotiated in recent months and approved . The training and instruction shall include recognizing behaviors that lead to bullying and harassment and taking appropriate preventative action based on those observations. No Registration is required. TDOE has a preview site located here. The Staff Portal has been redesigned to be easier to use on a large variety of devices. LAKELAND Polk County Public Schoolsand the Polk Education Association teachers union arein final talks toextenduntil June 4the 10 days of COVID sickleave. Learn about the wide variety of school options Polk County Public Schools offers for students of all ages. Information on ESE services, projects, and programs, and resources for families. This includes two high schools, one college and career academy, two middle schools, and six elementary schools. 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. Log In Using Your polk-fl.net Account. Designed for iOS and Android mobile devices, the BenefitplaceTM Mobile App gives you instant access to relevant benefits information for the moments that matter most. A victim of bullying and/or harassment, anyone who witnessed the act, and anyone who has credible information that an act of bullying and/or harassment has taken place may file a report. The bulk of the current general fund budget goes toward salaries and benefits at $625 million. Our Services may display content that does not belong to Emerald Data Solutions or its affiliates. Coronavirus Information A place for current employees Information regarding dress code, Code of Conduct, attendance, and Student Progression Plan. 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. COVID-19 Testing Sites Available In Polk County You can find COVID-19 testing sites in your area by visiting https://polkschoolsfl.com/healthinformation/ to view a list of Polk testing sites provided by the Florida Department of Health. English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). 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. Monthly Meeting Agenda and Meeting Materials Monthly meetings are live streamed. website. 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. The School Board then votes on the general fund millage rate, he said. The Florida Education Finance Program provides a formula taking into account the local property tax base, the cost of education programs, the cost of living within a school district, among other factors. "Cyberbullying" means bullying through the use of technology or any electronic communication, which includes, but is not limited to, any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data, or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic system, photelectronic system, or photooptical system, including, but not limited to, electronic mail, Internet communications, instant messages, or facsimile communications. Growth: As development comes to Lake Wales, some residents worry about changes to quality of life. This authorization is to remain in effect until withdrawn by me, in writing, with sufficient notice to The School Board Payroll Department to . Pursuant to State law, District students, parents, teachers, administrators, school staff, school volunteers, community representatives, and local law enforcement agencies shall be involved in the review of this policy. If, during an investigation of reported acts of bullying and/or harassment, the principal or his/her designee believes that the reported misconduct may have created a hostile learning environment and may have constituted unlawful discriminatory harassment based on race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation, transgender status, or gender identity), race, color, national origin, religion, or disability (including HIV, AIDS, or sickle cell trait), pregnancy, marital status, age (except as authorized by law), religion, military status, ancestry, or genetic information which are classes protected by State and/or Federal law (collectively "protected classes"), the principal or his/her designee will report the act of bullying and/or harassment to one (1) of the Compliance Officers so that it may be investigated in accordance with the procedures set forth in Policy 5517 - Anti-Harassment. Polk County Board of Education meetings are held at 6:30 PM on the second Monday of each month. Discipline and referral data will be recorded in Student Discipline/Referral Action Report and Automated Student Information System. Links to online catalogs, eBooks, and reference and research tools. Polk is the second largest employer in the county with about 13,500 employees (excluding substitute teachers). In West Virginia, it spends $12,270 per student and pays an average teacher salary of$50,261. Information on identifying and reporting bullying for parents and students. Polk County Public Schools offers a variety of programs for children ages 3-5. Learn more, including how you can get involved! The student may also report concerns to teachers and other school staff who will be responsible for notifying the appropriate administrator. Information on how to become an approved volunteer and other ways to support Polk County Public Schools. 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. Is the 10 days no longer a thing? Employees of Polk County Schools who are unable to access this folder, please email Laura Barnett, lbarnett@polkcountyschools.com. Sara VanHook Principal sara.vanhook@polk-fl.net. hb``b``*c```w01G30i.F E(|_ PyLsY\&mv e4
If a provision of this policy is or becomes illegal, invalid, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, that shall not affect the validity or enforceability in that jurisdiction of any other provision of this policy. School Board Member Lisa Miller said she was interested in seeing an in-progress efficiency audit of current contracted services with the district. 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. Consequences and appropriate remedial action for a visitor or volunteer found to have committed an act of bullying or harassment or found to have falsely accused another as a means of bullying or harassment shall be determined by the school administrator after consideration of the nature and circumstances of the act, including reports to appropriate law enforcement officials. The District shall provide for appropriate recognition and positive reinforcement for good conduct, self-discipline, good citizenship, and academic success. The district operates 540 buses and transports more than 51,000 students for a total of 60,670 miles travelled each day. ); intervention which includes assistance and support provided to parents; analysis and evaluation of school culture with resulting recommendations for interventions aimed at increasing peer ownership and support. Learn about our career academies that help students prepare for the workforce. You can search, save, and share with ease. But after year of COVID-19, a new reality sets in. 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.