May 14th, 2012
LAKE WALES – Polk Avenue Elementary will host a year-end Leadership Day on Wednesday (May 16) to celebrate its ongoing success in “The Leader in Me” program.
“The Leader in Me” process helps schools build on leadership skills found in Dr. Stephen R. Covey’s best-selling book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” Each year, Polk Avenue emphasizes leadership skills in students and staff.
Wednesday’s program will include singing and drumming in the morning as guests arrive for breakfast and a brief overview with Principal Gail Quam. From 8:50-10:30 a.m., student leaders and staff will perform in a special program that explains the Seven Habits and how they apply to Polk Avenue Elementary:
After the program in the auditorium, visitors will make classroom visits and observations.
Mar 7th, 2013
LAKE WALES – Bok Academy student Clyde Spivey (far right) kneels to show some fifth graders how to sow seeds in the Polk Avenue Elementary garden. Students enrolled in Bok’s Agriculture class are partnering on a garden project with PAE teacher Leah Spivey’s fifth grade class.
Taking a closer look at the soil in the garden bed are (Photo #2, l-r) Cheyenne Etheridge, Clyde Spivey, Michael Balesand Wyatt Babington.
LAKE WALES – Polk Avenue Elementary families gathered last week (Feb. 6) for a fun family night focused on FCAT testing resources and strategies for students.
After an overview from teachers about what to expect on the FCAT Writes test at the end of February, children and adults played “Who Wants to be a Writer?” based on the popular game show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?”
PHOTO #1: Fourth grade teacher Sydney Mercado(standing, back to camera) read the question on the screen, while audience members in the school’s Media Center discussed possible answers.
Later, audience members played a game of “Jeopardy!” about test information and strategies. Parents and students worked together (PHOTO #2 and PHOTO #3) to learn information about the FCAT tests.
LAKE WALES – A special group of Polk Avenue parents gathered recently to hear about the school’s new PALS – Polk Avenue Leader Scholars – program. Students are selected based on high benchmark assessment scores.
PALS students meet twice a week with Donna Burns, the Lake Wales Charter Schools system teacher for gifted and talented students. Initially, about 32 students in grades 3-5 will be involved in PALS.
The first PALS project will be a “Wax Museum.” Students will research characters, and use art, drama and public speaking to present museum characters to an audience.
“We are very excited about providing top students with this opportunity,” said Principal Gail Quam.