Home

Latest News

<< <  Page 9 of 11  > >>

Apr 28, 2011
Polk Avenue hosts Florida Aquarium for Earth Day

LAKE WALES – Polk Avenue Elementary partnered with Florida Aquarium’s Water Wheels outreach program to celebrated Earth Day on Monday (April 25).  Cardinals learned about animals native to Florida, especially wetlands animals.

During the presentation, students learned how to protect these animals and become environment-friendly citizens. Most students were excited to see and touch the snakes (pictured), alligators, turtles, and other reptiles shared by the Florida Aquarium staff.

Apr 25, 2011
Polk Avenue families express creativity

LAKE WALES – About 125 aspiring artists wielded paintbrushes, molded clay and dyed Ukrainian eggs to express their creativity during Polk Avenue Elementary’s Family Involvement Night in April.

“The families had an amazing time painting, sculpting and making Ukrainian eggs,” said Principal Gail Quam. The April 5 event for parents and children was part of a monthly series of Family Involvement Nights at the school.

 

The Aspiring Artist Night featured two guest artists: painter Dorene Butler and sculptor Kumpa Tawornprom. Kindergarten teacher Lonnie Murphy also shared her artistic talents during the evening.

Dorene Butler demonstrated watercolor techniques for the group, to help them get started on their own watercolor paintings. A resident of Lakeland, Butler often translates her love of nature through painting, drawing and poetry. She is part of a large family of artists, including her father, wildlife and landscape painter Robert Butler.

Kumpa Tawornprom talked about the sculpting process before the aspiring artists each got clay to mold and shape. A native of Thailand, he has a degree in Architectural Design from the Royal Thai Academy.

Although most of the students and parents knew Lonnie Murphy as a kindergarten teacher at Polk Avenue, they discovered that she also is a cartoonist and illustrator who enjoys paper making and the art of Ukrainian or pysanky egg design. The aspiring artists designed their own eggs during the evening event.

PHOTO #1: Polk Avenue Elementary families try sculpting clay during the Aspiring Artist Night.

PHOTO #1: Artist Dorene Butler (standing) of Lakeland demonstrates watercolor painting, while families experiment with the process.

PHOTO #3: Kindergarten teacher Lonnie Murphy explains the process for creating pysanky or Ukrainian eggs.

Mar 13, 2011
Polk Avenue Cardinals celebrates Chinese New Year

LAKE WALES – They may be Cardinals, but for at least one day, Polk Avenue second graders became a Chinese dragon to celebrate the end of the Year of the Tiger and the beginning of the Year of the Rabbit!

Glowing red eyes, followed by 100 shuffling feet underneath a 70-foot-long Chinese dragon snaked through the hallways of Polk Avenue Elementary recently (Feb. 18) as students celebrated the end of one Chinese lunar year and the beginning of another Chinese New Year.

Polk Avenue Elementary second graders have been studying Chinese culture.  The dragon was created in a collaborative effort by the individual second grade classrooms, which each made a section.

“Our students and staff were very excited to see the dragon weave its way through the school to the auditorium,” said Principal Gail Quam.

The dragon was ushered into the auditorium by students carrying traditional fish kites and Chinese lanterns. Lucky red envelopes filled with Cardinal Cash were passed out by students, who followed the dragon as it left. Teachers popped Chinese “poppers” over their students to create a festive end to the gathering.

According to Chinese tradition, 2010 was the Year of the Tiger. The 2011 Chinese New Year, which is tied to the track of the new moon, was officially celebrated on Feb. 3, with the beginning of the Year of the Rabbit.

Photo: This 70-foot Chinese dragon was created in sections by second grade classes at Polk Avenue Elementary, and then assembled before its “trip” through the halls to celebrate Chinese New Year.