AVON PARK — The new year will bring a new safety procedure for dismissal time at Park Elementary School. Beginning in January, each vehicle will be required to have a card in the dashboard imprinted with the names of the children who will be picked up in that vehicle. "We just want to make sure that the children are as safe as we can possibly have them be," said Park Elementary Principal Brenda Longshore. Usually by this time of the year many schools take the approach that they know the parents by now, "but, we just wanted to implement it and give it a try and see if we just can't up our safety just a little bit." Paraprofessionals who work during dismissal suggested the dashboard cards, which could also speed up the dismissal process, she said. ...more

December 24, 2007

SEBRING — Don't be surprised if you see more shaved heads than usual in Highlands County schools. It's all for a good cause. Five principals and teachers wanted to show support for Kindergarten Learning Center Dean "Mr. K" Rick Kogelschatz who has cancer. So they decided to shear their locks. Kogelschatz had a kidney transplant about 1½ years ago. During the summer he was treated for testicular cancer, which spread to a lung for which he is currently receiving chemotherapy. His fellow faculty and students from three schools, who've been associated with him as a teacher and dean, have tried to bolster Kogelschatz's spirits. ...more

October 30, 2007

SEBRING — Staff bonuses are in the offing at seven Highlands County schools that will receive incentives totaling more than $500,000 for their academic achievement in the 2006-07 school year. The state's School Recognition Program awards $100 per student to schools that achieve an "A" based on the school grading criteria or improve at least one grade from the previous year. ...more

October 3, 2007