Truancy is more than a student and school problem, retired educator Gabriel Read believes, it's a community problem that will take a united effort of counties and individuals to toughen the state's truancy law. ...more

October 24, 2008

Student attendance increased Wednesday after schools were closed Tuesday due to Tropical Storm Fay, which caused few problems in the district. ...more

August 21, 2008

With school starting next week, Avon Park Police Chief Matt Doughney reminds people to drive safely and remember that children are returning to the classrooms. ...more

August 15, 2008

AVON PARK — Memorial Elementary School, on schedule to open in August, will be populated with students coming from four existing elementary schools, according to the district's proposed attendance plan. "We've got a boundary that we think is a logical one and hopefully it will be cost efficient," Assistant Superintendent of Business/Operations Mike Averyt said Monday. "We've got two public hearings to adopt the changes in the boundaries so we will be able to get public input at that point." The affected schools, from which some neighborhoods will be reassigned to the new school, are Sun 'n Lake Elementary, Avon Elementary, Park Elementary and Woodlawn Elementary. With the largest elementary school enrollment in the district, Sun 'n Lake Elementary will have the greatest enrollment decrease, Averyt said. The goal is to reduce enrollment at the school from 900 to about 650 students. The details of the proposed redistricting and school attendance zone maps will be released soon and will be presented at the public hearings, he said. ...more

February 5, 2008

SEBRING — More than 50 Cracker Trail Elementary students in challenging situations have been paired up with a concerned staff member. School's guidance counselor Crystal Pella created the Adopt-A-Student Program to promote self-esteem, school attendance, academic achievement and a reduction in discipline problems. It's a "Big Brother/Big Sister" strategy for meeting the individual student's self-esteem needs, said Principal Rick Demeri. Cracker Trail Elementary staff members are asked if they would like to be paired with a student who has been chosen based on attendance problems, academic difficulties, divorce or death in their family or low self-esteem. Pairing up with a student is on a voluntary basis and not a requirement, Demeri said. Parent permission is obtained and all strategies take place during school time on the school campus. ...more

January 21, 2008

For 50 years, Temple Heights Baptist Church and Christian School stood as symbols of faith, pride and community identity. ...more

January 16, 2008

For 50 years, Temple Heights Baptist Church and Christian School stood as symbols of faith, pride and community identity. ...more

January 16, 2008

The more drug use begins to affect and control a person's life, the more likely it is that he or she has a drug problem. Unfortunately, substance abusers are often the last ones to recognize their own symptoms of dependence and addiction. ...more

November 25, 2007

In observance of National Book Month, McDonald's sponsored a program Thursday at Longleaf Elementary School. Restaurant officials are visiting schools across the Tampa Bay area to let children know how important reading is, and where it can lead them. ...more

October 15, 2007

More than 50 Highlands County students were issued suspensions of their driver's licenses last school year for having an excessive number of unexcused absences. ...more

September 13, 2007