Back To School: Polk County 2023-24 School Calendar

POLK COUNTY, FL — The summer has seemingly flown by, and now parents are scurrying to collect an 11th-hour assortment of notebooks, pens, pencils, glue and calculators on their kids' mandatory classroom supply lists.

Thanks to the Florida Legislature, which approved the Back-To-School Sales Tax Holiday from July 24 through Aug. 6, many Floridians have already purchased back-to-school items tax-free.
Those who haven't may pay a bit more with the addition of sales tax, but many retail stores throughout Polk County are now offering sales on items that will offset the sales taxes.

At Target, teachers and school staff who are members of the Target Circle will receive 20 percent off school supplies through Aug. 26.

Walmart makes it easy to shop for classroom supplies. Just enter the name of the school and grade to find the classroom supply list.

And Best Buy is hosting sales on computers and associated technology, dorm accessories and school essentials.

The Legislature also approved a second sales tax exemption for back-to-school items for the second half of the school year. The exemption period runs from Monday, Jan. 1, to Sunday, Jan. 14.

Nevertheless, some families continue to struggle to purchase required school supplies.

This year, needy children received a helping hand from the Polk County Sheriff's Office and Polk Sheriff's Charities Inc., which collected donations of school supplies and hosted back-to-school bashes July 8 at the Northeast District Sheriff's Office in Davenport and July 22 at Bartow Ford Company.

In addition to a chance to dunk a deputy in the Dunking Grady Pond, the events featured school-related vendors, balloon artists, games and food trucks.

Additionally, the sheriff's office handed out more than 2,000 backpacks filled with school supplies to students.

The Kiwanis of Lakeland again helped make the start of this school year special for needy children in elementary schools during its annual Stuff the Bus event, in which businesses set up donation sites and collected school supplies.

This is the 22nd year Kiwanis of Lakeland has sponsored this event in which 29 elementary schools will receive school supplies valued at more than $50,000 for about 14,000 children.

For more information on supporting Polk County Public Schools through donations of supplies and money, contact the Polk Education Foundation at 863-534-0519.

Created in 1988, the nonprofit direct-support organization for the Polk County School Board has raised and spent more than $43 million dollars at Polk County schools.

Parent Involvement Encouraged

"Our teachers and school staff have been working to ensure that your children receive the very best education and support to help them grow into confident, well-rounded and successful individuals," said Superintendent Fred Heid.

"As we start this new journey together, please know that we are counting on your partnership and collaboration more than ever," he said. "Your involvement is critical to shaping your child’s academic path and social development. We encourage you to take an active role in their education by attending parent-teacher conferences, volunteering and engaging in regular communication with your child’s teachers and counselors."

Here’s how to become an approved Polk County Public Schools volunteer:

1. Complete the online District Volunteer Application and submit your online payment of $25. This fee covers your background check.

2. Once your application has been processed, you will be notified about your approval status within three weeks.

3. Get your identification badge from your school and attend a school volunteer orientation. Approved volunteers seeking to transport students in their private vehicles must complete an additional application.

To find ways to get involved, click here.

Polk County Schools Calendar

Here is the back-to-school calendar for children attending Polk County public schools. Parents of students attending private, parochial and charter schools in Hillsborough County should check the school's website for important dates including the first day of school, holiday breaks and other days off.

Scenic Terrace School To Open

Unofficially named Scenic Terrace, the new school is located at 2885 Scenic Highway in Haines City. It measures nearly 157,000 square feet and has capacity to serve about 1,600 students.

Initially, the 157,000-square-foot Scenic Terrace will serve as a temporary home for 1,600 students from Elbert Elementary School, which is undergoing a complete modernization. The school district is unable to renovate the school with staff and students onsite, so they'll spend the next two years at Scenic Terrace.

Once construction is complete at Elbert, Scenic Terrace will become a traditional kindergarten through eighth grade zoned public school, providing more capacity to serve Polk County's rapidly growing district.

“I’m so excited for this chance for our Elbert students to relocate to a beautiful brand-new school,” said Principal Alex Wise. “I’m also excited for our Elbert community when we return to Winter Haven to be able to go back to a brand-new building again. It’s quite a unique opportunity.”

Bus Services

The school district has opened a temporary call center for bus service. Parents who have bus-related questions and concerns may call 863-534-7300 until Friday, Aug. 18 on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Call center personnel will be able to provide help with any transportation-related questions including student bus numbers, stop times and locations, transportation eligibility and bus delays.

Families can also check the Parent Portal for information.

Throughout the school year, parents can reach school bus dispatchers at 863-534-7300.

Keep in mind, bus delays are common at the beginning of the school year, as students and drivers settle into their daily routines. Like other school districts around the state, Polk County Public Schools are also facing an ongoing shortage of drivers.

PCPS has a critical need for bus drivers. Pay starts at $16.25 per hour and the school district provides paid training, health insurance, employee clinics and Florida Retirement System benefits. Call 863-534-7298 or email herschel.pipkins@polk-fl.net for more information.

Walk-in applicants are also welcome. Stop by the transportation office during regular hours at 1430 State Road 60 E. in Bartow.

Library Opt-Out

Polk County Public Schools will open its library opt-out system through Aug. 18 for the fall semester.

This online tool, available through the Parent Portal, allows families to control what books and media materials their children can access in their school and classroom libraries.

The opt-out system will close on Friday, Aug. 18, and reopen again in January.

Clothing Closet To Open

A clothing closet to help students and families in need is opening at Inwood Elementary School this year.

"It is our hope that by providing our students with uniforms, we can see an increase in attendance," said Sam Mustafa, a reading coach at Inwood. "Our goal is to 'Make it Happen' this year, and impact our students for the better. This closet is just one of the first steps in that direction."

Free Breakfast And Lunch

For several years, all PCPS schools have been covered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Community Eligibility Provision, so there is no charge for students to have breakfast and lunch.

Note: this only applies to traditional public schools in Polk County. If your child attends a charter school, contact the school about breakfast and lunch prices.

Focused On Excellence

This was the third year of the Polk County School District's Focused on Excellence campaign, which recognizes the hard work and contributions of PCPS employees.

Employees were asked to nominate their colleagues from various departments for a chance to receive prizes and be featured on the district's communication channels.

The most recent winner is Kendra Moxon, a language arts teacher at Lake Gibson High School.

“Polk County is an extremely accepting school district. From the moment I was hired, I felt included and welcomed,” she said. “I have been able to grow as an educator — professionally and personally. The opportunities given by this district allow teachers and students to expand their reaches and do better in the world.”

Moxon received gifts from sponsors Chick-fil-A (South Lakeland), IDX Brands, MidFlorida Credit Union, Publix, The Mosaic Co., CPS Investment Advisors, Dixie Southern Industrial Inc., Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, Sign Gypsies-Lakeland, Rhino Smash Sauce Co. and The Club at Eaglebrooke.

Back-To-School Guide

Parents and students can find valuable information about the 2023-24 school year in the Polk County Public Schools Back-to-School Guide here.