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Published Monthly by Kathleen High School Kathleen orch

It is a great day at Kathleen High School! I can “Feel the Power of High Achievement!” I am extremely proud of every student and teacher at our won-derful school. Because of their efforts KHS was awarded the national turnaround school of the year! Listed below are a few of the outstanding accomplishments for the 2008 school year that actually put me on the roof of KHS for four days from 10/27—10/30/08. 1. Best writing scores in the city of Lakeland among tradi-tional high schools 2. Top two in the district for writing scores among tradi-tional high schools 3. Top five in the district for learning gains in math among traditional high schools 4. Top five in the district for learning gains in reading among traditional high schools 5. Top six in the district for learning gains in science among traditional high schools This further proves that our students, teachers and staff members are second to none. They are tremendous represen-tatives of the Kathleen High School family and community. Please continue to feel the power! It is a great day to be a “Red Devil!” Cecil McClellan, Principal

Message from the Superintendent Gail F. McKinzie, Ph.D.

It should come as no surprise that the economic outlook for Florida is gloomy. So how does that affect our public schools? In two words: decreased funding. Polk County School District receives the majority of our operating funds from state revenues. When revenues are down, so is the funding source to educate our students. The 2008-09 operating budget for Polk County Schools reflects more than a $42 mil-lion decrease in funding from the start of last year. Some of the financial loss has been offset by increases in local property taxes as determined by state legislators. How did we compensate for shortfalls in our budget? Here are a few examples: 1) not filling 190 open non-instructional, non-teaching posi-tions; 2) eliminating a contingency fund; 3) reducing departmental operating budgets; 4) eliminating capital equipment budgets; and, 5) curtailing travel, including no longer sub-sidizing school field trips. These are short term solutions that will work for a brief time, but we cannot sustain these gaps without

unfavorably affecting the support system that serves our students. That being said, forecasts project that the State could further reduce our budget by another $13 million over the course of this school year. I am proud that we are consistently ranked among the best school districts in Florida for channeling dollars directly to the classroom and for having one of the lowest administra-tive cost plus, non-classroom, overhead ex-penses. Our district is also ranked among the best in the state for having the lowest energy costs and most efficient transportation sys-tem. Further cuts will cause us to be even more frugal. I ask for the community’s un-derstanding and support in the wake of these difficult economic times. Florida ranks 50th in the nation for providing funds to public education. We must work together to push our State leaders to identify a consistent source of adequate funding for school dis-tricts. Our children deserve our best efforts in delivering a quality education.

Issue Spotlights Superintendent’s Message P.1

Rooms to Go Academy P.4

Aerospace Academy P.5

Fire Academy P.8

Issue 1 Volume 1 October, 2008

KHS

Principal’s Corner

Principal, Cecil McClellan Assistant Principal of Curriculum, Ginger Rosenau Assistant Principal of Curriculum, Chad Smith Assistant Principal of Administration, Tony Williams Discipline Dean, Greg Wilson

9th Grade Administrator, Sam Scott Dean, Jim Boatenhammer Academic Dean, Tiffany Brown Athletic Director, Gary Lineberger Reading Coach, Mechelle Daughtery

Kathleen High School 2600 Crutchfield Road Lakeland, FL 33805 (863) 499-2656

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What students really need

to know about Math, Reading and Science

P T S A N E W S

Mark your calendar for Thursday, Novem-ber 6, 2008. Join us in the media center at 7:00 p.m. for an infor-mational meeting about PTSA at Kath-leen High School. All interested students, parents, and KHS staff members are welcome to attend.

2009 Academic Boost Camps at KHS

On January 31, February 7, February 28 and March 7, 2009 KHS stu-

dents may attend academic tutoring sessions. Sessions will be approxi-

mately 2 hours in length and will focus on the

academic areas of Math, Reading and Sci-

ence. Sign-up sheets are in the guidance

office. We will have drawings at the end of

each Academic Boost Camp for student

incentives. Any questions, contact Lia Maffett

at lia.maffett@polk-fl.net.

Way to Go, World Language

Department

Mr. Haley received a grant to

paint the World Language

Classroom and students are

currently working hard on com-

pleting the task. The depart-

ment walls now have French

scenes. Great Job, Mr. Haley!

Kyle Carlton is our 2008 KHS

teacher of the year. He started teach-

ing at Polk Juvenile Detention Center

after graduating from the University of

South Florida. Before he transferred to

KHS in 1995, he taught at Lakeland

Highlands Middle. From 1995—2000,

at KHS he taught American History

and Government, Economics, World

History and Geography. Since 2000 he

has been part of the Agriculture De-

partment. He says, “The most chal-

lenging part of teaching agriculture

was not teaching the Ag mechanic

FCAT Explorer

Students, get ready for the Spring

FCAT. Visit www.fcatexplorer.com

Students Sign in name: Last name, first

initial (no spaces)

Password: 53, first four digits of last

name, two digit month, two digit day

(of birthday) (no spaces).

classes, but coaching all of the ca-

reer development events that KHS

students compete in.” He loves his

students and “to me, the interaction

with the students and epiphany mo-

ments that occur are the most excit-

ing.” His parents are attorneys in

Lakeland and he has been married

for 16 years to Tammy Carlton. They

have three beautiful daughters, ages

13, 9 and 3. Way to go Mr. Carlton,

we are so very proud of you!

Ruby L. Lewis has been employed

by KHS for thirteen years. She is a

paraeducator in the media center.

Mrs. Lewis has a BA degree from

Florida Metropolitan College. She

has coached girls’ basketball for

three years, served as president of

the Century Club, and has been a

member of the SAC Committee and

2008-2009 Teacher and School Related Employee of the Year

the Boosters Club.

Mrs. Lewis is affiliated with the

Church of Christ. Her hobbies in-

clude reading, sports, games and

interacting with people. Mrs. Lewis’

family includes three children and

five grandchildren. She is the oldest

of four sisters and one brother. She

says, “I pray that by working with

the kids I can say or guide them in

the right direction. I LOVE WHAT I

DO. The Lord keeps on blessing

me.” We love you Mrs. Lewis.

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KHS Green Devils!

November 11, 2008 5:30 p.m.

Mark your calendar for the Kathleen High School November Meet-ing. Please join us. Meetings are in C10 or media center.

We have started a recy-cle/ environmental club here at Kathleen. This seemingly novel idea is an attempt to capture positive momentum and model what it is to be a Kathleen gradu-ate- good citizenship, the pursuit of excellence over mediocrity, which is charac-teristic of truly great high schools across the country. Our service club is known as the KHS Green Dev-ils. Our goals: We are at-tempting to get 100% of the campus in the regular per-formance of recycling paper products on a weekly basis. We also are conducting community awareness ac-tivities within the KHS

boundaries, for example on November 8, 2008, in con-junction with JV Football and Baseball we will be par-taking in a KHS clean-up the community activity from 8:00—12:00; this event is donation based and will involve activist students/ athletes picking up trash and recyclables around the Wabash community sur-rounding Kathleen High School. Another of our goals is to actively involve local busi-nesses to participate in the KHS Green Devil projects, however with the economy in stage two of a recession, this last goal is quite a chal-lenge.

At any rate, our club is bicameral in structure, and directed by the following democratically elected posi-tions; Committee chair: Adam Kinloch, Co-chair: Portia Dunlop, Secretary: Eric Lucas and Finance sub-committee chair: Buggy Bowden. Any and all sup-port is greatly appreciated as we are attempting to ‘swim upstream’ and pro-mote a balanced twenty-first century philosophy into a culture that produces much and seemingly has little afterthought to the ramifications for its lifestyle.

O N L I N E G R A D E S A N D A T T E N D A N C E

Students and parents who want access to grades and attendance must submit a Parent Internet Viewer Form and/or Email Notifica-tion Form. For more information, Contact: John Jacomet, Network Manager, john.jacomet@polk-fl.net

Do You Know Where Mr.

McClellan was in October?

On the Roof—

10/27-10/30/08

Because our stu-dents are so awesome and made gains in selected 2008 FCAT target areas, our prin-cipal kept his promise and stayed on the roof. KHS Students absolutely ROCK. Mr. McClellan, you abso-lutely are the best!

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KHS VISION

It is the vision and tradition of Kathleen Senior High School to work with our fami-lies and community to provide unique opportunities and aca-demic challenges for our di-versity, to be productive citi-zens and instill both pride and responsibility in our school.

This Fall, you should: 1. Register online for the ACT, SAT and SAT Subject

Tests. * get a voucher if you are on free lunch for one free SAT or ACT test.

2. Ask for recommendation letters from teachers, coun-selors, coaches – don’t wait until the last minute.

3. Finalize your list of colleges, visit as many as possi-ble, and ask your counselor to send your transcripts to them AFTER applying to them.

4. Work on application essays – complete at least one by

Thanksgiving (or sooner for early admission.) 5. Assemble all the application materials you need. Fo-

cus on any early admission application first. 6. Research scholarships and grants. 7. Visit your guidance department for any handouts on

scholarships and searches.

Students and Parents We have some excit-ing news! Our Rooms to Go (RTG) Academy opens August, 2009. We received a $40,000 AIM grant from Polk County. This year is the planning year for the grant. Approxi-mately 50 targeted 9th and 10th grade stu-dents will be a part of this academy in 2009-2010. Students will be given the opportunity to apply, via applica-tion, later this school year. Faith Marlowe, KHS Business Teacher; Serena Peeler, PCSB Resource Specialist and Carla Morgan, Corporate Trainer from RTG wrote the RTG grant. This academy will provide students with skills for the workplace in the area of Management and Supervi-sion. We are ecstatic about this opportunity for our students. Look for more details in upcoming newsletters and announcements. Thank you Rooms to Go!

Congratulations to Mrs. Raulerson, Mr. Grasso, Ms. VanBenthuysen, Ms. Gam-brell, Mrs. Miller, Mr. Karol and Mrs. Allred. These teachers have been to GIZMO training and are us-ing the latest technology available to teach Math in their classrooms. GIZMO’s adds to the effectiveness and ability to get students engaged in learning. Teach-ers must attend district training in order to receive a GIZMO. Congratulations and thank you for partici-pating in this district initia-tive.

Saturday, November 22 (7:30 p.m.)

Sunday, November 23

(2:30 p.m.)

Where: KHS Auditorium $5.00 for students w/ID

$7.00 for adults

KHS Drama Club Presents Little

Shop of Horrors

Upcoming Testing Dates at KHS

Math Department Update

Attention Seniors

Tuesday Nov. 4, 2008

Write Score (10th) – Writing

Wednesday Nov. 5, 2008

Write Score (9th & 10th,

Reading and 11th, Science) Thursday Nov. 6, 2008

TABE @ 8:00 a.m. in Me-dia Center (Students must sign up in Guidance)

Thursday Nov. 13, 2008

ASVAB @ 8:00 a.m. in Media Center (Students must sign up in Guidance)

Mon., Dec. 1 – Wed., Dec. 10, 2008

KAPLAN (9th, 10th & 11th)

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Yearbooks are on Sale: Yearbooks are $75.00.

For more information contact: jessica judkins@polk-fl.net or (863) 499-2983

Attention Juniors

This Fall, you should talk with your counselor to discuss col-lege requirements and make a test schedule. Learn about col-leges at www.collegboard.com and www.campustours.com. Browse catalogs and guides and attend college fairs.

Spirit Night

Shane’s Rib Shack is hosting a Kathleen Spirit Night on No-vember 4, 2008 and sharing the

profits with KHS Baseball. Come out and support our Baseball team from 5:00 p.m. until closing. Contact Coach

Holmes for more information, chad.holmes@polk-fl.net.

Foreign Language Dept. Spanish teachers and their students decorated the D wing for Hispanic Cultural Month, celebrated annually from Sep-tember 15—October 15. The halls featured different Span-ish speaking countries. French menus were featured in the I wing bulletin board. Students enjoyed preparing and cele-brating the week.

Parents, Students & Staff

Mark your calendar for March 17, 2009—International Evening sponsored by the World Languages De-partment. We will have Food, Fun and Fellowship!

The Central Florida Aerospace Academy of Kathleen High School was successfully launched this school year. The academy opened its inaugural year with 70 ninth and tenth graders. Stu-dents from all over Polk County as well as Hillsborough County were welcome to apply. The academy currently has two programs, “Avionics” and “Pre-Engineering Aerospace Technologies.” Both programs offer students challenging academics with opportunities for college credit. Additionally, students will be able to obtain industry cer-tifications in avionics, auto cad, and FAA pilot ground school. The goal of the academy is to inspire students to reach new heights in air and space while obtaining a rigorous and relevant education. The academy location is unique for Polk County. Students receive all of their core academics

along with elective courses at the academy which is located at Sun n’ Fun on the south side of Lakeland Linder Regional Air-port. This location allows the students to be up close and per-sonal to planes throughout the school day and provides for great hands on learning opportunities. Additional ninth and tenth graders will be added next year with the goal of growing the academy to a population of 400 students in the 9th – 12th grades within the next 3-4 years. Parents and students interested in more information can con-tact Chad Smith, Assistant Principal of Curriculum at 863-647-4761 or chad.smith01@polk-fl.net.

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Sr. Class Sponsors: Donna Cross and Gina Simmons

National Honor Society

NHS is gearing up for forthcoming holidays with a canned food drive in November and sponsoring an Angel Tree in December. They are also in the process of Adopting a Road pro-ject. Plans have been made with the Department of Transportation to adopt the road in front of the football field on Memorial Highway and US Highway 92. Contact Mrs. Cross for more information, donna.cross@polk-fl.net.

Senior dues this year are $40.00 and need to be paid by 12/19/08. The expense covers Senior Class Breakfast, Chemical Free Party, T-Shirt and Gradua-tion Ceremony Expenses.

The annual Career Fair will be in December. There will be over 80 vendors and colleges participating this year. Vocational information, private enterprises, as well as governmental agencies have joined in our effort to prepare students for future steps in life. This is a joint effort from the school and community and parents to see the opportunities out there for KHS students. For more information, contact Donna Cross, donna.cross@polk-fl.net.

College and Career

Parents and Students Did you know that we have exchange students from Germany, Ukraine and China? Mrs. Pelham is the local coordinator for KHS. For more information, contact stacy.pelham@polk-fl.net.

KHS JV and Varsity Volleyball Teams —True

Winners! Team players held a fund-raiser during the month of October and raised $364.14 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation which supports breast cancer research. Thank you Coach Wilson and all the players for your generos-ity to this worthwhile charita-ble organization.

W E’ R E O N T HE W E B HTT P: / / S C H O OLS. PO LK- F L. N E T/ K HS

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Head Coach: Chad Holmes. Assistant Coaches: Clifford Bard, Jason Hayden, Pete Mancuso, Greg Cress, and Robert Salimbene. JV Head Coach: Robert Salimbene

Support the KHS Baseball Teams. The Baseball Team has athletic blankets, camouflage hats, red and black fitted hats and visors available for sale.

Attention Parents and Students

Fall Parents Meet-ing on October 23, 2008, for all inter-ested players and their parents at 7:30 p.m. at the baseball field.

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Educator's Covenant

This is my school; I open it wide to edu-cate all students who step inside! I will prac-tice a high level of re-spect for others and will demonstrate and maintain high expecta-tions of myself, my students and col-leagues. This is my calling and I will not rest until every student at Kathleen High School receives my best!

KHS

Important Upcoming Dates Tuesday, 11/4/08 Report Cards go home w/students; November 24-28, 2008 (Student Holiday)

N O T I C E T O B U I L D I N G O C C U P A N T S A N D P A R E N T S

Schoolboard of Polk County P. O. Box 391 Bartow, FL 33831

Non Profit Organization U. S. Postage Paid

Lakeland, FL Permit #2004

The first nine-weeks is almost over and the students in the 9th Grade/Fire Academy are focused on learning. The teachers are providing the stu-dents with the rigor and relevance that is necessary to make a successful transition from middle school to high school. The requirements are greater and the necessity to perform academically requires a commitment from each student. Please monitor the student's progress in each class. It is so important that any academic needs are assessed and the necessary steps

are taken to assist each student. Each teacher is committed to the success of every student. With 544 students, your help is so important. Please feel free to call the Student Services department to schedule a meeting with the counselor, teachers and administrator. Please call Sam Scott at 863-499-2655 if you have any questions. He can be emailed at sam.scott@polk-fl.net. Thank you for the opportu-nity to work with your children.

Freshmen Inspired by Rigorous and Relevant Education (FIRE) Academy

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a final rule, 40 CFR Part 763, Asbestos Containing Material in schools, commonly referred to as AHERA. This rule re-quires all Local Education Agencies to identify asbestos containing materials in their school buildings and to take appropriate actions to control release of asbestos fibers. All inspections for Kathleen High School have been completed and a management plan describing the results of the inspection and the action plan to control any asbestos found during the inspection has been submitted to the Governor for approval. A copy of this plan is located in the KHS administrative office and at the District School Board of Polk County Environmental and Safety Department and is available for review upon request.