Summer, we hardly knew you. Now school is right around the corner in Polk. What to know

LAKELAND – Chances are, if you were to ask any Polk County students about plans for the new school year, they would probably first lament about the all-too-soon end of summer vacation.

But by Aug. 12, it will be back to the “3 Rs” and away from vacations, beaches, summer camps and just hanging out. That day, Polk County Public Schools will welcome back more than 114,700 students venturing into classes at more than 120 public schools.

Kyle Kennedy, senior coordinator of media relations for Polk County Public Schools, said the county is “looking forward to another great year.”

“School will be starting before you know it, so it’s important for families to attend orientation and get familiar with school procedures and routines to make sure their students are well-prepared for the first day,” he stated by email. “PCPS would like to welcome all of our new and returning students; we can’t wait to see you on Aug. 12!”

Here are the details for the 2024-25 public school year:

When does school start in Polk?

Monday, Aug. 12 for public schools. Those in public charter schools or private schools might be different. For instance, Lake Wales Charter Schools also start Aug. 12. But McKeel Academy of Technology students start back on Aug. 7, the same day as Lakeland Christian School. Victory Christian School starts Aug. 8.

When do teachers report back in Polk?

Public school teachers report Friday, Aug. 2. But that might be different for charter and private schools. McKeel Academy, for instance, lists July 31 as the start of its teacher work days, with teacher professional development starting July 22.

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When are school orientations?

Schools should be sending out notices soon. Public middle and high schools hold orientations Aug. 7, elementary schools on Aug. 8. Orientation for McKeel is Aug. 5. Check with your school for times.

Where can school supply lists be found?

Schools provide them, generally on their social media pages or websites.

Where can I find school-uniform requirements at my school?

The best way is to contact the school directly or check its social media or website.

Where can I find bus route information?

Those are provided by schools at orientations and then posted to Parent Portal, the online service offered to parents and guardians for accessing certain student records.

What are the school start times?

Generally, 8 a.m. for elementary, about 9 a.m. for middle and 7 a.m. for high school, but it’s suggested families confirm those details with their child’s school. There can be wide differences in school start times, even between schools at the same level.

Are there any school supply giveaways in Polk County?

Yes, many community organizations have supply events, but PCPS does not organize them. Some of those groups include the Polk Sheriff’s Charities, Lakeland Regional Health, Florida Technical College, Mulberry High School, Main Street Bartow and area churches such as Harvest Church and Lake Gibson Church.

When is the state's back-to-school sales tax holiday?

Florida's 2024 back-to-school sales-tax holiday begins July 29 and runs through Aug. 11. Certain clothing, footwear and accessories less than $100, school supplies with a sales prices less than $50 or learning aids less than $30 will be exempt from sales tax during that period, saving 7% in Polk County. It also includes certain computers and accessories costing less than $1,500.

For more information, see www.polkschoolsfl.com or call 863-534-0500.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Polk County's new school year is coming fast. Here's what to know