2018-2019 Polk Vision Annual Report PV AR 2019_web | Page 24

DID YOU KNOW?
Polk Vision is the designated
member organization
representing Polk County as a
part of Florida College Access
Network.
For more information visit
floridacollegeaccess.org
LEFT Featured on the home page of
the web site are the students from Lake
Region iMAG Academy who created the
name, logo and tagline.
Throughout the 2018-2019 school year, content for the web site was vetted
and contributed to locally by Polk County Public Schools Counseling Services
Department and through focus groups and training sessions held with students,
school counselors and teachers. These various groups helped identify ways to
bridge the many disconnects between students and the career planning process.
Students and parents from across the county are encouraged to send in valuable
tips as well as gain access to on-line resources. School counselors view the
web site as a tool that can be used to reinforce critical information in a fun and
interactive way. With input from staff members representing over 40 schools,
it has been made clear this initiative is not only wanted but needed for today’s
students. After conducting in depth focus groups and information sharing
sessions with students from ages 13-18, the engagement and excitement for
scholarships, academic advice, and inspirational guidance tailored specifically for
students like them was made clear. Each student deserves an opportunity to put
their best foot forward on the path to success.
(L to R Marissa Rivers, Jordan Garcia, Noah
Harper, and Larry Washington, Jr.)
B E T H E F U T U R E B E U ™ is two things: it is a collection of
resources and it is a community of engaged students focused on
preparing for their future.
The Be The Future Be U™ web site has been created to support students
in achieving their job and career goals while providing parents with helpful
information and resources. Developed for use by middle school and high school
students, the site contains age-appropriate information on topics ranging from
advanced high school course selections to early college admission options. It’s
all about planning and Polk Vision has launched this on-line tool to help students
and their parents connect to local, state and national resources.
In Spring 2018, Polk Vision reached out to students at Lake Region High School
iMAG Academy requesting the design of a brochure to promote career planning
for students. Be The Future Be U TM was born from their creative collaboration
and has evolved beyond a simple brochure to the development of a web site
designed to support an on-line community and an interactive information
trading post.
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TOP: Over 60 Kathleen High School
students provided valuable input to
the development of content for Be The
Future Be U TM .
BOTTOM: Sixth Grade Class members at
Union Academy were introduced to Be
The Future Be U™ by Polk Vision Intern,
Marissa Barnes. Students navigated the
web site, answered a series of questions
and then provided feedback and
suggestions for content.
What Students Are Saying!
• “I like that the website gives valuable resources to students so they can have
what they need to go to the next level, and as a senior, I appreciate it.”
— 12 Grade Student / Alpha Phi Alpha, Men of Tomorrow Institute
• “I like how it shows you what you need to do and how you can do it. It shows
you that you need to work harder.”
— 6th Grade Student / Union Academy
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