Zolfo Springs Elementary highlights pilot tutoring, accessibility project and student clubs

Zolfo Springs Elementary School presented a package of classroom and extracurricular initiatives to the Hardee County School Board on March 17, 2025, including a newly launched virtual remediation pilot with the University of Florida and a PTO-funded sidewalk to improve playground access for students with wheelchairs.

The school's principal said the school was chosen to pilot a University of Florida program providing targeted remediation for fourth- and fifth-grade students, delivered by a certified teacher through Florida Virtual two days a week for 45 minutes. "We actually started today, and my teachers were very excited. They said it went very well," the principal said.

The principal also described a K Crews Memorial Sidewalk installed from the playground to the basketball courts and swings to allow wheelchair access. The project was funded by the school's PTO working with community partners after the passing of a staff member, the principal said.

Teachers outlined how school activities reinforce academic and life skills. Regan Davenport, the school's varying exceptionalities teacher, said, "In my classroom, we not only focus on academics, but we also focus on life skills with my students." Davenport described a Friday program in which students prepare and sell breakfast sandwiches and waffles to staff, handling cooking, order filling and money management.

Art and music programs were also highlighted. The art teacher described several grants obtained over recent years, including multiple Hardee County Education Foundation grants used to purchase art supplies, brayers and materials for printmaking and 3-D sculpture, and to create a "blackout" space for a glow-themed art project at the end of the year. She said the school still hopes to secure a HCEF grant of $10,000 to fund a kiln and necessary code-related building work, and noted she will submit a request despite the building-related costs.

Extracurricular clubs described include a running club that meets monthly, an active music club, art club meetings once a week before school, and an Odyssey of the Mind team that placed second at regionals and is advancing to state competition. Two fifth-grade team members told the board the program lets them "make new friendships" and work on creative challenges; one student described the project as "fun" and said teams had about four to five months to prepare their entry.

The presentation closed with a short highlight video and board recognition of the staff and students. No board action was required on the school presentation.

Ending: The board thanked Zolfo Springs staff and students for the presentation and for hosting an upcoming principals' meeting. The district will continue to monitor the pilot remediation program and the school's grant applications, including the $10,000 kiln request.