We are back in session and to all Polk County school teachers – We Salute You!  So c’mon down to downtown Lakeland and see for yourself what Downtown Lakeland Partnership has in store for you at this First Friday celebration “Back to School – Salute to Educators!”. Bring your badge for special discounts and register to win downtown dollars.

It all starts at 6:00 p.m. – restaurants, stores, galleries, and coffee shops are open late. Enter to win prizes at Brooke’s Pottery

It has been a tough assignment the past year for teachers around Polk County with budget cuts in which teachers find themselves digging deep in their own wallets to keep the classroom running with necessary supplies. Throughout the month of August, MidFlorida organized “Stuff the Desk” – an opportunity for the community come together and drop off items for our teachers with Lakeland’s First Friday – “Salute to Educators” being a final collection.  Here are some suggestions to bring when you celebrate your children’s awesome teachers at this event:

• Sheet protectors
• Flash drives
• Reams of colored copier paper
• Recordable CDs (CDRs)
• Motivational stickers
• Velcro dots or strips
• Colorful pens
• Magnetic clips (heavy duty)
• Colorful Expo markers
• Sticky Tack
• Plastic bins or crates
• Classroom posters
• Binder clips
• Write-on transparencies
• Bulletin board borders
• Mailing labels
• Colorful or lined Post-It Notes

Don’t forget to stop by the classic car show on Tennessee Avenue