• about dcps
  • new residents
  • our core beliefs
  • our school board
  • our superintendent
  • accreditation
  • dcps departments
  • administration
  • climate survey results
  • just the facts
  • major initiatives
  • safety and discipline programs
• our schools
  • school information overview
  • our schools by cluster
  • special schools
  • school listings
  • turnaround schools
  • school information
  • school hours
  • school grades
  • home education
  • student information
  • recognition & awards
  • instructional research & accountability
• students
  • learn about learning
  • student progression plan
  • comprehensive student support
  • prepare to succeed
  • code of conduct
  • what's for lunch
  • alternative education
  • student software
• parents
  • new to dcps
  • how to enroll
  • important phone numbers
  • feedback & ideas
  • help your kid
  • get involved
  • calendar
  • transfers
  • guidance services
  • student software
• community
  • community involvement
  • volunteer information
  • business partners
  • mentoring
  • faith-based
  • service excellence
  • special project
  • community education
• hr info
  • employment opportunities
  • newly hired teacher
  • current employees
  • certification
  • hr contacts
• contact

School Zone

Chalk Board

Happy 90^th Anniversary, Ruth N. Upson!

Ruth N. Upson Elementary School celebrated 90 years of service to Duval County children on Sunday, April 15 with a joyous event involving teachers, students and administrators (past and present). 

Duval County School Board District III Community Meeting

On Thursday, April 19, Duval County School Board Member Kris Barnes will host a community meeting at Englewood High School (4412 Barnes Road) at 6 p.m.  The Duval County School Board members conduct community meetings in each district to provide parents, residents, and community members the opportunity to share their thoughts, reactions and experiences with Duval County Public Schools.

Superintendent and Students Think Big

On Wednesday, April 18 from 3:30 – 5 p.m., Superintendent Joseph Wise will host a group of local high school students in the Tower Café at DCPS’ administration building for a roundtable discussion on Ben Carson’s book, Think Big.  Copies of the book were provided to three high school students from each high school.

Duval County School Board District I Community Meeting

On Tuesday, April 24, Duval County School Board Member Martha Barrett will host a community meeting at Landmark Middle School (101 Kernan Blvd.) at 6 p.m.  Duval County School Board members welcome the opportunity to meet with parents, business representatives, citizens and community members to listen to their thoughts, reactions and experiences.

New Berlin Elementary Celebrates 1^st Anniversary

Principal Deidra Johnson and New Berlin students and teachers invite you to attend New Berlin’s “Year in Reflection” 1st Anniversary Celebration on Wednesday, April 25 from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. in the Cafetorium of the school at 3613 New Berlin Road.  A reception will follow in the school’s media center.

Andrew Robinson’s Science Extravaganza        

On Thursday, April 26 from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Andrew Robinson Elementary will host a Science Extravaganza, which will include activities, exhibits, door prizes, snacks, a special appearance by Southpaw, and the unveiling of the school’s new engineering lab.  For more information, call 390-6550.  To view the event flyer, click here.

“For Kids, By Kids, About Kids” Mental Health Forum

On Friday, April 27, students from Mandarin, Darnell-Cookman, and Paxon middle schools will present the 7th Annual “For Kids, By Kids, About Kids” Mental Health Forum at Mandarin Middle School (5100 Hood Road).  The middle school students will present information to their peers about mental disorders that affect teens.  High school students from Wolfson will participate in the forum by performing skits.  Members of the audience will enjoy interactive audience participation exercises. 

Teacher Jane Feber partnered with the Mental Health Association of Northeast Florida to present the forum.  Susan Siemer, president of the Mental Health Association of Northeast Florida, will facilitate, and other community representatives also will join the students for the forum.  Chief Tara Wildes from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office will talk to students about mental disorders and how people with mental disorders affect the crime rate, and Dr. Lynne Carroll, professor of Mental Health Counseling at the University of North Florida, will discuss mental health counseling as a career.  For more information, contact Jane Feber at 292-0555, extension 169, or send an e-mail.

Important Certification Update

The American Board Certification for Teacher Excellence (ABCTE) has just announced the availability of the Reading Professional Certificate.  It is available only to teachers certified in exceptional student education subjects or elementary grade subjects.  This certificate—granted upon the passing of the appropriate ABCTE exam—makes the ESE/Elementary certified teacher eligible for the Florida Reading Endorsement.  Once obtained, a copy of the ABCTE Reading Professional Certificate (front and back) must be provided to the DOE with an application and fee to add the reading endorsement to the Florida certificate.  For more information, visit the ABCTE web site or the Florida Department of Education web site.

Character Education's April 2007 Newsletter

Character education is responsible for teaching students how to take responsibility for their actions and to treat others with respect; showing students that there are specific payoffs in life for doing those things; modeling that behavior for students every second that they are with us during the day, and expecting them to do the same; and creating an atmosphere at school where students can safely practice those behaviors until such behavior becomes the norm. To read the April 2007 newsletter, please click here.

Central Riverside Elementary Fine Arts Festival

Central Riverside Elementary School is hosting a Fine Arts Festival at 4:30 p.m. on April 26.  The event will include a presentation of student art work, performances by the school's chorus and ukulele ensemble, and an appearance by the Jacksonville Chorus.  The school's Book Fair also will be open during the event.  Refreshments will be served, courtesy of the school's PTA.  Central Riverside is a gifted and talented magnet school and recently celebrated its 90th birthday.  Everyone is invited to attend the school’s celebration!  Please call the school at 381-7495 for more information.

Duval Elementary Mathematics Council Awards

On Monday, May 7 from 4 to 5 p.m., the Duval Elementary Mathematics Council (DEMC) will meet at the Schultz Center and announced the 2007 DEMC Mathematics Educator of the Year.  For more information, contact DEMC President Tim Kenney via e-mail. 

Mandarin NewsLine Community Book Drive     

Mandarin NewsLine is hosting a community book drive from April 2 to April 30 at several local businesses to collect gently used books for Annie R. Morgan Elementary School students.  Please consider donating a book at the following locations through April 30:

• The UPS Store, Riverplace Shopping Center
• VyStar Credit Union, 11343 San Jose Blvd.
• Farnham & Farnham Dentistry, 11528 San Jose Blvd.

2nd Annual Keep Jacksonville Beautiful Awards

The City of Jacksonville, in partnership with the Keep Jacksonville Beautiful campaign, is now accepting nominations for the 2nd Annual Keep Jacksonville Beautiful Awards.  These awards showcase individuals, businesses, organizations and schools which are making strides to keep the city clean.  Applicants will be judged in three areas and should demonstrate outstanding and ongoing efforts in (1) beautification, (2) litter prevention, or (3) litter cleanup in Duval County.  Nominees must complete an application, attach a summary of achievements and any supporting documentation, and send it to the following address:  Keep Jacksonville Beautiful Award, Attention: Vivian Harrell, 1321 Eastport Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32218.  The deadline for submitting an application is Monday, April 30.  Visit this web page for an application.  The awards will be presented at the Mayor’s Environmental Luncheon in June. 

Law @ the Main Library

The Jacksonville Public Library, in conjunction with the Jacksonville Bar Association, will present a “Law for the Layperson” workshop by estate planning and elder law instructor J. Clay Meux, Jr. on Monday, April 23 from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. at the Main Branch, Conference Level, Room G-4.  For more information, call 630-1420.

Jacksonville Public Library’s May 2007 Calendar

Please click here to see what events and programs the Jacksonville Public Library has planned at each of its branches for the month of May.

Let’s Talk Adoption Event     

The Greater Jacksonville Foster & Adoptive Parent Association (GJFAPA) and Family Support Services of North Florida (FSS) are hosting an information session about adoption on Thursday, April 26 at 6:30 p.m. at the Boys Home Association (2354 University Blvd., North).  There are more than 325 children in Duval County waiting for permanent homes.  If you’ve ever been interested in learning about adoption, this is your chance to hear from a family support service adoptions specialist, child dependency judges, an adoption attorney and representatives from the Children’s Home Society, Jewish Family & Community Services, and the Mental Health Resource Center.  For more information, call 887-7571 or 343-4026.  Child care will be provided, but you must R.S.V.P. to reserve your spot.

Mathews Bridge Eastbound Traffic Detour        

Starting Monday, April 16, the Mathews Bridge will be closed to all eastbound traffic because of a 90-day grate replacement project.  Only westbound (towards downtown) traffic will be allowed over the bridge.  All eastbound traffic will be directed to a detour over the Hart Bridge.  If you have questions, call 360-5457, or visit the project’s website.  

<back home