School Zone
Points of Pride
2007 Duval County Brain Brawl All-Star Team
Congratulations to the following students for being
chosen to compete in the state-wide Commissioner’s
Academic Challenge in Walt Disney World from April
12–14:
- Bing Han—Stanton College
Preparatory School
- Jay Parikh—Stanton College
Preparatory School
- Chris Perera—Stanton
College Preparatory School
- Lindsay Schweiterman—Mandarin
High School
In 1997, the Duval County
team won first place in the Commissioner’s Academic
Challenge, and in 2003, the team placed third.
Congratulations on making it on the team, and good luck
in this year’s competition!
2007 DCPS
School-Related Employee of the Year
Congratulations to Lorraine Allen, a paraprofessional
from
R.V. Daniels, for being chosen from a field of 81
nominees to serve as Duval County Public Schools’
School-Related Employee of the Year. Allen, who has
been with the district for 23 years, is certified as a
Highly Qualified Paraprofessional and involved in
numerous literacy initiatives. She is described as warm
and friendly, and she goes the extra mile to get to know
parents and students. Allen will represent Duval County
in the state-wide competition. Good luck!
Alfred duPont Middle School Students Gain State-wide
Recognition
Alfred duPont Middle School Students Corey Clarkston, Kassandra Sanchez and Jesse Sexton recently participated
in the Miami Regional Future City Competition and won a
special award for The Most Innovative Power Generation
System. The team was lead by Teacher Carmen Polanco and
supported by Engineer/Mentor Bob Whitkop, United States
Navy Retired Captain.
The Jacksonville area chapter
of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics
Association (AFCEA) provided funding and mentoring to
the students. Future City Competition is an educational
competition for seventh and eight grade students
throughout the nation, where students learn how cities
are planned and built.
Happy Feet Will Be Tapping
On Saturday, February 24, a group of students from
Annie
R. Morgan Elementary School will tap their happy feet
into the University of North Florida Fine Arts Center to
perform in a pre-show for tap great Savion Glover. The
students participate in a free, after school dance
program provided through the Cathedral Arts Project—a
nonprofit organization that provides free, ongoing,
standards-based instruction in the visual and performing
arts to Duval County Public Schools’ students.
Annie R. Morgan alum, Angela
C. Mack, teaches dance to the group of kindergarten
through second grade students. “My Annie R. Morgan
Cathedral Arts Project tap students are excited about
their upcoming performance. They’ve only been taking tap
for five months, and I am simply amazed with their
progress,” said Mack.
These nervous, excited and
proud students will perform in front of a live audience
for the first time, and then, they will become audience
members themselves at Glover’s show—Classical Savion.
After the show, the students will have the opportunity
to meet the tap icon. Happy feet…happy faces…this will
be one special day for the students.
How
Do You Spell Success? D-C-P-S!
Nearly 100 Duval County students competed in a
preliminary, 100-word written spelling bee at Englewood
High School on January 25. The following Duval County
Public Schools’ students earned a spot in the final
Duval County Spelling Bee taking place on Thursday,
February 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Landon Middle School.
Congratulations to each of
you, and good luck on the next round of competition!
The winner of the Duval County Spelling Bee
will represent Duval County in The Florida
Times-Union Regional Spelling Bee on Saturday,
February 24 at the Main Public Library in downtown
Jacksonville where 15 county champions will compete for
a chance to participate in the Scripps National Spelling
Bee on May 30—31 in Washington, D.C.
Mandarin High School PTSA
Wins State Honors
Mandarin High School continues to serve as a state
leader with outstanding PTA involvement. The Mandarin
High School PTSA was recently awarded the state’s very
prestigious President’s Achievement Award for PTA/PTSA.
This is the fourth time Mandarin has earned this honor.
In addition to this achievement, the organization has
been selected five times in seven years by the Duval
County Council PTA (DCCPTA) as the best PTSA in Duval
County. This recognition is based on a PTA/PTSA’s
strong performance in many areas, including local unit
achievement, student involvement and humanitarian
efforts. Duval County is brimming with successful PTA/PTSA
organizations that are setting an example for districts
throughout the country. Jacksonville is also home to
the Florida PTA President, Lenelle Cruse.
Matthew W. Gilbert Middle
School PTA Receives $1,897 Award
To commemorate the year PTA was founded—1897, the
national PTA organization awarded $1,897 to
Matthew W.
Gilbert Middle School’s PTSA. Only 16 PTAs throughout
the nation received an award. Matthew Gilbert’s PTSA
will use the award money to help fund innovative and
inclusive events, including a Monday Morning Coffee
Drive, Family Learn and Lunch, and FCAT Family Fun
Night, during Take Your Family to School Week from
February 11—17.
Tiger Bay Speech Competition
Winners
On Sunday, January 27, nearly 60 students from 19
schools participated in the First Coast Tiger Bay Club’s
Speech Competition. Several Duval County Public
Schools’ students placed in the top six of the
competition and won scholarships. Co’Relous Bryant from
Stanton College Preparatory School won first place and a
$2,500 scholarship. William “Josh” Byatt from Fletcher
placed fifth and won a $250 scholarship. Imani Jackson
from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts placed sixth
place and won a $200 scholarship. Congratulations to
each of you!
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