• 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

Points of Pride

“Just Read It” Stars of the Month

The Mike Peterson Foundation and Duval County Public Schools announced the November Star of the Month for the Mike Peterson Foundation’s “Just Read It” Program. The stars were invited to a meet and greet at the Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, which included an exclusive behind the scenes tour and a special visit with Jacksonville Jaguar Linebacker, Mike Peterson.

Students were selected based on their outstanding achievements in reading. These students worked very hard following directions in the classroom as well as continuing to improve their reading skills.

Congratulations to the following students for being November’s Star Readers.

Elementary School Category:

• Kristen Dawson               3rd grade     Rutledge Pearson Elementary

• Anushree Karhade           3rd grade     Greenfield Elementary

• William Peeples                4th grade     Timucuan Elementary

• Wayne McElroy                4th grade     Atlantic Beach Elementary

• Rahima Rekic                   5th grade     Parkwood Heights Elementary

• Kerri Pollydore                 5th grade     Don Brewer Elementary

Middle School Category

• Ruben Bryant                  6th grade     Jefferson Davis Middle

• Julian Schaffner               6th grade     Fletcher Middle

• Stephan Barton               7th grade     Fort Caroline Middle

• William Burcham              7th grade     Alfred duPont Middle

• Anthony Wills                   8th grade     Mayport Middle

• Kennard Edwards             8th grade     Ribault Middle     

VSA Arts Driven Recognition

For the sixth consecutive year, VSA arts and Volkswagen of America, Inc., have partnered to recognize and showcase young artists ages 16-25 with disabilities. This year, VSA arts sent more than 20,000 calls for entry to high schools and colleges around the country, inviting submissions that illustrated the theme “Driven.” The call encouraged artists to contemplate the relationship between life, art and disability.

In October, Patti Pogodzinski, a student at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts was honored by the VSA arts, the Kennedy Center, the Smithsonian Institute and Volkswagen of America during a reception in Washington, D.C.

Patti was selected from more than 204 submissions to be one of 15 finalists to receive $60,000 in awards provided by Volkswagen of America, Inc. Patti received the Award of Excellence which was accompanied by a prize of $2,000 for her piece entitle Penguin.

Patti’s accomplishment reinforces the school board’s core belief that all Duval County Public Schools’ students can be academically and artistically prepared to reach their dreams. 

The College Board’s National Hispanic Recognition Program

Thirteen Duval County students have been selected as participants in The College Board's National Hispanic Recognition Program. This program was initiated in 1983 to identify outstanding Hispanic high school students and to share information about these academically well-prepared students with subscribing colleges and universities.

Each year the National Hispanic Recognition Program identifies approximately 3,300 of the highest scoring students from a nationwide total of 124,000 high school juniors who took the PSAT/NMSQT. Being listed gives these students an opportunity to hear from colleges that are particularly interested in communicating with prospective students of Hispanic heritage.

Congratulations to the following students and their school, for being recognized by this wonderful program.