School Zone
Points of Pride
Mount Herman Exceptional Center Host Annual Arts Festival
On November 6, the students of Mount Herman Exceptional Student Center participated in the school’s fourth annual Arts Festival.
During the event, students took part in three exciting art projects – two in the school’s gymnasium and one in the art classroom.
In the school’s gymnasium, students made Kool-Aid art and created their own picture frames from colored CD covers.
The Kool-Aid art is a sensory project in which the students had a chance to use all of their senses – taste, touch, smell and sight. Students used a Kool-Aid mixture to paint paper plates that will be given to their parents during the holiday season.
Students also created custom matte backing for their frames. Each student was photographed and the photos will be placed in their frames, which will be turned into refrigerator magnets that will also be given to their families this holiday season.
The main event of the day was when students painted white ceramic tiles that will be joined together to create a “Get on the Bus” mural. It will be displayed in the school, next to the other murals created for previous years’ arts festivals.
Mount Herman Exceptional Student Center is one of three center schools located in Jacksonville. For over 25 years the school has served profoundly mentally handicapped students in a warm, caring environment. They also offer highly specialized programs to meet the individual needs of students.
The Department of Community and Family Engagement introduces: B.E.L.L.--Building Engaged Leaders in Learning
The metaphor of an old-fashioned school bell represents the value of education and specifically the value of partnerships in education. Through the Department of Community and Family Engagement, a series of B.E.L.L. special events will encourage the engagement of stakeholders in supporting the well-being of all Duval County Public School students and their families.
Our first B.E.L.L. special project is the Principal for a Day project. On January 14, many DCPS’ principals will hand over their keys to the school to a community business leader who will become the principal for the day. This project encourages the private sector to take a leadership role in public education through the opportunity to play the role of principal for one day. The goal of the program is for community and business stakeholders to translate their one day experience into a long-term relationship with the school, thus supporting the overall academic achievement of students.
For further information, please contact Karen Hanson at 390-2335 or email at hansonk@duvalschools.org.
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