School Zone
Points of Pride
DCPS’ Students Receive a Visit from Saint Nicholas
On Friday, December 4, students at several elementary schools in Duval County, including John Love Elementary,
received presents from a special visitor during HandsOn Jacksonville's annual "Visit from Saint Nicholas" event.
The event, aimed to promote literacy, provided the entire student body of John Love Elementary with gifts for the
holiday season.
"I am excited for our students to be a part of this wonderful event," said Patrice McConnell Britton,
instructional coach. "For some of our students, the present received today may be the only one they receive this holiday season
- and for that, I am very grateful and appreciative."
Students in grades pre-kindergarten through second received backpacks full of goodies, while students in grades
3rd through 5th received wrapped packages of books and toys.
The Saint Nicholas event at John Love was sponsored by Jaxport, one of the school's business partners.
Melody Davis, Duval County Public Schools' (DCPS) executive
director of sustained elementary schools in Cluster 1, read "The Secrets of Saint Nicholas" to students in Ms. Gandy's fifth-grade
classroom, the school's 2009-2010 Teacher of the Year.
The story of Saint Nicholas teaches students to show kindness by sharing with, caring for and helping others. Ms.
Davis reminded the students to follow Saint Nicholas' example by being kind to their families, teachers, peers and everyone they
encounter.
In addition to John Love's visit, the 2009 Saint Nicholas event included: Andrew Robinson, Highlands, Hyde Grove,
Justina Road, Kings Trail, Lake Forest, Martin L. King Jr., Pickett, Ramona Boulevard, Rufus Payne, Rutledge Pearson, Timucuan, West
Jacksonville and Windy Hill.
Through the event, HandsOn Jacksonville, with the help of more than 800 volunteers, delivered 26,000 books and
38,000 toys to 7,500 DCPS' students.
JEB Stuart Hosts Parent Empowerment Session
The faculty and staff of JEB Stuart Middle School recently hosted a Parent Empowerment Session where more than 50
family members gathered to learn how they can ensure their children are successful.
"Research on parental involvement is clear: when parents are more actively and meaningfully involved in their
child's education, many successes are experienced by the child," said Principal Gregory D. Bostic. "I believe an informed parent, is
an involved parent - one that will partner with us in preparing our students to compete and succeed in a global society."
Parents attended a series of sessions including: Response to Intervention; Parental Involvement; Preparing middle
school students for college; and the new DCPS Parent Portal.
During the Parental Involvement session, parents were informed on what it means to be a Title I school and what
they can do to support their student(s) and the school.
Parents also learned about the DCPS Parent Portal, one of the district's newest technology initiatives,
where parents can access their student's grades, attendance and much more 24 hours a day.
In addition to the informative sessions, families also enjoyed free breakfast, plenty of fun and door prizes were
awarded.
Englewood High Principal Receives Kaden Anderson Administrator Award
The third Laurel Kaden Anderson Administrator Award was presented to Dr. Alvin Brennan, principal at Englewood High
School, on Thursday, Dec 3, at the Principal/Counselor Reception at River City Brewery. Mrs. Patricia Willis, Deputy Superintendant, was
the keynote speaker and presenter of the award.
The award honors Laurel Kaden Anderson, former Supervisor of Guidance, whose initiatives and programs have shaped
the focus of DCPS school counseling programs in the last decade. The Laurel Kaden Anderson Administrator Award was created to recognize
administrators for outstanding support of school counselors and school counseling programs.
Five other administrators were nominated for supporting their school's counseling program. The nominees include Evan
Daniels, principal at Matthew Gilbert Middle; Kimberly Dennis, principal at R.V. Daniels Elementary; Dr. Arvin Johnson, principal at
Mattie V. Rutherford; Pearl Roziers, principal at Kernan Trails Elementary; and Aletha Ruffin, assistant principal at William M. Raines
High.
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