Magnet Schools of America recently named Pine Forest Elementary School of the Arts and James Weldon Johnson College Preparatory Middle School 2009 Schools of Distinction.
This award is presented to schools for their commitment to high academic standards, curriculum innovation, successful desegregation/diversity efforts and the consistent delivery of quality services to students.
"Through great programs, like those provided at Pine Forest and James Weldon Johnson, our students are offered the chance to customize their learning experience," said Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals. "The students, parents and staff of these two schools are to be commended for striving daily to exemplify the goals of a magnet school."
These schools were selected from among the top magnet schools in the United States based on criteria such as desegregation, innovative instructional strategies, student achievement, and parent and community involvement.
Sandra Day, President of Magnet Schools of America, and Dr. Robert G. Brooks, Executive Director, will present the Magnet School of Distinction Awards during the Magnet Schools of America national conference on April 27 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
DCPS Elementary Students Make Music After School
Students at Woodland Acres, Pickett and Reynolds Lane elementary schools have been selected to participate in a new after-school enrichment program, Jump Start Strings, which gives them the opportunity to learn to play a stringed instrument.
Funded by The Jim Moran Foundation, Jump Start Strings brings the power of music to 81 first, second and third-grade students through an innovative collaboration between the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra (JSO), the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra and Communities In Schools of Jacksonville.
Children participating in Jump Start Strings have been selected from the Communities In Schools TEAM UP after-school program. The TEAM UP program enhances students' academic performance while providing cultural enrichment. Many of these students are from low income families that would otherwise not have access to this opportunity.
"The mission of Communities In Schools is to champion the connection of needed community resources and schools to help young people successfully learn, stay in school and prepare for life," said Leon Baxton, chief operation officer of Communities In Schools of Jacksonville. "The Jump Start Strings program will offer our students the chance to explore music and stretch themselves, and it's a worthy investment in the lives of Jacksonville's youth."
Initiated four years ago, the Jacksonville Symphony's Jump Start Strings program was created as a summer camp, designed for young children with little or no prior musical experience. Over the course of two weeks, participants discover the basics of music notation and string technique, and give a performance at the end of the camp session. Students are then given the opportunity to become members of the Jump Start Strings at FCCJ, the beginning level of the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra's six levels of ensembles.
"Participating in music-making can have a life-changing effect on young people, fostering their academic, creative, and social development," said Stacy Ridenour, executive director of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. "Jump Start Strings meets a community need, as public elementary schools do not have the resources to offer string music instruction."
It is the hope that many of the participants in Jump Start Strings will develop a life-long appreciation for music, and will continue through the rest of the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra's graduated ensembles.
2009 School-Related Employee of the Year Announced
During the February 3rd meeting of the Duval County School Board, Wilma Castaņeda was recognized for being Duval County Public Schools'2009 School-Related Employee of the Year.
Mrs. Castaņeda is the media center assistant at Abess Park Elementary School. On her nomination application, her principal Caroline Wells, wrote, "She is always willing to assist others with their duties, even though she has plenty to keep her busy."
In addition to the duties associated with her role, Mrs. Castaņeda is known as the school's "utility player." She has been a member of the school's advisory council for the past eight years, she assists the school's technology contact with computer issues, she is the DTU representative for non-certificated employees and often volunteers her time taking photos and videoing after-school events.
Click here to see a complete list of this year's nominated employees.
