School Zone
Points of Pride
High School Students are "Going Global"
Nearly 80 sophomores and juniors from Fletcher, Mandarin and First Coast high schools, as well as Ponte Vedra High School in St. Johns County, recently attended the area’s first “Going Global” Youth Summit on Citizen Diplomacy, hosted by the International Visitor Corps of Jacksonville (IVCJ).
The purpose of the day-long event, held at the Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT), was to bring students together for engaging dialogue about globalization, including the status and effects of globalization, the role of being a global citizen, and the professions, careers and skill sets critical in a global economy.
According to IVCJ Executive Director Sondie Frus, the summit was an opportunity to provide high school students with information about how they can become world citizens with a readiness for living in a global society and being intertwined with the world around them.
IVCJ members consider themselves “citizen diplomats,” which means that they get to know visitors and emerging leaders from other countries, and help them recognize Americans’ warmth, integrity and the rich diversity of our cultural.
Guest speakers for the Youth Summit included: Ambassador Nancy Soderberg, who has served on four presidential campaigns, and worked in the U.S. Senate, at the White House, and at the United Nations; Dr. Andres Gallo, an associate professor at the University of North Florida (UNF); Jay Marshall who serves on the IVCJ Board of Directors; and Rick Ferrin, the CEO of JAXPORT.
The guests discussed various aspects of their careers, and encouraged the students to start thinking about what may interest them when they begin to work in a globalized world.
“The Youth Summit on Citizen Diplomacy is so vital to our students because it brings together nationally and internationally known leaders in government and business who are willing to interact with, inspire and mentor them,” said Philip Little, DCPS’ coordinator of American history.
Many of the students in attendance already had international interests in fields such as government, politics and business, and thought the Youth Summit really provided them with helpful information for today and the future.
“I feel like many of the topics discussed at the summit are preparing us for living in the global world,” said Jeremiah P., a junior enrolled in First Coast High School’s International Trade and Logistics Career and Professional Academy. “The speakers also gave me an idea of what goals I may want to set for my future.”
Having the Youth Summit at JAXPORT was a symbolic and appropriate location for discussions about globalization.
“JAXPORT is the most visual opportunity for our community to see how we are connected to the world, and it’s a visual location for our students, the future workers of tomorrow, to understand that we are a driving in force for the economic development and internationalization of our community,” said Frus.
Sponsors for the event included the National Council for International Visitors, JAXPORT, Rotary International, UNF, Edward Waters College, Florida State College at Jacksonville, Alpha Graphics, Farah & Farah, and ICS Logistics.
“Our sponsors really came together to make this event successful, and it’s like being global in Jacksonville because the event would not have come together without a mixing of different individuals’ and groups’ skills and talents,” said Frus.
Ribault Middle School Hosts Parent Involvement Brunch
On September 23, parents gathered in the media center for Ribault Middle School's Annual Title I Parent meeting.
During the meeting, parents enjoyed brunch, sponsored by the school's GEAR Up Program, and learned important school information from
an informative presentation and several guest speakers.
The presentation contained information about the No Child Left Behind education act, what it means to be a Title I school and much
more. Parents also learned about the support and resources provided by the school.
Lawrence Dennis, cluster chief for Middle School Education, thanked the parents for taking time to attend the meeting, and informed
them that just five short years ago, the school received a school grade of F, and in 2009, it had improved to a B. Dennis also encouraged
the parents to join parent organizations such as the PTA and School Advisory Council, and charged them to take action.
Other speakers included representatives from the school's PTA, Saturday School, and the GEAR Up and Team Up programs.
FCAT High Achievers Tour City in Style
As a reward for their perfect or nearly perfect scores on the 2009 Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT),
seven high achieving West Jacksonville Elementary School students spent the day touring the city in a stretch limousine, courtesy of
DriveTime, one of the school's business partners.
Students were chosen to participate in the day of exploration because they had either scored a five on either the reading or writing
portions of the FCAT, or they scored a four in Reading and a four in Math.
At 10 a.m., the entire school gathered outside to wish the students and Assistant Principal Charles McWhite well as they went on a
four-hour tour of the city.
The limousine's first stop was the Schultz Center for Teaching and Leadership to pick up Michelle Floyd-Hatcher, the principal of
West Jacksonville from 2006 - 2009.
The students then traveled to the district office, where Superintendent Pratt-Dannals and Deputy Superintendent Pat Willis
congratulated them on their accomplishment, and presented them with certificates of achievement.
Afterwards, the students were taken to Golden Corral for lunch, also sponsored by DriveTime.
Congratulations to West Jacksonville Elementary for making an A on both the 2008 and 2009 FCAT, and a very special congratulations to
Quiwanaki R., Tevon L., Kamia A. Troquanna A., Corwin C., Joshua O. and Denise G. for being the school's 2009 high achievers.
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