School Zone
Points of Pride
Duval County Public Schools Celebrates
"Love the Bus"
 In recognition of the American School Bus Council's "Love the Bus" campaign,
Crown Point Elementary and
Palm Avenue Exceptional Student Center recently provided its school bus drivers and attendants with special Valentine's Day treats.
The students and staff of Crown Point Elementary presented their bus drivers with a big red heart with the words “We Love our bus driver” inscribed on it, along with the signatures of the bus riders. In addition to the personalized heart, each driver was given a box of candy by the students as they loaded the bus for afternoon dismissal.
At Palm Avenue, the bus drivers and attendants were served a breakfast of coffee, juice and doughnuts, and each received a Valentine goodie bag to take with them.
“Our drivers and attendants do so much for our students ensuring they get to and from school safely each day,” said Donna Fogle, bus coordinator for Palm Avenue Exceptional Student Center.
The "Love the Bus" campaign encourages parents, students and teachers to take a moment to thank the school bus drivers and monitors who deliver students safely to and from school, after school activities and field trips each day.
To learn more about the program, visit www.LoveTheBus.com. Here you can share stories about your favorite bus drivers and make interactive cards to email or print and give to your bus driver during the month of February. Educators can also visit the site to download a toolkit, which provides resources for implementing a "Love the Bus" program in their schools.
Ribault Middle School Celebrates Black History Month
 More than 25 sixth-and seventh-grade
Jean Ribault Middle School students and several Jacksonville Sherriff Officers recently participated in the 21st Annual African American Read-In, sponsored by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English.
Sergeant Ellis Burns, and officers Reginald Williams, Quinton Douglas, Alvin Brooks and Kim Lockey from the Jacksonville Sherriff’s Office served as guest readers for the event, which was aimed to deepen the students’ understanding of non-fiction text and to show them how reading has a direct correlation to being successful.
“It is my hope that the students see how reading and comprehension affects every area of life,” said Gladys Jackson, the school’s reading coach. “I chose officers from the Sherriff’s Office as celebrity readers so the students could see them in a different light – a positive light.”
The school’s media center was divided into sections which included plush recliners, donated by Rent-a-Center, surrounded by a circle of chairs for the students to interact with the readers.
The officers read from the Hip-Hop series published by Mason and Crest. The series included books on rhythm and blues singers Usher and Mary J. Blige, rapper L.L. Cool J and the multi-talented rapper, actor, designer and entrepreneur Sean “Puffy” Combs.
Officer Williams, who read a book on Sean Combs, shared with his group that he struggled with reading in elementary school but through hard work and determination he overcame his fears and became an avid reader in sixth grade.
“Reading and understanding the law and state statues are a huge part of my job as an officer,” said Williams. “It’s not just important to know how to read, you must be able to comprehend what you’ve read.”
After the students enjoyed their intimate reading sessions, they received refreshments provided by Winn Dixie Supermarket and Starbucks, two of the school’s local business partners.
Annually, more than a million readers of all ethnic groups from 49 states, the West Indies, and African countries participate in the African-American Read-In. The purpose of the read-in events are to make the celebration of African American literacy a traditional part of Black History Month activities. To learn more about the read-ins visit
http://www.ncte.org/action/aari.
Duval County Students Recognized During National Mentoring Month
Florida Senator Stephen Wise, along with representatives from Comcast, Volunteer USA and Teen TrendsettersTM, recently joined with more than 100 Duval County elementary and high school students to celebrate National Mentoring Month, which is observed in January.
During the event, Comcast and Volunteer USA applauded the work of the newly implemented Teen TrendsettersTM programs at
Frank H. Peterson Academies of Technology,
Nathan B. Forrest,
Terry Parker and
Jean Ribault high schools.
 Teen TrendsettersTM is an award-winning youth mentoring initiative that pairs high school students with second- and third-grade students to boost the younger students' reading skills. As part of the program, the students spend an hour a week enjoying reading activities and getting excited about learning together.
Senator Wise spoke to the crowd about the importance of mentoring and programs like Teen TrendsettersTM. He spoke of his mentor, one of his college professors, who helped him develop skills and connections that have allowed him to progress in life.
Tim Gage, vice president of government affairs for Comcast, presented a $250,000 check to Volunteer USA, which manages the youth mentoring program. Like Senator Wise and all of the other speakers, Mr. Gage spoke to the crowd about the long lasting effects of mentoring. He also spoke of Comcast’s commitment to the communities where its customers and employees live and work.
“We are thrilled so many of Florida’s students continue to benefit from the wisdom and concern of caring adults,” said Liza McFadden, president of Volunteer USA. “Each year, our mentor numbers increase – that’s a tribute to this hugely successful initiative and the recognition that the nurturing experiences created in mentoring relationships really make a difference.”
The students enjoyed food sponsored by Publix Supermarkets, a presentation on animals and their habitats by the Jacksonville Zoo and Teecy Matthews, national director of the Teen TrendsettersTM program, who read the book
Endangered Animals during a read along with the students.
| 
