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DCPS Recommended for High-level District Accreditation
In September 2007, Duval County Public Schools began the process of seeking district accreditation by conducting a standards assessment review. The accreditation process culminated the week of October 5, 2008, when a 32-member Quality Assurance Review Team (QART) from the AdvancED/Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (AdvancED) visited Duval County to evaluate and confirm our work. On October 8, Duval County Public Schools was recommended for accreditation at a special school board meeting. Members of the QART discussed their findings and made recommendations based on visits to 30 schools and interviews with numerous staff, principals, parents, community stakeholders and business partners.
Previously, each of our schools were fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement. The
district accreditation process is designed to help schools and districts continuously improve through a unified, clear and powerful approach. Through this long-established method of accrediting schools, AdvancED will continue to provide ongoing external checks, support and feedback.
Receiving district accreditation validates how well all of the parts of our education system – the district, school and classroom – work together to meet the needs of all students. It provided us with a comprehensive framework for continually improving student achievement and district performance, as well as confirms our district’s efforts to provide quality education for all our students and recognizes our accomplishments.
Thank you to everyone who helped us throughout this important process. This brings us one step closer to becoming the best large urban
school district in the country.
Ed Pratt-Dannals
Superintendent
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From 2007 to 2008, Duval County Public Schools saw a rise of 34.2% in the number of students taking Advanced Placement (AP) exams. In addition, the number of students receiving a grade of three or higher rose by nearly 5% last year, and more than 40% since 2005.
Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) Hispanic students have outperformed their Hispanic counterparts both state and nationwide on the SAT, according to results recently released by the CollegeBoard.
The mean critical reading scores for the district’s Hispanic students is 19 points higher than the state level and 42 points higher nationwide, while the mean writing score is 20 points higher than the state level and 33 points higher nationwide. In mathematics, the district’s score is 24 points higher than the state and 36 points higher than the nation’s mean.
Additionally, the district had an increase in the number of Hispanic students taking the SAT (23.8%) that was higher than both the state (20.7%) and nation (14.8%).
For more information, read the
entire article.
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Students and faculty members at Arlington Heights Elementary School joined hands in unity on Friday, September 19, to honor the International Day of Peace.
 The International Day of Peace, which was established by the United Nations in 1990 and is officially designated as September 21, is a global holiday when individuals, communities, nations and governments highlight efforts to end conflict and promote peace.
To commemorate the day, everyone in the school assembled in the hallways and made a large circle around the school to symbolize unity in peace. Mari Tuttobene, a kindergarten teacher and organizer of the event, spoke to the school body about how the International Day of Peace began and why we should all choose peace as a way of life.
Tuttobene approached her principal, Robert Snyder, with her idea for how students could celebrate the day after she read “Peace is the Way” by Deepak Chopra, a book inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's famous quote: “Peace is the way.”
 "When I read this book, I knew I had to do something that would allow our students to see how important the International Day of Peace is," said Tuttobene. "Learning is important, but so is peace."
Tuttobene also felt that recognizing the International Day of Peace would align with the school's 2008 theme: ‘One World, Many Cultures’ which celebrates other cultures' history, people and beliefs with the understanding that people may be different on the outside, but are similar on the inside.
In preparation for the event, students discussed the International Day of Peace and learned about notable figures, such as Gandhi. They also created posters to let everyone know how important peace is to them.
"If we had more peace in our lives, the world would be better," said fifth-grade student Ashlynn F.
Arlington Heights is an English for Speakers of Other Languages school, with a large population of students from many different countries. Tuttobene felt that because her school is so diverse, her students have a greater opportunity to spread the message of peace.
"Peace can transcend all cultural backgrounds," she said. "The good energy of peace these students are experiencing will not remain at Arlington Heights; it will travel around the world."
To find out more about how Arlington Heights Elementary celebrated the International Day of Peace, read the
entire article.
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The Florida Department of Education recently announced that 18 Duval County Public Schools were named 2007-2008 Five Star Schools. This symbol of achievement was created by the Commissioner's Community Involvement Council and is presented annually to those schools that have shown evidence of exemplary community involvement. This designation is the highest award for community participation.
In order to earn Five Star school recognition, a school must have earned a grade of “C” or above for the 2007-2008 school year, and must show documentation that it has achieved 100% of the established criteria in the categories of: Business partnerships, Family Involvement, Volunteerism, Student Community Service and School Advisory Councils.
“This is a great achievement for our schools,” said Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals. “The Five Star School Award is the highest award for community involvement that is bestowed by the Florida Department of Education.”
The following schools received recognition:
Elementary Schools: Abess Park, Alimacani, Chets Creek, Crown Point, Ft. Caroline, Greenfield, Greenland Pines, Jacksonville Beach, Loretto, Love Grove, Merrill Road, Normandy Village, Sabal Palm, Louis Sheffield, Twin Lakes Academy and Woodland Acres; Middle School: Darnell-Cookman; and High School: Mandarin.
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Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Mike Peterson kicked off his "Just Read It Star of the Month" Program on September 30 at St. Clair Evans Elementary and Jefferson Davis Middle School, two of the Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) that had the highest participation in the reading program last year.
The "Just Read It Star of the Month" Program, which began in the fall of 2007, recognizes outstanding students at the elementary and middle school level for reading improvement, and their commitment to reading and attendance.
Each month during the school year, two students at each school are nominated by their teacher based on pre-established program criteria. A selection committee comprised of representatives from the Mike Peterson Foundation and DCPS evaluate the monthly student nominations.
The students who receive the top six scores in both divisions (elementary and middle) are named the "Just Read It Star of the Month," and receive a personalized award, as well as an exclusive visit with Peterson at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium.
 During the kickoff of the 2008-2009 program, Peterson made a special appearance at both schools, stressing the importance of reading.
"Reading is the foundation for everything you do," Peterson said. "Attend school, listen to your teachers and read now.”
Many students asked Peterson about his career as a professional athlete, and he told them that when he was growing up, attending school and getting good grades were more important to him than doing well on the football field.
"Duval County Public Schools and the Mike Peterson Foundation are investing into you everyday, but you have to take pride in your education," he said.
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Richard L. Brown Elementary School is now authorized as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, meaning that it offers the IB Primary Years Programme. Brown is the first school in Duval County authorized to implement the new program and 13th in Florida.
According to the International Baccalaureate Organization, IB Primary Years is a transdisciplinary program of international education designed for students ages three to 12. The program aids in the development of the whole child, focusing on the total growth of the child, touching hearts as well as minds, and encompassing social, physical, emotional and cultural needs in addition to academic development.
Staff members at R.L. Brown have been working diligently to implement the program and teach the curriculum within the guidelines of the International Baccalaureate Programme of Inquiry.
"This program is a first step in a progression of steps toward the future of an internationally-minded generation that will use problem solving as citizens of the world," said Principal Sabrina Session-Jones. "We are looking forward to continuing the work that has earned such a prestigious endorsement."
For more information about IB programs, visit www.ibo.org
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Make-up Days Due
to Tropical Storm Fay
Due to the three days missed because of Tropical Storm Fay, students will make these days up on Monday, Nov. 10; Thursday, Dec. 18; and Friday, Dec. 19.
Also *please note* that the teaching planning day originally scheduled for Monday, Oct. 20 has been moved to Friday, Oct. 24. Schools will now be open on Oct. 20, and students will be off on Oct. 24
A revised 2008/2009 calendar is available
here.
Report Card Updates
Duval County Public Schools recently made changes to the 2008/2009 report cards for students. For a summary of these changes, please visit our Web site. The release dates for report cards for the 2008-2009 school year are available here.
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October
21 |
Duval County Council of PTAs/PTSAs Meeting - Teacher Supply Depot, 3108 Lenox Ave., 10 a.m. |
22 |
Student Early Release Day |
24 |
Teacher Planning Day - No school for students |
27 |
District Advisory Council
(DAC) Meeting - DCPS Administration Building, 6th Floor Conference Room, 6 p.m. |
November
4 |
School Board Meeting - DCPS Administration Building, Cline Auditorium, 6 p.m. |
5 |
Student Early Release Day |
10 |
Make-up Weather Day (Schools in Session) |
11 |
Veterans' Day (schools and district offices closed) |
18 |
Duval County Council of PTAs/PTSAs Meeting - DCPS Administration Building, Cline Auditorium, 10 a.m. |
19 |
Student Early Release Day |
24 |
District Advisory Council
(DAC) Meeting - DCPS Administration Building, 6th Floor Conference Room, 6 p.m. |
26 |
Weather Day |
27-28 |
Thanksgiving (schools and district offices closed) |
There have been numerous questions from parents and concerned citizens about the potential change in performance standards at DCPS' Academic Magnet Schools.
Please review this letter addressing the concerns expressed to the Superintendent, Board Members and the School Choice Office.
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At its monthly meeting on Oct. 7, the Duval County School Board and Superintendent Pratt-Dannals recognized recognized staff members, schools and a member of the business community for their outstanding accomplishments and contributions to Duval County Public Schools. For a list of all those recognized, please read the news release.
The next school board meeting is Tuesday, Nov. 4 at 6 p.m.
All are welcome.
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Duval County Public Schools
1701 Prudential Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32207
www.duvalschools.org
Superintendent
Ed Pratt-Dannals
School Board Members
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Martha Barrett, District 1
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Nancy Broner, District 2
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Kris Barnes, District 3
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Brenda A. Priestly Jackson, District 4
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Betty Burney (Chairman), District 5
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Vicki Drake, District 6
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Tommy Hazouri (Vice Chairman), District 7
Frequently Called Numbers
Main Line
904-390-2000
Transportation
904-858-6200
Human Resources
904-390-2840
School Board Office
904-390-2293
Community & Family
Engagement
904-390-2960
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