|
Public meetings will address school boundaries and consolidation
We have been involved in a comprehensive review of how we use our school facilities. The Academic and Community Excellence (ACE) facilities plan process utilized community based working groups to propose ideas on how to shift boundaries and potentially close schools across the entire
district.
The ACE process will shift operating dollars to classrooms for teachers, supplies and technology that
will, in turn, enhance learning. With more than 14,000 empty seats and operating a number of schools without sufficient enrollment, it became clear that, over time, growth, changing demographics and deteriorating infrastructure require us to have a facilities master plan that enhances our community service while maximizing the educational opportunity for all students.
I would like to invite you to attend the Community Dialogue meetings that we will be conducting during September. These workshop style meetings include simple talk in an informal setting between parents and other stakeholders. The review of ideas and options will lead to recommendations I will carry to the Board in October for implementation next summer. This process is unprecedented in Duval County and perhaps on a national scale. Through this process, 70 schools are being considered for potential boundary and/or consolidation in neighborhoods throughout the county.
There are four upcoming community working groups with a community dialogue meeting. All meetings begin at 6 p.m. The upcoming dates and locations are: Sept. 10 - North Quadrant meeting at Northwestern Middle School; Sept. 17 - Southeast Quadrant meeting at Kernan Middle School; Sept. 24 - Southwest Quadrant meeting at Ed White High School; and Oct. 1 - Central Quadrant meeting at Twin Lakes Middle School.
Please take the time to attend one of the meetings in your area. Our Web site also has information on the ACE process, including maps and process details.
The time is right for us to make great strides in public education, and I would appreciate your support of our ACE process.
Ed Pratt-Dannals
Superintendent
|
|
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.
Number of Students taking AP Tests
| |
Duval County |
State |
Nation |
| 2007 |
9,106 |
|
103,547 |
|
1,239,336 |
|
| 2008 |
12,217 |
34.2% |
117,698 |
13.7% |
1,346,925 |
8.7% |
"These scores continue to show an increase in academic achievement for our students," said Superintendent Pratt-Dannals. "I am proud that so many of our students are stepping up to the challenge and taking AP courses to better prepare themselves for post-secondary education or the world of work."
Minority participation and performance has also improved in Duval County from 2007 to 2008. The number of African American students taking the AP exam increased 30.2%, while Hispanic participation rose 38.7%. African American and Hispanic students who received a grade of three or higher increased 9.4% and 8.8% respectively, from 2007 to 2008.
For more information, read the
entire article.
|
|
 The Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) new Teacher Supply Depot officially opened on August 8 with a Back to School Giveaway. More than 800 teachers waited in line for hours for the opportunity to get free school supplies for the coming year.
The Teacher Supply Depot recently relocated from John Gorrie Middle School to the former Lackawanna School at 3108 Lenox Avenue. The Depot is a warehouse of reusable materials donated by businesses and community members. These materials are distributed free to DCPS teachers to enhance instruction in their classroom, and promote student achievement.
The depot opened at 9 a.m., but teachers started lining up around 5 a.m. to be near the beginning of the line for the first opportunity to see what was available.
All the donated supplies were organized in 11 rooms throughout the school, including a paper room, arts and crafts room, and rooms that had shelves full of office supplies.
 Teachers were able to bring three tote bags to carry their free school supplies. Many took advantage of the opportunity and stuffed each bag to the top.
One teacher in the arts and crafts room included ‘Just Married’ wrapping paper in one of her bags. “You need to be creative and use whatever you can to decorate your classroom,” she said.
Chris Buckley, the on-site manager of the Depot, and Larry McDonald, the director of consolidated services for DCPS, coordinated the efforts of the transition from Gorrie to Lackawanna, supervising hundreds of hours from all the volunteers who contributed to the project.
To find out more about the Teacher Supply Depot, read the
entire article.
|
|
A golf outing fundraiser organized by the alumni of Terry Parker High School has raised $33,000 for the school's athletics department. The proceeds will be used to purchase equipment for the varsity football program.
The event, which was held on Saturday, August 16, at the Windsor Parke Country Club, concluded with a check presentation on the 50-yard line of Terry Parker's football field. Parents, students, educators, alumni, and community and faith based leaders were all center field for the presentation.
"This is community engagement at its best," said Principal Scott Flowers. "We greatly appreciate the support our school and students have from our alumni and local community."
For more information about Terry Parker's fundraiser, read the
full article.
|
|
 On August 13, Duval County School Board members, administrators and city leaders participated in a groundbreaking celebration for a new elementary school, scheduled to open in August of 2009.
The new building will be located in the Bartram Springs area, near Racetrack Road and Philips Highway. It will be the southernmost school site in Duval County.
"This area of Duval County continues to grow, and we're excited to have a new elementary school that will serve members of this community," said Duval County Public Schools Superintendent, Ed Pratt-Dannals. "This state-of-the-art facility will give our youngest students a place to learn and excel in."
 Duval County Public Schools, Skanska USA Building Inc. and the architectural firm of Bhide & Hall will construct the $20 million, 98,000 square foot facility, which will accommodate 800 students, alleviating overcrowding at Greenland Pines and Loretto elementary schools.
A name for the elementary school at Bartram Springs will be selected by a group of community stakeholders and area School Advisory Council and PTA members, and submitted to the Duval County School Board for final approval.
|
|
Congratulations to District 7 School Board Member Tommy Hazouri, who was re-elected for another four-year term. Hazouri, who currently serves as the board’s vice chairman, was first elected in November 2004, after serving for 12 years as a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1974-1986, and as Mayor of the City of Jacksonville from 1987 until 1991.
Two other school board positions – for Districts 1 and 3, currently served by Kris Barnes and Martha Barrett, respectively – were also on the August 26 ballot. Because no candidate earned more than 50 percent of the vote, there will be a runoff election on November 4.
Stan Jordan will face Ken Manuel for the District 1 seat, while W.C. Gentry and Jack Daniels are vying for District 3.
The Duval County School Board is the official policy-making body for all education-related issues in Duval County Public Schools.
|
|
Make-up Days Due
to Tropical Storm Fay
Due to Tropical Storm Fay, Duval County public schools were closed for three days on August 20-22. As a result, it has been determined that students will make these days up on Monday, Nov. 10; Thursday, Dec. 18; and Friday, Dec. 19.
A revised 2008/2009 calendar is available
here.
Open House Dates
Here is a list of open house dates for each school in the district.
Back-2-School Info
Visit our Back to School page for important information about the new school year, including enrollment procedures, required immunizations, bus routes and dress code requirements.
|
September
10 |
Student Early Release Day |
16 |
Duval County Council of PTAs/PTSAs Meeting - DCPS Administration Building, Cline Auditorium, 10 a.m. |
22 |
District Advisory Council
(DAC) Meeting - DCPS Administration Building, 6th Floor Conference Room, 6 p.m. |
24 |
Student Early Release Day |
October
7 |
School Board Meeting |
8 |
Student Early Release Day |
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 - Schools Closed |
27 |
District Advisory Council
(DAC) Meeting - DCPS Administration Building, 6th Floor Conference Room, 6 p.m. |
At its monthly meeting on Sept. 2, the Duval County School Board and Superintendent Pratt-Dannals recognized several employees and a community member for their outstanding accomplishments and contributions to Duval County Public Schools. For a list of all those recognized, please read the
news release.
The school board also approved a new contract for the 2008-09 school year with Duval Teachers United. The agreement is with teachers, paraprofessionals and office personnel, and includes a step increase for all units, salary enhancement at the top step level and an increase of $300 to the beginning teacher salary schedule.
The next school board meeting is Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 6 p.m.
All are welcome.
|
Duval County Public Schools
1701 Prudential Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32207
www.duvalschools.org
Superintendent
Ed Pratt-Dannals
School Board Members
-
Martha Barrett, District 1
-
Nancy Broner, District 2
-
Kris Barnes, District 3
-
Brenda A. Priestly Jackson, District 4
-
Betty Burney (Chairman), District 5
-
Vicki Drake, District 6
-
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
|
|
|
