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We Must Keep the Focus on Education
Happy New Year!
As I reflect on our district's accomplishments and budget constraints of the past year, I look forward with anticipation to the new year.
Most of us can agree that in 2009 we will encounter numerous challenges in the Duval County Public Schools community, most specifically our economy and budget. Over the next few months, you will hear me frequently reference our severe budget deficit, as it will have an affect on our schools.
The state revenue projections for our 2009/2010 budget leave us with a revenue shortfall that could possibly be as high as $139 million. It is not possible to have that kind of loss of revenue
without impacting our students.
We will continue to work with the School Board to prioritize a list of items and programs that could be cut, while trying to preserve the kinds of programs for students that are really important for a well-rounded education.
We need your help to ensure that our students receive a high quality education. Difficult decisions will have to be made, but by working together and focusing on the needs of our students, 2009 can be a successful year.
Thank you for your support.
Ed Pratt-Dannals
Superintendent
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Did you know that every child in Duval County Public Schools has access to 20 different educational web subscriptions at no cost?
Software programs addressing all subject areas are at the fingertips of students 24 hours a day - 7 days a week.
Online resources include media rich encyclopedias, educational games, safe search engines, simulations, online books, tutorials and additional tools to make learning more engaging.
Parental knowledge, interaction and understanding is essential to ensuring students take advantage of the tools. Parent training sessions will be held on the following Saturdays: January 10, February 7, February 21 and March 7.
More information is available here or by calling 904-348-7740.
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 Duval County Public Schools middle school students and students from other surrounding schools recently participated in the 2008 Math Field Day at Julia Landon College Preparatory and Leadership Development School. A total of 18 schools were in attendance.
The purpose of the event was to provide students the opportunity to compete with and against their peers in a math competition, and to challenge them to improve their math skills. Students worked in groups and individually to solve math problems, and competed in 10 events.
Medals were awarded to the top three students in each event. Trophies were awarded to the top three teams, and ribbons went to the fourth and fifth-place teams. Each student who participated received a ribbon.
Congratulations to Darnell-Cookman Middle/High School and Julia Landon for placing in the top five.
To learn more about math field day, read the
entire article.
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Duval County Public Schools will open the doors of the Jacksonville Fairgrounds on Saturday, January 10, for Magnet Mania & More, an interactive, fun-filled and informational expo detailing magnet programs and school choice options for the 2009-2010 school year.
The free event, which is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., provides parents and students with the opportunity to learn more information about our district's magnet programs, special academic programs and charter schools. In addition, attendees will also have an opportunity to speak with magnet office staff and transportation officials, win prizes and enjoy performances by magnet students.
To set up interviews prior to the expo or for additional information, call 904-390-2082 or visit www.magnetprograms.com.
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The Jeffrey Johnston Stand Up for All Students Act, Florida Statute 1006.147, prohibits bullying and harassment of any student or employee of a public K-12 educational institution. In accordance with the state statute, the Duval County School Board has developed a bullying policy to address this issue.
 Bullying among children is aggressive behavior that is intentional and involves an imbalance of power or strength. It can take many forms, such as hitting or punching (physical bullying); teasing or name-calling (verbal bullying); intimidation using gestures or social exclusion (nonverbal bullying or emotional bullying); and sending insulting messages by phone or computer e-mail, blogs, instant and text messaging (cyberbullying). Usually, bullying is repeated over time and has serious effects on children, including depression, low self-esteem, sickness, school absence, and suicidal thoughts.
The Florida Statewide Anti-Bullying Campaign, "Stop Bullying Now," has a Web site that thoroughly identifies the warning signs of victims and perpetrators of bullying, and gives suggestions on what to do about bullying.
Bullying should be reported to a school administrator. The Student Code of Conduct cites bullying as a violation and identifies consequences for the perpetrator. For more information, visit the district's Web site or call Safe and Healthy Schools at 904-390-2131.
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 January 2009 has been designated National Mentoring Month to spotlight mentoring and the positive impact it can have on young lives.
The month-long outreach campaign focuses national attention on the need for mentors, as well as how each of us—individuals, businesses, government agencies, schools, faith communities and nonprofits—can work together to increase the number of mentors and assure brighter futures for our young people.
Click here for more information on how to mentor a DCPS' student, or call Dewitt Robinson at 904-390-2511.
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Pinedale Elementary recently hosted the Edward Waters College Choir for a special performance.
Led by director Dr. Samuel D. Shingles, who is also the college’s Dean of Arts and Sciences, the choir performed several selections. To Shingles, who attended Duval County public schools as a child, visiting schools with his choir group is essential.
"One of my teachers exposed me to music at an early age, which motivated me to pursue a career in music," he said. "Exposing students to music now is vital."
Pinedale offers specialized classrooms for the hearing impaired, as well as centers which serve children who have communications/social skills needs.
Anne Nasrallah, a teacher at Pinedale who has played the piano for the choir in the past, arranged the concert so that her students would be introduced to a quality of music that they do not often get to hear live.
"The artistry, enthusiasm and volume of this gifted group of college students will be an inspiration to students who aspire to be musicians when they see where hard work and talent can take them," said Nasrallah.
Principal Alan Due also believes that music education plays an important role in the overall education of his students, completing a full spectrum of learning.
"Music is often called the universal language," said Due. "It speaks to students, appeals to their interests and participating in music can be a goal they aspire to achieve."
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A public hearing will be held on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 6 p.m. in the DCPS Administration Building, 1701 Prudential Drive, regarding
proposed district boundary adjustments and school consolidations.
Final recommendations will be voted on by the School Board during the February 3 meeting.
For more information, visit the ACE Facilities Web site.
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January
7 |
Student Early Release Day |
13 |
ACE Facilities Public Hearing - DCPS Administration Building, 1701 Prudential Drive, 6 p.m. |
16 |
Teacher Planning Day (no school for
students) |
19 |
Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday (schools and district offices closed) |
20 |
Duval County Council of PTAs/PTSAs Meeting - DCPS Administration Building, Cline Auditorium, 10 a.m. |
21 |
Student Early Release Day |
26 |
District Advisory Council
(DAC) Meeting - DCPS Administration Building, 6th Floor Conference Room, 6 p.m. |
February
3 |
School Board Meeting - DCPS Administration Building, Cline Auditorium, 6 p.m. |
4 |
Student Early Release Day |
16 |
Presidents' Day (schools
closed) |
17 |
Duval County Council of PTAs/PTSAs Meeting - DCPS Administration Building, Cline Auditorium, 10 a.m. |
18 |
Student Early Release Day |
23 |
District Advisory Council
(DAC) Meeting - DCPS Administration Building, 6th Floor Conference Room, 6 p.m. |
In an effort to save money, the
Florida Department of Education is eliminating FCAT summer retake options for secondary students, who will now have fewer opportunities to pass the test before graduation.
The FCAT reading and math will continue to be administered in March to all first-time takers in grades 3-10, students in grades 11 and 12, and also to retained 10th-grade students who have not yet passed the test. The 11th, 12th, and retained 10th graders who have not yet passed also have the opportunity each year to retake the FCAT reading and math in October.
For more information, contact the guidance counselor at your child's school.
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At its monthly meeting on Jan. 6, the Duval County School Board and Superintendent Pratt-Dannals recognized employees and community members
for their outstanding accomplishments and contributions to Duval County Public Schools. For a list of all those recognized, please read the news release.
The board also approved the sale of Lola Culver Elementary, Norwood Elementary and John Gorrie Middle.
The next School Board meeting is Tuesday, Feb. 3 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
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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Looking for the latest district news? Read our most recent news releases, and visit our
Spotlight on Education section for a detailed look into what is going on at Duval County Public Schools.
dcpsTV: Tune in to discover district news first-hand through the eye of the video camera lens, and watch our district TV shows.
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