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 As we come to the close of the 2008/2009 school year, I would like to take a moment to thank you for your commitment to your students' education and to Duval County Public Schools.
As you know, we have faced many challenges this year with the budget shortfall. Our School Board had to make some difficult decisions in order to have the least impact on the classroom, including the closing of a school and changes in transportation and the secondary schedule.
We are not out of the woods yet; this budget situation is a multiple-year problem. We spent a significant amount of one-time money this year, and we still face the Federal stimulus package "cliff" in two years. We will continue to be prudent in spending in order to ensure our students continue to receive a high quality education.
While we still await the final decision on school grades from the State Department of Education, it appears that the hard work of our teachers, principals, support staff and the community has paid off, with a significant number of our schools potentially improving their letter grades.
Our Strategic Plan was in place for the entire school year and we have continued to make progress
toward becoming the best large urban school district in the nation.
We continue to make academic gains and our graduation rate has risen more than 7 percentage points in the last 10 years.
I would also like to thank those of you who are helping us reach our goal of having more volunteers and mentors in our schools. This year we had an increase of more than 1,000 mentors from 2008. We have a long way to go to reach 20,000 mentors by 2020, but with your help I know that we will get there.
I hope that each of you have a great summer! Thanks again for all that you do, and for your continued support of Duval County Public Schools.
Ed Pratt-Dannals
Superintendent
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Nine Duval County schools have been recognized as America's Top Public High Schools by Newsweek Magazine, with two of the schools placing in the top 10.
Stanton College Preparatory School ranked fourth in the nation and Paxon School for Advanced Studies ranked sixth. Additionally, Douglas Anderson School of the Arts ranked 42, Fletcher High School ranked 133, and Wolfson and Mandarin high schools ranked 154 and 159, respectively.
 Rounding out the list of the nation’s top high schools were Sandalwood (217), Andrew Jackson (527) and Frank H. Peterson Academies of Technology (1273)
Each year, Newsweek Magazine compiles a list of the 1,500 top high schools in the country. Schools were ranked based on the number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and/or Cambridge tests taken by all the students at the school in 2008, divided by the number of graduating seniors.
For more information and to see the complete list of rankings, visit the Newsweek Magazine Web site.
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More Duval County students are performing at or above grade level in reading, math and science compared to previous years, according to the 2009 Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT)
results.
"I am encouraged by the positive direction in which our students are moving," said Superintendent
Ed Pratt-Dannals. "These scores confirm the hard work of our students, teachers and staff in closing the achievement gap in Duval County."
Of the 22 possible categories, Duval County declined slightly in only three areas, improving in 15 and staying the same in four, with the greatest improvements in the areas of mathematics and science. The state also improved in 15 areas, but declined in six.
DCPS' students also made gains or stayed the same in every grade level on the mathematics and science portions of the FCAT, with the most gains being made in fourth grade math, which increased by eight percentage points. Scores on the science portion increased in every grade level by three percentage points, while the state went down in grade 11.
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 Current elementary students will have the opportunity to stay sharp during summer break with our Summer Technology Program.
Using Destination Success, a fun and engaging reading and math program, students can review material and get ready for the upcoming school year. The standards-based program can be accessed free of charge through a computer at home, the library or anywhere with Internet access.
Students are encouraged to use the program for two hours a week, one hour for math and one for reading, for eight weeks. Once a student completes the program, he or she will receive a certificate and an award at the beginning of 2009-2010 school year. Each student will also be entered into a drawing
to win a Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DSi and an iPod.
"This is an additional tool for parents to use in continuing education throughout the summer," said DCPS' Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals. "Students will be able to strengthen their math and reading skills, which will better prepare them for next school year."
Parents interested in learning more about the program can attend an information session at the Schultz Center for Teaching and Leadership. During the two-hour session, parents will learn how to use Destination Reading and Math, as well as other free educational programs. In addition to training programs, parents also have access to online tutorials and a telephone support hotline.
Registration, tutorials, FAQ's, explore maps and additional information are located on our Web site. Parents can also call 904-348-7740 or email riverdeep@duvalschools.org.
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Fifth-grade students at San Jose Elementary recently received a response from The White House after sending letters to President Barack Obama.
 After watching the inauguration ceremony for President Obama in January, students in Mrs. Cynthia Bowman's gifted class at San Jose Elementary began an in-depth discussion of the present and future issues affecting the citizens of our country, and were given as assignment to write a letter to the President.
Each student made a list of concerns they felt President Obama should address during his term in office, and the letters were mailed to The White House.
 In her letter, student Heather C. congratulated President Obama for being elected as the country's first black President, and shared her concerns about the economy, the war in Iraq and the importance of financially supporting education.
"The children today are the future for tomorrow. We shape it, and the most important thing we need is a good education," Heather said.
In his response to the class, the President thanked the students for sharing their thoughts and encouraged them to work together to better our nation.
"Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history,"
wrote President Obama.
The students were all very excited to know that their thoughts were heard, and they wish the President much success.
Mrs. Bowman's gifted class is comprised of students who attend Greenfield, Spring Park, Pine Forest and San Jose elementary schools.
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 What happens when students meet a goal? At Central Riverside Elementary, teachers lose their hair!
This year, faculty members challenged the school's 400 students to read a combined total of 12,000 books. If they did, their principal, Howard Caraway, agreed to shave his head. When the students surpassed their goal by more than 9,000 books - reading 21,000 - all of the male faculty members shaved their heads.
At the end of the year, the principal, as well as the four male faculty members, celebrated the students' reading achievement in front of a packed auditorium. Students, along with school staff, parents and community members, cheered "Shave it off!" as the
men said goodbye to their hair.
"Students remember what they experience," said music teacher Steve Gonzalez, who shaved his head. "This event will help propel them to the future – to learn more and read more."
 Principal Caraway congratulated the students on their achievement, and encouraged his students to keep reading. He also applauded his staff for their dedication to their students' success.
"The adults at our school love these students, and we expect a lot from them. We want them to see what we are willing to do for them when they do the right things," said Caraway. "It is our hope that we will inspire them to continue to read."
Rewarding the students' reading achievements at Central Riverside is a tradition. Last year's principal danced on the roof in honor of the students' exceeding their goal. The school hasn't decided what it will do next year to top the buzz cuts, but stay tuned.
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The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) is offering teens 18 years old or younger the opportunity to buy the JTA Summer Youth Pass, which provides unlimited rides on any JTA bus, trolley or the Skyway, for one low price.
With the pass, teens can ride with JTA as much as they want for any need, such as going to work, taking trips to the mall or beach, or visiting the library.
 Teens can buy a June Summer Youth Pass for $30 and get July for free. And, until June 30, students can add August for only $15 more. That's two months (June and July) for $30 or three months (June, July and August) for $45.
For work or play, the JTA Summer Youth Pass Program keeps students on the move. As an additional treat, JTA has partnered with the Jacksonville Suns to offer free admission to valid, current-month Summer Youth Pass holders during Sunday and Wednesday games.
Passes can be purchased online at www.jtafla.com, or in person at the JTA Administration Building or the Rosa L. Parks/FCCJ Transit Station. The offer expires June 30, 2009. For more information, call 904-630-3100.
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Trying to find activities and programs for your students to participate in this summer?
Looking for information about next school year, including the 2009/2010 District Calendar?
Visit our Summer Information page for a list of programs and events that can keep your students engaged over the summer and help them get ready for the 2009/2010 school year!
Please note: Beginning June 15 and until Aug. 6, Duval County public schools and offices are closed each Friday*. Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.* (*With the exception of some summer school programs.)
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June
22 |
District Advisory Council
(DAC) Meeting - DCPS Administration Building, 6th Floor Conference Room, 6 p.m. |
30 |
Magnet Long-Range Plan Meeting - LaVilla School of the Arts
- Student Focus Group 4 to 6 p.m.; Community Meeting 6 p.m. |
July
3 |
Independence Day
(observed) - schools and district offices closed |
7 |
School Board Meeting - DCPS Administration Building, Cline Auditorium, 6 p.m. |
14 |
Magnet Long-Range Plan Meeting - LaVilla School of the Arts
- Student Focus Group 4 to 6 p.m.; Community Meeting 6 p.m. |
27 |
District Advisory Council
(DAC) Meeting - DCPS Administration Building, 6th Floor Conference Room, 6 p.m. |
The Jacksonville Children's Commission will be providing nutritious snacks and lunches to Jacksonville children Monday, June 15 through Friday, Aug. 14.
Visit www.jaxkids.net or call the Commission at 904-630-6430 for eligibility requirements and a complete list of summer lunch sites.
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At its monthly meeting on June 8, the Duval County School Board and Superintendent Pratt-Dannals recognized students, staff and business partners for their outstanding accomplishments and contributions to Duval County Public Schools:
For a list of everyone recognized, please review the news release.
The next School Board meeting is Tuesday, July 7, at 6 p.m. All are welcome.
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The district is working on a long-range plan for providing and managing Duval County's Magnet Programs.
Community and Student Focus Group meetings will be at LaVilla School of the Arts, 501 Davis St. North, 32202.
- June 30 (Tues.) - Student Focus Group 4 to 6 p.m.; Community Meeting 6 p.m.
- July 14 (Tues.) - Student Focus Group 4 to 6 p.m.; Community Meeting 6 p.m.
For more information, call the Magnet Programs Office at 390-2008.
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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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News Flash
Looking for the latest school and district news? Read our most recent news releases,
visit our
Spotlight on Education section or tune in to dcpsTV for a detailed look into what is going on at Duval County Public Schools.
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