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Make Your Priorities Known
Public education in Duval County has always been a partnership between our school system and the residents that it serves. This connection has never been more important as we face what some are calling a "budget catastrophe."
Florida's Constitution places adequate education funding as a "paramount duty" of the state. We weathered a $70 million budget shortfall this school year and did so with limited impact on our schools and classrooms. Next year will be a different story.
Right now, we are projecting a $135 million funding shortfall for the 2009-10 school year. Even with our belt tightening, and some anticipated relief from the legislature, we are realistically looking at closing a $80.2 million gap next year. Drastic cuts in staff and programs at both the district and school levels will be unavoidable.
Duval County is joining with other school boards and districts across the state to ask for needed funding and legislative actions that could soften the effects of Florida’s statewide economic crisis. Summed up, we are asking our state’s lawmakers to:
- Find new revenue, possibly a one-cent, limited time sales tax increase.
- Give flexibility to school districts for the spending of "categorical" funds.
- Suspend implementation of unfunded mandates.
- Provide flexibility on the temporary use of capital funds to help narrow the funding gap.
Legislators are quick to note that they hear more frequently from tax cut advocates than those who support adequate public education funding. Please make your priorities known to your elected state representatives.
Complete contact information for members of the Duval County Legislative Delegation, as well as complete information about the financial crisis, is available on our district's Web site.
Thank you for your support of public education. Together, we'll continue to provide a high quality education to every student and prepare our children for the complex challenges they will face in today's changing world.
Ed Pratt-Dannals, Superintendent of Duval County Public Schools
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Did you know
that free software programs addressing all subject areas are at the fingertips of DCPS students 24 hours a day - 7 days a week, and now you can get trained on how to use them to help your student?
Parent training sessions will be held on the following Saturdays: March 7 and March 21. More information is available here or by calling 904-348-7740.
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 Five teachers have been selected as finalists for Duval County Teacher of the Year.
The following five finalists were chosen from the 157 Teachers of the Year
selected at district schools:
"The Teacher of the Year program honors teachers in our schools who have gone above and beyond the call of duty for the students of Duval County," said Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals. "These individuals are a great representation of the more than 8,000 highly devoted and inspirational teachers in our district."
The Duval County Teacher of the Year will be announced at the EDDY Awards on April 30, and will represent Duval County at the state level for Florida Teacher of the Year.
The EDDY Awards program is a formal event hosted by the Jacksonville Public Education Fund (formerly the Alliance for World Class Education) that recognizes outstanding teachers and celebrates their accomplishments.
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 In recognition of Black History Month, schools throughout the district hosted special programs and events.
Visit the links below for a quick snapshot into what some of our schools did:
 Did you know several Duval County Public Schools are named for African-Americans who have made historically important contributions to both our local community and our country? For more information about these schools, visit our
Web site.
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 Greenfield Elementary fourth and fifth-grade students had the opportunity to come back to school during the weekend for Super Science Saturday on February 21.
The event, was designed to help students review important science concepts in preparation for the FCAT, provided each student with the opportunity to attend four science workshops that covered the areas of life, physical and earth/space science. Between workshops, education majors from the University of North Florida conducted science demonstrations for the students.
Throughout the school, students learned about plants, animals, chemistry, astronomy and other fields of science. Experiments included making homemade lava lamps and wax creations, dissecting owl pellets and learning how to use and construct a compass.
A representative from the Blazin' Reptiles store in Mandarin brought several
creatures with him for the students to see and touch, including a Bearded Dragon, Blue-tongued Skink, turtle, alligator and several varieties of snakes, such as a Ball Python, Burmese Python and an Albino Burmese Python.
 The Shetland Sheepdog Club also stopped by to teach students how to properly care for and handle dogs, and also discussed career opportunities involving dogs.
Stuart Appelbaum, Chief of the Everglades Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Jacksonville, was on hand to speak to students about important environmental issues.
This is the second year the school has hosted Super Science Saturday, and fifth-grade teacher Dan Palopoli, who organized the event, said he hopes next year they will be able to open it up to other grades so that all of their students can benefit from this hands-on day of science education.
Sponsors of the event include General Electric, Panera Bread, the Greenfield PTA and teachers, the University of North Florida, Blazin' Reptiles and KSI Safety Division.
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 Fourth-grade students at J. Allen Axson Montessori Academy, along with their parents, are participating in a unique weekend writing class called the "Family Writing Project." It was created by their school curriculum coach and local author Steffani Hendricks Gilligan.
While presenting at the Florida Reading Association conference, Ms. Gilligan was introduced to the book Writing with Families, which addressed methods for getting students, parents and teachers writing together. After obtaining financial support from the Cummer Family Foundation, Ms. Gilligan launched the "Family Writing Project," a six-week class that meets on Saturdays when parents and their students receive lessons about writing, poetry and descriptive language. It is also a chance for those involved to focus on their family in a fun and creative setting.
"Each lesson gives children and their parents the opportunity to spend a few hours learning side by side in a unique way," said Ms. Gilligan. "These classes offer everyone involved a positive feeling about writing and poetry."
 Every week's class focuses on a specific topic, such
as 'Food and Family,' and then the student/parent team works together on a
writing assignment. During many lessons, homework is assigned for both students
and the parents.
Class participants also received a performance poetry session from special guests,
including Dr. Nile Stanley, a University of North Florida professor, and Ben Brenner, who is a J. Allen Axson Montessori School alumnus.
More details, as well as a samples of the students' and parents' work,
are available
here.
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 The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) is sponsoring a photo contest for Jacksonville youth in honor of the 20th Anniversary of the Dames Point Bridge.
To enter, students must submit a creative photo (old or new) of the Dames Point Bridge. (Students under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian complete and sign the photograph entry form.)
The winning prize includes $100, and a professionally enlarged and framed photo of the winning entry.
Entries are due on Friday, March 6, by 5 p.m.
More information, including the official rules and entry form, is available on the JTA Web site.
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 It's FCAT Time!
Visit our
FCAT Information Center for a schedule of testing dates, answers to your questions, and helpful resources and links.
Reminder: The Florida Department of Education has cancelled the summer FCAT administration. Find out more.
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March
4 |
Student Early Release Day |
17 |
Special School Board Meeting regarding high school scheduling and Student Progression Plan - DCPS Administration Building, Cline Auditorium, 4 p.m. |
17 |
Duval County Council of PTAs/PTSAs Meeting - DCPS Administration Building, Cline Auditorium, 10 a.m. |
23 |
District Advisory Council
(DAC) Meeting - DCPS Administration Building, 6th Floor Conference Room, 6 p.m. |
25 |
Student Early Release Day |
27 |
Teacher Planning Day
(No school for students) |
30 - April 3 |
Spring Break (Schools Closed)
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April
March 30 - April 3 |
Spring Break (Schools Closed) |
7 |
School Board Meeting - DCPS Administration Building, Cline Auditorium, 6 p.m. |
10 |
Spring Holiday (Schools and District Offices Closed) |
15 |
Student Early Release Day |
21 |
Duval County Council of PTAs/PTSAs Meeting - DCPS Administration Building, Cline Auditorium, 10 a.m. |
27 |
District Advisory Council
(DAC) Meeting - DCPS Administration Building, 6th Floor Conference Room, 6 p.m. |
29 |
Student Early Release Day |
The Academic and Community Excellence (ACE)
program is being used by DCPS to engage with students, parents, employees and the public, in an effort to craft plans and ideas that more fully meet the needs and expectations of every
resident in Duval County.
We are addressing multiple areas within the school system such as facilities, academic programs, high school scheduling, transportation and magnet programs.
Upcoming meetings:
Transportation: Tentative recommendations will be presented at the Board Workshop - March 10, Final approval of recommendations at the Board Meeting - April 7;
High School Scheduling: The School Board is holding a special meeting on March 17 at 4 p.m. to address scheduling and changes to the Student Progression Plan.
For more information, visit the
ACE section of our Web site.
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At its monthly meeting on March 3, the Duval County School Board and Superintendent Pratt-Dannals recognized students, staff and a faith-based organization. For a list of all those recognized, please read the news release.
The School Board will have a special meeting on March 17 at 4 p.m. to address potential changes to the high school schedule and the Student Progression Plan.
The next regular School Board meeting is Tuesday, April 7 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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Speakers Bureau Available
DCPS would love to speak to your group to discuss our financial resources, teacher effectiveness, and the academic programs and learning opportunities we provide.
Contact Myra Simmons at 904-390-2993 to request a knowledgeable speaker to address your organization or association. You may also download a Speaker's Request Form.
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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