|
 Welcome Back!
I hope you are enjoying the last few weeks of summer, and are looking forward to the new school year. I would like to extend a deep appreciation for all the hard work done by our principals, teachers, school staff and district-support staff, as well as to our parent and community volunteers, for their diligent work over the break to prepare for a successful year.
The school year is starting off with a very exciting event for the district and county -
the opening of our first high school in 20 years, Atlantic Coast.
Progress is being made in our schools, but it will not happen overnight and we cannot do it alone. Over the past few years, many of our schools have increased their school grades by at least one letter grade over the previous year. The progress over the last 10 years is even more encouraging, as the number of "A" and "B" schools has increased more than 500%.
Our Strategic Plan has been in place for nearly two years now, and we
are reviewing and updating our goals this year in order to ensure we meet our vision of providing students with the knowledge and skills needed to be successful in post-secondary education and/or the workforce.
We are continuing to work with the community to match business partners, volunteers and mentors with our schools and students. By joining this effort and helping a school, businesses and community members make a real difference in the quality of education provided to our students.
While there are many wonderful activities and achievements for us to celebrate and look forward to as we begin the new school year, there are also challenges. Our biggest challenge is our budget. We have already had to cut more than $150 million from our budget over the past four years, and there will be additional cuts next year with the loss of federal stimulus money.
It is our priority to ensure that we have as minimal an impact on the classroom as possible, and will continue to work with our School Board to ensure that our students have the ability to graduate from high school ready for post-secondary education or the world of work.
With our district operating on a minimized budget, your continued support will be more important than ever. Education is a joint venture. We must work together to enable our students to thrive and achieve at their highest levels.
If you have not yet had a chance to visit your child's school, please review the
open house schedule and make plans to attend.
Your involvement in your child's education is essential. With your help, we will continue to increase the academic achievement for all students, employ the best teachers and principals, and establish safe, secure and respectful schools. I am confident that working together, we will provide more students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in a global economy and culturally diverse world.
Don't forget - The first day of school is Monday, August 23, 2010. For more important dates, view the
2010/2011 District Calendar.
Thank you for your continued support of Duval County Public Schools. Have a wonderful school year!
Ed Pratt-Dannals
Superintendent
|
|
The 2010/2011 school year is almost here, and our staff has been working feverishly during the summer months to prepare for a flawless opening.
 This time of year can be extremely busy for students and parents. To provide help and guidance, we have identified our most frequently visited web pages and created a Back to School one-stop-online-shop that has links to the district’s most utilized web pages. We've also included links to other sites with helpful back-to-school resources.
When is my school's open house? What school supplies does my child need? What is the bus route for my child? What are the immunization requirements? Does my child need a sports physical?
All of these questions and more will be answered simply by visiting our website.
|
|
Did you know that students who enroll in and successfully complete a High School Acceleration Program
can earn college credit while still in high school and receive advanced standing in the college admissions process?
 For the 2010/2011 school year, a High School Acceleration Program will be available in each region of the district (North, South, East and West). The four acceleration programs are Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE), Advanced Placement Honors (AP), Early College and International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB).
What are the requirements for application?
All programs require successful completion of Algebra I prior to entering grade 9. The AICE, Early College and IB Diploma Programs also require a 7th grade FCAT score of Level 3 in both reading and mathematics or 85th percentile on equivalent nationally standardized test for students from private schools or those transferring from another state.
Is transportation provided?
Transportation is provided to students living in the attendance zone of the selected school. Students applying to a school outside their attendance zone must provide their own transportation. However, students accepted into the AICE, IB, or Early College at William M. Raines and Jean Ribault may access available magnet transportation on a space available basis.
How to apply.
You may download an application from our website or pick up an application from the individual schools. Completed applications must be returned to the selected school, addressed to the attention of the Program Coordinator on or before August 5, 2010.
More information about each High School Acceleration Program, as well as answers to the most frequently asked questions, are available by visiting www.duvalschools.org.
|
|
The DCPS' Transportation Department has been very busy this summer adjusting bus routes for the new school year.
 Students who live more than 2 miles from their assigned school are eligible for transportation. The distance to a bus stop may be up to 1.5 miles.
What you need to know:
- We have a call center that provides bus stop information. The number is 381-RIDE (7433), and the call center will be open from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, from Aug. 10 until Sept. 3.
- By August 9, Route information will be available
online and also sent to schools.
- Parents of kindergarten and first-grade students should tag their child with his/her name, school attending, bus number(s) and bus stop. Also, parents of kindergarteners need to complete the
Kindergarten Dismissal Form.
- Remember: It's a new school year with new bus routes. Bus drivers have practiced their routes, but it takes a few days to get the timing of the route set. In the beginning, some buses will unavoidably run late.
For more information about bus routes, and for a list of bus safety tips for students and motorists, please visit our website. Also, be sure to check out our online brochure entitled,
Are We There Yet: Staying Safe Between Home & School.
|
|
Nutritious meals impact the health and success of our students and are essential for strong academic performance. The goal of Chartwells Dining Services, our schools' food service provider, is to enhance student performance by providing nutritious meals and promoting the importance of healthy eating.
 Our nutrition standards are based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Food Guide Pyramid, and our menus are developed with ingredients that promote health and wellness.
Breakfast Prices
Elementary $1, Secondary $1.25, Reduced meal $.30, Adult $2
Some Duval County public schools participate in a free breakfast program known as Breakfast in the Classroom. Each morning, the kitchen staff delivers breakfast to the classrooms. Students eat at their desks in the company of friends and classmates.
This program does not require the family to submit a Free/Reduced Meal application in order to receive free breakfast. Visit our website for a full list of the schools that participate in the Breakfast in the Classroom program.
Lunch Prices
Elementary $1.50, Secondary $2, Reduced meal $.40, Adult $3
Do You Qualify for Free Meals?
Families can qualify for free or reduced priced meals depending on household income and family size. Please complete the Free and Reduced Price Meal Application form to see if your family qualifies. Applications can be downloaded from our website, picked up from the front office of your child's school or can be mailed to you. Completed applications can be faxed to 904-732-5157 or sent to DCPS’ Food Service Dept., 2924 Knight's Lane East, Jacksonville, FL 32216.
For additional information, call the Food Service Department at 904-732-5145.
|
|
Duval County Public Schools has a Facebook page. To follow us, visit Facebook and select 'Become a Fan' at the top of the page.
DCPS is also now on Twitter. To follow us, visit www.twitter.com/DuvalSchools and click on 'Follow.'
Both pages are updated regularly with news, emergency messages and information about current events.
 Looking for photos from school events? Visit our
flickr photostream.
|
August
16 |
First Day of Pre-Planning |
23 |
First Day of School for Students |
30 |
District Advisory Council (DAC) Meeting - DCPS Administration Building, 6th Floor Conference Room, 6 p.m. |
September
6 |
Labor Day (Schools and District Offices Closed) |
7 |
School Board Meeting - DCPS Administration Building, Cline Auditorium, 6 p.m. |
8 |
Student Early Release Day |
22 |
Student Early Release Day |
27 |
District Advisory Council (DAC) Meeting - DCPS Administration Building, 6th Floor Conference Room, 6 p.m. |
|
At its monthly meeting on August 3, the Duval County School Board and Superintendent Pratt-Dannals recognized employees, schools and Fidelity Investments for their outstanding accomplishments and contributions to the district.
For a list of everyone recognized, please review the news release.
The next School Board meeting is Tuesday, September 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
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
|
News Update
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's going on at DCPS.
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.
Call 904-390-2126 to request a knowledgeable speaker to address your organization or association. You may also download a Speaker's Request Form.
|
|
