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 Tough Financial Times Ahead
A reduction of up to $125 million is now anticipated for the 2010-11 school year, following two years of record reductions. It is not possible to have this loss of revenue each year without impacting our students.
As a school district, we must be fiscally responsible and have a balanced budget. Unfortunately we cannot absorb this amount in our current budget, and are in the process of compiling a prioritized list of potential cuts. This information will be distributed to our schools, staff and School Board, as well as the community.
I will be hosting a series of community meetings to discuss our current and upcoming financial situation, available revenue and the district's plans to meet its mission of providing all students with high quality educational opportunities.
Your feedback is important. Please join me at one of the following meetings, at 6 p.m.:
- Thurs., March 11 - Sandalwood High School, 2750 John Prom Blvd, 32246
- Tues., March 16 - Peterson Academies of Technology, 7450 Wilson Blvd., 32210
- Thurs., March 18 - Jean Ribault High School, 3701 Winton Dr., 32208
- Tues., March 23 - Mandarin High School, 4831 Greenland Rd., 32258
Student achievement remains our highest priority, and we will continue to do everything we can to save revenue, while keeping our focus on the classroom. Difficult decisions will have to be made, but by working together, we can see our school district through these difficult economic times.
We need your help to engage our governor and legislature to minimize the cuts to public education as much as possible. We appreciate and thank you for your continued service on behalf Duval County Public Schools' students.
Ed Pratt-Dannals
Superintendent
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Duval County Public Schools has joined together to support relief efforts for the people of Haiti.
 More than 32 pallets of items on four trucks have been donated by Duval County Public Schools to Mission Harvest America in support of the Haitian relief efforts. With the approval of our School Board, schools and administrative offices have been fundraising in creative ways, such as hosting special events and collecting items at schools, to benefit those impacted by the earthquake.
Students, parents and employees could donate to the relief efforts in one of two ways, either through monetary donations or specific items requested through the American Red Cross and Mission Harvest. Donated items included baby supplies, such as disposable diapers, diaper wipes and formula, as well as toilet paper, water and liquid body soap.
Here are just a few of the stories from around our district:
The students and staff of duPont Middle School had already began collecting items for Haiti when they discovered one of their ESL teachers, Dr. Isma, a Haitian, had most of his family still living in the country near Port-au-Prince. He attempted to travel to Haiti to help them, but only reached the Dominican Republic/Haiti border. Dr. Isma soon found out that some of his family members had passed, while others were alive, but homeless and had lost everything.
When Dr. Isma returned to duPont Middle, he came with a specific list of items that would benefit not only his remaining family members, but others in their villages/neighborhoods. Students and staff began collecting, and an outpouring of donations arrived at school.
 In commemoration of the 100th day of school, Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary collected more than 500 items for the people of Haiti, ranging from Band-Aids to hygiene products.
Like DuPont Middle School, MLK Elementary also had a teacher whose family was directly affected by the tragedy. Second-grade teacher Danielle Lee said this fundraising event was a wonderful way to teach the students about giving back to those less fortunate.
At River City Science Academy, students and staff collected $500 for the American Red Cross and had the money matched from Dr. Wyatt Pope, president of the Kaiser Group, a workforce corporation. The students created posters and decorated mason jars that were used for the collection. According to seventh-grade teacher Victoria Runyon the collection was “a great learning experience for the students.”
We appreciate the support and generosity of all DCPS' students, parents, teachers and staff, as well as the local community. Thank you for working together to support the humanitarian relief efforts in Haiti.
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Sometimes in order to keep our youth heading in the right direction one has to take action. We need to take action - community action - to inspire youth, in this case, student athletes.
On Saturday, February 27, School Board Chair Brenda Priestly Jackson and Senator Tony Hill will host the second Paul Robeson Scholar Athlete Summit for more than 500 student athletes.
One of the biggest messages the students will receive is that every high school athlete will not become a college athlete; every college athlete will not become a professional athlete; however, with a strong academic background and a commitment to working hard they will find their ticket to success.
Middle and high school students will have an opportunity to listen to dynamic speakers from the world of college or professional sports and will share in "one-on-one" conversations with local, state and national scholar athletes who continue to excel beyond the playing field. Through participating in the summit, students will gain valuable information and support in becoming strong scholar athletes themselves.
Make sure your student athlete attends this motivational and educational event! For more information, please contact your school's coach.
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 NBC's The Today Show, with correspondent Jenna Bush Hager, recently visited Darnell-Cookman Middle/High School of the Medical Arts to interview 10th-grade student Tony Hansberry.
Tony developed a technique that reduces surgical time for minimally invasive hysterectomies, and he was featured in a story about African Americans who are making huge changes and progress for America.
More pictures from The Today Show's visit to Darnell-Cookman are available on the DCPS' flickr Photostream.
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 Gavin McKinney, the director of photography for the IMAX 3D film Sharks, recently visited Frank H. Peterson Academies of Technology to speak with the students enrolled in the Communications Technology Academy Television Production division.
McKinney, a native Bahamian who says he "grew up on and underwater," has co-produced and served as director of photography with 3D Entertainment on other underwater films for IMAX Theatres, including Ocean Wonderland, Dolphins and Whales, and his latest project, Oceanworld. He has also contributed his diving skills as a stuntman in other films, such as the James Bond movies.
The World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX Theater, located in St. Augustine, brought McKinney from his home in the Bahamas for the opening of Sharks.
During his visit with the Peterson students and their teacher, Charlie Tullington, McKinney discussed the triumphs and challenges of filming underwater, and also gave his views of some of the incorrect perceptions humans typically have of underwater wildlife.
There's more to this story - visit our
Web site to read more.
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 Neptune Beach Elementary is one of 40 schools from 19 states selected to participate in the National Staff Development Council (NSDC) Learning School Alliance, a national initiative that will help educators learn from each other and work together to bolster quality teaching and student learning.
"We are honored to be selected for the Learning School Alliance," said Principal Stephanie Manabat. "Our teachers will benefit from networking with principals and teachers across the country and leading national professional development authorities."
Teachers and administrators will be given tools and materials, coaching, a dedicated Web site to meet and discuss areas of concern, receive support from other teachers, access to trained facilitators, and the opportunity for face-to-face networking and learning at NSDC conventions.
For more information, visit our
Web site.
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Make a Difference in Exceptional Education
You are invited to join the Exceptional Education and Student Services Department as a member of its Program Standards Committee.
This collaboration group - made up of parents, teachers and community members - will have the opportunity to help create
program standards for students served in the following programs: Physically Impaired, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Intellectual Disabilities, Behavioral Supports, Excel Day Treatment, Pre-Kindergarten Disabilities Varying Exceptionalities, Deaf/Hard of Hearing and Blind/Visually Impaired classrooms.
Meetings will be held Monday through Saturday until June 7, 2010, and at varying times in order to make it
possible for you to attend. For more information, call 904-390-2071 or
download an information
packet.
Teaching as a Second Career
 Teaching is a challenging and rewarding profession. If you are interested in a meaningful career change, there are multiple pathways available for highly qualified, non-traditional teacher candidates.
You may also register to attend a program information session on Thursday, March 4, 2010.
For more
information about transition to teaching, visit our Web site or download a flyer.
Calling All West Jacksonville Elementary Alumni!
West Jacksonville Elementary will be hosting a Career Day on Feb. 24, and is looking for alumni to speak with their students. If you are an alumnus of the school who can attend this event, please contact Jacquelyn Gandy at 904-655-5011 or
gandyj@duvalschools.org.
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Parent Thought for the Month
Teachable moments are everywhere. Find them and watch the ordinary become extraordinary. Be There
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February
15 |
Presidents' Day (schools and district offices closed) |
16 |
Duval County Council of PTAs/PTSAs Meeting - DCPS Administration Building, Cline Auditorium, 10 a.m. |
17 |
Student Early Release Day |
22 |
District Advisory Council (DAC) Meeting - DCPS Administration Building, 6th Floor Conference Room, 6 p.m. |
March
2 |
School Board Meeting - DCPS Administration Building, Cline Auditorium, 6 p.m. |
3 |
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 |
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At its monthly meeting on Feb. 8, the Duval County School Board and Superintendent Pratt-Dannals recognized schools and volunteers 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, March 2, at 6 p.m. All are welcome.
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How well is your school supporting your involvement in your child's education?
The FLDOE is conducting a survey to obtain information on how well schools are supporting parents' involvement in their child's education. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, states must report this information to the federal government every year.
DCPS needs your input! Your response will provide important information for planning, monitoring and improvement of activities. Last year, less than 20% of our families responded, and we want to increase parent responses to 50%.
Please go to
www.ESEsurvey.com to complete this brief survey. We truly value your input.
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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 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.
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.
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It's in our hands!
The
U.S. Census Bureau is issuing a call to action for every resident of our nation to be counted in 2010.
This is important because every year, the federal government allocates money to states and school districts based, in part, on census data.
You will receive your questionnaire in March either by U.S. mail or hand delivery. Please take a few minutes to fill out your survey and mail it back by April 1.
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