dcps eNews

Message from
Ed Pratt-Dannals
Superintendent of Schools

Thank you, teachers

As Superintendent of Duval County Public Schools, I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to all of our teachers for their dedication to educating the students of Duval County.

Teachers are an inspiration to us all. I am reminded of that each time I visit one of our schools and watch as teachers interact with and engage their students.

Teachers are not just educators; they are often surrogate parents, mentors, disciplinarians, role models, caretakers and friends to their students.

Teachers - what you do matters today and tomorrow. The impression you make upon your students will be carried with them through the rest of their lives. Remember: Teaching is the profession that teaches all other professions.

I believe there is no higher calling than the education, care and well-being of our young people, and I am thankful for the individuals in our community who have pledged to be teachers.

May 3-7, 2010, has been designated Teacher Appreciation Week. I encourage you to take a moment to thank a teacher for the many contributions he or she makes to the students of Duval County, as well as our community. Send a note or email, visit a school or call current or former teachers thanking them for the lessons they are teaching your children, your neighbors and, perhaps, for the lessons they once taught you.

Let's make sure our teachers know they are appreciated and respected, and that we are grateful for the difference they are making in the lives of our next generations.

Also, be sure to read this month's article about our 2010 Teacher of the Year, Zachary Champagne from Mandarin Oaks Elementary, as well as review the list of our most recent National Board Certified Teachers.

Thank you for your dedication to and support of Duval County Public Schools.

Ed Pratt-Dannals
Superintendent

Mandarin Oaks Elementary's Zachary Champagne Named Teacher of the Year

Zachary Champagne, a fourth-grade math/science teacher at Mandarin Oaks Elementary, has been selected as the 2010 Duval County Teacher of the Year.

The announcement was made by a colleague and coach of Mr. Champagne's, Robert Schoen. The event, held at the Hyatt Regency, was hosted by the Schultz Center for Teaching and Leadership and the Jacksonville Public Education Fund.

"The Duval County Teacher of the Year program honors a dedicated and highly skilled representative of all the wonderful teachers in our district, and I congratulate Zachary on this well-deserved recognition," said Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals. "He is preparing his students for success and has a dedication to teaching that is second to none."

Champagne has been teaching for 11 years, teaching first at West Jacksonville Elementary for eight years before switching to Mandarin Oaks Elementary. He received the highest honor for teachers of mathematics and science in 2007 when he was presented with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Champagne is also president of the Duval Elementary Math Council, a board member of the Florida Council of Teachers of Mathematics and an adjunct professor at the University of North Florida.

Champagne is also a finalist for the state-wide title of Florida Teacher of the Year. For more information, read the release.

For more information, including a list of all of the district's school representatives for Teacher of the Year, read the entire article.

Time for Kindergarten and Pre-K Registration

Kindergarten
DCPS' Annual Kindergarten Roundup is now until May 14. During this time, all Duval County elementary schools will hold Kindergarten registration for the 2010-2011 academic year. If you are not sure what school your child should attend, please call our Pupil Assignment Office at 904-390-2144.

Children must be five on or before September 1, 2010 to be registered for Kindergarten (No Exceptions).

For more information about Kindergarten registration and for a list of items needed to register your child into the district, visit our Web site.

Summer Voluntary Pre-kindergarten Program
The Early Learning Coalition of Duval will be registering for its Summer Voluntary Pre-K (SVPK) program until May 28.

The following Duval County elementary schools will participate in the 2010 SVPK program, which runs from June 18 - August 5: George W. Carver, Oceanway, John Finegan, Pinedale, Highlands, San Jose, Kings Trail, Spring Park, Sallye B. Mathis, Timucuan, Normandy Village, Windy Hill, Oak Hill and Woodland Acres.

To learn more about the SVPK programs, visit www.elcofduval.org or call their office at 904-208-2044.

The Goo Goo Dolls Bring "Blessings" to Mayport Elementary

Students at Mayport, Jacksonville Beach and Seabreeze elementary schools have been receiving blessings all year thanks to the contributions of Blessings in a Backpack – a program that provides students who receive free and reduced lunch with food to take home on the weekends – and the Mayport students received an extra blessing when rockers The Goo Goo Dolls visited their school.

Students were on their feet cheering when The Goo Goo Dolls members John Rzeznik and Robby Takac joined them in the auditorium to talk about the importance of education and the Blessings in a Backpack program.

Rzeznik said he is humbled to be a part of Blessings in a Backpack, and got emotional as he discussed the program because he realizes how meaningful it is to children and their families, as well as their teachers.