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 Off
to A Great Start in 2012
Before Winter Break, we received some great news that our graduation rate rose 4.6 percentage points to 71.2 percent. Shortly after that, high school grades came in and several of our high schools made noticeable improvement.
The gains in our graduation rate and increased high school grades are proof that Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) is on its way to becoming the best large urban district in the country. This is especially noteworthy given that DCPS has the highest graduation requirements in the state.
Our graduation rate has increased 13.8 percentage points over the last five years.
The schools with the largest increase in graduation rates are Forrest High School, which saw an increase of 18.7 percentage points from the prior year, Frank H. Peterson Academies of Technology, which saw an increase of 11.2 percentage points and Ed White High School, which saw an increase of 10.9 percentage points. Additionally, Stanton College Preparatory was recognized for having 99% of their students graduate in 2011.
Eight of our high schools grades increased in 2011. Most notably Frank H. Peterson Academies of Technology rose three letter grades, from D to A, Terry Parker and Robert E. Lee high schools earned their first B grades, A. Philip Randolph Academy rose two letter grades to a C and Jean Ribault High School earned its first C grade.
Overall, 18 of 21 high schools scored A, B or C grades (84%). Schools with A grades were Frank H. Peterson Academies of Technology, Darnell-Cookman Middle-High School, Paxon School for Advanced Studies and Stanton College Preparatory School. Schools with B grades were Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, Mandarin, Fletcher, Terry
Parker, Sandalwood and Robert E. Lee high schools.
In addition, decreasing the number of lower performing schools (D or F) from 11 to three shows dramatic positive improvement.
Now that all school grades have been released for elementary through high school, 85% of DCPS have made excellent, good or satisfactory grades.
Im extremely proud of the tremendous effort that our administrators, teachers, support staff, students and parents have put forth. In 2012, we will continue to assess the work being done in our schools to ensure that all of our students are receiving a high quality education as we continue to strive for academic excellence.
Ed Pratt-Dannals
Superintendent
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January is a popular month for making resolutions and setting new goals. It is also National Mentoring Month. So this year, why not consider becoming a mentor at one of our schools?
Being a mentor is easy: You just need a few hours, be ready to listen and to offer friendship, guidance and encouragement to a young person on a consistent basis.
Research shows that when students have positive mentors, they are less likely to take part in risky behaviors and are more likely to improve their attendance and academic performance.
One of the goals in our Strategic Plan is to greatly increase the number of mentors for our students. We are proud to partner with Mayor Alvin Brown on the county-wide mentoring initiative that will help us achieve this goal.
The mentoring initiative is a multifaceted collaboration between DCPS, the City of Jacksonville, United Way, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Take Stock in Children and Communities in Schools. It will consist of two phases, first focusing on school-based mentors then faith-based and after-school and weekend programs.
It is important that we continue recruiting mentors who will help our students become accountable, in school, at home and in our community. DCPS will work with local businesses, government agencies, schools, faith-based partners and nonprofits to increase the number of mentors and assure a bright future for our students.
Below are 10 things you can do throughout National Mentoring Month to make a difference in a childs life.
1. Become a mentor in your community.
2. Learn more about mentoring.
3. Partner with a mentoring organization.
4. Tell five friends about National Mentoring Month.
5. Think about the mentors in your life and post a tribute to them online.
6. Read the latest research and find resources on mentoring.
7. Serve your community on MLK Day of Service by deciding to become a mentor.
8. Make a donation to a mentoring organization in your community.
9. Go to YouTube on Thank Your Mentor Day (January 26) and make the National
Mentoring Month videos the most popular video of the day.
10. Explore ways to help children succeed academically through mentoring.
To learn how you can become a mentor, contact our Community and Family Engagement Department at 390-2960 or the United Way at 2-1-1. Together, we all can make the future brighter for a child!
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Students at
Fletcher High School had the opportunity to meet the Vice President of the United States, Joseph Biden, and U.S. Department of Education Secretary, Arne Duncan. Students, teachers, parents and community members gathered in the schools cafeteria to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Vice President Biden spoke on the influential topic of post-secondary education and the options students have to assist them in attaining their desired education. He vehemently stressed the importance of earning a college degree, stating that the unemployment rate of individuals with a bachelors degree is half that of individuals without a degree. He focused on the drive to make post-secondary education more affordable and more equitable for those individuals seeking loans or electing alternative methods of payment. Vice President Biden also reminded the students that they are our future and that one of them could become President of the United States, a major computer software programmer or the person to discover a cure for cancer. Students were encouraged by his words and expressed their appreciation with several standing ovations.
We are honored that Vice President Biden selected one of our schools to visit and provide words of encouragement to our students who are embarking on a vital time in their education, said Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals. It is imperative that our students are able to engage in opportunities such as this to reinforce to them how important the education of this generation is to the future of our country.
Following his speech, students had the opportunity to address Vice President Biden with questions pertaining to the payment of post-secondary education, the position he played on the football team at the University of Delaware and funding for education in our state.
I am impressed with the compelling, perceptive questions and positions that my students presented to the Vice President of our country, said principal Dane Gilbert. This visit will instill in these students motivation to set goals for themselves and determination to meet and exceed those goals as they now realize they can make a difference in our country.
Superintendent Pratt-Dannals, School Board members, district staff, and other community and organization dignitaries were present for the event.
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Duval County Public Schools will be hosting
Regional Financial Aid nights at schools throughout January and in the beginning of February for high school students and their parents/guardians.
At each event, a financial aid administrator will provide information about state and federal financial aid programs, and will be answering questions about completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and other financial aid forms.
Parents and students are invited to participate in any of the sessions listed:
First Coast High School: Jan. 12, 6:30 p.m.
Fletcher High School: Jan. 17, 6 p.m.
Wolfson High School: Jan. 17, 6 p.m.
Englewood High School: Jan. 18, 6 p.m.
Atlantic Coast High School: Jan. 19, 6 p.m.
Frank H. Peterson High School: Jan. 19, 6 p.m.
Terry Parker High School: Jan. 19, 6:30 p.m.
Sandalwood High School: Jan. 23, 7 p.m.
All ESOL Students/Parents: Jan 26, 6 p.m.
All Military Students/Parents: Jan. 26, 6 p.m.
Phillip Randolph Academies of Technology: Jan. 26, 6:30 p.m.
Baldwin High School: Jan. 26, 6:30 p.m.
Andrew Jackson High School: Jan. 26, 6 p.m.
Jean Ribault High School: Jan. 26, 6 p.m.
Stanton College Preparatory School: Jan. 26, 7 p.m.
Douglas Anderson School of the Arts: Jan. 30, 7 p.m.
Forrest High School: Jan. 31, 6 p.m.
Mandarin High School: Feb. 2, 6 p.m.
Darnell-Cookman: Feb 7, 6 p.m.
Robert E. Lee High School: Feb. 7, 6 p.m.
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Woodland Acres Spelling Bee Connects with Read It Forward Jax!
The fifth-graders at Woodland Acres Elementary spelled their way to the top
during the annual spelling bee. The contest proved that frequent reading pays
off for the spelling bee participants. As part of
Read It Forward Jax! students
are encouraged to read on a daily basis, which in turn will increase their
spelling skills.
"Living the Learner Profile Night" at Fort Caroline Middle
Parents and students from Fort Caroline Middle School had the opportunity to
gain a first-hand experience of the Learner Profile as part of the International
Baccalaureate (IB) program. The school-wide event, Living the Learner Profile
Night, provided a long-term vision of education, one of the core values behind
the Middle Years Programme of IB. As a member of the IB community of learners,
Fort Caroline Middle has designated each month to the exploration and
development of the 10 Learner Profile attributes.
Diggy Simmons Promotes 5-2-1-0 Healthy Campaign at Raines High School
Raines High School received a surprise visit from Diggy Simmons in his effort to
support the 5-2-1-0 Healthy campaign. The 5-2-1-0 Healthy campaign helps to
bring awareness to the daily guidelines for nutrition and physical activity.
The message represents
some of the most important steps students and their families can take to prevent
childhood obesity. Simmons stressed the significance of each number in 5-2-1-0:
5 Eat fruits and vegetables at least five times a day. 2 Cut screen time
(time spent in front of an electronic device) to two hours or less every day.
1 Participate in at least one hour of moderate to vigorous physical activity
each day. 0 Restrict soda and sugar-sweetened drinks. Drink water and three
to four servings of skim or 1% milk every day.
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Magnet Mania & More will be held January 21, 2012 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Prime Osborn Convention
Center.
Join Duval County Public Schools for an interactive, fun-filled and informational expo detailing magnet programs and school choice options for the 2012-2013 school year.
For more information, call 904-390-2082 or visit
www.magnetprograms.com.
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January
11 |
Student Early Release Day |
16 |
Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday (Schools and District Offices Closed) |
20 |
Teacher Planning Day (No school for students) |
25 |
Student Early Release Day |
February
7 |
School Board Meeting - DCPS Administration Building, Cline Auditorium, 6 p.m. |
8 |
Student Early Release Day |
20 |
Presidents' Day (Schools Closed) |
22 |
Student Early Release Day |
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Duval County Public Schools and Chick-fil-A are hosting a Family Reading Night on Monday, January 23, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 11 Jacksonville Chick-fil-A locations to support
Read It Forward Jax!
All parents and students are invited to attend. There will be student activities, readings and community conversations with school and district staff. Superintendent Pratt-Dannals, School Board members and other dignitaries will be present at various locations to perform read-a-louds for the students.
You can donate a book to the book drive and take home tools that promote literacy at home.
10% of the proceeds will be donated to Read It Forward Jax! to provide resources for students to continue to increase reading proficiency.
To see a list of participating stores go to
Read It Forward Jax!
We look forward to seeing all of you out there on Monday night!
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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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Duval County Public Schools has a Facebook page. To follow us, visit
Facebook and select 'Become a Fan' at the top of the page.
You can also follow DCPS on Twitter by visiting
www.twitter.com/DuvalSchools and clicking 'Follow.'
Both pages are
updated regularly with news, important messages and information about current
events.
 Looking
for photos from school events? Visit our
flickr photostream.
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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.
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