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 State of
the Schools
Last night, I gave my first State of the Schools Address to the community and School Board regarding our successes and challenges during the past school year. The results show that we have seen positive measurable progress in our schools, and areas in need of additional focus were identified.
Progress was shown in all four categories of Reading, Math, Writing and Science; however, we still need to improve the performance gap in Reading, which remains our highest priority. I am proud of the increased number of students taking rigorous courses. We are dedicated to improving our district grade and the performance of our students.
Our focus on high schools has increased, including implementing Smaller Learning Communities that foster relationships within our schools, and Career Academies, which integrate academic and career-related curriculum. We are waiting on the state’s release of graduation rate information, but have seen improvements in our promotion rates.
We are committed to providing our teachers with the resources they need to assist their students with becoming successful. Additional professional development opportunities are being offered to new teachers, as well as reading competencies and ESOL training.
The district is dedicated to working with our parents and community partners through business partnerships, mentors and volunteers. Your help is needed to ensure that we continue the positive progress we are making with community support of our schools.
The support PTA has shown since I became Superintendent has been tremendous, and I look forward to a continued partnership as we pursue our goal of becoming the best large urban school district in the country.
We are committed to success, and it is our intent to make clear and measurable progress every year toward our long-term objectives.
Through the commitment of our students, the dedication of our teachers and the support of PTA, we strongly believe that together we will be successful.
Ed Pratt-Dannals
Superintendent
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 At the October meeting of the Duval County School Board, the Board said farewell to District 1 representative, Stan Jordan.
Mr. Jordan rejoined the Board in November 2008. He previously served on the Board for 16 years, during which he served as Chairman four times.
Thank you, Mr. Jordan, for your many years of service to the students and teachers of Duval County Public Schools.
Filling Mr. Jordan's seat is Martha Barrett, who served on the Board from November 2000 to November 2008.
Welcome back, Ms. Barrett, and thank you for your continued commitment to Duval County Public Schools.
October Meeting Highlights
Also during the October meeting, Superintendent Pratt-Dannals presented his State of the Schools Address.
The School Board also voted to name the district's new high school to Atlantic Coast High School. The school's mascot will be the Stingray and its colors will be black, white and burnt orange.
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 More than 170 sophomores, juniors and seniors recently attended William M. Raines High School's College Readiness Academy, which prepares students for the ACT and SAT standardized tests.
"This academy is not about FCAT; we're past that," said Principal George Maxey. "We're about preparing our students for college, and instituting a new Raines, with an old flavor."
The free academy, sponsored by a Small Learning Communities (SLC) grant, provides students with a hot breakfast, followed by a 90-minute session of math and a 90-minute session of English.
While the grant pays for breakfast and the teachers, the school's alumni and community volunteers served breakfast to the students and assisted in the classrooms as needed.
This school year, there will be a total of 12 sessions; six in the fall preparing students for the ACT and six in the spring preparing students for the SAT.
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 Barbara Williams, a substitute teacher at Fort Caroline Elementary, has been selected from more than 25,000 substitute teachers nationwide as the 2008 - 2009 Kelly Educational Staffing Substitute of the Year.
Williams was selected for her dedication to the process of education and her commitment to student achievement. Additionally, she demonstrates a genuine love for teaching and always goes above and beyond what is expected of her.
Williams, who has been a substitute teacher at Fort Caroline for five years, said that she was shocked, but honored to receive the award. She calls Fort Caroline her favorite school because the staff is “super and makes her feel like part of a family.”
"Mrs. Williams is passionate, dedicated and truly believes all children will learn. It is inspiring to work with her and watch her interact with our students at Fort Caroline Elementary," said Principal Tammy Boyd. "Her love for children and Fort Caroline is evident in all that she does. We love Mrs. Williams!"
Duval County Public Schools partners with Kelly Educational Staffing to recruit, train and provide qualified substitute teachers for our schools.
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 The students of Joseph Stilwell Middle School were shocked when what they thought was an assembly to hear a motivational speaker turned out to be a surprise pep rally to kick-off the 2009-2010 A-Team Program, sponsored by Winn-Dixie and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The A-Team award program, now in its fourth year, rewards teachers and middle school students for their hard work in academics, good attendance and overall attitude.
Stilwell was chosen as this year's kick-off site because of its recent FCAT success. The school earned a B in 2009, up from a C in 2008.
 Students walked into the gymnasium to the beat of the Jacksonville Jaguars D-line while handed teal and black pompoms. Several surprise guests were in attendance to congratulate and encourage the students, including members of The ROAR, Jaxson de Ville, and Jaguars players Clint Ingram and Quentin Groves, as well as retired Jaguar player and host of the Jaguar Radio Network, Jeff Lageman.
During the event, 11 Stilwell students became the first members of the Winn-Dixie A-Team for this school year. These students were chosen by Principal Vincent Hall based on their good grades, positive attitudes and good behavior, and were awarded tickets to the September 20 Jacksonville Jaguars home opener against the Arizona Cardinals.
The school also received a $500 check from Winn Dixie.
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Attention parents, children, youth and families of all ages! The Jacksonville Children’s Commission, along with many community partners, is hosting JaxKids Day on Saturday, October 24, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Jacksonville Main Library and Hemming Plaza, downtown. This event is FREE to everyone! Some of the fun-filled activities include:
- Mayor Peyton’s Book Club Celebration – celebrating over 9,000 current
four-year-old book club members and their families
- Wolfson’s Children’s Hospital Red Wagon Parade with over 45 wagons decorated as their favorite children’s book and lead by Mayor Peyton
- Over 40 community organizations offering fun games, activities, services and educational resources
- Animal hospital for children where they get to keep their stuffed animal
- Bike helmet giveaway and safety instructions
- Health Fair screenings include vision, hearing and more
- Live band performing on stage in Hemming Plaza
- Family Friendly Fun Run at 10 a.m.
- Baby Jam featuring a regional performing artist offering entertainment for
children birth to age three.
- Hay-rides, face painting, air-brush tattoos, fire-trucks and ambulance on display and much, much more
No parent, child, or youth will leave empty handed as t-shirts and goodies will be given out all day. JaxKids Day is a popular event for the whole family.
For more information, please contact the Children’s Commission at
www.jaxkids.net or Community Outreach at 630-7274.
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 Enterprise Learning Academy fourth-grade math and science teacher Sam Corlew wanted to give his students the opportunity to learn outside of the classroom, so for the past three years he and his students have planted and maintained their very own vegetable garden.
The fourth-graders oversee most aspects of the garden, and partner with younger students in the school to teach them about gardening and bring them on tours.
As school began for the 2009-2010 school year, students immediately got to work and began planting new crops for the fall garden, such as radishes, carrots, cucumbers and tomatoes. In the spring, they will plant okra, squash, tomatoes and zucchini.
 Throughout the year, students measure and track the growth of plants, grid the area and perimeter of the garden, and make observations about the weather and its effect on the plants.
"The garden provides students with a better way of learning because they can apply what they learn to the real world," said Corlew. "Students not only learn about science, but math, geography and social studies as well. They are only limited by their imagination in what they can learn."
Students also learn common gardening practices and techniques. Corlew made sure to teach them the "garden shuffle," the proper way to clean off their feet before coming back inside the school.
 "Every time we visit the garden, these students are excited. Instead of having to be here, they want to be. They love learning about it."
Corlew extends gratitude to the teachers, students and staff of Enterprise Learning Academy, as well as contributions from Vystar Credit Union and The Home Depot in the Oakleaf Town Center, for making the vegetable garden “grow.”
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On Oct. 20, DCPS will formally launch the
Be There campaign, a program to inspire parents to get more involved with their children's education.
Parent Thought for the Month
While driving in the car, listen to your child instead of your radio. Connecting with him or her only takes a minute and the benefits will last a lifetime.
Be There.
Stay tuned for more information about the Be There campaign.
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Did you know that every day, more than 2 million students are absent from school in America?
All children have a right to a quality education, but they must be present in school to learn.
Jacksonville United Against Truancy (JUAT), a collaborative effort with members from the State Attorney's Office, DCPS, the City of Jacksonville, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and the Youth Crisis Center, has established the month of October as Truancy Awareness Month.
To report a suspected truant, call our Truancy Hotline at 904.390.2043 or click
here to complete our online form.
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October
7 |
Student Early Release Day |
20 |
Duval County Council of PTAs/PTSAs Meeting - Teacher Supply Depot, 3108 Lenox Ave., 10 a.m. |
21 |
Student Early Release Day |
26 |
Teacher Planning (Schools Closed) |
26 |
District Advisory Council
(DAC) Meeting - DCPS Administration Building, 6th Floor Conference Room, 6 p.m. |
November
3 |
School Board Meeting - DCPS Administration Building, Cline Auditorium, 6 p.m. |
4 |
Student Early Release Day |
11 |
Veteran's Day (Schools and District Offices Closed) |
17 |
Duval County Council of PTAs/PTSAs Meeting - DCPS Administration Building, Cline Auditorium, 10 a.m. |
18 |
Student Early Release Day |
23 |
District Advisory Council
(DAC) Meeting - DCPS Administration Building, 6th Floor Conference Room, 6 p.m. |
25 |
Weather Day (Schools Closed) |
26-27 |
Thanksgiving Holiday
(Schools and District Offices Closed)
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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.
DCPS is also 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.
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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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