FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL - The countdown is on — just ONE month until the first day of school on Monday, Aug. 10. Take small steps now to get ready: Adjust sleep schedules a little each week, gather school supplies and organize backpacks, keep learning going with 20 minutes of reading or math each day, mark important school dates on your family calendar, and start practicing morning routines. We can't wait to welcome everyone back for another amazing year!
REGISTER FOR A BUS TODAY - Bus registration for the 2026–2027 school year is now open. All students who plan to ride a school bus next year must be registered in advance, including students enrolled in self-contained ESE programs. Families are encouraged to register as early as possible to help ensure a smooth start to the school year. Registration forms are available in Focus. For step-by-step instructions on how to complete the process, visit: www.duvalschools.org/busregistration
SUPPORT SERVICES EMPLOYEE LEADS SPORTS EXPERIENCE - Today’s Team Duval Shoutout goes to Adele Herring in Employee Support Services for leading and organizing the DCPS team in the First Coast Games! This exciting league allowed employees to come together and play recreational sports while representing Duval County. Despite rain outs, venue changes, and schedule changes, Adele went above and beyond in her communication and organization to ensure that the sports experience remained positive for all those involved. “She is diligent, kind, and patient,” writes the nominating staff member, “truly an advocate for DCPS employee wellness!” Thank you, Adele, for your leadership in getting the DCPS teams ready to play!
READING TEACHER REINVIGORATES STUDENT LEARNING - Congratulations to Ms. Oglesby from Jacksonville Beach Elementary for receiving today’s Team Duval Shoutout. Described by parents and peers as an extraordinary reading teacher, she creates a learning environment in which all students feel supported, capable, and excited to learn. “She helped my son rebuild his confidence and rediscover his love of reading,” writes one parent. “Her positive impact extends to all of her students.” Thank you, Ms. Oglesby, for being a shining example of what it means to imbue students with a lifelong love of reading.
CONGRATS, GRADUATES! This Team Duval Shoutout celebrates the success of the most recent graduates of the district’s Teen Parent Service Center (TPSC). Program supervisor Bridget McGee says 20 out of 20 teen parents received their high school diplomas during their 2026 commencement ceremonies! McGee goes on to share that Kanijah, a graduate of William M. Raines High School, also received a $3,000 scholarship from the Mike Freeland Foundation, with plans to study nursing at FSCJ. Foundation founder and former teen parent Terona Feacher also donated a $25 Amazon gift card to every graduating teen parent during the TPSC End-of-Year Awards Ceremony. Congratulations to these graduates and everyone who helped make this milestone possible!
LOCAL STUDENT LEADS WITH PHILANTHROPY - Genesis Faith Blunt from Ribault High receives today’s Team Duval Shoutout for the remarkable impact she is making through community service. In recent weeks, Blunt has led meaningful initiatives to provide meals and support to individuals and families experiencing hardship by hosting food giveaways. “It’s about making sure not one feels forgotten,” Blunt said. “The more people who get involved, the greater impact we can make together." Her dedication to youth mentorship and educational empowerment demonstrates that leadership has no age requirement. Thank you, Genesis, for demonstrating that meaningful change begins with a willingness to help others. We’re proud of you!
CHAFFEE CONNECTS KIDS TO CAREERS - Let’s give a big Team Duval Shoutout to the parents, community members, CTE staff, and students at Chaffee Trail Elementary for their impactful K-5 Career Day event! Special recognition goes to Mr. Nelson, the school counselor, who planned and organized this incredible experience through months of dedicated effort. This event allowed students to learn about 20 different careers represented by more than 25 career representatives, along with nine different trucks and vehicles for the Touch-A-Truck experience for kindergarten and first grade students. This experience put learning into action, as students made connections to their future career choices and applied their learning to real-world situations. Congrats, Chaffee Trail!
TEACHER’S INFLUENCE HELPS STUDENTS FLOURISH - Our Team Duval Shoutout for today goes to Mrs. Elizabeth Cosme at John E. Ford for the amazing impact she has made on her students. From words of encouragement to parent follow-ups after hours, she is recognized for her hard work and dedication to the success of each student. “I wish she could be his teacher all the way up until he gets out of middle school,” writes one parent, “because I know his success was due to her influence as a teacher.” Mrs. Cosme, thank you for the care and attention you give to your students every day – it truly makes a difference!
GENESYS WORKS – Congratulations to the first-ever Genesys Works Jacksonville cohort!
At this month's Board Meeting, we celebrated a remarkable group of recent graduates who completed a year of professional training, mentoring, and paid internships through Genesys Works Jacksonville.
After completing 160 hours of professional development, these students gained valuable real-world experience with local employers while preparing for college and future careers.
Please join us in congratulating these outstanding graduates for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to building bright futures. We can't wait to see what they accomplish next!
At this month's Board Meeting, we celebrated a remarkable group of recent graduates who completed a year of professional training, mentoring, and paid internships through Genesys Works Jacksonville.
After completing 160 hours of professional development, these students gained valuable real-world experience with local employers while preparing for college and future careers.
Please join us in congratulating these outstanding graduates for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to building bright futures. We can't wait to see what they accomplish next!
MATH TEACHER CREATES MEANINGFUL MOMENTS - Ms. McGurrin from Jacksonville Beach Elementary receives today’s Team Duval Shoutout for making her students passionate about math. Teaching concepts clearly and creatively, her math challenges, thoughtful rewards, and genuine care helped make her classroom into a positive environment all year long. Beyond the classroom, she organized meaningful hands-on learning experiences, including a visit to the Jacksonville Humane Society where students helped feed animals and learn through real-world activities. Ms. McGurrin, your passion, creativity, and dedication is an inspiration to us all. Thank you!
AFTERSCHOOL EVENTS ENGAGE LEARNERS - Congratulations to Jessica Fernandez from Mayport Coastal Sciences Middle School, who is receiving today’s Team Duval Shoutout. A beloved vocational technical teacher, her passion for organizing successful school events is celebrated by students and staff alike – especially the 8th Grade week which featured many fun events including a game truck and foam party. Mrs. Fernandez, we appreciate you for all the planning, preparation, and execution involved in coordinating these events. Thank you for all that you do to make the middle school experience fun and engaging!
PRINCIPAL LEADS WITH PURPOSE - Today’s Team Duval Shoutout goes to Principal Tamara Feagins at J. Allen Axson Elementary for her leadership. As one nominating staff member shared, “Through patience, consistency, and determination, Principal Feagins creates positive change and shows us what strong leadership truly looks like.” By remaining committed to the students, staff, and the school’s vision, Principal Feagins has made a meaningful and lasting impact on the entire school community. Thank you for leading with purpose, professionalism, and heart!
FOOD ALLERGY AWARENESS – Congratulations to Atlantic Coast High School student Runali Salvi for turning a personal challenge into a powerful initiative.
At this month's Board Meeting, we recognized Runali, creator of "Fight the Allergy Blues," a campaign designed to increase food allergy awareness, reduce preventable risks, and help create safer, more inclusive school environments.
Inspired by her own experiences living with severe food allergies, Runali has dedicated herself to educating others and empowering students to advocate for their health and safety.
Please join us in celebrating Runali for her leadership, advocacy, and commitment to protecting and supporting others!
At this month's Board Meeting, we recognized Runali, creator of "Fight the Allergy Blues," a campaign designed to increase food allergy awareness, reduce preventable risks, and help create safer, more inclusive school environments.
Inspired by her own experiences living with severe food allergies, Runali has dedicated herself to educating others and empowering students to advocate for their health and safety.
Please join us in celebrating Runali for her leadership, advocacy, and commitment to protecting and supporting others!
MARINE SCIENCE MURAL AMAZES - Our Team Duval Shoutout for today goes to Donna Westrich, a marine science teacher at Fletcher High School, for creating hands-on learning experiences that bring creativity and community to campus. This year, students collaborated on Lenny the Whale Shark, painting individual cardboard tiles inspired by the theme, “What I love about the ocean or any marine ecosystem.” When assembled, the tiles form a stunning mural measuring more than 28 feet long and 9 feet tall. As the nominating staff member shared, “The giant mural is a physical manifestation of the dedication Ms. Westrich has to her students and to teaching.” Way to go, Ms. Westrich – thank you for helping students to see that they are part of something bigger!
LEADERSHIP ACROSS LANGUAGES - Congratulations to Ms. Lisset Navarro-Ruiz, who has received today’s Team Duval Shoutout in recognition of her work in the ESOL content area series of professional development. Bringing dedication, expertise, and thoughtful facilitation to each session, Ms. Lisset Navarro-Ruiz made the content meaningful, practical, and impactful for educators across the district. Her commitment continues to elevate instructional practices and strengthen collaboration across content areas. Thanks to you, our ESOL students are seen, supported, and valued. Way to go, Ms. Lisset Navarro-Ruiz!
STUDENT LEADERS – Congratulations to the newest cohort of Duval County Council PTA Student Leaders!
At this month's Board Meeting, we recognized outstanding students who completed the PTA Student Leadership Academy, a program that helps young leaders develop advocacy, communication, and leadership skills.
Through this experience, students learn how to advocate for themselves, their classmates, their schools, and their communities while gaining valuable professional development opportunities.
Please join us in celebrating these student leaders and their commitment to making a positive impact across Team Duval!
At this month's Board Meeting, we recognized outstanding students who completed the PTA Student Leadership Academy, a program that helps young leaders develop advocacy, communication, and leadership skills.
Through this experience, students learn how to advocate for themselves, their classmates, their schools, and their communities while gaining valuable professional development opportunities.
Please join us in celebrating these student leaders and their commitment to making a positive impact across Team Duval!
COMMUNITY MEETING – District leadership will be hosting a community meeting to discuss the Superintendent's recommendation for boundary changes involving several Southside and Arlington area elementary schools. The boundary changes are related to the planned construction of two new elementary schools: Spring Park and Hogan Spring-Glen. Members of the community will have an opportunity to provide comments before the final recommendation is presented to the School Board. This meeting, which is open to the public, will take place on Tuesday, June 23, at 6 PM at the Schultz Center, located at 4019 Boulevard Center Drive. For background information, visit: https://www.duvalschools.org/article/2631361
PARENT PRAISE FOR CROWN POINT – Our Team Duval Shoutout for today comes from a Crown Point Elementary School parent, who is celebrating Miss Gore’s impact on her son in the classroom. A kindergarten teacher, she is credited with making his first year at school a great one: “Special shoutout to Miss Gore for being such a wonderful teacher. Jacob has been so happy in her class. He’s grown and learned so much this year!” Thank you, Miss Gore, for making a classroom connection worth celebrating!
SCHOOL COUNSELORS ENSURE ESOL SUCCESS - Today we are recognizing three school counselors as the 2026 ESOL Contacts of the Year. This award recognizes a school counselor who demonstrates exceptional dedication to supporting English Learners by ensuring full ESOL compliance and completing all required state monitoring with fidelity. The recipient provides equitable access to academic guidance, social-emotional support, and college and career readiness opportunities, while advocating for students and collaborating with staff to promote student success.
Congratulations to Mr. Christopher Dillinger of Joseph Stillwell Middle School, Ms. Carmen Sasan of Duncan Fletcher High School, and Ms. Chamaira Hankin of Beauclerc Elementary School for receiving this special honor!
GRATITUDE FOR BE GLAD PROGAM - A huge Team Duval Shoutout to Ms. Rosa Mercado, Ms. Karina Montes-Santiago, Ms. Keisha Rodriguez, and Ms. Monika Lopez for their outstanding leadership and impact through the BE GLAD program this year! From supporting World and Dual Language teachers to leading professional learning, conducting BE GLAD follow-ups, and working with Latinos in Action, each has played a vital role in strengthening instruction and collaboration across our schools. Their advocacy for multilingual learners and dedication to empowering educators and students continue to make a meaningful difference. Thank you for your passion, leadership, and unwavering commitment. Our schools are stronger because of you!
