SCHOOL ENROLLMENT EXPO - Please save the date for the School Enrollment Expo on Saturday, Nov. 15. Discover the many school and academic options available to students within our A-rated school district! Best of all—it’s free! Mark your calendar and join us for this exciting event. Learn more at www.duvalschools.org/expo
ROBOTICS CLUB STUDENTS WIN BIG – Students at Mayport Coastal Sciences Middle School are making a serious splash on the international scene! The school’s Robotics Club recently competed against 175 teams from around the world at the SeaPerch International Competition at the University of Maryland. Students designed, built, and tested underwater robots. In the end, Mayport's 6th, 7th, and 8th grade teams excelled – all earning multiple awards, including an Overall Championship Prize! Congratulations to these amazing students!
HANDS-ON LESSONS AT OCEANWAY MIDDLE SCHOOL – Oceanway Middle School students received an unforgettable science lesson, thanks to the University of Florida College of Medicine! Dr. Reetu Grewal and her team led students through a workshop about biopsies and sutures, and showed them how to work with surgical tools. The experience was part of the school’s Young Medics Program. Teacher Rhosalee Mangalindan-Stewart says the opportunity to “learn from experienced professionals was invaluable, and we're thrilled to see our students already looking forward to the next Young Medics workshop! We’d like to thank them for inspiring the next generation of innovators and healthcare professionals and are grateful for their partnership."
HONORING OUR SCHOOL BOARD SECRETARIES – We want to honor three Team Duval staff members who play vital roles in our district! Congratulations to Board Secretaries Gail Collins, Connie Ricks-Henley, and Monica Adams for completing the Florida School Boards Association’s Certified Support Professional (CSP) program. This program enhances the skills and professionalism of school board support staff, requiring participants to earn 12 training points through mandated training, electives, and CSP forms. We commend this trio for taking this important step in their professional journey and look forward to the positive impact they’ll continue to make. Please join us in celebrating their remarkable achievement!
OFFICE OF SEN. YARBOROUGH VISITS ANDREW JACKSON – The benefits of financial literacy education are on full display at Andrew Jackson High School! The school recently welcomed Paul Donaldson, from the office of Senator Clay Yarbrough, to observe Mr. Sanchez’s Personal Finance and Money Management class in action. Sanchez taught from curriculum developed by Planned to A.T. (Achieve Transformation), a program designed to help teachers deliver high-quality financial literacy instruction. Students learned about real-world concepts such as credit scores and income. Great work!
ONLINE MEDICAL CARE - Did you know your child can match with a licensed therapist and see a doctor for $0 from any device through our partnership with Hazel Health? They can also see Hazel providers that diagnose, treat, and prescribe medication when needed for common medical concerns. Quick, easy sign up: https://getstarted.hazel.co/district/duvalschools
SUPPORT YOUR CHILD'S SCHOOL - Did you know that completing the Federal Impact Aid Survey helps your child’s school receive important funding for programs and resources? If you live or work on federal property or are active-duty military, your participation makes a difference! Please take a moment to use your linked parent account to access FOCUS in the Family Portal, fill out this brief survey, and help support your school community.
SHOUTING OUT SEABREEZE TEACHER REBEKAH ROMER – One Team Duval parent is calling Seabreeze Elementary School teacher Rebekah Romer a “true gem” after she stepped in to help her son! Parent Leigh Speicher says she thought her son, Will, was signed up for the school’s Community Education program, which offers after-school classes and activities. However, a technical error prevented him from being registered. This is where Ms. Romer came in: “When Will went to his first class and wasn't on the list, Ms. Romer took action to call us and even helped us sign up past the deadline. Our son was able to stay in the class and had an amazing time thanks to her intervention. What a fabulous thing to do for him so he didn't have to suffer any embarrassment or disappointment. She is so thoughtful and caring to treat our son like this. I thank her for contributing to the culture of Seabreeze, where my son has thrived.”
CHECK PRESENTATION IN SUPPORT OF STUDENTS – We’re celebrating a special check presentation to the Duval County School Board in support of our students! The I’m A Star Foundation, a district partner since 2010, presented a $40,000 check to support unhoused students in our schools. This summer, the foundation hosted its annual celebrity basketball tournament to raise these funds. Team Duval is grateful for the support of our community partners, whose support ultimately makes our students and schools stronger!
THE 2ND ANNUAL CTE CAREER ACADEMY SHOWCASE – You're invited to this free community event where Duval’s educators and students shine! Highlighting all 67 of the district’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Academies and programs, this event offers students and teachers a platform to share their innovative work with families and the broader community. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with academy staff and students, explore the unique programs offered across the district, and receive expert guidance from CTE staff on navigating the application process. No advanced registration is required. This event takes place Saturday, Nov. 1, from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the Adam W. Herbert University Center at the University of North Florida. The address is 12000 Alumni Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224
PARENT GRATEFUL FOR LORETTO ELEMENTARY DATA CLERK BETH HETH – This Team Duval Shoutout celebrates Beth Heth, a Data Entry Clerk at Loretto Elementary School, and the way she helped a parent in a pinch! Jennifer Hunter shares the following: “As a first-time Loretto mom of a kindergartener, I’m so grateful for the support I received from Beth Heth. When I realized I hadn’t registered my daughter properly with DCPS—a mistake that could have caused a lot of issues—Beth stepped in and helped me get everything sorted out. She was prompt, patient, and answered all my questions with ease. Thanks to her guidance, what could have been a stressful experience turned into a positive one. I truly appreciate her going above and beyond!”
BE SAFE. BE SEEN. – October is Be Safe. Be Seen. month in Duval County Public Schools! At this month’s School Board meeting, board members showed their support by signing the official Be Safe. Be Seen. banner and pledging to spread awareness. This districtwide initiative promotes pedestrian and bicycle safety — encouraging everyone to stay alert and visible on the roads. We invite all families to join in by talking with their children about how to stay safe — whether walking, biking, or driving.
ONLINE THERAPY - Team Duval students have access to online therapy services through Hazel Health. Services are 100% confidential, and completely free for families. Sign up in under 5 mins: https://getstarted.hazel.co/district/duvalschools
TEACHERS TRAINED IN FIRST LEGO LEAGUE ROBOTICS – Team Duval teachers are getting ready for a new season of FIRST LEGO League robotics, thanks to a dynamic training session at Florida State College at Jacksonville! District employee Chelsea Ross shares that coaches were able to receive valuable insight that will equip them to work with students. She says, “The session was engaging and insightful, providing both rookie and veteran coaches with the tools to thrive this season...The future of robotics in Northeast Florida is so bright!” Ross adds a special shoutout to CodeNinjas’ Ryan Clark, FSCJ’s Christopher Lee, and Team Duval’s Collier Avis, and the DCPS STEM Team for “their dedication to growing the next generation of innovators.”
FLIPPING THE SWITCH ON AN OUTAGE – This Team Duval Shoutout highlights the way one Atlantic Coast educator made the most of an internet outage with a creative, hands-on lesson. Engineering teacher Frankie Portelos says a recent internet outage across the district wasn’t enough to stop instruction in his classroom. Instead, Portelos took students on an impromptu engineering tour around campus, observing and discussing the engineering concepts all around them. This included the machines of the weight room, the school’s gutter systems, and compost bins. He says, “The unexpected shift not only kept the class engaged but also reinforced an important engineering mindset: the ability to quickly “switch gears” (pun intended) and find solutions when faced with challenges.” Great job!
PRAISE FOR HANNAH ALEXANDER – This Team Duval Shoutout celebrates the impact Hannah Alexander, a substitute teacher, is having on her students. Parent Jacqueline says her daughter Hailey made tremendous strides while working with Ms. Hannah in her CSS Pre-K class last year. This includes speaking for the first time, becoming almost potty-trained, and being able to look forward and smile for photos. “She truly changed a lot of kids’ lives in that class. If it weren’t for her, I do not believe that our daughter would even be potty-trained to the extent that she is now. She went above and beyond not only for my daughter, but also for all those kids in that class.” Thank you, Ms. Alexander!
CELEBRATING OUTSTANDING MENTORS AT RUTLEDGE PEARSON –
This Team Duval Shoutout highlights the incredible work of Keisha Robinson and Stacy Adams, both mentors in the district’s Jacksonville Teacher Residency graduate program. They guide UNF students pursuing education degrees and working toward certification, helping to grow the next generation of teachers. Jennifer Saoud shares that:
- Keisha Robinson is dedicated, reflective, and intentional. She engages in meaningful dialogue with her residents, provides opportunities to lead instruction and practice essential teaching skills, and offers supportive feedback that encourages growth.
- Stacy Adams is a model mentor who makes her residents feel welcomed and part of the classroom community from day one. She fosters a true co-teaching environment, collaborates on instruction and classroom management, and explains the reasoning behind her decisions, offering valuable insight into effective teaching practices.
This Team Duval Shoutout highlights the incredible work of Keisha Robinson and Stacy Adams, both mentors in the district’s Jacksonville Teacher Residency graduate program. They guide UNF students pursuing education degrees and working toward certification, helping to grow the next generation of teachers. Jennifer Saoud shares that:
- Keisha Robinson is dedicated, reflective, and intentional. She engages in meaningful dialogue with her residents, provides opportunities to lead instruction and practice essential teaching skills, and offers supportive feedback that encourages growth.
- Stacy Adams is a model mentor who makes her residents feel welcomed and part of the classroom community from day one. She fosters a true co-teaching environment, collaborates on instruction and classroom management, and explains the reasoning behind her decisions, offering valuable insight into effective teaching practices.
SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK - Duval County Public Schools invites students, families, staff, and community members to participate in a districtwide survey. Your input on the Data Triangle Survey will help guide improvements in instruction, school programs, safety, and communication, ensuring every student receives a high-quality education. The survey is open through October 21. Access the survey and preview survey questions at www.duvalschools.org/survey
PARENT GRATEFUL FOR THOMAS JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY – “My kids call Thomas Jefferson home.” Those are the words of one Team Duval parent who says her entire family is grateful for the leadership and staff of Thomas Jefferson Elementary School! Parent Chloe Whiddon says everyone, from Principal Lori Turner to the lunch staff, has done an incredible job of supporting three of her children, including one who is now in the 8th grade. Whiddon says, “They love everyone at Thomas Jefferson. They deserve a big spotlight for how awesome they are, and how much they mean – not only to my family, but also to a lot of families.”
HONORING HEROES' DAY – This shoutout highlights a recent Heroes’ Day ceremony at Atlantic Beach Elementary School. Atlantic Beach Police Department Chief Victor Gualillo joined the school for a student-led flag ceremony led by the safety patrol. Chief Gualillo shared inspiring words about what it means to be a hero and how everyday acts of service strengthen our community. Thank you to our students, staff, families, and ABPD for a powerful celebration of courage and character!
