Good afternoon Crystal Springs!
The district has previously shared that OpenGate walk-through weapon detection systems will be installed in elementary schools beginning in the 2026-27 school year. We will begin full implementation with OpenGate tomorrow, Thursday, 11/5, for arrival. All students have reviewed the below video multiple times and had discussions with their teachers and myself about the expectations during arrival. Please know that this system will NOT affect any pace makers or other medical conditions.
The safety and well-being of our students and staff remains a top priority and I appreciate your partnership as we prepare for this important step. Families are also encouraged to view the video at www.duvalschools.org/opengateelementary.
As we prepare for the system to go live tomorrow, please keep the following in mind:
• Arrive a few minutes early: During the first week beginning on November 5, there may be minor delays as everyone becomes familiar with the new process.
• Prior to students getting out of the car, walking up to school, and getting off the bus, students will need to put their backpacks facing the front (not on their back). Students will REMOVE these items from their backpacks and hold on to them before screening IF they have them: binders, laptops, iPads, tablets, umbrellas, eyeglass cases, metal lunch boxes, and metal pencil cases. Once students go through Open Gate, they will get those items back and head to class.
Students will KEEP their non-metal lunch boxes, any type of water bottles, cell phones that MUST be off, notebooks, etc in their backpacks!
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to do everything we can to keep our faculty, staff, and students safe!
Principal Session
Good morning 4th and 5th grade families!
We are having 5th grade transition night on Thursday, November 5th from 5:45-7:00. 4th grade families, it is always a great opportunity to see what is upcoming. 5th grade families, if I could mandate this family night I would! The opportunities that our students have to go to multiple middle schools is tremendous. Please review the information attached and we look forward to seeing everyone on Thursday!
Principal Session
We are having 5th grade transition night on Thursday, November 5th from 5:45-7:00. 4th grade families, it is always a great opportunity to see what is upcoming. 5th grade families, if I could mandate this family night I would! The opportunities that our students have to go to multiple middle schools is tremendous. Please review the information attached and we look forward to seeing everyone on Thursday!
Principal Session
Character Parade- tomorrow, 10/30.
Please read the below message carefully as the doors will open at the bus loop at 8:52 and close at 9:02. If you are late after 9:02, you will not be let in as the parade will have already started.
PARENTS/ GUARDIANS: We welcome you to come and watch all our students parade through the CSE hallways. Doors will open at 8:52AM and close promptly at 9:02AM where parents/ guardians will enter through the side door at the bus loop. Prior to entering, you will be required to sign-in at the bus side double doors and stand in the hallway outside of the cafeteria to watch all our classes parade through the hallway. At no time will you be permitted to go to the classroom before or after the parade.
Parents and Guardians,
The district has previously shared that OpenGate walk-through weapon detection systems will be installed in elementary schools beginning in the 2026-27 school year, and I am writing to let you know that our system will be installed on November 5.
The safety and well-being of our students and staff remains a top priority. I believe this additional safety measure will further support a safe learning environment, and I appreciate your partnership as we prepare for this important step.
To help students understand what to expect, we will share a short informational video on October 28, 30, November 3 and 4, in the morning or afternoon that introduces the new procedures in an age-appropriate way. We will be showing them multiple times so that students can become extremely familiar with the process as that will help it go quickly and smoothly. Families are also encouraged to view the video at www.duvalschools.org/opengateelementary.
As we prepare for the system to go live, please keep the following tips in mind:
• Arrive a few minutes early: During the first week beginning on November 5, there may be minor delays as everyone becomes familiar with the new process. Walkers and car riders are encouraged to arrive 10–15 minutes earlier than usual during this initial adjustment period.
• Remove these items before screening: Students should remove the following items from their backpack before entering the screening area: binders, laptops, umbrellas, eyeglass cases, metal lunch boxes, and metal pencil cases.
• Stay informed: We encourage families to review additional information and watch the informational video available at www.duvalschools.org/opengateelementary.
• Stay vigilant: While the weapon detection system is an important tool, it does not replace the safety expectations already in place. Please continue to check backpacks and belongings, talk with your child about what is appropriate to bring to school, and remember—if you see something, say something.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support as we work together to maintain a safe, welcoming, and supportive learning environment for all.
Best,
Principal Session
The district has previously shared that OpenGate walk-through weapon detection systems will be installed in elementary schools beginning in the 2026-27 school year, and I am writing to let you know that our system will be installed on November 5.
The safety and well-being of our students and staff remains a top priority. I believe this additional safety measure will further support a safe learning environment, and I appreciate your partnership as we prepare for this important step.
To help students understand what to expect, we will share a short informational video on October 28, 30, November 3 and 4, in the morning or afternoon that introduces the new procedures in an age-appropriate way. We will be showing them multiple times so that students can become extremely familiar with the process as that will help it go quickly and smoothly. Families are also encouraged to view the video at www.duvalschools.org/opengateelementary.
As we prepare for the system to go live, please keep the following tips in mind:
• Arrive a few minutes early: During the first week beginning on November 5, there may be minor delays as everyone becomes familiar with the new process. Walkers and car riders are encouraged to arrive 10–15 minutes earlier than usual during this initial adjustment period.
• Remove these items before screening: Students should remove the following items from their backpack before entering the screening area: binders, laptops, umbrellas, eyeglass cases, metal lunch boxes, and metal pencil cases.
• Stay informed: We encourage families to review additional information and watch the informational video available at www.duvalschools.org/opengateelementary.
• Stay vigilant: While the weapon detection system is an important tool, it does not replace the safety expectations already in place. Please continue to check backpacks and belongings, talk with your child about what is appropriate to bring to school, and remember—if you see something, say something.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support as we work together to maintain a safe, welcoming, and supportive learning environment for all.
Best,
Principal Session
Join us at the Monster Mash on Friday, October 30th, from 6-8. Students MUST have purchased a ticket ahead of time. Please scan the QR code and see the attached flyer. The cut off to purchase tickets is Wednesday, October 28th, no later than 2:55PM!
Good afternoon gen ed walkers parents and guardians,
If you choose to park and have your students go to the walker door, out of an abundance of caution and prioritizing student safety, you will need to park in the parking lot and walk your child across to the sidewalk. If you do not want to get out of your car, please go to the car rider drop off. Thank you!
Principal Session
If you choose to park and have your students go to the walker door, out of an abundance of caution and prioritizing student safety, you will need to park in the parking lot and walk your child across to the sidewalk. If you do not want to get out of your car, please go to the car rider drop off. Thank you!
Principal Session
AC is up and running!
Good morning Crystal Springs Families,
In an continued effort to keep communication open, I wanted to let you know that the district is currently working on fixing our air. It is out in our whole building. It is comfortable in classrooms right now and we will make sure the learning environment continues. If you would prefer to keep your children at home, it will be an excused absence today. If you choose to do so, you do not need to call the main office, rather, we will just make sure your child is marked EXCUSED absence. I will keep you posted as the air gets fixed. Thank you!
Please find attached specific information on the Referendum from the district. Thank you!
Super Story Book Character Parade at Crystal Springs Elementary- Friday, October 30, 2026
Character DRESS-UP RULES:
The purpose of Character Day is to encourage reading by bringing characters to life and developing lifelong readers.
• Costumes should not interfere with learning or ability to complete class work.
● Character/ book must be appropriate for elementary school level. EX: No Stephen King
● Costume should represent a favorite character from fiction/non-fiction book.
● No sharp objects, clown masks, or toy weapons will be allowed.
● Students are encouraged to bring a book to display along with the costume.
PARENTS/ GUARDIANS: We welcome you to come and watch all our students parade through the CSE hallways. Doors will open at 8:52AM and close promptly at 9:02AM where parents/ guardians will enter through the side door at the bus loop. Prior to entering, you will be required to sign-in at the bus side double doors and stand in the hallway outside of the cafeteria to watch all our classes parade through the hallway. At no time will you be permitted to go to the classroom before or after the parade.
Crystal Springs Parents and Guardians,
Yesterday afternoon a 1/2 sheet of paper came home with your student to complete. If you did not get it, here is the information! Take a few minutes to let us know how we are doing at Crystal Springs.
Please use the link below and then click on Family and Community Survey, and complete. Please complete by Friday, October 23rd.
https://duvalschools.org/surveys
Thank you!
Principal Session
Attention Parents: The Title I 26-27 Parent and Family Engagement Plan is available to you upon request in the front office.
Red Ribbon Week
October 26th -30th
October 26th -30th
Title I Notice- Parents Right to Know
Duval County Public Schools is committed to providing information to you regarding your child’s teacher and paraprofessional qualifications in a timely manner upon request.
You have the right to request the following information:
• Whether the teacher has met state licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction.
• Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which state qualifications of licensing criteria have been waived.
• The baccalaureate degree major of the teacher and any other graduate certification or degree held by the teacher, and the field of discipline of the certification or degree.
• Whether your child is provided services by paraprofessionals, and, if so, their qualifications.
Duval County Public Schools is committed to providing information to you regarding your child’s teacher and paraprofessional qualifications in a timely manner upon request.
You have the right to request the following information:
• Whether the teacher has met state licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction.
• Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which state qualifications of licensing criteria have been waived.
• The baccalaureate degree major of the teacher and any other graduate certification or degree held by the teacher, and the field of discipline of the certification or degree.
• Whether your child is provided services by paraprofessionals, and, if so, their qualifications.
The AC is up and working!
**Good morning, Crystal Springs families!**
In the interest of maintaining open communication, we want to make you aware that we are currently experiencing air conditioning issues throughout the building. We have notified the district’s HVAC team, and they are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
In the meantime, if you feel it is necessary to keep your child home out of an abundance of caution, the absence will be excused.
If your child attends school, please know that we will do everything we can to keep students comfortable while the issue is being addressed. **Instruction will continue as scheduled.**
The safety and well-being of our students remain our top priorities. We will continue to keep families informed as we work to resolve this issue.
Thank you for your patience, understanding, and continued support.
**Crystal Springs Elementary Administration**
In the interest of maintaining open communication, we want to make you aware that we are currently experiencing air conditioning issues throughout the building. We have notified the district’s HVAC team, and they are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
In the meantime, if you feel it is necessary to keep your child home out of an abundance of caution, the absence will be excused.
If your child attends school, please know that we will do everything we can to keep students comfortable while the issue is being addressed. **Instruction will continue as scheduled.**
The safety and well-being of our students remain our top priorities. We will continue to keep families informed as we work to resolve this issue.
Thank you for your patience, understanding, and continued support.
**Crystal Springs Elementary Administration**
Attention Parents and Guardians- Report Cards for the first quarter will be available in Focus on October 19th.
Good morning Crystal Springs Families,
Just a reminder that there is no school for students on Monday and Tuesday (Oct 12 and 13). We hope you have a great long weekend and will see everyone back Wednesday!
Principal Session
Just a reminder that there is no school for students on Monday and Tuesday (Oct 12 and 13). We hope you have a great long weekend and will see everyone back Wednesday!
Principal Session
October SAC and Title I Annual Meeting: October 15, 2026 @ 8 AM. We hope to see you there!
Good afternoon Crystal Springs Families,
Picture retakes will be October 27th. You will need to contact your teacher through Rooms if you want your child to have a retake or if they missed the original picture day. Please let your child's teacher know no later than October 10th as we have to turn numbers in the next day. Thank you!
Principal Session
Picture retakes will be October 27th. You will need to contact your teacher through Rooms if you want your child to have a retake or if they missed the original picture day. Please let your child's teacher know no later than October 10th as we have to turn numbers in the next day. Thank you!
Principal Session