Dear parents and guardians,
Happy Sunday Patriots! Tomorrow starts the fourth and final quarter of the 2025-2026 School year. It is hard to believe, I know. This is a busy time for us, final state and district testing, class trips, end of year activities, Military Ball and so much more. We need your cadet in school, every day so we can prepare them best for the next grade level. We cannot do this without you! Thank you for all your support and I hope you continue to partner with us as we prepare your cadet(s) for high school and beyond.
We are excited to announce our partners have provided four additional dates to do FREE ECG screenings for our student athletes. This is a great opportunity to get your 8th graders scheduled for this new requirement by the state of Florida. This is extremely important for the health of our student athletes and will be required by state law for all incoming freshman on the high school level. These school-based screenings are important to help prepare our students for high school sports. Our date will be April 14 from 1:30 – 3:15pm here at JSMAL. As soon as I get the link for you to register, I will send it out to our 8th grade parents/guardians.
Open Gate Weapons Detection System goes live this week. On Wednesday, cadets, cadets, cadre, and parents/guardians will be required to go through our new open gate system, designed to detect weapons on a person. Please be patient as we adjust to the new procedures. Before Spring Break I will send you more details and a link to a video about this new safety procedure. Please refer to it if you want more information. For my car riders, please come 10-15 minutes early starting on Wednesday as we transition to the new safety procedures.
Deadlines are closer than you think – Class trip monies are due after Spring Break. 6th/7th Grade trip to Seaworld - $143.62 due March 25
8thGrade Gradventure - $252.00 due March 31
Florida pre-paid scholarship opportunity - Duval County Public School is excited to announce college scholarship opportunities available to students currently in grades K-8 attending a DCPS high school and are a US citizen thanks to our partnership with Florida Prepaid. One qualifying student will receive the Florida Prepaid Scholarship! Interested candidates should complete the scholarship application via the link below. The deadline to apply is March 24, 2026.
Scholarship Link: 2025-2026 Florida Prepaid Scholarship Application Grades K-8 – Fill out form
Yearbook - Yearbook sales are no longer available through Lifetouch, but do not worry, yearbooks will still be sold through school! More details on how to purchase yours will be shared soon. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Ms. McNally at ortong@duvalschools.org.
Community Events:
Tutoring Opportunity- If your child or a child you know could benefit from academic support, now is a great time to consider tutoring services. Whether it is strengthening foundational skills, improving confidence, or preparing for upcoming assessments, tutoring can make a meaningful difference in student success.
FREE Help with Health Coverage - In response to the overwhelming support and positive outcomes we experienced last year, we are pleased to again offer assistance from the healthcare navigators from Covering Florida during this tax season. Their support was especially impactful for many of our exempt employees within our schools. I personally observed the stress relief and reassurance the navigators provided to some of the most vulnerable members of our community as they worked through healthcare and tax-related questions. If you or someone you know has questions about health coverage - especially as it relates to completing taxes - free assistance is available. In-person assistance is available at Charge Academy ~ 7050 Melvin Rd on Mondays and Tuesdays - 9AM to 2PM
Languages support: English, Spanish, and Creole
CALLING ALL COMMUNITY PARTNERS!
Saturday, April 18, 2026
12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
📍 7011 A.C. Skinner Parkway, Jacksonville, FL
Join us for a fun-filled afternoon of games, activities, and prizes as we celebrate the Month of the Military Child! 💜 We are calling on our incredible community partners to act and be part of this joyful, impactful day honoring our military children and families. Your involvement helps create smiles, memories, and meaningful connections for those who give so much.
For more information or to get involved, please contact:
Jamie Hudgens, Outreach Director
📞 904-952-3811
Calendar Events this week:
Tues, Mar 24 -Students return. 4thQuarter begins.
Wed, Mar 25 –Open Gate goes live at 0730am. Cadre meeting at 3:30pm room 45.
Fri, Mar 27 – $5 Dress Down Day
Coming soon:
Fri, Apr 3– Schools Closed
Thurs, Apr 9– SAC at 5:30pm in the Media Center
Fri, Apr 10– Military Ball at 6:00pm at the Riverside Garden Club
Tues, Apr 14– 8thGrade EKG sports screenings
Tamara Roper
Proud Principal
JSMAL