CELEBRATING SCHOOL COUNSELORS — Team Duval is proud to recognize National School Counseling Week and the incredible impact our more than 240 school counselors make every single day. They advocate for students, help them navigate their academic journeys, and guide them toward their goals. Our success as an A-rated district with a 97.6% graduation rate would not be possible without these dedicated professionals. As part of this special week, dozens of counselors gathered at the Schultz Center for their annual conference, focused on building student “superpowers” like grit and resilience – perfectly aligned with the national theme of helping students thrive and preparing them for college, career, and life. Their commitment to growing their own “superpowers” directly fuels student success across Team Duval. Join us in thanking our outstanding school counselors for the lasting difference they make in our schools and community!
17 days ago, Duval County Public Schools
MAYPORT TEACHER AND VETERAN HONORED – This Team Duval Shoutout honors Donyale Garvey, an ELA teacher at Mayport Coastal Sciences Middle School, for earning a Teacher Salute from Naval Station Mayport. Base Commander Captain Mike Trumbull, School Board member April Carney, and Base Liaison Sharon Kasica were on hand to present the 22-year Army Veteran and former medic with the honor. Fellow teachers say that Garvey, who is also endorsed to teach gifted, “works daily to provide rigorous, differentiated, standards-based curriculum to students of all ability levels and learning styles.” Congratulations!
18 days ago, Duval County Public Schools
MAYPORT MIDDLE STUDENTS ENJOY ENGAGING COURTHOUSE FIELD TRIP – Students attending Mayport Coastal Sciences Middle School received an interactive, inside look at the justice system thanks to a recent field trip to the Bryan Simpson United States Courthouse downtown. The trip, which was made possible by the Jacksonville Federal Court Bar Association, gave students in the school’s Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program the chance to speak with a judge, participate in an interactive demonstration by the ATF, and learn the differences between federal and state courts. GATE Lead Teacher John Meeks says, "It is one thing to learn about our government in a book or on a screen, but it really hits home when we see it in action where we live." What an exciting opportunity!
about 1 month ago, Duval County Public Schools
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
4 months ago, Duval County Public Schools
MAYPORT MIDDLE ROBOTICS TEAMS SCORE BIG AT COMPETITION – Congratulations to the Stingrays of Mayport Coastal Sciences Middle School for winning the top prize at the 2025 International SeaPerch Challenge! This marks the second consecutive year the Stingrays were named Overall Champions in the Open Class category, and the third consecutive year Mayport has earned an Overall Championship prize! This year’s competition took place at the University of Maryland in College Park with middle and high school competitors from around the world. The Stingrays – along with the school’s sixth-grade Flying Fish and seventh-grade Anglerfish teams – earned multiple awards in several categories, including Mission Course, Obstacle Course, Technical Report, Community Outreach, and the Real-World Innovation Poster Project. Great work!
7 months ago, Duval County Public Schools
Shout out to Mayport Coastal Sciences Middle School! Students are applying educational concepts to learn how to grow food in their own community garden, as well as give back to those in need. Students across all grade levels are receiving hands-on lessons on how to grow crops through the school’s Agricultural Science class and with help from volunteers with BEAM (Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry). Principal Aaron Lakatos shares that through a $100,000 USDA Farm-to-School Grant, the school will provide crops to the local food pantry. In fact, students recently harvested and provided broccoli to BEAM. This is especially valuable in the Mayport community, which is considered a “food desert” due to the limited number of grocery stores in the area. Awesome work!
about 1 year ago, Duval County Public Schools
