Recognizing our AMAZING Schools!
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SCHOOL OF THE MONTH FOR MARCH? WE HAVE THAT!
Nominations for the Community First Credit Union March School of the Month closed on Friday, April 1. Stay tuned for the announcement of the winners of our LAST School of the Month for the 2021-2022 school year.
What does my school win?
Thanks to our Community First Credit Union partners, winning schools will receive the following:
1. A celebration for all school employees;
2. Money towards a school initiative; AND
3. A trophy to display in your school.
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Nominations have closed for the 2021-2022 school year.
Monthly Themes
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THEME
MONTH
Everyday Heroes: What are some of the ways the faculty, staff, and support organizations at your school go over and above expectations to provide exemplary customer service?
September
*Ended 9/20/21
Character Education: How does your school encourage students to demonstrate good character and a growth mindset?
October
*Ended 10/22/21
School Spirit: Provide examples of the many ways your school encourages enthusiasm and pride in your "Home Team."
November
*Ended 11/22/21
Celebrating All Students: How does your school create an inclusive, learning-friendly environment for all students?
January
*Ended 1/24/22
Black History Month: Share some of the ways your school commemorates Black History Month.
February
*Ended 2/25/22
Reader Leaders: What are the ways your school is encouraging students and their families to read?
March
*nominations closed 4/1/22
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March School of the Month Winners
Mayport Elementary, Principal Katie O’Connell
So many great things are happening at Mayport Elementary to celebrate literacy! But one of the main elements that has generated huge student interest to make reading extra fun is their shiny new Book Vending Machine! Yes, a vending machine that dispenses books for kids. This big colorful vending machine is filled with books that kids are excited about reading. There is always buzz in the hallways about what book they are dying to get from the machine. If a student meets their goal for the 9 weeks, they get a golden token to get a book from the vending machine. Some of the students held a March Madness for their favorite books, with brackets in the hallway. Students get to choose which books move ahead to the next level. They are having fun with literacy at Mayport Elementary and truly creating Reader Leaders!
Henry F. Kite Elementary School, Principal Raquel Foxworth
At Henry F. Kite, reading is a family affair. Not only are children reading at school, but parents are encouraged to send photos of students reading at home with their families. At some point during the day, you may even see Kite students reading short notes written personally to them by parents, teachers, or staff. In March, students were encouraged to write an essay or poem about a book or story they have read. The winners were announced during a school-wide Reading Rodeo on April 1st. The Reading Rodeo is a celebration to commend Kite students in their efforts to enhance their reading skills. This is a fun filled day of reading related activities such as book bingo, a book swap, and musical books.
Oak Hill Academy, Principal Stephanie Smith
In March Oak Hill Academy was celebrating all things literacy. They held their first annual Literacy Festival where students were able to participate in several multi-sensory reading activities throughout the day. Each booth featured a book and corresponding hands-on activity such as Commotion in the Ocean with puppets and Chicks and Salsa where students made fresh salsa. At the end of the day, each student in the school was able to take home three new books to read at home. To continue with the fun, each class at Oak Hill submitted a book for publishing! They also hosted a parent training to teach parents ways to engage in reading activities with their child, as well as share information about emergent writing practices. Each parent who attended received an at home kit that will allow them to engage in the activities.
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February School of the Month Winners
- Biscayne Elementary, Principal Sanaa McBride
Biscayne Elementary went all out for Black History Month in February. Students created projects, learned songs, dressed in historical costumes and traditional African attire, and even had a parade! Virtual Celebrity Readers shared special stories with classrooms each Wednesday. Grade levels participated in a door/hall decorating contest and they enjoyed Scavenger Hunts and hearing Black History facts over the morning announcements each day. Students learned about Historically Black Colleges and Universities during one of the themed weeks. A theme that seemed to emerge from the many nominations was best stated by a parent who shared, “Biscayne celebrates Black History every day!” Biscayne had over 100 nominations from parents, students, employees, community members, and business partners, all celebrating along with the school.
- Hyde Grove Elementary, Principal Erica Little-Bartley
At Hyde Grove, students created projects about famous African Americans and then hosted student presentations in the school’s media center. Classes read books about famous African Americans both past and present. The school featured prominent but not as well-known African Americans with large posters in the car drop-off area to share interesting facts with students and their families. Every staff member had on a shirt that read, READ ME: and it listed a picture and quick fact. One parent shared this about Hyde Grove: “Just yesterday my daughter came home with a drawing of Jackie Robinson. She then began to share about who he was and why he was important in history. This blew my mind as she is only in Kindergarten. She also felt a sense of pride and said, Jackie Robinson is brown just like me. I want to be like him.”
- Lake Shore Middle School, Principal Scott Stuart
Lake Shore is one of two schools selected to pilot an African American History class that students can take for high school credit. In addition to learning about African American History, students in the class have also been advocates for Black History as they have been featured throughout the month on several news programs. The school also had a month-long celebration, using the theme, “Black History Month Then. Now. Us. This included daily “And Still I Rise” trivia questions (with prizes!) and “Freedom Fridays,” and door/bulletin board contests. Teachers showed their support of Black History Month by wearing their most fly Black History t-shirts. Students created Black History projects that focused on everyone from Madam C.J. Walker to Afro-Latina Elizabeth Acevedo. Some influential African American businessmen and businesswomen from the Jacksonville Jaguars family visited the school, and they closed the month with their grand Black History Month Exhibit, featuring student presentations about the contributions of African Americans across all disciplines.
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January School of the Month Winners
- Bayview Elementary, Principal Claire St. Amand
Noted in the nominations was an emphasis on the beautiful diversity of the school and the many ways they work to include all students in their programs. One parent shared a personal experience about how the school wrapped their arms around her family after a traumatic medical event in their family. A parent of one of our students with disabilities shared the many ways her son is included with other students throughout the school day. An employee shared the teachers have weekly circle time for check-ins to make sure the students have a safe space to talk with their teachers.
- Spring Park Elementary, Principal Davina Parker
Building their Positive Behavior Referral program has been a priority at Spring Park Elementary. Not only can students earn points at school, but also outside the classroom by helping at home which was a parent favorite. One employee shared that they welcome students from 16 different countries and 18 different languages at their school, stating the “myriad of students who attend Spring Park make it a unique culture for learning.” Students are taught to be caring and principled youth through the 12 IB Attitudes, which include traits such as appreciation, empathy, and tolerance.
- West Riverside Elementary, Principal Talya Taylor
West Riverside had nominations from every stakeholder group, including parents, students, employees, community members, faith based partners, and business partners! Some of the unique programs include adult volunteer Lunch Buddies that are matched with students to meet weekly to just “listen and pay attention to the student” as a caring adult in the student’s life. Especially impactful is their music program that includes students of all languages and all abilities in their performances. Not only is the school inclusive with their students, but parents, business partners, community volunteers, and area churches all wrote nominations to share how they are invited to participate in the school community.
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November School of the Month Winners
- Venetia Elementary, Principal Monique Chatman
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In addition to a whole-school Red Ribbon Week scavenger hunt, this spirited school has enjoyed crazy sock day, school spirit day, international tongue twister day (what?!?), patriotism day, and Memory Monday, to name a few. Students and teachers alike are especially appreciative of being able to celebrate together in person, and say the school makes it fun “and invites everyone to show their inner kid.”
- Landmark Middle School, Principal Cicely Tyson-White
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Landmark was nominated by a whole host of stakeholders, including parents, employees, students (yes, middle school students submitted nominations!), and community members. One of the most frequent comments was about the school’s head cheerleader, Principal Tyson-White, who constantly encourages the students to “Soar high, Seahawks!” Landmark has a variety of clubs, sports, and activities that all contribute to a school brimming with school spirit.
- Bridge to Success High School, Principal Vince Foster
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At Bridge to Success, students and teachers are encouraged to bring the H.E.A.T. = to work Hard, to Empower, to be Accountable, and focused on Transition. The teachers say they love celebrating their students through activities such as honor roll luncheons and college week activities, especially the students who didn’t believe they would ever graduate from high school and now are filling out scholarship applications to continue their education.
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October School of the Month Winners
- Pickett Elementary, Principal Carlene Smith
The Pickett Panthers are paws-itively focused on Character Education, from the morning pledge to the affirmations displayed throughout the school. Character traits are identified each month and integrated into daily announcements, literacy selections, and campus activities to reinforce the trait. Students are able to nominate their peers who best demonstrate the character trait for Student of the Month. One of Pickett’s community members shared the leadership team and faculty have worked to “cultivate continuous professional development and collective excellence” as they work to continually improve the school culture.
- Southside Estates Elementary School, Principal Teresa Dowdell-Brown
One way that Southside Estates encourages their students to demonstrate good character is through their Positive Referrals that focus on the character traits they are working to encourage. One student wrote, “Students earn eagle bucks throughout the day by showing good decision-making and being role models. Every two weeks we are allowed to shop and use the Eagle Bucks to buy a variety of things from candy to stuffed animals.” Another person shared that every adult in the building gives out Eagle Bucks, including Mr. Eddie, the school’s daytime custodian. Students say they feel valued and that they are given opportunities for leadership around the school.
- Springfield Middle School, Principal Deshune Bush
Springfield Middle received a number of parent nominations who shared the wonderful impact the school has had on their child. The school holds high expectations for both academics and student conduct. The school is “warm and welcoming’ and consistently demonstrates positive character traits for the students. One parent shared that the teachers “each were authentic and that a culture of educational growth is pervasive at Springfield Middle School.”
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September School of the Month Winners
- Anchor Academy, Principal Jennifer Beale-Collier
Among the many wonderful attributes of Anchor Academy, what stood out the most was the way they care for their military students and families. One parent described the extraordinary support, compassion, and flexibility of the faculty and staff demonstrated through an affirmation the students hear every morning, "With these hands, with this heart, and this mind, all things are possible, because there is a hero in all of us."
- Highlands Elementary School, Principal Natalya Richie-Graham
In addition to the welcoming teachers and support staff, parents cited regular communication and a true sense of community at Highlands Elementary School. Extra kudos went to the school’s “dynamite CSS team” for consistently going above and beyond to meet the needs of all students. As one parent stated, “I know that the amount of assistance my student requires would overwhelm some, but this team is always loving and supportive.”
- Joseph Stilwell Military Academy of Leadership, Principal Tamara Tuschhoff
The faculty and staff at JSMAL understand that true leadership begins and ends with service to others. They have supported students with food deliveries to homes, paid for cadet haircuts, provided uniforms for students in need, and countless other gestures of care and concern. As one parent shared, “Each day school begins, not with a bell ring, but with the Reveille/First Call Military trumpet salute which starts the school day with order, discipline and positivity.”