Elementary Region:  Atlantic Beach Elementary, Principal Kim Gallagher

Atlantic Beach received nominations from students, parents, community members, and employees, all sharing the many ways students and their families are staying healthy and active, including bicycle safety, Dolphin Dash fundraiser to provide outdoor fields and equipment for the school, Morning Mile club, school garden, Green Team, and sponsors an in-school challenge for the American Heart Association each year.

Middle School Region:  The Oceanway School, Principal Emily Kristansen

At the Oceanway School, the school organized a March Madness Basketball Tournament.  After the student tournament is completed, the winning student team gets to play against the team of teachers.  Students can use tokens earned through good behavior to “buy” tickets to watch the game.

High School/HOPE Region:  Mandarin High School, Principal Sara Bravo

Highlights this year include a 5K “Cupid Run” held in February to celebrate Valentine’s Day with 150 participants.  They also have a Marathon High running club and have a MHS Annual golf tournament planned for later on this year.

ISI Region:  Merrill Road Elementary School, Principal Natasha Clark

Merrill Road has really worked on their school culture this year.  Students participate in Calm Classrooms, and practice mindfulness several times throughout the day.  In addition the whole school participates in a “Spring Back to Wellness Challenge” with different wellness challenges provided each week.  Staff members are encouraged to participate Drum Circle after school and in “judgment free” yoga on Wednesdays.

Elementary Region:  San Jose Elementary, Principal Jasmin Esparza Gomez

San Jose received nominations from students, parents, community members, and employees, all sharing the many ways the school celebrates diversity all year long.  Activities include art contests, door decorating, cultural celebrations, book readings, games from different cultures, guest speakers, and world events. 

Middle School Region:  James Weldon Johnson Middle School, Principal John Kniseley

Of particular note was the school’s Black History Festival that included a plethora of activities.  Throughout the year, the students engage in lessons about different cultures through literature and project-based learning.

High School/HOPE Region:  Englewood High School, Principal Marleny Chirino

Highlights of the many nominations for Englewood include daily intercom announcements with historical facts and a huge multi-cultural festival each Spring where “the kids take over” and celebrate the many countries and cultures represented in the school through information, music, food, and activities.

ISI Region:  Arlington Middle School, Principal Latisha Harvey

Arlington Middle was selected for the celebration of various cultures throughout the year, including African American History and Hispanic Heritage month.  Morning announcements were shared in different languages, and music from a variety of cultures is played in the cafeteria at lunch time. 

Elementary Region:  R.L. Brown Elementary, Principal Kristi Kincaid:  R.L. Brown was noted for their school counselor’s personal knowledge of the students, as well as the school’s many phone calls, home visits, letters, and referrals for district support.  At R.L. Brown, attendance is a total school effort.

Middle School Region:  Mayport Middle, Principal Chris Koek:  The school was credited for the teamwork between the teachers, administration and counselors to identify students, as well as strong family outreach to provide support and resources that impact attendance.

High School/HOPE Region:  Stanton College Prep, Principal Nongongoma Majova Seane: Stanton enlists the help of their entire stakeholder community to encourage good student attendance, starting at orientation and Open House.  Daily greetings, staff referrals, regular monitoring, periodic home visits, and an overall positive environment all contribute to their success.

ISI Region:  Westview K-8, Principal Jacqueline Jones: The active role of the school counselors working with teachers is the key to attendance success at Westview.  This nomination cited the excellent outreach and support to parents to remove barriers to attendance.

A Special Congratulations to our DECEMBER COMMUNITY SERVICE winners!

Elementary Region:  Biscayne Elementary, Principal Sanaa McBride:  Biscayne was noted for a number of community contributions, including a sneaker collection, food drives, adopting families in need, hosting a winter clothing drive, and spreading holiday cheer by posting grade levels of children singing.  Nominations came from students, parents, employees, community members, and business partners.

Middle School Region:  Fletcher Middle, Principal Chelsea Matthews: The school collected plastic water bottles that they used to clear a lighted display to support the Beaches Go Green Deck the Chairs annual holiday light show.  The school hopes the display inspires their community to reduce plastics that are damaging our ocean and its sea life.

High School/HOPE Region:  Ed White High, Principal Traci Battest: Particularly notable from the nominations was the food drive, which was described as truck loads of groceries distributed to lines of vehicles on a regular basis, serving over 2,000 people to date.  The school also partners with the Boys and Girls Club, AGAPE, Children’s Home Society, and Communities In Schools to provide medical services, student support, and family resources.  The school holds bi-monthly blood drives and the students cook special meals for the teachers and staff during the month of December.   

ISI Region:  Long Branch Elementary, Principal Wayman Graham: One person said in her nomination, “The Long Branch family just cares!"  The school partnered with the Nocatee community to pass out groceries to over 100 families during the summer.  The staff makes home visits to provide students with homework assistance, food, clothing, emotional support, and referrals for family assistance - the school has truly created a community of caring.