DUAL LANGUAGE AWARDS – Congratulations to students and staff honored at the recent Dual Language Awards Ceremony held at Sandalwood High School! Students enrolled in the district’s elementary, middle, and high school language immersion programs were front and center as their achievements were celebrated. In addition to honoring dozens of students, two educators were recognized for Excellence in Dual Language Education and Leadership. This includes Dual Language Teacher of the Year Carmen Polanco and Administrator of the Year Dr. Marilyn Barnwell, both of Alfred duPont Middle School. Great work!
GRADUATING SENIORS RETURN TO ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS – This Team Duval shoutout celebrates graduating seniors making new memories at their elementary schools! Bartram Springs Elementary recently invited seniors who previously attended the school to join the annual 5th Grade Clap Out. More than 45 seniors came dressed in their graduation regalia and spent time visiting their old classrooms and teachers. Over at Beauclerc Elementary School, members of the Class of 2025 were also invited to return to their former stomping grounds. Donning their caps and gowns, seniors took their final stroll through the halls of their elementary school, radiating joy and pride.
STUDENTS EARN SEAL OF BILITERACY – Congratulations to 828 Team Duval students recently recognized for earning the Seal of Biliteracy! The recipients were honored at a ceremony at Atlantic Coast High School, which was complete with special performances and the distribution of medals. The Seal of Biliteracy recognizes students who have attained a high level of competency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in one or more languages in addition to English. ESOL Director Ingrid Carias shares the ceremony reflects a “deep appreciation for the transformative impact of language.” Congrats!
PARTY WITH A PURPOSE – Two hundred students with asthma and allergies received an extra boost of support and resources, thanks to the recent “Party with a Purpose” held at John Love Early Learning Center this spring. Members of the district’s School Health Services Team – including RNS, LPNs, and School Health Aides – joined forces with Asthma and Allergy Impact and Rescue and Simply Healthcare to assemble backpacks and diagnosis kits for students diagnosed with asthma and allergies. Bags were filled with resources such as educational guides, and coloring books, tools to help maximize inhalers, and a certified Asthma and Allergy-Friendly stuffed bear named Velvet Hugs.
BUS DRIVER PRAISED FOR KINDNESS – From going the extra mile to making each child feel special. One Team Duval parent says she can’t give enough praise for her son’s bus driver, Ms. Rena, and the way she treats students. Southside Estates Elementary School parent Katherine Paradise says she admires Ms. Rena’s ability to work well with the ESE students she drives – always putting safety first and treating them like family. Paradise says, “She truly loves her job and loves the kids. It’s a great feeling when your child gets on a bus and you know how seriously she takes the kids’ safety... We are all very lucky to have her in charge of our children!”
TRUANCY OFFICER PRAISED FOR HELPING FAMILY – One Team Duval grandmother says she’s grateful for the way Gregory Parker, a district Truancy Officer, provided much-needed assistance to her family. Nichol Rogers says her grandson was facing transportation challenges impacting his attendance. But when Parker stepped in, she says things changed: “Mr. Parker intervened and facilitated communication with the relevant personnel, effectively identifying and addressing the problem. His willingness to go above and beyond demonstrates his commitment to the well-being of his colleagues and the students they serve.”
PRAISE FOR SCHOOL AP – Andrew Robinson Elementary School parents, staff, and leaders are "shouting out" Assistant Principal Gladys McDougal for her enthusiasm, compassion, creativity, and more. Colleagues call her an “exceptional leader” who is an “amazing addition” to the Andrew Robinson Family. Team Up Director Natalie Sheppard puts it best: “She came in this year, and you would think she has been our school admin for years! Her professionalism, positivity, knowledge, energy and love for our school is unmatched and greatly appreciated.” Job well done!
SPECIAL OLYMPICS GAME IS A SLAM DUNK – It was a big win for students participating in a Special Olympics basketball game at Westside High School! The game, which gave students with autism a chance to show off their skills on the court, was a big hit. Teacher Mary Maraghy shares, “The Special Olympics basketball game...with 20 students with autism in our gym was an incredible sporting event. The teams were so competitive and hyped. General education student volunteers did a great job assisting. I was proud of the whole production.” Great job!
CELEBRATING AVID SENIORS – Graduating seniors in Sandalwood High School’s Advancement Via Individual Determination, or AVID, Program were front and center in a special celebration honoring their accomplishments. Members of the Class of 2025 were honored in an awards night on May 13 at the school. Each was recognized with a special display showing their post-secondary decisions, while also receiving graduation cords and a certificate. Sandalwood’s AVID program is the only National Demonstration School in the district. Congratulations!
KINDNESS CLUB SUPPORTING A GOOD CAUSE – Students in Seabreeze Elementary’s Kindness Club have gone above and beyond in their support of a good cause. The club recently organized a drive to support the Friends of Jacksonville Animals, Inc. Club advisor Lauren Crockett shares that with the help of the entire school community, the club collected hundreds of items –– the largest donation the center has ever received!
AWARD-WINNING ARTISTS – Congratulations to Atlantic Coast High School students Kristin Dhami and Stella Carter for creating award-winning artwork! Art teacher Kelly Delaney shares that the pair were recently honored by the VFW in Northeast Florida for their artistic creations. Dhami was awarded $250 for 2D artwork, and Carter was awarded a total of $500 for both 2D and 3D pieces. Both students’ works will advance to a state-level competition. Great work!
BRINGING HISTORY TO LIFE THROUGH A WAX MUSEUM – This shoutout celebrates a fun, interactive take on history – a Wax Museum event at West Riverside Elementary School! Dr. April Slade, Director of K-12 Social Studies, shares her reflections: “Students amazed us all by transforming into historical figures, politicians, music artists, and athletes, each one standing proudly to share the story of their chosen icon. It was truly inspiring to see our young scholars embody greatness from the past and present.”
REGISTER FOR SUMMER VPK - Registration is now open for two exciting Summer VPK programs designed to help your little one get a strong start in kindergarten. The first program runs June 9 – July 22, and is for children who haven’t attended a VPK program before. The second program, known as Summer Bridge, runs June 9 – July 15, and is for children who have attended VPK but could use a little extra support before starting kindergarten. Want to learn more and register? Visit our Summer VPK webpage: https://dcps.duvalschools.org/o/dcps/page/summer-vpk
"LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING" RECOGNITIONS – Several district leaders, teachers, students, and staff were recently honored for their contributions to the city's 125th anniversary celebration of James Weldon Johnson's "Lift Every Voice and Sing." Sharon Coon, the Honorable Judge Pauline Drake, and Assistant State Attorney Octavius Holiday, Jr. presented the honors at the May School Board meeting.
CELEBRATING SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS – We're congratulating five Team Duval seniors who have earned $10,000 scholarships from Chartwells K12 and Thompson Hospitality. The Duval County Public Schools Nutrition Program partners with Chartwells K12 and Thompson Hospitality to provide food service management and to serve up happy and healthy meals in cafeterias across the district. Congratulations to Azaria Bell (Jean Ribault), Trinity Hayes (Riverside), Richard Pooler (Riverside), Luciano Mastrocinque (Wolfson), and John Wheeler (Stanton)!
RECOGNIZING STUDENT LEADERS – Congrats to the most recent Duval County Council PTA Student Leadership Academy cohort! The academy teaches students how to become effective advocates through training, professional development, and unique experiences.
ACADEMIC SIGNING DAY – Congratulations to Riverside High School’s Class of 2025 and a recent celebration of record-breaking achievements at the 8th annual Academic Signing Day pep rally! School counselor Khristi Keefe reports this year’s seniors have earned an astounding $15 million in scholarship dollars and over 800 acceptance letters into post-secondary programs. Congratulations!
TWELVE TEAM DUVAL EDUCATORS EARN AWARDS – Twelve of our teachers were recently recognized by the Florida Council on Economic Education in a special ceremony at the Federal Reserve Bank. Eleven teachers (listed below) were honored with REEL Awards (Regional Economic Educator and Leadership), which celebrate outstanding Florida teachers who deliver high-quality personal finance and economic education. A twelfth educator, Dr. Keisha T. Williams-Walton of Sandalwood High School, received the Charles C. Harper Award.
2024 REEL Award Recipients from Duval County Public Schools: Alyssa Halliday, Jesus Patrick Isla, Asilia Rogers, Dominique Sanders, Andrea Shaw, Randal Smith, Carol Solomon-Jenkins, Lisa Swan, Ed Wagner, Jill Walker, and Shanda Westmoreland.
EAGLE SCOUT GIVES BACK AND HONORS BAND DIRECTOR – This shoutout recognizes the hard work of an outstanding student and band director at First Coast High School. As part of his journey to becoming an Eagle Scout, senior Christopher Davis chose to give back to his school by designing, purchasing, and constructing shelves to store band instruments. When it came time for Davis's Eagle Scout ceremony, he presented Band Director Kenneth Solomon with an Eagle Scout Mentor Award, one of two received by the educator. Students shared “they would not be where they are today without the influence and guidance provided by Mr. Solomon in their lives.” Congratulations to Davis and Mr. Solomon!
CELEBRATING TEACHERS - Team Duval extends heartfelt thanks to our more than 5,000 teachers and teacher specialists for their unwavering dedication to building brighter futures for students every day. From early mornings to late nights, our educators commit themselves to teaching, inspiring, and shaping lives. As Dr. Bernier shares in a special Teacher Appreciation Week video message, a simple "thank you" doesn’t fully capture the deep gratitude and admiration we hold for our teachers. Please take a moment to watch the video and reflect on the lasting impact great teachers have had on all our lives: https://vimeo.com/1080292011
