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
TEACHER HONORED WITH NATIONAL AWARD – We celebrate Elizabeth Michaels from Duncan U. Fletcher High School for being named the National Dual Enrollment Aviation Teacher of the Year for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU). She’s been teaching Dual Enrollment Aviation and Engineering courses for ERAU at Fletcher since 2019 and has also helped students earn scholarships in aviation programs.
NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALISTS – Team Duval is proud to celebrate 31 seniors who have earned the impressive distinction of being National Merit Scholarship Finalists. The students represent six schools and are among an elite group who have advanced in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Congratulations to our finalists from Fletcher High School, Mandarin High School, Paxon School for Advanced Studies, Sandalwood High School, Samuel Wolfson School for Advanced Studies, and Stanton College Preparatory School.
MISS JACKSONVILLE VISITS KERNAN MIDDLE – Students enrolled in Kernan Middle School’s Pre-Early College program received a special treat when Miss Jacksonville 2025 and Team Duval alum Anjelica Jones stopped by to share important advice about college and career. Teacher Patrice McCloud invited Jones as part of ongoing lessons about interviews and resumes. Jones, a law student who attended Fletcher High School, spoke to students about interviews, college applications, scholarships, and more.
CELEBRATING OUR ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPPORT STAFF - Join us in recognizing the invaluable contributions of our administrative and support staff! Whether in schools or district offices, these team members serve as the backbone of our operations. Their hard work often happens behind the scenes, but the impact is front and center. Thank you for the vital role you play in the success of Team Duval and students. Check out this great video showcasing two extraordinary support staff team members at San Jose Elementary: https://vimeo.com/1077652180
DCPS NAMES TOP CHEF – A men’s cook-off to raise money for the United Way of Northeast Florida proved to be a success. More than $800 was raised for our valued partner, and Evan Daniels was named “Top Chef” for his winning peach cobbler. Congratulations!
DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING TEAM SHINES AT SHARKS GAME – We’re shouting out our Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) team for making a big splash at a recent Jacksonville Sharks game! On April 6th, several members of the team were front and center as they signed the National Anthem. This included teachers Hannah Poole and Tashina Potts, interpreters Lauren Shaaber and Erin Kyle, and students Janessa Sherbaum, Abrianna Wallace, and Katarina Pilkington.
