FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL - The countdown is on — just ONE month until the first day of school on Monday, Aug. 10. Take small steps now to get ready: Adjust sleep schedules a little each week, gather school supplies and organize backpacks, keep learning going with 20 minutes of reading or math each day, mark important school dates on your family calendar, and start practicing morning routines. We can't wait to welcome everyone back for another amazing year!
REGISTER FOR A BUS TODAY - Bus registration for the 2026–2027 school year is now open. All students who plan to ride a school bus next year must be registered in advance, including students enrolled in self-contained ESE programs. Families are encouraged to register as early as possible to help ensure a smooth start to the school year. Registration forms are available in Focus. For step-by-step instructions on how to complete the process, visit: www.duvalschools.org/busregistration
PATROLS ENCOUNTER HISTORY - Congratulations to the Jacksonville Beach Elementary Safety Patrols, who are earning today’s Team Duval Shoutout for their recent trip to Washington D.C. This end-of-year educational experience allowed the patrol students to interact firsthand with American history in the nation’s capital. Highlights included trips to the Lincoln Memorial and United States Capitol. Thank you, Safety Patrol, for helping to keep our campuses safe. We salute you!
NEW BLUE ZONES SCHOOLS – Congratulations to Cedar Hills Elementary, Chimney Lakes Elementary, Greenland Pines Elementary, Long Branch Elementary, Merrill Road Elementary, Oak Hill Academy, Seabreeze Elementary, Waterleaf Elementary, and Westside High School on earning recognition as Jacksonville Blue Zones Approved Schools. Through their partnership with Blue Zones Project Jacksonville, these schools are creating healthier environments for students, staff, and families by making healthy choices easier every day. Their commitment to wellness reflects the positive impact schools can have both inside the classroom and throughout the community. We’re proud to celebrate these Team Duval schools for leading the way toward healthier futures.
BILINGUAL TEAM EARNS BIG THANKS - Let’s give a big Team Duval Shoutout to the ESOL Bilingual Team! Our district ESOL Bilingual Testers - Raquel, Marydela, Ilenia, Paola, Edisa, Rana, Viktoriia, Victoria, and Andrea – our ESOL District CRT - Judy Ortiz – our Bilingual Clerk - Astrid Cox - and our Bilingual CLC Coordinator - Joanne Ortiz - are all being celebrated for their outstanding support during the opening of our ESOL Summer Maintenance program. Their dedication and commitment – even in the face of long hours – are truly exceptional. Thank you for going above and beyond to ensure our students have a positive and supportive experience. We are incredibly grateful for everything you do!
WORKSHOP MAKES MUSIC MAGIC - Our Team Duval Shoutout for today goes to district music educators who participated in the week-long intensive “Drumming Up the Fun” music workshop. This engaging workshop, held at Fishweir Elementary, covered instructional techniques to bring books and songs alive through music, drumming, movement, read-alouds, and student collaboration. Made possible by an FLDOE Early Childhood Music Incentive Grant received by the Fine Arts Department this year, this innovative instructional approach fostered teamwork, enhanced cognitive and motor skills, and improved literacy while students learned how to play a variety of musical instruments. Our featured photo shows teachers during the public performance that marked the culmination of their learning in this session. Congratulations to the Fine Arts Department and all of the teachers who made this workshop a success!
SUPPORT SERVICES EMPLOYEE LEADS SPORTS EXPERIENCE - Today’s Team Duval Shoutout goes to Adele Herring in Employee Support Services for leading and organizing the DCPS team in the First Coast Games! This exciting league allowed employees to come together and play recreational sports while representing Duval County. Despite rain outs, venue changes, and schedule changes, Adele went above and beyond in her communication and organization to ensure that the sports experience remained positive for all those involved. “She is diligent, kind, and patient,” writes the nominating staff member, “truly an advocate for DCPS employee wellness!” Thank you, Adele, for your leadership in getting the DCPS teams ready to play!
READING TEACHER REINVIGORATES STUDENT LEARNING - Congratulations to Ms. Oglesby from Jacksonville Beach Elementary for receiving today’s Team Duval Shoutout. Described by parents and peers as an extraordinary reading teacher, she creates a learning environment in which all students feel supported, capable, and excited to learn. “She helped my son rebuild his confidence and rediscover his love of reading,” writes one parent. “Her positive impact extends to all of her students.” Thank you, Ms. Oglesby, for being a shining example of what it means to imbue students with a lifelong love of reading.
CONGRATS, GRADUATES! This Team Duval Shoutout celebrates the success of the most recent graduates of the district’s Teen Parent Service Center (TPSC). Program supervisor Bridget McGee says 20 out of 20 teen parents received their high school diplomas during their 2026 commencement ceremonies! McGee goes on to share that Kanijah, a graduate of William M. Raines High School, also received a $3,000 scholarship from the Mike Freeland Foundation, with plans to study nursing at FSCJ. Foundation founder and former teen parent Terona Feacher also donated a $25 Amazon gift card to every graduating teen parent during the TPSC End-of-Year Awards Ceremony. Congratulations to these graduates and everyone who helped make this milestone possible!
LOCAL STUDENT LEADS WITH PHILANTHROPY - Genesis Faith Blunt from Ribault High receives today’s Team Duval Shoutout for the remarkable impact she is making through community service. In recent weeks, Blunt has led meaningful initiatives to provide meals and support to individuals and families experiencing hardship by hosting food giveaways. “It’s about making sure not one feels forgotten,” Blunt said. “The more people who get involved, the greater impact we can make together." Her dedication to youth mentorship and educational empowerment demonstrates that leadership has no age requirement. Thank you, Genesis, for demonstrating that meaningful change begins with a willingness to help others. We’re proud of you!
CHAFFEE CONNECTS KIDS TO CAREERS - Let’s give a big Team Duval Shoutout to the parents, community members, CTE staff, and students at Chaffee Trail Elementary for their impactful K-5 Career Day event! Special recognition goes to Mr. Nelson, the school counselor, who planned and organized this incredible experience through months of dedicated effort. This event allowed students to learn about 20 different careers represented by more than 25 career representatives, along with nine different trucks and vehicles for the Touch-A-Truck experience for kindergarten and first grade students. This experience put learning into action, as students made connections to their future career choices and applied their learning to real-world situations. Congrats, Chaffee Trail!
TEACHER’S INFLUENCE HELPS STUDENTS FLOURISH - Our Team Duval Shoutout for today goes to Mrs. Elizabeth Cosme at John E. Ford for the amazing impact she has made on her students. From words of encouragement to parent follow-ups after hours, she is recognized for her hard work and dedication to the success of each student. “I wish she could be his teacher all the way up until he gets out of middle school,” writes one parent, “because I know his success was due to her influence as a teacher.” Mrs. Cosme, thank you for the care and attention you give to your students every day – it truly makes a difference!
GENESYS WORKS – Congratulations to the first-ever Genesys Works Jacksonville cohort!
At this month's Board Meeting, we celebrated a remarkable group of recent graduates who completed a year of professional training, mentoring, and paid internships through Genesys Works Jacksonville.
After completing 160 hours of professional development, these students gained valuable real-world experience with local employers while preparing for college and future careers.
Please join us in congratulating these outstanding graduates for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to building bright futures. We can't wait to see what they accomplish next!
At this month's Board Meeting, we celebrated a remarkable group of recent graduates who completed a year of professional training, mentoring, and paid internships through Genesys Works Jacksonville.
After completing 160 hours of professional development, these students gained valuable real-world experience with local employers while preparing for college and future careers.
Please join us in congratulating these outstanding graduates for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to building bright futures. We can't wait to see what they accomplish next!
MATH TEACHER CREATES MEANINGFUL MOMENTS - Ms. McGurrin from Jacksonville Beach Elementary receives today’s Team Duval Shoutout for making her students passionate about math. Teaching concepts clearly and creatively, her math challenges, thoughtful rewards, and genuine care helped make her classroom into a positive environment all year long. Beyond the classroom, she organized meaningful hands-on learning experiences, including a visit to the Jacksonville Humane Society where students helped feed animals and learn through real-world activities. Ms. McGurrin, your passion, creativity, and dedication is an inspiration to us all. Thank you!
AFTERSCHOOL EVENTS ENGAGE LEARNERS - Congratulations to Jessica Fernandez from Mayport Coastal Sciences Middle School, who is receiving today’s Team Duval Shoutout. A beloved vocational technical teacher, her passion for organizing successful school events is celebrated by students and staff alike – especially the 8th Grade week which featured many fun events including a game truck and foam party. Mrs. Fernandez, we appreciate you for all the planning, preparation, and execution involved in coordinating these events. Thank you for all that you do to make the middle school experience fun and engaging!
PRINCIPAL LEADS WITH PURPOSE - Today’s Team Duval Shoutout goes to Principal Tamara Feagins at J. Allen Axson Elementary for her leadership. As one nominating staff member shared, “Through patience, consistency, and determination, Principal Feagins creates positive change and shows us what strong leadership truly looks like.” By remaining committed to the students, staff, and the school’s vision, Principal Feagins has made a meaningful and lasting impact on the entire school community. Thank you for leading with purpose, professionalism, and heart!
FOOD ALLERGY AWARENESS – Congratulations to Atlantic Coast High School student Runali Salvi for turning a personal challenge into a powerful initiative.
At this month's Board Meeting, we recognized Runali, creator of "Fight the Allergy Blues," a campaign designed to increase food allergy awareness, reduce preventable risks, and help create safer, more inclusive school environments.
Inspired by her own experiences living with severe food allergies, Runali has dedicated herself to educating others and empowering students to advocate for their health and safety.
Please join us in celebrating Runali for her leadership, advocacy, and commitment to protecting and supporting others!
At this month's Board Meeting, we recognized Runali, creator of "Fight the Allergy Blues," a campaign designed to increase food allergy awareness, reduce preventable risks, and help create safer, more inclusive school environments.
Inspired by her own experiences living with severe food allergies, Runali has dedicated herself to educating others and empowering students to advocate for their health and safety.
Please join us in celebrating Runali for her leadership, advocacy, and commitment to protecting and supporting others!
MARINE SCIENCE MURAL AMAZES - Our Team Duval Shoutout for today goes to Donna Westrich, a marine science teacher at Fletcher High School, for creating hands-on learning experiences that bring creativity and community to campus. This year, students collaborated on Lenny the Whale Shark, painting individual cardboard tiles inspired by the theme, “What I love about the ocean or any marine ecosystem.” When assembled, the tiles form a stunning mural measuring more than 28 feet long and 9 feet tall. As the nominating staff member shared, “The giant mural is a physical manifestation of the dedication Ms. Westrich has to her students and to teaching.” Way to go, Ms. Westrich – thank you for helping students to see that they are part of something bigger!
LEADERSHIP ACROSS LANGUAGES - Congratulations to Ms. Lisset Navarro-Ruiz, who has received today’s Team Duval Shoutout in recognition of her work in the ESOL content area series of professional development. Bringing dedication, expertise, and thoughtful facilitation to each session, Ms. Lisset Navarro-Ruiz made the content meaningful, practical, and impactful for educators across the district. Her commitment continues to elevate instructional practices and strengthen collaboration across content areas. Thanks to you, our ESOL students are seen, supported, and valued. Way to go, Ms. Lisset Navarro-Ruiz!
STUDENT LEADERS – Congratulations to the newest cohort of Duval County Council PTA Student Leaders!
At this month's Board Meeting, we recognized outstanding students who completed the PTA Student Leadership Academy, a program that helps young leaders develop advocacy, communication, and leadership skills.
Through this experience, students learn how to advocate for themselves, their classmates, their schools, and their communities while gaining valuable professional development opportunities.
Please join us in celebrating these student leaders and their commitment to making a positive impact across Team Duval!
At this month's Board Meeting, we recognized outstanding students who completed the PTA Student Leadership Academy, a program that helps young leaders develop advocacy, communication, and leadership skills.
Through this experience, students learn how to advocate for themselves, their classmates, their schools, and their communities while gaining valuable professional development opportunities.
Please join us in celebrating these student leaders and their commitment to making a positive impact across Team Duval!
