Fort Caroline Elementary -

Dear Fort Families and School Community,

We are excited to share some wonderful news! Our school community has nominated several outstanding educators as Teacher of the Year Finalists, and we couldn’t be more proud of each of them.

Please join us in celebrating the following finalists:

Mr. Jones – Math Interventionist/Coach

Mrs. Dewberry – Reading Interventionist/Coach

Ms. DelBarco – Kindergarten Teacher

Mrs. Peterson – 5th Grade Teacher

Mrs. Fong-Williams – 3rd Grade Math & Science Teacher

Mrs. Hyers – 2nd Grade Teacher

Mr. Goodman – 4th Grade Science Teacher

These educators represent the heart of The Fort and the dedication it takes to help our students grow each day. Their passion, commitment, and care make a lasting difference in the lives of our children.

Way to go, finalists! We are so proud of each of you!

With gratitude,
Dr. Roberts-Graham
PROUD Principal

October Meeting Reminder
Great Day Fort Families,

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our September SAC meeting! Your input and support keep our school community strong.

📌 Next SAC Meeting: Monday, October 7th at 3:30 p.m.
At this meeting, we’ll explore different ways to support your child in reading and show you how to access resources that will help them become stronger readers. Remember—you can also reach out to your child’s teacher anytime for additional support.

We look forward to seeing you all there as we continue working together for student success!

Warm regards,
Dr. Roberts-Graham

Great Day Fort Families,

As we continue to grow strong readers, we encourage all of our students to have a library card and take advantage of free community events that support literacy.

This weekend, the Jax Book Fest is happening at the Jacksonville Public Library! This is a wonderful opportunity for families to enjoy reading-related activities together.

📌 Youth Readers' Day – Saturday, September 20 | 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Teen Lit Chat Author Interview with Shannon Messenger, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Keeper of the Lost Cities series.

Junior Lit Chat Author Talk with Mac Barnett, New York Times bestselling author and U.S. National Ambassador for Young People's Literature.

Meet and support 50+ local authors.

Explore the new River City Readers Bookmobile.

Enjoy fun giveaways, face painting, and other exciting book-related activities.

For more details, visit: Jax Book Fest Information

We hope you and your family can attend this amazing free event and continue the journey of building a love for reading together!

Warm regards,
Dr. Roberts-Graham

Please Join us for the September SAC meeting on September 11 at 5:00 pm

We're bouncing our way into another awesome school year! The first day of school is Monday, August 11th!

If you would like for your student to play on the bounce houses, you will need to fill out a waiver and permission slip.

Parents can come into the office before August 11th to sign the forms or you can sign them on the first day of school.

Check out the special summer edition of the Connection newsletter! It has everything you need to know to be ready for school on Day 1 - August 11th! If you have questions or need help, don't hesitate to call the school. We would be happy to help you!

Don't wait to enroll your kindergartener! School starts August 11th! Gather your documentation and get started! You will need a birth certificate, Florida certification of immunization, physical examination, proof of guardianship (if applicable), and two proofs of residence. If you have questions, please call the school at 904-745-4904. https://www.duvalschools.org/o/dcps/page/kindergarten

Don't forget to purchase your uniforms for this school year! Be ready for Day 1 - August 11th!

Fort Caroline Elementary School has earned a school grade of "B" for the 2024-2025 school year!!! Thank you to all of our students, staff, and families who helped make this year our best one yet! We cannot wait to celebrate with you! Our theme for the upcoming school year is Fast and Furious: Race to Success!

Back to School Bash! 🎒✂️📚 BACK TO SCHOOL at Fort Caroline Elementary! 📚✂️🎒 Hey Fort families — mark your calendars! 🗓️ Join us for a fun and FREE back-to-school event as we come together United As One to get our students ready for a successful year! 💚💛💙 📍 Fort Caroline Elementary School 🗓️ August 7, 2025 ⏰ 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM We’re offering: ✔️ Free Haircuts ✔️ School Supplies ✔️ Uniforms (While supplies last!) Let’s get FRESH. READY. and start the school year FREE of stress! 🙌✨ Bring the whole family and connect with our amazing school community. 💫 📲 Follow us on Facebook: Fort Caroline Elementary-FCE and United As One for updates! #BackToSchool #FortCarolineElementary #UnitedAsOne #FreshReadyFree #DuvalSchools #CommunityStrong #SchoolSuccess

Don't forget to mark your calendar for Orientation! Thursday, August 7th! KG-2nd grade @1:00 p.m. 3rd-5th grade @2:00 p.m. Orientation will be followed immediately by our Back to School Bash from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.! Meet your child's teacher(s) and stay for free haircuts, supplies, and uniforms, while supplies last!

Don't wait to enroll your student at Fort Caroline Elementary! Registration is open! For more information, visit: https://dcps.duvalschools.org/page/enrollment

Bus registration for the 2025-2026 school year is open! All students who plan on riding the bus must be registered. Directions for signing up for bus transportation can be found at: https://dcps.duvalschools.org/page/bus-registration

Register for the bus for the 2025-2026 school year! https://www.duvalschools.org/o/dcps/page/bus-registration

Mark your calendar!

Dear Fort Families, As we enter the summer months, we want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support and partnership this school year. Together, we’ve seen incredible progress, and our students are trending in a great direction. Thank you for playing such a vital role in their success! Although we recognize the importance of a well-deserved summer break, we also know how essential it is to keep the momentum going. To help your child stay on track in reading, math, writing, and science, we encourage you to dedicate a small portion of each day to learning. Here are a few simple ways you can help at home: • Read daily for at least 20 minutes • Review sight words regularly • Ask comprehension questions while reading • Explore the world around you and write about it • Use fun math games and problem-solving activities Blended Learning Program Access - Students will have access to the following platforms until the date listed below: Kindergarten - Waterford - August 6th 1st & 2nd Grade - i-Ready - July 25th 3rd-5th Grade - Freckle/Lalilo - June 30th Attached to this email, you will find helpful resources from the district’s Math Department to support continued learning over the summer. Also, please note: All student state test scores are now available in your child’s FOCUS account. We encourage you to log in and review your child’s progress to celebrate their growth and identify areas for continued support. We are on the right path for success here at The Fort—let’s keep pushing forward together! Thank you for all you do to support your scholar. Wishing you a restful, safe, and engaging summer, Dr. Faith LaJoy Roberts-Graham Proud Principal Fort Caroline Elementary – Where Families Grow Together

School's out for summer! Have a wonderful, relaxing summer break! Remember to read 20 minutes a day, practice math facts, and explore the outdoors! Be safe! We will see you on August 11th for the first day of school!

Tomorrow, May 30, 2025, is the last day of school! Students will be dismissed at 12:00 p.m. Boys and Girls Club will be available on the last day of school until 3:00 p.m. Extended Day will NOT be available on the last day of school. Buses will run as usual at 12:00 p.m.