Dear Parents/Guardians,
Happy Sunday Patriots! I am so happy to be back home, and I cannot wait to return to JSMAL tomorrow. I had an incredible trip, all paid for by the Stilwell Research Center in Chongqing, China. I am currently putting together my notes, pictures, programs, and observations from my trip so I can present my learnings to my staff, faculty, students, and you if you are interested. Thanks to one of my Westpoint classmates, I am bringing back a small token gift to each cadet if they want one. I have a great deal of information to share, but not here. I will tell you that I do plan to honor General Joseph Stilwell in a much larger way than we currently do. Stay tuned for more to come.
SAC – School Advisory Committee. We have our second meeting this Thursday at 5:30 pm in our media center. I apologize for rescheduling this meeting from last week. I would love to have more parents attend our meetings. Our meetings are once a month, on the second Thursday of each month, and only last for one hour. Parents/guardians determine what we discuss, make recommendations, and share concerns with me. I typically share cadet data, initiatives, school improvement strategies, and celebrations. Please consider joining our team.
Announcements:
All Pro Dads Chapter - We are excited to announce that we will be starting an All-Pro Dad Chapter here at JSMAL! All Pro Dad is a monthly gathering where dads get to intentionally engage with their kids! This, of course, is not just limited to dads, but all children must be accompanied by an adult. There will be fun activities and a character-based curriculum that helps dads start meaningful conversations with their kids. Our first gathering is scheduled for September 26 from 7:30 to 8:15 am, and we would love to see you here. If you would like to come, please RSVP here! https://allprodadchapters.com/chapters/15564.
For more information or questions, contact our team captain, Mr. Viecelli, at this email: viecellis1@duvalschools.org.
Attendance – Thank you, parents/guardians! Our current average daily attendance rate for the year, after one month, is the highest it has been since the COVID pandemic. We are currently at 92% average daily attendance. Regular daily attendance is a critical factor in your cadet’s success here at Joseph Stilwell. Please take a moment to review the DCPS attendance policy, procedures, and resources at Attendance Services | Duval County Public Schools, and let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Peanut Free School – Please do not send your cadet in with any snacks or food that contains peanuts. We have cadets and cadre who are highly allergic to peanuts.
Vision Testing and Free glasses – Due to the large number of you who applied for the free vision testing, we have added another day for them to visit JSMAL. No Cost Eye Exam and Glasses clinic is coming to JSMAL on Friday, September 19th, AND Tuesday, September 23rd. We still have fifteen spaces. Please see the attached application if you are interested in having your cadet examined. We need this returned to the front office by September 19th.
Calendar Events this week:
Tues, Sept 16 – 6th grade Math PM1. Football game vs Landmark at Landmark.
Wed, Sept 17 – 7th grade Math PM1
Thurs, Sept 18 – 8th grade Math PM1. Rescheduled SAC meeting, 5:30pm.
Fri, Sept 19 – No Cost Eye Exams – Must apply see above for application.
Sat, Sept 20 - HBCU College Fair, see flyer below
Coming soon:
Tues, Sept 23 – No Cost Eye Exams – Must apply see above for application.
Fri, Sept 26 – All Pro Dads Chapter Kick Off Meeting, 7:30-8:15am in the Media Center.
Community Announcements:
Join us for the Normandy Park Baptist Church + Better Together Job Fair on Thursday, September 18, 2025, from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.
✅ 15 Employers on-site and ready to hire
✅ 7 Community Resource Partners to support your next steps
✅ Open to anyone unemployed, underemployed, or seeking new opportunities
📍 Where: Normandy Park Baptist Church 7050 Normandy Blvd. 32205
📝 Register Here: https://bettertogetherus.org/job-seeker-registration.
7th Annual HBCU Legacy College Fair - Don't miss this opportunity to connect, network, and take the next step in your career! We are thrilled to announce the 7th Annual HBCU Legacy College Fair will take place on Sept. 20th at the Jessie Ball DuPont Center from 10 am to 2 pm. Last year, we saw over 150 students accepted into college, with more than $600,000 in scholarships offered to them. This is also the very first Legacy Week, which celebrates the history and legacy of HBCUs while exposing students to professional and college life, as well as the recruiters.
HBCU College Fair Flyer 2025.pdf
The registration links are below.
Tamara Roper
Principal
JSMAL Proud