Dear parents and guardians,
Happy Saturday Patriots! I hope everyone is having an awesome weekend. I have been enjoying watching the winter Olympics in Milan. Our women’s hockey team beat Canada and won the gold. Tomorrow night our men’s team also takes on Canada for the gold medal. Go USA!!!! At JSMAL we are going for the gold when it comes to state testing. In the last three years we have improved reading proficiency by 11%. This year we are on track to reach 45% proficiency in reading and 50% in Math. Parents and guardians, we need your support to do this. Get your cadets to school every day, follow their grades in your parent portal, and stay connected with your teachers.
Title I Parent Night - This Thursday we have a parent night at JSMAL. We are going to review what your cadets are tested on, have some dinner, giveaways, and answer your questions about state and district testing. Come enjoy some family time at JSMAL! The event starts at 6pm. We hope to see you there.
JSMAL Family Academic and Data Night 2026 (2).pdf
6th Grade Health Screenings are here at JSMAL – This happens annually at every public middle school. All 6th graders will have the following checked on Monday: Vision, Hearing, Scoliosis, and BMI. Each cadet will need to bring their glasses if they wear them and their ID card.
Seaworld trip - 6th & 7th grade end of the year field trip to SeaWorld will be on Wednesday, April 22nd. We will leave JSMAL at 6:30 am and will return at 8 pm. The price is $143.62; this price includes the admission to SeaWorld, transportation (Charter Bus), lunch voucher, and a JSMAL t-shirt. SeaWorld is a cashless event. If your cadet wants to purchase concessions and/or souvenirs they must bring a card. During this trip, cadets will be able to wear regular (DCPS dress approved) clothing along with the JSMAL SeaWorld shirt that will be provided. The procedure to go on this field trip is the cadet MUST have Dean Bledsoe’s signature (on one of the permission slips) before purchasing the ticket. Turn in BOTH permission slips to Coach Thompson. To purchase the SeaWorld field trip ticket go online to https://DCPS.schoolcashonline.com/.
6th & 7th Grade Seaworld Permission slip.doc
District Sponsored Permissionslip_SeaWorld.docx
Free Eye exams and glasses are back: Florida Heiken Children’s Vision Program is returning to Duval the week of March 9th-13th to offer NO COST eye exams and glasses. Please see the attached flyer for more information and register at the following link:
Florida Heiken Children’s Vision Program.
We need at least thirty signed up for them to come out to JSMAL.
Spring Sports are here! – Track tryouts start on Monday, Feb 23 after school. Get those Aktivate accounts up to date and check your EL2 (athletic physicals) because you cannot try out without it. Please email our Athletic Director, Shawn Vieceilli at viecellis1@duvalschools.org if you have any questions.
Yearbooks are on sale now! Order your 2025–2026 JSMAL Yearbook today! Purchases can only be made through the Lifetouch website at www.ybpay.lifetouch.com. Yearbook ID Code: 15481026 (Joseph Stilwell Middle School). Price: $45.00. Important: Yearbook sales end on March 20th—do not miss out! For 8th grade parents, yearbook ads are available: NEW: ½‑page ads are now available for $50 and ¼‑page ads remain available for $25. Flyers with full details are available in the main office. For questions, contact Ms. McNally at ortong@duvalschools.org.
Community Events:
Spring Break Meal Bags– Do you need help with feeding your children over Spring Break? The deadline to request food bags is March 4. See the attached flyer and register using the QR code.
Have you heard of NAB - the Neighborhood Accountability Board? This program invites compassionate, community-minded individuals to volunteer. This meaningful opportunity allows volunteers to support youth in making positive choices, encourage accountability, and help create pathways toward brighter futures. The Westside NAB meets at Inspire to Rise Campus, 5927 Old Timuquana Road, Jacksonville FL 32210. The calendar is attached for multiple locations. If you are interested in learning more or would like to participate, reach out to Molly Bonk (mbonk@coj.net) and/or Jerald Helm (jhelm@coj.net).
REAL CONVERSATIONS & COMMUNITY HEALING
Join us for the next Community-Police Relations Forum on Friday, February 20, 2026, from 5:00–7:00 PM at the Florida Barber Institute.
This important forum will continue the conversation on gun violence awareness and prevention, with a focused discussion on the connection between mental health and gun violence. Together, we will create a safe, trusted, and solution-driven space for community members, youth, parents, educators, and public safety partners to share perspectives, ask questions, and explore prevention-centered strategies.
Free haircuts will be provided.
Open dialogue & community voices
Resources, partnerships, and solutions
Come be part of the conversation. Bring a friend, bring your questions, and help us strengthen our community, one conversation at a time.
Link to register:
https://www.cognitoforms.com/JacksonvilleUrbanLeague/TheJacksonvilleUrbanLeagueCPRForumRegistration
Calendar Events this week:
Mon, Feb 23 –6thgrade health screenings 8:30-1:30pm. Boys and Girls Track Tryouts after school.
Tues, Feb 24 –Boys and Girls Track Tryouts after school.
Wed, Feb 25 –Boys and Girls Track Tryouts after school.
Thurs, Feb 26– Title I DATA night for parents and cadets. We will provide dinner on first-come, first-served basis. 6-7:30pm.
Fri, Feb 27 –Bizi payday for cadets. $5 dress down day.
Coming soon:
Thurs, Mar 12 –SAC meeting at 5:30pm in the media center.
Fri, Mar 13 –End of the third quarter.
Mar 16 – 20– Spring Break
Tamara Roper
Proud Principal
JSMAL