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!
Subject: School Funding Continuation – Helping You Be Informed
Dear Pickett/Reynolds Lane families,
Every election is important, but the 2026 upcoming general election is very important to our teachers, students, and schools.
Why the 2026 Election is Important to Our School
Four years ago, voters approved a voluntary 1-mill property assessment to support salary enhancements for our teachers and staff, as well as providing a dedicated funding source for arts and athletics for students. Under state law, this funding source must be renewed every four years.
Our Goals is to Help You Be Informed
Over the next several weeks, we will share information with you through our social media and email to ensure that you are fully informed as you go to the polls. Attached is a flier with basic information about the continuation of the 1 mill. We encourage you to take just a minute to review this information. You can also learn more at www.DuvalSchools.org/Vote.
What You Can Do Now
Most important, we encourage you to participate in the election and let your voice be heard on this issue. If you need to register to vote, you can do so at Florida Online Voter Registration System.
Thank you for taking a few minutes to be informed on this issue, and we encourage you to check out our website or ask me if you have any questions.
Dear Pickett/Reynolds Lane families,
Every election is important, but the 2026 upcoming general election is very important to our teachers, students, and schools.
Why the 2026 Election is Important to Our School
Four years ago, voters approved a voluntary 1-mill property assessment to support salary enhancements for our teachers and staff, as well as providing a dedicated funding source for arts and athletics for students. Under state law, this funding source must be renewed every four years.
Our Goals is to Help You Be Informed
Over the next several weeks, we will share information with you through our social media and email to ensure that you are fully informed as you go to the polls. Attached is a flier with basic information about the continuation of the 1 mill. We encourage you to take just a minute to review this information. You can also learn more at www.DuvalSchools.org/Vote.
What You Can Do Now
Most important, we encourage you to participate in the election and let your voice be heard on this issue. If you need to register to vote, you can do so at Florida Online Voter Registration System.
Thank you for taking a few minutes to be informed on this issue, and we encourage you to check out our website or ask me if you have any questions.
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As you know, Pickett Elementary School and Reynolds Lane Elementary School will officially merge at the end of this school year. To support a smooth transition and begin building one unified school community, we will start merging classes and instructional teams now while also providing opportunities for students, staff, and families to participate in joint school events and activities.
Both schools have been impacted by enrollment based on current student numbers and the district's Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) allocation process. To ensure we do not lose any teaching positions, we will begin leveraging class size in accordance with district guidance to balance classes between both schools. As a result, students will be distributed equitably among classrooms, and we will operate as one school, Pickett/Reynolds Lane Elementary School.
We are required to balance classes by Friday, August 28, and any new class assignments will take effect on August 31. Parents will be notified of all classroom changes and teachers on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
Our class sizes will average:
• Kindergarten through 3rd Grade: 16-18 students
• 4th and 5th Grade: 20-22 students
To strengthen instruction, we will have one 3rd Grade Team, one 4th Grade Team, and one 5th Grade Team, with three teachers on each team. Teachers will provide targeted instruction in ELA, Mathematics, and Science, allowing students to benefit from teacher expertise in each content area.
All Kindergarten through 2nd Grade teachers will remain self-contained, except for Ms. Bork and Mr. Gyasi, whose assignments will support the academic needs of our students.
Teachers and staff from both schools will work together as one team to ensure high-quality instruction and support for all students. Most importantly, I want to assure you that your child's academic success remains our top priority. If your child's class assignment changes, the decision was made based on enrollment dates and class-size requirements to ensure an equitable distribution of students across classrooms.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership as we move forward together as one school community.
Sincerely,
Charlene T. James
Principal
Pickett/Reynolds Lane Elementary School
"Every Child. Every Day. Whatever It Takes."
As you know, Pickett Elementary School and Reynolds Lane Elementary School will officially merge at the end of this school year. To support a smooth transition and begin building one unified school community, we will start merging classes and instructional teams now while also providing opportunities for students, staff, and families to participate in joint school events and activities.
Both schools have been impacted by enrollment based on current student numbers and the district's Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) allocation process. To ensure we do not lose any teaching positions, we will begin leveraging class size in accordance with district guidance to balance classes between both schools. As a result, students will be distributed equitably among classrooms, and we will operate as one school, Pickett/Reynolds Lane Elementary School.
We are required to balance classes by Friday, August 28, and any new class assignments will take effect on August 31. Parents will be notified of all classroom changes and teachers on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
Our class sizes will average:
• Kindergarten through 3rd Grade: 16-18 students
• 4th and 5th Grade: 20-22 students
To strengthen instruction, we will have one 3rd Grade Team, one 4th Grade Team, and one 5th Grade Team, with three teachers on each team. Teachers will provide targeted instruction in ELA, Mathematics, and Science, allowing students to benefit from teacher expertise in each content area.
All Kindergarten through 2nd Grade teachers will remain self-contained, except for Ms. Bork and Mr. Gyasi, whose assignments will support the academic needs of our students.
Teachers and staff from both schools will work together as one team to ensure high-quality instruction and support for all students. Most importantly, I want to assure you that your child's academic success remains our top priority. If your child's class assignment changes, the decision was made based on enrollment dates and class-size requirements to ensure an equitable distribution of students across classrooms.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership as we move forward together as one school community.
Sincerely,
Charlene T. James
Principal
Pickett/Reynolds Lane Elementary School
"Every Child. Every Day. Whatever It Takes."
26-27 Pickett/Reynolds Lane Open House
Welcome back to the start of the 2026-2027 school year. If we didn't see you on Thursday for orientation, we look forward to welcoming you back.
We're excited for the 1st Pickett / Reynolds Lane Newsletter!
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
5th Gr. Parents ~
Our Pickett Panthers are now on the bus and due to arrive at the school by 8 PM. We’ll keep you posted as we have updates.
Our Pickett Panthers are now on the bus and due to arrive at the school by 8 PM. We’ll keep you posted as we have updates.
Good evening 5th Gr. Parents ~
This is Pickett Elementary calling with an update on our students 5th Gr. Trip. All of the students are safe, but unfortunately the bus has experienced a mechanical defect near DeLand, Florida and we are waiting on a back up bus. We will be notifying parents as soon as our back up bus arrives.
This is Pickett Elementary calling with an update on our students 5th Gr. Trip. All of the students are safe, but unfortunately the bus has experienced a mechanical defect near DeLand, Florida and we are waiting on a back up bus. We will be notifying parents as soon as our back up bus arrives.
FIVE TEAM DUVAL SCHOOLS RECOGNIZED AS ATTENDANCE CHAMPIONS – This Team Duval Shoutout celebrates five schools that have gone above and beyond in their efforts to improve attendance at their schools. These “Attendance Champions” are Anchor Academy Elementary, Cedar Hills Elementary, Northwestern Legends Elementary, Pickett Elementary, and Alfred I. duPont Middle schools. Each school received a large banner ahead of the new school year, allowing leaders to proudly display their achievements for all parents, students, and community members to see. Great work!
Please join us Saturday, May 31st for our Legacy Day celebration! All former students, administrators, staff, and students are invited.
PREPARING FOR PICKETT’S FUTURE - Beginning with the 2025-26 school year, Pickett Elementary will temporarily transition to Reynolds Lane Elementary so that construction can take place for the new Pickett Elementary, which is scheduled to open August 2027. Pickett and Reynolds Lane will be housed on the same school campus for the next two years but will operate as two separate entities. To assist with this transition, FAQs (https://www.duvalschools.org/o/pes/page/consolidation-faq) have been created to answer some of your top questions. Families be sure that you have a linked parent account to stay up to date with pertinent information. Learn how to create this account at https://www.duvalschools.org/page/creating-your-linked-parent-account.
Please join us for Legacy Day!
Reminder
Literacy Night 2025 will be held January 30, 2025 at 5:30 P.M.!
Food, Hands-On Activities, Storytime, & PRIZES!
It's COLD outside, but it's KONA DAY at Pickett tomorrow!
Please join us for Thursday, November 21st for STEM Night
There are so many great programs and activities happening at Bradham & Brooks Library this month.
The Library's weekly STEAM & Stories program has returned to each Tuesday at 4:00. Join the library for a story and related STEAM activity and to check out books while you're there. And you can stick around for the 5:30 Family Game Night.
Another exciting program is Paws to Read with the Jacksonville Humane Society on Thursday, October 17 at 4:00. Students will listen to animal themed books and complete a service project to benefit the animals at JHS. And if there are kittens available, they will bring them as well.
Looking forward to Open House! See you Thursday at 5:30.
