Superintendent Spotlight – December 2018
Superintendent Spotlight – December 2018 Read More »
2018
FEMA Required Public Notice
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has received the subgrant application for St. Johns County Schools building repairs due to damages in Hurricane Matthew (DR‐4283‐FL‐PW‐00862). Pursuant to Executive Order 11988 and 44 CFR Part 9.12, final notice is hereby given of FEMA’s intent to provide funding for this project under the Public Assistance (PA) Program.
For more details, view the complete Final Public Notice which is also posted at the Main School Board Office located at 40 Orange Street and the Fullerwood Center at 10 Hildreth Drive in St. Augustine, FL, as shown below.
Main School Board Office
Fullerwood Center
FEMA Required Public Notice Read More »
Florida’s Graduation Rate Hits All-Time High
According to a Florida Department of Education report, our state’s graduation rate has reached a 15-year high. The St. Johns County School District rate is 93.3%. We are proud of our students, teachers and administrators for achieving this outstanding educational milestone. Congratulations!
Florida’s Graduation Rate Hits All-Time High Read More »
Mill Creek Academy Groundbreaking Ceremony
A group of 6th grade leaders at Mill Creek Academy break ground on the new construction at the school.
Mill Creek Academy Groundbreaking Ceremony Read More »
Learning Legacy Lifetime Achievement Awards
This year’s Learning Legacy Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients are Commissioner Paul Waldron and Mr. Vernon Davis. Thank you for your dedication to the school district and your commitment to the community. Joined by past Learning Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients Ponte Vedra Assistant Principal Mr. Guy Harris, Retired Assistant Superintendent Martha Mickler, Former St. Johns Tobacco Prevention Coordinator Nancy Birchall, and CPA Brad Davis.
Learning Legacy Lifetime Achievement Awards Read More »
STEM SPARK 2018
STEM SPARK was held on Saturday, October 20th, at St. Augustine High School. The event serves to make young women in grades 7 and 8 aware of possible careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) sponsored the event and this is the second year that it was hosted by St. Johns County School District.
FortifyFL App
Dear Parents and Families:
I am pleased to let you know that the FortifyFL app is now LIVE. Any student, educator, parent or member of the public can report school safety concerns directly to law enforcement and school administrators anonymously and easily through the FortifyFL app or getfortifyfl.com. The Florida Legislature directed the development of this tool through the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act.
The app, which is available for download on Apple and Android mobile devices, is critical to ensuring all Florida schools are safe environments where students and educators can experience and share the joy of learning without fear.
I encourage you to become familiar with this tool and learn more about its use and purpose.
Sincerely,
Tim Forson
Superintendent of Schools
St. Johns County School District
Message from the Superintendent – September 11, 2018
Dear Parents and Families,
I recognize that there has been some feedback and concern regarding the school safety videos that have been shown to all students and staff at our schools. I sincerely apologize for any stress or uncertainty that you may have experienced in anticipation of this activity. I do feel the videos are a vital instructional tool to help our students and staff be prepared should an emergency ever occur in one of our schools.
I would like to briefly share the purpose and structure of the videos. The SJSO worked with school district staff during the development and production of the active shooter videos to provide consistency of delivery throughout the district. These videos were used during a presentation by the St. Johns Sheriff’s Office (SJSO) and the school district on school safety. There were four videos designed to be age appropriate as well as a video specifically designed for school district staff. The videos instruct students and staff on ways to respond if there is an active shooter on campus. They include the “Always Rules” that have been posted on the district website at http://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/schoolservices/safety/ and the importance of staying as calm as possible. Also on the district website are resources for talking to your children about tragic events http://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/guidance/ if the conversation continues at home or in other settings.
Other elements of the videos I feel should not be shared as they were recorded in our schools, with our students and describe steps to be taken by students and staff. The need to keep them secure does not imply that SJSO or the school district wants to be secretive and not transparent. It does reflect our commitment to the highest level of safety possible and the need to protect our emergency operation plans. I want what each of you want, safe schools and well developed plans for responding to emergencies. I wish the need for these plans and activities did not exist, but in today’s world they are a necessity.
Please know your feedback is important as it relates to refining the training and information provided to our students and staff. I appreciate your continued support as we work to keep your children as safe as possible while in our care.
Sincerely,
Tim Forson
Superintendent of Schools
St. Johns County School District
Message from the Superintendent – September 11, 2018 Read More »
College and Career Night
On September 5th, secondary students and their parents had the opportunity to meet with more than 80 representatives from colleges, universities, technical schools and other organizations during our school district’s annual College and Career Night.
College and Career Night Read More »
AVID Signing Ceremony at SAHS
St. Augustine High School held its Inaugural AVID Signing Ceremony on August 31st. AVID is an advanced, college preparatory program for students who have the potential and individual determination to complete a pre-university course of study in high school.
AVID Signing Ceremony at SAHS Read More »
Graduation Schedule 2019
The St. Johns County School District announces the schedule of 2019 graduation ceremonies for St. Johns County high schools and First Coast Technical College.
| Friday, January 11 | ||
| 5 p.m. | First Coast Technical College (FCTC) | FCTC, Bldg. C |
| Tuesday, May 14 | ||
| 4:30 p.m. | St. Johns Virtual School | FCTC, Bldg. C |
| Wednesday, May 15 | ||
| 7 p.m. | St. Johns Technical HS | St. Augustine High School Auditorium |
| Wednesday, May 22 | ||
| 7 p.m. | Pedro Menendez High | St. Augustine Amphitheatre (SAA) |
| Wednesday, May 22 | ||
| 7 p.m. | Bartram Trail High | University of North Florida (UNF) |
| Thursday, May 23 | ||
| 7 p.m. | St. Augustine High | SAA |
| Friday, May 24 | ||
| 7 p.m. | Allen D. Nease High | UNF |
| Saturday, May 25 | ||
| 2 p.m. | Ponte Vedra High | UNF |
| 7 p.m. | Creekside High | UNF |
| Tuesday, May 28 | ||
| 4 p.m. | First Coast Technical College | FCTC, Bldg. C |
Graduation Schedule 2019 Read More »
Second-Day Student Count 2018
The student count for the St. Johns County School District (SJCSD) on day two, August 13, was 38,995, an increase of 1,656 students or 4.43 percent over last year’s second-day number of 37,339. St. Johns County continues to be one of the fastest growing school districts in the state.
The high school student count was 12,102 with 2,616 students at Bartram Trail High School; 2,255 at Creekside High School; 1,252 at Pedro Menendez High School; 2,521 at Allen D. Nease High School; 1,767 at Ponte Vedra High School and 1,691 at St. Augustine High School. There were also 275 students in attendance at St. Johns Technical High School.
Middle school attendance totaled 7,468, with student headcounts ranging from 690 at Sebastian Middle School to 1,431 at Pacetti Bay Middle School. The other second day figures were Alice B. Landrum Middle School with 1,214; Fruit Cove Middle School with 1,234; R. J. Murray Middle School with 710; Gamble Rogers Middle School with 887 and Switzerland Point Middle School with 1,302.
The district’s K-8 schools totaled 7,282. Liberty Pines Academy had a second-day headcount of 1,514; Patriot Oaks Academy with 1,370 and Valley Ridge Academy with 1,343. Two new K-8 schools also opened today; Freedom Crossing Academy (FCA) with 949 and Palm Valley Academy (PVA) with 1,188. Mill Creek Elementary transitioned to Mill Creek Academy (MCA) over the summer and had a headcount of 918. FCA, PVA and MCA all opened this school year as K-6 schools with plans to add seventh and eighth grades in subsequent years.
The elementary school population totaled 11,449. This count only includes approximately 50 percent of all kindergarten students since schools stagger the kindergarten start date over a four-day period. Another 419 students are enrolled at the district’s alternative, charter and Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) schools.
First Coast Technical College has 362 students enrolled in its adult education programs at the St. Augustine, Palatka, Barge Port and North campuses. This number does not include those students enrolled in night programs that start today.
“The hard work and dedication from administration, teachers and support staff to make opening day and the days that follow the very best resulted in happy students eager to learn and greeting their friends,” said Superintendent Tim Forson. “I am so proud of our students and staff and it is wonderful to be out in the schools to share in welcoming our students this year.”
“Transportation, food service, custodial and maintenance staff did are doing an excellent job handling their responsibilities and taking care of students. The St. Johns Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Securities personnel, Public Service Assistants and Crossing Guards are incredible in supporting our operations and adding another layer of safety and security to our campuses and surrounding areas. Lastly, I want to say a huge thank you to our parents and families as we manage the beginning of the school year.”
SJCSD staff will continue to monitor attendance numbers, balance classrooms and refine bus routes throughout the coming weeks.
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Second-Day Student Count 2018 Read More »
School Grades 2018
School grades released by the Florida Department of Education show that the St. Johns County School District continues to be a top performing district in the state and is one of only two that remains an “A” rated district. St. Johns County had 27 “A” schools, seven “B” schools, five “C” schools and one “D” school.
Fourteen elementary schools, four middle schools, all three of the district’s K-8 academies, four high schools, St. Johns Virtual Franchise and St. Johns Virtual Instructional Program all received a grade of “A” this year.
“I am extremely proud of the hard work and dedication of our teachers, administrators, support staff and parents in their efforts to ensure the success of our students,” said Superintendent Tim Forson. “Our school grades provide us the opportunity to celebrate areas where we are excelling and pinpoint those where we may need to apply additional resources and support.”
The elementary schools receiving an “A” are Cunningham Creek Elementary, Durbin Creek Elementary, W.D. Hartley Elementary, Hickory Creek Elementary, R.B. Hunt Elementary, Julington Creek Elementary, Ketterlinus Elementary, Mill Creek Elementary, Ocean Palms Elementary, Palencia Elementary, Picolata Crossing Elementary, PVPV/Rawlings Elementary, Timberlin Creek Elementary and Wards Creek Elementary.
The middle schools with an “A” are Fruit Cove Middle, Alice B. Landrum Middle, Pacetti Bay Middle and Switzerland Point Middle. Liberty Pines, Patriot Oaks and Valley Ridge academies received an “A” as did Bartram Trail, Creekside, Allen D. Nease and Ponte Vedra high schools. St. Johns Virtual School also received an “A”.
Otis A. Mason Elementary, R.J. Murray Middle, St. Augustine Public Montessori, Gamble Rogers Middle, Sebastian Middle, Pedro Menendez High and St. Augustine High schools received a “B” this year. John A. Crookshank Elementary, South Woods Elementary, and St. Johns Technical High schools received a “C” this year as did The Webster School and First Coast Technical College. Osceola Elementary School received a “D”.
Additional details and information can be found at http://schoolgrades.fldoe.org.
School Grades 2018 Read More »
See You Next School Year!
St. Johns County School District’s Character Counts mascot, C.C., bids farewell to students at Hickory Creek Elementary School on the last day of the 2017-2018 school year.
See You Next School Year! Read More »
St. Johns Virtual School Graduation 2018
St. Johns Virtual School Graduation, May 15, 2018
St. Johns Virtual School Graduation 2018 Read More »
St. Johns Technical High School Graduation 2018
St. Johns Technical High School Graduation, May 16, 2018
St. Johns Technical High School Graduation 2018 Read More »
Elementary Battle of the Books Winners
Congratulations to the PVPV/Rawlings Sea Turtles and Palencia Pirates on their hard earned wins at the 12th Annual Elementary School Battle of the Books which were held on May 8th and May 10th. The Northern Battle was held at Landrum Middle School and the Southern Battle at Gamble Rogers Middle School. We are extremely proud of the students for their participation in this literacy event. The students were well prepared, well behaved, and “well read”. We also appreciate all of the parents, peers, teachers, staff members, and administrators who supported our readers.
A special thank you to principals Ryan Player and Greg Bergamasco for hosting the events. Please acknowledge the media specialists, teachers and support staff for the time they took to create the questions, and to recruit, prepare and mentor the students from their schools. St. Johns County School District librarians are amazing and we are better because of them. Thank you to all of the school administrators for supporting your library media programs and specialists. Additionally, many school technology specialists, maintenance managers, and other employees pitched in to make this possible. Thank you!
Lorrie Cosgrove, Brock O’Shell, Amanda Bergamasco, specialists in the Instructional Resources and Media Services department, are the epitome of hard work and coordination. This event would have been impossible without their support. Thank you also to the amazing Media Services staff for their hard, behind-the-scenes work to support these efforts.
Next year promises to be as exciting as this year. View the lists of the new SSYRA books. Be sure to share the lists and encourage your students to read, read, read over the summer.
Elementary Battle of the Books Winners Read More »
Summer 2018 High School Facility Use
In an effort to promote community health and well-being this summer, the St. Johns County School District (SJCSD) will open its high school facilities to the public on select Wednesday evenings throughout the summer. Outdoor facilities at Allen D. Nease, Bartram Trail, Creekside, Pedro Menendez, Ponte Vedra and St. Augustine high schools will be open the following dates and times.
- Wednesday, June 6 6 – 8 p.m.
- Wednesday, June 13 6 – 8 p.m.
- Wednesday, June 20 6 – 8 p.m.
- Wednesday, June 27 6 – 8 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 11 6 – 8 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 18 6 – 8 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 25 6 – 8 p.m.
Access to the tennis courts, track and outdoor basketball courts will be encouraged. Access will NOT be provided to the gymnasiums, stadium fields, batting cages, baseball fields, softball fields, or multi-purpose fields. The facilities will NOT be open to any organized practices, games or sport-sponsored, fee-based training. Pets are NOT permitted. All St. Johns County School Board Policies will apply.
For more information, please contact the SJCSD School Services Department at (904) 547-7583 or visit the district website at https://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us.
Summer 2018 High School Facility Use Read More »
Teacher Appreciation Week
May 7th through 11th is National Teacher Appreciation Week, a time for honoring teachers and recognizing the lasting contributions they make to our lives. Please join us in thanking our district’s educators who work tirelessly to serve the students and families in our schools.
Teacher Appreciation Week Read More »