2019

To celebrate St. Johns County School District’s 150 year anniversary, we will be highlighting historical facts about our school district during our regular School Board Meetings this year and on our website.

To celebrate St. Johns County School District’s 150 year anniversary, we will be highlighting historical facts about our school district during our regular School Board Meetings this year and on our website.

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) hereby gives notice to the public of its intent to reimburse eligible applicants for eligible costs to repair or replace facilities damaged by Hurricane Dorian beginning August 28, 2019 until September 09, 2019. This notice applies to the Public Assistance (PA) and Hazard Mitigation Grant (HMGP) programs implemented under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5121-5207.

Under a major disaster declaration FEMA DR-4468-FL signed by the President on October 21, 2019, the following counties have been designated adversely affected by the disaster and eligible for PA Categories: A, B, C, D, E, F, and G including Direct Federal Assistance: Brevard, Duval, Flagler, Indian River, Martin, Osceola, Nassau, Palm Beach, Putnam, Seminole, St. Johns, and St. Lucie.

Additional counties may be designated at a later date without further public notice. The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program is available statewide.

This public notice concerns activities that may affect historic properties, activities that are located in or affect wetland areas or the 100-year floodplain, and critical actions within the 500-year floodplain. Such activities may adversely affect the historic property, floodplain or wetland, or may result in continuing vulnerability to flood damage.

Presidential Executive Orders 11988 and 11990 require that all federal actions in or affecting the floodplain or wetlands be reviewed for opportunities to relocate and are evaluated for social, economic, historic, environmental, legal, and safety considerations. Where there is no opportunity to relocate, FEMA is required to undertake a detailed review to determine what measures may be taken to minimize future damages. The public is invited to participate in the process of identifying alternatives and analyzing their impacts.

FEMA has determined that for certain types of facilities there are normally no alternatives to restoration in the floodplain or wetland. These are facilities that meet all of the following criteria: 1) FEMA’s estimate of the cost of repairs is less than 50% of the cost to replace the entire facility and is less than $100,000; 2) the facility is not located in a floodway / Coastal High Hazard Area; 3) the facility has not sustained major structural damage in a previous Presidentially declared flooding disaster or emergency; and 4) the facility is not critical (i.e., the facility is not a hospital, generating plant, emergency operations center, or a facility that contains dangerous materials). FEMA intends to provide assistance for the restoration of these facilities to their pre-disaster condition, except where measures to mitigate the effect of future flooding or other hazards may be included in the statement of work. For example, a bridge or culvert restoration may include a larger waterway opening to decrease the risk of future washouts.

For routine activities, this will be the only public notice provided. Other activities, and those involving facilities that do not meet the four criteria, are required to undergo more detailed review, including study of alternate locations. Subsequent public notices regarding such projects will be published if necessary as more specific information becomes available.

In many cases, an applicant may have started facility restoration before federal involvement. Even if the facility must undergo detailed review and analysis of alternate locations, FEMA will fund eligible restoration at the original location if the facility is functionally dependent on its floodplain location (e.g., bridges and flood control facilities), or the project facilitates an open space use, or the facility is an integral part of a larger network that is impractical or uneconomical to relocate, such as a road. In such cases, FEMA must also examine the possible effects of not restoring the facility, minimizing floodplain or wetland impacts, and determining both that an overriding public need for the facility clearly outweighs the Executive Order requirements to avoid the floodplain or wetland, and that the site is the only practicable alternative. The State of Florida and local officials will confirm to FEMA that proposed actions comply with all applicable state and local floodplain management and wetland protection requirements.

FEMA also intends to provide HMGP funding to the State of Florida to mitigate future disaster damages. These projects may include construction of new facilities, modification of existing, undamaged facilities, relocation of facilities out of floodplains, demolition of structures, or other types of projects to mitigate future disaster damages. In the course of developing project proposals, subsequent public notices will be published if necessary as more specific information becomes available.

The National Historic Preservation Act requires federal agencies to take into account the effects of their undertakings on historic properties. Those actions or activities affecting buildings, structures, districts or objects 50 years or older or that affect archeological sites or undisturbed ground will require further review to determine if the property is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (Register). If the property is determined to be eligible for the Register and FEMA’s undertaking will adversely affect it, FEMA will provide additional public notices. For historic properties not adversely affected by FEMA’s undertaking, this will be the only public notice.

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 protects the civil rights of persons with disabilities. It prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by the federal government, federal contractors, and by recipients of federal financial assistance. Any recipient or sub-recipient of federal funds is required to make their programs accessible to individuals with disabilities. Its protections apply to all programs and businesses that receive any federal funds. This applies to all elements of physical/architectural, programmatic and communication accessibility in all services and activities conducted by or funded by FEMA. FEMA intends to comply with the Rehabilitation Act in all federally conducted and assisted programs in alignment with the principles of whole community inclusion and universal accessibility.

As noted, this may be the only public notice regarding the above-described actions under the PA and HMGP programs. Interested persons may obtain information about these actions or a specific project by writing to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency – Region IV – EHP, 3003 Chamblee Tucker Rd, Atlanta, GA 30341-4112 or via email to [email protected]. Please include in the subject line of the email, “DR-4468-FL EHAD”. Comments should be sent in writing at the above address within 15 days of the date of this notice.

Members of the R. J. Murray Middle School faculty recently made surprise visits to students’ homes to honor them as the “Top Dog Student of the Month” for the month of November. This award is given by the school for exemplary character and academics.

Students from the St. Johns Technical High School Academy of Culinary Arts under the direction of Chef Coleman fed the homeless of downtown St. Augustine on Thursday, November 21st.

The St. Johns County School District will celebrate “150 Years of Excellence in Education” on Tuesday, December 10, 2019, at 8:00 a.m. at the School Board’s Main Office located at 40 Orange Street in St. Augustine, FL. The public is invited to attend.

The event will include a social gathering at 8:00 a.m. and a presentation at 8:30 a.m.

St. Johns County School District Families,

The Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) is seeking student input on Career and Technical Education (CTE) as it is offered in the State of Florida.

The survey offers middle and high school students an opportunity to provide input about a their participation, experiences and opinions on CTE programs.

Public school students in grades 6 through 12 can take the 10-minute survey whether they are in a CTE program or not. Responses will remain completely confidential. Names and other identifying information will not be requested and all the results will be analyzed by FLDOE in such a way that responses will not be linked to an individual. You may participate in the FLDOE survey using the following link:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/B5GR6NS

The Make a Mark Award is a special award honoring teachers in St. Johns County that encourage their students to make their mark on the world. When a teacher invests in their students they can inspire them to persevere and not give up! A winner will be chosen each month from an elementary and a secondary school by students & community business partners.

Katie Bohatch is the September 2019 Make a Mark Award Winner for Middle School

Katie Bohatch is a wonderful middle school teacher at Valley Ridge Academy who teaches 7th grade ELA. She is warm and caring to her students while also expecting the very best in her classroom each and every day. We have had the pleasure of her class for both of our children. Katie has the ability to “mold to the child”….accommodating each child’s learning style and unique skills. She makes these young adults feel confident and she shows them how to enjoy reading! Her unit on the Outsiders is amazing. She reaches these kids….at an age when almost nothing can spark them….she ignites in them the love of books and how these stories can teach them to grow. I have seen Katie herself grow as a teacher and strive to be the very best in her career. I can see how the students respect her and look up to her. She leads by example and I couldn’t be more proud of my children’s growth and of Katie!

Jennifer Peters-Smith is the September 2019 Make a Mark Award Winner for High School

Jennifer Peters Smith graduated from Pedro, went to college at Flagler and went back to teach at Pedro. She is constantly thinking of her students- working often nights and weekends on projects and goals for her classroom. The students are always on her mind. She has spent summers in Uganda helping teachers there expand curriculum and sponsored a teacher from Uganda to live with her here and shadow teach. She has innovative ideas and tries to make her class relevant and interesting to her students. She lives and breathes teaching and so deserves this recognition.

Friday, January 17
5 p.m.              First Coast Technical College (FCTC)            FCTC, Bldg. C

Tuesday, May 12
4:30 p.m.         St. Johns Virtual School                                 Virtual Graduation

Wednesday, May 13
7 p.m.              St. Johns Technical High School                    Virtual Graduation

Tuesday, May 19
7 p.m.              Creekside High School                                   Virtual Graduation

Wednesday, May 20
7 p.m.              Ponte Vedra High School                               Virtual Graduation
7 p.m.              Pedro Menendez High School                       Virtual Graduation

Thursday, May 21
7 p.m.              St. Augustine High School                             Virtual Graduation

Friday, May 22
7 p.m.              Allen D. Nease High School                          Virtual Graduation

Saturday, May 23
2 p.m.              Bartram Trail High School                             Virtual Graduation

As a result of school closing due to Hurricane Dorian, St. Johns County School District will adjust the master school calendar for this year. On the 2019-2020 school calendar, Monday, October 14 is scheduled to be a teacher planning day, but in order to provide satisfactory instructional minutes, it will be a regular school day with students in attendance.

The Make a Mark Award is a special award honoring teachers in St. Johns County that encourage their students to make their mark on the world. When a teacher invests in their students they can inspire them to persevere and not give up! A winner will be chosen each month from an elementary and a secondary school by students & community business partners.

Courtney Johnson Named the August 2019 Make a Mark Award Winner for Elementary School

W.D. Hartley Elementary School first grade teacher Courtney Johnson won the INK! (Investing in Kids) Make A Mark award in August. Courtney always teaches straight from her heart. She shows students how to learn, play, love, respect one another, have dignity in themselves, show pride, and care. She shows compassion and never frustration. Courtney will go above and beyond to help parents and children with social development, homework, and projects.

She is so passionate about education. She continues to seek grants and raise awareness for educational products and projects that will stimulate students learning environment. She keeps it fun and exciting while teaching true life skills along with the required curriculum.

Congratulations, Courtney! You are INK-credible!

Kristen Meidling is the August 2019 Make a Mark Award Winner for Middle School

Nomination essay written by Mary Alice Hayes

In the month of June Kristen Meidling volunteered for the Summer FLY program at the Woodlawn Terrace Community. She came once a week for 3 weeks to teach the children sign language. She made learning fun through dancing with songs she taught them in sign language, and teaching them their names, as well as common phrases used. The children laughed and were delighted to learn! Kristen even brought her own young children to participate and help out. Each week, she brought a little gift to give to the children who participated. Kristen was a delight to work with and made a huge contribution to the Summer FLY program. For this reason, I think she should be nominated for Make a Mark!

Suzanne Stauble is the August 2019 Make a Mark Award Winner for High School

Nomination essay written by Claudia Dencer of Leonard’s Studio

Ms. Stauble is an amalgam of love and inspiration for hundreds of students and alumni at St Augustine High School. Not only is she a dynamic Spanish teacher, she leads the Interact program, taking students on a journey of service Above Self, and the Link Crew, who makes sure freshman feel welcome and become involved. Ms. Stauble always makes time for her students and creates an atmosphere of trust and always keeps her students engaged. I know that just recently she helped rally her Interact students to make an exchange student feel like he was not only welcome but a part of the SAHS family. She rallied her Interact Club and drove the students to locations to help during the last two hurricanes. Last year she orchestrated a food drive that fed the homeless of St Johns County. Students lined up to mentor younger students on packing meals ready for the cause. In her off time she schedules community clean ups, fundraisers and education initiatives to further the reach of all community service projects. I do not know how she does it… she balances it all and students desire to be apart of her ever glowing atmosphere. It is my honor to nominate her for the Make A Mark award. There is no doubt in my mind she deserves this moment as she is always going above and beyond the call of duty in everything she does for SAHS and the community.

Nominate a teacher who is making a mark on our students. Go to INK-stjohns.org and select “Make A Mark.”

Generation WOW founder, women’s pro basketball pioneer & former WNBA president, Donna Orender, recently spoke to students at Pedro Menendez High School about her book, WOWsdom – The Girl’s Guide to the Positive and the Possible.

Due to Hurricane Dorian, the release of interim grades will be delayed. First quarter interim grades will now be available on Friday, September 13.

The St. Johns County School District is hosting a districtwide orientation Friday, August 9 from 8-11 a.m. Orientation is an opportunity for students and parents to get supply lists, receive class schedules and meet teachers.

While many schools have scheduled orientations on other dates and times, staff will be available at all schools Friday, August 9 from 8-11 a.m. Parents are encouraged to call or visit the school website to verify any changes in orientation and open house dates.

The district, including schools, is currently operating on summer hours 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. These summer hours are in effect until Friday, July 28.

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 has consistently remained an “A” rated district. St. Johns County had 31 “A” schools, seven “B” schools, one “C” school and one “D” school.

Fourteen elementary schools, four middle schools, all six of the district’s K-8 academies, five high schools, St. Johns Virtual Franchise and St. Johns Virtual Instructional Program all received a grade of “A” this year.

“Our students have benefitted from the hard work and dedication of our teachers, and I am extremely proud of their efforts,” said Superintendent Tim Forson. “Our school grades reaffirm that our focus and resources are applied to help our students succeed. They also provide the opportunity for us to hone in on areas and schools that may need additional support in the coming year.”

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, Ocean Palms Elementary, Osceola 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, Alice B. Landrum, Pacetti Bay and Switzerland Point. Freedom Crossing, Mill Creek, Liberty Pines, Patriot Oaks, Valley Ridge, Mill Creek, Freedom Crossing and Palm Valley academies received an “A” as did Bartram Trail, Creekside, Allen D. Nease, Ponte Vedra and St. Augustine 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 South Woods Elementary schools received a “B” this year. John A. Crookshank Elementary School received a “C”, and St. Johns Technical High School received a Maintaining rating this year. The Webster School received a “D”.

Additional details and information can be found at http://schoolgrades.fldoe.org.