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November 2024

School-Related Employee of the Year 2024

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Congratulations to Anthony Major, job coach at the Life Work Program, who has been named the 2024 SJCSD School-Related Employee of the Year! Anthony’s selection was announced at the annual SREY reception on November 20th at Beachside High School. His nomination will be sent to the FLDOE to compete at the state level.

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FortifyFL Parent Training

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In a letter sent to all Florida superintendents, the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) now requires school districts to provide instruction on the Proper Use of FortifyFL to parents and guardians. This new requirement comes in response to a high volume of false tips being submitted through FortifyFL.

FortifyFL is a mobile app and web-based tool that allows students, parents, and community members in Florida to anonymously report suspicious activities, potential threats, or safety concerns related to schools. The app immediately forwards these reports to appropriate law enforcement agencies and school officials for rapid response.

It was developed as part of Florida’s school safety initiatives following the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School tragedy in 2018.

FortifyFL
View the Parent Training Presentation

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Potential Attendance Zoning Changes for K-8 School “PP”

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A School Board Workshop and Town Hall meeting are scheduled to discuss potential Attendance Zoning changes to create a new attendance zone for K-8 School PP.  The K-8 Academy is under construction and planned to open for the 2025-2026 School Year.  K-8 School PP is located within the RiverTown development on the corner of RiverTown Main Street and Grand Bridge Drive.

The meetings will take place as follows:

  • Tuesday, November 19 at the School Board Workshop immediately following the School Board Reorganizational Meetings to be held at 9 a.m. This meeting will be in person and in a Virtual format on WebEx.Instructions to join the virtual School Board Workshop will be posted on the District’s website.The public may also attend the meeting in person at the St. Johns County School District Auditorium located at 40 Orange Street, St. Augustine, FL32084.
  • Tuesday, November 19 at 6 p.m. in person at Bartram Trail High School Auditorium located at 7399 Longleaf Pine Parkway, St. Johns, FL32259.

The proposed zoning plans will be released and discussed at the School Board Workshop, along with an opportunity for the public to provide comment.  The same presentation will be made at the Town Hall Meeting.  School Board members and district staff will be in attendance both meetings.

At this time, the proposals for attendance zone changes are expected to impact elementary, K-8 and middle school students in the county.  These proposals are expected to impact the current attendance zones and students at Cunningham Creek Elementary, Freedom Crossing Academy and Switzerland Point Middle School.

Potential Attendance Zoning Changes for K-8 School “PP” Read More »

No Early Release on Wednesdays Starting on November 13, 2024

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Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused students to miss five days of instruction. Three of these days need to be made up.

The first hurricane make-up day was Veterans Day on Monday, November 11.

To make up the remaining instructional time, the following ten Wednesdays will be full instructional days and will no longer be early release Wednesdays:

  • November 13, 2024
  • November 20, 2024
  • December 4, 2024
  • December 11, 2024
  • December 18, 2024
  • January 8, 2025
  • January 15, 2025
  • January 22, 2025
  • January 29, 2025
  • February 5, 2025

The regular early release Wednesday schedule will resume February 12 , 2025.

No Early Release on Wednesdays Starting on November 13, 2024 Read More »

Family Engagement Month Spotlight Event

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W. D. Hartley Elementary School kicked off Family Engagement Month with a lively “Breakfast and Bingo” event where 5th graders and their families gathered for a morning filled with food, fun, and multiplication facts! Over breakfast, students and parents teamed up for bingo, reinforcing math skills in a way that was both interactive and enjoyable. This event truly exemplified our commitment to strong school-family partnerships, setting the tone for a month dedicated to connecting with our families. With the support of our engaged parents, the Hartley Hawks are soaring higher than ever, proving that together, schools and caregivers can achieve great heights for our students in St. Johns County!

Family Engagement Month Spotlight Event Read More »

A Message of Gratitude

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Dear St. Johns County School District Families, Residents, and Staff,

I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for the residents of St. Johns County. In the most recent 2024 general election, this county made an investment in the future of our children, the employees of SJCSD, and the quality of life locally. There is nothing more important than the children in our communities and the decisions that were made at the voting booth this year ensured vital resources in the schools of SJC.

By approving the renewal of the half-cent sales tax, both residents and visitors will support the construction of new state-of-the-art facilities, new safety and security assets, high-quality technology, and the preservation of our current school campuses. Students will continue to benefit from the best learning resources because this community is invested.

The commitment to the 1 mill increase in property tax is recognized as another clear message that public schools in SJC are valued. Thank you to all residents for your individual support to recruit and retain the highest quality workforce in our school system and to enhance the programs that support the children in this county.

This is a very special place to live and raise a family and the decisions made this week by the voters of SJC are paying it forward for the children who live and play here. Our future is bright and the SJCSD is committed to providing the same high level of education for years to come.

Together,

Tim Forson
Superintendent of Schools

A Message of Gratitude Read More »

Honoring Our Veterans

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With students now in school on Veterans Day on Monday, November 11, a wide variety of events have been planned throughout the school district to honor veterans and teach students about the importance of the holiday.

While the list below is not a complete list of activities and events taking place at our schools, all schools will be supplementing their regular instruction on Veterans Day with lessons that honor and celebrate veterans.

Elementary Schools

Osceola Elementary School

Classrooms at Osceola Elementary are scheduled to bring in guest speakers.

Ketterlinus Elementary School

Ketterlinus will be doing a fundraiser for the “Home for Heroes” Program.

South Woods Elementary School

South Woods creates a veteran wall in its hallways each year to recognize family and friends who served or have served in the Armed Forces.

Hickory Creek Elementary School

Hickory Creek creates a Veteran Wall of Recognition in its main hall.  The school chorus also hosts a Veterans Day performance.  All service men and women who are a part of the Hickory Creek community are invited to the performance. Light refreshments are also served.

PVPV-Rawlings Elementary School

PVPV-Rawlings’ Veterans Day events include:

  • Instruction on the branches of the military
  • Guest speakers (parents) that are in the military or have served come to classrooms
  • Making cards and writing letters to veterans
  • Themed art projects (service men/women, branches of military, patriotic, poppies)
  • 1st graders completing a project where they interview an armed forces member, complete a template with information, and add a photo or drawing of their person. The front hallways are decorated with red, white, and blue where the projects are displayed.

Wards Creek Elementary School

Wards Creek will have its 2nd Annual Veterans Day Parade from 8:45am-9:45am on Friday, November 8th. Veterans and their families are invited to walk around the bus loop while all the Warrior family is dressed in red, white, and blue. The school’s PTO then invites the veterans to our courtyard for refreshments.

A photo will be taken from the rooftop of a portable classroom of students spelling out U.S.A. in red, white, and blue.

K-8 Academies

Patriot Oaks Academy

Veterans Day concert with first graders.

Liberty Pines Academy

This year will be our 16th annual Liberty Parade where we cater a continental breakfast for our local Veterans and then celebrate them through our presentation of all students singing a variety of songs to them directly one grade level at a time. We will end the celebration with all 1,800 students singing “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood. It is a wonderful event. We also have a bulletin board with our staff and family pictures of those who have served or our currently serving.

Pine Island Academy

A Veterans Day Concert will be held on November 7 at 6:30 p.m.

Middle Schools

Alice B. Landrum Middle School

Landrum will be having a special luncheon for veterans who work at the school. The morning announcements will also include a Veterans Day commemoration.

Gamble Rogers Middle School

Social studies classes at Gamble Rogers will show a brief video, complete a “Kahoot,” and then have students write letters to soldiers. The “Hugs for Soldiers” organization will send the letters to soldiers overseas. Students are also given the option to write their letter to a veteran in their own life.

The school will also make a video of students thanking veterans which will be shared with the V.F.W. near the school.

Pacetti Bay Middle School

Veterans Day events at Pacetti Bay will include:

  • NJHS members will be dropping artwork at the Clyde E. Lassen Veterans Home.
  • Classroom instruction with veteran stories and district curriculum
  • A “Wall of Veterans”

Fruit Cove Middle School

Fruit Cove’s Veterans Day events include:

  • Reading about Veterans Day and creating a news report about the origins of Veterans Day and the reasons it is celebrated.
  • Showing a video from the approved curriculum
  • Completing an escape room about Veterans Day
  • School-wide, student-led, door decorating contest honoring veterans

High Schools

Tocoi Creek High School

On October 25, during the last home football game at Tocoi Creek, past and current military members were recognized with a special moment of silence, and an honorary flag raising by a military member.

Creekside High School

Creekside High School will host a luncheon for its staff members who are veterans. Student clubs will also create personalized cards for staff members who are veterans. In additional, the school’s news crew will run a clip recognizing and thanking veterans for their service.

Ponte Vedra High School

On Friday, November 8, Ponte Vedra High School is hosting its campus veteran employees for lunch and creating signage for their classroom doors.

Also, on Monday, November 11, staff and students may participate in a dress-up day where everyone on campus is encouraged to wear red, white, and blue or shirts of their favorite armed service.

Allen D. Nease High School

Nease High School’s Veterans Day events include:

  • The NJROTC hosting a Veterans Appreciation Lunch on November 7 in the NJROTC Conference Room.
  • Small flags on display in the front of the school. The JROTC will help with set up and take down.
  • A “WIRED TV” production featuring the veterans who work at Nease.
  • A Veterans Day display set up in the media center.

Honoring Our Veterans Read More »