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2025

Come Drive the Bus With Us on Oct. 25

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On Saturday, October 25, from 8am to 11am, the St. Johns County School District Transportation Department will be hosting a unique recruitment event called “Come Drive the Bus with Us” at First Coast Technical College’s Public Safety Campus located at 3640 Gaines Road in St Augustine. This is more than an open house for interested bus drivers, but an opportunity to drive it before you apply for it!

Come meet school district team members and take a test drive in a full size school bus on our test track.

OneBlood’s “Big Red Bus” Bloodmobile and Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center’s mobile mammography
unit, the “Buddy Bus,” will also be on site during the event. See the flyers for details.

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GRMS Best Buddies

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GRMS Best Buddies

The Best Buddies chapter at Gamble Rogers Middle School received a special recognition during the School Board Meeting on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.

Now in its fourth year at Gamble Rogers, the Best Buddies chapter continues to thrive and grow stronger each year. Gamble Rogers Middle School ESE teacher Lori DuFrain has been honored as Advisor of the Year twice, and the chapter has earned the title of North Florida’s Chapter of the Year for two consecutive years. Most impressively, this past year, the chapter was recognized by the organization’s founder, Anthony Shriver, with the Outstanding Chapter of the Year Award—earning the distinction of being the #1 Middle School Chapter in the entire state of Florida.

The Gamble Rogers Middle School Best Buddies members are creating meaningful change—not just within the school, but throughout the community—by participating in service projects that support local organizations in need.

Best Buddies is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering inclusion through one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, and leadership development programs for individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Founded in 1989, the organization works to eliminate the social, physical, and economic isolation experienced by people with IDD by promoting connection and belonging in schools, workplaces, and communities.

Congratulations to the Gamble Rogers Middle School Best Buddies Chapter!

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In the Hall with Dr. Asplen

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Superintendent Dr. Brennan Asplen will host a series of town hall sessions, titled In the Hall with Dr. Asplen.  These sessions are designed to be interactive and provide attendees with the opportunity to share stories, suggest potential solutions and ask questions. Members from the St. Johns County School District executive leadership team will be in attendance as well. In the Hall with Dr. Asplen is open to the public.
  • Monday, September 22, 2025 – 6 p.m. Pedro Menendez High School
  • Tuesday, September 23, 2025 – 6 p.m. Ponte Vedra High School
  • Wednesday, September 24, 2025 – 6 p.m. Tocoi Creek High School
Media interested in attending should contact Executive Director for Community Relations Christina Upchurch at [email protected].

In the Hall with Dr. Asplen Read More »

Apply to Serve on the One-Mill Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC)

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The School Board is seeking applicants to serve on the One-Mill Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC).  This is a volunteer position whose purpose is to monitor and advise the School Board and the community as to the expenditure of the one mill proceeds.  The purpose of this millage is to ensure continued student achievement.  Each School Board Member will appoint three members and an alternate from their district, with two individuals being school district employees and two being community members.

Submit your application today at MillageSuccess.com. The application deadline is September 19, 2025.

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Opening Day 2025

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The student count for the St. Johns County School District (SJCSD) the first day of school, August 11, was 47,652, an increase of 214 students or 0.45% over last year’s first day number of 47,438.

The high school student count was 16,265 with 2,100 students at Bartram Trail High School, 2,277 at Beachside High School, 2,265 at Creekside High School, 1,280 at Pedro Menendez High School, 2,199 at Allen D. Nease High School, 1,843 at Ponte Vedra High School, 1,559 at St. Augustine High School and 2,585 at Tocoi Creek High School. There were also 157 students in attendance at St. Johns Technical High School.

Middle school attendance totaled 6,457 with student headcounts ranging from 590 at Sebastian Middle School to 1,479 at Pacetti Bay Middle School. The other first day totals were Alice B. Landrum Middle School with 845, Fruit Cove Middle School with 1,169, R. J. Murray Middle School with 631, Gamble Rogers Middle School with 749, and Switzerland Point Middle School with 994.

The district’s K-8 schools totaled 13,517. Liberty Pines Academy had a first day headcount of 1,542, Patriot Oaks Academy with 1,268, Valley Ridge Academy with 992, Freedom Crossing Academy with 1,144, Palm Valley Academy with 1,296, Mill Creek Academy with 1,774, Pine Island Academy with 1,854, Trout Creek Academy with 1,239, Lakeside Academy with 1,466 and Hallowes Cove Academy with 942.

The elementary school population totaled 10,504. This count only includes approximately 25% of all kindergarten students since schools stagger the kindergarten start date over a four-day period. Another 909 students attended the district’s alternative and charter schools.

SJCSD staff will continue to monitor attendance numbers, balance classrooms and refine bus routes in the coming weeks.

Opening Day 2025 Read More »

Welcome Back, SJCSD!

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Welcome Back, SJCSD! On Monday, August 11, our new Superintendent, Dr. Brennan Asplen, kicked off the first day of the 2025-2026 school year by visiting schools. Dr. Asplen shared his excitement for the year ahead and wished our students, families, teachers, and staff a year filled with learning, growth, and success. Here are a few pics from Gamble Rogers Middle School, W.D. Hartley Elementary, and Pedro Menendez High School. Here’s to making this school year our best yet!

Welcome Back, SJCSD! Read More »

District Library Material Objection Committee

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If you are interested in serving on the SJCSD Library Material Objection Committee, we invite you to submit your interest by completing the Objection Committee Interest Form.

To be considered for the initial committee, please complete the form and required training included on the form by September 11, 2025.

Please note: The form will remain open throughout the school year, and committee members will be selected at random.

We appreciate your willingness to support our schools and students!

Complete the District Library Material Objection Committee Interest Form

District Library Material Objection Committee Read More »

Graduation Schedule 2026

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The St. Johns County School District announces the schedule of 2026 graduation ceremonies for St. Johns County high schools and First Coast Technical College.

Thursday, January 29
5 p.m.
First Coast Technical College
FCTC, Bldg. C, CC! Conference Center (FCTC)
Monday, May 18
6 p.m.
Ponte Vedra High School
University of North Florida (UNF)
Tuesday, May 19
6 p.m.
Tocoi Creek High School
University of North Florida (UNF)
7 p.m.
St. Augustine High School
St. Augustine Amphitheater
Wednesday, May 20
6 p.m.
Bartram Trail High School
University of North Florida (UNF)
Thursday, May 21
6 p.m.
Beachside High School
University of North Florida (UNF)
6 p.m.
St. Johns Virtual School
FCTC, Bldg. C, CC! Conference Center (FCTC)
Friday, May 22
6 p.m.
Allen D. Nease High School
University of North Florida (UNF)
7 p.m.
St. Johns Technical High School
FCTC, Bldg. C, CC! Conference Center (FCTC)
Saturday, May 23
9 a.m.
Creekside High School
University of North Florida (UNF)
3 p.m.
Pedro Menendez High School
University of North Florida (UNF)
Thursday, June 25
5:30 p.m.
First Coast Technical College
FCTC, Bldg. C, CC! Conference Center (FCTC)

Graduation Schedule 2026 Read More »

Extreme Heat Protocols for Schools

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When outdoor temperature exceeds 85 degrees, school leaders will monitor and communicate decisions regarding outdoor activities for K-12 Physical Education, K-12 School Sponsored Activities, Recess and Extended Day. The heat index (“real feel/feels like”) will guide decisions.  What is heat index? How hot it feels to the body when the air temperature (in Fahrenheit) and relative humidity are combined.  Also known as “real feel” or “feels like.”

Heat Index Guide 

Designed to help protect students from incurring heat-related illnesses or problems, school personnel will reference the Heat Index Guide to modify and/or suspend outdoor activities. This guide applies to K-12 Physical Education, K-12 School Sponsored Activities, K-5 Recess and Extended Day.  High School Athletics and Marching Band must reference the Zachary Martin Act linked below.

  • heat index is less than 95 degrees – Normal outdoor activities
  • heat index is 95 to 98 degrees – Outdoor activities should be limited or may be cancelled
  • heat index is 99 degrees or above – Outdoor activities will be cancelled.

Playground equipment must be considered.  Is it too hot for students to touch?

Hydration should be encouraged frequently before, during and after outdoor activities.

Medical Conditions must be considered.

If students are outdoors, teachers should be aware of medical conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, allergies, medications, or other conditions which may place students at higher risk for heat-related illness. Students should not be outside if the parent has advised the school their child should not participate in outdoor activities due to the possibility of heat-related illness.

Sunscreen

Students may possess and use a topical sunscreen product while on school property without a physician note or prescription if it is approved by the United States Food & Drug Administration for over-the-counter use.

Athletics & Marching Band

All teams are required to follow the Zachary Martin Act.

Extreme Heat Protocols for Schools Read More »

Instructional Materials Review – Grades 9-12 Health and Physical Education

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The St. Johns County School District has begun its review of instructional materials for grades 9-12 Health and Physical Education (HOPE). These resources are chosen from the list of materials submitted to the Florida Department of Education.

You may access digital resources on EdCredible.com once they are available from the publisher (instructions for access available on this webpage).

Print Materials: Some printed materials might be available. You may review materials from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM when district offices are open. To access them or receive assistance with online resources, call 904.547.8900.

Get Involved: Parents and community members are encouraged to participate. If you want to join a school committee to serve on a review team, contact any school or call 904.547.8900 by September 5, 2025. Committee spots are limited, and school administrators will select members from those interested.

Instructional Materials Review – Grades 9-12 Health and Physical Education Read More »

Instructional Materials Review – K-12 English Language Arts

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The St. Johns County School District has begun its review of instructional materials for K-12 English Language Arts. These resources are chosen from the list of materials submitted to the Florida Department of Education.

You may access digital resources on EdCredible.com once they are available from the publisher.

Print Materials: Some printed materials might be available. You may review materials from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM when district offices are open. To access them or receive assistance with online resources, call 904.547.8900.

Get Involved: Parents and community members are encouraged to participate. If you want to join a school committee to serve on a review team, contact any school or call 904.547.8900 by Friday, September 5, 2025. Committee spots are limited, and school administrators will select members from those interested.

Instructional Materials Review – K-12 English Language Arts Read More »

Instructional Materials Review – K-12 Health and Physical Education

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The St. Johns County School District has begun its review of instructional materials for K-12 Health and Physical Education. These resources are chosen from the list of materials submitted to the Florida Department of Education.

You may access digital resources on EdCredible.com once they are available from the publisher (instructions for access available on this webpage).

Print Materials: Some printed materials might be available. You may review materials from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM when district offices are open. To access them or receive assistance with online resources, call 904.547.8900.

Get Involved: Parents and community members are encouraged to participate. If you want to join a school committee to serve on a review team, contact any school or call 904.547.8900 by <insert date>. Committee spots are limited, and school administrators will select members from those interested.

Instructional Materials Review – K-12 Health and Physical Education Read More »