St. Johns County School District has announced an amendment to its policy for serving meals to students under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs for the 2023-2024 school year. All students will be served lunch and breakfast meals at no charge at the following sites:
Elementary school report cards are live in Home Access Center. Middle and high school report cards will be available in Home Access Center once end-of-course scores have been entered.
After schools close for the summer, kids and teens can still get free meals through Summer BreakSpot! No application is necessary, just show up to one of the thousands of meal sites across Florida.
Summer BreakSpot offers balanced breakfasts, lunches, snacks or dinner. Locations include places like parks, libraries and churches.
Summer BreakSpot is available all summer long for kids and teens 18 and under.
Find a location near you by texting the word “Food” or “Comida” to 304-304.
At the monthly St. Johns County School Board meeting on Tues., May 9 an impasse presentation was added to the agenda by Superintendent Tim Forson. Mr. Michael Spellman, PA, who has represented the district during the impasse process presented the Special Magistrate’s report focusing on inconsistencies, many of which could pose legal questions and financial issues for the district. At the conclusion of Spellman’s presentation, Forson stated that he would be recommending that the school board accept the recommended decision of the Special Magistrate which include the following:
Pay for Performance: Increases added to base pay
Highly Effective: $2,029
Effective and Grandfathered: $1,522 –
Increases the Associate Teacher beginning salary from $35,000 to $36,000.
He then asked that the chief negotiators for the St. Johns Education Association (SJEA) and the school district, to meet and determine collective understanding of the impact on the salary schedule due to the statutory requirements that come from these increases.
As of today, negotiations are complete with SJEA for the 2022-2023 school year. The ratification vote for instructional staff in SJEA will be held Wed., May 17 and Thurs., May 18. If ratified, the agreements will then go to the school board for a vote.
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. View the flyer for details.
View the winners of the 2023 All County Middle School Art Show. To see all of the artwork displayed in the show, please visit the St. Augustine Art Association’s website or view it in person until April 30, 2023 at the St. Augustine Art Association located in downtown St. Augustine.
As a part of the adoption process for Social Studies Instructional Materials, all St. Johns County residents are invited to complete an evaluation of the instructional materials being considered for adoption recommendation from April 3rd through May 1st.
To submit your evaluation, you will need to create an account at EdCredible.com and select the Social Studies Adoption for St. Johns County School District.
St. Johns County School District is presented with a rebate check from FPL during the March 13, 2023, School Board Meeting.
On March 13th, Florida Power & Light (FPL) presented St. Johns County School District with a rebate check totaling $872,328 resulting from energy efficient equipment installations at two schools.
Florida Power & Light (FPL) offers rebates for installation of more energy efficient equipment which is used to operate and maintain our school facilities. The installation of new energy efficient ice storage systems were recently completed at Pine Island Academy and Tocoi Creek High School. These systems enable our facilities to make ice at night, when utility power demand is less, thus reducing the monthly electric bills through more favorable off-peak energy rates. The School District commends the Facilities & Operations Department for their efforts in researching, planning, and executing these projects to significantly reduce the energy costs to the District. We also thank FPL for this incentive and the collaborative efforts in achieving these savings.
To learn more about St. Johns County School District’s efforts to conserve energy reduce costs, please visit our Energy Managementwebsite.
The St. Johns County School District is hosting a Transition Fair for students with disabilities, their parents and guardians. Local vendors and agencies who provide supports and services to individuals with disabilities will be available to share information about their programs and community resources.
Event Details
Tuesday, April 4th
5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
First Coast Technical College, Building C
Character Counts Conference Room
2980 Collins Avenue, St. Augustine, FL 32084
The St. Johns County School District has begun the review process for the Social Studies Instructional Materials Adoption. Once available for review, the digital resources will be posted on the Instructional Materials Adoption web page and available for review. The core resources that have been submitted for evaluation were selected from the state adoption consideration lists when available. Additional resources for advanced programs may be reviewed from materials listed as appropriate for the program indicated.
Some print materials may be available for review. If you would like access to the available printed materials or require assistance reviewing the online resources, please call the Instructional Resources and Media Services office at 904.547.3947. Materials are available for review from 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM when district offices are open.
We encourage parent and community participation in our adoption process. If you would like to serve on a school committee and formally review the resources as a part of the school review team, please contact any school or our office at 904.547.3947 by April 21, 2023. Committee membership is limited. School administrators will select the appropriate number of reviewers from the list of interested participants.
View the winners of the 2023 All County High School Art Show. To see all of the artwork displayed in the show, please visit the St. Augustine Art Association’s website.
For the 2023-2024 school year, the school start and dismissal times will change for some K-8 academies. The start and dismissal times will not change for elementary schools, middle schools, or high schools.
In short, Freedom Crossing Academy will go on to the same schedule as Pine Island Academy, and Liberty Pines Academy will go on the same schedule as Palm Valley Academy and Valley Ridge Academy.
For more details, visit the School Hours web page.
Please join the St. Johns County School District’s Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Parent Advisory Committee for a virtual discussion on “Improving Mental Wellness in Children and Families.”
When: Tuesday, April 4, 2023 from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Where: Virtually in Microsoft Teams
Presenters: Dr. Francesca M. Varallo Sims & Jarvis Paul Ramil from Baptist Health And Wolfson Children’s Hospital
Tracy Clauson of Sebastian Middle School, St. Johns County Teacher of the Year 2022-2023
Tracy Clauson, a Spanish language teacher at Sebastian Middle School was named the 2022-2023 St. Johns County District Teacher of the Year at a special recognition banquet on February 2. Melinda Gillespie, an elementary school teacher at Patriot Oaks Academy was named as the 2022-2023 St. Johns County Rookie Teacher of the Year.
Clauson is a seventh and eighth grade Spanish teacher at Sebastian Middle School with more than 12 years of teaching students in English, Spanish, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), and reading. As the New Teacher Lead for her school, Clauson facilitates monthly sessions to support teachers transitioning into their roles in the classroom. She created and hosts professional development training for fellow educators focused on student engagement and classroom management through her work with the Professional Development Certification Program (PDCP) and Clinical Education Training (CET). Clauson is also the district leader for middle school Spanish and a participant in the 2022-2023 Instructional Literacy Coach Academy.
Clauson’s teaching philosophy is based on the belief that a strong positive relationship with a student promotes learning and is fundamental to student success. Clauson educates her students through their thinking, pairing, and sharing, and uses collective skills and expertise for students to accomplish tasks.
“On behalf of all teachers, I am honored to be recognized among every person in education. Our students must be in classrooms that are joyful, interesting, and pertinent to their lives and development,” said Clauson. “I especially thank my husband and family for supporting me with my challenging work schedule, and my involvement and dedication to each and every student in the classroom,” she said.
Melinda Gillespie of Patriot Oaks Academy, St. Johns County Rookie Teacher of the Year
Gillespie, Rookie Teacher of the Year for 2022-2023, is a first-grade teacher at Patriot Oaks Academy. Inspired by the book Teach Like a Pirate, Gillespie implements new and creative lesson plans in the classroom to empower students and encourage an excitement for learning. In her social studies classes, she teaches students about the state of Florida by creating an edible map using a soft tortilla shell, icing, candies, and an edible pen to provide a “learning by immersion” method for students to be in charge of their own learning.
Gillespie recently received the honor of having her own classroom for the first time, with previous experience as an associate teacher and paraprofessional in the classroom. Her philosophy of teaching is that every child who enters her classroom will have a fair and equal chance to learn in a safe environment, and the tools to be the best human being they can be to better the world.
“I encourage my young students to know they are never alone in their education, and are safe to share their thoughts in school. Our classrooms are places for all teachers to acknowledge and carry out their duties as trustworthy professionals who help their students explore and learn,” said Gillespie. “I thank my husband and family for supporting my decision to become a teacher as my second career and I am grateful for the opportunity and honor.”
As Teacher of the Year, Clauson will represent St. Johns County at the State of Florida Teacher of the Year event in July 2023. She will participate in a yearlong professional development and leadership program with fellow Teachers of the Year from around the state. Clauson was also awarded an opportunity to lease or purchase a new car from Beaver Toyota St. Augustine and a $350 gift certificate from Staples. She will be inducted into INK!’s Teacher Lead Network to engage and collaborate with previous St. Johns County Teachers of the Year. As Rookie Teacher of the Year, Gillespie will receive $500 from Equitable and an opportunity to engage with INK!’s Teacher Lead Network.
Ninety-nine educators from each public school in the St. Johns School District and the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind were honored during the event hosted by Investing in Kids (INK!). Tim Forson, St. Johns County Superintendent of Schools, congratulated all honored educators for their professionalism and profound dedication to their students. More than 950 guests attended the program themed “We’re Wild About Teachers,” including educators from throughout the District, families, friends, students, local school district officials, and dignitaries.
According to Donna Lueders, INK!’s Executive Director, the annual Teacher of the Year program seeks to honor excellence in teaching within the St. Johns County School District and highlight the important role teachers play in the lives of students and the community. “We are honored to acknowledge and recognize our hard-working teachers for their professional accomplishments and unwavering commitment to our students,” said Lueders. “It is our goal to elevate the profession of teaching and demonstrate our support and appreciation for educators.”
Finalists for 2022-2023 Teacher of the Year include Amanda Devany, a teacher at Osceola Elementary School; Teresa McCormick, a seventh and eighth grade social science teacher at Valley Ridge Academy; Brianne Seplocha, a fifth-grade teacher at Picolata Crossing Elementary School, and Gomati Sutaria, a fifth-grade teacher at Liberty Pines Academy.
The St. Johns County Education Foundation, Inc., is a 501(c)3 education foundation, which operates as Investing in Kids (INK!). INK! promotes academic success for all St. Johns County public school students by providing innovative programs, teacher support, and classroom resources to benefit more than 50,000 students and approximately 3,200 teachers.
Students Rachel Marino and Katherine Russo won first place in the state for Best Documentary in Grades 6-8 during the 2022 Jim Harbin Student Media Festival. Their video titled The Effects of Social Media on Teenagers features research and interviews on the future effects of social media. Rachel and Katherine were students at Alice B. Landrum Middle School when they entered the contest and now attend Ponte Vedra High School.
The Jim Harbin Student Media Festival is sponsored annually by the Florida Association of Media in Education (FAME) to encourage students to communicate through media production and to recognize outstanding presentations. The competition includes 11 categories from primary through college. Productions must be entirely written and produced by students, including copyright clearance, and must not exceed seven minutes in length. Several thousand students participate each year at the local, regional, and state levels.
Parenting is one of the most important jobs we all have, yet we receive very little training for it. Conscious Discipline is an adult-based intervention with child-based outcomes. Through this social-emotional program, we learn how to “discipline” ourselves to help our children learn. Mark your calendars today!
Who Should Attend: Parents of Students PreK-2nd grade at Ketterlinus, Osceola, Otis Mason, R.B. Hunt, South Woods, Webster, and Hartley.
When: Thursday, March 9, 2023 5:30 Dinner 6:00—7:00pm Program
RSVP by Friday, February 24th. Include your child’s name, school, and grade level if you need childcare. One child per registered adult. Childcare is first come, first serve and will fill up quickly.
St. Johns County School District’s Calendar Committee has been meeting to draft the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 School Year Calendars. They are seeking community input on two given drafts for each year and would appreciate your feedback.
Middle School Art in the Capitol is a statewide visual arts contest that requires each school district to annually hold an art competition for all students in grades 6 through 8 attending public schools, private schools and home schools in Florida. The artwork is judged by a selection committee of artists or teachers whose students have not submitted work for the competition. The winning piece chosen, represents our school district in the State Capitol in Tallahassee during the 2023 legislative session.
The St. Johns County Education Foundation, Inc., is a 501(c)3 education foundation, which operates as 