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2025 CHARACTER COUNTS! 6K/3K Run/Walk

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Join the CHARACTER COUNTS! Steering Committee for its 12th Annual CHARACTER COUNTS! 6K/3K Run/Walk on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 9 a.m. The run/walk will begin and end at Palencia Elementary School, located at 355 Palencia Village Drive, St. Augustine.

Walkers and runners will enjoy a course running through the neighborhoods of Kensington and Las Calinas and can choose to participate in the 6K (3.73 miles) or 3K (1.86 miles) distance.

Registration fees are as follows:

6K Walk/Run
$30 before January 1
$35 January 1 – 31
$40 on race day

3K Walk/Run
$30 before January 1
$35 January 1 – 31
$40 on race day

Register by December 31, 2024, to receive a race t-shirt and other give-aways from sponsoring businesses and community organizations!

Registration forms and more information are available online.

Race proceeds support CHARACTER COUNTS! initiatives throughout the St. Johns County School District (SJCSD). The run/walk is open to all ages, and the top three winners will be awarded in each of the age categories as well as the overall male and female finishers. A cash donation will be awarded to the schools with the most registrants. At the finish line, each race participant will receive a finisher’s medal.

This event is produced by the CHARACTER COUNTS! Steering Committee and is presented by Beaver Toyota with support from businesses and community groups. Action News Jax CBS47/FOX30 is the official media sponsor.

The SJCSD, along with area businesses, youth organizations and civic groups, selected the national character education program of CHARACTER COUNTS! as a countywide initiative to instill positive character traits in young people throughout the county. Additionally, the SJCSD became the first school district in Florida to implement Pursuing Victory With Honor in all of its athletic programs. Character education is an important part of every School Improvement Plan and a major component of the Student Code of Conduct and the school district’s Strategic Plan.

Visit RunSignUp.com to learn more and register.

2025 CHARACTER COUNTS! 6K/3K Run/Walk Read More »

District Personal Financial Literacy and Money Management Adoption Committee Meeting

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As a part of the District Personal Financial Literacy and Money Management Adoption process, a committee meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at 8:30 AM. The meeting will focus on Personal Financial Literacy and Money Management instructional materials at the high school level.

The meeting will be broadcast live online and may be viewed on the SJCSD Media Services YouTube channel.

Visit our Media Services Department website to learn more about the Instructional Materials Adoption process.

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Message from Superintendent Forson

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Dear St. Johns County Parents and Families,

All St. Johns County Schools will observe normal operations tomorrow. Any specific changes to school activities will be relayed by your school.

St. Johns County will be under a winter weather advisory late tonight into the morning tomorrow which includes freezing temperatures, rain and the possibility of ice on roads.

We will continue to work with the SJC Emergency Operations Center and staff to monitor the weather and will relay any changes to our operations through this mass-notification system.

Please stay safe and warm.

Sincerely,

Tim Forson
Superintendent

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Superintendent Search Community Survey

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The St. Johns County School Board is asking for input from the community on the leadership qualities desired in our next Superintendent. Your feedback is crucial in helping us identify the best leader to guide our district toward continued success. The Superintendent Search Public Survey, conducted by the Florida School Boards Association in collaboration with the St. Johns County School Board, is an essential part of this process. Your responses will help shape the application process and develop interview questions for candidates.

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Stakeholder Surveys

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St. Johns County School District invites staff, parents, and community members to share their input on three stakeholder surveys to assess the effectiveness of federally funded programs like Title I, II, and IV.

These surveys help ensure compliance with federal requirements, inform program improvements, and guide funding decisions to better support student success and equity. Your input plays a vital role in shaping programs that meet the needs of our school communities.

The surveys will be open from January 15, 2025 to February 12, 2025.

Share your feedback today!

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Spelling Bee Winner

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Sree Vidya Siliveri, an eighth-grade student at Landrum Middle School, won the annual St. Johns County School District (SJCSD) Spelling Bee held Wednesday at First Coast Technical College. She won by spelling the word “diocese” correctly. Sree Vidya is the daughter of Sreedar and Mangamma Siliveri.

It took 11 rounds for the winner to be determined. The participants were congratulated by School Board members Kelly Barrera, Dr. Linda Thomson, Tony Coleman, and Beverly Slough.

Forty-nine elementary and middle school students from 34 public schools and four private schools competed for the honor of representing St. Johns County in the First Coast Regional Spelling Bee scheduled to be held on Friday, March 7, 2025.

The winner of the regional spelling bee will advance to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee scheduled in May in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Rebecca England, SJCSD Program Specialist for Elementary Language Arts, served as the spelling bee coordinator and the pronouncer was Kate Houston, Program Specialist for Secondary Language Arts. Judges for the event were Linda Villadoniga, retired SJCSD teacher, Eilea Van Scoy, community member and SJCSD parent, and Cheryl Freeman, Director of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program.

The Spelling Bee is available for viewing on St. Johns Educational Access TV channels 99 or 262 and here on the SJCSD Website.

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Instructional Materials Adoption for Personal Financial Literacy and Money Management

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The St. Johns County School District has begun its review of instructional materials for Personal Financial Literacy and Money Management (Grades 9-12). These resources are chosen from the list of materials submitted to the Florida Department of Education (Instructional Materials).  

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

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 January 10, 2025. Committee spots are limited, and school administrators will select members from those interested. 

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High School Showcase

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High School Showcase 2024
December 11, 2024 from 3:30-7:00pm
Renaissance World Golf Village Resort

High School ShowcaseStudents and their parents are encouraged to attend the High School Programs of Interest Showcase from 3:30-7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 11th at the St. Johns County Convention Center, located at the Renaissance World Golf Village Resort.

Programs of Interest are offered to support a student’s interests, career plans, or advanced academic needs. A student who enrolls in a Program of Interest participates in theme-related classes over a multi-year period. Approximately 56 percent of high school students in St. Johns County are enrolled in various career and technical education pathways which include the Early Career Program and 28 Career Academies. Additionally, students may participate in other Programs of Interest options such as Junior ROTC, St. Johns County Center for the Arts, Advanced International Certificate of Education, International Baccalaureate and the Early College Program.

Students and staff from each high school will be available at the Showcase to provide information and answer questions about the Programs of Interest offered at their schools. Information about program requirements and registration will also be available. Any student who meets an individual program’s requirements and who can provide his/her own transportation may be approved to attend any high school, on a “space available” basis.

Program of Interest applications will be accepted online from eighth- and ninth-grade students residing in St. Johns County following the Showcase.  Space is limited in all programs and a lottery system is utilized to place applicants.  Priority is provided to students zoned for each school.  Priority is also provided to active military families who have provided their status with their current school.  Active military families should verify that their status is current by contacting their student’s school.

For additional information about SJCSD Programs of Interest, please visit the Career and Technical Education website.

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District Science Adoption Committee Meeting

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As a part of the Science Instructional Materials Adoption process, a committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at 8:45 AM. The meeting will focus on the subject areas of environmental science and chemistry at the high school level.

The meeting will be broadcast live online and may be viewed on the SJCSD Media Services YouTube channel.

Visit our Media Services Department website to learn more about the Science Instructional Materials Adoption process.

District Science Adoption Committee Meeting Read More »

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.

School-Related Employee of the Year 2024 Read More »

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.

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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!

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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

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