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All Schools Closed on 8/30

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All SJCSD schools and district offices will be closed on Wednesday, August 30 due to the impending storm. Schools and district offices will operate as normal tomorrow, Tuesday, August 29 including Extended Day Programs. Scheduled afterschool, athletic and extracurricular activities will be canceled beginning Tuesday, August 29 through Wednesday, August 30. District administration is working with the St. Johns County Emergency Operations Center and will provide additional updates as necessary via SchoolMessenger and on our website.

Please note: Home Access Center will be unavailable from 5 p.m. on Tuesday, August 29, to 7 a.m. on Thursday, August 31.

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Extreme Heat Protocols for Schools 2023

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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.”  SJCSD will use the National Weather Service St. Augustine FL forecast as our resource for heat index temperatures.

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.

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Come Teach With Us

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St. Johns County is looking for teachers certified to join their workforce for the 2023-2024 school year!

We need teachers who are certified in the following areas:

  • ESE Varying Exceptionalities Teachers – Co-Teach and Support Facilitation
  • Self-Contained InD Teachers
  • Self-Contained EBD Teachers
  • Reading Teachers
  • School Counselors
  • World Language – Spanish and American Sign Language (ASL)
  • Math Teachers – Grades 5-9 and 6-12
  • Science Teachers – Grades 5-9 and 6-12
  • K-5 Teachers

If you are certified in these areas, please join us at an upcoming job fair so you can talk to the schools who have vacancies for the upcoming school year.

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Interim Director Named for FCTC

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Dr. Chris Cothron

St. Augustine, FL (August 2023) – First Coast Technical College (FCTC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Christine Cothron as their Interim Director. This appointment became effective on Monday, July 24, 2023. Dr. Cothron will serve in this esteemed position during the transition period as the search for a permanent Director continues.

With an exceptional track record in career and technical education, Dr. Cothron brings a wealth of experience and leadership to First Coast Technical College. Having previously held this prominent role from 1997- 2012, she is well-equipped to steer the college through this critical phase. Dr. Cothron received her Doctorate and Master’s in Educational Leadership, Master’s in Guidance and Counseling and Bachelor’s in Sociology from the University of North Florida.

“It is my pleasure to rejoin FCTC during this period and work with all the wonderful and knowledgeable staff who continue to assist in helping our students achieve their goals and dreams,” said Dr. Cothron.

Dr. Cothron is filling the position that Chris Force, FCTC’s Principal held since 2016. Ms. Force has moved to another role within the St. Johns County School District as a Career Academy Program Specialist at Bartram Trail High School. “Reflecting on the last seven years, I am most proud that the school is in a good financial position. At this time in my career, I am very excited to go back to my roots working with high school students and instructors. Bartram Trail has a strong history of exceptional career and technical education programs.”

According to Associate Superintendent Dawn Sapp, “We’re excited to have Dr. Cothron as Interim Director at FCTC.  Her professional history and leadership allow for a smooth transition period as we seek the next Director who will lead FCTC’s future growth, expansion, and continued success.”

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Free Meals for Students at Select Schools

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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:

  • Crookshank Elementary School
  • First Coast Technical College (FCTC VPK Program)
  • James A. Webster Elementary School
  • Ketterlinus Elementary School
  • Gamble Rogers Middle School
  • Mason Elementary School
  • Sebastian Middle School
  • Murray Middle School
  • Osceola Elementary School
  • South Woods Elementary School
  • St. Johns Technical High School
  • The Evelyn Hamblen Center
  • W.D. Hartley Elementary School

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Summer BreakSpot Free Meals for Kids & Teens

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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.

Find a Participating Site

View the flyer for details or visit SummerBreakspot.org

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Negotiations Update 2022-2023

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
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  • 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.

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Request for Community Input on Social Studies Instructional Materials

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edcredibleAs 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.

View the Selected Titles for Review

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