{"id":1715,"date":"2016-08-11T15:14:36","date_gmt":"2016-08-11T19:14:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.stjohns.k12.fl.us\/supt\/?p=1715"},"modified":"2019-07-12T07:49:50","modified_gmt":"2019-07-12T11:49:50","slug":"sr-8-11-16-volume-6-issue-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stjohns.k12.fl.us\/supt\/2016\/08\/11\/sr-8-11-16-volume-6-issue-1\/","title":{"rendered":"SR 8-11-16 Volume 6, Issue 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

On behalf of the School Board and district staff, I want to welcome all of you to the 2016-2017 school year. I hope everyone had the opportunity to relax and enjoy time with family and friends. A special welcome to families new to the district and to our more than 400 new staff members. We are fortunate to be one of the highest performing school districts in the nation and it is an honor to serve as your superintendent.<\/p>\n

The SJCSD is working closely with the Department of Health and Anastasia Mosquito Control, Division of St. Johns County, under the guidelines of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with regard to the Zika virus.\u00a0 Interim guidance has been developed by the CDC for district and school administrators in the planning of school-related activities, recommended actions, and appropriate policies for educating students and staff members for the continuation of school operations.<\/p>\n

Mosquito control measures on school grounds will focus on identifying and removing sources of standing water that can serve as mosquito breeding sites.\u00a0 Common sources on school grounds such as buckets, trash cans, planters, playground equipment, and spaces beneath modular structures will be regularly monitored by onsite Maintenance Managers.\u00a0 Processes to ensure these do not become mosquito breeding areas will include regular cleaning, turning over, tightly covering, or completely removing (if appropriate) these sources.\u00a0 The district will follow the direction of Anastasia Mosquito Control should insecticide spraying be indicated.<\/p>\n

In addition, we will temporarily modify the medication policy found in School Board Rule 5.15 to allow parents at the elementary level to bring insect repellent to the school with their child\u2019s name written on the container for application by staff before going outside.\u00a0 We will continue our policy for middle and high school students in that they may self-carry and self-apply insect repellent with written permission from the parent.\u00a0 Parents and staff members will be notified of any changes in policy and information will be accessible through the district website at\u00a0www.stjohns.k12.fl.us\/health\/zika\/<\/a>.\u00a0 This link also includes the CDC\u2019s recommendations for parents talking to their children about Zika.<\/p>\n

Our School Board has been focused on meeting the needs of our dramatic growth with the help of the half-cent sales tax including the construction of three new schools – one elementary and two K-8s. These schools will be in the fastest growing areas of the county. The elementary school will help to relieve overcrowding in the World Golf Village and the central county region and is scheduled to open for the 2017-2018 school year. The K-8 schools will relieve overcrowding for kindergarten through 8th grades at schools in northern St. Johns County \u2013 one in Nocatee and the other in Aberdeen. They are scheduled to open for the 2018-2019 school year.\u00a0 The schools will be funded through the voter approved half-cent sales surtax, school impact fees and proportionate share mitigation funds.<\/p>\n

The half-cent sales tax also paid for 800 MHz radios for all of the county\u2019s school buses.\u00a0 These radios will allow bus drivers to communicate directly with law enforcement in the event of an emergency and will enhance the safety of students on school buses. The radios were installed this summer on more than 230 school buses.<\/p>\n

A large part of the success of St. Johns County Schools comes from the continued focus on the classroom. Every effort is made to provide teachers and schools with the resources they need for creating an environment that ensures all students are on the path to success. Through evaluation, training and support, we continue to develop high-quality personnel who focus on student growth and achievement.<\/p>\n

Community and parent support, bright children and strong character-based leadership are major factors in our success. I am tremendously grateful for the high level of parent participation and support we receive as well as for the generosity of our business partners.<\/p>\n

Best wishes for an outstanding school year!<\/p>\n

Department Updates<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

Academic and Student Services<\/span><\/h2>\n

ACCOUNTABILITY AND INTERVENTION SERVICES<\/strong><\/p>\n

Exceptional Student Education (ESE)<\/strong><\/p>\n

2016-2017 Gifted Parent Advisory Council Meetings<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Tuesday, September 27<\/td>\nHickory Creek Elementary<\/td>\n6:30-7:30 p.m.<\/td>\nMedia Center<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Thursday, November 17<\/td>\nPalencia Elementary<\/td>\n4:30-5:30 p.m<\/td>\nMedia Center<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Thursday, February 23<\/td>\nHartley Elementary<\/td>\n5:30-6:30 p.m.<\/td>\nMedia Center<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tuesday, April 25<\/td>\nLandrum Middle School<\/td>\n6:30-7:30 p.m.<\/td>\nMulti-Purpose Room<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

In addition, there are more ESE parent workshops to be scheduled Second Semester. Information will be coming in future editions of the Superintendent Report and on the\u00a0ESE Website.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Federal Programs<\/strong><\/p>\n

Title I
\n<\/u>Title I, used for\u00a0improving the academic achievement of the disadvantaged, is designed to ensure that all children have a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain an education of the highest quality and achieve, at a minimum, proficiency on challenging state achievement standards and state assessments. The St. Johns County School District is allocated Title I funds to support schools with the highest percentages of children from low-income families. For the 2016-2017 school year, St. Johns County has six\u00a0elementary schools, three\u00a0middle schools and three\u00a0alternative schools designated as Title I schools.<\/p>\n

A Title I school-wide program is designed with the knowledge that there is a link between poverty and low achievement. The emphasis in school-wide program schools is on serving all students, improving all structures that support student learning, and combining resources, as allowed, to achieve a common goal. School-wide programs maximize the impact of Title I. This strategy results in an ongoing, comprehensive plan for school improvement that is owned by the entire school community and tailored to its unique needs.<\/p>\n

Title II
\n<\/span>Title II, teacher and principal training funds, will support the delivery of professional development for the 2016-2017 school year.<\/p>\n

Title III
\n<\/span>Title III, language instruction for limited English proficient and immigrant students, provides the district with supplemental funds for English Language Learners (ELLs) and immigrant students to assist them\u00a0with their cultural and academic transitions.<\/p>\n

Planning, Accountability and Assessment<\/strong><\/p>\n

Every school in the SJCSD has a School Advisory Council (SAC). The SAC meets monthly during the school year and assists the principal in making decisions related to the school budget and school improvement.\u00a0Parents, school faculty\/staff, and community members are encouraged to participate in their school\u2019s SAC. Please contact your school\u2019s SAC Chair for more information about getting involved.In addition, each school develops a School Improvement Plan (SIP). SIPs will be posted for the public to view at www.floridacims.org<\/a>\u00a0in September. Principals will present their SIPs to the School Board on September 28\u00a0and 29.<\/span><\/p>\n

The summer End-Of-Course (EOC) testing was completed last week. This testing window offers students an opportunity to retake, make-up or test for the first time in Algebra I, Algebra II, biology, civics, geometry, and US history. Most \u00a0secondary schools ran computer-based tests on both test platforms during the testing window.<\/p>\n

The department is\u00a0currently preparing for the Florida Kindergarten Readiness Screener (FLKRS) which begins the first day of school. The FLKRS is used to inform instruction and to provide pre-kindergarten program information.<\/p>\n

There will be a training webinar on Discovery Education (DE) assessments in late August to prepare school testing coordinators for\u00a0administering the first DE assessment. The first\u00a0DE\u00a0assessment is offered to\u00a0elementary and middle schools to provide teachers with initial information about students and is also used as part of the teacher evaluation scores in grades K-3.<\/p>\n

The district assessment calendar is complete and will posted soon.<\/p>\n

CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION<\/strong><\/p>\n

Instructional Resources and Media Services<\/strong><\/p>\n

Instructional Resources and Media Services is busy ensuring students and teachers have the resources needed to continue the tradition of academic excellence in St. Johns County. This includes print materials and digital resources. Visit the\u00a0website at www.stjohns.k12.fl.us\/media\/<\/a> and use the links to explore media resources and educational technology.<\/p>\n

Dual enrollment courses allow students to earn college credit while still enrolled as high school students.\u00a0 Students enrolled in the SJCSD may take courses on their school campus, on the college campus or with virtual classes\u00a0at no charge to them. \u00a0All costs associated with the courses are covered by the school district including tuition, fees and textbooks.\u00a0 Students interested in dual enrollment are encouraged to meet with their teachers and guidance counselors.<\/p>\n

Dual Enrollment textbooks are checked out (loaned) to SJCSD students through the Media Services Department located at 10 Hildreth Drive in St. Augustine.\u00a0 The phone number is (904) 547-3947.\u00a0 Students may pick up books for the fall semester\u00a0beginning the week of August 15. Textbooks will be issued weekdays 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (excluding holidays). All Dual Enrollment textbooks issued for the fall semester must be returned to the Fullerwood Center at 10 Hildreth Drive no later than<\/u> Tuesday, December 13, 2016, in order to avoid the $10 per book, per day late fee. \u00a0Students must bring a printed copy of their\u00a0schedule as proof of enrollment and sign the district\u2019s textbook checkout agreement form to receive books and other materials. Just a reminder that\u00a0Private, Home School, and Florida Virtual students <\/em>must purchase their books at the St. Johns River State Bookstore.<\/em><\/p>\n

Instructional Services – Elementary and Secondary<\/strong><\/p>\n

Year-at-a-Glance Pacing Guide
\n<\/span>The Year-at-a-Glance pacing guide is a document that informs parents and students of the recommended pacing and content standards for selected courses. It includes the topics to be taught week by week each quarter and a list of instructional resources. The Year-at-a-Glance is only a recommended pacing guide; school leaders and teachers make the final decision regarding the pacing of any program of study. The classroom teacher is always the best source of information regarding content and pacing. The Year-at-a-Glance is supplied as a model of one recommended path to the completion of a course.\u00a0 The Year-at-a-Glance is available at www.stjohns.k12.fl.us\/year-at-a-glance\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Parent Resource Guide
\n<\/span>The Parent Resource Guide is a great resource for parents that is revised annually and posted on the district\u00a0website at www.stjohns.k12.fl.us\/families\/<\/a>. The Parent Resource Guide explains what students will be learning at each grade level, registration, placement, promotion and retention, the standards, district and state assessments, grading, advanced academic opportunities, programs of choice, and available services, and much more.\u00a0 It also provides a number of\u00a0hyperlinks to other resources.<\/p>\n

Student Progression Plan
\n<\/span>The Student Progression Plan is a compilation of state statutes and district policies about placement, acceleration, assessment, promotion and retention, grading, graduation requirements, ESE and EL policies, support for students, and more.\u00a0 It is divided into elementary, middle and high school sections to make it easier to read.\u00a0 It is revised annually and posted on the district\u00a0website at www.stjohns.k12.fl.us\/families\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES<\/strong><\/p>\n

Health Services
\n<\/strong>
\n<\/strong> <\/u>The Health Services Department partnered with St. Vincent\u2019s Medical Center to provide free immunizations, school and sports physicals to St. Johns County students.\u00a0 The St. Vincent\u2019s Mobile Health Unit brought their medical team to Ketterlinus Elementary School on July 12 and 19 to assist families in meeting state mandated school requirements.\u00a0 Over 200 children received physicals and immunizations at no cost to their family.\u00a0 This will be an ongoing collaboration with St. Vincent\u2019s as the district expands\u00a0this mobile outreach.<\/p>\n

<\/u>Student Services <\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/u>The Student Service Department has been busy preparing to again serve the district’s\u00a0needy and homeless students by providing backpacks stuffed with school supplies, referrals for clothing and participating in community events to help address the needs of at-risk students.<\/p>\n

School Services
\n<\/strong>
\n<\/strong> <\/u>School Services recently hosted two in-services:<\/p>\n