Duval County School News

Five things to know for a successful School Showcase Saturday

School Showcase Saturday is right around the corner. Below are five things to help families prepare for both School Showcase Saturday (Jan. 7) and the opening of applications (Jan.1).

1. Enrollment hotline will be available – Have questions about enrollment? Enrollment specialists are here to help. The enrollment hotline will be open Jan. 3 – Jan. 27, from 7:30am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday. There will be special hours on Saturday, Jan. 7, from 9am to 2pm. The number is 904-3487777.

2. JTA ridership free for families – Thanks to JTA’s partnership with the district, families participating in School Showcase Saturday can ride JTA buses to schools free on Jan. 7. Each passenger will need to present a special boarding pass when they board the bus. The pass, which can be printed or downloaded on the phone, is available on the School Showcase Saturday webpage.

3. Know the tour schedule – Tours will be available at all participating district schools at the following times: 9am, 10:30am, 12pm, and 1:30pm. There is no need to pre-register. 4. Be prepared to ask these questions – Right now, there may be a dozen schools that you feel could be great for your child, but as you learn more, you will begin to narrow your list. For example, is there after-school care provided? As you take your tour and talk with school leaders, make sure you ask about the following: ● Enrollment requirements ● Before/after school care ● Transportation options ● Electives and special programs ● Clubs and sports ● Uniform requirements

5. Research schools using “School Show-

case 2023” – Before the event, families are encouraged to go on a “fact-finding” mission about the schools that interest them. A good tool for doing this is the “School Showcase 2023” portal where school info is gathered all in one place. Just visit the site and select “Exhibitor’s List” to view all participating schools. Families can even create a “My Show Planner” account to help them navigate the site, much like a shopping cart.

For more information, visit www.duvalschools. org/schoolshowcase.

Save the date for ‘School Showcase Saturday’ in January

Applications for VPK, magnet, and special transfer option schools open Jan. 1, ushering in the annual season where parents can identify and apply for the right educational option for their child for the upcoming school year.

To assist families, Duval County Public Schools is hosting a special “School Showcase Saturday” event on Jan. 7, 2023. All district schools will be open that day from 9am to 2pm for families to stop by and take a tour, talk with school leaders and educators, and learn more about the school.

There are plenty of steps parents can take to get ready. See below. ● Understand the process – Watch the “School Choice Countdown to the

Lottery” video to learn more about the process for applying to magnet schools, special transfer option schools, and

VPK programs. Families with questions can also email school_choice@duvalschools.org or make an appointment to speak with a school choice specialist. ● Start researching now – Visit www. duvalschools.org/schoolshowcase to start preparing for School Showcase

Saturday as well as exploring different schools and educational options for your child. You can search based on a specific program or theme such as dual

language, visual arts, or career and technical education. ● Know the application window – The application window opens Jan. 1 and closes Feb. 28. ● Remember that applications are online – When applications open on

Jan. 1, they will be located online in

Focus. Parents will log into Focus and look under forms where they will see an application for magnet schools, special transfer option schools, and VPK. ● Make sure you have a linked Parent

Account – This is essential because the VPK, magnet, and special transfer option applications are only available if the parent/guardian has a parent account that is linked to their student. Visit www.duvalschools.org/parentaccount for a step-by-step guide to creating a parent account and linking it to the student.

Note – Applying for a VPK, magnet, or special transfer option school is not a mandatory process. This primarily provides an opportunity for families who want to explore schools and educational options that are outside the school that their child is zoned for based on their child’s residence.

Finalists for the 2023 VyStar Duval County Teacher of the Year announced

Congratulations to five outstanding educators who have been selected as the five finalists for the VyStar Duval County Teacher of the Year for 2023.

“The 2023 group of finalists represents the depth of excellence among all Team Duval educators,” said Duval schools Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene. “It is interesting that we have veteran educators and teachers who are early in their professional journey. They represent different content areas and grade levels, but they all have one thing great educators have in common: They all love and care for children in such a way that they are willing to take every step necessary to meet every child’s learning needs.”

The five finalists are:

Katrina Bias (Deutsche Bank finalist) School: Garden City Elementary School Grade: 3rd-5th Subject: Varying Exceptionalities teacher Teaching Experience: 15 years teaching Quote: “I feel we can help students to develop to their maximum potential by facilitating a nurturing learning environment that will instill in the students [the desire] to become lifelong learners. It is never too late; the present is a wonderful place for children to be introduced to new opportunities and develop the ‘I can’ attitude. Exuding positivity towards your students is a must. There will be so much more buy in if they feel that you will have their back no matter how many tries it may take them to excel at a particular standard, skill, or lesson.”

Dr. Argel Hipol (Wells Fargo finalist) School: Westside High School Subject: Biology Teaching Experience: 12 years Quote: “I rise above challenges. Changing the narrative of this school is challenging, but I am inspired because I know I can make a bigger impact and difference here. I always believe that my role in this school is to be an instrument of hope, care, and love to my dear students and fellow teachers.”

Andrew Lodge (Florida Blue finalist) School: San Mateo Elementary School Subject: Music Teacher Teaching Experience: 3 years teaching Quote: “The biggest thing that inspires me as an educator is the students. I am an educator that will go beyond for his students. They have a place in my heart that only they can fill. No matter how much certain students try to get under my skin, they get everything I have. I just want to make sure they have a reason.” Julia Mayeshiba (VyStar Credit Union finalist) School: Andrew Jackson High School Subject: Math and Physics Teaching Experience: 4 years teaching Quote from colleague: “Julia folds her care and compassion into all her actions. The atmosphere in her room makes it abundantly clear that she believes all her students are worthy of love, praise, and is a teacher that sees the best in them regardless of their race, gender, history, test scores, or any other trait that our students possess. She is truly the best of us, and I am honored to call myself one of her peers.”

Ashley Watkins (Rotary finalist) School: J. Allen Axson Montessori Grade: 1st-3rd Subject: Inclusion teacher Teaching Experience: 9 years teaching Quote: “I believe in teaching the whole child. Creating a love of learning that is intrinsic is the greatest contribution that I can give my students and it is what inspires me as a teacher. One of my greatest joys is watching my children grow academically, socially, and emotionally throughout their three years in my classroom. In our classroom, students play a vital role in their education process.”

One of the five will be announced as the Teacher of the Year at the EDDY Awards on Feb. 10, 2023, at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront. The Teacher of the Year program is coordinated by JPEF with VyStar Credit Union serving as its title sponsor.

“We congratulate these teachers on being finalists for the VyStar Duval County Teacher of the Year,” said JPEF President Rachael Tutwiler Fortune. “It’s quite an achievement to be selected among the top five out of nearly 180 Teachers of the Year. We know the most important in-school factor to student success is teachers, which is why we want to support, elevate and celebrate the great work these teachers are doing.” For more information visit jaxpef.org or contact Amy Henderson at amy@jaxpef.org. JANUARY 2023 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 17