INSIDER
DCPS votes to consolidate several schools in revised Master Facility Plan
Read full article: DCPS votes to consolidate several schools in revised Master Facility PlanThe Duval County School Board will hold a final vote Monday night on the revisions to the Master Facility Plan that include the closure and consolidation of multiple schools in the district.
Douglas Anderson teacher reported for having OnlyFans page among 19 DCPS employees temporarily removed since August
Read full article: Douglas Anderson teacher reported for having OnlyFans page among 19 DCPS employees temporarily removed since AugustThe reports are the result of the districts 'Know the Line' campaign.
Duval County School Board approves Capital Plan, inching closer to making Master Facility Plan a reality
Read full article: Duval County School Board approves Capital Plan, inching closer to making Master Facility Plan a realityThe changes are part of the latest version of Duval County Public Schools’ Master Facility Plan.
DCPS alerting parents, staff at 6 elementary schools that they’re being considered for closure
Read full article: DCPS alerting parents, staff at 6 elementary schools that they’re being considered for closureThe changes are part of the latest version of Duval County Public Schools’ Master Facility Plan.
Some Duval County middle and high school students losing access to school bus transportation
Read full article: Some Duval County middle and high school students losing access to school bus transportationSome Duval County middle and high school students will be losing bus transportation in the upcoming school year.
A breakdown of just how much taxpayer dollars are going toward St. Johns County schools
Read full article: A breakdown of just how much taxpayer dollars are going toward St. Johns County schoolsSt. Johns County is giving us a closer look at how money is spent in the county and a lot of it is going toward education and schools. Five new schools are being built in the county. And when the school bell rings in the fall, students will be more spread out at these new schools.
Duval school district has new campaign videos, but will it recruit more students?
Read full article: Duval school district has new campaign videos, but will it recruit more students?Some teachers are concerned after the Duval County Public Schools district confirmed approximately 700 positions could be cut. A Duval County Public Schools video campaign comes as we’re learning more about the district’s process around potentially closing and consolidating more than two dozen schools, in the coming years.
Mental health platform sees hundreds of referrals from DCPS this school year
Read full article: Mental health platform sees hundreds of referrals from DCPS this school yearDCPS told the I-TEAM they are taking several steps to keep schools safe, including preventative measures such as mental telehealth services offered through their partnership with Hazel Health.
Duval County high schools recorded 510 fights last school year
Read full article: Duval County high schools recorded 510 fights last school yearAccording to Duval County Public Schools data, 510 fights recorded last year at Duval County high schools or on buses involving those schools. When the I-TEAM compared data from the first 60 days of this school year to the same timeframe last school, it appears the district is on track to see roughly the same number of fights by the end of the year.
Duval County school board presented with options for moving administrative building
Read full article: Duval County school board presented with options for moving administrative buildingAt a workshop Tuesday, the Duval County school board was presented with options for moving the district's administrative building.
Local, national organizations partner to recruit, retain teachers amid ongoing shortage
Read full article: Local, national organizations partner to recruit, retain teachers amid ongoing shortageAs the state of Florida continues to grapple with a shortage of public school teachers, some local districts are partnering with local and national organizations to advance recruitment and retention efforts.
'School choice' is culture-war focus for Kansas lawmakers
Read full article: 'School choice' is culture-war focus for Kansas lawmakersTop Republican legislators in Kansas are focusing on helping conservative parents remove their children from public schools over what’s taught about gender and sexuality.
Nassau County voters approve 1 mill property tax for schools
Read full article: Nassau County voters approve 1 mill property tax for schoolsNassau County voters approved a 1 mill increase in property taxes to raise money to attract and retain high-quality teachers and staff, and enhance art, athletics, safety and security for students. The county expects it would raise $13.7 million each year.
Ex-St. Johns County schools assistant coach accused of having sex with then-students
Read full article: Ex-St. Johns County schools assistant coach accused of having sex with then-studentsA former assistant coach who was employed by the St. Johns County School Board is facing two counts of sexual battery after two women -- who were then students -- came forward with allegations, according to an arrest report from the county Sheriff’s Office.
Proposed tax increase to benefit Duval County teachers & schools spotlights Tuesday discussion
Read full article: Proposed tax increase to benefit Duval County teachers & schools spotlights Tuesday discussionEducators and other community leaders gathered Tuesday evening for a discussion on the proposed tax increase for schools in Duval County.
Glynn County warns parents about driver shortage before first day of school
Read full article: Glynn County warns parents about driver shortage before first day of schoolThe first day of school for students in Glynn County started Tuesday and before the first bus rolled off the lot, the district issued a warning that things might be a little hectic.
Supreme Court: Religious schools must get Maine tuition aid
Read full article: Supreme Court: Religious schools must get Maine tuition aidThe Supreme Court has ruled that Maine can’t exclude religious schools from a program that offers tuition aid for private education, a decision that could ease religious organizations’ access to taxpayer money.
The price of school lunches is going up in some places -- and inflation isn’t the only driving force
Read full article: The price of school lunches is going up in some places -- and inflation isn’t the only driving forceNews4JAX spoke with an expert on the issue who says the expiration of a government waiver is also one of the main issues.
Duval County School Board reworks LGBTQ+ support guide, may notify parents of name change
Read full article: Duval County School Board reworks LGBTQ+ support guide, may notify parents of name changeA 37-page document, which describes itself as “a critical tool at a critical time,” is now under intense scrutiny within Duval County Public Schools.
Duval School’s ‘LGBTQ Support Guide’ is being reworked amid new state law
Read full article: Duval School’s ‘LGBTQ Support Guide’ is being reworked amid new state lawA 37-page document, which describes itself as “a critical tool at a critical time,” is now under intense scrutiny within Duval County Public Schools.
Attendance zone changes approved for advertisement by St. Johns County School Board
Read full article: Attendance zone changes approved for advertisement by St. Johns County School BoardThe five-member St. Johns County School Board approved advertising seven of the nine proposed changes to the school attendance zones of the county’s rapidly developing northside.
DCPS students to still have virtual learning option despite nixing of Duval HomeRoom
Read full article: DCPS students to still have virtual learning option despite nixing of Duval HomeRoomAn email sent to parents of Duval County Public Schools virtual students in elementary grades announcing a new, virtual learning option for the 2021-22 school year came only a few hours after the district announced Duval HomeRoom will not be offered in the fall.
Groups call for overhaul of Florida school voucher program, changes in Baker Act use
Read full article: Groups call for overhaul of Florida school voucher program, changes in Baker Act useThere’s a push in Florida to overhaul the system that gives students scholarships to attend private schools. The groups all say the use of school vouchers diverts badly-needed funds from public schools. “What we are fighting for is to keep public schools money in the public schools,” said Adora Obi Nweze, president of the Florida State Conference of the NAACP. But supporters of school vouchers argue they give parents other options besides public schools particularly when they’re low-performing. Several organizations want state lawmakers to prioritize public school funding and scale back the money going to private schools through vouchers.
Deal reached to get California children back in classrooms
Read full article: Deal reached to get California children back in classrooms(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The majority of California's 6.1 million public school students could be back in the classroom by April under new legislation announced Monday by Gov. Most students in the nation's most populous state have been learning from home for the past year during the pandemic. Instead, the state would set aside $2 billion to pay districts that get select groups of students into classrooms by the end of the month. Crucially, the legislation does not require districts to have an agreement with teachers' unions on a plan for in-person instruction. Districts that fail to have children back in classrooms before May 15 won’t get any money.
DCPS hosting more meetings on renaming some public schools
Read full article: DCPS hosting more meetings on renaming some public schoolsJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Duval County Public Schools is hosting another in series of community meetings over renaming Robert E. Lee High School, Stonewall Jackson and Joseph Finegan Elementary School, and Jefferson Davis Middle School. At least one organized group, Save The School Names, plans to attend the meeting and advocate for keeping Robert E. Lee the name of the high school. (An earlier version of this story incorrectly said that Save The School Names would protest outside. The district is following a step-by-step process, as follows:The first step which is on-going, schools considering a name change are holding community meetings to gather feedback. The advisory committee creates a list of possible names for the school community to vote on.
Ware County schools closing due to rising COVID cases
Read full article: Ware County schools closing due to rising COVID casesDue to a rise in COVID-19 cases among staff members, bus drivers and students, Ware County schools announced Tuesday that elementary and middle school students would not return to school for the rest of the week, starting the holiday break three days early. High school students will attend a half-day on Wednesday to take finals, then be out for the rest of the year. All Ware County school employees will report to work on Wednesday to perform a deep cleaning before being dismissed at 1 pm. Both Ware County middle schools went virtual last month due to staff members’ exposure to COVID. All Ware County schools are scheduled to reopen on Jan. 4.
Flu vaccines offered at schools through DOH partnership
Read full article: Flu vaccines offered at schools through DOH partnershipJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Duval schools is teaming up with the Department of Health (DOH) to set up in-school flu immunization clinics at schools beginning Nov. 30, according to Duval County Public Schools. Each weekday, between Nov. 30 and Dec. 18, DOH medical professionals will set up a clinic at different schools for a set number of hours. Participation is not mandatory, and only children who have a signed consent form from their parent will be eligible for a flu vaccine. For parents and guardians, who are un-insured and in need of a flu vaccination, please fluvaxjax.com and select “Get a Vaccine” and then “Click Here” to get a no-cost flu vaccine voucher through the #FluVaxJax program. More information is available on this Flu Vaccine Fact Sheet for children from the Duval County Medical Society.
8 schools, VA clinic among thousands of Clay Electric customers without power for hours
Read full article: 8 schools, VA clinic among thousands of Clay Electric customers without power for hours8 schools, VA clinic among thousands of Clay Electric customers without power for hoursPublished: September 25, 2020, 5:10 pmAn issue with Clay Electric knocked out power for almost 23,000 customers just before 5 a.m. -- nearly 10% of the utility’s customers.
Face masks required: Not in all U.S. schools, but it’s happening in Spain
Read full article: Face masks required: Not in all U.S. schools, but it’s happening in SpainMADRID – Masks will be mandatory for all students in Spain, ages 6 or older, when returning to schools in September because of increased coronavirus cases, the government announced Thursday. Previously, masks were only required for students above age 12 by some Spanish regions. Students will receive a daily body temperature check, must wash hands at least five times per day and classrooms will need frequent ventilation, the government said. That allows localized quarantines if there’s a positive test, rather than closing entire schools. Parents and teachers have expressed concern, with new waves of outbreaks since the country emerged from a strict lockdown.
A nationwide look: What’s happening at schools across the country?
Read full article: A nationwide look: What’s happening at schools across the country?Meanwhile, the largest district in the state that’s currently offering face-to-face instruction has now quarantined more than 1,150 students because of possible coronavirus exposure. According to numbers released Wednesday, around 70 students and staff members in the Cherokee County district have tested positive for COVID-19. Washington stateSeattle schools to start with remote teachingThe Seattle school board has voted unanimously to begin the academic year with remote teaching only. The Seattle Times reported the state’s largest school district approved the plan Wednesday. The remote learning plan passed with a wide-ranging amendment from school board members that directs the superintendent to explore creating outdoor classes.
Duval County School Board moving forward with plans to rename local schools
Read full article: Duval County School Board moving forward with plans to rename local schoolsJACKSONVILLE, Fla. The Duval County School Board will meet today to establish a procedure to move forward with the renaming of local schools. The board is already in the process of renaming 6 local schools named after Confederate generals. A crowd-funding campaign is expected to offset the costs of the name changes. The board said funds from the campaign would go to purchasing new signs, paint, team uniforms, and more. RELATED: $1M needed to rename Confederate-named schools in JacksonvilleThe school board will hold a workshop, committee meeting, and policy handbook review during todays meeting.
Facing uncertain fall, schools make flexible reopening plans
Read full article: Facing uncertain fall, schools make flexible reopening plansA sign alongside a playground at Hanna Woods Elementary School in the Parkway School District in suburban St. Louis indicates that the playground is closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, Saturday, July 18, 2020. Parkway has formulated a flexible plan to reopen schools when the fall semester begins Aug. 24. Just how bad the virus is at the time will determine if schools open completely, if they mix online and in-person classes, or if they are forced to go strictly virtual. (AP Photo/Jim Salter)
Gov. DeSantis says having kids go back to school is right move
Read full article: Gov. DeSantis says having kids go back to school is right moveRon DeSantis showed optimism, saying its a good idea and the children will be better off in school. The main thing is, Whats in it for the kids? DeSantis said. What harm is going to be done by continuing to keep them out of school? We know there are huge, huge costs for not providing in person school for our students, he said. There is significant cost not affording the opportunity for kids not having an in person education, DeSantis said.
Local control central to Florida’s plan to reopen schools
Read full article: Local control central to Florida’s plan to reopen schoolsRon DeSantis and Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran released the state’s recommendations for school districts to open in the fall, and it has largely been received positively by education groups. Ingram said the key takeaway from the plan is that districts will be able to decide what works best in their area. FEA criticized the plan for its high emphasis on the economic need to return to school, saying that student health should be the top priority. And with the state seeing ten straight days with 1,000 new cases, a fall reopening is far from guaranteed. In the event schools must return to distance learning, the state plan recommends districts use some of the federal funding to ensure all students have access to adequate technology and internet connectivity.
St. Johns County schools rolling out new courses
Read full article: St. Johns County schools rolling out new coursesSt. Johns County schools rolling out new coursesPublished: December 11, 2019, 5:37 pmVIDEO: St. Johns County is the latest school system to roll out new courses on sex trafficking, mental health, and drug abuse.
Which learning option is best for your child?
Read full article: Which learning option is best for your child?Parents have many options when it comes to what type of learning environment is best for their child. Public School: Public school is a free option for educating your child, as public schools are funded with tax money. Public schools accept everyone, so children who attend public school may learn with children from diverse racial and economic backgrounds. Private School: At a private school, parents have to pay tuition for their child's education. Online Public School: Online public schooling offers students the ability to work online with a teacher in a home-school setting.