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Contents August 2016
12
features
10 12 14
16 18 24 25
25
5 Tips for Organizing a Smooth School Year Common Cents: Surviving Back-To-School Shopping
22
kids in the kitchen 30
24
Last Blast of Summer!
education 20 21 34
St. Johns County After School Directory St. Johns Schools Master Calendar St.Johns County School News
health “Mompreneur” Charlene Michaux
22
Back-To-School Favorites
every issue
Classroom Connections How To Rock Family Night Fashion: Back-To-School in Style
31 32 36
Back-To-School - A Healthy Start
Reel Life with Jane Movie Reviews St. Johns County Libraries August Calendar of Events
On The Cover
Coming Up...
Peyton
September 2016
Photo by:
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Working Moms/Ultimate Baby Issue Hispanic Heritage Celebrate Grandparents Childhood Obesity
www.stjohnsparent.com / August 2016 • 5
with
What’s New in Print & Online
St. Johns Parent
Save The Date! September 11th, 2016! DAYTONA BEACH RESORT/ OCEAN WALK VILLAGE
New In Schools, On Newsstands & Online
Prizes & Giveaways • Family Fun Zone • Cutest Kids Cover Contest Live Demonstrations • Bounce Houses • Facepainting, and much more!
Interested in Exhibiting? Call (386) 437-0300 email: events@bradymediainc.com www.ultimatebabyshowerandtoddlerexpo.com
Special Child A quarterly magazine dedicated to special needs families and care-givers. Parents and caregivers of children with special needs often face a whole different situation and set of challenges and joys. They require more resources, education and support. Special Child Magazine is a resource dedicated to providing just that. Filled with educational articles, local resources, easy-to-use directories, product reviews, shopping guides and much more. Special Child Magazine does the research and provides the resources available in our area for special families. Special Child Magazine will give you all the tools you need to be informed and proactively parent and care for your special child, Our expert advices helps you make the best decisions that are right for your family. Inside you’ll find: product reviews; local resources; ask an expert; recopies’ DIY decor ideas and much, much more!
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Parent to Parent Publisher / Editor Charlene Michaux charlie@bradymediainc.com 386-547-0161 Associate Editor Deb Wind 386-299-6684 debwind@bradymediainc.com
Mom, and Brady Charlene Michaux Publisher/Editor charlie@bradymediainc.com Welcome new school year! A fresh start for all the students entering their next level of education. Summer is over. Where did it go? I know for me it seems to fly by faster and faster every year. Imagine how the kids must feel as they prepare to return to a more disciplined schedule by shopping for their new school supplies, new backpacks, etc. It can be exciting and stressful all at once. So I hope your family enjoyed their summer as much as ours did, because now it’s time to get back to work! This issue we have great articles to help you prepare for the new school year, from organizing your new schedules, to beating the dreaded head lice (ok, no one wants to talk about it, but we’ve all been forced to deal with it). We have also put together a comprehensive list of after school care facilities. There are sure to be a few in your community worth checking into! Of course, as with every issue, we provide movie reviews, a comprehensive calendar featuring local events, and local library information. On a side note, be sure to save the date! On September 11, 2016 we are hosting the 7th Annual Ultimate Baby Shower & Toddler Expo! Sponsored by Halifax Health and held at Hilton Daytona Beach Resort Ocean Walk, this year's expo is jam packed with all the things you’ve come to love about the show. Booth space is selling out fast, so please reserve your space before it’s sold out! This is a great venue for you to gain stellar recognition for your company. Visit http://www.ultimatebabyshowerandtoddlerexpo.com/ for up to the minute information. If you can’t find what you’re looking for or need more information concerning levels of sponsorship, please email me at charlie@bradymediainc.com. We are accepting sponsors for this event, so act now! Now, sit back, take a few minutes, and enjoy our ‘Back to School’ issue. And here’s wishing “good luck” to all of our wonderful students this year!
Charlie
Account Executive Julia Fuentes 386-302-8905 julia@bradymediainc.com Photography Marina Pierre 386-283-8005 marina@marinas-photography.com Contributing Writers Jami Oles, HHP Christina Katz Lisa A. Beach Deb Wind Judy M. Miller Amy Lukasik Flagler Parent, Volusia Parent, and St. Johns Parent Magazines are published by Brady Media, Inc. and are copyrighted 2008. Brady Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission from Brady Media, Inc. is prohibited. Flagler Parent and Volusia Parent reserve the right to reject advertisements or listings that are not in keeping with the publication’s satndard. Submissions are welcome, but the publisher assumes no responsibility for the return of unsolicited materials. Flagler Parent and Volusia Parent do not endorse or assume responsibility for information, products, services or statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. The Flagler County or Volusia County School Boards are not affiliated with these publications in any manner, nor do they endorse ro assume any responsibility for any of the information or advertisements contained in therein.
Brady Media, Inc. 800 Belle Terre Parkway, Ste. 200-207 Palm Coast, FL 32164 (386) 437-0300 Office (386) 246-2950 Fax www.BradyMediaInc.com Proud Member of
8 • August 2016 / www.stjohnsparent.com
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feature
5 Tips for Organizing a Smooth School Year
by Judy M. Miller
School has started for most kids. If you are like me you may have discovered that, although you had the best of intentions, you fell behind as soon as the hustle bustle of the new school year began. Don't become frustrated, overwhelmed, or throw in the towel yet. Instead, follow these organizational tips that have worked for me and other parents year after year.
Create Command Central In our home, Command Central is in the kitchen. We congregate here for breakfasts and dinners so this space works for us. Our Command Central consists of a master calendar, a file box with folders, and several drawers of school supplies. The file box contains a file for each child and a file for me. I staple lined paper to the front of each folder. The lined paper is for important dates and reminders. These are checked off when they are completed. The folders also hold "Back to School" night information, such as class lists and rules; permission slips for study trips; exams; quizzes; artwork; and other correspondence from teachers-some handwritten and others printed off from the computer. I go through each folder at the end of the term, adding the no-longer-needed paperwork to our recyclables. I hold onto any artwork until the end of the school year and
make a decision, with the help of my child, on what to keep and add to his or her keepsake bin.
Revolve Around a Master Calendar I like being able to add the entire school year's important dates for school and extracurricular commitments as soon as they are available. This helps immensely with planning and avoiding scheduling conflicts. Each of my kiddos is assigned a color for the master calendar. The color matches their file folder. Red is reserved for me because it signals "priority"-such as keeping an eye on my child's performance in a certain subject he finds challenging or writing a check for school pictures. As far as the type of master calendar, I prefer a large "Mom" calendar, one which I can add my kids' names to. Their names appear when I flip to the coming month. Even in the era of electronic tools and
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apps I prefer the physical. The master calendar is a great visual for helping kids understand and appreciate the dynamics of pulling together as a family to make things run as smoothly as possible. Kids can view their school project due dates and exam dates; doctor, dentist, and orthodontist appointments; social events, like sleepovers; extracurricular activities, like sporting events; and school breaks. The colored markers are kept in a pencil holder close to the master calendar, ducttaped and marked "MC" in permanent black marker so that they are returned to Command Central if inadvertently taken.
Go Through Last Year's Leftovers Consider the supplies that can be reused/recycled, donated, or disposed of. What supplies do you have? What is the condition of last year's leftovers? Are your
glue sticks dried out? What are you out of? Have the dry erase markers gone AWOL? What do you need? Make a shopping list. Replenish. Organize the supplies in the drawers so that they can be easily found. Consider buying dividers that fit into the Command Central drawers to separate extra pens, notebook paper, notebooks, folders, binders, binder dividers, sheet covers, note cards, highlighters, pens, pencils, colored pencils, crayons, glue, erasers, rulers, dry erase markers, permanent markers, sticky notes, paper clips, rubber bands, and more.
Dedicate Space for a Homework Station We had a dedicated homework area close to the kitchen until our kids were old enough to do their homework independently. While preparing dinner I encouraged my kids to focus on and complete their homework until they could do it without my cheerleading. Now they all do their homework at their desks in their rooms. Go over Internet safety with your child, and check in regularly. Many kids are expected to be online for homework and research. Resources via the Internet are wonderfully accessible, but hazards lurk everywhere. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires that sites collecting informa-
tion from children ages 13 and younger comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Read more about how COPPA is designed to protect children at www.copa.com.
Prepare the Night Before and Take Advantage of Weekends My kids are sleepy heads. They race against the clock every morning as they eek out the last minutes of sleep. They arrive at the breakfast table half asleep. To combat this, my kids shower and lay their clothes out the night before. They also ready their backpacks and sports bags the night before, along with their shoes and jackets, if necessary. What do they pack? Homework, fully charged laptops, clean and empty water bottles, snacks and fruit, and the needed and clean athletic gear. If my kids forget something, and they often do, it is typically in the vicinity of Command Central. And they can grab it easily because of the organization. Confusion and stress are reduced. Weekends are when I do laundry. I also make meals plans, with the enthusiastic input from my kids. We take a look at the week ahead so that we can visualize and talk about it. Some weeks are busier than others. We go over the organizational tools and tweak them where we need to.
Remember the benefits of being organized while you are in the process of implementing and honing your organizational tools: • Your kids learn time is finite. • School becomes a priority. • You take control over your family's schedules. • You have a place to find the information and paperwork you need, easily. • You save money because you are not duplicating supplies. • You make efficient use of your dedicated space. • Your kids learn the much needed life skill of organization. Organization is key in helping you minimize or alleviate the stress of keeping up with your child's chaotic schedule of schoolwork and extracurricular activities. You will discover these tips to be even more helpful if you have more than one child. www.stjohnsparent.com / August 2016 • 11
feature
Common Cents:
Sanity & Money Saving Tips To Survive Back-To-School Shopping by Christina Katz
School is not the only place where children learn. Parents and children can learn a lot about life and each other by tackling the back-to-school preparation process together. Whether you start preparing for back-to-school on July 5th or a few days before the first bell rings, these tips will help you keep you all smiling from start to finish. Clear The Way Try to have each child's room purged of outgrown items and re-arranged to suit their new grade prior to the start of school. Work on this with your child to help start mentally transitioning into backto-school mode. Pay special attention to setting up a homework station where each child can spread out with homework supplies within reach.
Measure Each Child Don't do a bunch of shopping before you realize how much your kids have grown. Get your tape measure out and check heights and assess chest, waist and hip sizes. Once you get to the shoe store, compare shoe sizes to last year. Don't forget that a pair of feet can be two different sizes. This will also save you time in dressing rooms and help you choose clothes and shoes in appropriate sizes in the first place. Children are often
proud of growing but changing sizes can sometimes be unwelcome news for them to discover in the dressing room. Prepare to be a tactful and encouraging presence while trying things on, if you want to avoid upsets, especially during the middle school years.
Shop At Home First Hand-me-downs may be disappointing to kids, but some items survive the use of older children and are still in good shape for sisters and brothers the next year. Items younger kids may not object to include notebooks, binders, pens, paper, notecards, etc. Collect all the useable school supplies at the end of each school year and keep them in a bin until the new school year starts. If you have a flexible younger sibling, a lightly used backpack or lunch bag may even be acceptable. But when younger siblings desire items that express their own identify,
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don't force them to inherit. Donate old supplies instead and start over.
Delay Clothes Shopping Surely each of your children will need a few new things before school starts, but the sales won't begin in earnest until after the first day of school. There is plenty of money to be saved if you can wait to purchase larger items later in the shopping season. Besides, fall fashions are usually for cooler temps that are still several weeks or even months away. This is also a good opportunity to check out how fashions fare at your children's respective schools before you finish shopping. For example, middle school students may no longer wish to shop at a store that was perfectly popular during elementary school. If you do shop early, save receipts and keep tags on clothing until after the first day of school, just in case your child has a change of heart.
Become A Joiner
Create Homework Storage Setting up a storage system for graded work and art can keep items tidy for each student throughout the year and make sorting papers easier at the end of the year. Middle school students and older can learn how to use an accordian file to store their completed schoolwork. If students are too young for filing papers by class or subject, set aside a plastic bin for each child to toss all schoolwork that has been returned by the teacher. Then at the end of the year, you can sit down with each child and sift through what to save and what to toss. Only save items your child is most proud of that show academic and imaginative development. And don't save every scrap of paper and artwork in the long run. Display oversize artwork for the summer, then take photos and dispose of it before the new school year begins.
Update The Memory Binder Use one 2-inch binder for each child to hold their academic certificates of accomplishment, awards, team photos, participation letters, etc. Keep extra sheet protectors at the ready inside. Store these somewhere where each child can access theirs and when something new is to be added to the binder, let them add it. This gives them a moment to look back over what they have accom-
plished and reflect on their successes. If you keep this folder updated from Kindergarten through senior year, it will serve as a tangible reminder of their high points, which can boost confidence. Finally, when it's time to apply for colleges or other merit-based programs, the contents of the binder can be put to practical use and may even inspire essay ideas. We use a nice leather binder to make this binder more special than other organizational binders.
Water Bottle Sense Many schools either require or suggest that students carry their own water bottles. This is a great habit for children and one that will serve them the rest of their lives. In addition to keeping bodies and minds hydrated, water bottle carrying can discourage the consumption of sugary beverages. However, when it comes to keeping track of water bottles, consider the ages and levels of responsibilities of each child. In eighth grade, my daughter's water bottle has made it through the entire year for the very first time. Buying a young child an expensive water bottle may not be a good use of your money. Also important: look for water bottles that won't leak. As children get older, bottles will stick around longer and then you can justify spending a bit more.
Chances are good your school sells clothing and items in school colors with school mascots emblazoned on them. Collecting some branded materials may make your child feel more like part of the school. This can be especially important when starting a new school. However, follow the same rule as clothing shopping and don't purchase school wear until classes start. Kids don't want just any old t-shirt, they want the schoolwear that works best for them whatever that means to them. Perhaps offer to spend a certain amount on school items to be spread out among t-shirts, gym clothes, lanyards, water bottles, etc. throughout the year. Don't forget, while budgeting, school groups and teams usually encourage the purchase of such items to boost camaraderie.
Choose Your Battles We often toss this expression around as parents, and back-to-school is a good time to put it to use. With my daughter, our biggest debate is typically about brand names. Once she sees the proof that other kids are wearing expensive name brands, she wants them, too. But this is where I draw the line. We don't sacrifice our budget for slick marketing campaigns. I explain to my daughter that she may look for the over-priced items at gently used stores but she may not spend even her own money on a $50 t-shirt or a $100 pair of jeans. I can't reconcile these prices with our family's values. Besides, this is a real-life opportunity for us to discuss how marketing and advertising influence consumer spending. Your back-to-school battles may be different, but go ahead and choose them, and use them as springboards for raising your child's awareness on topics that matter to your family. www.stjohnsparent.com / August 2016 • 13
feature
Meet
Charlene Michaux founder, Brady Media, Inc.
by Deb Wind
Charlene (‘Charlie’ to all who know her) Michaux is one of those moms you meet and just want to ask -”how do you do all that you do and still have such energy?” Mom to Brady, her son who is 8 years old now, is the inspiration behind the name of her company ‘Brady Media’. Charlie is a modest mom, who like many of us faced the challenge of going back to work after her son was born. She wasn’t prepared to go back to her full time job after the birth of her son. That was in 2008 along with the birth of her first publication Flagler Parent Magazine. What motivates this ‘Mompreneur’? Her passion for a product that connects like minds together through her publications Volusia, Flagler and St. John's Parent Magazines. Her vision was and continues to bring together the everyday challenges that we face doing a job that we treasure most, being a Mom. Her publications are a place where we can learn, grow, love, be inspired,
and realize that there probably isn’t a moment that we’ve thought we’ve been alone in, then found a connection through her magazines. There’s a story out there of another mom who has faced the same challenges you have. That is what brings us all together. The simple realization that we’re all in this together. We need each other and we’re here for each other. The most challenging and rewarding job we women will ever have is being a mom. Charlie relies on these challenges and allows them to inspire her. “Challenge. It knocks us down and sometimes drives us backwards, but I don’t let that stop me, I pick myself back up and move forward towards my goal”, says Charlie. I met Charlie while working at a local Chamber of Commerce. I felt a connection instantly with her. I knew that this was a woman who had a genuine motivation to inspire other woman. It isn’t easy raising a family and relying on your own
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business to support your everyday needs. Charlie is woman who sees past the obstacles in her way and keeps moving forward. With the birth of Flagler Parent in January 2009, followed by Volusia Parent in October 2009, and most recently St. John’s Parent in August of 2013, Charlie is working on her new publications, Special Child and Florida Baby. Stay tuned for details! Charlie is earnestly working hard to bring every MOM the content they are looking for in whatever stage of parenting they may be in. Last year, Charlie formed The Parent Magazine Foundation. The Parent Magazine Foundation is a not-for-profit, Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3) corporation chartered under Florida Statutes. Thier mission statement is ‘Through education and advocacy, The Parent Magazine Foundation will provide parents the best information and resources available to assist them in the most important job in the world – PARENTING!’. Still in its baby stages, it is the hope and the dream of this foundation to foster and nurture the current needs of parents in the communities it serves. Charlie is a member of all the local Chambers. Being a mom is a full time job in itself, but Charlie manages to get out into the community to meet local folks, business community, and attend local charity functions. She was recently chosen by the City of Flagler Beach Commissioners to oversee and manage their beloved Fabulous Fourth Celebration this year. All of the production work to bring in the sponsors, exhibitors and food vendors.. from the decor of the food court area, kids play area, to live music all three days. She also inspired Vern Shank from Surf 97.3 to bring movie night back in the park and will continue working with him on future events, Surfin’ Saturdays, details coming soon. “I loved every sweat drenched minute of it! I can’t wait to produce another large festival for our community”! said Charlie. Event planning is second nature to Charlie and is her second passion. She will pour her heart, soul, and sweat into making every event she works on a monumental success. What you may not know about CharlieShe likes superhero cartoons, She was born on Vandenberg AFB, California, and she likes old classic country music. If you have never met Charlie, next time you see her at a local event, charity drive, or at one of the many events she’s hosting, pop over and introduce yourself. You’ll be greeted by her welcoming genuine nature and feel like you’ve just met an old friend you haven’t seen in awhile.
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Back-to-School Favorites Picks from our staff that we know you’ll enjoy!
Book Spotlight
My Weird School Special: Back to School, Weird Kids Rule! “A.J.’s peppy account, the teachers’ comical antics, plentiful hyperbolic humor, and cartoonlike illustrations make for an entertaining, fast-paced read that will draw series fans.” Age Range- 6-10 Years, Grade Level1-5, Published by: Harper collins Price from: $4.00
The Top 10 Ways to Ruin the First Day of School Grade 3-5 - Fifth-grader Tony Madison is a magnet for trouble. Irrepressible, unstoppable, and outrageous, he is constantly thinking up ways to make it on to David Letterman's show. He has his own collection of stupid human and pet tricks that he is sure will be his ticket to New York. After trying each new prank, he writes to the talk-show host and includes a top-10 list detailing his stunts. Age Range- 4-8 Years, Grade Level- Preschool – Grade 3, Published by: Harper Festival, Price from: $5.99
5 of the Best Apps for Back-to-School Callbot Automated Calling Callbot will call a group of contacts for you in minutes to deliver a personally recorded voice message right from your iPhone. Simply make a group from your contacts, and then record your own voice message, then let Callbot make all the calls for you. FREE iOS7 iPad, iPhone
Artkive – Save Kids’ Art "An app you can't live without…the book they made of my kid's artwork is absolutely amazing!" $4.99 iOS6 iPad, iPhone
If You Take a Mouse to School If you take a mouse to school, he'll ask you for your lunch box. When you give him your lunch box, he'll want a sandwich to go in it. Then he'll need a notebook and some pencils. He'll probably want to share your backpack, too . . . Age Range- 4-8 Years, Grade LevelPreschool – Grade 2, Published by: Harper Collins, Price from: $11.95
Splat the Cat: Back to School, Splat! This is a nice little book - about 20 pages. It tells of Splat the Cat's homework assignment on his first day back from summer vacation. He has a hard time with it, but once he thinks about it, he figures it out. And in the process, he discovers a nice little lesson about valuing his sibling. Age Range- 4-8 Years, Grade Level- Preschool – Grade 3, Published
Pinterest Spotlight
How to Organize a Backpack School supply lists will soon be on websites, in stores and in mailboxes. School will be in session before we know it and that means it’s time to shop for school supplies. Before you head out with list in hand there are a few things you should keep in mind when it comes to school supplies and organization. Once you’ve selected the appropriate backpack follow these tips to organize your child’s backpack to help them stay organized and on track for a successful school year. https://www.pinterest.com/volusiaparent 16 • August 2016 / www.stjohnsparentparent.com
Digital Tutor Do you struggle to understand your child's homework? Does your child need to practice their spelling and times tables? Are you looking for inspiration for projects and assignments? FREE iOS6 iPad, iPhone
Class Aide On top of everything inClass will help you take notes way more efficiently than ever before. Video notes, audio notes, photo notes! You name it! Just take out your iPhone or iPod Touch and start taking notes. inClass will even know which class you are in! Organize your schedule. Share your notes. Ace your classes. FREE iOS7 iPad, iPhone
Brain Booster Let KinderTown turn your device into an educational playground! Overwhelmed by the number of educational apps available? KinderTown makes finding quality educational apps for your children easy, by showing you only the best educational apps. Our digital review process involves educators, kids, and parents, and we feature only apps that will help your kids learn and that they will also love to play. FREE iOS7 iPad, iPhone
www.stjohnsparent.com / August 2016 • 17
feature
Classroom Connections:
12 Ways to Support Your Child’s Teacher This Year By Heidi Smith Luedtke, Ph.D. As kids go back to school, parents everywhere breathe a collective sigh of relief…but don’t relax too soon. “Children whose parents are involved in their education have higher self-esteem, more positive attitudes toward learning, and are generally more engaged than children whose parents are not involved,” says Candace Roberts, PhD, assistant professor of education at Saint Leo University in Florida. Kids of involved parents also have better attendance, higher grades, and are more likely to go to college. To help kids get the most out of school, parents need to partner with teachers and share responsibility for kids’ learning. Here’s how to do it. 1. Share your expertise. Kids spend 70% of their time outside of school and you are an expert on your child. Early in the term, fill the teacher in on your child’s strengths and interes ts, personality patterns, and specific learning challenges. When you help the teacher connect with your child, you set everyone up for success. 2. Expect great things Research shows parents’ and teachers’ expectations have a huge impact on kids’ development. Set high but realistic expectations for your child that are consistent with his age and ability. Share your expectations with educators. Their expectations are likely to rise in response – and that’s good for your child. 3. Confront problems early Donna Henderson, PhD, professor of counseling at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, recommends parents contact the child’s teacher at the first sign of falling grades, changes in behavior, or increasing school-related complaints. Working together, you may be able to avert problems before they grow more complicated. 4. Respect teachers’ limits Your child isn’t the only kid in the class and the teacher has a responsibility to ensure everyone gets the attention they deserve. Don’t ask teachers to make exceptions that interfere with other kids’ learning, says Henderson. Ask the teacher to point you toward additional resources and provide extra tutoring at home. 5. Spend time in the classroom If you can, volunteer in your child’s class. Your presence shows your child you believe education is important. It also gives you the opportunity to see first-hand how the teacher works with your child and how relationships with other kids affect her learning. 6. Volunteer time outside the school day Parents don’t have to be present at
says. Offer to prepare project materials or do research for an upcoming unit. Provide supplies for a class lesson or help grade papers in the evenings. Your kids will get excited when they see you doing homework, too! 7. Establish a family routine Build time into kids’ schedules for reading and study in a designated, distractionfree location. Homework is much easier to accomplish at the same time and place each day instead of on-the-fly between soccer and piano le ssons. Routines help kids manage stress and maintain healthy habits. 8. Plan regular face time with teachers Even if you stop in for only a few minutes before or after school, make the effort to say hello and check in often. Stay in contact frequently, but don’t monopolize teachers’ time. Ask what you can do to best help your student prepare for upcoming lessons and follow through. 9. Reinforce learning in real life Find teachable moments in your everyday routine and go over key concepts. Test math skills at the grocery store. Read books
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parts of speech. Take in a concert or play. Kids need to see learning and problem solving as everyday activities. 10. Run interference If the demands of class work are overwhelming your child or family issues are disrupting his ability to concentrate, communicate what’s going on and advocate for your child’s interest. Collaboratively identify ways to maximize learning. If your child truly needs extra time or an alternate assignment – ask for it. 11. Watch your tone Present complaints calmly and respectfully, Henderson advises. Use specific examples and ask for the teacher’s ideas about what can be done. Remember, even if you disagree, you’re both on the same side. Your child is likely to lose if you get adversarial or aggressive. 12. Show your appreciation Send an email to say how much your child enjoyed last week’s science experiment or write a note to the principal to compliment a job well-done. Partnerships
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education
St. Johns County After School Directory If you’re looking for something recreational as well as educational to help keep the kids busy for a little while after school, we’ve compiled this list of some of the area’s finest after school programs to help give you a hand in your search.
Anderson Family Day Care 775 Pearl Street St Augustine (904) 599-4358 Beacon of Hope Christian Preschool 1230 Kings Estate Road St. Augustine (904) 797-6996 www.beaconeagles.net Brandt's Child Care Center 142 Masters Drive St Augustine (904) 829-5457 www.brandtschildcare.com Bricks 4 Kidz - Julington Creek 530 S.R. 13 N. #5, St. Johns, FL, 32259 (904) 230-0543 701 Market Street Suite 106A St. Augustine, FL, 32095 (904) 342-3392 www.bricks4kidz.com Brighton Day Academy 1705 SR 16 St Augustine (904) 810-1986 www.brightondayacademy.com Byrd Family Day Care 830 Broach Street St Augustine Castle Brook Academy 2755 Old Moultrie Rd St Augustine (904) 797-3710 www.castlebrookacademy.com Christ Episcopal Church Preschool 400 San Juan Drive Ponte Vedra Beach (904) 285-6371 www.christepiscopalchurch.org Christ View Preschool 110 Masters Drive Saint Augustine (904) 810-0534 Creative Me! After School Program 32 Everest Lane – Suite # 3, St. Johns, FL (904) 770-2222 www.creativemeartstudio.com Elkton Academy 4490 C.R. 13 South Elkton (904) 692-2860 www.elktonacademy.com Harbour Island Tennis Center 205 Harbour Cay Way St. Augustine, FL, 32080 (904) 460-4217 http://harbourislandtennis.com/
Hidden Little Treasures Learning Center 1461 Fruit Cove Road South St Johns FL, 32259 (904) 230-8811 www.hiddenlittletreasures.com Kindercare Learning Center 200 N Ridgecrest Lane St Johns (904) 287-3211 www.kindercare.com KinderCare Learning 12000 Sawgrass Village Drive Ponte Vedra (904) 285-9054 www.kindercare.com La Petite Academy 135 Nix Boat Yard Road St Augustine (904) 829-3141 www.lapetite.com Lead The Way 83 Washington St St Augustine (904) 825-3601 Lighthouse Prep 61 Palmetto Avenue St Augustine (904) 808-0700 www.lighthousepreparatory.com Little Darlings Childcare Center 31 Palmer St St Augustine (904) 829-9071
Round Lake Academy 3800 Crill Ave Palatka, FL, 32177 (386) 328-0808 San Juan Del Rio Catholic School 1714 State Road 13 St. Johns (904) 287-8081 http://sjdrparish.org/ SJC Recreation and Parks (904) 209-0377 http://www.co.st-johns.fl.us/ St. Augustine Academy of the Arts 113 Business Park Circle St. Augustine, FL (904) 940-1818 http://www.staugdance.com/ The Village Academy 145 Lewis Point Road St Augustine (904) 797-5909 www.village-academy.com The Village Academy's Webster Extended Day 420 North Orange Street St Augustine (904) 797-5909 http://webster.stjohns.k12.fl.us/ Treasure Harbor Preschool 2121 US Highway 1 South St. Augustine (904) 823-9690 www.treasureharborpreschool.com
Loving Lambs Childcare Center of Hastings 132 Gilmore Street Hastings (904) 692-2077
Turning Point Christian Academy 3500 State Road 16 St Augustine (904) 824-0744 www.tpcalvary.com/
Moultrie Montessori School 260 SR 16 St Augustine (904) 794-4185 www.moultriemontessori.com
Tutor Time Learning Center 125 Hampton Point Drive St Augustine (904) 230-4899 www.tutortime.com
North Florida Martial Arts 112 Anastasia Blvd, St. Augustine, FL, 32080 904-823-3464 http://staugustinemartialartsschool.com/
United Methodist Christian School 5200 Belle Terre Palm Coast, FL, 32137 (386) 445-2344 www.palmcoastpreschool.com
Palencia Elementary School Extended Day 355 Palencia Village Drive St Augustine (904) 655-6474 http://www-pes.stjohns.k12.fl.us/extended-day/
YMCA Pryme Time at Hartley Elementary 260 Cacique Dr St Augustine (904) 471-9622 http://kidcarescout.com/school/listing/3683
Premier Martial Arts 525 Florida 16 St. Augustine, FL (904) 217-7746 Roots & Wings Learning Center 210 Commerce Lake Dr St Augustine (904) 940-9410 www.rootsandwingslc.com
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education
St. Johns County Master School Calendar 2016-2017 Tuesday Wednesday – Tuesday Wednesday
August 2, 2016 August 3, 4, 5, 8 and 9, 2016 August 10, 2016
Optional Teacher Planning Day Teacher Pre-Planning (Aug. 3 – Teacher Inservice Day) Students Report to Class (Regular School Hours – Full Day)*
Monday Friday Monday Friday
September 5, 2016 October 14, 2016 October 17, 2016 November 11, 2016
Labor Day – Student/Teacher Holiday First Quarter Ends Teacher Planning Day – Student Holiday Veterans Day – Student/Teacher Holiday
Wednesday – Friday
November 23-25, 2016
Thanksgiving Break – Student/Teacher Holiday
Wednesday Thursday – Wednesday Wednesday Thursday Monday Friday Monday Monday – Friday Friday Monday – Friday Monday Tuesday Friday Monday – Friday Wednesday Thursday Friday – Saturday
December 21, 2016 Dec. 22, 2016 – Jan. 3, 2017 January 4, 2017 January 5, 2017 January 16, 2017 February 17, 2017 February 20, 2017 February 27 – March 10, 2017 March 10, 2017 March 13 – 17, 2017 March 20, 2017 March 21, 2017 April 14, 2017 March 27 – May 5, 2017 May 24, 2017 May 25, 2017 TBD
Second Quarter/First Semester Ends (Wednesday, Dec. 21*) Winter Break – Student/Teacher Holiday Teacher Planning Day – Student Holiday Classes Resume for Students/Second Semester Begins Martin Luther King Day – Student/Teacher Holiday Teacher Inservice Day – Student Holiday Presidents Day – Student/Teacher Holiday FSA Writing (Grades 4-10) Third Quarter Ends Spring Break – Student/Teacher Holiday Teacher Planning Day – Student Holiday Classes Resume for Students Student /Teacher Holiday FSA Testing (Reading, Math & Science) Last Day for Students* Fourth Quarter Ends Last Day for Teachers – Teacher Planning Day Graduations (Schools/Locations TBD)
* updated May 16, 2016 *ALL Schools will be dismissed 1 hour early on Dec 21, 2016 and May 24, 2017 All Schools participate in a weekly early release on Wednesday: Elementary @1:50, Middle @1:00, High @ 2:45 Denotes hurricane make-up days Optional planning day may “Flex” for any Planning Day or Post Planning day as pre-approved by Principal Interims Issued: September 12, 2016
Report Cards: October 24, 2016
Interims Issued: November 16, 2016
Report Cards: January 20, 2017 (updated 5/9/16)
Interims Issued: February 8, 2017
Report Cards: March 27, 2017
Interims Issued: April 24, 2017
Report Cards: May 24, 2017 – Elementary only.*
*Secondary Report Cards: Notification will be made via District’s mass notification system when final grades have been posted on HAC. (Delayed until state test scores are processed.)
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health 80% of the time, that other 20% (I like to call “life days”) will not affect much. Reason being, is a healthy body canand will correct most problems. The human body is meant to heal and thrive. Give it the right fuel and it will do just that. SUPPLEMENTS When kids go back to school they experience stress, and any stress lowers the immune system. There is eustress (good stress) and bad stress (distress). Kids experience both when going back to school. They also experience what I call internal or biological stress because most are getting their back to school vaccinations which puts stress on their immune system. Any of those factors can leave a child vulnerable to illness. In this case, I have some basic preventative supplements that can help.
Back to School: A Healthy Start
by Jami Oles, HHP, CNT, Holistic Nurse & Health Educator
It is so important that we all get off to a great start for the school year. Getting off to a great start helps everyone transition smoothly which makes both parents and children happy. The less stress on everyone, the better. For my family, getting off to a great start doesn’t necessarily have to do with school shopping. I feel better sending them back knowing their sleep schedules are back on track leaving them well rested, having nutritionally dense breakfasts for them to start their day, supplements to help support their growing body and active minds. Here are some important areas you don’t want to forget about when getting ready for the new school year. NUTRITION Nutrition is key to health. It can be a struggle with kids though. Whether you have picky eaters, or have eaten a certain way for so long that the initial change itself can feel like a road block. However, is it an important change and important we never give up. It is crucial for their health and it is important to teach them healthy habits to take with them into adulthood. Your child’s daily nutrition affects so many things on many different levels. What they put in and on their body has a direct effect on their mental, emotional, physical growth and development. When a child
diet, the body will compensate.. What does this mean? It means they will still function and seem “fine”, but underneath, things are not fine. Always remember that nutrition has a cumulative effect. Poor nutrition over time can create problems like behavioral issues, developmental delays, growth restriction and even things like anxiety and depression (frequently will show up when deficient in any of the B vitamins). I have three children myself. Two teenagers at home and one nineteen year old in the AIr Force. I understand it is not always easy. I am a big advocate for the 80/20 rule. If you can get your children to eat nutritious meals
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● Wholefood Multivitmin - Whole food supplements are what their name suggests: Supplements made from concentrated whole foods. They are highly complex structures that work synergistically enable the vitamin complex to do its job in your body. This is not to replace sound nutrition, however, a quality multivitamin is a great way to fill in nutritional gaps.
● Elderberry - Elderberry is readily available in syrup form and has high amounts of bioflavonoids and antioxidants. It has been shown to create a protect against some bacterias and viruses like the flu and common cold. It is best used daily as a preventative. ● Omega 3’s - Our brains are roughly 60 percent. Therefore, it needs fat to function at peak performance. Omega 3’s are good fats that directly affect many processes in the body, one of them being brain function. Most children do not get enough omega 3’s in their diets and benefit greatly from supplementation. I personally like to use Cod Liver Oil because it is a good source of Vitamin A too.
By making even a few small positive changes to your child’s diet, and adding a few quality supplements can create some truly remarkable results just in time for the new school year. Sources: Inhibitory activity of a standardized elderberry liquid extract against clinically-relevant human respiratory bacterial pathogens and influenza A and B viruses, BMC Complement Altern Med. 2011; 11: 16.Published online 2011 Feb 25. Aben A, Danckaerts M. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in the treatment of children and adolescents with ADHD. Tijdschr Psychiatr. 2010;52(2):89-97.
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feature Movie Night
How to Rock Family Night with Tweens & Teens
by Lisa A. Beach
When your kids were younger, family fun took center stage, whether that meant a riveting game of Chutes and Ladders or a backyard light saber duel. But now that the kids are older, how do you get your tweens and teens to want to hang out with “the folks”? Besides creating great memories, family fun nights with tweens and teens also means parents worry less about where the kids are going, who they’re with and what they’re doing. To make “hanging with the family” something tweens and teens look forward to, try these ideas to jumpstart your family fun night.
Family Dinner
for copycat recipes.
A fun family dinner can be as simple as ordering a pizza or take-out barbecue and eating out on the back porch for a change of scenery.
• Pick a different ethnic food to cook together, such as Mexican or Greek cuisine, as a fun way to explore other cultures.
But to up the fun factor, try these mouthwatering ideas: • Declare a “kids in the kitchen” night where your tweens and teens get to be in charge from start to finish. Let them create the menu, shop for the ingredients and cook the meal---with parents on clean-up duty. • Try to recreate a dish from your favorite restaurant at home, either by trial-and-errocooking or some culinary sleuthing online
• Engage in a friendly competition, with each family member making a different course (i.e., entrée, dessert, etc.). Afterwards, everyone talks about which creation wins top honors. • Take your kids to farmer’s markets, food festivals, or similar events to help them select some never-tried-before produce. It gives them a hands-on experience and encourages them to try new foods.
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Everyone loves to watch a great flick. But what can take the movie-watching experience from good to great? Consider upgrading your home theater environment to create a space where kids want to stay home. Depending on your budget, you could hang fun movie posters, build a new DVD case and install dimmable lighting (less expensive options) or install surround sound, get a larger TV or even buy custom leather seats (higher ticket options). You want to feel like you’re front and center, explains David Pidgeon, CEO of Dallas-based Starpower, the largest seller of projectors in the U.S. “With a 120-inch screen, you actually feel like you’re at the movies, giving you the complete theater experience but without the crowds and sticky floors,” says Pidgeon. The key is to create a media room that brings everyone together. “Don’t make it the parents’ room that the kids get to use,” he says. “Make it fun for the whole family.” Creating a fun media room yields a great side benefit, too. “I want our home to be the place that our kids want to hang out with us and their friends,” says Pidgeon, a father of three teenagers. “When you provide a fun atmosphere at home, the kids gather there and you worry less about where they’re going.”
Game Night Get your game on! Goodbye Chutes and Ladders and hello strategy games, cooperative games and party games good for a crowd. Play something fun that engages kids and stimulates their minds. Need a few ideas? Take your cue from these moms: From Betsy McMenamin (three kids age 14-22): Pandemic is awesome! You don't play in teams – all players work together collectively. You either all win or you all lose. From Suzan Dees (two kids age 13 & 21): I brought out an old favorite game, Scattergories, and my kids loved it! It was so much fun to see what they came up with. Other family games perfect for tweens and teens: Apples to Apples, Reverse Charades, Clue, Spontuneous and Settlers of Catan. Whether you’re whipping up a tamales in the kitchen, watching your favorite thriller on the big screen, or playing a board game, you can bring your family together---even the tweens and teens--for a night of fun.
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kids in the kitchen
Last Blast of Summer! Kids in the Kitchen Back-To-School
by Deb Wind
It’s August, which means summertime is winding down and Back-to-School season for your kids is gearing up! Just because the school supplies are beginning to pile up in your household doesn’t mean it’s time to call it quits on fun—summer isn’t over until the school bell rings! Make the most of your last blasts of summer and spend some quality time together by getting your kids in the kitchen! Explore some of these activities at home to help teach your kids how to balance their plates, how to incorporate eating into healthy lifestyle habits and other essential concepts about their food! Check out these ideas to help get your kids involved—the possibilities are endless: Messy Equals Memorable. Set up a snack bar allowing them to customize their own meals. Use whatever tasty tidbits you have lying around the house. Host a mock cooking show in your kitchen encouraging your kids to come up with their most creative meals in under 15 minutes. When time is up, have them showcase their masterpieces, allowing each one to vote for their favorite dish! Get them back in the swing of things and challenge them to use their math skills by having them double the ingredients of a recipe – fractions and all! Let them be a best-selling Head Chef of the Household – have them collect their favorite recipes from old magazines or help
them find new ones on the internet. Cut or print them out and put them together in a binder for their very own, personalized cookbook! Cut pieces out of their favorite refrigerated cookie dough and allow them to arrange them to create a unique and edible piece of artwork! Now that your kids have learned more about the food they eat, it’s time to get cooking! Whip up this super tasty and easy recipe for the ultimate end-of-summer kitchen fun! Is it a hot dog? Or is it grilled cheese? Get the best of both worlds when two kid-friendly classics collide with this Grilled Hot Dog-Cheese Sandwiches
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Grilled Hot Dog-Cheese Sandwiches If you love mustard-y, relish-topped hot dogs and grilled cheese sandwiches, you'll love this tasty combination of the two! 2 slices white bread 1/2 tsp. Yellow Mustard 1 tsp. Sweet Pickle Relish 1 American Cheese Singles 1 Hot Dog cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices 2 tsp. soft margarine Make It Spread 1 bread slice with mustard. Fill bread slices with relish, Singles and wieners. Spread outside of sandwich with margarine. Cook in skillet on medium heat 3 min. on each side or until golden brown on both sides.
JANE’S REEL RATING SYSTEM One Reel – Even the Force can’t save it. Two Reels – Coulda been a contender Three Reels – Something to talk about. Four Reels – You want the truth? Great flick! Five Reels – Wow! The stuff dreams are made of. Here’s a sneak peek at what's new in theaters and home entertainment this month. Note that release dates are subject to change. STAR TREK BEYOND Rated PG-13 Reel Preview: Chris Pine (Kirk), Zachary Quinto (Spock), Zoe Saldana (Uhura), Karl Urban (Bones), Simon Pegg (Scotty), John Cho (Sulu) and Anton Yelchin (Chekov). The plot revolves around the Enterprise being attacked by a powerful, unstoppable wave of unknown aliens, leaving the crew stranded on a new planet where they find themselves in conflict with a new ruthless enemy. Which is basically the plot of every Star Trek movie and TV episode, but somehow they manage to make it fresh and new every time. Directed by Justin Lin, this movie also stars Bruce Greenwood, Idris Elba and Sofia Boutella.
PETE’S DRAGON Rated PG
GHOSTBUSTERS Rated PG-13 Reel Review: This reboot of the classic 1984 supernatural action-comedy stars four talented females - Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones - as the spook-hunting quartet who team up to use their knowledge of science and the paranormal to save New York City.
THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS Rated PG Reel Review: A terrier named Max's quiet life is upended when his owner takes in Duke, a stray who Max instantly dislikes. A series of events finds the two lost on the streets of New York City. "The Secret Life of Pets" is super cute! The voices are spoton, the animation is terrific, and the story takes us on an exciting journey through New York City. Big thumbs up for both kids and grownups.
Reel Preview:
NINE LIVES
This reimagining of the 1977 Disney classic blends live action and CGI to tell the story of the special bond between an orphaned boy named Pete (Oakes Fegley) and his best friend Elliott, who just happens to be a dragon. Directed by David Lowery, this film also stars Bryce Dallas Howard as Grace, a park ranger who discovers the existence of Elliott; Wes Bentley as Jack, a local mill owner; Karl Urban as Jack’s brother, Gavin; Oona Laurence as Natalie, the young girl who befriends Pete; and Robert Redford as Grace’s father.
Rated PG Reel Review: Tom Brand’s workaholic lifestyle has disconnected him from his family, particularly his beautiful wife Lara (Jennifer Garner) and their daughter Rebecca (Malina Weissman). For her 11th birthday, Rebecca wants what she's always wanted - a cat. So Tom buys a cat named Mr. Fuzzypants at a mystical pet store run by eccentric owner Felix Perkins (Christopher Walken). One thing leads to another and after a car accident, Tom finds himself trapped inside the body of Mr. Fuzzypants! Will he be able to return to his family as a newly energized husband and dad?
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St. Johns County Public Libraries Visit One of These St. Johns County Library Locations Today!
Anastasia Island Branch: East St. Johns County
Hastings Branch: Southwest St. Johns County
Ponte Vedra Beach Branch: Northeast St. Johns County
124 Seagrove Main St St. Augustine Beach, FL 32080 Phone: (904)209-3730 Tuesday, Thursday: 10am-8pm Wednesday, Friday: 10am-6pm Saturday: 10am-5pm Sunday & Monday: Closed
6195 S. Main St. Hastings, FL 32145 Phone:(904) 827-6970 Tuesday, Thursday: 10am-7pm Wednesday, Friday: 10am-6pm Saturday: 10am-3pm Sunday & Monday: Closed
Storytimes… Wednesdays @10:15am: Toddler/Baby Storytime @10:45am: Craft Time @11:05am: Preschool Storytime
Storytimes… Fridays @10:30am: Family Storytime @11am: Stay 'n Play
101 Library Blvd. Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 Phone: (904)827-6950 Monday - Wednesday: 10am-8pm Thursday & Friday: 10am-6pm Saturday: 10am-5pm Sunday: Closed Storytimes… 1st & 3rd Tuesdays @10:15am: Just for Babies Tuesdays @11am: Family Storytime
Bartram Trail Branch: Northwest St. Johns County 60 Davis Pond Blvd. Fruit Cove, FL 32259 Phone: (904) 827-6960 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 10am-8pm Wednesday, Friday: 10am-6pm Saturday: 10am-5pm Sunday: Closed Storytimes… Tuesdays @11:05am: Just for Babies Wednesdays @10:10am: Toddler Storytime @11am: Preschool Storytime
Main Library: Central / East St. Johns County 1960 N. Ponce De Leon Blvd. St. Augustine, FL 32084 Phone:(904) 827-6940 Monday - Wednesday: 10am-8pm Thursday & Friday: 10am-6pm Saturday: 10am-5pm Sunday: Closed Storytimes… Thursdays @10:15am: Just for Babies @11am: Toddler Storytime @11:30am Preschool Storytime
Southeast Branch: Southeast St. Johns County 6670 US 1 South St. Augustine, FL 32086 Phone:(904)827-6900 Fax:(904)827-6905 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 10am-8pm Wednesday, Friday: 10am-6pm Saturday: 10am-5pm Sunday: Closed Storytimes… Wednesdays @10:30am: Little Ones Storytime @11am: Family Storytime
For a an extensive listing of library events please visit www.StJohnsParent.com
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St. Johns County School News
St.Johns County School Grades
School grades released by the Florida Department of Education show that the St. Johns County School District continues to be the top performing district in the state for the eighth year in a row and is one of only three “A” rated districts in Florida. St. Johns County had 22 “A” schools, six “B” schools, four “C” schools and one “D” school. Eleven elementary schools, four middle schools, all three of the district’s K-8 academies and four high schools received a grade of “A” this year. Durbin Creek Elementary School’s grade is pending and is expected to be an “A.” “I am very proud of the performance of our children; this has been a strategic effort by our outstanding teachers to implement the new and more rigorous standards,” said Superintendent Dr. Joseph Joyner. “It is gratifying to see how our teachers have embraced the standards and continue to be committed to every student’s success.” The elementary schools receiving an “A” are Cunningham Creek Elementary, W.D. Hartley Elementary, Hickory Creek Elementary, R.B. Hunt Elementary, Julington Creek Elementary, Mill Creek Elementary, Ocean Palms Elementary, Palencia Elementary, PVPV/Rawlings Elementary, Timberlin Creek Elementary and Wards Creek Elementary. The middle schools with an “A” are Fruit Cove Middle, Alice B. Landrum Middle, Pacetti Bay Middle and Switzerland Point Middle. Liberty Pines, Patriot Oaks and Valley Ridge academies received an “A” as did Bartram Trail, Creekside, Allen D. Nease and Ponte Vedra high schools. Ketterlinus Elementary, South Woods Elementary, R.J. Murray Middle, Gamble Rogers Middle, Pedro Menendez High and St. Augustine High schools received a “B” this year. John A. Crookshank Elementary, Otis A. Mason Elementary, Osceola Elementary and Sebastian Middle schools received a “C” this year. The Webster School received a “D.” This is the first year the new, more difficult school grading system is in place under the Florida Standards Assessment which includes a change in the metrics used to calculate learning gains. Additional details and information can be found at http://schoolgrades.fldoe.org. 34• August 2016 / www.stjohnsparentparent.com
Welcome Back!
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. 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. 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. Mosquito control measures on school grounds will focus on identifying and removing sources of standing water that can serve as mosquito breeding sites. 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. 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. The district will follow the direction of Anastasia Mosquito Control should insecticide spraying be indicated. 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’s name written on the container for application by staff before going outside. 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. Parents and staff members will be notified of any changes in policy and information will be accessible through the district website at www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/health/zika/. This link also includes the CDC’s recommendations for parents talking to their children about Zika. 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 – one in Nocatee and the other in Aberdeen. They are scheduled to open for the 2018-2019 school year. The schools will be funded through the voter approved half-cent sales surtax, school impact fees and proportionate share mitigation funds. The half-cent sales tax also paid for 800 MHz radios for all of the county’s school buses. 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. 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. 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.
Best wishes for an outstanding school year! Dr. Joeseph Joyner Superintendent of Schools
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