15 minute read
MUNNERLYN CAMPUS
Alex has served as President of the Episcopal Alumni Board and chaired the Board of Trustees at St. Mark’s Episcopal Day School, of which he is a graduate, prior to its merger with ESJ. He is currently a member of the Board of Trustees at Episcopal. Alex is president of Duval Motor Company, which includes five dealerships, US Auto Credit, and Dana Safety Supply. Duval Motor has been an Episcopal Corporate Partner for 10 years. Alex is a graduate of Sewanee: The University of the South and earned his JD from Florida Coastal School of Law. He is a member of the school’s 1966 Society, which recognizes loyal donors, the 50 by Fifty Society, which recognized donors whose lifetime giving level exceeded $50,000 by the school’s 50th anniversary in 2016; and is a Great Oak Society leadership donor. Alex has four children, Luke ’27; Adams, who just completed fifth grade on the St. Mark’s Campus; and he and his wife Frances recently welcomed son Mackie, who joins big sister Josephine, two.
“Episcopal is an institution that has touched generations of my family. I am honored to help chair the Boldy ESJ campaign and continue to support its mission. I strongly believe the school is ready for this next step, and I am excited to see my children and their peers benefit from the opportunities the new Science and Student Life Center will provide,” said Alex.
The robotics program at Episcopal is an excellent example of integrating and building classroom instruction into realworld problem solving and inquiry based learning. Open-ended learning in the robotics classroom is at the heart of STEM learning.
“Building robots is just the start for students who have the chance to put design, mechanical engineering, and computer programming to the test. These young engineers learn to program microcomputers controlling their robots and integrate optic and ultrasound sensor systems with the robot’s function,” said Scott. “These systems are increasingly at work around us everyday, and learning to control them builds confidence and skills in our Middle School students. The collaboration in the robotics classroom routinely takes over and students quickly forget they are ‘learning’ and quickly challenge themselves beyond the basics of the assignments.”
The self-directed learning students participate in in the classroom actively prepares them for robotics competitions during the school year around Northeast Florida. The ESJ robotics team, 904 Robo Eagles, was assembled last year by Mr. Givonetti, who has been a First Robotics coach and involved in league leadership for more than ten years. This year, the 904 Robo Eagles competed in live events with their robot against 27 other teams in the Northeast Florida league.
When competing in these interscholastic challenges, teams have certain size and weight limitations for their designed robots, but no set instructions on how to actually design and build the robot to meet the competition challenges, which change each year. This game, by design, sets up key opportunities for sharing ideas and learning to respect and compromise to achieve a common goal. Four robots compete at the same time in randomized teams of two, instilling teamwork throughout the league play. But the demand for leadership doesn’t end there; team members are required to document their design changes, failures, and revisions along with explaining their process to adult league judges and officials.
WINSTON FAMILY TECHNOLOGY AND TEENAGERS GRANT
Provides Tools for Social Media and Tech Education
The Winston Family Technology and Teenagers grant has given the Episcopal community the opportunity to collaborate, educate, and explore the use of technology in and out of the classroom over the last three years.
Amy Burrows Perkins ’92, Director of Student Services, and Tracy Jester, Dean of Students, were designated to take the lead and implement opportunities the grant could fund. Their first goal was to identify potential resources that may provide a better understanding of the digital age that influences ESJ students on a daily basis. ESJ partnered with Josh Ochs at Smart Social for the length of the grant, beginning in January of 2020. Smart Social’s team is dedicated to teaching students and families how to use social media to make a positive impact and how to “Shine Online.” Parents and students had free access to all content provided by Smart Social. The website provided families with the most up-to-date information on social media apps as well as the potential risks regarding privacy, security, and age-appropriate content. In addition, the grant supported VIP (Very Informed Parent) access for all Episcopal parents, providing access to a video library which contained courses on the most popular teen apps such as TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, and even online gaming like Minecraft.
“Smart Social was not only used by students and families but also as a resource for the Student Life team when speaking with students regarding their social media choices,” said Tracy. “This resource was extremely thorough and covered both negative and positive effects of social media, as well as how to keep students safe online while allowing them to shine for colleges.”
Additional student activities, including Online Safety Training, Virtual Reality Distracted Driving Experience, and a Digital Field Day were other programs funded by the grant.
Digital Field Day focused on inclusion and the impact of cyberbullying.
POSITIVE IMPACTS
on ESJ Community
(Top) Nia Atcherson ‘23 leads “Teen Talks” for Upper School. (Middle) Tracy Jester leads training for facilitators of the Digital Field Day. (Bottom) Faculty and staff at the FETC conference.
• Increased peer incident reporting
• Increased conversation among students, parents, and teachers
• Evolution of the Student/Parent
Handbook to include more technology and social media usage guidelines
• Honor Book Signing and Honor
Community Pledge includes respecting others on social media
• Parent Partnership in Tech Ed effort
Students:
• Teens and Tech Survey (537 responses) • Three year free Smart Social Membership • Online Safety Training through the Monique
Burr Foundation
• Digital Field Day focused on inclusion and the impact of cyberbullying • Virtual Reality Distracted Driving Experience in Freshman Seminar
• Nia Atcherson hosted Teen Talks through
Harvard’s “Making Caring Common” program; conversations with Upper School students were about social media and technology use
Parents:
• Three year Smart Social VIP (Very Important
Parent) Membership
Faculty and Staff:
• Three year Smart Social Membership • FETC (Future of Education Technology)
Conference for Professional Development • Completed the Monique Burr Foundation
Online Safety Training • Established a Captain and four Jr. Captains for the new partnership with The Social
Institute
The Class of 2022 celebrated with Senior Honors Convocation and Baccalaureate on Friday, May 13, and Commencement on Saturday, May 14.
Jackson Arthur Crass was named as Valedictorian, Sydney Hayley Freed as Salutatorian, and Lee-Ford Albert Tritt as Senior Speaker. All events took place on the Acosta-Schmidt House porch and lawn. Members of Episcopal’s Class of 2022 have been accepted into more than 180 colleges and universities around the world. Seniors will attend more than 80 schools, including Wake Forest, FSU, the University of Florida, Harvard, New York University - Shanghai, Georgetown, Brown, Clemson, Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, and the Culinary Institute of America. Twenty-four seniors have committed to play a sport at the collegiate level, including at schools such as the University of Texas, Bucknell, Dickinson, and UNF. Ten seniors have committed to fine arts tracks, including musical theatre, dance, and film at schools such as the University of Miami, Northwestern, and Rollins. Congratulations, Class of 2022!
Georgia Institute of Technology Georgia Southern University Georgia Southwestern State University Gonzaga University Gustavus Adolphus College Hampden-Sydney College Harvard University High Point University Husson University Jacksonville University Johnson & Wales University (Providence) Kalamazoo College Kenyon College Lakeland University Liberty University Louisiana State University Loyola University Chicago Manchester University Manhattan College Maryville College McDaniel College McGill University Mercer University Methodist University Miami University (Oxford) Michigan State University Mississippi State University Montana State University Montclair State University Muskingum University Nazareth College New York University Northwestern University Nova Southeastern University NYU Shanghai Oberlin College Ohio University (Main Campus) Ohio Wesleyan University Pace University (New York City) Palm Beach Atlantic University Palm Beach State College Pennsylvania State University (Main Campus) Pfeiffer University Piedmont University Purdue University (Main Campus) Ringling College of Art and Design Rollins College Saint Leo University Samford University Santa Fe College Savannah College of Art and Design Seton Hall University Sewanee: The University of the South Southern Methodist University St. John’s University (New York) St. Thomas University Stanford University Stetson University Stevenson University SUNY College at Cortland Syracuse University Tallahassee Community College Texas Christian University Texas State University The College of William and Mary The New School The Ohio State University (Main Campus) The University of Alabama The University of Montana The University of Tampa The University of Tennessee (Knoxville) The University of Texas at Austin The University of West Florida Thomas Jefferson University (East Falls Campus) Thomas More University Toccoa Falls College Trinity College University of Arkansas University of British Columbia University of California (Davis) University of California (Los Angeles) University of California (San Diego) University of Central Florida University of Colorado (Colorado Springs) University of Colorado Boulder University of Colorado Denver University of Delaware University of Denver University of Florida University of Georgia University of Kansas University of Kentucky University of Miami University of Michigan University of Mississippi University of Mount Union University of New Haven University of North Carolina at Asheville University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University of North Florida University of Notre Dame University of Oregon University of Pennsylvania University of Richmond University of Rochester University of San Diego University of San Francisco University of South Carolina University of South Florida (Main Campus) University of Southern California University of Utah University of Vermont University of Virginia University of Washington (Seattle Campus) Valdosta State University Vanderbilt University Villanova University Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Wabash College Wake Forest University Warren Wilson College Washington University in St. Louis Waynesburg University West Virginia University Western Connecticut State University Wofford College Xavier University York College Pennsylvania
Memories Made
Greg Hersey, who has taught instrumental music for eight years in the Fine Arts Department, was nominated for growing the instrumental music program, adding the pep band which plays at athletic events, chaperoning mission trips and working with student government as well as his professional achievements to grow as a musician and teacher. “Greg has created a welcoming culture within his classroom. His room is constantly full of advisees studying or students practicing. His room is inviting and full of energy….honestly, it’s the ‘cool’ place to be on campus where many students have found a home. There is always something positive happening.” Greg “contributes so much to our school community with concerts and programming. Our students are enriched when they are a part of the band program and Greg makes a lasting impression. He’s the right mix of approachable and professional,” stated another nomination, and “Greg teaches beyond his years. He has elevated the musicianship of each student. He has a clear curriculum and the students are always so well prepared for performances.Greg is an elite artist and can perform any genre of music. He models for the students, as well as assists any groups needing percussion on campus.”
GREG HERSEY
Established in 1992, the Davis Awards for Excellence in Teaching are presented each year to selected Episcopal School of Jacksonville teachers who personify quality in their teaching and in their influence on student learning; who consistently and unselfishly go above and beyond normal expectations of time, energy and devotion in working with students; who demonstrate the rare ability to motivate students to higher and higher levels of achievement; and who have consistently made use of opportunities for continuing education to improve themselves professionally. This award is intended to inspire all Episcopal teachers to pursue uncompromising excellence and caring in the classroom. To be eligible to receive the Davis Award for Excellence in Teaching, a teacher must have been a member of the faculty for three years and must be returning the following year. At least one award each year must be awarded to a teacher whose primary focus is the Middle School.
Denise Cinnamond, Learning Specialist on the Beaches Campus, is the 2022 recipient of the Nancy N. Wood Award for Excellence in Education in the Lower School. Her peer nominations stated that she “serves as an example of “leadership, integrity, and leadership to all,” while another shared that “she personifies quality in her teaching.” Yet another colleague observed that “she is prepared, innovative with ways to reach individual students, and is a true team player.” Congratulations, Denise!
Established in 2001, the Nancy N. Wood Excellence in Education Award is given to a faculty member teaching in the Lower Schools. Named for former St. Mark’s Episcopal Day School Head of School Nancy N. Wood, the purpose of the award is to recognize and reward faculty and teaching assistants who personify quality in their teaching and in their influence on student learning. The award recognizes and rewards faculty or teaching assistants who consistently and unselfishly go above and beyond normal expectation of time, energy, and devotion in working with students; recognizes a person who motivates students to higher levels of achievement; and recognizes and rewards faculty and teaching assistants who have consistently made use of opportunities for continuing education. The award’s goal is to inspire all Episcopal faculty and staff to pursue uncompromising excellence and caring in the classroom.
