Mayport Coastal Sciences MS – Students planting and sowing success with garden  

Shared by Aaron Lakatos, principal: This shoutout highlights how Mayport Coastal Sciences Middle School students are applying educational concepts to learn how to grow food in their own community garden, as well as give back to those in need. Students across all grade levels are receiving hands-on lessons on how to grow crops through the school’s Agricultural Science class and with help from volunteers with BEAM (Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry). Principal Aaron Lakatos shares that through a $100,000 USDA Farm-to-School Grant, the school will provide crops to the local food pantry. In fact, students recently harvested and provided broccoli to BEAM. This is especially valuable in the Mayport community, which is considered a “food desert” due to the limited number of grocery stores in the area. Awesome work!   

TEAM Center B – District employees generously support the community  

Shared by Rhonda Motley, employee: We’re shouting out Team Duval district employees who responded to a call to provide for men, women, and children experiencing homelessness. Employees in the district’s TEAM Center B building recently participated in the Shoeboxes of Love donation drive with the City Rescue Mission and News4Jax. Shoeboxes of Love invited the community to donate shoeboxes filled with personal care and toiletry items to those who seek shelter at the City Rescue Mission. According to Rhonda Motley, district employees were able to donate 58 boxes toward the cause. Thanks for your generosity! 

Mattie V. Rutherford Alternative Center – School celebrates “Blue Zones” status 

Shared by Sadie Milliner-Smith, principal: Congratulations to Mattie V. Rutherford Alternative School for officially becoming a “Blue Zones Approved” school! The school celebrated its new status on November 20 with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony on campus. The recognition is part of the Blue Zones Project Jacksonville, which aims to make the community “a place where people can live better, longer, and higher-quality lives.” According to Principal Sadie Milliner-Smith, Mattie V. Rutherford Middle is the first Blue Zones approved alternative school on seven continents. Great work!  

Ribalult MS – School’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration leaves substitute “in awe”

Shared by Elani Weatherspoon, a substitute teacher: This shoutout comes from a substitute teacher who says she's blown away by how Ribault Middle School is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month on campus. Elani Weatherspoon shares, "Ribault Middle School has done a magnificent job in recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month. I was in awe at the participation of staff when visiting the school recently for an assignment. This included beautiful boards and treats being passed out during transition while music was played." Great job!

Riverside HS - Team Duval athlete recognized with character award

Shared by Angel Sanchez with Home Team Jax: We want to congratulate recent Riverside High School graduate and Gateway Conference wrestler Anthony Kearney for earning the Home Team "Character Award" for the 2023-2024 school year! Home Team Student Services is a nonprofit that works with student athletes. Kearney was nominated by his coaches and earned this honor for meeting set criteria that included a 2.5+ GPA, a minimum school attendance rate of 90% all year, dedication to attending practices and games, and no disciplinary infractions in or out of school. Kearney will be attending Grand Canyon University this fall to wrestle. Congratulations!

GRASP Academy - Parent expresses gratitude for principal, staff

Shared by Holli Fears, a parent: One parent is sending a big "thank you" to GRASP Academy - our school for students with dyslexia - for the way school staff have positively impacted her daughter. Holli Fears shares this testimonial: "Mrs. Powell and the staff gave my daughter the tools and resources she needed to navigate her thinking and learning differences in order to be successful both in the classroom and on the state exam! They care and respond to student needs like no other school I have seen." We're grateful for GRASP!

A. Philip Randolph Career Academies - Students Score Big in State Esthetics, Barbering Competition

Shared by Regina Thaxton and Michael Burt, teachers: Today we celebrate two A. Philip Randolph students for their recent 3rd place wins at the state Skills USA competition, a showcase for Career and Technical Education students. Senior Ke' Marion Conage placed in the Barbering category, where students were asked to do two haircuts. Junior Ta'Darien Kelly placed in Esthetics, where students were asked to do facials and makeup on a model. Teacher Regina Thaxton says these wins are empowering, and further prove their talent and expertise.

Kelly is set to be a licensed nail and facial specialist by the end of the school year, and Conage recently took his barber test. Great work and congratulations!

Landmark MS - Inclusive game helps robotics team qualify for World Championship

Shared by Amy Valentine, Executive Director of Exceptional Education and Student Services: Landmark Middle School's Cybots Robotics Team has earned a spot in the FIRST Lego League (FLL) World Championship Tournament in Houston, Texas this April. Their winning project was a virtual reality game developed alongside students with disabilities. The project, titled "World of Wonders - We ALL Belong VR Escape Room," is inclusive and accessible to students with varied and multiple disabilities. The team, led by Avis Collier, qualified for the World Championships after winning the FLL State Championship in West Palm Beach in early March. Great work!

Fishweir ES - Student "Clean Up Crew" recognized for hard work

Shared by Michael Knight, a teacher: "Look at This Fantastic Group of Students! Fishweir's

Recycling/Campus Clean Up Crew sets out every Wednesday morning at 8:00 am with gloves and bags in hand to take care of our Little Brick School House. We cannot say enough about this crew for their hard work keeping our campus clean."

Gregory Drive ES - Teacher Praised for Creating a "Legacy" with Students

Shared by Kenneth Ford, a teacher: Turning young girls into confident leaders. That's how Gregory Drive Elementary School colleagues are describing third-grade teacher Shakeria Milligan's efforts in developing a new mentoring program for students this school year. Milligan is credited with starting "LEGACY US," a program fellow teacher Kenneth Ford says promotes sisterhood and helps girls "see the beauty and potential in themselves." Some of Milligan's LEGACY US activities include creating vision boards, journaling, practicing effective communication, public speaking, and gardening. Congrats, Ms. Milligan, on a job well done!

San Mateo ES - Celebrating Bus Drivers for "Superior Service"

Shared by Principal Caroline Wells: San Mateo Elementary School recently celebrated their bus drivers with a special "thank you" lunch from Olive Garden. for their superior service during the opening of school. The Bus drivers were commended for "showing up on time for arrival and departure with great attitudes and smiling faces." They were also given kudos for working well with students and organizing seating charts.

San Mateo ES - Reading Challenge

Shared by Deborah Griffin, school employee:

"San Mateo Elementary did awesome in the District RAZ Kids Reading Challenge! Dr. Edwards and Ms. Day joined SME students in grades K-2 to announce exciting news. We had the top classes in each grade level for the District. We also had the overall top reader A'shai Colson, Ms. Chaffee's K Class."

Gregory Drive ES - "Musical" Challenge

Shared by Gregory Drive educator, Nia Johnson:

Before spring break, Principal Sapp started a "Musical" challenge for teachers and students to participate in.

With testing coming soon, each grade level developed a unique rap or song to encourage the other grade levels to show up and do their best.

Mandarin Oaks ES - Animal Lovers Club

Shared by Principal Leah Butterfield:

"Ms. Andenmatten's plan was to have a club of 25, but she had to recruit more help for the 60 kids who wanted to join her Animal Lovers Club! She is dedicated to inspiring students to have compassion for animals by allowing students to directly interact with and care for them." Furry friends include Lauren the piglet, as well as a bearded dragon and a chinchilla.

LaVilla MS - Student wins "Tomorrow's Leaders" essay contest

Shared by Principal Lianna Knight:

"Eighth grade student, Desiree Garcia, was awarded first place in the Mayor's Tomorrow's Leaders Essay Contest. She presented her piece at the 36th annual Martin Luther King, Jr Breakfast at the Prime Osborn Convention Center.

Wolfson HS - Students accepted into Harvard, Northwestern, and John Hopkins

Shared by Wolfson HS teacher, Jessica Fessenden:

"We are so excited to celebrate three Ivy level college acceptances this year! Charlotte Caccam was accepted to Harvard University, Abby Germaine was accepted to Northwestern University and Joseph Rainbolt was accepted to Johns Hopkins University where he has also signed to play baseball!"