Links St. Johns County:
School Lunches: http://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/depts/business/food/menus
Bus Routes: http://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/depts/transp/routes
New Post 4/26:
Beverly Sough, Chairman, St. Johns County School Board is planning to run for Congress. Please see the School News tab. She needs the community’s support.
Dear Friends,
As many of you know, I have announced for the US House of Representatives, District 6 race. I have worked with each of you through the years on projects that have benefited our community and especially our children. I am writing today to ask for your assistance.
I have to gather 2293 petitions before May 7 to qualify for the election. This will save the campaign $10,000 in qualifying fees. I have attached a petition form. If you could please download it, make some copies, and get your friends to sign it, I would be very grateful. I’ll need to have them back by May 3 in order to get them to the Supervisor of Elections in time.
As you , it is incredibly expensive to run for office, especially at the federal level. I ask for your help in this way as well. Any donation you could give will help with getting the word and vote out. The address to send both the petitions and campaign donations is located on the bottom of the petition form. Checks should be made to Campaign of Bev Slough. Thank you in advance for any financial help you could give.
For more information about my campaign, you can visit my webpage: bevslough.com. It will be updated as the campaign goes along.
Most of all, thank you so much for believing in me. You have partnered with me all through the years, you know me and my work ethic, and you know my passion for our community. Please stand with me now so that I can extend that passion to another level.
Blessings to each of you,
Bev
New Post 3/24 Student Exchange Program …
HOST AN EXCHANGE STUDENT FOR 27 DAYS IN JULY
Step to USA is a 27 day program for students from Spain ages 14 to 17. This is a great program for families with younger children as it’s a great way to start off the summer with a responsible teenager in the home. Enrich your life with an exceptional young person and open doors to learn about a new culture. Hosting can change your world!
You do not need to have children to host. Host families provide a bed, meals, limited transportation and a warm supportive environment. Students all speak English, come with their own spending money and medical insurance. Students are expected to have chores and be treated as a family member not a guest.
Students arrive on Sunday, July 1st in Orlando and will be bussed to the Northeast Florida area to meet their host families. We are looking to place students from the Jacksonville area to Daytona. There will be a van service to help with transportation. The return date is July 27th. Students attend 1 all day and 1 half day field trip a week. Host family members are welcome to come along at group discount pricing. We will be visiting local sights as well as Universal Studios, Sea World and Daytona Lagoon. Bus transportation is provided for these field trips as well as airport transfers.
Interested host families can contact community coordinator Susan James at 904-806-1392 or steptousa@aol.com. Susan has personally hosted 18 students over the past 15 years. Spanish students are very good role models for today’s teens. They are responsible, gracious and thrilled for the opportunity to come to America to live in an American home! If you have room in your heart and your home, would you please consider opening your home to a young person from abroad?
Post: 2/6 Help the Kids Out and You’ll Get a Great Deal too!
Pacetti Bay Middle School Sports Fundraiser – TPC Tickets
The PLAYERS Championship has partnered with local sports associations and given them a great opportunity to raise money by selling a discounted PLAYERS Championship ticket. For each $40 ticket sold, our local sports association, St. Johns Middle School Athletic Association (SJMSAA) gets to keep $25!
A daily tournament ticket sells for $55 if you buy it a Publix and you have to select the day you are going to attend. Our ticket is $40 and it is good ANY DAY of the tournament (Monday thru Sunday).
Please support your middle school athletes and buy your PLAYERS Championship tickets from us!
The PLAYERS Championship is May 7-13, 2012. This ticket offer ends on April 23, 2012. To purchase tickets go to www.chipinforyouth.com Select — Purchase Tickets Enter code — SJMSAA Pay online and print your tickets.
2/11 Special Discount – Sign-In at Table at Dick’s Sporting Goods
SJMSAA – FAMILY SHOP DAY – One Day Only! Dick’s Sporting Goods 25% OFF Saturday, February 11th 10am-5pm. 15% off + Baseball Discount Coupons = a total of 25% off Bats, Gloves, Cleats, Pants, Helmets, Accessories & Equipment! All coupons will be distributed at the SJMAA Check-In Table on the day of the event. $20 Dick’s certificates raffle off at event!
New Post 1-26-12
Wonderful news for our district! Dr. Joyner received a call from the Commissioner of Education informing him thatSt. JohnsCountyis the number one school district in the state ofFlorida! The Governor had asked Commissioner Robinson to rank the districts 1-67 based on student achievement. Our district is once again in the number one slot.
I am so very proud of our teachers, students, staff, and parents who continue to keep us in this lofty position. No matter the challenge that we are handed, our teachers rise to the occasion to prepare our students to achieve to the very highest levels. I am grateful to serve inSt. JohnsCountywhere the focus remains on each individual child.
Congratulations!
Beverly Slough Chairman St. Johns County School Board
New Post 1/18/12
Principal Names at Wards Creek
Edie Jarrell has been nominated as the new principal at Wards Creek Elementary, beginning January 17. Edie has served in our district for several years as assistant principal at Cunningham Creek Elementary. She brings a wealth of experience in a broad range of disciplines to her new post at Wards Creek. She is replacing Don Campbell, who will be the principal of the new elementary L, located in thePalenciaarea.
The opportunity to apply for Mrs. Jarrell’s replacement at Cunningham Creek has been posted. The position will be filled as soon as possible.
Teacher of the Year Finalists
It was my privilege to participate in the “prize patrol,” notifying the four teacher of the year finalists of their designation. All four are outstanding educators, and whoever is selected as this year’s Teacher of the Year for St. JohnsCountywill represent us well in the state competition. The four finalists include the following: Emily Senko, Pacetti Bay Middle School, Tiffany Cantwell, Ponte Vedra/Palm Valley Rawlings Elementary, Jeff Nethery, Ponte Vedra High School, and Gwen Westfall,PedroMenendezHigh School. I extend my personal congratulations to each of the finalists as well as to all our teachers of the year. It is such a privilege to work in a county where there are so many outstanding educators. The St. Johns County Teacher of the Year will be announced at a banquet on February 9 at the World Golf Village.
Zoning Rumor
There is a persistent rumor that students who live in the Heritage Landing development will be rezoned next year to a different high school. This is incorrect. Heritage Landing students continue to be zoned for NeaseHigh School.
Academy Applications
It is that time of year when the Academy Nights occur, sharing all the various high school academies with 8th grade students and any high school students who would like to consider an academy. Receiving information on all the academies allows parents and students the opportunity to make decisions about whether they want to participate in programs of emphasis throughout our county. Each high school will be holding meetings to acquaint parents and students with their academy offerings, and the High School Showcase will afford both students and parents the opportunity to talk with teachers and students from each of the academies. Please remember that if a student chooses an academy at a high school for which he is not zones, the district is unable to provide transportation.
ALL applications must be entered by midnight February 13, 2012.
Timelines
• High School Showcase, January 26, 2012 -WorldGolfVillageConvention Center
• January 3, 2012 – Online Application open for New Student
• February 13, 2012 – All Applications Due – ALL Students – grades 8-11
• February 17, 2012 -St. JohnsCenterfor the Arts Auditions atSt. AugustineHigh School
• February 24, 2012– Notification of acceptance mailed out to each applicant
•March 2, 2012 – Student acceptance of invitation – required to accept the invitation to join
Academy Night Dates to Remember (All Academy Nights begin at 6:00 p.m.)
• Allen D. Nease High School – February 9, 2012
•BartramTrailHigh School– February 7, 2012
•CreeksideHigh School– February 2, 2012
•PedroMenendezHigh School– January 31, 2012
•PonteVedraHigh School– February 6, 2012
•St. AugustineHigh School– January 30, 2012
• St. JohnsTechnicalHigh School– January 30, 2012
If you have further questions about the academies, please contact the guidance counselor at your school.
As always, thank you for your commitment to public education. If I may serve you in any way, please contact me at sloughb@stjohns.k12.fl.us.
Beverly Slough
Chairman
St. Johns County School Board
Post 12/5:
Elementary “L” News
Groundbreaking for the new elementary school “L” in thePalenciaarea will take place Monday, December 5, at11 AM. Mill Creek Elementary Chorus will provide entertainment as the new school is officially launched. The public is invited and welcome to attend.
Don Campbell, current principal at Wards Creek Elementary, has been recommended as the principal for Elementary “L.” He comes with a wealth of experience, including opening Wards Creek several years ago. Approval of Mr. Campbell’s recommendation will be on the agenda for the December School Board meeting. Input will be taken from parents and teachers in the near future about the characteristics they would like to see in a new principal to replace Mr. Campbell at Wards Creek.
New School Board Meeting Times
At our reorganization meeting in November, the School Board made the decision to change our monthly meeting from6 PMto9 AM. The reason for the change is that our meetings rarely draw much attendance, and we felt that a morning meeting would allow our district staff to participate during work hours rather than having to come after hours. If there is a topic on our agenda that we anticipate will draw strong participation from the public (i.e., rezoning or other hot topics, multiple student recognitions, etc.), we will reschedule that meeting for the evening. December 13 will be the first monthly meeting that will begin at9 AM.
School Board Workshop Topics
Our Board will meet in workshop session on Tuesday, December 6,8:30 AMin the Superintendent’s Conference Room. The topics on the agenda include the following:
Head Start Update
2012-13 Calendar Follow Up
Internal Audit Follow Up Report
Redistricting Discussion
The public is welcome at all our meetings.
State Playoffs
Congratulations to the Bartram Trail Bears for their win againstPaceHigh Schoolon Friday night. They now advance to the state semi-finals next week, with Armwood, a nationally ranked team, as their next opponent. Go Bears!!
Congratulations to Ponte Vedra High for a great run. Even though they lost their regional playoff game on Friday, they representedSt. JohnsCountyvery well in the post-season play. Looking forward to another great year in 2012-13.
Thank you for your continued support of public education. If I may serve you in any way, please contact me at sloughb@stjohns.k12.fl.us.
New Post 11/8:
Special Board Meeting at 4 pm
The St. Johns County School Board will hold a special Board meeting today at 4 PM to discuss redistricting in our county. Every ten years, it is required that voting district lines be redrawn to reflect changes in population. There can be no more than 10% deviation among the districts. Our Board has had two joint meetings with the Board of County Commissioners to discuss this issue, but today’s meeting is the first time that we will have discussed it as a school board. Various proposed maps have been presented and are available for view on the St. Johns County Elections Office website: sjcvotes.com. The goal of our meeting today is to send a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners in regard to which plan we prefer. TheCountyCommissionhas indicated its desire, which is shared by our Board, that our voting districts be the same to avoid confusion among voters and to minimize the cost of elections by reducing the number of different ballots that must be prepared. TheCountyCommission plansto vote on November 15 on its voting districts. Our Board will vote at our December meeting.
Vote on School Rezoning
At our regular meeting tonight at 6 PM, the School Board will establish attendance zones for schools, beginning in the 2012-13 school year. Many public meetings and opportunities for public input have preceded tonight’s final vote. The object of the changes is to populate the new elementary school L currently being constructed in thePalenciaarea, as well as to address overcrowding in some schools and under population in others.
LibertyPines Reading Initiative
LibertyPinesAcademyis partnering with the Jacksonville Sharks Arena football team to encourage its students to read more books. The Sharks are providing incentives for the students who reach their reading goals, culminating in free tickets to a Sharks game, including on-field recognition, for those students who reach their goals all year. Thank you to the Sharks for your efforts to encourage our students and to add value to their efforts. We appreciate your support!
3rd Annual Sunset Veterans Celebration
Please join me on Thursday night, November 10, as we honor our veterans with a special celebration atVeteransParkonVeterans Parkwayin the northwest area of the county. Special performances by students as well as military displays, food courtesy of Bubba Burgers, Winn Dixie and Bartram Trail and 210 Rotary clubs, and a bounce house for the children will provide a fun and inspiring celebration of the sacrifice our veterans have made to keep our nation free. The event will run from 5:30-8:30 PM. I hope many of you can attend.
New Post 10/27: 2012-2013 SCHOOL CALENDARS
TheSt. JohnsCountySchool Districtis seeking input on the proposed 2012-2013 school calendars. A survey link is now available on the school district website for community members to provide input on the calendars. Each calendar proposal can be downloaded and printed. Variations in the two versions include differences in the planning and inservice days and the length of the first semester in the second version.
The survey link can be accessed at www.stjohns.k12.fl.us under “What’s New” on the school district home page. Individuals are encouraged to submit any ideas, suggestions or concerns about the proposed calendars.
Input will be gathered through November 13. The final proposed calendar must be approved by the School Board.
New: The Davidson Appreciates Teachers Program Recognizes Standout Teachers from Mill Creek Elementary and Wards Creek Elementary Schools
Davidson will kick off its popular teacher appreciate program for St. Johns County’s Mill Creek Elementary and WardsCreekElementary Schools on October 3rd. The program invites the community to nominate and vote on their favorite teachers. Full details are available at www.DavidsonAppreciatesTeachers.com. School year 2011/2012.
School Update 10/4/11 – Beverly Slough, Vice Chair. St. Johns County School Board
Zoning Advertisement
The School Board had a special meeting this morning to approve the advertisement for the upcoming zoning. All the plans are posted on the district website, www.stjohns.k12.fl.us, under What’s New. The following plans were approved for advertisement in advance of a final vote on the matter on November 8.
Elementary L – the new school being built in thePalenciaarea: Plan F. In addition to the core area of all plans and some areas to the north, this plan pulls students from Ketterlinus Elementary, freeing space there for one geocode from R. B. Hunt, which is overcrowded.
Other Growth Areas Northeast – divides Nocatee to move the northern section from Ponte Vedra/Palm Valley Rawlings Elementary to Ocean Palms Elementary.
Other Growth Areas Northwest: There are several parts to this zoning.
Plan G was chosen to give relief to Durbin Creek Elementary andFruitCoveMiddle School. It moves geocode 044104 and Sawmill Point in Julington Creek Plantation from Durbin Creek Elementary to Julington Creek Elementary. No changes are made in the middle and high school zoning of these areas. It moves Durbin Crossing South to Hickory Creek Elementary and Switzerland Point Middle and movesAberdeenfrom Fruit Cove Middle to Switzerland Point Middle. No changes are made to high school zoning in this area. It also moves on area from Timberlin Creek Elementary to Hickory Creek Elementary. Every effort will be made to work with the developer of Durbin Crossing to construct that community’s K-8 school at the earliest possible date.
The Orangedale region is rezoned from Nease to Bartram Trail. In addition. Glen St. Johns is rezoned from Nease High to Bartram Trail. I have requested that any student who is currently enrolled at a particular high school (regardless of their grade) be given the option to finish high school in their current school if they provide their own transportation. This choice will be offered to current students only and is not open to younger siblings or new students who move in next year.
Again, the final vote on these plans will be taken at the November School Board meeting.
I want to thank everyone for being so engaged in the process, for providing comments, and for crafting alternate plans. Many of the ideas were incorporated in the plans that are now advertised. I realize that many people are disappointed and many are relieved. Zoning always creates these types of reactions. The School Board is endeavoring to select the plan that will provide the relief we need at overcrowded schools and utilize space at schools where it is available.
Parent Resource Guide
The Parent Resource Guide, which provides a wealth of information on everything from lunch prices, graduation requirements (which are different depending on when a student begins 9th grade), the various course paths through middle and high school, to lists and descriptions of academy offerings and much, much more. The Guide can be found on the district website, www.stjohns.k12.fl.us, under Parents at the bottom of the homepage. I encourage everyone to explore the information contained there to get answers to questions you may have concerning our schools.
Superintendent’s State of the Schools Address
On Monday, October 17, Dr. Joyner will share his annual State of the Schools Address. The event begins with a reception at 5:30 PM followed by the presentation at 6:30 PM. It will be held at theSchool Districtoffices,40 Orange Street,St. Augustine. I hope many of you will be able to attend.
Veterans Sunset Celebration
Mark you calendars for the 3rd Annual Veterans Sunset Celebration to be held atVeteransParkon Veterans Expressway on November 10. The event hours are 5:30-8:30 PM and will include entertainment from Hickory Creek Elementary Chorus, Fruit Cove Middle School Jazz Band, and presentation of colors by the Bartram Trail Air Force ROTC. Food, a bounce house, and military displays will be featured. I especially encourage all our local veterans to attend so that we may thank you for your service to our country.
Thank you as always for your commitment to public education. Our schools are great because of involved parents, teachers, and staff like you!
School Update 9/30/11 – Beverly Slough, Vice Chair. St. Johns County School Board
It has come to my attention that there has been some confusion between zoning for school attendance and redrawing the lines for voting districts, which happens every ten years. The maps that were in the St. Augustine Record this week were in reference to the new lines for voting for County Commissioners and School Board members, not for the new zonings for school attendance. There will be townhall meetings in regard to the new voting districts in the near future. I will communicate the dates and locations when they have been determined.
9/26
Workshop on Zoning
Please remember that the School Board will hold a workshop tomorrow (Tuesday) evening at 6 PM to discuss the various zoning plans that have been presented. The meeting will be held at 40 Orange Street, St. Augustine. Public comment is welcomed. There is also opportunity to comment on the plans on the district webpage, www.stjohns.k12.fl.us, under What’s New. The second item will take you to the plans. If you scroll down, you will see a link to leave an e-mail response. All Board members, the Superintendent, and the planning department personnel read every entry.
I want to thank those of you who have come forward with suggestions to modify some of the plans or who have developed completely new ones. Zoning is always very difficult, and I truly appreciate the community input.
The Board will hold a special Board meeting on October 4, 8:30 AM, to finalize the advertisement for the new zoning plan. That meeting will also be at 40 Orange Street and is open to the public. We plan to vote on the new zoning plan at our November Board meeting.
Goodbye and Hello
Pam Stewart, our Deputy Superintendent for Learning, has accepted the position of Chancellor of Education at the Department of Education. She will be in charge of K-12 education throughout the state. This is a wonderful opportunity for Pam, and we wish her the very best as she moves to Tallahassee in October.
Martha Mickler, who was formerly the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Learning, will come out of retirement to fill Pam’s position while Dr. Joyner searches for a replacement. I am very grateful to Martha for agreeing to help the district in the interim period. Having an experienced person who knows our district well to occupy the position will give Dr. Joyner the time to seek the very best person to serve our district in the long term.
Fun Family Activities
This weekend features two family friendly events that you may want to attend. The first is Treasures at the Fountain, a fund raiser for United Way to be held at the Fountain of Youth. There are two events, one for the family and a second just for adults. The family one is from 11 AM – 3 PM and will feature food, treasure hunts, games, prizes and includes admission to all the Fountain of Youth amenities. The cost is $25 for a family of 6. Additional members’ admission is $5. The price includes lunch and all activities. Beginning at 6 PM, an adult party with a pirate theme will take place. The $50 ticket includes food, beverage, and all activities. Tickets for both events are available at www.treasurersathefountain.com.
The 2nd Annual Spanish Heritage Festival will be at the Palencia Club from 3-6 PM. This celebration of St. Johns County’s Spanish roots will feature food, entertainment (including various school groups), and fun activities such as Zumba and salsa dancing. For more information, please contact Lynda Follenweider, lyndafoll@sjgcc.com.
Thank you as always for your commitment to public education. If I may assist you in any way, please contact me at sloughb@stjohns.k12.fl.us.
SCHOOL UPDATE 9-13-11 -Beverly Slough, Vice Chair, St. Johns County School Board
Great Opening
Our school year is off to a great start! We anticipated an additional 800 students this year, but we welcomed about 1,100 more. I am grateful for the smooth opening and the strong volunteer support for our schools that is already evident. Our parents and volunteers fill in the gaps for us and enhance the education of all our children. If you are volunteering, THANK YOU. If not, you always welcome in our schools.
Budget and Millage Adoption
The final Public Hearing on the proposed millage and budget for the 2011-12 school year will be held this evening beginning at 5:15 PM at 40 Orange Street, St. Augustine, FL. The final tentative budget figure is $427,704,636, down $18.5 million from last year’s budget. Revenue is down this year by 4.2%, while student enrollment is up by nearly 1,100 students. We are relying on our budget reserves to preserve the programs and staffing that make St. Johns County Schools number one in the state. The tentative millage rate is 7.979 mils, down slightly from last year’s 8.069 mils.
Charter Schools
Our School Board will meet tonight at 6 PM. Among the agenda items are decisions to be made on three charter school applications for schools seeking to open in Fall, 2012. These include PEACE, an elementary school extension of our current charter, ABLE, St. Paul’s School of Excellence, an elementary school in the Lincolnville area sponsored by St. Paul’s AME Church, and St. Augustine Public Montessori School. After hearing the Superintendent’s recommendation, the Board will vote to approve or disapprove each of the schools.
Zoning
Two town hall meetings were held recently to present proposed zoning plans to populate Elementary L in the Palencia area and to relieve overcrowding in several of our schools. The zoning plans are posted on the district website, www.stjohns.k12.fl.us, under What’s New. Also at this location are maps, geocodes for various areas, a frequently asked questions section, and other resources. The School Board is asking for public input on the various plans and is open to suggestion as to how to modify them. There is a Zoning Response link on the webpage to leave comment. At our September 27th workshop, we will again discuss the plans and receive further public input. I have asked that the meeting be moved to the evening so that more people can attend. The workshop will begin at 6 PM at 40 Orange Street, St. Augustine, FL. The public is also welcome to address the Board at any of our meetings during the time allotted for public comment. On October 4th, the Board will approve the advertisement for the final zoning plan. At our November Board meeting, we will vote on the advertised plan.
On-Line Course Requirement
Beginning with this year’s ninth grade class, the Legislature has mandated that every student take one on-line course as a graduation requirement. Our high schools are working with students to provide opportunity, both on campus and through St. Johns Virtual or Florida Virtual School, to complete this requirement. High school guidance counselors are able to address any questions you may have concerning the requirement.
Joint Meeting
The School Board will meet jointly with the Board of County Commissioners on September 28th to begin the discussion of redistricting for both boards. Historically, our districts have shared lines since both bodies have five members. Because of targeted growth in the north portion of the county over the last ten years, the lines will have to be rather dramatically redrawn. I will keep everyone posted about the progress of developing new district lines for both the County Commission and the School Board.
Thank you as always for your commitment to public education, the backbone of our society. If I may assist you in any way, please contact me at sloughb@stjohns.k12.fl.us.
Due to Florida’s broad public records law, most written communications to or from government employees regarding public education are public records. Therefore, this e-mail communication may be subject to public disclosure.
