Q: What is the number one item you want to communicate to readers this month?
A: It’s time to register kindergarten and new students for the next school year. It’s very important that we know how many students are coming so that we can know how much staff to hire. To register, you can contact your zoned school or go online to begin the registration process. If you don’t know which school you are zoned for, the district’s website (www.stjohns.k12.fl.us) has a school finder that allows you to input your address and learn your zoned school.
Q: Do you have any school administrator updates to share?
A: Long time Nease principal Lisa Kunze is retiring at the end of this school year and Superintendent Forson has named her replacement: Gina Fonseca, currently the principal of Freedom Crossing Academy. Her roots are in high school, so she’s well prepared for this shift and I know she will do a great job. Replacing her as principal at Freedom Crossing Academy will be Melissa Lime, who is currently the vice principal of middle school at Freedom Crossing.
In other news, Bethany Mitidieri is the interim principal at Cunningham Creek Elementary since the school’s previous principal, Katie O’Connell, was named principal of the new school, Trout Creek Academy.
Q: What is the latest information on the new schools?
A: Mascots have been chosen by the principals with input from the school community. Trout Creek Academy has chosen the Terrapins as their mascot, and Lakeside Academy has chosen Sasquatch as theirs. Construction is well on the way to completion for these two schools that will open this fall. Also, we are making great progress on the RiverTown school. Soon, residents will begin to see vertical construction on that site.
In addition, in April the school board approved the design and borrowed the money for new schools to be built in Nocatee and Silverleaf. We will put these schools out to bid very soon.
Q: What else do you have to share with District 1?
A: Graduation season is upon us! Graduations begin May 17, with Bartram Trail and Creekside high schools each having their ceremonies on May 18. We are excited to launch a new class of young adults.
Q: How can our readers contact you?
A: They can email me at beverly.slough@stjohns.k12.fl.us or call me at (904) 547-7510.
