Q: Do you have an update on Duval Ready?
A: We are coming up on our first opportunity this school year to have students graduate with this seal on their diploma for CTE (Career and Technical Education). Duval Ready is a diploma certification earned during grades eight through 12 for students who want to go directly to the workforce upon graduation. They study a workforce curriculum, to include professionalism, communication, teamwork, and problem solving, and then complete a final capstone experience to earn their Duval Ready designation. I’m excited for the work that the district has done to create this certification because the soft skills that are being acquired by the students have been identified by the local business community as very needed.
Q: What is the latest information you have to share regarding school safety?
A: At our last School Board Workshop, we discussed the very important issue of school safety and security. We learned what the district has done and the work we continue to do to make sure our schools and facilities are safe. One new item is the addition of a canine unit recently started by the district to help sniff out drugs in schools.
Q: Can you share graduation dates?
A: It’s hard to believe we are nearing the end of this school year. Graduation ceremonies have been set for our high schools. Atlantic Coast High School will graduate its seniors on June 1 at 1 p.m. and Mandarin High School will hold its ceremony on June 2 at 5 p.m. Both ceremonies will be held at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in downtown Jacksonville. I’d like to say congratulations to all of our graduates and commend them for their hard work.
Q: Do you have anything else to share with District 7?
A: We have some exciting and historic news at Atlantic Coast High School. For the first time in Duval County Public Schools’ history, a female coach will coach a boys’ basketball team. Atlantic Coast has hired former Bishop Kenny girls’ coach and University of North Florida women’s basketball assistant coach Charlsea Clark to coach the Stingrays boys basketball team. I’d like to welcome her to our district.
Q: How can our readers contact you?
A: They can email me at HersheyL@duvalschools.org or call me at (904) 390-2375.
