Q: What do you have to share regarding the first day of school?
A: Our first day of school is just around the corner, on Aug. 14. I encourage parents to check their child’s school’s website for supply lists and orientation dates now. Also, be prepared for an increase in traffic on our roads as not only students, but school employees, go back to school. Patience will be required!
Q: Can you explain the new phonics curriculum?
A: Literacy has been identified as the top priority of the district, and as a result of that, we are rolling out a new reading curriculum in which teachers focus on teaching students phonics. It’s called University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI) and the program was piloted during the 2022 – 23 school year. It will expand to all kindergarten through second grade students this year.
Q: What’s new at Mandarin Middle School this year?
A: Students at Mandarin Middle School will have two new clubs available for them to join. The first is an E-Sports Lab, which is virtual sports. Secondly, the tennis court at Mandarin Middle School has been transformed into a pickleball court and students will have the option of joining the pickleball club. Both of these clubs will take place either before or after school, depending on the sponsor. Contact the school if your child is interested in joining.
Q: What’s the latest on the expansion at Mandarin High School?
A: A ribbon cutting will be held in September (watch this space next month for the date announcement) to celebrate the start of construction of the new wing, which will house two new Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs: Culinary Arts and Medical Arts. The new wing will also house additional classroom space to replace the school’s portables.
The school’s anatomage table, the only one in a high school in the county, will be housed in the new wing. Any student interested in pursuing a career in medicine should consider Mandarin High School’s Medical Arts program. Mandarin High School also offers three pathways for dual enrollment to earn an associate’s degree.
Q: Do you have an update on Atlantic Coast High School?
A: Atlantic Coast is also expanding its CTE. The school recently finalized a partnership with Mayo, which will include Mayo nurses teaching daily on campus for the 2023 – 24 school year for the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program. Also new at Atlantic Coast this year, many ninth grade students will have the opportunity to take an AP class as a freshman.
Both Mandarin and Atlantic Coast high schools continue to be premier neighborhood high schools in the district.
Q: What’s the latest on the search for a new superintendent?
A: Parents will be able to take part in an online survey in mid-August. Also, there are four upcoming community meetings from mid-August to mid- September, which may be attended in person or online. The best way to stay up to date on this process is to visit our dedicated webpage, https://dcps.duvalschools.org/search.
Q: How can our readers contact you?
A: They can email me at HersheyL@duvalschools.org or call me at (904) 390-2375.
