Q: Can you share any insight on the joint meeting of the Duval County School Board and the Jacksonville City Council held on Nov. 13?
A: The major focus of this meeting was school safety and security as well as how the city supports students’ after school programs, especially via the Kids’ Hope Alliance and the Boys and Girls Club. There was also a conversation about literacy, which is a focus of both the school board and the mayor’s office. The school district also provided an update on the superintendent search, which has been postponed until spring.
Q: How often do these joint meetings occur?
A: We try to meet annually, but this year, this is actually the second joint meeting. I understand there is a desire by the city council leadership to continue to have these meetings with the school board to continue to foster partnerships
Q: Were there students represented at the meeting?
A: At the beginning of the meeting, we were pleased to listen to a musical interlude by orchestra students from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. Then, at the conclusion of the meeting, Sandalwood’s Culinary Arts program students provided lunch for the attendees. Both of these help showcase the CTE (Career and Technical Education) provided by Duval County Schools.
Q: Do you have anything else to share with District 7?
A: Greenscape will be planting 20 trees at Crown Point Elementary School on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Students, faculty and community volunteers will plant trees to provide much needed shade for the playground and surrounding area. Greenscape will also provide books for students that will detail the benefits of trees. We hope you can join us!
Congratulations to the Mandarin High School Mustangs — with their win over Lake Mary, they earned a place in the third round of the state football playoffs.
I’d like to wish everyone a very happy and healthy holiday season!
Q: How can our readers contact you?
A: They can email me at HersheyL@duvalschools.org or call me at (904) 390-2375.
