Q: Do you have an update on the work of the focus group that has been meeting this summer to discuss boundary changes, school consolidation, and feeder patterns for the Master Facilities Plan?
A: The focus group includes Ellye Aull, Paula Mickler and Maxine Morgan and I’d like to thank them for representing District 7. The focus group also includes Laura Brodehl, representing northern Mandarin and Colin Murphy, representing magnet schools.
Laura is representing northern Mandarin with a goal of keeping Mandarin united in the Mandarin schools feeder pattern.
Colin is serving on the focus group to represent magnet schools. Currently, Mandarin families have no direct feeder pattern from Mandarin elementary schools to magnet middle schools or high schools. Colin is advocating to create a pathway from one or more elementaries in Mandarin to existing magnet middle and high schools or to create a pathway within our current feeder pattern for new opportunities for accelerated magnet programs.
I’d like to thank all of these community members for their willingness to advocate for students in our district.
Q: Can you describe the changes to School Choice enrollment dates?
A: For the 2024 – 25 school year, there are some pretty major changes to enrollment dates for School Choice. Parents are so used to Showcase dates being in January or February, but this school year, the dates will be much earlier: the Elementary Showcase will be Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. and the Secondary Showcase will be Jan. 11, 2025 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Applications for School Choice will be accepted from Dec. 1, 2024 through the deadline date of Jan. 31, 2025.
So start thinking now about School Choice, particularly for middle school and high school.
Q: Do you have anything else to share with District 7?
A: It’s hard to believe the start of the new school year is almost upon us. I’d like to welcome everyone back to school! Students returning to Loretto Elementary will be greeted by a new principal, Matt Walker. We are happy to have him join 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.
