Q: With school safety always an issue, do you have anything to share with Mandarin residents?
A: One of our best options is to keep this topic front and center. For that reason, I encourage the entire community, not just parents, to download the Fortify Florida (FortifyFL) app (getfortifyfl.com), which will allow people to identify and bring to attention any concerns at any of our schools. It’s a good way to have more eyes and ears in the community.
Also, parents, please remind your students that threats, whether verbal, written, or on social media, to cause harm to a school are taken very seriously and those who make them could be subject to arrest.
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: Would you like to share any thoughts on the upcoming retirement of Dr. Dana Kriznar?
A: I’d like to recognize former superintendent Dr. Kriznar, who is retiring at the end of September. She has served the Duval County School District for more than 30 years; in addition to her years in the district office, she served as principal of several schools in Mandarin. I’d especially like to recognize her dedication to improving student outcomes, which has been the cornerstone of her career. As superintendent, she led the district to the highest gains in reading and also improved graduation rates.
Q: Do you have anything else to share with District 7?
A: I do have something for all the history buffs in Mandarin. My understanding is that there is a white building on the campus of Loretto Elementary that is of historical significance dating back to World War I. It is currently used by the school’s PTA. If anyone has any information about this building, please contact me.
Q: How can our readers contact you?
A: They can email me at HersheyL@duvalschools.org or call me at (904) 390-2375.
