Q: Do you have any legislative updates?
A: It’s legislative time again and the top priority the school district had on our legislative agenda for this year is to increase veteran teacher pay. The governor has done a wonderful job of increasing teacher pay, but our veteran teacher pay has held steady. We have amazing teachers in St. Johns County and they are the foundation of our students’ and district’s success. If you’d like to see our district’s legislative platform, it’s available on our website or by following this link: https://tinyurl.com/4zw6scaz
Q: Are there any upcoming events you’d like to share?
A: The third annual BRAVE Summit 2023 is scheduled for Wednesday, March 29. This event is for high school students only and they will be awarded four community service hours for attending. The BRAVE Summit aims to open a dialogue with teens to address the stigma associated with mental health and encourage teens to learn how to foster mental wellness for themselves and their peers. It will be held from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. There will be giveaways, games, vendors, food trucks and photo booths. There will also be a workshop for parents/caregivers and guardians of all ages on Wednesday, March 29 at the Elks Lodge, 1420 A1A South in St. Augustine from 4:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Q: Do you have any kudos to share?
A: In District 4, the following students placed in the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Poster and Essay contest: Cole Shapiro, 10th grade Ponte Vedra High School, first place in the high school division (poster); Dhruva Gadiparthi, seventh grade Landrum Middle School, second place in the middle school division (essay); Andrew Liu, 12th grade PVHS, first place in the high school division (essay); Kendall Owen, 12th grade PVHS, second place (essay); and Maresa Kanekkeberg, 12th grade PVHS, third place (essay).
Also, congratulations to the following District 4 students received awards at the secondary STEM Fair:
From Ponte Vedra High School: Sarah Wicker, Soejo, Iulia Berianu, Yun Han Shen, Ella McCarthy, Mary Kate Reynolds, Kathryn Shapiro.
From Nease High School: Lauren Pease.
From Landrum Middle School: Irene Park, Vennela Doppalapudi, Nat Bagnall, Jackson Miller, Vai Miller, Caroline Van Essendelft, Rylee West.
From Pine Island Academy: Nicolas Vazquez.
From Valley Ridge Academy: Mason Dunn, Ishaan Rao, Evangeline Viorritto.
Additionally, Nat Bagnall has been invited to the state competition.
Q: How can our readers contact you?
A: They can email me at kelly.barrera@stjohns.k12.fl.us or call me at (904) 547-7510.
