Q: Can you tell us about any new events for students that have been taking place?
A: Our district’s curriculum department has been trying some new events such as the first annual Local History Night, which was held on Feb. 5 at Gamble Rogers Middle School. Families learned about the history of pirates, farming, civil rights in St. Augustine and the history of Hastings while sampling Minorcan clam chowder and datil sauce and enjoying a slice of pizza. Engaging speakers provided information on topics such as the lighthouse, Spanish colonialism, Gamble Rogers, and 18th century medicine.
The Honor Chorus selected students from 12 elementary schools across the district who worked with a clinician and then gave an evening performance. The first annual St. Johns County Dance Festival will be held at Beachside High School on Feb. 29.
We continue to evaluate what we’re doing and find ways to expand and improve our offerings so that we can provide opportunities for our students.
Q: Will the Sources of Strength program be coming to District 4?
A: This peer-to-peer program is currently in our high schools. Mill Creek Academy and Switzerland Point Middle School have been piloting the program this year for middle schools, and Landrum has been selected to start the program next year. The program works to equip students to help each other navigate the difficulties they may come across. It’s been highly successful and we think it will be a positive addition to our middle schools. We have the WEB (Where Everyone Belongs) program, where eighth graders help orient sixth graders to middle school, and this will be another resource for students.
Q: Do you have any kudos to share?
A: The District’s Spelling Bee winner is from Landrum Middle School, Sree Vidya Siliveri. We honored her at a recent school board meeting and she will go on to the regional competition.
The winner of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. essay contest is from District 4: Sarah Garcia from Ponte Vedra High School. Her essay was entitled, “America, Be True to What You Said on Paper.”
District 4 was well represented at the recent STEM Fair, and several projects were chosen for state competition. First place winners from District 4 were:
From Landrum Middle School, Bhavesh Senthil Kumar, Sri Mysari, Kate Hurford, Ingrid Montans, Dhruva Gadiparthi.
From Ponte Vedra High School: Nat Bagnall, Mira Bhutani, Ben Burk, Joshua Kim, Emaad Rahmathulla, Diana Chirila.
There were numerous second and third place winners from Landrum, Nease, Pine Island Academy, Ponte Vedra High School, and Valley Ridge Academy as well.
Q: Do you have anything else to share with District 4?
A: We are saddened by the passing of Bill Mignon, former principal at Nease and School Board member. This is a huge loss to the community as well as to our schools. He was not only a community advocate, but always a teacher and student advocate who loved our schools. He will be greatly missed.
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.
