General

Schools in Communities: February update from the Nassau County School District

Posted on by Suanne Thamm

Submitted by NCSD Superintendent Kathy Burns
February 28, 2017 7:46 a.m.

 

BUDGET

It’s time to begin making plans for our 2017-18 budget. The preliminary news we’ve received concerning funding for next year identifies either flat or reduced funding. However, the Governor has reported that it is his goal to     increase funding for public education. We will monitor   information from the upcoming legislative session in the days ahead.   In preparation for the coming year, the     Nassau County School Board held a workshop on February 2nd to discuss goals and priorities.   Goals were identified in the following areas: Academic and Student Services,   Operations, Community Relations, Superintendent/School Board, and Human Resources. It’s   important that we operate effectively, efficiently, and with EXCELLENCE at every level. We must also ensure that our academic programs are rigorous, relevant, and allow for the building of strong relationships.

CPR POLICY IN NASSAU COUNTY

Nassau is the fourth school district in Florida to take the lead by voting unanimously to require high school students to learn hands-on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) before they graduate, thus ensuring future generations of lifesavers. By investing just one hour of a student’s four-year high school career in this CPR training, students can learn the skills needed to help save lives.

NASSAU COUNTY SCHOOLS PREPARE TO ADOPT INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS FOR THE 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR

This year’s adoption includes Social Studies. Textbooks can be viewed at the Nassau County District Office.

  • Elementary Content—Brenda Murray (904) 491-9885
  • Secondary Content—Donna Walters (904) 491-9944

SCHOOL COUNSELORS WEEK

During the week of February 6 Nassau County School District recognized the school counselors for being actively engaged in helping students examine their abilities, strengths, interests and talents; for working in a partnership with parents as they encounter the challenges of raising children in today’s world; for focusing on positive ways to enhance students’ social/personal, educational and career development; and for working with teachers and other educators to provide an educational system where students can realize their potential and set healthy, realistic and optimistic aspirations for themselves.

Amelia Island Book Festival

Every year the Amelia Island Book Festival hosts the Authors In Schools program. This program allows media specialists and teachers from each school to select one or two   authors to visit their school on Festival Friday.

This year, the chosen author was R.L. Stine. On Friday, February 17th every 4th grader received a “free” book and was given the opportunity to hear a presentation by R.L. Stine.

 

TESTING

As we enter the month of   February we are reminded that “Testing Season” is just around the corner. The Department of Education now requires testing to be completed electronically. Last week we conducted “test trials” to ensure our district is prepared for upcoming tests. There will be Florida State Assessments, End of Course Assessments, and much more. One of my goals is to reduce the number of tests required in our District and allow more time for rigorous and     relevant teaching and learning.

SAT/ACT Boot Camp  

For the first time, the Nassau County School District is   offering SAT/ACT Boot Camp classes throughout the county. Classes began on February 6 with over 80 students attending at West   Nassau High School. Students could attend one, two, or all of the sessions being offered. Sessions are open to all     Nassau County High School Students and are   provided Free of Charge on behalf of the Nassau County School District. For more information contact Dr. Grooms at   (904) 491-9944. 

ATTENDANCE ZONES

The August 2017 opening of Wildlight Elementary School will relieve current overcrowding at Yulee   Primary and Yulee Elementary. This also requires the amendment of current   attendance zones. We have held three community meetings concerning       attendance zone changes. If you have questions   concerning attendance zones you may contact: Mr. Mark Durham at (904) 491-9906.  See the link: https://goo.gl/XP1O4a. 

1002.31(2)(A) F.S. Beginning by the 2017-2018 school year, as part of a school district’s or charter school’s controlled open enrollment process, and in addition to the existing public school choice programs provided in s. 1002.20(6)(a), each district school board or charter school shall allow a parent from any school district in the state whose child is not subject to a current expulsion or suspension to enroll his or her child in and transport his or her child to any public school, including charter schools, that has not reached capacity in the district, subject to the maximum class size pursuant to s. 1003.03 and s. 1, Art. IX of the State Constitution.

Controlled Open Enrollment

Requires school districts to write a policy that will allow students from any district in Florida to attend the school of their choice that has space available. The district policy identifies schools with available space for the coming year. For more information, call (904) 491-9900.