2 arrested after shooting that led to stray bullet hitting a school bus in Hoganโs Creek
A 23-year-old woman and a 17-year-old male were charged with attempted murder following a shooting where a stray bullet hit a school bus carrying children in the Hoganโs Creek area on Monday, according to the Jacksonville Sheriffโs Office.
Parents, neighbors frustrated after school bus carrying children hit by gunfire in Hoganโs Creek
The Jacksonville Sheriffโs Office is investigating a gun battle that led to a stray bullet hitting a school bus with kids on Dr. Roy Baker Street near UF Health Jacksonville in the Hoganโs Creek area on Monday.
St. Augustine pro wrestling school recruiting new students
Hatchet Pro Wrestling which is operated by a WWE star is looking for more students who want to train for a career in professional wrestling. The school opened around the beginning of the year and is one of the top wrestling schools in the Southeast based in St. Augustine.
โItโs been a crazy rideโ: Voucher payments for private schools late, incomplete amid expansion, new online system
As the number of families using private school vouchers has exploded in Florida, โStep Up For Students,โ the non-profit tasked with distributing the money, has been struggling to get it in the hands of families and schools this fall.
Douglas Anderson teacher removed from classroom for second time; investigation into allegations reopened
The News4JAX I-TEAM has learned a Douglas Anderson teacher has been removed from the classroom for a second time as the school districtโs office of professional standards investigates allegations against him again amid pressure from stakeholders.
โWe are working through the factsโ: DCPS chairwoman discusses steps district is taking amid Douglas Anderson controversy
Duval County School leaders are calling for accountability as investigators look into several misconduct claims against multiple Douglas Anderson School of the Arts teachers, including longtime music teacher Jeffrey Clayton, who resigned after he was removed and charged with lewd acts involving a student.
Door opened for more talks with DCPS, security contractor says, following I-TEAM report
School campus safety is once again in the spotlight following the deadly shooting at a Nashville Christian school, and on Tuesday, the News4JAX I-TEAM reported that a $36,000 contract for active shooter training and campus evaluations in Duval County hasnโt been used 10 months after leaders announced it.
Duval County School Board reviews refurbished sex education curriculum after pulling materials midyear
After abruptly postponing the legally required presentation of the districtโs supplemental health curriculum in September, the Duval County School Board reviewed the new proposed plan for how the district will teach students about reproductive health and disease prevention.
Duval County School Board discusses update to critical grand jury report on district crime reporting
The Duval County Public School board is poised to again discuss a recently released report from a Florida grand jury which accuses the former director of DCPS Police Department of severely underreporting instances of crimes on school campuses over a four-year period.
Weekend full of Back to School Events
Most all the young ones are back in schoolโฆDuval County lights it up Monday. With that, there are many back to school events that offer up school supplies, beautifications for young ladies, food, fun and more. Rance shares a short list of opportunities for families to get out and prep for school in a fun way.
โWe are in this togetherโ: DCPS superintendent lays out plan for navigating teacher shortage as school year looms
In a message to district staff Wednesday, Duval County Public Schools Dr. Superintendent Diana Greene announced that class sizes in grades K-8 will increase by one or two students across the district.
Road Trip Tips with Jacksonville Mom
Summer is coming to an end and school is right around the corner. Its your last chance to hit the road without the stresses of school and all the after-school activities.ย Family road trips are great if you are prepared! Our friend Nicki Wiggins, from Jacksonville Mom stopped by the studio and shared her tips and tricks to make the car ride fun. My favorite tip is the โsnackleboxโ. Here is a link to her blog post from Jacksonville Mom: Must-Have Toys and Activities for Road Trips (jacksonvillemom.com)
DeSantis blasts Disney for โwokeโ response on Florida sexual identity in schools bill
Gov. Ron DeSantis is condemning Disneyโs response to Floridaโs bill banning discussion of sexual orientation and identity in some classrooms, calling the company โwokeโ and saying itโs fallen for โphony hysteriaโ from the corporate media.
Teacher who hung BLM flag outside class offered extra credit for activism, DCPS investigation finds
Newly-released documents from Duval County Public Schools reveal why teacher Amy Donofrio was removed from her classroom duties at the formerly-named Robert E. Lee High School, amid the heated battle over the future of the schoolโs name.
Voters favor changing Lee Highโs name, narrow margins want to keep Andrew Jackson & Ribault
The results of weeks of community balloting at nine Duval County Schools being considered for renaming were counted and released to the public Wednesday evening, giving solid support to changing the name of Robert E. Lee High School and several other schools, but voters want to keep the name of two other high schools and one middle school.
More protests held outside DCPS board meeting over school renaming effort
Supporters of the renaming of nine Duval County Public Schools properties staged another demonstration Tuesday outside the school districtโs administrative headquarters, about 90 minutes before a scheduled meeting of the school board.
Super 6 baseball rankings: Clay teams continue strong start
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ High school baseball season is back and so are our Super 6 rankings. (1) St. Johns Country Day (6-0, Class 2A)Notable wins: Bartram Trail, Bolles, Glynn Academy, Ridgeview. Thereโs an excellent Clay County showdown a week from Friday with a home game against the Blue Devils from Green Cove Springs. Glance: Another Clay County team, another sterling start. The Bears slide due to inactivity this week and stay in the Super 6 ahead of Providence and Trinity Christian.
Putnam County schools move forward with sweeping plan to close, build new schools
PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. โ Putnam County school leaders voted Tuesday to move forward with a revitalization plan that could reshape the district as students and families know it. School board member Sandra Gilyard, who voted against the plan, said the school district should slow down and get more input from the community. In it, former students and parents alike share how Melrose Elementary School helped shape their lives. With the finalized plan being left to Putnam County leaders, the Melrose community is just celebrating a victory. โItโs just a huge relief knowing that future generations are going to continue having those memories and the different little things that continue to build the school,โ Spitzner said.
Florida schools graduation rate hits record-high after standardized tests waived
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Floridaโs high school graduation rate hit a record-high of 90% in 2020. The Florida Department of Education said the graduation high is in part due to adjustments made during the coronavirus pandemic. The waived assessments propelled us in a direction we were already heading,โ Duval County Schools Superintendent wrote in a statement. The Nassau County School District (91.6%) noted a 1.2% drop in the graduation rate since 2017-18 but still finished above the stateโs average. See the results including all Florida high schools here.
New year brings higher fines for drivers ignoring school bus stops
The penalties for failure to stop for a school bus are now double. The penalty for passing a school bus on the side that children enter and exit when the school bus displays a stop signal goes from a minimum of $200 to $400. If a second offense is committed in 5 years, the personโs license can be suspended for up to 2 years. Need to brush up on the rules for when to stop for a school bus? The only time you do not have to stop for a school bus stop is if you are traveling the opposite direction, and there is a raised barrier, like a concrete divider or a five-foot-wide grass median.
High school football 2020: Results from around the area in Week 9
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ The ninth week of the high school football season is in the books and hereโs how area teams did on Friday night. This is the last full week of the regular season as a handful of playoff games begin next week. Bolles, (6-1), Class 4A: OFF2. Trinity Christian (6-1), Class 3A: Beat Raines, 21-0. Baker County (6-1), Class 5A: Beat Bishop Kenny, 49-7.
Reported coronavirus cases continue to rise at Fletcher High
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ The number of reported coronavirus cases at Fletcher High School continues to trend in the wrong direction. โItโs actually not surprising,โ said Dr. Sunil Joshi, President of the Duval County Medical Society Foundation. The announcement comes as seven new cases were also reported at Sandalwood High School on Wednesday. At Douglas Anderson High School, which moved to online learning this week after an outbreak, there were no new reported cases as of Wednesday evening, according to the district. At Providence School of Jacksonville, the โsmall amount of casesโ among high school and middle school students forced the school to move to virtual learning for the rest of the week for grades 6-12.
Fletcher High moves all instruction online after โapproximately 16โฒ COVID cases
Fletcher High moves all instruction online after โapproximately 16โฒ COVID casesPublished: October 14, 2020, 6:19 pmBeginning Thursday, students of Fletcher High School will be learning at home through at least Monday, according to a message from the schoolโs principal.
Duval school superintendent limits flags schools can display at events
JACKSONVILLE, Fla โ The superintendent of Duval County Public Schools, Dr. Diana Greene, is seeking to clarify the districtโs policy on the display of flags and banners at school-sponsored events, citing only certain entities' flags as acceptable. The post goes on to list the official flags of the United States, U.S. military branches and the state of Florida as automatically acceptable for a school to display. The post says a schoolโs principal would need to approve any school spirit flags, signs or banners. Before issuing the guidance, DCPS leaders consulted with the districtโs policy and compliance office and with the office of general counsel, according to spokesman Tracy Pierce. โFor example, it may be appropriate for a teacher to display student banners and flags as a part of a schoolโs cultural or arts event.โMore information about district policy can be found on the DCPS website.
Nassau County school district releases 32 employees
NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. โ The Nassau County School District is laying off 26 teachers and six paraprofessionals in an effort to soften the massive financial hit expected to accompany a much lower-than-expected fall enrollment. The 32 employees were in their first year of employment with the district, also referred to as โprobationary status," Assistant Superintendent Mark Durham said. The employees were notified of the layoffs Sept. 11 and their final date of employment is set for Friday. As of Thursday, Durham told News4Jax the district has about 11,800 across the three learning options; traditional-brick and mortar, school-based distance learning and Nassau Virtual. Since that happened, Phillips said, four positions were made available again indicating a possible net loss of two employees.
Bradford Middle student told to remove Black Lives Matter mask
STARKE, Fla. โ The parent of a Bradford Middle School student said her daughter was told by school leaders Tuesday to take off a face mask, which displayed support for the Black Lives Matter movement. Jennifer Brown told News4Jax that her daughter, 12-year-old Deziyah Brown, was not given an immediate explanation as to why the mask was not allowed but that she was later told it was too political. The black mask has the words โI canโt breathe,โ printed in large, red letters followed by โBlack Lives Matterโ below in white letters. Brown said her daughter was not offered a replacement mask when she was told to remove her own. Harris said the school district does have masks on hand for any student that wants to wear one.
COVID-19 dashboard shows active cases in Alachua County schools
GAINESVILLE, Fla. A series of digital charts compiled on the Alachua County Public Schools website provides the number of the reported active COVID-19 cases among students and staff at each school in the district. Active cases are defined as those reported within the previous two weeks, which is the incubation period for the virus, the page said. The page also includes a chart labeled District Totals, a running total of all cases of the virus that have been reported since Aug. 17. The dashboard notes that the cases listed on it did not necessarily involve patients who contracted the virus on a school campus. The Duval County Public Schools district planned to publish a similar COVID-19 dashboard in August with school-level information but was blocked by the Florida Health Department in Duval County, citing federal privacy laws.
Duval County mom notified 6 days after child exposed to COVID-19 at school
This photo shows the letter a Duval County family received, notifying them that their elementary student had been in contact with a positive case of COVID-19. If the child does develop symptoms in that time, the letter suggests the child be tested for the virus. The mother said she also received a robocall from the health department Tuesday afternoon, again notifying her about her childs exposure. Those individuals are then notified by their county health department and instructed to self-isolate for 14 days after their exposure to the virus, and to contact their county health department and health care provider immediately if they develop symptoms. The unnamed parent told News4Jax Wednesday that her child is suffering from a headache and shell be taking her to be tested immediately.
Duval students could be removed from school for repeated mask violations
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ In a new poster from Duval County Public Schools, the district outlines tangible consequences for students who fail to follow the districtโs mask policy, including removal from brick-and-mortar learning. The district confirmed the details of the mask policy on Monday. (Duval County Public Schools)The first time a student doesnโt wear a face mask, the districtโs guidelines dictate that one be provided to that student and that the student fill out a face mask safety contract with a parentโs signature. The studentโs parent will be contacted and the district will conduct โrestorative practice on face mask safety,โ although that practice is not defined on the poster. A third violation of the mask policy will prompt a parent conference and a citation of โfailure to adhere to safety considerationโ violation of the student conduct policy.
New district plan shows Duval County Schools will postpone start of school 10 days
Its official-- Duval County school leaders confirm the first day of the new school year is August 20th. Thats 10 days after the original start day for the new school year. READ: Full plan from Duval County School BoardThe school board is expected to vote on this plan tomorrow. As of now, this plan calls for elementary school students to start back in the classroom 5 days a week. While elementary school students will be at their assigned brick and mortar school every day, Middle school students would go 3 to 4 days a week and high school students would attend 2 days a week.
State education leaders working to ensure mental health resources for schools
State education leaders are working to make sure mental healthcare is accessible to students and families this upcoming school year. This week, the states Department of Education and the Department of Children and Families presented a framework for how school districts can develop their mental health plans. Mental health is more important than ever as we battle a pandemic, and that care needs to be accessible to everyone. It also includes $5.5 million for youth mental health first aid. State law required that school districts should submit their approved plans to the education commissioner by Aug. 1.
Group of local parents, educators call out Gov. Ron DeSantis with open letter
A group of Duval County parents and educators are calling out Governor Ron DeSantis for his comments over the weekend that having kids go back to schools is the right move. During a press conference, DeSantis said its a good idea and children will be better off in school. The parents and educators also wrote a letter to Superintendent Green and the school board, urging them to carefully consider the reopening plan and to encourage online learning. News4Jax reporter Maggie Lorenz was on a Zoom call with a group of five Duval County parents and educators, who sent the letter to the Duval County School Board on behalf of hundreds of other parents and teachers they said they collaborated with. Their message is no in-person school reopening plan is a safe reopening plan.We want to be back in school, said DCPS teacher Chris GuerrieriBut this group of local teachers, parents, and professors.. said Floridas spike in positive cases makes in-person learning unsafe.
Parent group calls for Duval public schools to require masks & postpone school year
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ A newly formed group is calling on Duval County Public Schools to require masks in buildings, postpone the school year until after the Republican National Convention and many other changes to the districtโs reopening plan. The congregation of parents and stakeholders from around the Duval County School District formed the Duval Schools Pandemic Solutions Team on Friday and brought a litany of concerns to the school board during its special meeting Tuesday morning. On Tuesday, the School Board agreed to spend more than $4 million through the districtโs COVID-19 fund to purchase and install 120,000 desk partitions. RELATED: Duval school board approves plan to buy desk barriers for studentsThe congregation believes every grade level, including middle and high school, should have the full-time option to keep learning virtually. Additionally, the group believes middle and high school students should also have an option to be at school full-time, saying that school is a safe haven for many students in troubled homes.
Report: New Duval elementary school will be 99% full after consolidation
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ An upcoming effort to consolidate several Duval County elementary schools will see one of them approach full capacity. The building, formerly known as Northwestern Middle School until its closure in May, will reopen for the Fall 2020 semester as a new elementary school. This image was included in the Duval County School Board's agenda packet on June 16, 2020. Should it raise its current โFโ grade to a โCโ or above, Carter G. Woodson Elementary will dissolve and its students will also attend the new elementary school beginning in the 2021-2022 school year. In August, John Love Elementary Schoolโs students will be moved into Long Branch Elementary School.
Board votes to explore removing Confederate names from Duval schools
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Amid renewed calls for the renaming of schools dedicated to Confederate civil war figures, the Duval County Public School Board voted Tuesday night to explore changing the names of six schools. The unanimous vote came after a letter from School Board Chairman Warren Jones recommending the board approve the renaming of J.E.B. Stuart Middle School, Stonewall Jackson Elementary School, Joseph Finegan Elementary School, Jefferson Davis Middle School, Edmund Kirby Smith Middle School and Robert E. Lee High School. In 2013, the Duval County school board voted unanimously to change the name of Nathan Bedford Forrest High School, later renaming it Westside High School. Demonstrators stood outside the Duval County School Board building before the meeting, holding signs, urging the district to take action.
Duval School Board votes in favor of providing PPE to all students, staff
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ The Duval County School Board voted Tuesday evening in favor of the purchase of 143,000 reusable face masks to distribute to all students, faculty and staff in the district. The mask policy will next be reviewed by the school board after Dr. Diana Greene -- the school superintendent -- and staff have reviewed CDC protocols for returning students to face to face instruction. A spokesperson for the school district noted that the board voted on a recommendation to purchase the masks, but not to require students and staff to wear them. Your child returns with all students on Aug. 10 to a regular full-time schedule, as usual. Your child returns with all students after Labor Day with personal protection equipment and handwashing protocols.
CDC: Schools must be able to screen students & staff upon reopening
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released updated guidelines Thursday for school administrators to consider before reopening schools closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (CDC)Before reopening schools, the federal agency recommended that districts be able to accomplish the following:Meet the requirements of state and local health officials;Have the ability to protect students and staff who are at a higher risk of severe illness, and;Have the ability to screen students and employees for symptoms and any history of exposure to COVID-19. Those three criteria represent only the first tier of the CDCโs reopening guidelines. Districts are advised to implement exhaustive safety and monitoring protocols including the promotion of good hygiene inside the school buildings, an increase in disinfection, social-distancing and staff training. While it is too soon to predict what the new school year will look like, we are considering many possible scenarios.
JU prepares to welcome students back in the fall
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Jacksonville and Gainesville universities are in the spotlight to decide when to reopen campuses during the coronavirus pandemic. Standing outdoors on campus, Jacksonville University President Tim Cost announced on social media the school will be open for the fall semester. Cost said that task force will continue working on ways to make the fall semester successful with a focus on safety for students, staff and faculty. We know theyโre coming back. Theyโre coming,โ Dr. Fuchs said.
GALLERY: 1st day of homeschool for students
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Spring break is officially over for students in Duval County. They wonโt be back in the classroom for at least another three weeks. News4Jax viewers sent in photos of their students hard at work Monday morning. Florida schools were ordered closed statewide until April 15, but -- just like a lot of their parents -- Duval Countyโs 130,000 students will be working from home using a website called Duval HomeRoom. Click here to read more: Schools closed, but itโs back to โclassโ in Duval County
More than 450 Duval County school employees are reporting the need to self-isolate, according to the district
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ More than 450 Duval County school employees are reporting the need to self-isolate, according to the Duval County School District. This comes after school officials sent out a survey to school employees asking where they traveled over spring break. The school district announced Friday plans to extend spring break another week, with students returning to school on March 23. โItโs not a lot considering we have a school district of 13,000 employees,โ Duval Teachers United President Terrie Brady said. Itโs still unclear how many Duval County students might need to self-isolate due to possible exposure to the coronavirus.
Relief is on the way for an overcrowded Nocatee K-8
ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. โ The St. Johns County School District is moving forward on the construction of a much-needed K-8 school in Nocatee. At a St. Johns County School Board meeting this week, the district gave an update on the new school that is expected to bring relief to Palm Valley Academy, another Nocatee K-8 school that is currently about 400 students over ideal enrollment numbers. โItโs an aggressive approach,โ said Cathy Mittelstadt, St. Johns County School District deputy superintendent of operations. The new K-8 will be located near Crosswalk at Nocatee, just north of Pine Island Road, on land that was donated by the Nocatee developer. K-8 School โMM," will be constructed from the existing district K-8 prototype design and construction plans are 98% complete and under review by district staff.
Super 10: Trinity moves up as regular season winds down
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The News4Jax Super 10 high school football poll will be published each Tuesday during the regular season. The Bears look to close out their first unbeaten regular season in program history when they host a very good Vikings team in the finale. (2) Columbia (7-2), Class 6ALast week: d. Middleburg, 48-23This week: vs. North Marion (7-2), 7:30 p.m.Glance: Tough regular season finale for the Tigers, who are probably looking at a No. (5) Trinity Christian (5-5), Class 3ALast week: d. Raines, 17-14 (OT)This week: Off, regular season completeGlance: Very nice victory for the Conquerors to enter the state playoffs on. Others: Baker County (6-3, Class 5A), Baldwin (7-2, Class 3A), Flagler Palm Coast (7-2, Class 8A), Fletcher (6-3, Class 7A), Parker (6-2, Class 5A), St. Augustine (5-4, 6A), Raines (5-3, Class 5A), Westside (7-2, Class 5A), West Nassau (7-2, Class 4A).
Super 10: Trinity Christian returns to rankings after win over Lee
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The News4Jax Super 10 high school football poll will be published each Tuesday during the regular season. The next goal is an unbeaten regular season, which would be their first since 2013. (5) Bolles (6-1), Class 4ALast week: d. Clay, 41-7This week: vs. John Carroll Catholic (4-4), 7:30 p.m.Glance: Bulldogs keep on pace for a strong finish. Good chance for Bolles to end the regular season on an eight-game winning streak. (3) Lee (5-3), Class 6ALast week: lost to Trinity Christian, 21-12This week: at Gainesville (1-7, 1-1), 7:30 p.m.*Glance: Last week's big riser drops a few spots after a loss to Trinity.