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School News  Neighbor to Neighbor

Clay County Schools information are located below if you scroll down.
Have a wonderful year!

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Newest School in Clay County

Plantation Oaks Elementary:

Historic Opening Day

Wayne Spivey - Staff Writer

Great Beginnings! The Sky is the Limit! Announced the Plantation Oaks Elementary's new website. Even before classes began on August 24th, parents, teachers and administrators were busy at work preparing for this historic grand opening day, the first day of school ever.

Some pre-K, and kindergartners attended school for the first time in their lives.

"This is an exciting day." The grand opening went smoothly said Principal Lee Oliver for her 29 regular education teachers and 8 ESE teachers. "595 students were projected; 673 showed up." That was ok, considering that the school was built to accommodate 1,000 students, said Oliver.



By early afternoon, more parents were inquiring about late enrollment for their children.

"We are the Plantation Oaks Hawks" said Oliver, who chose the school mascot. "Hawks have a lot of good attributes. They are independent, focused and good listeners." By mid-morning, at least one class of students had placed their small hawk eggs - small glass marbles - in the big hawk's nest in the school's media center. Each student has a hawk's egg. "Each staff and faculty member has a hawk's nest to remind them that education is a nurturing process, teaching baby hawks to be good learners," explained Oliver.

Opening day excitement included a fire drill, which was totally unexpected. Just after mid-mourning the school's fire alarm sounded for nearly an hour. So, hasty evacuation drills were practiced early. There was no fire. Engineers had to be called, to turn off the school's fire alarm system. On a positive note, teachers had to be creative with their outdoor safety education classes. It's never too early to practice school fire safety, said one alert staffer.

Plantation Oaks Elementary will hold an official school dedication ceremony on Sunday, September 13th from 2 to 4 PM. Parents, teachers, students and staff are invited. County Superintendent Ben Wortham and School Board members are expected to attend; address the audience and answer any concerns about the 2009/10 school year.

A Book Fair is planned for September 8th through 11th and an Open House on September 9th and 10th from 6 to 8 PM - a good time to wear school colors: Blue, Brown and Vegas Gold.

Plantation Oaks is located at 4150 Plantation Oaks Boulevard, Orange Park, FL 32065, telephone (904) 214-7474; Fax (904) 214-7477.

Other school administrators include: Assistant Principal Kim Cook-Morrison, Principals' secretary Beverly Davis, School Secretary Alisha Hickey and Records Secretary Cindy Nelsen.

"You can find out a lot more information about the school by visiting their website at www.clay.k12.fl.us/poe," according to the school district's Public Relations Officer Darlene Mahla.

School District Notes: "Over the past 5 years, Clay County has grown by 5,366 students. This past year alone, the district had a 6% increase over the previous year. Today, we have 34,100 students in 34 schools," [www.clay.k12.fl.us/poe/PDF/FAQ_New_Schools.pdf]. Plantation Oaks Elementary is patterned after the same architectural plans as last year's two new schools at Shadowlawn Elementary and Oak Leaf Village Elementary with an infrastructure of 135,000 square feet and a cost of over $23 million.

State Parks Celebrate Literacy Month

"Promoting literacy at Florida’s state parks creates an appreciation for both reading and the environment that visitors can take back to the classroom and community." Mike Bullock - Florida State Park Director

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Florida State Parks will celebrate the Third Annual Literacy Month in September. In celebration of International Literacy Day on September 8, entrance to Florida 's 161 state parks will be free September 11 through September 13 with the presentation of a library card, library book, or the donation of a new/gently-used family friendly book. Florida 's state parks, along with local libraries, schools, and literacy programs, will host a variety of events during September including book readings, author appearances and book exchanges.

Please go to www.floridastatepar ks.org to access contact information about Florida 's 161 award winning state parks. The site also has a calendar of events which includes information about planned literacy events.

We encourage you to take advantage of this unique opportunity to promote literacy using the wonderful natural resources of Florida 's state park system. FLC would be very interested in hearing from those of you who participate.

Bright Scholars

 

Fleming Island High School students Nathan Helms and Hope Attar were thrown a special party in their honor at the Food Pantry for Bright Scholars volunteer hours.

The students volunteered to help out at the Food Pantry in Green Cove Springs to get enough hours for their Bright Scholars, but even after the young adults acquired enough hours they continued to volunteer to achieve over 150 volunteer hours working Wednesdays after shchool and during their summer time.

Nathan and Hope are from Fleming Island High School and came to the Food Pantry two years ago. Last Wednesday was their last day as they are off to the college of their choice, UNF. Hope is going into dentistry and Nathan in aviation.

The pantry volunteers had a get together for them with cake, cards and gifts.

"They are a wonderful example of our next generation. It is a honor for the food pantry volunteers to get aquatinted with these two. They are going to be missed. They promise to keep in touch." stated Wynema Lovell.

"The Food Pantry has been blessed the past 15 years with the cream of the crop of students from FIHS, St. Johns River Community College and FCCJ. Each of these students have gone on with their lives in the community, and they have left a mark on our hearts. Each one we miss and hope all their dreams to true." She continued.

 

J.P. Hall, Sr. Children’s Charity

Smart Start for School Program

 

By August 19th, over 500 backpacks had been distributed by volunteers from the J.P. Hall Sr. Childrens Charity organization.

Although the event is ongoing as far as volunteering and , The event had a great start on August 12th when volunteers loaded their shopping carts at local stores to fill the backpacks of needy children in the Clay County area.

The stock of school supplies, along with books, shoes, t-shirts and so much more were given to recipients at Grove Park, W.E. Cherry , Charles E. Bennett and Clay Hill Elementary schools.

"I would like to thank all of the volunteers, and the community for reaching out to help these students. If it weren’t for their help this event would not be possible." stated Virginia Hall. "We work closely with the school sytem to see that the event goes well and the backpacks are distributed to the ones in need."

Clay Hill Elementary also had information booths set up for the students and parents and also had several hairdressers that attended the event and gave free haircuts to students.

"The economy is bad enough as it is, and we are so grateful for any help we can get." stated Nelson Torres.

International Literacy Day

Proclaimed in Clay County

Ann Williamson - Staff Writer

Clay County Literacy Coalition President Virginia Hash accepted a proclamation from the Board of County Commissioners proclaiming Tuesday, September 8, 2009 as International Literacy Day in Clay County.

The proclamation noted that the economic impact of illiteracy costs states and local communities millions of dollars each year.

In fact, 14 percent of adults living in Clay County cannot read well enough to be considered literate and many others do not use English as a primary language.

The Clay County Literacy Coalition spends thousands of volunteer hours each year increasing community awareness and tutoring adult students and promoting reading and literacy.

The Board of County Commissioners, Clay County, Florida took this opportunity to commend the Clay County Literacy Coalition for its work to improve the quality of life for Clay County citizens.

The proclamation was duly adopted by the Board of County Commissioners and spread upon the minutes of their August 25 meeting.

Several special events are listed below that will take place in September.

On Monday, September 21, CCLC will celebrate Literacy month at TEXAS ROADHOUSE, 550 Blanding, Orange Park. Treat yourself, or bring a friend, a neighbor, a colleague or give a gift certificate to someone to a fine meal. Ten percent of all the evening’s proceeds go to the Literacy Coalaition.

On Thursday, September 24, the Clay County Literacy Coalition (CCLC) will host a benefit performance of the play, BAREFOOT IN THE PARK, at the Orange Park Theater, 2900 Moody Avenue, Orange Park. This romantic comedy, written by Neil Simon, focuses on a newly married couple and their adventures to capture romance while living in one room, with no heat, a hole in the skylight and oddball neighbors.

Doors will open at 7 p.m. with refreshments being served in the lobby. The performance will begin at 8 p.m. All tickets are $1 and includes a chance to win one of many raffle prizes. Tickets may be purchased at the CCLC office, 2306 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park, phone 2725988, or clayliteral@aol.com

Money raised from this event will be used to purchase books which will be given FREE to Clay County children, tutor training materials and student handbooks. The CCLC provides free Literacy and English as a Second Language to adults throughout the county who want and request our services

The Clay County Literacy Coalition also took part in promoting literacy during the Clay County Agricultural Fair with an exciting display in the Penney Farms School House located at Early Florida Village. Plans for next year’s fair are already underway by the Coalition, along with many other activities that promote awareness.

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Always remember that you are loved, Even when it doesn't seem like it.

Believe in yourself and your values. Don't sell out when things go wrong.

Don't let anything get you down; always bounce back up.

Set goals for your future and never settle for anything less.

Realize that there are others in the world with much bigger problems than you.

Appreciate the good things in your life, and be thankful for the time you have with your loved ones.

Spend more time with your family and friends.

Appreciate the simple things in life, and don't get caught up in material things.

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Walking to School 

  • Choose the safest route from your home to the school and walk it with your children.
  • Look for the most direct route with the fewest street crossings.

  • Children under age 10 should walk with an adult or older child every day because they may not be able to judge the speed or distance of oncoming traffic and their peripheral vision is one-third less than most adults.
  • Leave on-time for school and/or in plenty of time to catch the bus.
  • Teach children to know and obey all traffic signals and markings. For example: a flashing "walk" sign is not an automatic "go" signal.
  • Make sure children look to the left, look to the right and then look again to the left for moving vehicles before crossing the street.
  • Teach children not to enter the street from between parked cars or from behind brushes or shrubs. Darting into the street accounts for 50 to 70 percent of pedestrian injuries among children ages 9 and under.
  • Because drivers have a more difficult time seeing pedestrians, teach children to be extra alert in bad weather.
  • Be a good role model. Your children need you to not only tell but also show them how to be safe pedestrians.

School Bus Safety 
  • While waiting for the bus, children should follow the following safety rules:
  • Be a safe pedestrian while walking to and from the bus stop.
  • Wear bright colors so that motorists can easily see them.
  • Stay on the sidewalk and be aware of traffic in the area. If there is no sidewalk, they should walk and stand facing traffic.
  • Wait for the school bus at least 10 feet from the road and further away if the weather is bad.
  • Remember that motorists may not always stop for the school bus as the law states so children should look left, look right and then look left again before crossing in front of the bus. They should cross at least 10 feet in front of the bus so the bus driver can see them. They should NEVER cross behind the bus!
  • While on the bus, children should observe the following safety rules:
  • Remain seated at all times.
  • Keep the aisles clear of books, bags, jackets and other items.
  • Don’t throw objects inside or outside of the bus.
  • Don’t shout or distract the driver unnecessarily.
  • Keep your head, arms and feet inside the bus at all times.
  • Obey the school bus driver and follow specific state school bus rules.  

 
  

 

CLAY COUNTY SCHOOLS

 

County Office

900 Walnut Street

Green Cove Springs, FL 32043

(904) 272-8100 or 284-6500

Ben Wortham, Superintendent

 

(Scroll down for all schools)

Elementary Schools , addresses, phone & Principal names

Argyle Elementary

2625 Spencer Plantation Blvd.

Orange Park, FL 32073

(904) 573-2357

Diane S. Kornegay, Principal

Charles E. Bennett Elementary

1 South Oakridge Avenue

Green Cove Springs, FL 32043

(904) 529-2126

Monica Boccieri, Principal

W.E. Cherry Elementary

420 Edson Drive

Orange Park, FL 32073

(904) 278-2050

Angela Whiddon, Principal

Clay Hill Elementary

6345 State Road 218

Jacksonville, FL 32234

(904) 289-7193

Evelyn Chastain, Principal

Doctors Inlet Elementary

2634 State Road 220

Middleburg, FL 32068

(904) 213-3000

Anne Miller, Principal

Fleming Island Elementary

4425 Lake Shore Drive

Orange Park, FL 32003

(904) 278-2020

Lynda Braxton, Principal

Grove Park Elementary

1643 Miller Street

(904) 278-2010

Colette Wyant, Principal

S. Bryan Jennings Elementary

Orange Park, FL 32073

(904) 213-3021

Lee Oliver, Principal

Keystone Heights Elementary

335 Pecan Street

Keystone Heights, FL 32656

(352) 473-4844

Mary Mimbs, Principal

Lake Asbury Elementary

2901 Sandridge Road

Green Cove Springs, FL 32043

(904) 291-5440

Dale Eichhorn, Principal

Lakeside Elementary

2752 Moody Road

Orange Park, FL 32073

(904) 213-2966

John Schlichtman, Principal

McRae Elementary

6770 County Road 315

(352) 473-5686

Marcus Dooley, Principal

Middleburg Elementary

3958 Main Street

Middleburg, FL 32068

(904) 291-5485

Becky Wilkerson, Principal

Montclair Elementary

2398 Moody Road

Orange Park, FL 32073

(904) 278-2030

Bill Miller, Principal

Oakleaf School (K-6)

4085 Plantation Oaks Boulevard

Orange Park, FL 32073

(904) 291-7380

Larry Davis, Principal

Orange Park Elementary

1401 Plainfield Avenue

Orange Park, FL 32073

(904) 278-2040

Pam Calloway, Principal

Paterson Elementary

5400 Pine Avenue

(904) 278-2078

Terry Grieninger, Principal

RideOut Elementary

3065 Apalachicola Blvd.

Middleburg, FL 32068 (904) 291-5430

Ridgeview Elementary

421 Jefferson Avenue

Orange Park, FL 32065

(904) 213-2952

David Nix, Principal

Swimming Pen Creek Elementary

1630 Woodpecker Lane

Middleburg, FL 32068

(904) 278-5707

Lenore Paulk, Principal

Thunderbolt Elementary

2020 Thunderbolt Road

Orange Park, FL 32003

(904) 278-5630

Dee Dee Phillips, Principal

Tynes Elementary

1550 Tynes Boulevard

Middleburg, FL 32068

(904) 291-5400

Jenny Newhall, Principal

Wilkinson Elementary

4965 State Road 218, West

Middleburg, FL 32068

(904) 291-5420

Jeff Umbaugh, Principal

Junior High, addresses, phone & Principal names

Bannerman Learning Center

608 Miller Street

Green Cove Springs, FL 32043

(904) 284-6589

Linda Turner, Principal

Green Cove Springs Junior High

1220 Bonaventure Avenue

Green Cove Springs, FL 32043

(904) 529-2140

Kenneth Francis, Principal

Lake Asbury Junior High

2851 Sandridge Road

Green Cove Springs, FL 32043

(904) 291-5582

Ed Paulk, Principal

Lakeside Junior High

2750 Moody Road

Orange Park, FL 32073

(904) 213-2980

Randy Oliver, Principal

Oakleaf School (K-8)

4085 Plantation Oaks Boulevard

Orange Park, FL 32073

(904) 291-7380

Larry Davis, Principal

Orange Park Junior High

1500 Gano Avenue

Orange Park, FL 32073

(904) 278-2000

James Young, Principal

Wilkinson Junior High

5025 County Road 218, West

Middleburg, FL 32068

(904) 291-5500

Dr. David McDonald, Principal

High School, addresses, phone & Principal names

Clay High School

2025 Highway 16, West

Green Cove Springs, FL 32043

(904) 529-2110

Peter McCabe, Principal

Fleming Island High School

2233 Village Square Parkway

Orange Park, FL 32003

(904) 541-2100

Sam Ward, Principal

Keystone Heights Jr./Sr.

900 S.W. Orchid Street

Keystone Heights, FL 32656

(352) 473-2761

Dr. Susan Sailor, Principal

Middleburg High School

3750 State Road 220

Middleburg, FL 32068

(904) 291-5450

David Broskie, Principal

Orange Park High School

2300 Kingsley Avenue

Orange Park, FL 32073

(904) 272-8110

Mike Wingate, Principal

Ridgeview High School

466 Madison Avenue

Orange Park, FL 32065

(904) 272-3003

Toni McCabe, Principal

Adult/Community Ed.

2306 Kingsley Avenue

Orange Park, FL 32073

(904) 272-8170

John Chappell, Supervisor

Florida Youth Challenge Academy

Route 1, Box 550 (Camp Blanding)

Starke, FL 32091

(904) 272-8100, ext. 2692

Paul Parker, Supervisor

 

 

You are your greatest asset, there is nothing you can't do.
No one can stop you from dreaming, only you can stop them from coming true.
Your achievements are determined by the desire that you possess.
Believe in who you are. Believe in what you do.
It's not a quirk of fate. It's strictly up to you.
You can accomplish anything
if you put your mind to it !

Truly believe in yourself. You make your own destiny.

 

 

 

                                                          

 

                                

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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