
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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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.