FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
mental health care are expanding at a rapid pace. As
an educator, ensuring that the whole child is cared for is
paramount to me. Your children are our future and we must
care for them to realize their greatest potential.
T
he CHARACTER COUNTS! pillar of the month for
February is caring. Throughout the district I witness
acts of caring and kindness on a daily basis from
teachers, students, support staff, administrators, volunteers
and parents. We currently have 548 homeless and
unaccompanied youth identified through our ASSIST
program. The outpouring of care and support for these
students is amazing and comes packaged in both the
largest and smallest of gestures. I recently read this
quote from Actress Lily Tomlin, “I always wondered why
somebody didn’t do something about that. Then I realized
I was somebody.” We are all somebody who can make
a difference and show care to those we know and those
we don’t. We are so blessed to be in a school district and
community that cares so much for others.
As we enjoy the cooler weather and settle in for the
remainder of the year, we must take the time to ensure that
we are also caring for ourselves. The supports we have in
place throughout our community to provide medical and
Those on the very front lines of educating and supporting
our students are our teachers and we recently had the
pleasure of celebrating our finalists for the St. Johns County
Teacher of the Year with INK staff and its board members
and sponsors, as well as school board members and
district staff. This year’s finalists are Julie Durden, teacher of
American Sign Language at Palm Valley Academy; Aletha
Dresback, teacher of sixth and seventh grade social studies
at Valley Ridge Academy; Julie Haden, first grade teacher
at Freedom Crossing Academy; Lori Price, first grade
teacher at The Webster School; and Evan Tisdale, teacher
of middle school special needs students at the Transition
School.
Based on the caliber of the finalists, the judges have a very
daunting task on their hands to choose just one to represent
our county at the annual Teacher of the Year banquet on
January 31. I am very appreciative of the INK staff and
board for their tireless efforts to produce the Teacher of the
Year banquet each year. The They spend countless hours
securing sponsors, planning and bringing this special night
to life.
I hope you enjoy this month’s issue and it provides you
with useful information and articles. I end this month’s letter
with the fact that I am infinitely proud to be part of your
children’s journey to be the somebody only they can be.
Sincerely,
TIM FORSON, SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS,
ST. JOHNS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
VIS IT U S ONLI NE AT WWW.PARE NTM AGAZINE FLORIDA .COM
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