News from DCPS

Outstanding work is being done every day in Duval County Public Schools. The 180 Days & Ways to be Public Education Strong campaign (#MyDuval180) highlights facts, figures, and features about students, teachers, administrators, schools, and departments for each day during the school year. Check out our Facebook, Twitter, and 180 Days Web page daily for new information, facts, and stories. 

ESSAY CONTEST

The World Languages and ESOL Departments invite students to participate in the annual Hispanic Heritage Essay Contest. Two winners will each receive a certificate signed by the mayor as well as various other prizes. All essay submissions should be sent from teachers to davisj4@duvalschools.org no later than 5:00 P.M. on October 16^th.

For more information and contest rules:

The Hispanic Heritage Essay Contest
Essay Guidelines:
• Must be one page, written in English or Spanish, typed and double-spaced with one inch margins. Times New Roman, 12 font, on 8 ½” x 11” white paper.
• Must include a title page containing only the names of the essay, your name, your teacher’s name, your school’s name, and the name of this contest.
• Must include a bibliography using MLA or APA format for all sources including interviews. Failure to credit sources is plagiarism and will result in disqualification.
• Must be written about a person of Hispanic heritage from the Jacksonville community who has made a significant contribution in one of the following areas: Medicine The Arts (visual, music, theater, etc.) Politics Law Education Business Literature Science
• Please read the rubric carefully and understand how your essay will be judged.
Two winners will be selected: one student from middle school and one from high school.
The winners will each receive a certificate signed by the Mayor as well as various prizes.
All essay submissions should be sent from teachers to davisj4@duvalschools.org by 5:00 P.M. on October 16th.
Promoting a greater understanding of the Hispanic contribution to Jacksonville’s history and culture.
ESSAY RUBRIC
SCORE
DESCRIPTION
COMPLETION OF TASK
TOPIC DEVELOPMENT, CONTENT
LANGUAGE USE, ACURACY
3
EXCELLENT
Student has chosen a Hispanic member of the Jacksonville community. Essay follows all guidelines above. Essay includes title page. Bibliography is included and properly formatted.
Essay details the important accomplishment(s) of the person chosen. Essay explains how the person has affected the writer’s life or the lives of others. Essay is meaningful and inspiring.
Essay has been edited for grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Few or minor errors.
2
GOOD
Student has chosen a Hispanic member of the Jacksonville community. Essay is one page with 1” margins. Title page may or may not be included. Bibliography is just a list of sources and not in proper format. (MLA or APA format)
Essay details the important accomplishment(s) of the person chosen. Essay explains how the person has affected the lives of others.
Essay has been edited for grammar, punctuation, and spelling. More than a few errors.
1
POOR
Student has chosen a Hispanic member of the Jacksonville community. Essay is not one page. Title page is missing. No bibliography is included.
Essay details the accomplishment(s) of the person chosen.
Major errors are found throughout.
0
UNSATISFACTORY
Student did not choose a Hispanic member of the Jacksonville community.
Essay strays from the topic. Content is shallow and meaningless.

Errors make reading the essay difficult.

Bully Prevention Contest

The DCPS Bully PSA Contest 

The DCPS Bully PSA Contest invites students to create a video describing how they can positively impact their schools by being United Against Bullying.  More information and the full contest details can be found on the officialcontest page.