ONE by ONE: Student Voice - What does success look like for our youth?
8/19/2016
Nearly five years ago, the Jacksonville Public Education Fund kicked off the ONE by ONE Community Conversations with the purpose of creating a common vision for public schools in Duval County. After more than 160 conversations with nearly 2,000 people from all over the city, the initiative resulted in key priorities that were ultimately incorporated in the strategic plan of Duval County Public Schools (DCPS). The four pillars of that strategic plan are: educating the whole child, great teachers and leaders, parent and caregiver involvement, equitable use of resources. Since then, we’ve seen some major strides both from DCPS and from many organizations that are working to support the wellbeing of our city’s children.
Nonprofit organizations and community organizations have established partnerships with local schools and students to address some of these needs. We would like to bring those organizations to the table as we listen to our students share the benefits of these types of resources and define additional areas where they would like to see community members contribute their efforts and resources. Too often, crucial public education decisions are made without the group that is the most affected by these changes: students.
That’s why the Jacksonville Public Education Fund, in collaboration with several local organizations is assembling a group of dynamic and driven Duval County youth to speak on their current experience as public school students and personal definitions of success. We welcome public school parents, teachers, administrators, community members and organizations working directly with our students into the conversation about how Jacksonville might look like if all of our students had access to the resources they need to achieve their goals. Please join us and our student presenters as we uncover ways to help all students achieve success — ONE by ONE. Your perspective is needed!
This fall we will host a community meeting in three different regions of Jacksonville where participants will have the opportunity to listen to the powerful messages that students want to share about what success looks like for them. Participants will also have the opportunity to reflect and work with youth to develop specific actions to help address local students’ needs.
Please make sure you reserve your spot at one of our events so your voice can be included in the conversation:
Westside - Saturday, September 24, 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Riverside Baptist Church, 2650 Park St.
Northside - Thursday, October 27, 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Johnson Family YMCA, 5700 Cleveland Rd.
Southside - Saturday, January 28, 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Location TBD
Can’t make it to one of these events? You can still be a part of the conversation! Reach out to Joan Leslie at Joan@jaxpef.org to find out more about hosting a conversation at your home, house of worship, civic group or workplace. We will send a trained volunteer facilitator and everything you need to to have a meaningful and action-oriented conversation.
When it comes to public education, students are the expert opinion we haven’t heard from enough. We hope to see you (and a student you know!) at an upcoming event.
*We are still recruiting student presenters to be a part of this initiative for our November and January meetings, so if you would like to recommend a student speaker, please contact Joan Leslie at Joan@Jaxpef.org.