The Storm Forecast
Principal's newsletter, Vol 1, issue 2
Welcome to Cecil!
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students,
Less than a month to go! Excitement is building as we get closer to our opening date.
Our on-site construction manager has informed me that almost all of the steel is now installed and that the final roof pieces will go in next week. The building will also receive its first paint job in the next two weeks.
Back in our office at Cecil, we have been busy, busy, busy! We continue to register new students, host information sessions, process student records, work on scheduling, prepare for the arrival of staff for training, planning orientations, and much more. We cannot wait to see all of you!
I will continue to keep you informed on all things Cecil. Please check out all of the information below to get the latest updates.
See you soon!
Mrs. Knapp
Construction contingency plans- Westconnett campus
As you know, construction is currently under way on our new building. As with any construction project, there are many things that are out of our control- from weather to inspections- that could delay the opening of the building. Add to that the effects of the pandemic and supply chain shortages and it is possible that there is a delay in the building being ready.
We now know that the building will not be ready by August 15, so San Jose Schools is moving forward with the contingency plans for San Jose Cecil operations. San Jose Schools has purchased a building at 4441 Westconnett Blvd, which will serve as a temporary location for San Jose Cecil.
Transportation from the Cecil campus to and from the temporary campus so families would be able to drop off and pick at Cecil. This would be supervised by San Jose Cecil staff.
We need ALL families to please complete our transportation survey so we can properly plan for the buses that will run between Cecil and Westconnett.
Please complete this short survey by Wednesday, July 27: https://forms.gle/S2XtzcT4f5V78EYe8
Bus info
The bus is currently planned to leave the Cecil campus at 7:45a.m. and return by 3:55 pm.
The address of the Cecil campus is 5640 POW-MIA Pkwy, Jacksonville, FL 32221.
The address of the Westconnett campus is 4441 Westconnett Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32210
Student orientations
Time to set up your ParentSquare accounts!
ParentSquare will become our official communication app. On Sunday, July 24, Duval County will rollover their student information system (Focus) to the 2022-2023 school year. Once this happens, ParentSquare will become active.
It will be important for you to download ParentSquare to ensure that you stay up to date with school communications. The app will also allow you to make online payments (i.e. field trips, class shirts, etc..), communicate with teachers and club sponsors, and receive our newsletters and Sunday night calls from the Principal.
Go to your app store and download ParentSquare and choose our school name- San Jose Early College at Cecil.
You will be able to set up your ParentSquare beginning Friday, July 29.
Parent Focus accounts
It is also important for Parent to have their Focus Parent Portals set up and up to date. This is how you will be able to monitor your student's grades. Focus is in real time, so you will always have access to the latest grades in the gradebook.
To set up your Focus Parent account, go to https://dcps.duvalschools.org/Page/15745
You will be able to set up your Focus Parent account beginning Friday, July 29.
San Jose Cecil Parent & Staff Organization
PTA? PTO? It's time to kick off our Parent & Staff Organization!
It is important for us to collaborate in order to make school the very best environment for our teachers and students.
If you are interested in joining the Facebook Group, go to
https://www.facebook.com/groups/542852917449031
This is a private page for those who are part of San Jose Cecil and serves as the official page for our parent/student/staff organization.
Carpools
Several families have shown interest in setting up carpools. We encourage all of you to join the private parent organization page and reach out to each other to set up carpools to school- you'll be surprised how many families may live close by!
Creating a Cecil community by working together! π
Course selections
We need all students to complete their course selections for the 2022-23 school year.
To view our course catalog, click the picture to the right and it will take you to where the course catalog is located on our website.
Please see the links below to complete course selections:
Freshmen: https://forms.gle/yN68gVBbXPerAc9U9
Sophomores: https://forms.gle/AWUfYUr3UN6UjFW37
Juniors: https://forms.gle/1ArqLoYuoBQEYvbR9
Seniors: https://forms.gle/Dhv2ttPWH7KP41AL6
Supply listsβοΈπποΈπ
In high school, there are so many different types of classes offered that it is difficult to have one schoolwide supply list. However, the supplies to the right are standard supplies used in most classes and will help you start your school supply shopping. (click image to enlarge)
Teachers will share any individual class needs at the beginning of the school year.
Backpacks do not have to be clear
Students- we want to hear from you! Clubs, Athletics, and electives
As we begin working on our student activities, we want to get student feedback as to what they want on campus.
Students, please fill out the following survey and let us know your thoughts: https://forms.gle/xQeXtSzNixNSTw5Z6
School uniforms
The school uniform for San Jose Cecil will be:
- Black school polo
- Khaki bottoms (long pants, bermuda shorts, or skorts no shorter than 2 inches above the knee)
- Closed toe shoes (sneakers)
Here are some other notes as you plan for uniforms:
- jeans/skinny jeans are not permitted
- Leggings, jeggings, joggers, athletic pants or shorts, sweatpants & yoga pants are not permitted
- All bottoms must be worn at the waist. Any students sagging will be issued a uniform dress code violation
- The following footwear is not permitted: Crocs, slides, flip flops, steel toed shoes/boots, heels higher than two inches or any shoe that will cause a distraction or are deemed unsafe, to include combat boots, cowboy boots, steel toed shoes or anything with a pointed toe. This includes dress down days.
You can purchase uniforms at: https://shop.sanjoseschools.org/
After school activities
High school doesn't usually have an after care program, however, we will have sports, clubs, and tutoring.
Schedules for after school activities will be published at the beginning of the school year.
Cross country and Swimming
Are you interested in cross country or swimming?
Please let us know- fill out this form: https://forms.gle/KvKMLGdpoQGSdJpGA
Spirit gear!
Want some swag?
Here is your chance to purchase some Cecil spirit gear for your student and family!
Click on the picture to go to our fundraising site.
Spirit swag does NOT replace the uniform, however, it can be worn on designated spirit days. We will announce when we will have dress down spirit days.
Looking for student artists!
San Jose Cecil students: are you an artist? We are looking for student art work to display in our building. If you would like to submit your work, please email Mrs. Knapp at Michelle.knapp@sanjoseschools.org