SOM Launches DCPS Art Expo

South Mandarin Library held a reception to kick off the DCPS Art Expo, March 26, 2019. YS Librarian II Isabel Moreno-Santiago said, "SOM annually celebrates our students and their exceptional art work from Duval County Public Schools. The event was a great success where 55 parents, teachers, and students admired the art display and enjoyed light refreshments during the reception."

Celebrating Customers & DCPS Art Students

West Branch Library held two important events, April 11, 2018.  Melodie Brunson said, "We had an art gallery opening for DCPS young artists and we celebrated our library customers that we appreciate so much. 

"City Councilman Doyle Carter (L) came by to say a few words and mingle with everyone.

"We enjoyed live music provided by Al Poindexter and refreshments (cheese and crackers, fresh fruit, and cookies) were served. 

"Attendees were treated to tables showcasing some of our programs such as Cool Crafty Crocheting, 3-D printing, Lego building, and a collaborative art project.

                

"The JPL Foundation provided free popcorn while Zoe Carr (R) answered Q's at their table.  

"WST volunteer Ms. Jean at the Cool Crafty Crochet table is seen below while Friends of JPL President Margaret Smith looks on at the end of the table.

"We had a wonderful evening celebrating our customers, enjoying the young artists and talking to their families, as well as Margaret Smith and Zoe Carr."

      WST volunteer Carolyn Koehler and P/T Associate Earl Stitchcomb mind the food. 

SS Hosts DCPS Art Reception

San Marco Branch held an art reception honoring DCPS young artists, April 19, 2018. There was an award ceremony in the Balis Center where the students received certificates of appreciation for their hard work and artistic abilities. There were two guest speakers, Library Director Tim Rogers, and the Director of Art for DCPS, Jeffrey Smith. Over 70 people attended the award ceremony and reception that followed and guests were treated with music and refreshments. The event was coordinated by San Marco Branch Manager Lilia Simonton and Robin West Rogers. Photos were taken by Anthony Baltiero.

WBK Hosts Special Needs School Student Art

Twenty teachers, parents, and library customers celebrated a partnership between Westbrook Branch Library and Palm Avenue Exceptional Student Center at an art opening, April 17, 2018. Palm Avenue is a neighborhood special needs school. Art Teacher Beverly Castro displayed her students’ work throughout the library, including photographs, mixed media, paintings, and fabric work.  

HAVE A TREAT: VISIT WESTBROOK BRANCH.  The artwork will be displayed through the end of April. 

Pictured above with a student's free standing piece of art are WBK Manager Scott Adams with Frankie Schroer, PAESC Teacher, and Beverly Castro, PAESC Art Teacher. 

DCPS Art Reception At Main Library

All DCPS elementary schools are represented in the 110 pieces of art currently displayed at the Main Library. To celebrate these young artists, families, teachers, and friends attended the DCPS Art Show reception, April 14, 2018.  Beautiful warm weather allowed everyone to enjoy the atrium on Main's 2nd floor.  Student art on display on the 2^nd and 3^rd floors represented the Best in Show winners from each elementary school. Children’s staff made exhibiting artist lanyards for each award winning artist to wear.  Kelli Heath, Joyce Truett, and Joanna Nigrelli hosted the refreshment table and passed out goodies to 127 attendees. Several of the artists also took home ComiCon flyers and comic book page contest entry forms. Teen volunteers Austin and Phong helped set up and take down at the event.  

Come see what the future holds in the art world; some paintings show great promise and all are worth the trip.  The exhibit is up through April 24, 2018.

203 Celebrate DCPS Art At PCR

Pablo Creek Library saw 203 proud parents, young artists, and art teachers at their art reception, April 4, 2018.  The purpose was to celebrate Duval County Public School's Spring Art Show held there annually.  This year seven neighborhood elementary schools exhibited student art: Abess Park, Alimacani, Chets Creek, Hogan Spring Glen, Kernan Trail, Sabal Palm and Waterleaf. 

Here the Kernan Trail Elementary School principal takes pictures of the art work by her school students.  Staff enjoyed hearing such comments as: “Did you see the fish on the top? That's my daughter’s work.” “Look at that rabbit. My daughter drew that. It has a little taste of Vincent van Gogh.” “That is my work. I am …”

The library had two crafts, games and snacks for the party.  Pictured above is Chets Creek art teacher showing students how to make paper bag roses.  The event is an excellent example of the benefits of the library partnership with the school system.

Parents didn't let the kids have all the fun; they joined in helping them make the paper bag roses.

NW Presents 100% Of Teachers At Henry F. Kite With JPL Educator Cards

NW Librarian Andy Gallegos reports, "Henry F. Kite Elementary teachers--100% of them--received a JPL educator card, September 11, 2017! Regional Manager Marshelle Berry told me that, to her knowledge, up to this point there had not been a DCPS school that had achieved 100% of teachers with educator cards. I brought the idea to Principal Hill of Henry F. Kite and she thought it was fantastic to have all of her teachers with an educator card."

                            SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT:

Andy Gallegos (front, center) with 100% of the Henry F. Kite Elementary teachers holding their shiny, new JPL Educator cards.

SOM Hosts Art Reception

SOM hosted an art reception for Palm Avenue Exceptional Student Center student art May 10, 2017. Talented students are part of the Police Athletic League of Jacksonville TEAM UP after school program.

Pictured are (L/R): Youth Librarian Joanna Nigrelli, Lt. Lakesha Burton, teacher Robert Graver, student artist Leon, teacher Jo Mansell, and other JSO PAL officer representatives.  (Thanks t Joanann Nigrelli for the input.)

DCPS' Larry Roziers Thanked By Library Board & JPL Director

Assistant Superintendent Larry Roziers (L) has served as the Board of Library Trustees' ex-officio board member from the Duval County Public Schools since mid-2014.  Library Board Chair Ronnie King said, "Mr. Roziers has always been eager and willing to foster communication and cooperation between DCPS and JPL at meetings, projects, and public events, where he himself has often participated. During his time on the Board, all DCPS students received Student Library Accounts, and visits began between DCPS and JPL with students brought to libraries and librarians brought to students."

As a thank-you, Director Barbara Gubbin presented Mr. Roziers with a red rose boutonniere. 

SS Hosts DCPS Art Exhibit

San Marco Branch hosted 67 attendees at their art reception March 30, 2017. Larry Roziers, Ex-Officio member of BOLT and DCPS Executive Director, had the pleasure of assisting the art teachers award  the certificates to deserving students. Everyone, including Julie McNeil, enjoyed thie special treat--meeting teachers, kids and viewing their art work.

SOM Hosts Kids' Art & CM Schellenberg

South Mandarin hosted 75 students, family members, and teachers from Greenland Pines, Loretto, Mandarin Oaks and Bartram Springs Elementary Schools at their DCPS Art Show reception, March 29, 2017.  The 6-7 p.m. event was honored to have City Council Member Matt Schellenberg speak to the crowd and JPL’s own Mark Merritt was also in attendance.

CM Schellenberg spoke on the importance of education and including art in public education. He mentioned he had a daughter who had attended Douglas Anderson School of the Arts and thanked the teachers and students who participated in the art show. 

Great Artists of DCPS Display At KR

The DCPS Spring Student Art Reception, March 28, 2017, at KR saw 78 school principals, teachers, students and their families enjoying the art exposition.  Isabel Moreno-Santiago said, "They explored art displayed throughout the library and enjoyed light refreshments. Of course, our employees always enjoy the children's talent and seeing old and new faces in the library."   

Branch Manager Mark Hohnadel admires art in top left pic (R) and Isabel stands with Brett Hartley, Principle of Crown Point Elementary in top right pic.

  

GB Displays Student Art

The DCPS Spring Student Art Reception was held March 23, 2017 at the Dallas Graham Branch Library. Children and their families were invited to a celebration of the art and artists of Duval County Public Schools. They explored art on display throughout the library and enjoyed light refreshments.
 
Normally the DCPS Spring Student Art Reception is held at the Brentwood Branch Library.  This year due to renovation plans it was temporally moved to GB. Even with the location change,16 adults/parents and 45 children attended with a  total  of 61.

If you have not experienced the joy of seeing some really good art (Van Gogh would agree), some of these children's art work is amazing.

ACT/SAT Prep Program At Mandarin Branch

                                 Alison Pulley holding ACT/SAT book with four teens.

Mia Brack reports, "Mandarin Branch Library hosted a Duval County School Board Member, Lori Hershey, and Ronnie King, Chair of the Board of Library Trustees, January 14, 2107. They attended Alison Pulley’s ACT/SAT Prep program and saw Alison demonstrate to customers many of JPL's online resources for test preparation. Questions were answered and she spoke about teen programs at the library,  After the program, Mr. King and Mrs. Hershey met with families attending the program and all enjoyed granola snacks Alison had made."

Pictured left are Lori Hershey, DCPS board member for District 7, seated between a parent (L) and her son.

Two DCPS Visits At CW

YS Librarian III Phenessa Gray shares their good news about Crystal Springs Elementary students' visit, September 22, 2016.  She said, "Janice Adams did an awesome job giving the 47 kindergartners a tour.  Rafael Reid (center above) did a great job engaging the students in Storytime.  

Branch Manager Kathy Tekin did equally as well sharing fun facts with thirty-five 4^th graders. They learned  about the types of books students can check out . And, the 4^th graders had a blast with the scavenger hunt. 

CW’s DCPS student visits were a success for all of us and the students had a pleasurable, educational experience at their library."

1st DCPS Visit At Main for 2016-2017

The Main Library hosted its first DCPS class tour, September 13, for the 2016-2017 school year. Pictured are 4^th graders from Andrew Robinson checking out the monster truck on Laura Street on their way out after touring Main.  Students participated in a ‘Non-Fiction Scavenger Hunt” after their tour of the children’s department and were introduced to many different kinds of books in non-fiction. Everyone had fun and day one was a success!  (Thanks to Nicole Evans for the blurb and pic.)

Back to School Kickoff For More Student Cards & 170 Backpacks For Kids

August 12, 2016 was a huge success both for DCPS and JPL.  Brentwood Branch Library kicked off the second year of its partnership to increase the number of students with JPL cards from grades K-5th to K-12th.  Phenessa Gray, then NS Branch Manager, said, "We witnessed riveting speeches that motivated our community to support JPL and DCPS from Director Barbara Gubbin, Dr. Charles Moreland, Director, Community Affairs; Councilman Reggie Gaffney, and Dr. Larry Roziers, Assistant Superintendent, Family and Community Engagement.

Additionally, the Back to School Bash served 170 children receiving backpacks filled with school supplies (above). Youth Services helped majorly with activities, such as face painting, hula hooping, math plinko, jewelry making, and Frisbee making.  Our students are off to a good start and have access to much needed resources and services to help them succeed this school year."

Above are pictured Councilman Reggie Gaffney speaking, and far left is Dr. Larry Roziers, DCPS Assistant Superintendent, Family and Community Engagement, Director Barbara Gubbin, and the lady on the far right is Ms. Sharon Coon, founder and organizer of the Brentwood Friends of the Library. 

KR Hosts Beauclerc Student Art

Mandarin Branch hosted Beauclerc Elementary students' art show, beginning May 16th. Manager Mark Hohnadel said, "We had over 150 people attend."  A JPL display of art related materials accompanied the students' paintings.

Who's The Cutest? Now You Know:

YS Librarian II Margo Crafton sent this photo of a child who came with her parents to the reception at South Mandarin on Thursday evening, April 14^th. She said, "We had cookies and lemonade and had 19 customers stop by to admire the works. I do not know how many of these customers were from our four local schools (Loretto, Bartram Springs, Greenland Pines, and Mandarin Oaks) that exhibited a variety of art works, but an invitation was sent to each school advertising the event. 

The child’s name is Mehreesh Shubreen and she is a Kindergartner at Mandarin Oaks Elementary." 

West Entertains Artists, Teachers, Family, & Friends

Melodie Brunson,P/T YS Associate at WST, said, "Our second annual Sip and See Art Gallery Opening celebrating artwork from DCPS elementary students at West Library, April 20, was a resounding success with about 85 present! Parents, grandparents, friends and art teachers from Crystal

Springs, Chaffee Trails, Mamie Agnes Jones, Whitehouse and Thomas Jefferson elementary schools came to celebrate their artists and their work. We sipped sparkling grape juice and nibbled on cookies, apples, and cheese and crackers. A fine time was had by all."