Good News Friday | September 4, 2020
From Lunches to Laptops: Links to Resources
As students return to school (virtually or in-person), many families are struggling to meet their needs, especially those who have opted to school at home via Duval HomeRoom. Providers, please share this list of resources with your students' families. You never know who could be looking for some of these things right now!
Laptops

Duval County Public Schools is asking parents whose students do not have a computer or laptop at home to contact their school about receiving a DCPS-issued laptop. This includes students enrolled in the hybrid option. District-issued technology is provided based on a demonstrated need.

Additionally, Duval County Public Schools has partnered with Urban Mining to provide deeply discounted laptops to families who would like to have one to keep for their student.


Lunches

Know a virtual student in need of a lunch? Duval HomeRoom students can also qualify for free and reduced lunches!

Student or parent/guardian may pick up meals daily inside the school lobby during the allotted time listed below for each grade level. Student or parent/guardian must have acceptable form of ID for student to receive meal. Meal must be picked up at enrolled school.

Elementary: 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Middle: 10-11 a.m.
High: 9-10 a.m.


Afterschool

The Kids Hope Alliance (KHA) funds more than 90 afterschool sites around Duval County. Many of our providers are providing virtual options for students right now, which is a great way to keep students engaged once their classwork is done. All KHA providers follow state and local guidelines to ensure safety for students and staff during COVID-19.



COVID-19 Test

City of Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry recently announced free, rapid COVID testing for Duval County students at four testing sites in Jacksonville: Oceanway Senior Center, Land Wiley Senior Center, Leroy D. Clemens Senior Center, and Mandarin Senior Center. The student express lanes at each site are open from 11 am to 7 pm, Monday through Friday.


Virtual Preschool

For parents with preschoolers staying at home, the Florida Institute of Education offers the Early Learning Highway, a free, virtual program for preschool-aged children.

Provider News
Ulysses Owens, Jr. Wins Cultural Council Advocacy Award
Ulysses Owens, Jr., Artistic Director for Kids Hope Alliance provider Don't Miss A Beat (DMAB), was awarded the Robert Arleigh White Advocacy Award at the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville's 44th Annual Arts Awards, held virtually on September 2nd.

In addition to his work with DMAB, Ulysses is the creator of an online jazz drumming course, "Finding Your Beat" and has authored three books. He is the Educational Artist in Residence at the Savannah Music Festival Jazz Academy and the Jackie Cornelius Artist in Residence at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts.
Mal Washington and Terri Florio Named Humanitarian Honorees
On September 10, 2020, OneJax will host its 50th Humanitarian Awards Ceremony, a virtual event that will recognize the work being done on behalf of Jacksonville's community by local humanitarians.

This year, Malivai Washington and Terri Florio, Founder and Executive Director of the MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation, have been named Honorees. For 12 years, the pair have worked together to serve thousands of Duval County youth through the Foundation, which provides a continuum of academic and sports for local at-hope children and youth.


The event is free but registration is required to attend. Click here to register.
September Events
KHA Employee of the Month:
Sylvester Pinckney
The Kids Hope Alliance (KHA) Employee of the Month for September is someone that everyone (yes, everyone) knows, Mr. KHA himself, Sylvester Pinckney.

Sylvester serves as KHA's Assistant Director of Community Engagement and has worked for the City of Jacksonville for more than 15 years. He is the face of KHA in the community, and his warmth, resourcefulness, and affability have helped build long-lasting relationships between KHA, its providers, city leaders, and other local organizations.

His nomination form, submitted by Tyrica Young, best sums up the immense impact he has had on KHA and the children and youth of Jacksonville:

"Sylvester can best be described as KHA's ambassador. On any given day you can find him in the community representing KHA. His positive attitude and continued advocacy for "at-hope" children and youth is to be admired. His energy is contagious and he has never met a stranger. He makes everyone he encounters feel important and is always willing to lend a listening ear. KHA is blessed to have Sylvester, and he definitely should be recognized for his commitment, hard word, and serving as KHA's ambassador."