{"id":119163,"date":"2025-05-29T16:08:05","date_gmt":"2025-05-29T16:08:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tvbrazilusa.com\/2025\/05\/29\/photo-essay-jacksonville-schools-mark-closures-with-smiles-amid-somber-celebrations-jacksonville-today\/"},"modified":"2025-05-29T16:16:24","modified_gmt":"2025-05-29T16:16:24","slug":"photo-essay-jacksonville-schools-mark-closures-with-smiles-amid-somber-celebrations-jacksonville-today","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tvbrazilusa.com\/pt\/2025\/05\/29\/photo-essay-jacksonville-schools-mark-closures-with-smiles-amid-somber-celebrations-jacksonville-today\/","title":{"rendered":"PHOTO ESSAY | Jacksonville schools mark closures with smiles amid somber celebrations | Jacksonville Today"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-8864793242727901\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>This week, six Jacksonville schools that have educated children for a combined 450 years will forever close their doors.<\/p>\n<p>What was decided by seven politicos in a boardroom by the river is now being felt by scores of students, parents and school faculty in the Sandalwood, Grand Park, Windy Hill and Woodstock neighborhoods.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Former Annie R. Morgan Elementary students walk the halls of the 109-year-old school during a May 16, 2025, celebration for the school on the Woodstock neighborhood on the Westside. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"545448\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #545448;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"562\" id=\"94888\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-08.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-94888\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-08.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-08-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-08-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-08-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-08-427x240.jpg 427w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-08-100x56.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Safety patrols at Susie Tolbert Elementary recite the Pledge of Allegiance during a May 23, 2025, 5th grade promotion ceremony. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"afac8d\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #afac8d;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" id=\"94864\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-03.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-94864\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-03.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-03-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-03-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-03-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-03-100x67.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The family of R.V. Daniels was acknowledged during a May 15, 2025, ceremony. From left: Eleanor Daniels-Mumford, Henry R. Daniels and Tina Daniels. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>\u2018I belong to you\u2019<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Lana Jean Johnson quips that at 82-years-old, she would have plenty of time on her hands and enough seniority to \u201craise hell\u201d to save Annie R. Morgan Elementary, the school she first attended as a second-grader in 1950. But she acknowledges it\u2019s too late for that. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cI was an only child. It was really important to come to school so I could be around other children,\u201d Johnson recalls as she stands beside former schoolmates Jimmy Rhoden, 83, and Jackie Ferreira, 81, on May 16, in the same hallway they walked as children. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"a19f93\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #a19f93;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Annie-Morgan-10.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-94832\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Annie-Morgan-10.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Annie-Morgan-10-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Annie-Morgan-10-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Annie-Morgan-10-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Annie-Morgan-10-426x240.jpg 426w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Annie-Morgan-10-100x56.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Jackie Ferreira (left), Jimmie Rhoden (center) and Lana Jean Johnson (right) attended Annie R. Morgan Elementary together in the early 1950s. They all say they felt love from its teachers and found lifelong friendships. | Will Brown, <em>Jacksonville Today<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Annie R. Morgan Elementary has served students on the Westside for 109 years. Its closing ceremony attracted several septuagenarians, a current Jacksonville City Council member who once sent her children to the school as well dozens of others who wanted to walk the halls of the O-shaped school one last time.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-4 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"998b77\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #998b77;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" id=\"94848\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Annie-Morgan-08.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-94848\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Annie-Morgan-08.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Annie-Morgan-08-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Annie-Morgan-08-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Annie-Morgan-08-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Annie-Morgan-08-100x67.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"\/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"8c8a81\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #8c8a81;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"562\" id=\"94846\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Annie-Morgan-06.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-94846\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Annie-Morgan-06.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Annie-Morgan-06-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Annie-Morgan-06-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Annie-Morgan-06-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Annie-Morgan-06-427x240.jpg 427w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Annie-Morgan-06-100x56.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"\/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"8f8f7a\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #8f8f7a;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" id=\"94847\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Annie-Morgan-07.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-94847\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Annie-Morgan-07.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Annie-Morgan-07-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Annie-Morgan-07-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Annie-Morgan-07-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Annie-Morgan-07-426x240.jpg 426w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Annie-Morgan-07-100x56.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"\/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"9b9f8c\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #9b9f8c;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" id=\"94843\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Annie-Morgan-04.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-94843\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Annie-Morgan-04.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Annie-Morgan-04-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Annie-Morgan-04-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Annie-Morgan-04-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Annie-Morgan-04-426x240.jpg 426w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Annie-Morgan-04-100x56.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Boyz II Men\u2019s 1992 hit \u201cEnd of the Road\u201d played on the loudspeaker as returning students were celebrated by the current Annie Morgan Wildcats.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t see the reason for it (to close),\u201d Johnson says to avoid crying. \u201cThis looks good to me. They are tearing it down and it doesn\u2019t make sense.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In November, as part of a <a href=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/2024\/10\/02\/duval-plan-schools\/\">cost-saving move<\/a> that could close more than a dozen schools overall, the Duval County School Board approved the closure of three elementary schools this week: Annie R. Morgan; Don R. Brewer in Arlington and Susie Tolbert in Grand Park.<\/p>\n<p>Today, all three schools have predominantly Black student bodies from historically under-resourced neighborhoods.<\/p>\n<p>R.V. Daniels Elementary in Northwest Jacksonville is also closing this week, based on an earlier school board decision. <\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"736a60\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #736a60;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-06.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-94867\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-06.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-06-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-06-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-06-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-06-426x240.jpg 426w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-06-100x56.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">R.V. Daniels Elementary has been a part of the Grand Park community for 61 years. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>\u2018We are one\u2019<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>This is also the last week Windy Hill Elementary exists as an independent school. In 2023, the <a href=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/2023\/04\/19\/construction-begins-on-new-southside-estates-elementary-school\/\">district broke ground on a new Southside Estates Elementary<\/a> with funding it obtained through the 2020 half-penny sales tax referendum. When the new Southside Estates opens in August, it will have enough capacity to incorporate students from both Windy Hill and the former Southside Estates campus.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"6b4e53\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #6b4e53;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"562\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-03.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-94907\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-03.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-03-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-03-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-03-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-03-427x240.jpg 427w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-03-100x56.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Southside Estates Principal Teresa Dowdell-Brown and Windy Hill Elementary Principal Lecreshia Harris wear \u201cWe are one\u201d T-shirts amid the two schools\u2019 consolidating. The schools put on a joint performance on April 24, 2025, at Sandalwood High School. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Administrators at Southside Estates and Windy Hill collaborated on extra-curricular activities throughout the academic year to help smooth the transition from two student bodies into one. Their efforts culminated in a joint performance this spring of a musical called <em>The High Seas<\/em>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"5f5e78\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #5f5e78;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"667\" height=\"1000\" id=\"94913\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-09.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-94913\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-09.jpg 667w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-09-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-09-160x240.jpg 160w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-09-100x150.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px\"\/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"3f3d44\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #3f3d44;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"667\" height=\"1000\" id=\"94933\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-29.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-94933\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-29.jpg 667w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-29-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-29-160x240.jpg 160w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-29-100x150.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px\"\/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"4e526f\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #4e526f;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" id=\"94929\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-25.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-94929\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-25.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-25-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-25-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-25-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-25-100x67.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<p>\u201cYou could see the smiles. You could see them joining forces together,\u201d Windy Hill Principal Lecreshia Harris said at the April performance. \u201cIt didn\u2019t just begin today. \u2026We had play day together. We have had a skate night together. We have done several things to bring the students together. Not only the students, but the families, because we know that transitions are difficult. I can only imagine for a child what it feels like, because I know as an adult it\u2019s hard for us.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Southside Estates Principal Teresa Brown said, \u201cThe leaders are the ones who set the tone for the entire consolidation process, which is not an easy process.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"3e3e53\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #3e3e53;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-11.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-94915\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-11.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-11-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-11-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-11-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-11-426x240.jpg 426w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-11-100x56.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Students from Southside Estates Elementary and Windy Hill Elementary perform of on April 24, 2025, at Sandalwood High School. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Setting sail on a new adventure<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Amariah Jay is finishing fourth grade at Windy Hill.<\/p>\n<p>Amariah had never participated in a play before <em>The High Seas<\/em> and appreciated the opportunity to show her talents in the play about sailors who are marooned and saved by pirates.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"515d7c\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #515d7c;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-07.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-94911\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-07.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-07-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-07-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-07-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-07-426x240.jpg 426w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-07-100x56.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Amariah Jay, center, is flanked by Christopher Walker, left, and Bryanna Trochez-Cardoza, right, during an April 2025 performance of <em>The High Seas<\/em> at Sandalwood High School. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cIt was fun,\u201d Amariah says. \u201cThe people at Southside are pretty cool. \u2026I\u2019ve met new friends for next year when I go to fifth grade.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>More than 50 third-, fourth- and fifth-graders participated in the musical. Some were mermaids, others were rocks, and a handful were introduced to technical theatre.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"5a6661\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #5a6661;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"562\" id=\"94920\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-16.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-94920\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-16.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-16-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-16-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-16-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-16-427x240.jpg 427w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-16-100x56.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"\/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"365c93\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #365c93;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" id=\"94928\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-24.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-94928\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-24.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-24-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-24-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-24-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-24-100x67.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"\/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"735244\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #735244;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" id=\"94921\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-17.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-94921\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-17.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-17-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-17-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-17-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-17-426x240.jpg 426w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-17-100x56.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"\/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"6b554b\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #6b554b;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" id=\"94926\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-22.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-94926\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-22.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-22-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-22-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-22-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-22-100x67.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Windy Hill Elementary student Marlee Murray was one of the students from Southside Estates Elementary and Windy Hill Elementary who jointly performed The High Seas on Thursday, April 24, 2025. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<p>The students were directed by Southside Estates faculty member Kathleen Stermer, who repeatedly made the 3-mile drive over to Windy Hill for rehearsals.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"5e5350\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #5e5350;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-19.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-94923\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-19.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-19-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-19-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-19-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-19-100x67.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kathleen Stermer has served as an elementary music educator within Duval County Public Schools for more than 30 years. She directed The High Seas, an April 2025 performance featuring students from Windy Hill and Southside Estates elementaries. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-5 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"4c3d3f\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #4c3d3f;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"707\" height=\"1000\" id=\"94934\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-30.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-94934\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-30.jpg 707w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-30-212x300.jpg 212w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-30-170x240.jpg 170w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-30-100x141.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 707px) 100vw, 707px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Anyeli Guzman-Cubillo takes a bow after her performance in The High Seas, a joint performance between students at Windy Hill Elementary and Southside Estates Elementary. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"6f4f35\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #6f4f35;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"720\" id=\"94908\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-04.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-94908\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-04.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-04-300x216.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-04-768x553.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-04-333x240.jpg 333w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-The-High-Seas-04-100x72.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Southside Estates student Ilyan Atamina performs a monologue during The High Seas, a play performed by students of Southside Estates and Windy Hill elementaries ahead of their consolidation. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Finish with a flourish<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Not every school entered this academic year knowing this would be its last. In August, Duval Superintendent Christopher Bernier visited Susie Tolbert on the first day of class. Three months later, he submitted a proposal to close the school that has been in the Grand Park community for 74 years.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-6 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"6a7271\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #6a7271;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" id=\"94887\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-07.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-94887\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-07.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-07-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-07-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-07-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-07-100x67.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"\/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"657177\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #657177;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" id=\"94881\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-01.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-94881\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-01.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-01-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-01-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-01-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-01-426x240.jpg 426w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-01-100x56.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"\/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"78808f\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #78808f;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" id=\"94883\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-03.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-94883\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-03.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-03-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-03-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-03-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-03-426x240.jpg 426w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-03-100x56.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Fifth-grader Evyn Dugger attended Susie Tolbert only for this year. But she made it count. He made friends and was one of the school\u2019s top students in reading, science and math. The faculty selected him to read a poem during a May 23 graduation ceremony.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"869293\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #869293;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-04.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-94884\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-04.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-04-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-04-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-04-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-04-100x67.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Susie Tolbert students Evyn Dugger, left, and Jerrick Dix, right, walk into the school\u2019s 5th grade promotion celebration on May 23, 2025. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Miriam Dugger blew a kiss to her son from the crowd as he finished.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"997d5f\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #997d5f;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"912\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-12.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-94892\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-12.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-12-300x274.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-12-768x700.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-12-263x240.jpg 263w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-12-100x91.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Miriam Dugger, left, and Vanessa Montes, right, celebrate the academic achievement of Dugger\u2019s son, Evyn, at Susie Tolbert Elementary on May 23, 2025. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cThis school is really wonderful,\u201d Dugger says. \u201cThey embraced him. The students, the teachers, they embraced him. I\u2019ve never seen a school more prepared to welcome and help students.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Preserving history, promising futures<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The mother\u2019s testimony likely would have made the namesake for her son\u2019s school proud.<\/p>\n<p>Susie Ella Middleton Tolbert, Annie R. Morgan and Roosevelt Verdell Daniels were all champions of education in Jacksonville. Framed images of all three hang in prominent places at the campuses named after them.<\/p>\n<p>Morgan was an educator at what was initially known as the Seaboard Shop School. To celebrate her nearly 30-year tenure as an early principal at the school on St. Clair Street, the building was named in her honor.<\/p>\n<p>Tolbert taught applied social etiquette at what is now Edward Waters University and also lobbied for improved facilities and equipment for Black children in Jacksonville.<\/p>\n<p>Daniels was a bus contractor who served as president of the Duval County Council of PTAs and the Florida Council on Human Rights.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"7f827a\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #7f827a;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-11.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-94872\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-11.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-11-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-11-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-11-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-11-100x67.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Henry Daniels and Eleanor Daniels-Mumford sit in front of a portrait of their father, Roosevelt V. Daniels. Duval County Public Schools named R.V. Daniels Elementary in 1964 after his death. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cMy dad was kind of quiet in the things he did,\u201d Henry Daniels says. \u201cHe supported and encouraged us to do what we wanted to do. He supported me in my education career 100%.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Henry Daniels is 93. He is a retired Duval County educator who attended the closing ceremony at R.V. Daniels Elementary with his wife, Tina, and younger sister Eleanor Daniels-Mumford this month.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"8d8678\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #8d8678;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-12.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-94873\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-12.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-12-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-12-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-12-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-12-100x67.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">R.V. Daniels Principal Johnny O. Bryant III with two of Daniels\u2019 children, Eleanor Daniels-Mumford and Henry Daniels, following a May 15, 2025, ceremony to celebrate the 61-year-old school. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>It was a full-circle moment for fifth-year Principal Johnny O. Bryant. He was a student at R.V. Daniels 35 years ago.<\/p>\n<p>During the May 15 closing celebration, Bryant remembered how large the school once seemed. He says his classes were in Room 13 and Room 14. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou do your best every day because you\u2019re a reflection not only on your family, but, of course, the people who have instilled values in you. You\u2019re a reflection of all that,\u201d Bryant told students. \u201cI\u2019ve gained friends here along the way. I still connect with some to this day.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"8c897b\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #8c897b;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"562\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-01.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-94862\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-01.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-01-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-01-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-01-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-01-427x240.jpg 427w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-01-100x56.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">R.V. Daniels Elementary has served as a sixth grade center, a montessori school as well as a gifted and talented school during its 61 years in the Grand Park neighborhood. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>One of those people is Renee Pressley, a former R.V. Daniels student who went to to a career with the school district and sent her son to the school from 2015 to 2018. She says R.V. Daniels set the foundation for her son\u2019s academic success, which will culminate in his graduation from Ribault High on Friday.<\/p>\n<p>The faculty at R.V. Daniels may have implored the students to \u201cS.O.A.R. in style,\u201d but that was not always easy in the school\u2019s final year. <\/p>\n<p>In November, beloved cafeteria worker Denise Tolbert suddenly. died She was 56. Most mornings, Tolbert had sat on a bench and welcomed students as they entered school while she waited for her young grandchildren to catch a bus to their school.<\/p>\n<p>In February, Yolanda McCray died a few months after receiving a terminal diagnosis. She was 62. Before her illness spread, McCray was named the school\u2019s 2025 Teacher of the Year.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A community education<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Current J. Allen Axson Elementary Principal Cecilia Robinson-Vanhoy taught at R.V. Daniels for 13 years. She says the school and its community made her a better educator.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"978783\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #978783;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-07.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-94868\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-07.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-07-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-07-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-07-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-07-100x67.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Melissa Blackmon, Dora Bistro, Cecilia Robinson-Vanhoy, Bronwyn McLemore and Kathy Lane taught at R.V. Daniels Elementary for a combined 53 years. The quintet revisited the school during a May 15, 2025, ceremony. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cYou have been in a place of glory here,\u201d Robinson-Van Hoy said during the May 15 closing celebration. \u201cI wish all the students all the success in life. I expect all of you to go to college, and in 10 or 15 years you will say R.V. Daniels was on your journey as well.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>R.V. Daniels opened in 1964 to alleviate overcrowding at Susie Tolbert. The two schools are so close, the sound of children on the playground can be heard on both campuses.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-7 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"69695f\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #69695f;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" id=\"94871\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-10.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-94871\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-10.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-10-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-10-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-10-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-10-426x240.jpg 426w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-10-100x56.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Khadija Palmer, left, and Savannah Bennett,  are fourth graders at R.V. Daniels Elementary School. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<p>This fall, the corner of 13th Street and Pullman Avenue, which often teamed with children from both schools, will be silent.<\/p>\n<p>Elisha Morgan, 11, says that means she will always be remembered because she\u2019s in Susie Tolbert\u2019s final fifth-grade class.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"4f514e\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #4f514e;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-13.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-94893\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-13.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-13-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-13-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-13-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-13-426x240.jpg 426w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-13-100x56.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Elisha Morgan receives her certificate of completion during a 5th grade promotion ceremony at Susie Tolbert Elementary in front of friends and family on May 23, 2025. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cHonestly, I love Susie Tolbert!\u201d Elisha said. \u201cIt was so fun. This is where I met a lot of friends.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>As her niece received her certificate, Courtney Hicks cheered loudly enough to make sure Elisha knew she is \u201cTiti\u2019s baby!\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"81766d\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #81766d;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-15.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-94895\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-15.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-15-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-15-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-15-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-15-426x240.jpg 426w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Susie-Tolbert-15-100x56.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Elisha Morgan is celebrated by her village following her promotion from Susie Tolbert Elementary. The adults who supported Elisha were her \u2018Titi\u2019 Courtney Hicks, her aunt Samiyah Morgan, mother Samaria Morgan and godmother Alizaya Stacey. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Hicks, Morgan and Alizaya Stacey were among the people who came to celebrate Elisha. When a different Susie Tolbert student could not hear her name called, the three sprang into action to inform Principal Amanda Cardoza.<\/p>\n<p>The child\u2019s tears were dried by a standing ovation from every parent, sibling and supporter in attendance.<\/p>\n<p>Susie Tolbert, R.V. Daniels and Annie Morgan are schools small enough that faculty and staff not only know every student but also the names of the loved ones in the car line every morning and which students walk to school.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"797f6c\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #797f6c;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Annie-Morgan-13.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-94854\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Annie-Morgan-13.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Annie-Morgan-13-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Annie-Morgan-13-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Annie-Morgan-13-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-Annie-Morgan-13-100x67.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Mesha Farland, left, and Serenity Foster, right, were members of the Annie R. Morgan safety patrol this year. The two said the closing of their school is sad because they are not sure where all their school friends will be going to school in the years ahead. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Samaria Morgan, Elisha\u2019s mother, says the school gave her child the reassurance that she has a village.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are not saying goodbye to this place,\u201d Bryant, the outgoing R.V. Daniels principal, said during the ceremony, \u201cbut\u2026I will see you around.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"655647\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #655647;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-students.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-94945\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-students.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-students-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-students-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-students-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SCHOOL-CLOSURE-PHOTO-ESSAY-R.V.-Daniels-students-100x67.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">R.V. Daniels Elementary held its final Valentine\u2019s Day dance on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. | Will Brown<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<p><em>Disclosure: Reporter Will Brown\u2019s son, Ben, is a student at R.V. Daniels Elementary, and his wife is the school\u2019s PTA president. The last picture is of Ben (right) and his best friend, Caden Kimbrough, a friendship that was forged at R.V. Daniels Elementary.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/2025\/05\/29\/photo-essay-jacksonville-schools-mark-closures-with-smiles-amid-somber-celebrations\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This week, six Jacksonville schools that have educated children for a combined 450 years will forever close their doors. What was decided by seven politicos in a boardroom by the&hellip;<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":119164,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-119163","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvbrazilusa.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/119163","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvbrazilusa.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvbrazilusa.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvbrazilusa.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvbrazilusa.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=119163"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/tvbrazilusa.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/119163\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":119165,"href":"https:\/\/tvbrazilusa.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/119163\/revisions\/119165"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvbrazilusa.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/119164"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvbrazilusa.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=119163"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvbrazilusa.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=119163"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvbrazilusa.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=119163"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}