Community Outreach

From time to time River City Science Academy (RCSA) is graced by the presence of non-parent/guardian community leaders.  They include members of the District School Board, the District Superintendent, members of the local Press and Media, members of the legislative and judicial branches of our State, local government and congressman/woman, the Jacksonville’s Sheriff’s Office, sports team members, as well as local religious leaders and successful businessmen/women.

We are grateful for the time they take out of their busy schedules to come to our School.  They meet with our students in an assembly-type setting as well as in the classrooms and on an individual basis.  We value their presence and interaction with our students immensely, as they walk through our halls and visit our different campuses.

Jacksonville Sheriff Rutherford, Director of Police Services, Carol Hladki, and Chief Department of Police Services, Greg Burton, recently visited River City Science Academy. During their visit they had the opportunity to see the classrooms interacted with students and teachers. Sheriff and his staff were very impressed about the school programs and welcoming environment at RCSA. Sheriff commended the work and accomplishments done by RCSA teachers and staff within a few years since RCSA opened.

February 28, 2013 was an exciting day for River City Science Academy as we were visited by a member of the Florida Senate, Senator Aaron Bean. He was greeted with warm welcomes on a chilly day before he spoke at an assembly for 6th and 7th graders.

The students were intrigued and asked several questions as he tried to answer every one. He spoke of a few of his current positions and achievements such as being a Commissioner and Mayor of Fernandina Beach as well as a member of the Florida House of Representatives for 8 years all before being elected Senator.

River City Science Academy’s staff and students were honored to have Bishop Rudolph W. McKissick, Sr. Pastor at Bethel Baptist Institutional Church  to speak at our school January 24, 2013. He spoke in an articulate and conservative manner. The information  he shared allowed students to ponder on ways minority individuals were treated in the past, and why they need to deter from mistreating others today. His words were heard loud and clear. They were also quite interesting and  meaningful. Bishop McKissick  did not only share  information about what he read in History books or saw in the media during his era of oppression, but instead he shared memories of personal encounters, experiences and obstacles he endured as an African- American male growing up in the slavery era.

February 8^th 2013 , River City Science Academy was able to welcome yet again, another wonderful visitor. Member of the school board, Cheryl Grymes brought not only herself, but her passion about public education and community to share. After speaking in front of select students, she also respectively awarded each of our Science Olympiad competitors with their certificate and then a trophy for their placing first at Regionals, as a team.

Rocketfuel productions was even able to get a quick interview with her before her tour of the school, where she answered questions about her perspective on school, the changes going on within the school board now, and enclosing, what she thought of our school.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013, River City Science Academy was visited by a wonderful guest, DCPS Board Member Ashley Smith Juarez. As always being a participator within the school system through teaching and just recently, being made member of the school board, she was able to relate with the students with words of motivation and encouragement.

Rocket Fuel was able to get a quick interview with her before she left where she uncovered the answers to a few questions dealing with school, her motivation, and the school board.

February 25, 2013, Stacy Spanos, morning anchor for Channel 4, our local news station, visited River City Science Academy with a smile on her face, despite the rainy weather. It was great having her come and talk to some of our 6^th graders as she related to them and made them laugh.

She spoke to them about the importance of being the best you that you can be as well as a few of her stories from working with the news business. She too, toured the school and visited a few of our classrooms including the science labs where she even had to sign a couple autographs.

River City Science Academy(RCSA) welcomed another guest today; School board member, Dr. Constance S. Hall. She has always been involved in the education system from her position as a teacher, to a principal and even district administrator.  Receiving a Bachelor’s, Master’s and PHD, Dr. Hall values education and enjoyed getting a look at how we use those skills here at River City Science Academy (RCSA). After touring the school, she joined Rocketfuel for a quick interview where we found out more! We asked her if her past experience dealing with education has helped her with what she does today and she responded quickly by proclaiming the significance in knowing what goes on in school and what is needed  in order to provide children with appropriate skills.

On Tuesday, April 2nd, a group of 7 of our students went to Tallahassee to visit the Capitol.  We would like to thank Senator Aaron Bean for hosting us while we were there, meeting with us, and giving us a tour of the Senate.  The students were also able to meet one on one with Representative Rep Reggie Fullwood-, Rep Ronald "Doc" Renuart, Rep Daniel Davis, Rep Janet Adkins, Rep Lake Ray, Rep Mia Jones , Rep Charles McBurney, shake hands with them and have wonderful photo opportunities. 

Friday, March 22nd, Mayor Alvin Brown graced the RCSA Science Olympiad Team with a visit to his office.  He spoke to the students as well as the Coaches who were present, and motivated them to continue on with the good job they began at the Regional competition, earning first place overall.  He high-fived every student and gave them words of encouragement and good cheer for the State Competition that was held the following day on April 23rd at UCF. The Team went on to achieve the 4th place in the competition out of 42 best statewide teams. This was an 8-place advancement from last year. RCSA Science Olympiad Team received 2 gold, 2 silver and one bronze medals; and placed among the top 10 teams in many events.  

on January 22^nd , 2013  the Honorable Becki Couch, District 6 Board Member, visited our School.  She toured both our Elementary and Middle/High School campuses and spoke to our students in an assembly.  Her many years in the classroom were visible in the rapport she was able to establish with our students. 

Here at RCSA we greatly value the visits from our DCPS Board Members because of their valuable impact upon our Staff and Students. 

Just recently, River City Science Academy had the opportunity to welcome another member of the Jacksonville City Council, Matt Schellenberg. He joined our principal and Public Relations Director for the traditional tour of the school where he was invited into classrooms and introduced to some of the teachers and what the students were learning. Schellenberg was pleased with what he saw of the school as he mentioned over breakfast. He shared stories as well as interesting facts about what he does. To allow others the opportunity to learn about him, Rocketfuel productions interviewed him to ask him questions about his position in the council, what his career is, and to give some advice to our viewers. Matt Schellenberg responded to the questions by describing the duties of the council and how helping the community is a big part of what he does. He also told the viewers about his career as a specialist in repairs or refinishing of furniture for corporations and private individuals. Then, for our viewers, he shared a word of advice for when it comes to deciding what you want to do in which he says to do what your good at: to find your strengths and go for it. It was a great experience meeting with Matt Schellenberg and River City Science Academy would like to thank him for visiting and giving our school a positive review. Way to go RCSA!