jacksonville special education

MAINSPRING ACADEMY: March 2023 – Mainspring Academy staff pledged to “Spread the Word on Inclusion” with Special Olympics Florida, to advocate for inclusion not only in school athletics, but in clubs, workplaces, schools, and communities. Our students and staff also celebrated their favorite stories for Read Across America Day!

Parents, Summer Camp/Extended School Year applications with deposits will be due no later than Wednesday April 5, 2023 by 3:00pm. These are posted as well on the Parent Corner of our Website under “Extended School Year” along with all relevant due dates.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Please visit our Parent’s Corner for all forms listed below as well as all due dates, closures, and events for the 2022-2023 school year.

Monday, April 3rd – Tuition Due by 3:00pm

Tuesday, April 4th- Open PAC Meeting in the Cafeteria. 9:15am

Wednesday, April 5th- Extended School Year (Summer Camp) Contract & Deposit Due

Friday, April 7th- School CLOSED for Good Friday.

Friday, April 14th-Spring Intersession (May 9-12) Deposit Fee & Contract Due

Monday, April 17th –Extended Care and Tuition Fees Due by 3:00pm

Saturday, April 22nd – Saturday Service Day for National Volunteer Week 10am-3pm

Friday, April 28th- Spring Intersession (May 9-12) Full Fee Due

Friday, April 28th – Special Olympics Baseball & Track/Field

May 1st-5th, 2023- Teacher Appreciation Week

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Tuesday, April 4th– Open Parent Action Committee (PAC) Meeting , 9:15am in the cafeteria

Saturday, April 22nd – Saturday Service Day for National Volunteer Week – 10am-3pm. Email Sabrena at [email protected] to be put on the volunteer roster!

Saturday, April 28th – Special Olympics Baseball and Track/Field– 11am-2pm. Keep an eye out for the SignupGenius!

Summer Camp Supply Wishlist– Keep an eye out for the link!

PARENT COMMUNITY

Parents, if you have not already, please join our MSA Parent Support Facebook Group here. Please join our MSA Community Group for volunteer, sponsorship, and donation opportunities here.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

JJ–
April 3rd

Ms. Lisa–
April 10th

Mr. Jonathon–
April 16th

Taylor-
April 26th

Vaughn–
April 30th

FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY

Click here to view the schedule!

SUPPORT MAINSPRING ACADEMY

If you are interested in donating funds to our school, please click here. If you are interested in donating items to our school, please click here. If you are interested in volunteering at our school, please click here. Give us a call at (904)503-0344 or email our Director of Student and Community Affairs Sabrena Snow at [email protected] if you have any questions or would like to set up a tour of the school!

MAINSPRING ACADEMY: January & February 2022 – Students embarked on a new and energized year with their first adaptive physical education classes alongside Mainspring partners Adaptive Exercise Group. Special Olympics Basketball and Flag Football took place at the duPont YMCA, with awards presented by Andy Kaufman (owner) and (mascot) Fang of the Jacksonville Icemen, and Reggie Hayward, former defensive end of the Denver Broncos and the Jacksonville Jaguars. In celebration of both Valentines Day and Random Acts of Kindness Week, students exchanged randomly-assigned friendship kits to classmates containing their favorite items.

Thanks to the event sponsors and the 27 event registrants, Miles for Mainspring 2023 raised $9,700 towards continuance of Mainspring Academy’s adaptive physical education program in the 2023-2024 school year. Valerie Shubert, the winner of the step challenge, received a 3-day weekend getaway for two in Flagler Beach!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Please visit our Parent’s Corner for all forms listed below as well as all due dates, closures, and events for the 2022-2023 school year.

Wednesday, March 1st- Tuition due by 3:00pm

Thursday, March 2nd – Read Across America (Dressup Day). Students and staff are encouraged to dress like their favorite storybook characters (OR wear shirts representing their favorite storybook characters).

Friday, March 3rd – Spread the Word: Inclusion Day.

Thursday, March 7th- Open Parent Action Committee (PAC) Meeting in the cafeteria, 9:15am. More information about the PAC>

Friday, March 10th- SCHOOL CLOSED for Teacher Planning Day

Friday, March 10th –2023-2024 Contracts and Registration Fees due by 3:00pm 

Monday, March 13th-Friday, March 17th – SCHOOL CLOSED for Spring Break

Wednesday, March 29th- Spring Portrait Day

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Thursday, March 7th– Open Parent Action Committee (PAC) Meeting , 9:15am in the cafeteria

Wishlists for Teacher Appreciation Week and Extended School Year (Summer) will be emailed this month! Please keep an eye out!

PARENT COMMUNITY

Parents, if you have not already, please join our MSA Parent Support Facebook Group here. Please join our MSA Community Group for volunteer, sponsorship, and donation opportunities here.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Katie–
February 3rd

Mr. Joe–
February 4th

Jada-
February 9th

Mr. Frank-
February 15th

Allan –
February 26th

Jacob–
March 25th

Micah –
March 25th

FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY

Click here to view the schedule!

SUPPORT MAINSPRING ACADEMY

If you are interested in donating funds to our school, please click here. If you are interested in donating items to our school, please click here. If you are interested in volunteering at our school, please click here. Give us a call at (904)503-0344 or email our Director of Student and Community Affairs Sabrena Snow at [email protected] if you have any questions or would like to set up a tour of the school!

MAINSPRING ACADEMY: December 2022 – Our students closed the school year with another magical annual Polar Express Pajama Party and a visit from Santa himself!

Mainspring is grateful to have a generous end-of-year gift from the Benton Family Foundation to support the quality programming and learning experiences of our deserving students. We would also like to thank Fortegra, our Miles for Mainspring 2023 Platinum Title Sponsors! We are so grateful for the support of our community!

Registration for the Miles for Mainspring 7 -Day Virtual Step Challenge is now OPEN and ends Tuesday, January 31, 2023! We’re raising funds to support an adaptive physical education program for our 55 special education students. The Miles for Mainspring 2023 Grand Prize Package includes a 3-Day Flagler Beach getaway for two in a private beachfront condo*, $200 gift certificate for spa services at Golden Magnolia Resort*, and a $15 gift certificate to Flagler Beachfront Winery. #MakingMyStepsCount. The event begins Monday, February 13, 2023. REGISTER NOW!!!

Mainspring staff, please reach out to Sabrena at [email protected] for a discount code.

If you are not participating in the step challenge but would like to purchase an event t-shirt and/or make a donation, please use the discount code “TSHIRTONLY”.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Please visit our Parent’s Corner for all forms listed below as well as all due dates, closures, and events for the 2022-2023 school year.

Tuesday, January 3rd- Tuition due by 3:00pm

Tuesday, January 10th- Open Parent Action Committee (PAC) Meeting in the cafeteria, 9:15am. More information about the PAC>

Monday, January 16th- SCHOOL CLOSED for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Tuesday, January 17th–Extended Day and Tuition Payments due by 3:00pm 

Tuesday, January 24th – Completed Val Pal Questionnaires Due

Friday, January 27th – Special Olympics Flag Football and Basketball at the duPont YMCA– Volunteer Time 11:00am-2:00pm, Actual Event Time 12:00pm-2:00pm

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Tuesday, January 10th– Open Parent Action Committee (PAC) Meeting , 9:15am in the cafeteria

Friday, January 27th– Special Olympics Flag Football/ Basketball. Volunteers must be available between 11am and 2pm. Sign up here! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0E4DAFAE23ABFF2-special. In addition to the SignupGenius – Any family friends, non-household family members, or community members not affiliated with our school must complete a volunteer application here. https://www.mainspringacademy.org/support-mainspring/volunteer/.

Approved volunteers must be available to meet Ms. Lindsay, Mr. Dawson, and Ms. Sabrena at the DuPont YMCA no later than 11:00am for training! (Please let Sabrena know if you may be interested in helping with some heavier-lifting for setup from 9:45-11 [email protected] ! You can also indicate with a comment on the SignupGenius).

Location: duPont YMCA – 7373 Old King’s Rd. S, Jacksonville, FL, 32217

Volunteer time: 11:00am-2:00pm

Actual Event Time: 12:00pm-2:00pm

PARENT COMMUNITY

Parents, if you have not already, please join our MSA Parent Support Facebook Group here. Please join our MSA Community Group for volunteer, sponsorship, and donation opportunities here.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Robert F.-
January 4th

Ms. Liz M.-
January 5th

Adam W.-
January 9th

Ms. Dina –
January 9th

Killian N.–
January 16th

Austin M. –
January 23rd

Mr. Dawson –
January 31st

FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY

Click here to view the schedule!

SUPPORT MAINSPRING ACADEMY

If you are interested in donating funds to our school, please click here. If you are interested in donating items to our school, please click here. If you are interested in volunteering at our school, please click here. Give us a call at (904)503-0344 or email our Director of Student and Community Affairs Sabrena Snow at [email protected] if you have any questions or would like to set up a tour of the school!

MAINSPRING ACADEMY: November 2022 – Thanks to the time and efforts of our Parent Action Committee (PAC) and Parent Volunteers, Mainspring Academy families gathered to celebrate Thanksgiving with a delicious Bob Evans feast!

Mainspring is grateful to have received a Fall Grant from HEAL Foundation to enhance our sensory room and increase its level of functionality for our students. Our students and staff were so excited to see the new room after Thanksgiving break! We have also been notified by TEGNA Foundation that we have been awarded a grant to enhance our current lobby security system!

As we kick off the season of giving, please visit our Donation and Volunteer pages to explore how you can make an difference for our students at Mainspring Academy.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Please visit our Parent’s Corner for all forms listed below as well as all due dates, closures, and events for the 2022-2023 school year.

Thursday, December 1st- Tuition due by 3:00pm

Tuesday, December 6th- Open Parent Action Committee (PAC) Meeting in the cafeteria, 9:15am. More information about the PAC>

Friday, December 9th- Parent Fundraiser (Miles for Mainspring 2023) sponsorships and raffles due

Monday, December 12th– Holiday Headwear Day – Students and staff are encouraged to wear their most festive holiday hats, headbands, or ears!

Tuesday, December 13th – (Staff) Holiday Bake-Off – Staff will be bringing in their best homemade desserts for providers to try, then vote for a winner!

Wednesday, December 14th – (Staff) Door-Decorating Contest– Staff will be showing off their Holiday Door Decorations and judges will vote for a winner!

Thursday, December 15th – Ugly Christmas Sweater Day– Students and staff are encouraged to wear ugly Christmas Sweaters

Friday, December 16th – Polar Express Holiday Pajama Party & EARLY RELEASE 12:00pm (No Aftercare)– Students and staff are encouraged to wear their coziest holiday pajamas. Students will be gathering goodies while visiting the many fun stops on the Polar Express. Volunteers needed!

Monday, December 19th – Monday, January 2nd – SCHOOL CLOSED FOR WINTER BREAK

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Tuesday, December 6th– Open Parent Action Committee (PAC) Meeting , 9:15am in the cafeteria

Friday, December 9th – Parent Fundraiser (Miles for Mainspring 2023) sponsorships and raffles due

Friday, December 16th – Polar Express Holiday Pajama Party – Volunteers for goodie bag supplies, setup, table “stations”, and cleanup needed. SignupGenius TBD

Parents, if you have not already, please join our MSA Parent Support Facebook Group here. Please join our MSA Community Group for volunteer, sponsorship, and donation opportunities here.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Sam B.-
December 4th

Mr. Casey-December 7th

Ms. Stephanie-December 12th

Tyler –
December 13th

Ms. Che–
December 22nd

FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY
Click here to view the schedule!

SUPPORT MAINSPRING ACADEMY

If you are interested in donating funds to our school, please click here. If you are interested in donating items to our school, please click here. If you are interested in volunteering at our school, please click here. Give us a call at (904)503-0344 or email our Director of Student and Community Affairs Sabrena Snow at [email protected] if you have any questions or would like to set up a tour of the school!

MAINSPRING ACADEMY: October 2022 – Mainspring Academy staff celebrated kindness, acceptance, and inclusion alongside Special Olympics Florida for the annual national anti-bullying campaign Unity Day 2022. Parent volunteers helped wrap up the month with a fun and spooky Trunk or Treat event !

We are excited to announce that HEAL Foundation has awarded the school a Fall grant for its sensory room enhancement project. The students will enjoy the fun sensory equipment to come!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Please visit our Parent’s Corner for all forms listed below as well as all due dates, closures, and events for the 2022-2023 school year.

Tuesday, November 1st- Tuition due by 3:00pm

Tuesday, November 1st- Open Parent Action Committee (PAC) Meeting in the cafeteria, 9:15am. More information about the PAC>

Wednesday, November 9th- Vision is Priceless Vision Screening (9:15-11:15am)

Tuesday, November 15– Extended Day and Tuition Payments due by 3:00pm

Friday, November 18th – Mainspring Academy Thanksgiving Feast, NO AFTERCARE

Monday, November 21st – Friday, November 25th – SCHOOL CLOSED FOR THANKSGIVING BREAK

Tuesday, November 29th- Giving Tuesday Schoolwide Fundraiser. Instructions HERE

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Tuesday, November 1st– Open Parent Action Committee (PAC) Meeting , 9:15am in the cafeteria

Friday, November 18th – Thanksgiving Feast – Volunteers for pickup, setup, serving, and supplies needed. SignupGenius TBD

Parents, if you have not already, please join our MSA Parent Support Facebook Group here. Please join our MSA Community Group for volunteer, sponsorship, and donation opportunities here.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Michelangelo-
November 10th

Julia R.-
November 11th

Tanner-
November 14th

Ms. Laney –
November 16th

Anish–
November 18th

Jeremiah–
November 18th

Amanda–
November 19th

Ms. Paige–
November 22nd

FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY
Click here to view the schedule!

SUPPORT MAINSPRING ACADEMY

If you are interested in donating funds to our school, please click here. If you are interested in donating items to our school, please click here. If you are interested in volunteering at our school, please click here. Give us a call at (904)503-0344 or email our Director of Student and Community Affairs Sabrena Snow at [email protected] if you have any questions or would like to set up a tour of the school!

MAINSPRING ACADEMY: September 2022 – Staff and students celebrated Spirit Week expressing gratitude to our donors, volunteers, Board of Directors, and local law enforcement officers. We closed the week with Diversity Day, a showcase of foods from the many different cultures at Mainspring. Staff hosted a fun Zootopia-themed Parent Night Out to raise funds that will go towards an enhanced school security system.

Mainspring Academy is excited to have received a generous $50,000 donation from Fortegra Foundation which will provide many opportunities as we begin our expansion later this school year. We are also grateful to have received grant funding from Autism Speaks for an adaptive art curriculum from Indigo Art Therapy and Florida Autism License Plates for adaptive physical education from Adaptive Personal Training.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Please visit our Parent’s Corner for all forms listed below as well as all due dates, closures, and events for the 2022-2023 school year.

Monday, October 3rd- Tuition due by 3:00pm

Tuesday, October 4th- Open Parent Action Committee (PAC) Meeting in the cafeteria, 9:15am. More information about the PAC>

Monday, October 10th – SCHOOL CLOSED to students for Teacher Planning Day

Tuesday, October 11- Friday, October 14– SCHOOL CLOSED to students unless enrolled in Fall Intersession

Monday, October 17th – Extended Day and Tuition Payments due by 3:00pm

Wednesday, October 19th – Last Day of the Quarter

Thursday, October 20th – Open House (5:30-7:00pm)

Friday, October 21st – Back to the Future Day: Students and staff are encouraged to dress like they’re in their favorite decade.

Saturday, October 22nd- Saturday Service Day for “National Make A Difference Day (10:00am to 3:00pm)

Wednesday, October 26th – Halloween Candy due from all MSA parents. Each class will be assigned different candies/items. Treats will be for the school Trunk or Treat event, and not for the classroom. Candies must be individually wrapped for safety and sanitary reasons.

Amy’s Class –
50+ pack of Skittles & 50+ pack of Airheads
Paige’s Class –
50+ pack of Starbursts & 50+ pack of temporary tattoos
Jeff’s Class –
25+ pack of mini fidget toys & 50+ pack of Nerds
Kim’s Class –
50+ pack of gummy candies (individually wrapped) & 50+ pack of Jolly Ranchers
Lisa’s Class –
50+ pack of Sour Patch Kids & 50+ pack of Twizzlers (individually wrapped)
Liz’s Class –
50+ pack of Gummy Life Savers (individually wrapped) & 50+ flat-sealed lollipops
Callie’s Class –
25+ Pop Rocks & 50+ pack of Laffy Taffy’s
Jenn’s Class –
50+ pack of Now & Laters & 50+ pack of Dots (individually wrapped)
Sara’s Class –
25+ pack of mini slime & 25+ pack of ring pops
Shermaine’s Class –
50+ pack of Smarties & 50+ pack of stickers

Friday, October 28th- Flannel Friday: Students and staff are encouraged to dress in their favorite plaid/flannel shirts.

Monday, October 31st – Trunk or Treat

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Tuesday, October 4th– Open Parent Action Committee (PAC) Meeting , 9:15am in the cafeteria

Saturday, October 22nd- Saturday Service Day for “National Make A Difference Day (10:00am to 3:00pm). Please email Sabrena at [email protected] to sign up!

Monday, October 31st – Trunk or Treat. SignupGenius HERE

Parents, if you have not already, please join our MSA Parent Support Facebook Group here. Please join our MSA Community Group for volunteer, sponsorship, and donation opportunities here.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Aiden-
October 1st

Julia M.-
October 10th

Diana-
October 11th

Ms. Jen W.–
October 13th

Taliyah–
October 15th

Sadie D.–
October 21st

Nathan–
October 24th

Grace–
October 27th

Riley–
October 28th

FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY
Click here to view the schedule!

SUPPORT MAINSPRING ACADEMY

If you are interested in donating funds to our school, please click here. If you are interested in donating items to our school, please click here. If you are interested in volunteering at our school, please click here. Give us a call at (904)503-0344 or email our Director of Student and Community Affairs Sabrena Snow at [email protected] if you have any questions or would like to set up a tour of the school!

MAINSPRING ACADEMY: August 2022 – Students were off to a great start l in the first few weeks of school! SMART Interactive Whiteboard installation is now complete and students are already taking advantage of this classroom tool to progress in their learning!

Parents, If you’ve been looking to have a night out while someone you trust watches the kids, you’re in luck! Saturday, September 17 from 4-7pm, Mainspring Academy staff will be hosting a Zootopia-themed Parent Night Out. Children will be able to enjoy the movie “Zootopia”, crafts, playtime, and dinner while you have a night out to yourselves! We are raising funds to enhance our school’s current security system. Registration will be a $50 flat fee for the night per child, with $15 for each additional child. Waivers and fees are due no later than Friday, September 9, 2022 by 3:00pm. Waiver and payment instructions been updated on the Parent Corner of our website under the “Parent Night Out” tab.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Please visit our Parent’s Corner for all forms listed below as well as all due dates, closures, and events for the 2022-2023 school year.

Thursday, September 1st – Look out for FES-UA

Thursday, September 1st –Tuition due by 3:00pm

Monday, September 5th – SCHOOL CLOSED for Labor Day

***SPIRIT WEEK 9/6-9/9***

Tuesday, September 6th –Spirit Day/ Show your Kindness Colors. Students and staff are encouraged to wear their Mainspring Academy t-Shirts OR any outfit incorporating blue and green. Staff will decorate their doors with a blue and green theme with messages of gratitude for our donors, volunteers, and Board of Directors.

Wednesday, September 7th– Superhero Day. Students and staff are encouraged to dress like their favorite superheroes, or with t-shirts honoring their favorite superheroes! The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office will be visiting the school beginning at 10:00am.

Thursday, September 8th– Team Player Day and Kindness Challenge. Students and staff are encouraged to dress in jerseys or t-shirts representing their favorite sports teams! Each class will complete their kindness challenge in honor of our Board of Directors.

Friday, September 9th– Diversity Day. Students and staff are encouraged to dress representing their cultures. Parents and staff are invited to sign up to bring a dish from their cultures to share for all to try.

***

Tuesday, September 6th – Open Parent Action Committee (PAC) Meeting in the cafeteria, 9:15am. More information about the PAC>

Friday, September 9th – Intersession (October 11-14) Deposit and Contract due by 3:00pm

Friday, September 9th – “Wild About Safety” Parent Night Out Waiver and Payment due by 3:00pm

Thursday, September 15th- Extended Day Fees due by 3:00pm

Friday, September 16 – Jacksonville Jaguars Spirit Day. Staff and students are encouraged to celebrate the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Homecoming Game by wearing their favorite Jags jerseys or t-shirts.

Saturday, September 17th – “Wild About Safety” Parent Night Out, 4:00pm-7:00pm

Friday, September 23, 2022 – Fall Intersession Full Payment due by 3:00pm

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Tuesday, September 6th– Open Parent Action Committee (PAC) Meeting , 9:15am in the cafeteria

Friday, September 9th- Volunteers will be needed to bring in dishes, serve, and clean up! Sign up HERE.

Parents, if you have not already, please join our MSA Parent Support Facebook Group here. Please join our MSA Community Group for volunteer, sponsorship, and donation opportunities here.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Jaelyn-
September 4th

Sam-
August 2nd

Olivia-
September 13th

Luke–
September 15th

Molly–
September 22nd

Ms. Jenn B.–
September 29th

Ms. Dominique–
September 30th

FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY
Click here to view the schedule!

SUPPORT MAINSPRING ACADEMY

If you are interested in donating funds to our school, please click here. If you are interested in donating items to our school, please click here. If you are interested in volunteering at our school, please click here. Give us a call at (904)503-0344 or email our Director of Student and Community Affairs Sabrena Snow at [email protected] if you have any questions or would like to set up a tour of the school!