jacksonville special needs volunteer

MAINSPRING ACADEMY: July 2022 – Thanks to the support of HEAL Foundation, our students had the opportunity to experience a fun STEAM Summer Camp Program dancing and painting with Champaint77 Mobile Paint Program, making tie dye shirts for their Mathletes obstacle course, and checking out dinosaurs at MOSH.

Our parent volunteers also worked very hard during our first Saturday Service Day of the year to beautify the school and prepare for our students’ first day!

We are excited to begin another wonderful school year!

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, August 1st – Tuition due by 3:00pm

Wednesday, August 10th – First Day of School and School Supplies due (parents will be receiving a list from their child’s teacher)

Friday, August 12th –School T-Shirt Order Forms and Cash/Check only due by 3:00pm

Monday, August 15th– Extended School Day Fees due by 3:00pm

Tuesday, August 16th– Open Parent Action Committee (PAC) Meeting and breakfast at 9:15am in the cafeteria. More information about the PAC>

Wednesday, August 17th – National Nonprofit Day and Staff Fundraiser Launch

Wednesday, August 31st – Special Olympics Florida forms due by 9:00am

Thursday, September 1st – FES-UA Quarter 1

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

Monday, September 5th – SCHOOL CLOSED for Labor Day

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

• Tuesday, September 6 – Friday, September 9, 2022 – SPIRIT WEEK
  • Tuesday, September 6 – 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.
  • Wednesday, September 7- 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 10am.
  • Thursday, September 8 – 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 their chosen vendors.
  • Friday, September 9 – TBD – Diversity Day/Board Appreciation Event*
    • Students and staff are encouraged to dress representing their cultures.

Friday, September 9- Fall Intersession (Oct.10-14) Contract and Deposit Fee due by 3:00pm

Thursday, September 15- Extended Day 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.

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

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Tuesday, August 16th– Open Parent Action Committee (PAC) Meeting , 9:15am in the cafeteria – A SignUpGenius will be created for breakfast items for the meeting. TBD.

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

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!

Jude-
August 2nd

Ms. Bianca-
August 2nd

Alison-
August 25th

Godfrey–
August 27th

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: June 2022 – Our students and staff celebrated the start of summer by dressing up for Cruiseday Tuesday and cooled down with friends on Summer Splash Day for the last day of school.

Mainspring is excited to share the news about our new passenger van! Next school year, vocational classes will be able to engage in regular community-based learning, and all classes will be able to schedule more frequent fun outings. We are so grateful to our friends at Fortegra for helping to make these opportunities possible for our students!

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.

Friday, July 15th – Tuition due by 3:00pm (Card, check, money order, or cashier’s check only)

Friday, July 22nd – Updated Immunizations and Physical forms from no earlier than the year 2021, Birth Certificates, completed Student Enrollment Packets, and completed Extended School Day Forms due no later than 9:00am

Saturday, July 30th – 10:00am-3:00pm Saturday Service Day for First Day of School Prep (Volunteers needed, see below)

Monday, August 1st – Tuition due by 3:00pm

Wednesday, August 10th – First Day of School and School Supplies due (parents will be receiving a list from their child’s teacher)

Friday, August 12th –School T-Shirt Order Forms and Cash/Check only due by 3:00pm

Monday, August 15th– Extended School Day Fees due by 3:00pm

Tuesday, August 16th– Open Parent Action Committee (PAC) Meeting and breakfast at 9:15am in the cafeteria. More information about the PAC>

Wednesday, August 17th – National Nonprofit Day and Staff Fundraiser Launch

Wednesday, August 31st – Special Olympics Florida forms due by 9:00am

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Saturday, July 30th, 2022, 10:00am-3:00pm – Saturday Service Day for First Day of School Prep – Volunteers will be needed to help touch up the school! This is a great opportunity for anyone that needs to get a head start on your 10 parent participation hours for the upcoming school year. It is also a great opportunity for any families with employee, mission, sport, school, or other groups that need volunteer credit. In addition, we get many comments from parents who enjoy the opportunity to get to know other parents and staff and build a sense of community. We highly encourage families and staff to attend. Help will be needed in general school cleaning and organizing, painting, moving furniture, building furniture, patching holes, minor repairs, hanging décor, and helping any teachers who may need it in their classrooms. Future Saturday Service days will be scheduled for: 10/22 for National Make a Difference Day, 12/3 for International Volunteer Day, and 4/22 for National Volunteer Week. Please put your name on the volunteer list by emailing Nicole at [email protected]. We will email additional details that week!

Tuesday, August 16th– Open Parent Action Committee (PAC) Meeting , 9:15am in the cafeteria – A SignUpGenius will be created for breakfast items for the meeting. 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!

Ms. Liz –
July 1st

Teddy-
July 1st

Miles-
July 12th

Eliza–
July 16th

Ms. Nicole–
July 17th

Ms. Amy–
July 20th

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: May 2022 – Making Strides for Autism toured the school, then generously gifted 5 sensory bags to classrooms, which included noise-canceling headphones, weighted lap pads, sensory toys, and PECS cards.

Parents and students came together to celebrate Mainspring teachers and staff for Teacher Appreciation Week 2022. They decorated the teachers’ curriculum room, provided a large breakfast, sent kind notes from home, gifted movie snack kits with Redbox gift cards, and painted flower pots!

—

Families attending Mainspring Academy for the 2022-2023 School Year,

Please remember that updated physicals and immunizations will be due prior to the 1st day of school in August. Along with your enrollment forms we will send over the summer and first tuition payment in July, your child may not come in the first day until these have been given to Nicole. Appointments at doctor’s offices typically fill up fast for summer for physicals and immunizations, so please make appointments early! Physicals and immunization dates can be no older than from the year 2021. If you need an update, you should have gotten an email from Nicole. Next summer, physical and immunization forms can be no older than from the year 2022, so it may even be worth it to go ahead and get this done regardless. For some parents, a new appointment may not be needed and you may simply need to call your doctor’s office and ask if you can pick up an updated form.

Please remember Mainspring does not provide these forms. The forms are called the “Florida Certification of Immunization DH-680” and “State of Florida School Entry Health Form”. New parents, if your child has a religious exemption from immunizations, we will need a copy of this on file. Here are links to what they look like. Your doctor’s office should already be keeping these on file internally: (Physical Form), (Immunization form). Thank you!!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Friday, June 3rd – Summer Camp Week 2 (6/27-7/1) payment due by 3:00pm

Friday, June 10th – Summer Camp Week 3 (7/11-7/15) payment due by 3:00pm

Tuesday, June 14th – Cruiseday Tuesday. Celebrate the start of summer by dressing up like you’re on your way to a tropical vacation!

Wednesday, June 15th – Remaining Parent Participation Balance Fees due by 3:00pm

Wednesday, June 15th – Last day to close parent accounts for the 2022-2023 school year. Remaining tuition, extended day, and other payments due by 3:00pm

Thursday, June 16th – LAST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS. Summer Splash Day Celebration, 11:00am-2:00pm. ***THERE WILL BE NO AFTERCARE***

Friday, June 17th – SCHOOL CLOSED FOR TEACHER PLANNING DAY

Friday, June 17th – Summer Camp Week 4 (7/18-7/22) payment due by 3:00pm

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Friday, June 17th- 10:00am-2:00pm Summer Splash Day – Volunteers will be needed for setup, the event, and cleanup. Items are also needed. Please 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!

Ms. Callie –
June 3rd

Connor L.–
June 4th

Ms. Lindsay-
June 6th

Colten–
June 11th

Turner–
June 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: April 2022 – Mainspring Academy’s Board of Directors generously hosted Bourbon and Bites 2022, an exciting banquet fundraiser to benefit Mainspring Academy’s tuition hardship program, which provides families with financial challenges funding to pay for their child’s specialized education. Guests enjoyed a four-course meal with whiskey pairings, prepared by Fish Camp executive chefs.

Mainspring students, staff, volunteers, and parents enjoyed the first Special Olympics event (Track & Field) after a long pandemic hiatus. Students participated in shotput, long jump, 30-yard dash, and 50-yard dash events.

Congratulations to all of our students who participated! Here are our Blue, Red, and Yellow-Ribbon Track and Field Athletes:

Blue (First Place) –
Group A – Maddox and Colten
Group B- Jaelyn
Group C- KJ
Group D- Lincoln

Red (Second Place) –
Group A – Anish, Jude, and Ethan
Group B- Connor S.
Group C- Jeremiah
Group D- Sebastian

Yellow (Third Place) –
Group A – Austin
Group B- Alison
Group C- Tanner and Nealie
Group D- Gabe

Summer Camp 2022 enrollment for Mainspring Academy students ended Monday, April 11th. Open enrollment for non-Mainspring families began Monday, April 11th and ends Friday, May 6th. Non-Mainspring families interested in Summer Camp enrollment for their child must set up a tour and observation session at Mainspring, as well as submit their child’s IEP and/or psychological evaluation prior to submitting an application. Click here to receive a phone call to schedule your tour and observation session.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Monday, May 2nd – Remaining enrollment fees for the ’22-’23 school year are due

Monday, May 2nd – Friday, May 13th – Teacher Appreciation Week.

(MONDAY, MAY 2nd – Breakfast from parents. (Our PAC will be assisting with decorating, retrieving items from carline, and setup)

TUESDAY, MAY 3rd – Notes/ Cards from home from parents/students to teachers and paras.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 4th – Lunch for staff, provided by Mainspring

THURSDAY, MAY 5th – Treat from MSA Parents for staff (Parents worked together to purchase materials and our PAC will be assembling). ***We encourage students wear their teacher’s favorite colors on this day. (MS. JENN B.-Turquoise/ Teal, MR. DAWSON-Orange, MS. CALLIE-Black, MS. LISA-Green, MS. AMY-Light Blue, MS. JANECE-Yellow, MS. PAIGE-Light Blue, MR. DAN-Green)***

FRIDAY, May 6th – Craft from students to teachers and paras (Parents have worked together to purchase supplies for these and our PAC + Ms. Lindsay are coordinating)

Friday, May 6th- Summer Camp (June 27-July 22) – Registration fee, contract, and application due from non-MSA families.

Monday, May 9th – Friday, May 13th – SCHOOL CLOSED to students unless enrolled in Intersession

Tuesday, May 17th – Parent Action Committee (PAC) meeting in the cafeteria 9:15am

Friday, May 20th – Summer Camp pay-in-full for all weeks (6/27-7/22) due

Friday, May 27th – Summer Camp Week 1 (6/27-7/1) Payment Due

Monday, May 30th – SCHOOL CLOSED to staff and students

Friday, June 3rd – Summer Camp Week 1 (6/27-7/1) Payment Due

Friday, June 10th – Summer Camp Week 2 (7/5-7/8) Payment Due

Tuesday, June 14th – Cruiseday Tuesday. Celebrate the start of summer by dressing up like you’re on your way to a tropical vacation or cruise!

Thursday, June 16th – Summer Splash Day and last day of school for students

Friday, June 17th – Summer Camp Week 3 (7/18-7/22) Payment Due

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Tuesday, May 17th at 9:15am- Parent Action Committee Meeting in the cafeteria. We will working together to come up with plans for Summer Splash Day (June 16th) and brainstorming ideas for the ’22-’23 school year

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!

Jordan –
May 2nd
Sadie–
May 7th

JuanLuis – May 16th

Ms. Sabrena–
May 19th

Noah–
May 22nd

Ms. Sara–
May 29th

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: March 2022 – Mainspring Academy students and staff celebrated National Read Across America Day by dressing up as their favorite storybook characters. Vocational II classes also kicked off a fun season of community outings.

On Thursday, April 28th, 2022, Mainspring Academy’s Board of Directors will be hosting Bourbon and Bites 2022, a fundraiser to benefit Mainspring Academy’s tuition hardship program, which provides families with financial challenges funding to pay for their child’s specialized education. Registration for Bourbon and Bites 2022 ends will end with the purchase of 35 seats! Click here to register now or for additional information.

Summer Camp 2022 enrollment for Mainspring Academy students ends Monday, April 11th. Open enrollment for non-Mainspring families begins Monday, April 11th and ends Friday, May 6th. Non-Mainspring families interested in Summer Camp enrollment for their child must set up a tour and observation session at Mainspring, as well as submit their child’s IEP and/or psychological evaluation prior to submitting an application. Click here to receive a phone call to schedule your tour and observation session.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Monday, April 1st – Intersession (May 9-13) Registration fee and contract due

Tuesday, April 5th – Parent Action Committee Meeting in the cafeteria at 9:30am

Friday, April 8th – Intersession remaining fees due

Monday, April 11th – Summer Camp (June 27-July 22) – Registration fee, contract, and application due from MSA Families

Friday, April 15th – SCHOOL CLOSED to staff and students

Monday, April 18th – SCHOOL CLOSED to students for Teacher Planning Day

Saturday, April 23rd – Saturday Service Day for National Volunteer Week (10am-3pm) – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Thursday, April 28th –Bourbon and Bites 2022 – Premium whiskey paired with a four-course dinner prepared by Fish Camps’ executive chefs to benefit Mainspring Academy’s tuition hardship program. Click here to register or for more information.

Friday, April 29th – Special Olympics Track and Field (12:00pm-2:00pm) – VOLUNTEER GROUPS NEEDED (from 11:00am-2:00pm) – duPont Family YMCA 7373 Old King’s Rd S, Jacksonville, FL, 32217

Monday, May 2nd – Friday, May 13th – Teacher Appreciation Week. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED, TBD

Friday, May 6th- Summer Camp (June 27-July 22) – Registration fee, contract, and application due from non-MSA families.

Monday, May 9th – Friday, May 13th – SCHOOL CLOSED to students unless enrolled in Intersession

Monday, May 30th – SCHOOL CLOSED to staff and students

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Tuesday April 5th at 9:30am – will be our first Parent Action Committee Meeting in the cafeteria. We will working together to come up with themes and plans Teacher Appreciation Week which will be May 2-6, 2022. I’ll also go over how things will be changing with events for next year!

Saturday, April 23rd- Saturday Service Day for “National Volunteer Week”. – Volunteers will be needed to help touch up the school! This is a great opportunity for anyone that needs to make up parent participation hours. It is also a great opportunity for any families with employee, mission, sport, school, or other groups that need volunteer credit. In addition, we get many comments from parents who enjoy the opportunity to get to know other parents and staff and build a sense of community. We highly encourage families and staff to attend. Help will be needed in general school cleaning and organizing, painting, moving furniture, building furniture, patching holes, minor repairs, hanging décor, and helping any teachers who may need it in their classrooms. Please contact Sabrena at [email protected] if you or your group are interested in being put on the list! The next Saturday service days will be scheduled in July as we approach and prepare for a fresh new school year. Date TBD.

Friday, April 29th – Special Olympics Track and Field . 12-15 volunteers will be needed to run each station and calculate scores. Volunteers must be at the location no later than 11:00pm and help with cleanup at 2:00pm. Please contact Sabrena at [email protected] if you or your group are interested in helping!

Monday, May 2nd – Friday, May 13th – Teacher Appreciation Week. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED, 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!

Mattison –
April 3rd
JJ–
April 3rd

Ms. Lisa – April 10th

Ms. Savannah–
April 11th

Asher–
April 16th

Taylor–
April 26th

FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY
Click here to view the schedule!

SUPPORT MAINSPRING ACADEMY

If you are interested in donating to our school, please click here. For our community supply wishlist, please click here. For our Amazon wishlist, 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: February 2022 – Mainspring Academy students danced the day away and celebrated friendships with a fun Valentines Day Sockhop and Val Pal gift exchange.

During Random Acts of Kindness Week February 14th-21st, 2022, we set the #MilesForMainspring2022 7-Day Virtual Step Challenge, a parent-led fundraiser to support the $10,000 goal for music therapy for the 50 special education students at Mainspring Academy. 50 total registrants participated in the event and 23 successfully completed the 7-day 10,000 step challenge! Thanks to our registrants and amazing event sponsors, we surpassed our fundraising goal. Mainspring awarded seven daily prizes for event winners and announced participant – Officer Kenny Smith – as the winner of the $1,000 Disneyworld Orlando Grand Prize.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Tuesday, March 1st – 2022-2023 Enrollment Contracts and half of 2022-2023 registration fee due

Wednesday, March 2nd – Read Across America Day (Students and staff are encouraged to dress up like their favorite storybook or comic book characters (or with t-shirts representing their favorite storybook or comic book characters))

Friday, March 11th- SCHOOL CLOSED to students for Teacher Planning Day

Monday, March 14th – Friday, March 18th – SCHOOL CLOSED to staff and students for Spring Break

Tuesday, March 29th – Spring Picture Day Group 1 – TBD

Wednesday, March 30th – Spring Picture Day Group 2 – TBD

Monday, April 1st – Intersession (May 9-13) Registration fee and contract due

Friday, April 8th – Intersession remaining fees due

Monday, April 11th – Summer Camp (June 27-July 22) – Registration fee, contract, and application due

Friday, April 15th – SCHOOL CLOSED to staff and students

Monday, April 18th – SCHOOL CLOSED to students for Teacher Planning Day

Saturday, April 23rd – Saturday Service Day for National Volunteer Week (10am-3pm) – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Sunday, April 24th – HEAL Autism Walk at the Jacksonville Zoo, 7:30am – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – Click here for more information.

Friday, April 29th – Special Olympics Track and Field (12:00pm-2:00pm) – VOLUNTEER GROUPS NEEDED (from 11:00am-2:00pm) – duPont Family YMCA 7373 Old King’s Rd S, Jacksonville, FL, 32217

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Tuesday, March 29th and Wednesday, March 30th – (1) parent needed to help facilitate Spring Picture Day (9:00am-12:00pm).

Saturday, April 23rd- Saturday Service Day for “National Volunteer Week”. – Volunteers will be needed to help touch up the school! This is a great opportunity for anyone that needs to make up parent participation hours. It is also a great opportunity for any families with employee, mission, sport, school, or other groups that need volunteer credit. In addition, we get many comments from parents who enjoy the opportunity to get to know other parents and staff and build a sense of community. We highly encourage families and staff to attend. Help will be needed in general school cleaning and organizing, painting, moving furniture, building furniture, patching holes, minor repairs, hanging décor, and helping any teachers who may need it in their classrooms. Please contact Sabrena at [email protected] if you or your group are interested in being put on the list! The next Saturday service days will be scheduled in July as we approach and prepare for a fresh new school year. Date TBD.

Sunday, April 24th – HEAL Autism Walk at the Jacksonville Zoo, 7:30am – Join Mainspring staff, students, and parents as we walk together to support HEAL Autism at the Jacksonville Zoo. This is not a Mainspring event, but HEAL has helped Mainspring provide trikes, classroom iPads for each teacher, sensory equipment, and funding for camp programming to our students through the years. If you are interested in walking with us to support our friends at HEAL, please register on their website here. (Registration may not open yet until closer to the event, but please keep checking and email [email protected] to let us know you’ll be walking with us!)

Friday, April 29th – Special Olympics Track and Field . 12-15 volunteers will be needed to run each station and calculate scores. Volunteers must be at the location no later than 11:00pm and help with cleanup at 2:00pm. Please contact Sabrena at [email protected] if you or your group are interested in helping!

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!

Yusra –
March 21st

Gabe–
March 25th

FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY
Click here to view the schedule!

SUPPORT MAINSPRING ACADEMY

If you are interested in donating to our school, please click here. For our community supply wishlist, please click here. For our Amazon wishlist, 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 2022 – Mainspring Academy was featured in First Coast News’ “The Buzz” in preparation for the upcoming Miles for Mainspring 7-Day Virtual Step Challenge, taking place February 14th-21st, 2022. Athletes Aiden Postemski from Middleburg High School, former tight end Gary Barnidge of the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns, Nick Washington of the Florida Gators, and Rutgers Scarlet Knight’s Isaiah Washington voiced their support for the fundraiser; and Mainspring Academy students and staff created signs encouraging supporters to “Make their steps count”.

#MilesForMainspring2022 7-Day Virtual Step Challenge is a fundraiser to support the $10,000 goal for music therapy for the 52 special education students at Mainspring Academy. Registrants who successfully complete their walks each day will be eligible to win a prize (valued at up to $200) in a daily raffle, and a grand prize (valued at up to $1,000) for completing all 7 days — with additional entries added for every $50 they raise in personal fundraisers for the school.

Registration ends Monday, January 31, 2022. CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Monday, January 31st – Miles for Mainspring registration end date, extra t-shirt orders, and end date for Facebook Fundraisers/ alternative donation collections for extra raffle entries due by 3:00pm

Tuesday, February 1st – Open enrollment for new students

Tuesday, February 1st – Val Pal Questionnaire trade

Tuesday, February 8th- Friday, February 11th- NO SCHOOL unless enrolled in Intersession

Monday, February 14th- Schoolwide Val Pal Exchange, Valentines Day Sockhop, and Miles for Mainspring Launch Day – (Please wear “Miles for Mainspring” T-shirts (or Mainspring Academy school T-shirts if you don’t have one) AND your favorite socks)

Monday, February 14th-Monday February 21st, 2022 – MILES FOR MAINSPRING VIRTUAL STEP CHALLENGE

(Monday- February 14th – Day 1 proof of steps due by 11:59pm. Day 1 raffle winner announced Tuesday afternoon.

Tuesday- February 15th – Day 2 proof of steps due by 11:59pm. Day 2 raffle winner announced Wednesday afternoon.

Wednesday- February 16th – Day 3 proof of steps due by 11:59pm. Day 3 raffle winner announced Thursday afternoon.

Thursday- February 17th – Day 4 proof of steps due by 11:59pm. Day 4 raffle winner announced Friday afternoon.

Friday- February 18th – Day 5 proof of steps due by 11:59pm. Day 5 raffle winner announced Saturday afternoon.

Saturday- February 19th – Day 6 proof of steps due by 11:59pm. Day 6 raffle winner announced Sunday afternoon.

Sunday- February 20th – Day 7 proof of steps due by 11:59pm. Day 7 raffle winner announced Monday afternoon.

Tuesday- February 22nd- Grand prize raffle winner announced for registrants who completed all 7 days, by afternoon)

Monday, February 21st – NO SCHOOL for President’s Day

Tuesday, March 1st – 2022-2023 Enrollment Contracts and half of 2022-2023 registration fee due

Wednesday, March 2nd – Read Across America Day (Students and staff are encouraged to dress up like their favorite storybook or comic book characters (or with t-shirts representing their favorite storybook or comic book characters))

Friday, March 11th- SCHOOL CLOSED to students for Teacher Planning Day

Monday, March 14th – Friday, March 18th – SCHOOL CLOSED to staff and students for Spring Break

Tuesday, March 29th – Spring Picture Day Group 1 – TBD

Wednesday, March 30th – Spring Picture Day Group 2 – TBD

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Monday, February 14th – Parents needed to help donate Valentines Day Decorations for Valentines Day Sockhop

Tuesday, March 29th and Wednesday, March 30th – (1) parent needed to help facilitate Spring Picture Day (9:00am-12:00pm)

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!

Jada –
February 9th

Eli–
February 10th

Ethan–
February 15th

Allan –
February 26th

FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY
Click here to view the schedule!

SUPPORT MAINSPRING ACADEMY

If you are interested in donating to our school, please click here. For our community supply wishlist, please click here. For our Amazon wishlist, 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 2021 – Team Mainspring closed out a magical 2021 by bringing back the annual Christmas Polar Express Pajama Party: Our school received a generous donation from Bamba Box that ensured personalized Christmas gifts for each of our students. Parent, staff, and community supporters worked together to support the memorable day “all aboard the Polar Express”! Additionally, Ms. Lindsay, our art teacher, led the students in creating homemade handsoaps to support Mainspring’s end-of-year “Gift Gram” fundraising. As we prepare for 2022, the staff, students, and families of Mainspring Academy would like to extend our gratitude to: Fortegra, The MaryEllen Willis Foundation, Looking Out Foundation, Autism Speaks, the Petway Family, and US Assure for their kindness and generosity in providing funding for SMART interactive whiteboard displays for each of our eight classrooms. Assistive technology will make a huge impact on the learning, participation, and overall educational experience of all of our students! We would also like to thank the Borkowski Family Foundation for their generous support of adaptive yoga at our school. By the 2022-2023 school year, Mainspring Academy is looking forward to furthering our mission by providing exciting additional programming and technology that is even more tailored to fit the unique needs of our students.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Saturday, January 1st – Monday, January 31st, 2022 Registration OPEN for Miles for Mainspring Virtual Step Challenge Parent Fundraiser to benefit a music therapy program at Mainspring Academy.
Register HERE today!!!

Monday, January 3rd – BACK TO SCHOOL

Friday, January 7th – Signed contracts and $50 deposits due (for February 8-11, 2022) Intersession

Friday, January 14th- Full payments due (for February 8-11, 2022) Intersession

Monday, January 17th – NO SCHOOL for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Friday, January 28th – Completed Val Pal Questionnaires Due from participating students and staff

Friday, January 28th – Intent to reenroll forms due

Friday, January 28th -CANCELLED-Special Olympics Flag Football at the duPont YMCA: 7373 Old Kings Rd. S, Jacksonville, FL, 32217. Event open to students and guests 12:00pm-2:00pm on the YMCA field (may be moved to the YMCA gym in case of rain or frigid weather). Students in attendance must participate in the event as there will be no staff at the school, nor staff available to sit with students. Students not participating must be picked up from Mainspring no later than 10:45am. VOLUNTEER GROUPS OF 10-15 NEEDED. Volunteers must be signed up with school coordinators and be available 11:00am-2:00pm (details below).

Monday, January 31st – Miles for Mainspring pledge forms and donation collections for extra raffle entries due by 3:00pm

Friday, February 4th – Val Pal Questionnaire trade

Tuesday, February 8th- Friday, February 11th- NO SCHOOL unless enrolled in Intersession

Monday, February 14th- Schoolwide Val Pal Exchange, Miles for Mainspring Launch Day Parade and Ice Cream Social

Monday, February 14th-Monday February 21st, 2022 – MILES FOR MAINSPRING VIRTUAL STEP CHALLENGE

Monday- February 14th – Day 1 proof of steps due by 11:59pm. Day 1 raffle winner announced Tuesday afternoon.

Tuesday- February 15th – Day 2 proof of steps due by 11:59pm. Day 2 raffle winner announced Wednesday afternoon.

Wednesday- February 16th – Day 3 proof of steps due by 11:59pm. Day 3 raffle winner announced Thursday afternoon.

Thursday- February 17th – Day 4 proof of steps due by 11:59pm. Day 4 raffle winner announced Friday afternoon.

Friday- February 18th – Day 5 proof of steps due by 11:59pm. Day 5 raffle winner announced Saturday afternoon.

Saturday- February 19th – Day 6 proof of steps due by 11:59pm. Day 6 raffle winner announced Sunday afternoon.

Sunday- February 20th – Day 7 proof of steps due by 11:59pm. Day 7 raffle winner announced Monday afternoon.

Tuesday- February 22nd- Grand prize raffle winner announced for registrants who completed all 7 days, by afternoon

Monday, February 21st – NO SCHOOL for President’s Day

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Friday, January 28th – Special Olympics Flag Football. 15 volunteers will be needed from 11am-2pm at the duPont YMCA at 7373 Old King’s Rd. S., Jacksonville, FL, 32217. Volunteers will be assigned to manage different individual skills stations, log scores, and total scores. This is a great opportunity for an employee volunteer project. Please email Peyton Esparza at [email protected] if you may be interested in volunteering.

Parent-led Fundraiser Planning – Parents may receive participation hours for raffle prizes and sponsorships secured for the February parent fundraiser.

Monday, February 14th – Parents needed to help donate icecream and toppings for Valentines Day Icecream Social

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 –
January 4th

Adam–
January 9th

Ms. Dina –
January 9th

Austin–
January 23rd

Dawson-
January 31st

FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY
Click here to view the schedule!

SUPPORT MAINSPRING ACADEMY

If you are interested in donating to our school, please click here. For our community supply wishlist, please click here. For our Amazon wishlist, 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 2021 – From our community supporters, to our parents and staff, Team Mainspring commenced the season of giving: Our school received a generous donation from the Fortegra Foundation that will support the major needs of the school and enhance the programming currently offered to students. Students planted their first seeds in the farmstand granted to the school by Lettuce Grow and Seeds of Change Therapy. Ms. Lindsay led her art students in making handmade soaps for our annual holiday Gift Grams project. HEAL Foundation, Champion Cycling, and community donors worked together to bring joy to our students after October’s tricycle theft, by generously donating replacement tricycles. Our students and their families came together for our Thanksgiving luncheon with the warm help of some of our parent volunteers. Mainspring is so grateful to our community, families, and staff for the many opportunities we are able to provide for our students thanks to their support, compassion, and generosity.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Saturday, December 4th- Saturday Service Day for “International Volunteer Day” (10:00am-3:00pm)

December 13th-17th – HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES WEEK

Monday, December 13th – Staff Holiday Bakeoff

Tuesday, December 14th – Staff Christmas Door Decorating Contest

Wednesday, December 15th – Schoolwide Ugly Christmas Sweater Day

Thursday, December 16th – Polar Express Holiday Pajama Party

Friday, December 17th – NO SCHOOL FOR TEACHER PLANNING DAY/ Staff Holiday Party

Monday, December 20th – Friday, December 31st – NO SCHOOL for WINTER BREAK

Friday, January 7th- Signed Contract and Deposit Due for February 8-11 Intersession

Friday, January 14th- Full Payment Due for February 8-11 Intersession

Friday, January 28th – Special Olympics Flag Football (12:00-2:00pm, Volunteers needed 11:00-2:00pm)

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Tuesday, November 30th – Friday, December 31st – Giving Tuesday/ End-of-Year Fundraising. Parents may receive participation hours for funds raised or donated.

Saturday, December 4th – Saturday Service Day for International Volunteer Day. Volunteers will be needed to help sort and wrap student Christmas gifts, which will be distributed during the December 16th Polar Express event. Volunteers will also be needed to help address and pack donor Christmas cards and Gift Grams for mailing. All volunteers are asked to bring: scissors, tape, at least 2 rolls of wrapping paper, sharpies, (optional – gift label stickers and postage stamps). There may also be projects around the school needing completed (TBD).

Thursday, December 16th – Polar Express Holiday Pajama Party. Several volunteers will be needed to set up Christmas stations along the “train path” around the school. This event will be similar to Trunk or Treat, but parents can sign up for any of the optional table themes. More information on themes and this event have been sent out via email and Class Dojo!

Friday, January 28th – Special Olympics Flag Football. 15 volunteers will be needed from 11am-2pm at the duPont YMCA at 7373 Old King’s Rd. S., Jacksonville, FL, 32217. Volunteers will be assigned to manage different individual skills stations, log scores, and total scores. This is a great opportunity for an employee volunteer project. Please email Peyton Esparza at [email protected] if you may be interested in volunteering.

Parent-led Fundraiser Planning – Parents may receive participation hours for raffle prizes and sponsorships secured for the February parent fundraiser.

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!
Mr. Casey –
December 7th

Ms. Stephanie–
December 12th

Tyler –
December 13th

Rayan–
December 22nd

Ms. Peyton-
December 29th

FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY
Click here to view the schedule!

SUPPORT MAINSPRING ACADEMY

If you are interested in donating to our school, please click here. For our community supply wishlist, please click here. For our Amazon wishlist, 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!