July 21, 2026 – School starts Aug. 10, and Team Duval is excited to welcome students and families back for another outstanding, A-rated school year! Below, you’ll find the latest updates, new additions, important changes, and helpful resources to help you start the 2026-27 school year with confidence.
What’s New This School Year
From a new calendar to EKG screenings, here’s a breakdown of changes and updates families can expect to see this fall.
Enhanced School Safety
The district will add walk-through weapons detection systems in elementary schools this school year, aligning with safety measures already in place at our middle and high schools. The OPENGATE systems are designed to detect prohibited items— including firearms, knives, and explosives— without requiring students to remove their personal items.
Approximately 30 elementary schools will be equipped with this technology each school year until all schools are outfitted. Families will receive direct communications from their child’s school in advance of installation. Read this Team Duval News article for more information about the OPENGATE system and to view FAQs.
New Calendar
The 2026-27 school calendar includes a full week off for Thanksgiving, giving students, families, and staff additional time to spend together during the holiday. This change was approved by the School Board following input from the district’s calendar committee, which includes parent and staff representatives.
The calendar also includes four designated weather make-up days, all scheduled for spring 2027 if they are needed. View the complete 2026-27 school calendar at www.duvalschools.org/calendar. If you’d like a color-coded PDF version of the calendar, email dcpsnews@duvalschools.org.
Bell Times for High Schools
High school students will start and end their school day at slightly different times this year. The new standard high school bell schedule is 7:10 a.m. to 2:05 p.m., replacing last year’s 7:15 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. schedule. There are some exceptions, which can be viewed on Team Duval News.
There are no changes to the standard bell times for elementary or middle schools.
EKG Screenings for High School Athletes
Florida students participating in high school sports for the first time must complete an EKG screening under the Second Chance Act, which went into effect July 1, 2026. This includes all incoming 9th grade student-athletes, and students in grades 10-12 who have not previously participated in an FHSAA high school sport.
Named in honor of Chance Gainer, a student-athlete who died from sudden cardiac arrest, the law is designed to help detect potentially undiagnosed heart conditions before they become life-threatening. Screenings may be completed through:
- School-sponsored events (on-site screenings)
- Approved organizations, such as Who We Play For
- A licensed healthcare provider, clinic, or hospital
Families should consult their school athletic director or coach for available options.
New EV Buses
Team Duval has added 36 new electric school buses to its fleet, made possible through the federally funded Clean School Bus Program at no cost to taxpayers. The buses provide quieter rides, cleaner air, and enhanced safety features for students and drivers.
Transportation staff have completed specialized training, and the buses will serve routes on the Northside, Downtown, at the Beaches, and in Arlington. This investment reflects the district’s commitment to providing safe, reliable, and innovative transportation for Team Duval.
Important Reminders
Below, we’ve compiled a list of important reminders Team Duval families can hold on to year-round.
Register for Bus Transportation
Students who plan to ride the bus this school year must be registered for transportation. This includes students in self-contained ESE programs. Take a few minutes to review our bus registration steps and complete yours today.
Bus stop information will be available in FOCUS within 10 business days of registration; however, it will not be viewable before July 27, 2026. Please note that bus stop information is only provided for students who are eligible for transportation services.
Bus Stop-Arm Camera Violation Program
Through Team Duval’s School Bus Stop-Arm Camera Violation Program, district school buses are equipped with stop-arm camera technology to help protect students. The system captures video and license plate information of vehicles that illegally pass a stopped school bus while the stop-arm is extended and the flashing red lights are activated. Under Florida State Statute 316.172, motorists are required to stop. Drivers who fail to stop will receive a Notice of Violation and be subject to a $225 monetary fine.
Team Duval has partnered with BusPatrol America to add this extra layer of protection for the more than 30,000 students who ride our school buses daily. You can learn more by visiting the School Bus Stop-Arm Camera Violation Program page.
School Safety
Team Duval continues to strengthen school safety through multiple layers of security, including armed safety officers at every school, expanded weapons detection systems, emergency alert technology, and School Police K9s throughout the district. Schools also conduct regular safety drills throughout the year, often in partnership with local law enforcement.
If a safety concern arises, schools may implement a lockdown or lockout to restrict campus access and help protect students and staff. Duval County School Police reminds families that school safety is a shared responsibility and encourages everyone to report concerns through the FortifyFL app or directly to school staff, School Police, or local law enforcement.
Be Safe. Be Seen.
As students return to classrooms, we invite every family to join us in supporting Be Safe. Be Seen., Duval County Public Schools’ pedestrian and bicycle safety initiative.
Whether your child walks, bikes, rides the bus, or travels by car, safety starts with all of us. Jacksonville continues to experience far too many pedestrian and bicyclist crashes, making it more important than ever to teach—and model—safe travel habits every day. Take a few minutes as a family to:
- Watch our pedestrian and bicycle safety videos.
- Review safe walking and biking practices.
- Take the Be Safe. Be Seen. Pledge together.
Visit our website to explore safety resources, watch our videos, and take the pledge.
Volunteer Screenings
Want to volunteer this school year? We’d love to have you involved! To help keep students safe, all volunteers must complete a background screening before volunteering on campus. There are two types of screenings:
- Level I – For volunteers who are always under the direct supervision of school staff, such as classroom helpers, cafeteria monitors, or book fair volunteers. There is no cost for this screening.
- Level II – For volunteers who may supervise students or be out of direct view of staff, such as field trip chaperones. The cost is approximately $74.50.
To learn more and start the volunteer process, visit www.duvalschools.org/volunteer.
Set Up a Linked Parent Account
A Linked Parent Account is your key to accessing many of the tools and services you’ll need throughout the school year. With a Linked Parent Account, you can:
- View your child’s schedule and grades in Focus.
- Register for school bus transportation.
- Participate in the school choice process.
- Access other important district resources and services.
Most families complete this step after enrolling their child in Duval County Public Schools. If you haven’t created your Linked Parent Account yet, no worries—it’s easy to get started. Visit www.duvalschools.org/getlinked to follow the four simple steps and create your account.
Receiving Important, Automated Communications
Schools and the district use a mass communication system to call, text, and email parents and guardians with important information—including emergency notifications such as lockdowns, weather-related school closures, and reminders about important deadlines.
If you’re already receiving these communications, you’re all set! If you’re a parent or guardian and you’re not receiving them, let’s get that fixed.
- First, make sure you have a Linked Parent Account. If you do, verify that your phone numbers and email address are up to date.
- Visit our Updating Parent Contact Information webpage and follow the instructions under “Parent Contact Info in OneView” to review and update your contact information.
Note – This is not connected to your contact information in Focus. For security reasons, the contact information in Focus – which impacts enrollment and transportation info – can only be updated by staff at your child’s school.
Meals and Free and Reduced Applications
Breakfast will continue to be free for all students this school year. Lunch will also remain free at most DCPS schools through the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). However, 37 schools do not participate in CEP. Families with students attending one of these schools who may qualify for meal assistance should complete a Free and Reduced Price Meal Application. Applications will be available in English and Spanish on the district website during the first week of August.
If you received a letter stating that your child is “Directly Certified through the Florida Direct Certification System,” you do not need to submit an application. If you have questions or need assistance, contact the Food Service team at FoodService@duvalschools.org.
No Early Release Days
Like last school year, there will be no early release days during the 2026-2027 school year. Instead, staff will complete required professional development during several scheduled employee in-service days, allowing students to remain in school for a full day throughout the school year.
Mental Health Resources
Many Team Duval schools provide a range of mental and emotional health resources to support students’ well-being.
Through the district’s Full Service Schools partnership, students and families at participating schools can access free therapeutic, health, and social services that help remove barriers to student success, including counseling, mentoring, case management, and family support.
School counselors offer short-term, non-clinical support for students’ social, emotional, and academic needs, while Full Service School Social Workers connect students and families with community resources and may refer students to mental health therapists for clinical evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment.
In addition, some schools offer student-led GROW Clubs, supported by trained GROW Coaches, to promote mental wellness and equip students and staff with the tools to recognize and respond to mental health concerns.