Mandarin Middle School PTSA

Helpful Links

Links to Mandarin Middle School information:

PTA/PTSA Websites:
Duval County Public Schools information:Educational Technology Resources for DCPS Students (from Niki Micheau, Educational Supervisor, DCPS)--Obtain login information from your teacher:
  • Free Online Software for DCPS Students: www.duvalschools.org/static/students/student_software/index.asp#sec (Compass Odyssey: Parent and student instruction packet and instruction PowerPoint links are on the page. Login information is the same login that is used to access the computer at school.)
  • Gizmos: www.explorelearning.com (Available for all DCPS students in grades 6-8, Math and Science Gizmos are designed to help students develop a deep and lasting understanding of key concepts in math and science through inquiry and exploration. Obtain log-in information from your teacher. Support: Suzy Webb (904) 348-7207 or e-mail webbs1@duvalschools.org. Click here to access the Parent flyer.)
  • Nettrekker: www.nettrekker.com (HOTMATH included. Dynamic educational search engine with multiple student tools)
  • Rand McNally Classroom: www.randmcnally.com (This is the best destination for geography. Here you'll find maps, games and geographic reference information. Once at the webpage, click on the FOR EDUCATORS link, and then click the LOGIN link under Rand McNally Classroom)
  • TeachingBooks.net: www.teachingbooks.net (Help students read more ... and enjoy it. Bring authors into your classroom and your home … online … anytime)
  • Lit2Go: etc.usf.edu/lit2go (A free online collection of stories and poems in mp3 (audiobook) format. Print the stories or listen to them on a mp3 player!)
  • Citation Website: citationmachine.net/index2.php
Links to Florida Department of Education information:
  • Florida DoE Homepage: www.fldoe.org/
  • Florida PROMISE Grant: flpromise.org/
  • Find a Book, Florida: florida.lexile.com (To help students locate books they would like to read, DOE is also offering this unique tool called "Find a Book, Florida," which tailors student reading lists based on each student's personal interests and their reading ability using Lexile measures. Thousands of fiction and nonfiction books are available through this online resource.)
  • Success Measures Pathway Tool: www.fldoe.org/SuccessMeasures (A new web tool where users can submit the school year, grade level and the anticipated courses their student will be taking. With this basic information, the Pathway Tool then generates a brief report detailing the assessments aligned with the courses selected at the time the courses will be taken, as well as a thorough listing of the content covered on those assessments. Parents and students can use the Success Measures Pathway Tool to learn about current and future assessments and coursework. The Success Measures website is aimed at educating parents and students about how Florida's curriculum standards and assessments system combine to produce statewide measures of student success. Presently, the website focuses on student assessments such as the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT), FCAT 2.0, and End-of-Course assessments. In the future, the Success Measures website will encompass all Florida assessments including postsecondary readiness and certification exams. 
  • The Florida Department of Education's new education-centered YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/educationfl  (This channel provides informative video content for educators, parents and students.  Some notable videos include helpful updates related to ongoing changes to the state's education system, Literacy League conversations between students and Florida authors, student-made public service announcements, event celebrations, a self-written rap video about reading performed by at-risk youth, ways parents can get involved in their child's education, and useful tips teachers can use in their classrooms.  The Department has also created social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and blogs for specific audiences. Information about these accounts is detailed at www.fldoe.org.)
Links to FCAT information:
Community & Internet Resources:
  • Jacksonville Public Library: jpl.coj.net  While the Jacksonville Public Library is a great source for books for summer reading and research materials for school projects, the library also offers numerous other services to help our students, many of which are online at www.JaxPublicLibrary.org. Here are just a few:
    • BYKI (Before You Know It) - BYKI is an online language learning database with over 100 languages to help students master a foreign language.
    • Ride to Read - Students ages 17 and under can receive free passes to ride a city bus to and from the library.
    • Tutor.com - Free, live tutoring is offered through the library's website. A library card is needed. Tutoring is available in math, science, social studies, and language arts for kindergarten through early college. Students can even submit English papers for critiquing.
    • Testing and Education Reference Center - This service offers online practice tests for FCAT, ACT, SAT, and so forth.
    • eCards - Don't have a library card of time to stop by the library to get one? Apply online for an eCard, and gain access to the online resources available on the library's website.
  • Mapping Your Future (a free resource for career, college, financial aid, & money management information): mappingyourfuture.org
  • HandsOnJacksonville: http://www.handsonjacksonville.org/HOC__Affiliate_Home_Page (Get connected to a great volunteer experience!)
  • NET CETERA: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/tech/tec04.pdf (An online brochure sponsored by the U.S. government providing practical tips and information for parents preparing to talk with their children about being online in many venues, from internet to cell phones and everything in between.)
  • Stop Bullying Now (sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services): stopbullyingnow.gov
  • Monitoring Your Teen's Activities (Fact Sheet from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention): http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/AdolescentHealth/pdf/parental_monitoring_factsheet.pdf?source=govdelivery
  • Florida KidCare (Florida’s children’s health insurance program for uninsured children under age 19): www.floridakidcare.org
  • City of Jacksonville: www.coj.net
  • Kids Get a Plan: www.KidsGetAPlan.com (This new website was developed for Florida students by the Division of Emergency Management and features various interactive tools and resources to help all residents prepare for a disaster. Using the Web site, students can assemble virtual supply kits, learn how to stay safe during a thunderstorm, learn how to prepare their homes for severe weather and how to protect themselves from hazards such as tornadoes.)
  • National Fire Protection Association: www.nfpa.org
Homework Help (Source: Florida Times Union, August 18, 2008, E-1):

Especially for Summer:


Back to School!


Disclaimer: The above links will take you away from our website.  Although deemed reliable, these sites are not guaranteed.