March 8, 2017, 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Student Leadership Academy Trip to Tallahassee, leave and return DCSB Building.
Student Leadership Academy
Duval County Council PTA developed the Student Leadership Academy in 2010 to teach student leaders how to become effective advocates. Students receive training to help them advocate for themselves, their education, their classmates, and their school. DCC lines up speakers that will guide students through how legislation is created and passed as well as how to speak with legislators.
This is a National PTA recognized program for our youth.
Students complete 4 Saturday workshops on Leadership, Public Speaking, Business Etiquette, Civics and Grassroots Advocacy and a field experience day at the state capitol in Tallahassee
Students are nominated through their high school and PTSA board. Applications are distributed to the high schools in October.
2016 Student Advocates Travel to the State Capitol with DCCPTA
Pupils from the 2016 DCCPTA Student Leadership Academy met with the entire NE Florida legislative delegation on January 27, 2016 in Tallahassee. Special thanks to these legislators and their staff members who made the visits happen – Representatives Janet H. Adkins, District 11; Jay Fant, District 15; Reggie Fullwood, 
District 13; Mia Jones, District 14; Charles McBurney, District 16; and Lake Ray, District 12 with Senator Aaron Bean, District 4 and Senator Audrey Gibson, District 9. Tours of the Historic Capitol, the Senate Chamber and the Governor’s Mansion completed the day chaperoned by DCC PTA Board members – Juliann Gaus-Greaser, Ann Gipalo, Margaret Godke, Santhea Hicks, Jackie Jones, Karen Nuland, and Theresa Rogers. Advocacy education training sessions were completed by the entire cohort of student leaders in October, November, December and January with a recognition ceremony prior to the February Duval County School Board meeting.
Student Leadership Academy Offered Annually
Duval County Council PTA developed the Student Leadership Academy in 2010 to teach student leaders how to become 
effective advocates. Students receive training to help them advocate for themselves, their education, their classmates, and their school. DCC PTA arranges and invites speakers who guide students through how legislation is created and passed as well as how to speak with legislators. This award winning program for our students has been recognized by Florida PTA and National PTA as a model advocacy program.
Students complete four Saturday workshops on Leadership, Public Speaking, Business Etiquette, How a Bill becomes a Law and Grassroots Advocacy. An optional field experience day at the state capitol in Tallahassee is offered at the beginning of each legislative session.
Students, grades 9, 10 and 11, are nominated through each high school principal and PTSA board. Applications are distributed to the high schools in October.