Andrew Jackson High School Class of 1965 80^th Birthday Celebration

The Andrew Jackson High School Class of 1965 recently gathered for an unforgettable 60th reunion celebration on April 26^th in Atlantic Beach, Florida. The evening was filled with laughter, delicious food and lively conversations that brought back the spirit of our high school days. Classmates reconnected, shared stories from the past six decades, and made new memories that will last a lifetime. The atmosphere was filled with joy, friendship, and the enduring Tiger spirit that continues to unite the class after all these years.

Building on the excitement and camaraderie of the 60^th reunion, the Class of 1965 Reunion Committee is already looking ahead to our next big celebration. Plans are in the works for an 80^th birthday event in April or May of 2027, promising another opportunity to celebrate milestones and lasting friendships. More information about the event will be shared as the date approaches, so classmates are encouraged to stay connected, regularly check the class website (classcreator.com/Jacksonville-Florida-Andrew-Jackson-Senior-1965/) and keep an eye out for updates.

From Don Walton:

ATTENTION Andrew Jackson Class of '65.

I have reserved The back room at Joseph's Pizza (on Main St) for Saturday, June 22nd from 5:30 pm til closing (9:00 pm) .

NO COST (however they have great food !!!).

I've talked to about a dozen classmates and we're all excited about the chance to get together.

Please come, friends miss you !!

Facebook me, if you have any questions

They want to rename our Alma Mater

Subject: Possibly renaming Andrew Jackson next meeting 3/1/2021



You are receiving this email as you are a member other than the class of '64.  Please share with as many of your classmates/friends/cousins/family members as soon as possible.  It is important that our voice be heard. Also if you have friends from Ribault, Lee, John Gorrie, Kirby Smith - it affects them also.  Their meeting dates will be different.  Refer to the duvalschools.org for those dates. Thanks, Dianne Haines Roberts, Class of 64

My husband and I attended the meeting this past Tuesday at Jackson for the possible renaming of the school.  This is a county wide effort to rename any school named for after a confederate leader. 

There were approximately 15 people in the auditorium.  Each speaker had 1 1/2 minutes to speak.  There were 5 Jackson alum who spoke, myself from '64, Bubbles Winn and Vinnie Ferreira '63, Ray Moore '62 and a lady from '89.  We all spoke of our proud heritage and the rich tradition we had from attending Jackson.  One student spoke who said he thought it was time for new traditions at Jackson.  The Principal said that there was a playoff game that night which probably kept many students, faculty and parents from attending 

There will not be any new names of people alive or deceased added to the list of options.  Retaining Andrew Jackson will be the only name.

It is important that we have as many alum as possible to attend and speak at these meetings.  Again, you comments are only 1 1/2 minutes long - so there is no need to be nervous.  Also important is that we all send emails and/or call all of the school board members and let them know how we feel.  There were two school board members present.  Our own school board member was not present.  The board member for Robert E. Lee came over and spoke to us after the meeting.  She stressed the importance of letting all of the board members know how we felt.  She said Lee had their army ready to speak the next night at Lee's meeting.  From what I heard their auditorium was filled, as was an over flow area. Tigers we can do better than the few who attended last week.  There is ample parking in a lot on the 30th Street side of the school.  Call your friends and carpool.  

I encourage everyone to contact all of the school board members (emails are listed below) and the Supt. Dr. Diana Greene greened@duvalschools.org.   

A few points to make (1) Why is this being discussed now, which requires people to come out during the COVID 19 pandemic.  Many have not been vaccinated at this time and do not feel comfortable attending functions.Since voting can only be done in person, this is ridiculous at this time.  (2) These schools are rich in tradition, generating many public figures, elected officials at local, state and national levels, movie stars, educators, Police/fire personnel, private citizens who have made contributions in health, science, photography, authors, sports - the list goes on. (3) Many of these schools are almost 100 years old.  Why now, is it an issue to rename them? (4) Presently the voting hours are to be between 2-4pm from 4/26-5/7 at Andrew Jackson. There should be some evening hours to accommodate those who work. (5) Why is voting restricted to only "in person", as many alum live out of town.

Another opportunity  is to contact Jackson's School Advisory Council, SAC.Any questions you may have for Jackson's SAC can be sent to Laura Mobley, Administrative Assistant to Principal Moreland.  Laura's email is mobleyl1@duvalschools.org   She will forward all correspondence to the SAC team.    

The Duval County School Board is considering renaming many of the area schools of which Andrew Jackson is one.  You can check out the information for updates at duvalschols.org/ajhs.  Below are a list of meetings scheduled for Jackson.  Let me point out there are other local schools, Ribault, Lee, Kirby Smith who are also being considered.  Share this link dcps.duvalschools.org/tracker    for information on all of the schools involved.

There will be people attending these meetings who will speak negatively about Jackson.  Remember, it is time to let your voice be heard either at one of these meetings and/or to your school board representative.  Only Jackson alumni, current students and parents of current students will be allowed to speak and vote.  When you go to vote, you will need an id bearing your name at graduation, or high school diploma, possibly even your year book reflecting your picture.  As far as I know, voting will be done in person. 

• February 23, 2021 – 6:00 - 7:30 pm in the Auditorium

• March 1, 2021 – 6:00 - 7:30 pm in the Auditorium

• March 16, 2021 – 6:00 - 7:30 pm in the Auditorium

• March 18, 2021 – 6:00 - 7:30 pm in the Auditorium

• March 24, 2021 – 6:00 - 7:30 pm in the Auditorium

Community Balloting:

• April 26th - May 7th, 2021

SAC Meeting to determine Ballot:

•April 13th @ 6:00 pm in the Cafeteria

Duval County school board members are:

District 1 - The Honorable Dr. Kelly Coker|   cokerk@duvalschools.org   

District 2 - The Honorable Elizabeth Andersen   andersene1@duvalschools.org

District 3 - The Honorable Cindy Pearson|   pearsonc1@duvalschools.org

District 4 - The Honorable Darryl Willie|   willied@duvalschools.org

District 5 - The Honorable Warren A. Jones |   jonesw2@duvalschools.org 

District 6 - The Honorable Charlotte Joyce |   joycec@duvalschools.org

District 7 - The Honorable Lori Hershey |   hersheyl@duvalschools.org

Phones:

District 1 - The Honorable Dr. Kelly Coker | 390-2371

District 2 - The Honorable Elizabeth Andersen | 390-2386

District 3 - The Honorable Cindy Pearson| 390-2239

District 4 - The Honorable Darryl Willie | 390-2374

District 5 - The Honorable Warren A. Jones | 390-2372

District 6 - The Honorable Charlotte Joyce | 390-2373

District 7 - The Honorable Lori Hershey | 390-2375

Community Balloting:

• April 26th - May 7th, 2021

SAC Members Cast Individual Votes:

• May 11th @ 6:00 - 8:00 pm in the Cafeteria

MEMO

TO:                  ANDREW JACKSON CLASS OF 1965

FROM:             55^th CLASS REUNION COMMITTEE

DATE:              APRIL 29, 2020

Due to the COVID-19 virus your Andrew Jackson Reunion Committee has voted to postpone our 55^th Class Reunion scheduled for July 18, 2020.  In these uncertain times, we feel that it is in the best interest of the health of all of our class members.

The new date will be Saturday, July 17, 2021, on the river’s edge at the beautiful and historic Ortega River Club, 4165 Lakeside Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32210.   

The fun will begin at 5:00 PM with a meet and greet social hour.  A cash bar is available for your favorite adult beverages.  Bono’s BBQ will be served at 6:30 followed by music and dancing.

The cost of your reunion is $50.00 per person.  Details for mailing your check or paying by PayPal will be provided at a later date.  If you have already paid for the 2020 event, we will refund your money as soon as possible. 

We will also have a Friday night event and details for that will follow at a later time.  It will require a reservation made by you to the Club as before.

Look for updates as soon as the City of Jacksonville opens after this pandemic!  Please stay healthy!  We love and miss you all and are sorry we have to reschedule this event, but feel it is the most prudent thing to do!

We look forward to a wonderful and even better event in 2021!

Regards,

Andrew Jackson Class of 1965

Reunion Committee