JaxPAL Region Report
January 2016
Table of Contents
“PAL Today…Leader for Life”
Message from the Executive Director ………………………………………… 3
JaxPAL Kids of the Month ………………………….………………………….. 4
Education Report …………………………………………………………..…… 5
Athletics Report ………………………………………………………………….11
Other News ………………………………………………………………………13
News and Events ……………………………………………….……………….17
2
Message from the Executive Director
Dear Florida PAL:
Thank you for your dedication and passion to serve our youth and community!
The days since my appointment as the Executive Director of PAL have been
busy and informative, but very gratifying! I have experienced and witnessed
firsthand every day the difference PAL is making in the lives of our youth and
that has rejuvenated my passion and desire to serve!
Lt. Lakesha Burton
I am very thankful the Lord has given me a new platform to serve and I don’t
take it for granted. This rejuvenation has been contagious and our PAL team
are excited and have embraced the challenge to “Raise the Bar” at PAL.
In this Region Report, you will see recent highlights of the work Jacksonville PAL has done in the
community. If you have questions or would like more details about anything in this report, please don’t
hesitate to contact me.
Thank you again for your continued support and service to the community.
But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works,
and I will show you my faith by my works.” James 2:18
Sincerely,
Lt. Lakesha Burton
Executive Director
Police Athletic League of Jacksonville, Inc.
3
JaxPAL Kids of the Month
January 2016
R.L. Brown
Tara is making a positive
contribution by participating in
the Student Advisory Council.
Monument
Tara Sundiang
Justin is an Honor Roll
student and loves helping
his classmates with their
homework.
Eastside
Larry is a great class helper,
always attends JaxPAL with a
smile and has good
character.
Palm Ave
Maiysha has shown real
improvements in penmanship,
math and reading.
Maiysha Williams
Westside
Honesti is always spreading
her positive attitude to her
classmates.
Northside
Honesti Floyd
Lance has a great attitude and
is always looking for ways to
help JaxPAL.
Lance Quashie
4
Education Report
Monument
By the
Numbers
105
Students Enrolled
99%
Average Daily
Attendance
Highlights

The classroom theme for the 2nd nine weeks is “Steaming around
the World.” Each classroom will incorporate S.T.E.A.M. from
around the World in their lesson plan.

Two Monument students had the opportunity to shop with a cop
during the annual PAL Christmas Party for the Kids.

Afterschool students had the opportunity to attend the WBB
Doubleheader: Mississippi State vs. USF and Florida vs. UCF, on
December 30th, thanks to a generosity of the Jacksonville Sports
Council.
100
Score Received
during JCC Audit
Monument JaxPAL
3450 Monument Rd
Jacksonville, FL 32225
904-854-6555 Ext 301
Sheila Heath
Program Manager
5
Education Report
Northside
By the
Numbers
97
Highlights

The Northside JaxPAL has 22 students on the Honor Roll (eight
students with all A’s, and 14 students with A/B Honor Roll).

On December 12, the students and families had their inaugural
Holiday Breakfast, in which 45 supportive parents and children
were in attendance. The event raised $233.

On December 30, students attended the WBB Doubleheader game
at the Jacksonville Arena. The Northside JaxPAL had an
attendance of 35 students, parents and staff volunteers. The
tickets were graciously donated by the Jacksonville Sports Council.

The Boy Scout Troops are currently being organized and will be up
and running by February.

Honor Roll are helping keep the campus clean on Early Release
days. They are also collecting socks for the homeless in
Jacksonville.
Students
Enrolled
95%
Average Daily
Attendance
100
Score Received
during JCC Audit
Northside JaxPAL
2165 W 33rd St
Jacksonville, FL 32209
904-854-6555 Ext 302
Dr. Fay Davis
Program Manager
6
Education Report
Eastside
By the
Numbers
70
Students Enrolled
75%
Average Daily
Attendance
100
Score Received
during JCC Audit
Highlights

Jacksonville Bail Bondsman donated $1,500 to supply a gift for
each student. The students had a Christmas celebration that
included Santa, presents, games and holiday food.

The Jacksonville Jaguars donated Thanksgiving Dinners to 10
families in need.

The K-5th grade students discussed different careers and learned
about what it takes to get into that field. The students drew pictures
of themselves working in that career field.

The 4-6th grade students made Christmas cards for homeless
families.

Students learned about Mother Nature and volcanoes. The
students built volcanoes, then they tested them and discussed how
volcanoes work.
Eastside JaxPAL
1050 Franklin St
Jacksonville, FL 32206
904-854-6555 Ext 303
Alexis Clark
Program Manager
7
Education Report
Westside
By the
Numbers
57
Students Enrolled
75%
Average Daily
Attendance
100
Highlights

The theme of the month was Gratitude. As a community service
project, the students donated can goods and nonperishable food to
families in need in Jacksonville.

The Girl Scouts is still going strong. A Cub Scout Leader is meeting
with the boys to give them an introduction overview of the Boys
Scouts.

The students completed a fingerprinting lesson. Now the students
are aware of the process and the objective of a fingerprint.

Southern Tabernacle Missionary Church donated five food boxes
of turkey dinners along with five hams. R.L. Brown Team-Up also
donated four turkeys to the Westside-based students for the
holidays.
Score Received
during JCC Audit
Eastside JaxPAL
441 Day Ave
Jacksonville, FL 32254
904-854-6555 Ext 304
Theresa Harmon
Program Manager
8
Education Report
R.L. Brown
By the
Numbers
86
Highlights

The academic hour has been productive for students and is
helping them improve their math and reading comprehension skills.

Ms. Tammy Lovett, an enrichment instructor at R.L. Brown,
donated 16 turkeys for TEAM UP’s Thanksgiving Food baskets.
Various staff and students donated canned food items for the
baskets as well.

Five girls from R.L. Brown participated in PAL’s inaugural DNA
Unique Slumber Party held at PAL’s Northside Center. During the
event the girls learned about the importance of being confident and
striving for a positive future.
Students Enrolled
84%
Average Daily
Attendance
100
Score Received
during JCC Audit
R.L. Brown TEAM UP
1535 Milnor St
Jacksonville, FL 32206
904-630-6570 Ext 238
Kowana Kaniaru
Program Manager
9
Education Report
Palm Avenue ESC
By the
Numbers
39
Students Enrolled
100%
Highlights

The students participated in and performed a flawless presentation
to a crowd of hundreds at the Holiday Magic musical and skit at the
Jacksonville Landing.

The students made hand-made kitty toys for the cats at the
Jacksonville Humane Society.

Palm Avenue TEAM UP has an awesome Engineering
/Technology Club for the students. This month, Bryant R. verbally
guided his friends through the construction of a rocket made totally
from recycled materials. Currently, the group is focusing on the
production of the ultimate 3D puzzle.

A team of students entered WJXT Channel 4’s PSA Contest about
issues they think are important to teens. The topic is “You may
think I can’t, but I can!”
Average Daily
Attendance
100
Score Received
during JCC Audit
Palm Ave ESC TEAM UP
1301 W Palm Ave
Jacksonville, FL 32254
904-695-1795
Jo Mansell
Program Manager
10
Athletics Report
PAL youth sports have had an exciting year, and the New Year promises even more fun! We currently
have over 570 boys and girls participating in our sports programs and that number continues to grow.
We have received very favorable comments from parents on how well the program is running.
Boxing

Two JaxPAL kids, Willie Tre’ Weaver and
Pressley Gross III, had the opportunity to
compete in the Silver Gloves Boxing
Tournament in Washington D.C.

A special thank you goes out to Shelly and
Everett Weaver for their hard work and
dedication.
Karate

The 2015 Karate awards ceremony was held December 10th. A number of kids received their belts.

Registration is continuous and kids are signing up at this time.
Below are the names of participants that received their belts in the
2015 Karate awards ceremony:
Ronin Griffin
Yellow Belt
Caleb Couch
Purple Belt
Jaffrey Varnado
Yellow Belt 2nd Kyu
Christopher Webb
Purple Belt
Jayland Robinson
White Belt 3rd Kyu
Cannan Norwood
Green Belt
Javon McIntyre
White Belt 3rd Kyu
Morgan Pratt
Green Belt
Aaron Estioco
White Belt 2nd Kyu
Bianca Estioco
Green Belt
Edward Tona
White Belt 1st Kyu
Ramzey Griffin
Yellow Belt 2nd Kyu
11
Athletics Report
Basketball

Basketball began on January 18th at both the Monument and Northside locations. Currently, there
are 507 kids registered, making up 42 boys teams and 4 girls teams.

The first week of action went well and we have had some great games already. We have received
positive comments from parents on how smoothly the program is going.
Football

Registration is active for Flag Football until February 14th. Currently,
39 kids are registered. Officer Durham is at the helm and he has
been going out to schools and putting up signs at churches and
community centers to promote the program. We will have a coaches
meeting next week.

Registration begins February 4th for Tackle Football.

JaxPAL is holding its inaugural Let There Be Lights 4on4 Adult Flag
Football Tournament on Saturday, February 20, at 8 a.m. at
Monument. Proceeds from this event will help support the football
program.
Cheerleading and Track

Cheerleading registration begins in February. Plans
are in the works for an exhibition and a cheer camp.

Track registration is now underway. We are in the
process of planning local meets and other activities.
12
Other News
DNA Unique All Girl Slumber Party
DNA Unique, an all-girls slumber party put on by JaxPAL and JSO volunteers, was a great
success. Staff and volunteers stayed up all night to provide more than 150 girls with programing
that empowered them and made them appreciate their uniqueness. The girls participated in fun
and educational activities throughout the night, such as vision boards, Zumba class and movie
time. The event received media coverage in The Florida Times Union and on WJXT Channel 4.
Give and Go / PAL Tailgate
PAL participated in the Jaguars Give and Go ticket program
for the Jaguars vs. Colts game on December 13th. JaxPAL
sold 100 tickets, which helped to raise funds for its
programs. JaxPAL also hosted a tailgate before the game
where ticket purchasers could enjoy free food and get their
custom-made JaxPAL Jaguars t-shirts!
13
Other News
9th Annual PAL Christmas Party for the Kids
On December 21st, 140 deserving children from JaxPAL, Sulzbacher Center and Gateway Community
Services got to go shopping for Christmas with JSO police officers, JFRD firefighters and DCPS police
officers at the 9th Annual PAL Kids Christmas Party.
Each child was given a Walmart gift card to shop for clothes, toys, personal hygiene items and more.
After the shopping concluded, the kids met Ronald McDonald and received a Happy Meal for lunch.
A special thank you goes out to JaxPAL Board Member Stephen Vining for organizing this wonderful
event. In addition, special thanks goes to retired JSO Major Steve Weintraub, the 103rd Street Walmart,
McDonald’s Owner/Operators Jim Van Laere and Debbie Moreland, JSO, JFRD, DCPS Police
Department, Demetree Brothers, Inc., Cecil W. Powell & Company, Ramallah American Club of
Jacksonville, Bartnick Financial Group, Inc., G4S Secure Solutions, as well as numerous other private
donors, for making this event possible and spreading holiday cheer!
14
Other News
Excellerate Toy Drive
Wells Fargo Teddy Bear Drive
JaxPAL received toys from the Excellerate
Toy Drive and JaxPAL children were all
able to enjoy new toys for the holidays.
Wells Fargo employees held a teddy
bear collection drive for JaxPAL kids for
the holidays.
JSO Holiday Door Decorating Contest
JaxPAL participated in the JSO door holiday decorating contest. JaxPAL staff decorated the Monument
facility front door with the theme of PAL Mobile Express. For winning first place we were recognized at
the JSO luncheon, given a 1st place ribbon and plaque, and were able to eat first at the luncheon.
PAL Staff Holiday Party
JaxPAL staff enjoyed a holiday
party where they exchanged
Secret Santa gifts, celebrated
December birthdays, enjoyed
food catered by Longhorn
Steakhouse and played a
holiday version of Family Feud.
15
Other News
Jacksonville Giants
Ticket Donation
Kyrgyz Republic Law
Enforcement Officers Visit PAL
JaxEvents.com generously donated
tickets to a Jacksonville Giants game
for our JaxPAL kids to attend.
Members of law enforcement from the
Kyrgyz Republic visited Jacksonville to
learn about community policing. They
toured JaxPAL while visiting.
WBB Doubleheader Ticket Donation
The Jacksonville Sports Council donated 300
tickets for our JaxPAL kids to attend the
December 30th WWB Doubleheader. In
addition, the JSC gave JaxPAL kids a free shirt
and food.
Our JaxPAL kids had a blast watching the Lady
Bulldogs of Mississippi State defeat the Lady
Bulls of USF and the Lady Gators of Florida
defeat the Lady Knights of UCF.
We made this a JaxPAL Family day to give the
parents an opportunity to spend time with their
kids.
16
News and Events
JaxPAL in the News
WJXT Channel 4: Police Athletic League reads to students at Brentwood Elementary
Action News Jax: Police Athletic League seeks extra funding after rapid growth
Events
SHERIFF’S NEIGHBORDHOOD
CRIME PREVENTION WALK
Springfield Community
Saturday, Jan. 23rd
11 a.m.
Location: Intersection of E. 6th St
and Hubbard St.
Parking: Behind Wells Fargo at 1601
N. Main St.
Saturday, Feb. 20th
Saturday, Feb. 13th
PAL’s Annual
Julian E. Jackson
Amateur Boxing Championship
Saturday, March 19th
17