St. Johns School District launches Parent University education series

St. Johns County School District has launched Parent University, a new program bringing Superintendent Tim Asplen directly to families for evening sessions on critical issues facing students and their households. The second session, focused on bullying, will take place Tuesday, October 20, from 6 to 7 p. m. at Bartram Trail High School in St. Johns.

Families across the district may attend in person at the Longleaf Pine Parkway campus or join remotely through Microsoft Teams or by calling a dedicated conference line. The district held the inaugural Parent University session on student attendance at Sebastian Middle School on September 22.

What's happening

The Parent University series convenes monthly evening forums led by Dr. Asplen on topics the district has identified as affecting St. Johns County families. Each hour-long session runs from 6 to 7 p. m. and offers both in-person and virtual participation.

The October 20 bullying session will be held at Bartram Trail High School, located at 7399 Longleaf Pine Parkway in St. Johns, Florida 32259. Families who cannot attend in person may join virtually using Microsoft Teams or by calling (904) 420-0831 and entering conference ID number 911 434 252.

The first session, held September 22, 2026, addressed student attendance and took place at Sebastian Middle School. The district has not yet announced topics or dates for future sessions beyond October.

Addressing bullying in a growing district

The choice of bullying as the second Parent University topic reflects ongoing concerns in school communities nationwide and comes as St. Johns County School District continues to absorb rapid enrollment growth. The district serves one of Florida's fastest-growing counties, where residential development in communities such as Nocatee, SilverLeaf, and along the CR 210 corridor has added thousands of students in recent years.

Bullying prevention and response programs in Florida schools operate under the Jeffrey Johnston Stand Up for All Students Act, a state law that requires districts to adopt policies prohibiting bullying and harassment on campus, at school-sponsored events, on school buses, and through electronic means when it affects the school environment. Districts must investigate reported incidents and document their findings.

Parent education on recognizing signs of bullying, understanding reporting procedures, and supporting children who experience or witness harassment can be a key component of district-wide prevention efforts. The session may cover how parents can work with school staff, what documentation to keep, and how the district's policies translate into action at individual schools.

For families new to St. Johns County—many arriving from out of state as the region's population grows—the session offers an introduction to the district's approach and an opportunity to ask questions directly of the superintendent. Understanding the district's bullying protocols can be especially important for parents navigating a new school system.

Building a direct line to district leadership

The Parent University model gives Superintendent Asplen a regular, structured forum to communicate with families outside of school board meetings and traditional parent-teacher events. The hybrid in-person and virtual format addresses the geographic sprawl of St. Johns County, where families in Ponte Vedra Beach, St. Augustine, Nocatee, and the western communities along CR 210 may face 30- to 45-minute drives to a single campus.

Virtual participation via Microsoft Teams or a phone dial-in line lowers barriers for working parents, families with multiple children, and those without reliable transportation. The evening time slot accommodates parents who work traditional business hours.

The rotating campus locations—Sebastian Middle for the first session, Bartram Trail High for the second—may be designed to increase accessibility for different parts of the county over the course of the series. Bartram Trail High School serves families in the northern and western portions of the district, including the World Golf Village area and the SR 16 corridor.

By convening these sessions himself, Dr. Asplen creates a direct channel for parent feedback and questions on district priorities. This approach can complement formal input mechanisms such as school advisory councils and public-comment periods at board meetings, offering a less formal setting where parents may feel more comfortable raising concerns or asking for clarification on district policies.

Why attendance came first

The district's decision to launch Parent University with a session on student attendance signals that chronic absenteeism is a priority concern. Attendance rates affect not only individual student achievement but also district funding, as Florida's school finance formula ties state dollars to student enrollment and attendance.

Statewide, chronic absenteeism—typically defined as missing 10 percent or more of school days—rose sharply during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Many districts have reported difficulty returning to pre-pandemic attendance norms, even as virtual instruction has ended. Parent education on the academic consequences of missed school days, the district's attendance policies, and how to communicate with schools about absences can help families understand what is at stake.

The pairing of attendance and bullying as the first two topics suggests the district is focusing Parent University on issues that directly affect students' ability to learn and feel safe at school. Both are areas where parent awareness and engagement can make a measurable difference in outcomes.

What happens next

The October 20 bullying session at Bartram Trail High School will run from 6 to 7 p. m. Families do not need to register in advance; they may attend in person or join virtually using the Microsoft Teams link available on the district's website or by calling (904) 420-0831 with conference ID 911 434 252.

The district has not announced a schedule for additional Parent University sessions. Parents should monitor the St. Johns County School District website and school communications for updates on future topics, dates, and locations.

The Parent University series adds to a regional trend of school districts reaching beyond traditional communications as Northeast Florida's growth brings an influx of families unfamiliar with local schools. In a county where residential development is adding hundreds of students each year, programs that help parents navigate district policies and advocate effectively for their children are likely to remain in demand.