Duval County Public Schools, Jacksonville Public Education Fund Launch Outdoor Learning Initiative with Support from Project One Health JAX

Project One Health JAX, Duval County Public Schools, and the Jacksonville Public Education Fund are launching ReconnectED, a new multi-year initiative designed to cultivate student wellness through intentional, screen-free, outdoor learning.

Supported by a $350,000 grant through Project One Health JAX, ReconnectED will help students rebalance screen-heavy school days by bringing learning into natural spaces in a structured, standards-aligned way. The initiative will launch at three pilot schools: SP Livingston Elementary School, Jacksonville STEM Academy (formerly Eugene Butler Middle School) and North Shore Elementary School, with the goal of expanding the learning model to other schools across the District.

“Our goal is to make screen-free outdoor learning routine, not occasional, by helping teachers use outdoor spaces more intentionally across subjects and grade levels,” said Dr. Heather Albritton, Director of Health and Physical Education for Duval County Public Schools. “We know from research and practice that outdoor learning supports student wellness, attention, and engagement. ReconnectED gives teachers the structure, training, and support they need to bring those benefits into the school day in a practical way.”

School district leaders say the ReconnectED initiative responds directly to what schools are seeing every day. Students are spending more time on screens and, in many cases, struggling with focus, emotional regulation, and connection. ReconnectED is designed to meet that challenge by tapping into the many benefits of learning outdoors and connecting with nature.

Research compiled by the Children & Nature Network – partners in the Project One Health JAX initiative – shows that outdoor learning and access to nature can improve children’s well-being in many ways. In one review highlighted by the organization, 20 studies involving more than 3,200 primary school children found positive outcomes in mental health, academic performance, focus, and social-emotional development.

ReconnectED will unfold over three phases, beginning this spring semester and lasting through June 2028. The first phase will focus on activation, including hiring an outdoor learning specialist for the school district, adapting lessons for outdoor use, and identifying learning zones at each school. The second phase will center on coaching and piloting the model with teachers across subjects. The third phase will focus on refinement, district-wide guidance, and creating a replicable model for future expansion.

The initiative is built around four core components:

• Simple outdoor learning areas with basic seating and durable materials so teachers can take lessons outside easily
• Ready-to-use, screen-free outdoor lessons that connect to what teachers are already required to teach
• Training and coaching for teachers so they feel prepared to use outdoor spaces regularly and effectively
• Clear district guidelines to support safety, consistency, and strong instruction as the model expands

District leaders intentionally selected the three pilot schools to represent different grade bands and learning needs. At SP Livingston Elementary, the work will focus on building early habits of wellness and engagement. At Jacksonville STEM Academy – recently redesigned to focus on agriculture, technology, hydroponics, and STEM – the initiative will engage adolescents through nature-based learning that promotes emotional regulation and social connection. At North Shore Elementary, the initiative will help students build curiosity and healthy routines through outdoor exploration.

ReconnectED is co-led within Duval County Public Schools by Dr. Albritton and Dr. Yvonne Day, Director of K-12 Science, with support from the Jacksonville Public Education Fund for grants management, reporting, and partnership coordination.

“This initiative aligns clearly with the district’s strategic priorities, from student well-being and school climate to academic performance and community partnership,” said Rachael Tutwiler Fortune, President of the Jacksonville Public Education Fund. “JPEF is proud to support this work by helping connect resources and partners while the investment goes directly into the district and schools. The timing is right, and the alignment is strong.”

ReconnectED is part of the broader Project One Health JAX initiative, which works to reduce harmful screen time and restore stronger connections between children, families, and nature. The new school-based partnership reflects a growing local effort to support youth well-being through practical, place-based solutions that connect health, education, and nature.

“ReconnectED shows what is possible when schools and community partners work from a shared understanding of what children need to thrive,” said Sylia Obagi, CEO of Project One Health JAX. “This initiative takes a simple but important idea – more time outdoors, less time in screen-heavy routines – and puts it into practice in ways that can support both learning and well-being.”

Importantly, ReconnectED has been designed for long-term sustainability. Curriculum tools, lesson adaptations, routines, and guidance developed through the initiative will remain within the district after the grant period ends. Duval County Public Schools and the Jacksonville Public Education Fund are also pursuing additional funding to support related work, including greenhouse and farm-to-school opportunities.

By the end of the grant period, district leaders expect to have three fully functioning demonstration sites, district-wide guidance for outdoor instruction, and a scalable professional learning model that can be replicated at schools across Jacksonville.

About Duval County Public Schools

Duval County Public Schools is one of the largest school districts in Florida, serving students across Jacksonville and Duval County. The district is committed to providing high-quality educational opportunities that support academic success, student well-being, and strong school communities.

About the Jacksonville Public Education Fund

The Jacksonville Public Education Fund is an independent think-and-do tank that believes every student should graduate high school inspired and prepared for success in college or a career and life. JPEF serves as a bridge in support of public education, activating community support, connecting partners, and advancing effective ideas for the success of all students. For more information: www.jaxpef.org. 

About Project One Health JAX

Project One Health JAX is a strategic initiative dedicated to improving the well-being of children and adolescents by connecting them to the therapeutic benefits of nature. Founded by the Winston Family Foundation and guided by the globally-recognized One Health framework, Project One Health JAX works with national experts and local partners to support youth-focused programs that reduce screen time, provide meaningful outdoor experiences, facilitate greater face-to-face social connection, and empower young people to become champions for environmental health.