Rally Round the Flagpole: A Book by Jacksonville Educator Donna Snively Hulsey
I believe that part of what makes our practice so amazing is our patients. I am always amazed by how much they accomplish. Most recently Donna Hulsey finished her first book, Rally Round the Flag Pole.
When Donna Snively Hulsey found out in July 1989 that she'd be the first principal of a state-of-the-art elementary school, she teamed up with the community and got to work.
It didn't matter that the school in Jacksonville, Florida, would not open until the fall of 1990: Before the first steel girder of Alimacani Elementary School was erected, the community began to spread a positive image of the school.
Within seven years of opening, the school was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School and a National Safe and Drug-Free School, and accordingly was honored twice by the president of the United States at the White House.
Redbook magazine named Alimacani the top school in Florida for its "uncompromising commitment to excellence in school and community partnerships." Three Alimacani teachers were individually tapped as Duval Teacher of the Year, Florida Physical Education Teacher of the Year, and Florida Media Specialist of the Year.
Whether you're a parent, an educator wanting to fix problems at an existing school or establish a solid foundation at a new one, or a concerned citizen working on behalf of children, you'll find a blueprint for educational success in Rally Round the Flagpole.
Donna Snively Hulsey is an award-winning principal who has served America and its youth as a teacher, principal, and regional director in the Duval County Public Schools in Jacksonville, Florida. She has also taught undergraduate and graduate level courses. She has two children, five grandchildren, and lives in Jacksonville with her husband.
This post was first shared in September 2016 and updated in January 2026. We are glad to recognize Donna Snively Hulsey, a member of our Jacksonville community, for her book Rally Round the Flagpole, which describes how she and a community built a new elementary school around a shared vision.
What is the book about?
In July 1989, Donna was named the first principal of Alimacani Elementary in Jacksonville, more than a year before the school opened. Rather than wait for the building, she worked with families, teachers and neighbors to agree on what the school should be before construction was finished. The book tells the story of how the school took shape and what its early years were like.
It is written for parents, educators and community members who want to improve a school, whether they are starting a new one or renewing an existing one. Drawing on her experience, she lays out how clear leadership, a shared purpose and collaboration helped the school succeed.
About the author
Donna Snively Hulsey has served Duval County Public Schools as a teacher, principal and regional director, and has taught at the undergraduate and graduate levels. She lives in Jacksonville with her husband and has two children and five grandchildren.
Why we share stories like this
Our office is part of a neighborhood full of people doing good work. When someone in our community publishes a book like this, we are happy to help others find it. If you are interested in education, leadership or community building, we encourage you to read it.
To reach our office, please visit our contact page.
About the author. CJ Henley, DMD, is a general dentist in Jacksonville whose practice focuses on cosmetic and restorative dentistry, dental implants and dental care around head and neck cancer. Meet Dr. Henley.
CJ Henley, DMD, PA · 3675 Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32207 · 904-398-1549
Updated October 2026.
Sources
Amazon listing for Rally Round the Flagpole by Donna Snively Hulsey.
Are Dental Sealants Worth It?
In an article published in the New York Times, "a review concluded that sealants are effective in reducing cavities for at least four years after each application." and that "when your dentist offers sealants for your children, it’s not an upsell, but a deal you should accept."
We agree! We routinely recommend that children have sealants placed on permanent teeth when appropriate. Moreover, it is important that sealants are done properly to ensure that they will last a long time.
For most children and teenagers, yes. Sealants are thin coatings painted onto the grooved chewing surfaces of the back teeth, where most cavities in children start. The CDC reports that sealants prevent about 80 percent of cavities in those teeth for two years and continue to protect against about half for up to four years. Placing them is quick and painless, and they work alongside brushing and fluoride rather than replacing them.
What are dental sealants?
Back teeth have deep pits and grooves on their chewing surfaces. Food and bacteria settle into those grooves, and a toothbrush bristle often can't reach the bottom. A sealant is a thin plastic or glass-ionomer coating that flows into the grooves and hardens, so there's nowhere for bacteria to settle.
How well do sealants work?
In 2016 the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry reviewed the clinical trials and issued a joint guideline. The panel concluded that sealants on the chewing surfaces of baby and permanent molars are effective at preventing cavities compared with no sealant and compared with fluoride varnish alone. They also found sealants can slow early decay that hasn't yet formed a hole. The panel couldn't say that any one type of sealant material was better than the others.
The ADA, citing the CDC, notes that school-age children without sealants have almost three times as many cavities as children with them.
Who benefits from sealants?
Children, as soon as the first permanent molars come in, usually around age six, and again when the second molars arrive, usually around age twelve
Some baby molars, when a child has deep grooves or a higher risk of decay
Some adults with deep grooves and no fillings in those teeth, depending on their cavity risk
Your dentist will weigh the shape of the teeth, past decay and other risk factors.
How are sealants placed?
There's no drilling or numbing for a standard sealant. The dentist or hygienist cleans and dries the tooth, applies a mild gel to roughen the surface so the sealant bonds, rinses it off, paints the sealant into the grooves and hardens it with a curing light. Each tooth takes a few minutes.
How long do sealants last?
Sealants usually last several years. They can wear or chip, so they're checked at regular dental visits and repaired or replaced when needed. A sealant that has come off partway should be looked at, because food can collect under the edge.
Are sealants safe?
Yes. The ADA reports no significant side effects apart from rare allergies to the material. Sealants can also be placed over very early decay to keep it from progressing.
Does insurance cover sealants?
Coverage varies by plan. Many plans cover sealants on permanent molars for children up to a certain age. Check your benefits or ask the office before the visit.
Where can you ask about sealants in Jacksonville?
Our office is at 3675 Hendricks Avenue, near San Marco. Ask about sealants at your child's next dental visit, or at your own checkup if you have deep grooves on your back teeth. For more on protecting young children's teeth, read our parent's guide to early childhood dental problems and our article on fluoride toothpaste and Jacksonville's water. To ask a question, contact the office at 904-398-1549.
Sources
Wright JT, Crall JJ, Fontana M, et al. Evidence-based clinical practice guideline for the use of pit-and-fissure sealants: a report of the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. J Am Dent Assoc. 2016;147(8):672-682.e12. doi:10.1016/j.adaj.2016.06.001. Retrieved via PubMed (PMID 27470525).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vital Signs: Dental sealant use and untreated tooth decay among U.S. school-aged children. MMWR. 2016;65(41). Retrieved 2026-10-06.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vital Signs: Dental sealants prevent cavities. Archived page. Retrieved 2026-10-06.
American Dental Association, MouthHealthy. Sealants. Retrieved 2026-10-06.
Original reference for this post: The New York Times, The Upshot. Defending your children's teeth, and dentists: the value of sealants. September 20, 2016.
About the author. CJ Henley, DMD, is a general dentist in Jacksonville whose practice focuses on cosmetic and restorative dentistry, dental implants and dental care around head and neck cancer. Meet Dr. Henley.
CJ Henley, DMD, PA · 3675 Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32207 · 904-398-1549
Updated October 2026.