Month: November 2011

Southport Middle School students were the first to spend Cane Cash to have lunch together at the new PBS hot spot on campus. Principal Lydia Martin and Assistant Principal Nicole Telese stopped by to see students enjoying cool conversation in the relaxing atmosphere, dining in comfort with their friends at the new PBS Canes VIP Luncheon located in the SPMS cafeteria. Pictured, from left, are Jessica Pratt, Taylor Cotton, Principal Lydia Martin, Wade Akins, Alexander Pineda, Sergio Beniquez Gomez and Assistant Principal Nicole Telese.

A new group of Book Buddies and Beyond students from Southport Middle search for great books at the Morningside public library to read to the eagerly awaiting kindergartners in Amy Spurr’s classroom at Morningside Elementary. Pictured from right, are Jade Groth and Megan Edmunds, Nicole Hastings.

Southport Middle School’s Bobcats recently participated in the Holiday Mail for Heroes program by sending a touch of home to the U.S. military. The students created thank you holiday cards to share their appreciation for the sacrifices members of the Armed Forces make each day to protect our freedoms.  Back row, from left, are Osmel Artiaga, Kristina Niederhauser, Dylan James, Kyle Dutton, and Anthony Ortega.  Middle row ,from left, are Alesha Johnson, Tiara Perch, Melissa Rispoli, and Steffon Madramootoo. Front row, from left, are Josephine DeBiase and Chris Pietkewicz.

Northport K-8 students in Karen Nystrom’s seventh grade civics classes are tackling some tough issues this year as students delve into the affairs of community government.  Students use Media Center resources, classroom text and guest speaker information to look at issues from all sides to process new information and to be able to elaborate on important issues.  Important guest speakers who will impart vital information  this month are School Board member Troy Ingersoll who will discuss student homelessness in St. Lucie County and SLC School Safety Specialist Robert Berk who will discuss student behavior on busses and safety.

Southport’s PTO Vice President, Ruth Altvater and PTO Treasurer, Colleen Korpon pictured here are helping organize and wrap holiday baskets of food.  There were 10 baskets made available to our Southport Middle families for the holidays.  All the food was available through the PTO Food Bank and was courtesy of community donations and students and families of Southport.

All Forest Grove Middle School students competed in the second annual Forest  Grove Metric Olympics. Students traveled through a series of eight stations that aimed to give them hands-on experience in estimating and measuring mass, volume, distance and time using the Metric System. This activity allowed students to manipulate math and science in a fun, competitive setting. Pictured, from left, Harry Jeune, Ja’Harold Wright, Linto Stil, Antonio Presley, Etienne Desir and Donald Gibson.

Renee Barnes’ second grade RtI class divided into small groups to create commercials. Dariusz Dobrowolski, Jade Magranelo, Jackson Chism, Kendall Norton, and Taylor Leonard sold pickles and cucumbers. The group decided what they needed to say and how to act to make people want to buy their product. They rehearsed their parts and presented their commercial to the class.

Third graders in Amber Martin’s class worked in cooperative groups researching nonfiction books to identify main idea and details about both the Pilgrims and Wampanoag tribe of Native Americans. The groups presented their bubble maps to one another in class.

Principal Carmen Peterson (center) congratulates Oak Hammock’s  Night of the Stars representatives: (left to right)  School Related employee Norm White, Distinguished Minority Teacher Vivian Sides, Outstanding First Year Teacher Olivia Ash and Teacher of the Year Dorothy Levin.

Fourth grader Chris May takes the lead to read and demonstrates for his Kindergarten reading technology buddy Alexander Brisco how to logon so Alex can read books online. In preparation for Literacy Week in January, Literacy Coach Rachel Sullivan videotaped fourth graders in Dorothy Levin’s class “Taking the Lead  to Read” with Kindergarteners in Brandi Goulding’s class. The video has been submitted for consideration for the Public Service Announcement Contest being sponsored by Florida Department of Education’s Just Read, Florida!  In addition, Middle School Language Arts teacher Pamela Andes is coordinating a Readers Theater presentation by faculty at an evening of dinner … Read More

The St. Lucie West Centennial High School Black Talon Company competition team recently competed against 15 other Florida Navy JROTC units including two former national champs.  The cadets returned successfully from Felix Varela High School in Miami with three trophies: fourth place in Armed Basic Regulation Drill, third place in Overall Drill, and first place in  Armed Exhibition Drill Team.  The cadets are now preparing for their next competition in February.

Recently at Palm Pointe Educational Research School @ Tradition a clinic was hosted for clarinet players in the four county area.  The evening was sponsored by Music Man Instrument Company and included master classes as well as give aways.  Students were able to gain experience by listening to two clinicians as well as picking up technique hints that were offered.  Way to go Rockets!

Student Council Officers for 2011-2012 were recently elected at Palm Pointe Educational Research School @ Tradition.  All the students running for office made posters and gave speeches during morning announcements.  New officers, back row from left, Coral Bailey, President, Trish Konopelko, Sponsor, and Danae Beech, Vice President. Front row, from left, Hannah Enoch, Secretary and Sydney Holtzclaw, Treasurer.  

Palm Pointe Educational Research School @ Tradition recently had a Beautification Day at the school.  JMC Landscaping, St. Lucie County Wal-Mart Stores, Wal-Mart Distribution Center #7038 in Ft. Pierce, Palm Pointe’s Junior National Honor Society, Palm Pointe PTO and maintenance staff all participated in the school beautification project. Everyone picked up trash, pulled weeds and laid mulch.  Approximately 800 bags of mulch were donated by Wal-Mart and some Junior National Honor Society members also donated mulch.  After the work was done, PTO fed all the workers.  Palm Pointe will also be receiving a grant from Wal-Mart’s Volunteerism Always Pays program.  … Read More