Month: March 2013

Kindergarten students at Mariposa Elementary were awarded Awesome Artist awards for outstanding work on their fall mosaics. Students first learned about the change of seasons in a science lesson in Carla Bargeron’s resource class.  Then the students learned about mosaic art techniques. Pictured, from left, are Abigayle Conner, Brenelly Rodriguez-Guerrera, Jade Mayberry and Noah Corsiglia.

Brandan Cooper in Rose Caraballo’s class aat Mariposa Elementary School demonstrates his knowledge of the United States geography by completing his map quiz in the Media Center. Third grade students have been working hard to learn the states by their shape and location as they complete a digital timed map quiz.

Jump Rope for Heart is an event that takes place at Mariposa Elementary School’s PE field each year as a fund raiser for the American Heart Association. The program was formed to educate students and the community of the importance of a healthy heart free from cardiovascular diseases and strokes. Pictured, from left, are Kervens Saintil, Javon Clarke and Connor Bagnall participating in the fundraising event.

Students in Patricia Dale’s second grade class at Mariposa Elementary School practice spelling skills by playing a game of Bunny Bingo. The game encourages students to memorize their new vocabulary words in a fun and innovative way. Students use bunnies and ducks on a game board instead of chips while a student calls the words for the student players. Pictured, from left, are Mya Bent, Jessie Balderas and Genevieve Bone.

As part of their Science curriculum, third grade students at Allapattah Flats are beginning to study the sun and other stars in our solar system. The students are learning how to compare and contrast the brightness, sizes, shapes and colors of various stars. This week students attended a field trip to the Indian River State College Planetarium.  The students enjoyed watching the night sky light up in front of their eyes and discussing burning questions they had with Planetarium Director Jon Bell.  Pictured, from left, are Trinity Scott, Madison Garcia, Isabella Westling, Dylan Maloy and Zachary Estep.

Port St Lucie High School’s Odyssey of the Mind team placed first in the recent regional academic competition, and will advance to state competition. Pictured, front row, are Kendall Spurr and Maeve Tucker. Back row, from left, are christian Vaccaro-gallo, Justin Rudisal, Zoe Tucker, Vincent Altvater and Adriana Garcia.

Students in Susan Funari’s second grade class at Allapattah Flats K-8 School have been busy learning how to tell time on an analog and digital clock. They have learned that there are 60 seconds in a minute and 60 minutes in an hour.  They’ve even made their own clocks to practice telling time to the hour and half-hour. Pictured is Mrs. Funari’s class proudly showing off thier home made clocks.

Students in Michelle Mullins’ sixth-grade Language Arts class at Allapattah Flats K8 are learning how to utilize the writing process to write creatively, informatively and persuasively. As part of learning to write persuasively, students participated in a debate project in which they were grouped and asked to analyze a specific scenario and record the “pros” and “cons” of each. Some examples included consideration of a four-day school week or the positive and negative aspects of a school-enforced dress code. Students then split into sub groups and prepared a formal debate in which they had to argue in favor for, or against, … Read More

The Port St. Lucie High School Jaguar Battalion took cadets for a tour of the Florida Institute of Technology campus recently. Master Sergeant David Beach, the ROTC instructor of the college, greeted the cadets with a tour of their ROTC facility and talked to the cadets about the opportunities ROTC has to offer the cadets. After the orientation, Mike Perry, the director of undergraduate admissions, guided and spoke to the cadets about the opportunities the college offers to the cadets after high school. Afterwards, the cadets were taken to ROTC’s off-campus COPE course where they successfully navigated the 30 foot … Read More

Northport K-8 Media Specialist Lynne Gruszka, with the collaboration of a network of Northport teachers, put together an authentic, student empowering program recently in honor of Women’s History Month. Students researched and paid tribute to women such as Condoleeza Rice, Susan B. Anthony, Mother Theresa, Joan of Arc, Rosie the Riveter, Margaret Thatcher and many more. Students sang a special selection of the National Anthem as a tribute to strong women in the military, a student rendition of Maya Angelou’s famous poem “Phenomenal Woman” with a dance routine, and a rousing rendition of “We Are Family” by Sister Sledge was sung by students in Juliette … Read More

Weatherbee Elementary students participated in a poster contest depicting the school’s S.A.I.L. (Self-Control, Acts Responsibly, Is Respectful, and Learn) Expectations. Students in pre-K through fifth grade had an opportunity to enter this unique contest and create posters depicting one or all of the school wide Positive Behavior Support expectations. Eight winners were selected and each received a Wal-Mart gift card. Winning posters were displayed in the cafeteria. In fact, all posters entered were displayed throughout the hallways for all to view. Wonderful job, Mariners! Pictured with Principal Michael Hitsman and Assistant Principal Jennifer Avellino are the poster contest winners Mitsu … Read More

Weatherbee Elementary held a successful fifth Annual Publix Math Night Event recently. More than 80 eager students and their parents experienced applying real life, age appropriate math skills to complete math word problems. A big thank you to Publix for providing goodie bags and cookies to all participants for returning their completed math worksheet. All students had a fun time and learned a lot as they earned a homework pass for a job well done. Pictured, back row from left, second grade teacher Christine Mathison, math coach Terry Longar, and assistant principal Jennifer Avellino. In front are Donnell Williams, second … Read More

Nearly 400 turned out for Southern Oaks Middle School’s second annual Family Science Night recently. Students and parents alike participated in many hands-on science activities prepared by the Southern Oaks faculty. One of the big crowd pleasers was the STEM l, where parents and students were able to see the hydroponic plants and the rockets that were built. Students from Fort Pierce Central High School’s culinary arts program provided some delicious cookies and performed a demostration, and students from Central’s automotive, biology, and HOSA programs also shared their experiences. Students from Fort Pierce Westwood High School shared information about the Marine Oceanographic … Read More

St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office detectives spoke to parents at Floresta Elementary School recently about internet safety. Risky internet decisions while utilizing social media include socializing, downloading, posting photos, music, and games were discussed. Parents were made aware of the dangers of unknown friending, posting personal information, embarrassing or harassing people, sending provocative images, sharing passwords, or clicking on pop-ups. Attendees were shown a presentation and videos focusing on internet safety. Warning signs include receiving gifts, making calls to unknown numbers, turning away from friends and family, or exhibiting extreme emotional behavior when they have no access to the internet. … Read More

Five Palm Pointe Educational Research School @ Tradition students participated recently in the St. Lucie All County Chorus. This is an annual event which takes place each Spring in honor of Music In Our Schools Month. Students from all elementary schools in St. Lucie County come together to videotape a concert that will be played on Channel 13 as well as in all schools as children all over St. Lucie County learn and sing these songs. Pictured, back row, are Briena Hall and Biance’ Kirkpatrick. Middle row are Aaron Oliveira and Sarah Wouters, and front row is Cianna Hall. 

The students at Palm Pointe Educational Research School @ Tradition recently enjoyed shopping at the Spring Book Fair. Books from every genre and reading level were available for sale. Students could also sign up for a new service called Storia, which is for e-books. Those who signed up received five free e-books. Pictured, right, is third grader Nicholas Polanco as he takes advantage of this great program, with dad and younger brother Maddox. 

Curious George surprised St. Lucie Elementary’s VPK students with a special visit. Sherry Beland’s VPK class had the highest usage of the online curricula for the second quarter. Students in her class were ecstatic as Curious appeared from around the corner.

Both male and female teams of the Port S. Lucie High School Jaguar ROTC Battalion have qualified to go to the state drill meet by placing in first to third place in their events in the district drill meet hosted recently by Fort Pierce Central High School. The teams took first place in two of the events, and third in another event. Also in an individual knock-out drill, which is like a military “Simon Says,” two cadets won placed in the top 10. Overall, the Jaguar Battalion Drill Team performed very well and is anticipating the state meet. Pictured is … Read More