News and Communications for St. Lucie Public Schools
Students in Karen Madalena’s class at Samuel Gaines Academy participated in the recent St. Lucie County Special Olympics Track and Field event at Lawnwood Stadium. This event is part of the new Young Atheletes Program (YAP) that helps children with disabilities develop motor, social, and cognitive skills as well as giving the students the opportunity to learn and have fun! Pictured is Ezekiel Simmens jumping the hurdles as he completes the obstacle course.
Bayshore Elementary School held its third Annual Community Night recently, bringing together community groups, school staff, and families to learn about available resources. Families received valuable information from many community groups, such as Girl Scouts, Kids at Hope, Port St. Lucie Police Department, St. Lucie County Health Department, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Huntington Learning Center, and the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office. Pictured, from left, are Principal Lori Anne Reid, Port St. Lucie Mayor JoAnn Faiella, Assistant Principal Edwin Munoz and Janelle Palmer from Nancy Fallon’s second grade class.
The Northport K-8 School Media Center offered students an opportunity to showcase their multifaceted talents in a terrific Women’s History and Girl’s Empowerment Program recently. The program highlighted the accomplishments of women role models in history, Northport teachers and staff, mothers, daughters, and students. Students were empowered to shed poor role models like Miley Cyrus, Amanda Bynes, Britney Spears and Beyoncé and to look for strong women who have made important changes in the world. Women’s struggles and successes were highlighted in a PowerPoint presentation that included music, news clips and clips from actress Hilary Swank playing the role of … Read More
Northport K-8 middle grades students participated in a writing contest themed, “What Does Being A Woman Really Mean?” Students from all across the spectrum of writing capabilities wrote beautiful and meaningful essays that were included in the school’s annual Women’s History Program held in the media center recently. The essay contest, spearheaded by New Horizons’ Prevention Specialist Maryanne Warren allowed students to think deeply about female characters in their lives and how each has proven influential. Third place winner is Andrew Moscuzza, second place is Emily Avery and first place winner is Misty Hall, all eighth grade Mariner team members. … Read More
Recently families at Palm Pointe Educational Research School @ Tradition participated in a CSI Family Mystery Night, “The Case of the Missing Pandas.” Students and families became part of their very own CSI team by completing experiments to eliminate suspects. By using their superior science and deductive reasoning skills, the students would solve the case on who stole the missing pandas from the school. Families also enjoyed a free dinner while they waited for the final results. Over 600 people came out to enjoy this yearly event! Pictured, from left, are fourth grade student Autumn Eichenlaub, health paraprofessional Michelle DeGarmo, and seconde grade … Read More
Employees of the St. Lucie County School District joined over 1,400 sites nationwide March 19, 2014, to recognize Kick Butts Day, a national day of activism that empowers youth to stand out, speak up and seize control against Big Tobacco. Teachers, youth leaders and health advocates organized events around the country and the world to raise awareness of the problem of tobacco use, encourage youth to reject the tobacco industry’s deceptive marketing and stay tobacco-free, and urge elected officials to take action to protect kids from tobacco. Kick Butts Day is organized nationally by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and … Read More
A recent picture-perfect day was a perfect setting for the “Jump Rope for Heart” event at Weatherbee Elementary. The annual event is part of the American Heart Association and their mission is to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. In the weeks preceeding the fundraising event at Weatherbee Elementary, each class raised money as a team by filling up a can in their classroom with their extra coins. Physical Education teacher Nuran Onal, who organized the event, rewarded classes raising the most money with pizza parties, certificates, and jump ropes. Pictured, from left, are Zarek Fernandez, Jefte Simplice, and Israel Bradley.
The students of Lawnwood Elementary School hosted a Walk-A-Thon with students maneuvering an obstacle course to raise money for the PTO and their many school sponsored events. Pictured taking a break from the festivities and enjoying a snack are first row, from left, Mika Blakeman, Raul Pozniak, and Ethan Stabile; second row, from left, Sarah Jones, Rowan Crandall, John Donnelly, and Albert Han; back row, from left, Madison Talley, Audrey Kloeckner, and Keirra Holycross.
Lakewood Park Elementary School students and staff recently celebrated the FCAT Writes with a special Tunnel of Hope. The school body lined hallways holding posters and encouraging students as each of the fourth grade class passed by. Special visitors and volunteers also participated, including School Board chairman Debbie Hawley and instructional suppport for science technology specialist Teri Barenborg. After the fourth grade students passed through the Tunnel of Hope, they enjoyed a special assembly, where they had a chance to answer questions to go on stage for special creative activities to enhance writing skills needed for making the perfect 4.0 score. … Read More
Florida Department of Education Commissioner Pam Stewart this week announced the assessment tool selected to replace the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) as an annual standardized test for Florida public school students. The commissioner developed a letter for parents to understand the process. To view Commissioner Stewart’s letter to parents, copy the following link into your browser: http://www.fldoe.org/pdf/CommissionersMessageParents3-17-14.pdf
Three Lincoln Park Academy student athletes have delivered stuffed toys to children at Palm Beach Children’s Hospital Pediatric Unit as part of a Kare for Kids community service team project. Pictured, from left, are Erin Gerlica, Jeffrey Gerlica and Kayla Andrade on a recent toy delivery. The Kare for Kids team more than doubled its original goal of 75 by collecting more than 175 toys! Jeffrey plans to continue with the Kare for Kids program so he can help bring further joy to children in need.
Lincoln Park Academy senior Robert Bacchus, Jr., and eighth grade student Haniyah Shareef took the top prizes in their respective age groups at the recent Florida Junior Academy of Sciences (FJAS) speaker competition. Only 10 students were chosen in the state per research category for the competitive contest. Robert took first place in High School Medical Sciences, and received the FJAS Senior Scholarship; Haniyah took first place in Middle School Environmental Sciences. Robert was also named a semifinalist in the Intel® Science Talent Search (Intel STS) in 2014, the nation’s most prestigious pre-college science competition. –
Students in Lindsey Laury’s seventh grade science classes at St. Lucie West K8 School are kicking off the year’s fourth quarter learning about DNA and RNA, and how proteins play an important part in DNA development. Students created edible DNA models using Twizzlers and marshmallows to emphasize the physical components of such an important biological structure. Pictured are students Ethan Morris, left, and Andrew Pierro.
The Treasure Coast High School (TCHS) girls varsity Titans basketball team was recognized at the March 11, 2014, St. Lucie County School Board meeting for their being the first TCHS athletic team to participate in a state championship. Pictured, front kneeling, are Gabriel Bather, left, and Justine Kolb. Standing, from left, are Assistant Principal Eldrique Gardner, School Board chairman Debbie Hawley, Assistant Principal Henry Sanabria, Aly Kolb, TCHS Principal Denise Rodriguez, Alexa Sucato, Evelyn Sagner, Assistant Principal Nikki Poole, Rosemarie Julien, Jade Visser, Yasmine Queen, Alexis Romano, Coach Coach John Picchiarini, Asia Jones, Coach Roger Dorio, Superintendent Genelle Yost, Coach … Read More
Northport K-8 kindergartners took part in a pilot study at the school called “Sounds For Intelligence!” The program consists of brain-strengthening sound exercises. The core techniques include a series of sounds vocalized while visualizing parts of the brain, eyes, ears and back of the neck. The exercise is less than five minutes when used correctly each morning, and helps to create balance in brain function. Phonemic Intelligence uses a small unit of sound called a phoneme. The phoneme also carries intelligence and knowing. Phonemic Intelligence was first introduced as “Mind Sound Technology” in the USA, Canada and India. It has … Read More
A group of student musicians representing Parkway Elementary School, with music teacher Beth Torresson, regaled the audience at the March 11, 2014, St. Lucie County School Board meeting with vocals and instrumental entertainment. Members of the drum ensemble, which consists of 12 members, grades 3-5, who auditioned to be in the group, have been working together since November, meeting every Monday and Thursday afternoon for 45 minutes in the music room to practice. Most of their rhythms are original compositions by the group members, one of which was presented during the school board meeting. Pictured, from left, are Owens Oscar, … Read More
Treasure Coast High School (TCHS) reading teacher and St. Lucie Public Schools’ 2014 Outstanding First Year Teacher of the Year Leilani Ankiel was recognized at the March 11, 2014, St. Lucie County School Board meeting for her honor. Ankiel was unable to attend the Night of the Stars gala employee recognition event February 22, 2014, where she was announced as the district winner, because as the team coach, Ankiel was accompanying the TCHS girls’ varsity basketball team at the state championship game in Lakeland the same day. The team was also honored at the school board meeting for their accomplishment … Read More
Two employees were honored at the March 11, 2014, St. Lucie County School Board meeting for the S.T.A.R. (Special Thanks and Recognition) program, which recognizes employees for their behaviors, skills and actions that correlate with the district vision, and exemplify the district’s core values. Pictured, from left, are Superintendent Genelle Yost, honorees Palm Point Research School at Tradition music director Christine Hill, and WestGate K8 School dean Narvelene Lucas, with School Board chairman Debbie Hawley and student assignment director Michelle Jerger who manages the recognition program.
A team of Fairlawn Elementary School fifth grade students, along with their teacher Shirley Helton, were recognized at the March 11, 2014, St. Lucie County School Board meeting for winning a 12-week competition throughout the state of Florida buying and selling stocks. They used math, reading, and writing skills to research, invest and calculate how to make profits in today’s stock market. They learned real life experiences as they bought and sold stocks with their $100,000.00 portfolio. The team of Jake Padrick and Val Magdaleno won first place, and in second place was the team of Colt Krischke and Connor … Read More
Two of the youngest guests to attend the Superintendent’s Learning Lunches this month delighted the superintendent and fellow participants with accounts of their school experiences. Phoebe, left, a pre-kindergarten student at Weatherbee Elementary School, and Windmill Point Elementary School kindergartner Christopher, attended the monthly event in March that invites students, school staff and parents to meet the superintendent at the school district office for a brown bag lunch, and to communicate school activities and concerns.