Floresta Elementary School teachers kicked off the New Year by participating in a full day of Professional Development. Teachers worked together in grade group teams to develop and map out engaging and focused plans designed to further support student achievement on upcoming assessments. Fourth grade teachers created a specific plan to individualize their writing instruction, targeting specific student needs with creative activities and real world writing opportunities. All grade levels, K-5, worked together in the core subject areas of reading, writing, math, and science. As we enter the second half of the school year with renewed enthusiasm and collaborative spirit, we are … Read More

Northport K-8 School is celebrating right along with schools, clubs and businesses across the nation this month in honoring January as National Mentors Month. The motto for this special month nationwide is “Be Someone Who Matters to Someone Who Matters!” At Northport K-8 School, a St. Lucie County “Kids At Hope” school, there is plenty to be thankful for during National Mentors Month. Several teachers have taken on the role of reading mentor, holding reading groups around the school on a regular basis, and the community organization Big Brothers, Big Sisters of St. Lucie County has taken a firm foothold … Read More

“Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus!” proclaimed the students at Floresta Elementary School during their winter musical. The cast of “Yes Virginia” put on a spectacular performance for parents, teachers, and community members before the winter break. The cast, comprised of fourth, fifth and one first grade students were hard at work since early September preparing for vocal and speaking auditions and learn their lines, songs and dances to put on the show.  It was clear that Floresta Elementary has some very talented singers and actors. Thanks to a very generous gift of $1,000.00 from Macy’s, school staff was able … Read More

F. K. Sweet Elementary School students Shadalou Fernandez, pictured from left, Danielle Murray, Kate Bachmeyer, and Lani’ Chambers were announced as winners in a recent patriotic art contest at the school. Participating students learned the history of many American symbols as they completed their patriotic drawings. Kindergarten, first, and second grade students studied the Liberty Bell, third and fourth grade students learned about the nation’s first flag, and fifth grade students learned about the iconic Rosie The Riveter character from World War II, and also included an essay with their art.

Northport K-8 students in Tracey Healy’s fifth grade class went back into time to enjoy a breakfast that would be relished during the American Revolution. Students mixed fresh popcorn with a drizzle of honey and some dried fruit served with milk to experience a touch of realism from the time period. The class participated in a DBQ, or Document Based Question, session that revolved around Colonial America and the Revolutionary War. Students participated in an in-depth study of Valley Forge and interpreted diary entries and excerpts from Thomas Payne’s book, “Common Sense!” Pictured, from left, are Adam Kirschenhofer, Sebastian Palomino, … Read More

Northport K-8 School is extremely proud and honored to assist Big Brothers, Big Sisters of St. Lucie County begin the celebration of National Mentoring Month. Northport has an extensive and strong partnership with the organization and encourages the strong bonds and connections that can lift students to a higher level in both literacy and citizenship. Northport currently welcomes six Big Brothers, Big Sisters mentors along with case manager, Lauren Fowler, into the school to assist and support students with behavior skills and strategies. The school also has three AmeriCorps tutors who fall under the Big Brothers, Big Sisters umbrella, including … Read More

The students in Carolyn Bates’s first grade class at Lawnwood Elementary School are writing about literary characters using their collection of nutcrackers. Students recently took a field trip to The Sunrise Theatre in downtown Fort Pierce to see a production of The Nutcracker Ballet, and then wrote about their favorite moments adding illustrations and captions. The students then presented their writing to the rest of the class. Pictured are Ms. Bates and students in the class’ Writer’s Club.

Northport K-8 School Neon Navigators, a team of fun-loving, running enthusiasts, got together for a special 5K run called Color Vibe held recently at the Saint Lucie County fairgrounds. The colleagues and some of their children came together to run for charity and to simply have a wonderful time role modeling good health habits and the joy of completing the walk/run together. Pictured, from left, are former Northport instructor Liz Devereaux, Mary Ellsworth, Chris Prusa, Shana and Chris Cicio and their children, Principal Glenn Rustay, as well as Christine Santos Nurse, Nick and Jennifer Carey and their children.

Superintendent Genelle Yost read her favorite story, “The Polar Express,” to the second grade students at Palm Pointe Educational Research School @ Tradition recently. The students presented the superintendent with thank you cards they had created and asked her questions about when she was a little girl. It was a rewarding experience for the students. Pictured is Superintendent Yost reading to the students.

Students in the Lakewood Park Elementary School chorus recently entertained for staff members at Fort Pierce City Hall and the St. Lucie County Telephone Pioneers with holiday music. The 64 performers were dressed in white shirts, navy pants, with a plaid vest of white and blue checks. The boys had bowties while the girls had unique bows that set off the festive fashion. The students, led by Angela Moretti, had a melodious sound for the holiday season that had the audience clapping their hands and tapping feet with songs such as Rock ‘n Roll Snowman and Blitzen’s Boogie. Both performances were received with … Read More

Students in Karen Crosby’s VPK class at Lawnwood Elementary recently rode The Polar Express. The class donned their pajamas, and with their golden tickets in hand, boarded the Polar Express for an imaginary trip to the North Pole. In the darkened room, the children listened to The Polar Express read aloud and reenacted the events from singing carols to drinking hot chocolate. Pictured are students ready for their adventure!

Northport K-8 students in Tiffany Tredor’s kindergarten class and Megan Castiglia’s third grade class spent quality time in the school’s media center reading and enjoying special Christmas and holiday seasonal books recently. Some of the books that the students cherished were “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” “Drummer Boy,” “The Christmas Sweater,” “The Christmas Promise,” “The Miracle of Jonathon Toomey,” “Great Joy,” “The Year Without Santa Claus,” “Bear’s First Christmas,” “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,” “Cranberry Christmas” and “”Dewey’s Christmas at the Library!” Student joy and pleasure was evident from the looks on their faces while … Read More

The Port Saint Lucie High Jaguar Battalion Color Guard presented the colors at Northport’s holiday concert, in Port Saint Lucie High School’s auditorium.

Kindergartners at F. K. Sweet Elementary School recently took a field trip to see the Nutcracker Ballet at the Sunrise Theater in downtown Fort Pierce. The Sunrise Theater offered a free field trip for students in St. Lucie County schools. Pictured, from left, are Jeremiah Hill, Skye Graham, Kiera Coburn, and Tylarith Limear from Melanie Francisco’s class were on the edge of their seats waiting for the curtain to open. What an exciting opportunity to get dressed up and go to the theater!

Students at F. K. Sweet Elementary School can take part in an after-school group that uses STEM lessons to increase their critical thinking skills. Pictured are fourth grade student Nestor Damian, left, and third grade student Briana Guerrier show off their space landers. For this activity, the students designed a space lander that would keep an egg safe when landing. They were both happy to report that their eggs survived the landing.

Glitter, glue, and giggles, oh my!  Kindergartners in Melanie Francisco’s class at Frances K. Sweet Elementary School had a great time during a recent Craft Day.  Parents were invited to volunteer with crafts, lunch, and ice cream sundaes.

As part of Southern Oaks Middle Schools’ recent Holidays Around the World celebration, students in Todd Hibbard’s sixth grade Social Studies classes stepped into the holiday spirit (and the icing) by making 72 gingerbread houses to commemorate holiday traditions in Germany. Students in sixth, seventh and eighth grade all enjoyed the sample of gingerbread houses as part of the day long festivities. Other countries represented with facts and food were Italy, Africa, Mexico, Israel, Great Britian and, of course, the United States of America. Pictured are some of the gingerbread houses on display.

The Southport Middle School faculty, staff and students recently hosted a mini-art show at a local business partner restaurant. The faculty and families came to enjoy the beautiful works of art from the school’s talented students. The presentation highlighted students’ art work from the first semester art classes. It was also a delightful opportunity for the community to come out and enjoy the wonderful works of art created by Southport students in Katherine Avra’s sixth through eighth grade classes. Pictured are Ms. Avra, left, and student Graciela Pard.

Northport K-8 sixth grade students in Melynda Slater’s Critical Thinking classes have spent the last five weeks honing critical research skills using Environmental Studies as the theme.Students used all aspects of research skills building to construct a superhero who could solve many of the dilemmas facing some of Earth’s most serious concerns. Some of the topics students researched were global warming, oil spills, recycling, water conservation, fossil fuels and rain forest decimation. Each student researched, using the media center, classroom computers and a variety of other materials. Each made a PowerPoint slide show addressing many aspects of each issue, but … Read More

The Palm Pointe Educational Research School @ Tradition team recently won the St. Lucie County Middle School volleyball tournament held at Ft. Pierce Central High School. The girls from the “B” division defeated the Southern Oaks Middle School team in the championship Match. The championship match was the best of three, with the Southern Oaks team winning the first game, and Palm Pointe winning the other two matches.  The girls really showed heart, determination and dedication, coming from behind to win the championship. These girls spent many hours practicing before school, getting ready for the tournament — and it really paid off. Pictured, from … Read More