Northport community book fair promotes positive interactions

Northport K-8 Community Book Fair promotes positive interactions with students and teachers in an atmosphere filled with resources to fit the needs of every learner. Media specialist Lynne Gruszka and clerk Pam Crum are able to offer accessibilty to great books to encourage students to want to read. The book fair gives parents and grandparents an opportunity to shop with their children to select books directly with the teacher to fit students’ literary needs and likes and offers a great outlet for development of reading skills. The book fair has materials appropriate for all learners in the K-8 school. The fair offers … Read More

White City Elementary students have a ‘whopper’ of a time

A local Burger King restaurant recently helped White City Elementary fourth grade students celebrate their hard work in preparation of FCAT Writes. The store manager has donated this treat to White City Elementary for three years and the students of Karen Maxwell, Brenda Newman, Heather Ricksecker, and Adam Seal show their appreciation!

Allapattah Flats students get up close with wildlife

First grade students at Allapattah Flats K8 recently enjoyed had a up-close look at Florida wildlife.  Cheryl Wise of Busch Wildlife brought an opossum, turtle, corn snake, and an owl to the school. First graders learned facts about Florida wildlife and their habitats. Pictured are Tyler Garren,right, and Henos Yonas from Ann Hartman’s first grade class. They were brave first graders to touch “Sweet Potato” the corn snake. What a great visit!

Trophies go to MLK parade winners

Trophies were awarded for the winning entries in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemmorative Committee parade on January 21, 2013, in Fort Pierce. First, second and third place, plus winners of special judges’ awards, were presented. Pictured, front row kneeling, are Jerrime Shells of Forest Grove Middle School with its first place trophy for the middle school division , and Principal Todd Smith of Fort Pierce Central High School with the first place trophy for the high school category. Second row, from left, are Assistant Principal Kim Smith with the Overall Floating Trophy awarded to Fort Pierce Magnet School of … Read More

Mariposa Elementary kindergartners get lesson in dental health

Kindergartners at Mariposa Elementary enjoyed a hands-on presentation about how to care for their teeth. They were shown the importance of flossing and the correct way to floss, discussed foods that make their teeth happy and foods that make their teeth sad. They also were shown how to brush their teeth properly to make sure they removed the plaque. Every student left with a tooth brushing kit that included all the tools they needed to ensure successful brushing. Pictured, from left, are Jamarion Riggins, Sabrina Swayne, Kaitlin Taylor, Abigayle Conner, Analisa Bermudez, Maria Roman, Jade  Mayberry, Lillian Baber, and Khaleel … Read More

Allapattah Flats students learn about text perspective

Students in Dannielle Cason’s eighth grade reading class at Allapattah Flats K8 School took the opportunity to view text from different character perspectives.  Using the short story “The Cat Who Thought She Was a Dog and the Dog Who Thought He Was a Cat” by Isaac Beshevis Singer, the students first identified plot structure and then chose six events from the story to retell from on of the characters’ perspective. The students rewrote the event as if they were the particular character from the story. Finally, they constructed a storyboard of events to visually illustrate how the character “saw” each event. Pictured is … Read More

Northport volunteers honored

Northport K-8 Principal Glenn Rustay and Media Specialist and volunteer coordinator Lynne Gruszka, and the entire school community are proud to honor Senior Volunteer of the Year Kay Egan and Adult Volunteer of the Year Suzi Scott. The two women were honored at a reception at the St. Lucie County School Board recently along with many other volunteers who work diligently to support students, teachers and schools’ staff.  Mrs. Egan and Mrs. Scott assist teachers in any way possible, including cooking, mentoring students, running copies, purchasing supplies and goodies as well as assisting the PTO and the school administration. Special thanks and accolades … Read More

District volunteers honored

St. Lucie Public Schools’ Volunteers of the Year for three categories were announced at the February 26, 2013, St. Lucie County School Board meeting. Prior to the meeting, an appreciation celebration was held for all of the nominees and their families in the Superintendent’s Suite sponsored by the St. Lucie Education Foundation. The Adult Volunteer is Kim Guettler from Fairlawn Elementary, Youth Volunteer is Jordan Trojanowski, a student at Westwood High School nominated by Southern Oaks Middle School, and Senior Volunteer is Lucille Van Doorn from Parkway Elementary. Their nominations will go on to regional competition for the state award. … Read More

Southport Middle students learn about photosynthesis

Students in Jessica Allen’s seventh grade science class from Southport Middle School learned about how plants convert light energy to chemical energy and store it in the bonds of sugar (photosynthesis). Pictured are Delsin Pillay, right, and Althea Charles at a recent field trip to Savannas State Park as they conduct the experiment by creating their own version of the process that plants take by recreating the light reaction that occurs within plants.

Windmill Point students celebrate Black History Month

First grade students at Windmill Point Elementary enjoyed a Black History presentation. Students participated in African American dance, listened to African folktales, and got up close and personal with artifacts brought from Africa. As students listened to a poem about famous African Americans, they got a feel for what their daily life would be like without inventions created by many of those influential people. Pictured are students in Allison Weicheck’s class as they explore the African wood artifacts.

Westwood High MOA team placed second in annual Ocean Bowl

A team of students from Ft. Pierce Westwood’s Marine Oceanographic Academy (MOA) placed second in the 15th annual Manatee Bowl, an annual, regional ocean science competition. A team from St. Lucie West Centennial High School joined in the competition against 20 teams from 14 schools from the east coast of Florida. The teams are tested through quick Jeopardy-style questions and thought-provoking team challenge questions. Questions are drawn from the scientific and technical disciplines used in studying the oceans — physics, chemistry, geology, atmospheric science, biology, national and international economics, history and culture. The regional competition alternates annually between the University … Read More

Floresta Elementary hosts first CSI Night

Floresta Elementary School recently hosted its first CSI night to help solve the riddle of who removed the ice cream freezer from the cafeteria. Throughout the week prior to the event, students were informed of the curious incident, and were given information each day on the morning announcements. This information allowed them to formulate a hypothesis regarding who would do such a thing, and why. The suspects were coach Adam Schwimer, music teacher Jaclyn Kraus, media specialist Gerri Wills, media clerk Cemera Clancy, and custodial services’ Doug Abbhul. Pictured, from left, are Jaclyn Kraus, Adam Schwimer, Doug Abbuhl, Cemera Clancy, … Read More

Families enjoy Dan McCarty athletic banquet

Dan McCarty families enjoyed the first athletic banquet to recognize students from fall and winter sports. All students participating in extra-curriculuar activities must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA and have good behavior. Following dinner, families watched a video of Eagle athletes talking about focusing on both academics and sports. Each student then received a certificate recognizing his or her accomplishments. Sports recognized included soccer, volleyball, bowling, and track. Each coach assisted in the presentation of certificates. The soccer team was also recognized for winning the first trophy in the school’s history in the district soccer tournament. Final awards were … Read More

Centennial’s Messina to be inducted into state athletic Hall of Fame

St. Lucie West Centennial High School athletic director John Messina joins six other individuals being inducted into the Florida High School Athletic Hall of Fame April 28 in Gainesville during the 23rd-annual Induction Ceremony. Their induction will bring to only 157 members who have earned this prestigious honor. As head baseball coach at Pace, Port St. Lucie and Jensen Beach high schools, Messina compiled a 465-160 record and totaled three state championships with two state runner-ups while coaching two USA Players of the Year — Alex Fernandez in 1988 and Rick Ankiel in 1997. Messina was also named the Florida … Read More

Floresta Elementary tutoring program aligns with student interests

Floresta’s after-school tutorial clubs are off to a great start, thanks to the organized and creative leadership of media teacher Geraldine Wills and math coach Vicki Pease. They have put together a wide variety of project-based learning opportunities that align with students’ interests and state standards, and in some cases, provide students opportunities to experience new and different interests. Since students are expected to begin making career choices as early as middle school, what better way to help them make the right choices than to introduce them to career fields and “hands on” experiences in areas not previously explored. Students … Read More

Employees honored at Night of the Stars

The winners in each of four employee categories for St. Lucie Public Schools were announced at the annual Night of the Stars gala celebration February 23 at Lincoln Park Academy. The recognition program is sponsored by the St. Lucie County Education Foundation and the school board. Fort Pierce Central High School 32-year veteran math teacher and coach Harry B. Williams was named 2014 Teacher of the Year, and Palm Point Educational Research School at Tradition plant manager Eric Henik, who has been in that position since the school opened five years ago, was named 2013 School Related Employee of the … Read More

Parents graduate from computer classes

Twenty eight parents from Title I Schools have finished a Basic Computer class hosted by Ft. Pierce Magnet School of the Arts and Title I. Parents attended classes twice a week for four weeks to learn basic computer skills and learn to use Microsoft Word. The goal of the program is to help parents to have the skills to help their child with their school work and to enhance the parent’s computer skills. Basic Computer class information is sent out to all parents in Title I schools through a ConnectEd message before the classes begin. More classes are being planned … Read More

Windmill Point kindergartners explore shapes

Students in Carmela Innamorato’s kindergarten class at Windmill Point are exploring 3-dimensional shapes in their math class. Pictured, from left, Maria Suarez and Brennen Rausch couldn’t wait to enhance their learning about three-dimensional shapes by using marshmallows and pretzel sticks to compose real world objects.

Palm Pointe kindergartners celebrate special wedding

Kindergarten students at Palm Pointe Educational Research School @ Tradition celebrated the wedding of letters Q and U. The students learned that Q and U are always together so they had a mock wedding to re-enforce this fact. Students all had a part in the celebration as a member of the wedding party or as helpers with the reception after the ceremony. This was a fun learning experience and one they will always remember. Pictured are Trotter Chaisson, left, as the groom and Madison Parrish as the bride. 

Education Foundation kicks off ‘Get On the Bus’ campaign

The St. Lucie Education Foundation has kicked off its “Get On the Bus” campaign to enhance community awareness of its variety of initiatives to benefit public education in St. Lucie County and encourage community involvement in those programs. The local initiative is part of the statewide foundation consortium drive to increase support of public education through local foundations. The local Education Foundation provides multiple vehicles for individuals and organizations to make a positive difference in education through volunteer efforts, contributions, and celebrations of teachers and students. The Foundation has earmarked funds for use by teachers to fund creative classroom projects … Read More

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