Month: December 2011

The Jaguar Battalion Color Guard presented the colors at the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) ceremony recently. The team that presented the colors consisted of cadet Captain Amanda Mabry, cadet Colonel Diamond Salazar, cadet First Lieutenant Devynn Rhodes, cadet Sergeant First Class Sebrina Saladeen, and cadet Private First Class Austin Conkling. The four cadets demonstrated perfection with an outstanding presentation of the flags. Being a member of DAR, cadet Private First Class Austin Conkling was elated to be part of the team presenting the colors for the ceremony. The cadets all had a great time and felt honored to … Read More

Reading Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer  inspired Nanette Serrano’s kindergarten class to put on their thinking caps and write about Rudolph. Students were excited to write about a reindeer that was different but broke down barriers to become a hero. The students did a great job of expressing their feelings about what they liked best. They shared their writings with their classroom peers and displayed them on the bulletin board for everyone to see. Pictured is inspired writer, Tyronique Johnson.

 Kindergarten students are very eager and motivated to celebrate the winter season. They each labeled a snowflake with a book they are reading from the school library. It is fun to see the enthusiasm as they read books and share them with the class. Students proudly display the number of books they read on the kindergarten hallway bulletin board.

Northport K-8 third graders welcomed representatives of  Treasure Coast Wildlife Sanctuary into their outdoor classroom area to learn all about saving wildlife.  Students were introduced to several types of owls including One Feather, a great horned owl. Students learned that One Feather was stolen from his nest in Ocala National forest in Florida 33 years ago.  One Feather was only a few days old when he was taken so he never properly imprinted or learned how to be a great horned owl.  He could never survive in the wilderness on his own.  Students learned that owls see in black and … Read More

Northport K-8 fourth graders in Juliette Thelusma’s class participated in a group science fair project called Pop Rock Science.  Students learned the meaning of the words purpose, hypothesis, data, constant variable, results, conclusion and research.  Students and instructor then applied the knowledge gained to a fun and informational science fair project.  After understanding the meaning of scientific terms, students put pop rocks in balloons and attached them to soda bottles.  The pop rocks were allowed to fall into the soda and students watched as carbon dioxide was released.  The conclusion was reached that the Pepsi brand contained more carbon dioxide than … Read More

Southport Middle School art teacher Judith Hough teamed up with the school’s cafteria manager and staff for an art contest for My.Plate. The first place winner was Shaqwan Brown, who won a $25 gift card from WalMart.  Pictured, from left, are Principal Lydia Martin, Shaqwan Brown and Assistant Principal Nicole Telese. 

Kindergartners in Northport K-8 RTI classes are learning all about holidays around the world.  Students and instructors  cooked and experienced the many flavorful foods that different cultures enjoy.  Students made and enjoyed latkes for Hannakkuh, cheese Quesadillas for Las Posades, mini pizzas for La Bafona and delightfully hand decorated sugar cookies to celebrate Christmas.  Kindergarten students appreciated cooking around the world and can support why each selected their favorite cultural food dish.  Pictured are teachers Staci Saunders and Chelse Goergen with several kindergartners.

The St. Lucie West Centennial Navy Junior ROTC Black Talon Company celebrated its annual Navy Day Pass-in-Review ceremony.  All 140 cadets came out to show Commander Dirk Herbert, the Florida Area 7 Manager, Admiral Jenkins, U.S. Coast Guard (Ret.), Mr. Michael Lannon, Superintendent of Schools, Vice Mayor Linda Bartz of the City of Port St. Lucie, their parents and friends just how well they could march.  In addition, the award winning Armed Exhibition Drill Team performed with awe inspiring precision.  (See photo.)  After the Area Manager completed his inspection of the unit he said that the Black Talons were on … Read More

Fort Pierce Westwood High School junior Helga Vega, a 17-year old junior in the Marine Oceanographic Academy, has been named the Florida Department of Education Distinguished Sunshine State Scholar for St. Lucie County for the 2011-2012 school year. Pictured, from the recent school board meeting where Ms. Vega was recognized, are, from left, Westwood High School principal Mallissa Hamilton, assistant principal Mary Gregory, School Board chairman Carol Hilson, Helga and her mother Alicia Vega, and Superintendent Michael Lannon in back.

 Rivers Edge Elementary School leadership class students visited a local nursing home to spread some joy for the holidays.  They sang carols, and served punch and cookies, along with distributing gifts to all the residents.  The students were encouraged to chat with the residents and left with stories, full hearts and a few new friends!  Pictured is Mackenzie Jock, from Melinda White’s fifth grade class, spreading a little cheer as she speaks with one of the residents. Also pictured are fifth graders Megan Massey and Carley Johnson.  Thank you leadership team for bringing miles of smiles to share!  

Students in fifth and seventh grades in St. Lucie County Public Schools will continue this school year with a program begun last year with Vaccine Gene Therapy Institute called Saturdays with Scientists. Approximately 200 students will meet with the VGTI scientists at three different high schools during the school year to work on real scienitific projects. The purpose is to spark an interest in science for the students. Pictured is the school district Science Curriculum supervisor and 2011 Teacher of the Year Cristina Veresan with students at Treasure Coast High School for a recent Saturday event.

Students in Fairlawn Elementary kindergarten classes recently visited St. Lucie County’s Central Fire Station. The students toured the fire station and explored the fire trucks. Some children were able to spray a real fire hose!  Pictured is kindergartner Mason Cohen and a new friend.  

Northport K-8 students welcomed two St. Lucie County School Board members recently to discuss the school boards views on the issue of homelessness in St. Lucie County.  The students heard much information about the issue for their seventh grade required Project Citizen research class.  Pictured is school board vice chairman Debbie Hawley, who along with board member Troy Ingersoll visited Karen Nystrom’s class on separate occasions to discuss what the school board can do for homeless families with children attending the school system.  The board can make arrangements to transport the children from temporary housing to the home school, can assist … Read More

Staff from the Hobe Sound Nature Center recently visited the fifth grade students from Palm Pointe Educational Research School @ Tradition and did a presentation on animal adaptations and food webs.  They demonstrated with their Birds of Prey animal collection.  The students got to dissect owl pellets.  The discussion showed the different things that were eaten by the owls.  Pictured, from left, are  Andi Risi and Hector Arocho.

 First and second grade students at Palm Pointe Educational Research School @ Tradition enjoy shopping for books in the library in the Rocket Reader Store.  Students can use 20 rocket fuel dollars to purchase books in the store.  This is for all students in grades K-8 and is open different days for different age groups.  Pictured, from left, are Amia Stone, Isabella Aviles, Colby Kuba, Braylen Lopez , Logan Kerr, and De’shawn King.  Great job rockets…keep up the good work!

Third grade students in Janet Baraniak’s class performed a readers theater during Bayshore Elementary’s Barnes and Noble Bookfair and Family Day.  Alicia Roberts, left, and Thomas Papakalodoukas act out a scene from The True Story of Kamishiba.

Bayshore Elementary School students in third, fourth and fifth grade are participating in the Sunshine State Young Readers Awards Program.  This is a statewide program that is designed to motivate students to read high interest, contemporary literature.  Pictured is Cassandra Fess’ third grade student Sergio Miranda showing off the sunshine he earned after reading Beastologist.