by LYNNE Gruszka | Oct 31, 2013 | School News
Students in the Northport K-8 fifth grade classroom of Melanie Polascak have reaped the rewards of a very generous benefactor recently. Mrs. Polascak’s class was adopted through the website Adoptaclassroom.org by Katie Gilliam from Virginia. Katie, better known as “Aunt Katie” visited the fifth grade class on Halloween. She and her friends dressed as characters from the children’s classic, “The Wizard of Oz!” Ms. Gilliam donated the money specifically for school and classroom supplies and books for students. The children made an acrostic poem to be put into book format and will send to Aunt Katie when it is completed. Students have been corresponding with Katie all year and were finally grateful and thrilled to get to meet their benefactor. Pictured are Katie Gilliam dressed as the lion, adult friends dressed as characters and Mrs. Polascak and her students.
by Diane Laster | Oct 31, 2013 | School News
During October, students and staff at Dan McCarty School celebrated Hispanic Heritage month with music, food, cultural displays and more. On October 30, Dan McCarty School parents and students participated in a special Hispanic Heritage celebration. Visitors were entertained with Latin music, dance, and customs, as well as a special performance by the St. Lucie Ballet Company and their production of the “Nutcracker” with a Hispanic flair. Pictured during the Quinceanera Showcase are students Gabriella Lascanos, from left, Jennifer Guerrero, Noemi Diaz, and Antonio Farfan.
by TIM Norfleet | Oct 31, 2013 | District News
Richard Gray of Lincoln Park Academy and Kathleen Ems of St. Lucie West K-8 School were recognized as St. Lucie Public Schools’ Social Studies teachers of the year for 2013 at an awards dinner during the Florida Council for the Social Studies 56th annual conference October 26 and 27 in Daytona Beach. St. Lucie’s honorees, as well as recipients from other Florida school districts, are selected from principal nominations at the elementary, middle, and high school level for their outstanding professionalism, instructional practices, and ability to build student-teacher relationships. Ms. Ems was recognized for high expectations for all students and implementation of Data Based Questioning to improve content literacy; Mr. Gray was recognized for his leadership in the International Baccalaureate program and his activities as a senior advisor.
by Venus Burch | Oct 30, 2013 | School News
As part of Fire Safety Month, kindergarten students at Fairlawn Elementary School recently traveled to the central Fire Station near Lawnwood Regional Medical Center. Students learned about what to do if there is a fire and what equipment the firefighter may use. Students also got to see a firefighter in full gear to show not to be afraid of them if they see them in a fire. Students had already read about community workers and jobs as part of the Journeys curriculum. Students also wrote about their experience using a circle map. Their writing was an opinion piece about their favorite part of the trip.
by Venus Burch | Oct 30, 2013 | School News
Fairlawn Elementary School raised over $1,200 during a recent Pink Heals event to benefit local organizations that support cancer education, prevention, detection, treatment and research. Recently, a day was designated for students to wear “pink items” to school such as a pink shirt, pink pants/skirts, pink socks etc. The adults also participated and it was a fun way to help an important cause. Jennifer Ingersoll’s class raised the most money in the entire school and they will receive a pizza party provided by the Firefighters Benevolent. In addition, the school PTO has graciously agreed to provide pizza to the class at each grade level earning the most contributions. Congratulations to grade level classroom winners in kindergarten, Carol Hendricks; first grade Erika Stefani; second grade Becky Carranza; third grade Amy Raczkoski; fourth grade Cheryl Burleson; and fifth grade Jennifer Ingeroll.
