Month: January 2014

Students in Elizabeth Butterworth’s second grade class at Lakewood Park Elementary recently had a COOL blast constructing snowmen. The STEM math project introduced a money unit by students purchasing each piece of their snowman and keeping the cost below $25.00.  Students were required to do a purchase order and write a sales pitch. The students experienced a “snowman cool time” while writing and doing math. Pictured are Ms. Butterworth and her students with their snowmen displayed on the bulletin board.

A number of Northport K-8 School administrators, teachers, students and parents supported the community and the St. Lucie School District by marching and riding in a float during the annual Martin Luther King, Jr., parade in Ft. Pierce recently. The Northport community was glad to help promote the theme “Continuing the Vision Through Education and Advocacy” and encouraged the community to remember Dr. King’s dream. The Northport K-8 School middle grades band, under the direction of instructor Brian Hoce, marched in the parade and played the song “Stand By Me,” originally performed by Ben E. King. Northport third grade student … Read More

Members of the Fort Pierce Rotary Club recently visited Samual S. Gaines Academy and presented all third grade students with a free dictionary. Pictured is Rotarian Stephen Neil with students receiving their very own dictionaries!

Dale Cassen Educational Complex (DCEC) student Jesus Dominguez was recognized by the St. Lucie County School Board at its January 14, 2014, business meeting for being honored as the Very Special Arts Florida (VSAFL) November Student of the Month. The VSAFL program is designed to increase public awareness and recognize the impact arts make on students with disabilities statewide. Students who participate in the arts develop creativity, have increased self-confidence, understand teamwork, have increased language and math skills and are generally more engaged. DCEC art teacher Dan Galloway, who recognized Jesus’ talent and vivid imagination, and his utilization of art … Read More

Southport Middle School students, their siblings and parents have the opportunity to receive a lifetime boating license at the school. The basic aspects and skills of boating, including boat handling, fire safety, rules of the water, radio use, water rescue and much more are being taught by a licensed captain in the school’s media center. Those who pass the exam will receive a Florida lifetime boating license which is required to operate a boat in Florida waters. The course is free and lasts for eight weeks. Pictured, from left, are Jamil Abram, Captain Dana Kaiser, Summer Muscanera, Brandon Wayne, John Shaw and … Read More

Congratulations to Floresta Elementary fourth grade student Dominic Kelly in Suzanne Diaz’s class, who was selected as the state of Florida winner in Bonnie’s Plants’ cabbage growing contest program. In a surprise assembly to recognize Dominic for his mammoth 38 lb cabbage, Erica Der, the Education Liaison from the Department of Agriculture presented Dominic with a certificate from the State of Florida. Jonathan Shepherd, representative for Bonnie’s Plants, presented Dominic with a $1,000 savings bond, which could double by maturity to be worth nearly $2,000. Bonnie’s Plants has sponsored the contest for the last 15 years for any third grade teacher who … Read More

ESE teachers at Lakewood Park Elementary, along with ESE School-based specialist Rachel Smith, have begun a book study on Quality I.E.P.s to enhance their planning and goal setting for students. As a part of this study, teachers are able to apply their learning and discuss strategies designed to meet the rigorous requirements of instruction as they seek to serve and support their students daily. Pictured, from left, are Peggy Blount, Virginia Cirillo, and Jodi Hargreaves. Taking the picture is Rachel Smith.

Bayshore Elementary students and staff participated in Celebrate Literacy Week. Students and staff members learned about vocabulary words and story book characters, then demonstrated their knowledge by participating in a literacy parade. First grade teachers provided students with visual representations of vocabulary words starting with the prefix mis. Pictured, from left, are Abby Mollet (mismatched), Stacy Baldino (misbehaved), Debbie Gonzalez (misunderstood), Marge Cuellar (misfortune), Vanessa Piekara (mistaken), and Natasha Alexander (misspelled).

This year, students in grades 5-8 at Southport Middle School were challenged to imagine themselves living during the American Revolution for the D.A.R. (Daughters of the American Revolution) essay contest. How would they feel? What would they do? How would their lives be different during the time of war instead of a time of peace? After months of waiting, the winners of the sixth grade have been announced and are members of the school’s Marlins team. Pictured, from left, are Kassidy Allen, third place; Maya Cook, second place; and Shania Delano, first place. Congratulations to the students for their achievements … Read More

Northport K-8 middle grades students made great strides in research techniques and effectively followed the scientific method as the school-based Science Fair came to a conclusion. Sixty-two students whose projects were evaluated as “highly effective” were selected to display their projects in the Northport Media Center. A wide array of projects were on display covering multiple categories such as botany, earth science, chemistry, physics and astronomy and medicine and health. First and second place winners in each category will represent Northport K-8 School as delegates to the Regional Science Fair to be held on February 13, 2014 at the Kight … Read More

The St. Lucie County School Board adopted a measure at its January 14, 2014, meeting proclaiming January, 2014, as National Mentoring Month in St. Lucie County public schools. Big Brothers, Big Sisters (BBBS) Vice President of Programs Jenni Palm, pictured at left, and Caitlin Elbrecht, BBBS Lead Site-based Match Support Specialist, center, presented the proclamation to School Board Chairman Debbie Hawley, right.

Students in Hillary Cruz’s seventh grade Civics classes at Palm Pointe Educational Research School @ Tradition have selected the problem of puppy mills and current breeder legislation to focus on for this years’ Project Citizen project. To assist in comparing how state and federal agencies enforce animal welfare legislation, students contacted Dr. Gaj with the United States Department of Agriculture, who visited the classroom with a PowerPoint presentation on the subject, as well as answered students’ questions.  Pictured are Luke Bentley, left, and Zachary Barsuglia with animals they received after answering questions for Dr Gaj during the presentation.

Port Saint Lucie High School Jaguar cadet First Lieutenant James Williams was recently awarded the “Cadet of The Year” honor from the Florida Institute of Technology (F.I.T.) Army ROTC, earning him a full scholarship to F.I.T. This was a very tough competition — the difference between first and second place was a mere five points. Williams will receive a three year Army ROTC scholarship, as well as an F.I.T. ROTC incentive program for tuition — all told, a $160,000 scholarship award. Congratulations to James for all his hard work and dedication! Pictured presenting James the award are First Sergeant George Fiske … Read More

Port Saint Lucie High School Jaguar Battalion’s, Cadet Lieutenant Colonel William Benagh IV, was accepted into the United State Military Academy at West Point. William Benagh will be a second generation West Point graduate.

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.