Month: February 2014

Six and seventh grade students at Dan McCarty School decided to show their support of the eighth grade students on their quest to pass the upcoming FCAT Writing 2.0 test, so they reached out to the administrative team for assistance. The students asked the administrative team to purchase mints and other goodies to pack and distribute to all the eighth graders on Tuesday morning as kind gesture and show of support. The students also placed a positive note in the bag. Pictured are Kiara Diehl, left, and Patricia Vining packing the bags.

The Port St. Lucie High School Jaguar Battalion presented the colors for the opening ceremony for the Jaguar baseball game against Fort Pierce Westwood High School. The Color Guard was led by cadet Sergeant Major Robert Hopkins carrying the national flag. Cadet Captain Tyler Lynn carried the state flag while Cadet Captain Ashlee Seipel and Cadet Second Lieutenant Jaffrey Murankus posted as their guards. The Color Guard gave a great presentation for the opening ceremony. Pictured, from left, are Jaffrey Murankus, Robert Hopkins, Tyler Lynn and Ashlee Seipel. By Kaleb Dover.

The Port St. Lucie High School Jaguar Battalion Color Guard participated in the recent Northport K-8 School Black History Month ceremony. The Color Guard was led by Cadet Sergeant Major Robert Hopkins carrying the national flag. Cadet Second Lieutenant Cole Herndon carried the state flag, while cadet Second Lieutenant Taylor Chaney and Jaffrey Murankus posted as their guards. The school gave a wonderful welcome to the cadets, who gave a respectful presentation for the ceremony. The Jaguar Battalion thanks Northport for the special invitation to be a part of their ceremony. Pictured, from left, are Jaffrey Murankus, Robert Hopkins, Cole … Read More

The Port Saint Lucie High School Jaguar Battalion presented the colors for the season opener for Jaguar Softball, at their district game against Westwood.

Recently at Palm Pointe Educational Research School @ Tradition, an annual breakfast was hosted to recognize its Business Partners and Volunteers. Pictured, from left, are Karol Carvelli-Volunteer Coordinator, Diane Yeager-Senior Volunteer of the Year, Diana Hight-Adult Volunteer of the Year, Natisha Burch-Adult Volunteer of the Year, Stephen LePore-Male Youth Volunteer of the Year, Ariana Marie Ramos-Female Youth Volunteer of the Year, and Debra Snyder-Principal.

District champion Westwood High School Panthers girls varsity basketball team recently culminated its season with a hard fought, one-point loss in the regional semi-final game, 48 to 47. Pictured front row, from left, are Coach Tomonica Bell, Alexis Byrd, Jermecia Robinson, Reniaya Burr, Tonaijia Ganious, and Coach Thernell Mills. Second row, from left, are Trudy Walker, Antonnette Boothe, Principal Ucola Barrett-Baxter, Tiara Evans, and Dymond Mosley. Top row, from left, are Destiny Crandell, Bammetria Joseph, Erica Knight, and Kwynisha Rhodes.

Students in Kathleen Saunders’ first grade class at Fort Pierce Magnet School of the Arts recently were able to get their brand new library cards! As part of Literacy Week, elementary students took home forms for parents to fill out and return so that students could receive their very own cards. Heather Ricksecker, instructional coach, headed up the endeavor and was able to secure over 75 St. Lucie County library cards for students! Students were encouraged to visit local libraries often to build fluency and love of reading.

After rigorous, intensive work and deep critical thinking, Northport K-8 School students celebrated a third place win at the St. Lucie School District Project Citizen showcase. Students from Mary Ellsworth’s seventh grade Civics class prepared their project very competitively. The project is titled “What is the Cost of Ruining Your Child’s Education?” The topic centered around the issue of education and budget cuts and how the cuts have affected the purchase of textbooks for many classrooms. The students will have their board and binder displayed in Tallahassee at the Capitol Building! Students at Northport, a Title I school, hold true … Read More

Students in Hillary Cruz’s class at Palm Pointe Educational Research School @ Tradition recently won the first place award at the St. Lucie County School District’s Project Citizen Showcase! Project Citizen is a seventh grade county-wide competition in which students identify a problem within the community, brainstorm and research possible solutions, create a public policy to solve the problem, and develop a plan of action for implementation. Students selected the problem of puppy mills, or breeders who neglect and abuse mothers and puppies for the sake of profit, and the lack of legislation at the state level. Florida is one … Read More

Lakewood Park Elementary Cafeteria Manager Andrea Pierson and students from Loretta Humphrey’s second grade class help harvest cilantro from the student-grown garden. The cilantro will be used in a salad for the school’s lunches. Students have worked the garden all year around, yielding all types of vegetables such as tomatoes, tomatillo, and herbs. Pictured, from left, are students Jennifer Onofre, Kylee Corona and Kevon Blocker with cafeteria manager Andrea Pierson.

Lakewood Park Elementary School students and families recently enjoyed Student Led Conferences, where students can show, with examples, their learning to their parents who can then see and experience materials and activities that students engaged in during the school day. Awards are presented during the evening event, such as for perfect attendance, the Kids at Hope Award, and honor roll. Parents may also see PowerPoint presentations outlining their child’s future goals, while teachers enjoy observing the interaction among all active participants. Pictured is a group of students with Superintendent Genelle Yost in Lori Checchi’s kindergarten class, who have taken charge of their … Read More

Northport K-8 School recently celebrated Black History month with a wonderful program that included guest speaker Dr. Dwight Dawkins, who encouraged students to do their best and to have high aspirations. Port St. Lucie High School Jaguar Battalion led the program with an honor guard, and Northport choral students from all grade levels sang the “National Anthem,” “Elijah,” and “Tribute to Martin Luther King.” Students also listened to a Black History moment on the morning announcements showcasing contributions of Black Americans. The school cafeteria, along with culinary program students under the direction of instructor Rachel Ellsworth, offered a tempting Southern … Read More

A member of the Fort Pierce High School wrestling team placed fourth in recent regional competition and is advancing to state competition. Pictured, from left, is Jarvis Gamble, district champion in the 195-pound weight class who is now preparing for the statewide meet, Coach Michael Torres, and Errol Pottinger, district champion in the 120-pound weight class.

St. Lucie West K8 School kindergartners recently enjoyed visiting the Florida Oceanographic Center. Students enjoyed opportunites to learn about local ocean life, such as petting stingrays. Pictured, from left, are Abigail Wiley, Lilliana Boham, Sophia Rodriguez, Jahari Wiggan, Caden Ongel, Kiara Rodriguez, and Adrian Pardo-Canedo.

Finalists for two of the four annual employee recognition groups for St. Lucie Public Schools were awarded plaques and presented during the February 11, 2014, school board meeting. The St. Lucie County Education Foundation recognized and presented plaques to Teacher of the Year (TOY) finalists Oak Hammock K-8 media specialist Heather Bolitho, Fort Pierce Central High School band and choral director Matthew Boswell, and Fairlawn Elementary School media specialist Kelly Ridle. School Related Employee of the Year (SREY) finalists recognized were Palm Pointe Educational Research School health paraprofessional Michelle DeGarmo, Allapattah Flats K-8 School office clerk Adela DellaCroce, and Parkway … Read More

The St. Lucie County School Board was presented a rebate check in the amount of nearly $680,000 at the February 11, 2014, business meeting from Florida Power and Light Company (FPL) as a result of completion and verification of chiller plant replacement projects at Port St. Lucie High School, Mariposa Elementary and Southern Oaks Middle School. The school district has partnered with FPL over several years on school energy upgrades that both reduce energy consumption and reduce the need for FPL to upgrade their systems or build new power plants. The rebate program covers thermal energy storage, demand control ventilation … Read More

More than 70 students and their parents braved inclement weather to attend Mariposa Elementary’s Math Night. Students were engaged in meaningful, real world problem-solving as they walked grocery store aisles. Pictured, from left to right, students Joshua Locklar, Tyshon Crawford, Paul Lesser, and Shane Lesser, observe as parent Don Lesser shows the students about the stacking of oranges (spheres). The families enjoyed the problem solving activities. It was a great evening enjoyed by all who attended.

St. Lucie County Schools Superintendent Genelle Yost was special guest at Dan McCarty Schools’ January Student of the Month ceremony. Superintendent Yost delivered a very compelling message to the C.O.T.M. recipients, ecnouraging students to remain focused in their learning, set goals and work hard to accomplish them. In addition, Superintendent Yost challenged the students to go to college and earn doctoral degrees in any area of their choosing and perhaps even in education. Pictured are Superintendent Yost, left, and Assistant Principal Bennie Montenegro.