Month: March 2015

Northport VPK-8 School Northstar team offers middle grades students the opportunity to experience first hand the beauty of math, science, technology and engineering in a classroom designed specifically for learning about ingenious techniques in STEM. The STEM Center is centrally located in the school and offers students a wide range of hands on experiences with 21st century, cutting edge technological skills and a framework for delving deeper into STEM careers. Recently, students cohorted on the school patio to build laser security systems and promote laser demo’s outside. Students brainstormed, designed briefs, worked in teams, designed a matrix and built an … Read More

More than 116 Health Science students at St. Lucie West Centennial High School learned Hands-Only CPR this week. These students were taught by Mary Higgins’ First Responder students. First Responder classes are available to students who have completed the Allied Health Program as a senior elective. First Responder students prepare for careers in emergency medicine by becoming CPR certified as Health Care Professionals, completing web based classroom instruction and skills in advanced first aid techniques, followed by a shadowing opportunity at various St. Lucie County Fire stations.  This “student-teaching-students” approach is innovative and one of the first of its kind in … Read More

Recently Weatherbee hosted our first annual “Math Olympics!”  This exciting event was planned for students who passed a math facts fluency test.  Every student who showed proficiency on these quizzes was able to play Giant JENGA on the stage in the cafeteria and also invited to our outdoor Olympic event.  Students participated in the High Jump, Long Jump, Hula-hoop Hopscotch, and the Hula-Hoop Tire Challenge.  With over three hundred student in attendance, this was a very successful event.  All students and staff had a fabulous time and we can’t wait to start planning for next year!  

This past month our ESE classrooms are working hard in preparation for the upcoming Florida Alternate Assessment that will begin on March 2, 2015. They have been working on different engaging learning activities in order to be best prepared for the upcoming test. We are proud of the hard work that our ESE students have and continue to accomplish throughout the school year.

The Jaguars placed in the following events: First Place Male Squad Exhibition, commanded by Zachary St.John, First Place Male Unarmed Squad, commanded by Chaz Pollino, First Place Male Unarmed Platoon, commanded by Tyler Lynn, First Place Female Unarmed Squad, commanded by Allison Miakisz, and First Place Female Unarmed Platoon commanded by Catherine Zukowski. Second Place Female Squad Exhibition commanded by Ashlee Seipel, and Second Place Female Platoon Exhibition commanded by Ashlee Seipel. Third Place Male Color Guard commanded by Robert Hopkins, Third Place Male Armed Platoon commanded by Anson Rivera, Third Place Female Color Guard commanded by Mackenzie Shea, and … Read More

Manatee Academy held our 2nd annual Geography Bee last month. After a sudden death tie-breaker, Gabriel Mustaciuolo was crowned Manatee Academy’s Geography bee winner for 2015 narrowly edging out runner-up Steven Forgoress! All participants did an outstanding job.  Gabriel will now take the state qualifying exam next month.  Many thanks to Dawn Montoya and Amy Mason for keeping this Geo Bee coordinator’s nerves in check and for serving as timekeeper and scorers.  More thanks to Mrs. Beauchamp and Mrs. Chase for cheering on our competitors. Update: Gabriel did take the exam and has qualified for the state test in Jacksonville … Read More

State Rep. Larry Lee Jr. shared stories of his educational challenges and successes with our 6th – 8th grade reading classes.  The motivational speech pointed out the positive impact reading made in his life. He encouraged the students to increase their reading scores and reading time. This challenge is to get our students to work harder as well as to feel more confident and enthusiastic about reading.  

VPK celebrated Dr. Seuss Day by reading The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham  and One Fish two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish .  We had Green Eggs and Ham for breakfast thanks to our Cafeteria Staff.  Each student turned themselves into a “THING” by making a hat and picking out their THING Number.  In math we practiced counting by rolling a dice and placing the correct number of “Goldfish Crackers” into the fishbowl.  Students practiced pattering by placing the sliced strawberries and bananas in a row to make a Dr. Seuss hat pattern on a stick before enjoying a yummy … Read More

White City Elementary School in St. Lucie County,  has a great after school workout for students, says Katrina Gonzalez, Wellness Champion.  Students meet after school on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30-4:30.  They have over 53 students signed up so far.  The hour starts out with a warm up that might include pushups, toe touches, jumping jacks, stretching and running laps.  After a short water break, students then get to choose a sport, for example, soccer or basketball.  At the end of the hour, students enjoy another break which includes water and healthy snacks.  Students can either bring their own snack, … Read More

The Bayshore Elementary School Odyssey of the Mind team participated in the regional competition on February 28. The team competed against seven other schools to solve the long term problem titled, Silent Movie. Bayshore’s team was honored with the coveted OMER Award, which was awarded because the team demonstrated a global view on their long term problem. Bayshore’s Odyssey of the Mind team, led by teachers Janet Baraniak, Heather McWilliams and Colletta Myers, placed fourth overall in the competition. Pictured (from left to right) are Coach Janet Baraniak, Giana Stella, Matthew King, Samantha Trader, Juliana Acosta, Raysaa Serra, Coach Heather … Read More

Fort Pierce Sunrise Kiwanis Club read Dr. Seuss books to Fairlawn Elementary School’s kindergarten students to celebrate Read Across America. The kindergarten students were so engaged as the guests read their favorite books and then took questions from students about the books.  Thank you to Javier Cisneros, Quinn Haisley, Troy Ingersoll, Nicole Romero , Frank Varelle and Valerie Schulte for helping to promote literacy in the schools.

For the month of February, the students in the Peer Leadership Program at Weatherbee Elementary had the privilege to meet with State Representative Mr. Larry Lee Jr. This program targeting male African American students is one of the PBS strategies used at Weatherbee Elementary. Each month a male role model from the community comes to address these students in need of extrinsic motivation. This month, Mr. Larry Lee Jr. brought a lot of excitement in the air when he offered $5 dollars to any students who answered his questions correctly. In addition, he promised a $5 incentive to all students … Read More

What a wonderful morning at a school that is on the move, flourishing and continually growing! Northport VPK-8 School in collaboration with Big Brothers, Big Sisters, welcomed a host of community leaders to read Dr. Seuss books and to celebrate the birthday of Dr. Seuss with VPK-3 grade students. Local leaders who visited the school recently for breakfast, participated in the Pledge of Allegiance and Kids at Hope Pledge lead by Northport VPK students and read and discussed Dr. Seuss with the students need to be heartily thanked for spending quality time with the children of Saint Lucie County. Special … Read More

In a recent press release from Girls on the Run of the Treasure Coast, “Southport Middle School made history with eleven brave and beautiful girls who met for their first session of Girls on Track in St. Lucie County. The Girls on Track program, for girls in 6th through 8th grade, uses an experience-based curriculum which integrates running to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident. The interactive curriculum is fun and challenging, covering meaningful topics such as self-awareness, building healthy relationships, and developing personal strengths while engaging in physical activities. The curriculum also includes lessons specifically devoted to … Read More

To promote their Scholastic Book Fair and create a way for dads to be involved with their children’s school day, Fairlawn Elementary School hosted a Doughnuts for Dads themed shopping morning. Dads were invited to come shop with their students and then have a doughnut and a cup of coffee before they left to start their day. Approximately 145 dads came to Fairlawn to shop with their students and support Fairlawn Elementary’s Media Center.

Parents, friends and neighbors honored our February students of the month for the character trait of Trustworthiness.  Each child was given a certificate and a positive affirmation about why they are trustworthy.  The students then enjoyed a cookie and time with their guests. Pictures of each grade levels students follow.     

Sixteen PSLHS students competed at our District History Fair January 21st and brought home 3 first place awards, 1 second place, and 1 third place.  Congrats to Jessica Fernandez (1st Individual Exhibit), Savannah Cymbal (1st Individual Website), Mark Alton, Ondra Lee (1st Group Website), Diana Nguyen (2nd Place Individual Website) HaileyVotino & Taylor Tetreault (3rd Place Group Documentary). We are “Jaguar Proud” and wish you success as you move on to compete at the State Fair in Tallahassee May 3rd-5th!