Author: ANITA MATTIA

The Southport Middle School Odyssey of the Mind Team attended the State Competition at the University of Central Florida in April of last school year after placing first in the Regional Competition.  As members have graduated on to high school, the coaches are looking for new members for the coming school year.  For more information/application, please contact Chris Cook or Joey Cueto at Southport Middle School.  Pictured here: Front row from left: Titus Sirin, Jean Fede, Quinn Tucker, Oxaqn Fede.  Back Row from left: Hanna Spurr, Alyssa Hoce

Southport Middle School’s Reading Counts tree had so many outstanding favorite book ornaments that they overflowed and had to be mounted on a board to be displayed. Teacher Evelyn Watson, pictured seated, joins a few of the students who created a small booklet to show their favorite book and why they liked it. Standing, from left, are Marissa Kalina, Briana Norman, Faith Papidero, Crystal Goodwin, Andy Jean-Pierre, Amy Chen and Samantha Lewis.

Southport Middle School students gathered in the Media Center for one last celebration before the school year comes to an end. The love of reading was evident as many of these students have read over six of the 15 Sunshine State Young Readers titles. Pictured from left, back row, Briana Magloire, Amanda Badal, Aaron McNamara, Jacob Wright, and Alaura Mcgonnell. From left, middle row, Lisa Guan, Fabiola Garcia, Kelly Nguyen, and Yanira Rivera. From left, front row, Elizabeth Korpon and Brendan Gonzalez.  Also part of this group, but not pictured are Jaycie Wegner, Alexis Leo, Devyn Sarno, Delsin Pillay, Thao Phan and … Read More

Southport Middle School promoted the love of reading with an incentive to win an Amazon Kindle.  During April, School Library Month, students were registered to win a Kindle when they checked out a book.  Pictured, from left, are Anita Mattia, winning student Ryan Zelaya and media specialist Angela Mas as he picked up his prize!

Southport Middle School’s Young Authors celebration included a video conference with author Douglas Quinn.  With the help of grandson, Southport Middle sixth grade student Quinn Coleson,  Quinn has written four adventure series novels featuring his grandson as the main character.  St. Lucie County’s ITS department supported  Southport’s media center to set up the video conference with Mr. Quinn, who resides in North Carolina with his wife.  Also presenting at the celebration was Scripps newspaper contributor Hillary Copsey, who spoke to students and parents about the wonderful books that the sixth through eighth grade students submitted.  Winning submissions will go on to a district level competition. … Read More

Thanks to all the efforts put into the event by the parent task force, the Southport Middle School Science Curriculum night was a huge success.  The South Florida Science Museum was one of the community participants that evening. Activities included: Goop!- Quick sand, Match Missiles, Screaming Balloons, the science of tie dye and how to make homemade ice cream.  There were erupting earthquakes, kinetic roller coasters, silly putty, science brain teasers and many other fun activities.  Megan Guyer and her “team” put together another remarkable curriculum evening.   The event was a great opportunity for parents and students to be able … Read More

The Southport Middle School National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) recently inducted new members for the 2012-2013 school year.  Society members wanted to show their appreciation for all that guidance counselor Kristen Alvarez has done for them to coordinate NJHS events and community activities, and surprised her with a small party!  The students put together a team effort and presented her with a cake and a gift from all of them.  Pictured, from left, are Hailey Hughes, Fernando Pinyero, Lucia Cabanela, Harrison Reither, Samantha Lucidi, Anna Lancaster, Kendall Spurr, Guadalupe Barco-Garcia, Madeline Sands and Ms. Alvarez.

Southport Middle School students had the opportunity to see the “Hunger Games” movie on the opening weekend of the film.  Southport Middle media specialist Angela Mas secured a private theater screening at Regal 16 just for Southport students and families.  There were 130 tickets sold.  The “Hunger Games” book series by Suzanne Collins has been promoted by the eighth grade Language Arts department and the media center as well.  Students have been devouring the books and were excited about the opportunity to see the movie.  Several teachers, staff and parents accompanied students. Southport students made a great impression as their … Read More

Southport Middle School teachers and students participated at a local McDonald’s restaurant for “McTeacher’s Night” event. Pictured, from left, are Adriana Garcia, Susan Schill, Alexia Tsikoudis, Lilas Demontegnac, Christine Richards, Jim Saunders and Kendall Spurr.

Staff members from the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary visited the Bobcats team at Southport Middle School. The presentation was part of a conservation unit with the student teacher in Christine Richards’ sixth grade reading classes.

Outstanding volunteers were honored recently at Southport Middle School. Pictured is Youth Volunteer of the Year Jervana Graham-Record with her parents Ansel Graham-Record, left, Ann Graham-Record, center, with volunteer coordinator Pat Christian-McFadden.  Not pictured are senior Volunteer of the Year Kathy Pritchard, Senior Volunteer of the Year, and Adult Volunteer of the Year Ruth Altvater.

Southport Middle School student Hannah Spurr heads to state competition in the local DAR American History Essay Contest and the Good Citizen Award contest sponsored by the Cora Stickney Harper branch of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.  A celebratory tea was held at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church Parish Hall in Ft. Pierce. Pictured are Spurr and other local winners from Southport Middle School with St. Lucie Public Schools’ K-12 Social Studies Curriculum Supervisor Tim Norfleet and Karen Evans, representatives from the Cora Stickney Harper branch. From left are Tim Norfleet, Karen Evans, Hannah Spurr, Sydney Starnes, Lisa … Read More

The media center at Southport Middle School hosted a book swap coordinated by Mary Kurtz-Seiden and Angela Mas.  Students were able to bring in a new or gently used novel and swap from a variety of high interest new scholastic books.  Popcorn and lemonade were served as students were given the opportunity to discuss the novels and swap with their friends.  Pictured at right is Brian Velasquez, and left are  Jamie Triplett, Kaylee Kegley, Sydney Dundee, Morgan Reed, Luke Hannah, Keala Sanders and other students enjoying some treats and picking out books to take home.

Southport Middle School’s Media Center held a movie and popcorn event for students who read and successfully tested over six or more Sunshine State Reader books.   Students received a paperback book of their choice, a poster and some Sunshine Reader pencils and bookmarks.   Pictured, from left, are Devyn Sarno, Brendan Gonzalez (the first student to have read all 15 books!), Alexis Leo, Jaycie Wegner,  Thao Phan, Vanessa Smith and Fabiola Barco-Garcia.

The celebration began with teachers dressing up as pirates, and reading the second school wide read aloud of “Treasure Island”.  Book trailers were run on WSPM Channel 2 News. Students were given materials to make book marks which would include content from the read aloud.  The week ended with a book swap held in the Media Center.  Students were encouraged to bring in a new or gently used book and were able to pick from a variety of popular new titles in exchange. Pictured, from left are, Sharon Dudash, Kimberly Nicholas, Wanda Galey, Christine Richards, Lilias Demontegnac, Adrianne Mendoza, Andrea Levin and Dana Hochberg.

Southport Middle School recently held its annual Science Expo in the school’s media center.  Over 80 student projects were on display with 10 being chosen to represent Southport at the istrict level science fair February 7, 2012.  The event was attended by School Board vice chairman Debbie Hawley, District Science K-12 Curriculum Specialist Steven Shotola, as well many students and faculty members.  Pictured is eighth grade student Kaylee Tolliver with her project titled, “Which brand of toothpaste makes a Kool-Aid stained marble appear whiter?” along with science teacher Kelly Lunt.

Southport Middle School’s “Book Buddies and Beyond” club members recently greeted residents from The Palms Retirement Community of St. Lucie West. The students performed a Reader’s Theater version of “Finding Neverland” for their guests.  Greeting guests, from left, are Chris Yates, Bryon Peralta, Myrria Roux, Rebecca Moore, and Tiara Perch. 

 The sixth grade geography bee was held by the social studies department at Southport Middle School.  Pictured here is the second place winner from the Marlins team, Jacob Wynn.

 The Southport Middle School performing arts presented the Disney Play “Sleeping Beauty”.  There were performances for the students during the day and for Morningside Elementary School students.  Parents and community members were invited to come to the evening performances. It was a huge success with great theatrical performances done under the direction of Mary Osking. Pictured are Samantha Lucidi, left, and Katelyn Treiger preparing for their roles as Princess Aurora and Maleficent.