Author: Lydia Martin

An important Referendum Renewal is on the November ballot.  It provides a school resource officer on every campus to ensure our children’s safety, supports the recruitment and retention of high-quality teachers, expands mental health services for students and supports special programs such as art and music in our schools.   Early voting begins October 24th and runs through November 5th.  Election Day is November 8th.   For more information, please visit Referendum Information – St Lucie Public Schools.   

The Children’s Services Council generously donated book vending machines to both White City Elementary School and Windmill Point Elementary School! In attendance at the ribbon-cutting ceremonies from the Children’s Services Council were Chief Executive Officer Sean Boyle, Chief Operating Officer Ashley Mock, and Community Engagement Coordinator John Cesar. St. Lucie Public Schools were represented by Board Member Debbie Hawley, Superintendent Dr. Jon Prince, and Deputy Superintendent Dr. Helen Wild. Students will earn tokens through positive behavior, exhibiting extra effort, or meeting their academic goals. Those tokens can then be redeemed in the book vending machine for a book of their … Read More

The favorite part of Superintendent Dr. Prince’s week is when he visits schools! Last week, he stopped by Manatee Academy K8 and had the privilege of visiting both Kindergarten and 5th-grade classrooms.  The students were very excited to share with the Superintendent what they were learning and had the chance to ask him questions about his job.  Dr. Prince had the opportunity to participate in a circle time goal-setting activity with students!  

Mission Graduation for English Learners summer program was held this year in Southern Oaks Middle. Incoming 6th through 12th recently arrived English Learners were engaged in English learning classes, grade level Math, English, and Civics. Students were given opportunities to develop entrepreneurship through a Graphic Design course where students created different products, a logo, and a vision for their future businesses. Students developed friendships and partnerships while they participated in different sporting events and activities. It was a great program! Students and staff said this was the highlight of their summer.  

SLPS had a great first day of school! Superintendent Dr. Jon R. Prince, School Board Chairman Dr. Donna Mills, School Board Vice Chairman Troy Ingersoll, School Board Member Debbie Hawley, Deputy Superintendent Dr. Helen Wild, and Assistant to the Superintendent Dr. Kevin Perry were joined by district staff to welcome back students on the first day of school! Click here to view the First Day of School Video https://youtu.be/qxybb2Ht9Ts

Last week, Superintendent E. Wayne Gent and Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jon Prince had the honor of presenting to the St. Lucie County Economic Development Council at their monthly meeting.  Superintendent Gent shared the most recent record-breaking graduation rates with the audience. He also reflected on his last seven years as Superintendent focusing on the importance of professional development of school leaders and the success in the District’s CTE Programs. Dr. Prince, the incoming Superintendent, shared his vision with the audience focusing on his own experience as a parent with students in the district and their successes along with his commitment … Read More

In recognition of Black History Month, Superintendent E. Wayne Gent and Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jon Prince were invited to read to 5th Graders at F.K. Sweet Elementary School! The students enjoyed the read-alouds and everyone enjoyed interacting with text and one another.    

Teams from five SLPS High Schools competed on Friday, January 28th in this year’s Commissioner’s Academic Challenge. The team from Treasure Coast High School earned the most points in the 2nd round academic challenge and were declared the winners! Questions covered a wide range of topics including Mathematics, Science, Literature, Music and Foreign Language. The top individual scorers will go on to represent St. Lucie Public Schools at the state-level competition which will be held at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort March 31st -April 2nd. State-level Competition Team Team Coach: Stephen Maxwell,  Treasure Coast High School Teacher Treasure Coast High School: … Read More

United Way Awarded $75,000 to Establish First Community Partnership School Fort Pierce, FL – United Way of St. Lucie & Okeechobee has been awarded $75,000 from the University of Central Florida to establish St. Lucie County’s first Community Partnership School at White City Elementary. A Community Partnership School offering free wraparound health and wellness services on property to students and their families will launch this month in St. Lucie County in partnership with the University of Central Florida. The foundation of the UCF program is a 25-year agreement that consists of four core partners: a school district, a health care … Read More

Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jon Prince, accompanied by School Board Chairman Dr. Donna Mills, Board Member Debbie Hawley, Assistant to the Superintendent Dr. Kevin Perry, and Education Foundation President Thom Jones paid surprise visits last Friday to this year’s finalists for the Distinguished Minority Educator Award (DMEA). Dr. Vanessa Capo, a Reading Interventionist at St. Lucie West Centennial High School; Tamika Adams, an Interventionist at Lawnwood Elementary School; and Melissa Phillips-Hill an ESE Specialist at the Creative Arts Academy of St. Lucie are the finalists who have the distinction of representing the School District at this year’s Night of the Stars … Read More

Superintendent E. Wayne Gent, accompanied by School Board Chairman Dr. Donna Mills, School Board Vice Chairman Troy Ingersoll, Board Member Debbie Hawley, Assistant to the Superintendent Dr. Kevin Perry, and Education Foundation Chair Thom Jones paid surprise visits to this year’s finalists for Teacher of the Year. Heydeys Sanchez, a 3rd-grade teacher at Mariposa Elementary, Tucker Young, a civics teacher at Manatee Academy K8; and John Renschler, a first-grade teacher at Samuel S. Gaines Academy are the finalists who have the distinction of representing the School District at this year’s Night of the Stars event. St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) … Read More

  St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) earned a historic graduation rate of 94.5% which exceeds the state average of 90.1%. The six traditional high schools boasted an unprecedented rate of 98.6% for the 2020-2021 school year. This is the 5th consecutive year that the graduation rate for SLPS is above 90%. SLPS improved its state ranking to 7th in the state out of 67 districts.   Furthermore, SLPS continues to increase the graduation rate for all groups of students as demonstrated by improvement of Hispanic, Black, White, and Exceptional Education students. The graduation rate for Hispanic students improved from 94% … Read More

  We are excited to welcome our students back to school! Florida is currently experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases, therefore, please review this important information regarding COVID-19. Florida law prohibits school districts from requiring students to wear a face mask.  However, a parent, at the parent’s sole discretion, may allow his/her child to wear a face mask. Daily Home Health Screening Tool Continue to use the Daily Home Health Screening Tool as a check each morning with your student before sending them to school. If your student is displaying any symptoms of illness they must stay home until they … Read More

Breanna Myles, a 2021 graduate of Lincoln Park Academy, represented Florida, on Saturday, November 27th in the Miss Teen USA Competition in Oklahoma. Breanna won 1st place and was crowned “Miss Teen USA!!!”  This is the first time in the history of the competition that Miss Teen Florida won the competition! Breanna graduated from Lincoln Park Academy in 2021 with her A.A. degree from Indian River State College. She is currently enrolled at Florida State University where she is majoring in Computer Science. Her LPA Greyhound family and the entire School District wish her all the best as she represents … Read More

St. Lucie West Centennial High School sophomore,  Janelle Palmer, was selected by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Treasure Coast as the Outstanding Youth Philanthropist of the Year and was recently honored at the National Philanthropy Day event on November 18th. Janelle was selected because she consistently gives her time and talent to support the mission of Treasure Coast Hospice. She has encouraged her friends to do the same by sharing her personal story and engaging them in her efforts, resulting in volunteerism and awareness of their mission. Congratulations Janelle!

During this season of thanks, I would like to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to all our St. Lucie Public Schools families for your ongoing support of our students, especially during this past year. Your understanding, flexibility, and commitment have not gone unnoticed. On behalf of the School Board and St. Lucie Public Schools, I wish all of our students and families a happy and safe Thanksgiving. Sincerely, E. Wayne Gent  

The St. Lucie Public Schools Youth Advisory Council held its inaugural meeting on November 16, 2021.  The newly established Council is a resource for St. Lucie Public Schools and its students. Its function is to discuss district-wide student concerns, provide the School Board a youth perspective on issues that affect the School District, and serve as the primary liaison between students and district administration. Each high school in St. Lucie Public School has selected 2 representatives to serve on the Council. These representatives are elected student government/council officers for their respective high schools. St. Lucie Public Schools Youth Advisory Council … Read More