Author: Lydia Martin

ST. LUCIE COUNTY – What started out as a small packing party for approximately 150 meals to support students and families in need turned into a holiday wish-come-true as donations poured in to accommodate over 300 meals. The St. Lucie Public Schools District Office Events Committee in conjunction with Grace Packs, Pan Florida Challenge for Hungry Kids, and St. Lucie County Fire District packed over 4,000 pounds of food into weekend packs on Tuesday in preparation for deliveries prior to the holiday break. “Each year our Grace Packs December food drive campaign provides a boost for the Organization’s ability to … Read More

What started out as a small packing party for approximately 150 meals to support students and families in need turned into a holiday wish-come-true as donations poured in to accommodate over 300 meals.  The St. Lucie Public Schools District Office Events Committee in conjunction with Grace Packs, Pan Florida Challenge for Hungry Kids, and St. Lucie County Fire District packed over 4,000 pounds of food into weekend packs on Tuesday in preparation for deliveries prior to the holiday break.   “Each year our Grace Packs December food drive campaign provides a boost for the Organization’s ability to support students; however, … Read More

In the spirit of the season, students and staff made a joyful noise filling the hallways and classrooms of St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) as the Education Foundation of St. Lucie County and SLPS administrators surprised the three finalists for School Related Employee of the Year on Friday.  Juana Garcia (Mariposa Elementary), Dawn Parker (Dan McCarty Middle School), and Natasha Ramos (Oak Hammock K-8) will represent the District as this year’s finalists. Superintendent E. Wayne Gent stated that he is inspired by the commitment to service and volunteerism that each finalist represents.  “Our staff care deeply about our students and … Read More

Mrs. Patrick’s 2nd grade class was visited by Superintendent E. Wayne Gent! He read them a wonderful Christmas story entitled Christmas City by Michael Garland. The students thanked him with a present of their own — new socks! Mr. Gent promptly put them on and wore them with pride! Thank you, Mr. Gent, for a wonderful visit!  

St. Lucie Public Schools Superintendent E. Wayne Gent and School Board Members enjoyed participating in the festive holiday parades in Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce.  The Festival of Lights and Sights and Sounds helped ring in the season with parade floats, bands, and characters to delight the crowds. The St. Lucie County School Board consists of a veteran team of ambassadors for education: Troy Ingersoll (chair), Dr. Donna Mills (vice-chair), Deborah Hawley, Kathryn Hensley, and Carol A. Hilson.

Students at SLW Centennial High School Freshman Academy were treated to an assembly sponsored by School Board Member Dr. Donna Mills. She introduced the guest speaker and gave a brief description of her responsibilities as a Board Member.  She entertained the freshmen with how she was elected and re-elected to serve on the School Board.  She also spoke about her continued efforts to support educators in St. Lucie County. The guest speaker of the day was the CEO of the Boys and Girls Club, Mr. William Armstead.  He opened up with his personal story of how he grew up in … Read More

St. Lucie Public Schools administrators collected toys for this year’s Toys for Tots campaign just in time for Santa’s train as it is scheduled to roll into town on Saturday, December 10th at 1:15 at Orange Avenue and US 1.  Don’t miss it!

Superintendent Gent and School Board Chair Ingersoll chat with Carol Wyatt during the recent WPSL Christmas Kids interview.  Students have performed in many locations throughout St. Lucie County as local businesses support the annual Toy Drive.

Samuel S. Gaines Academy sixth graders had the honor of listening to guest speaker Mr. Joe Smith, Clerk of the Circuit Court of St. Lucie County, as he shared his life story during a recent Speakers Bureau event. Mr. Smith, a native of Fort Pierce and a product of the St. Lucie Public Schools, comes from immigrant grandparents who arrived in the United States in the early 1900s. He was raised by a family of educators who inspired him to follow their path in helping others. His career shifted in a similar direction of helping his community, and he became our very … Read More

Recently at St. Lucie West Centennial High School, the 19th Judicial Circuit held Teen Court. Criminal Justice students from Fort Pierce Central, Fort Pierce Westwood, St. Lucie West Centennial, and Treasure Coast High Schools prepared and presented defense and prosecution cases. Students also served as jurors, bailiff, Clerk of the Court, and audience members for three cases involving teens.

Fort Pierce Central culinary students and their instructors joined over 40 Florida high schools at the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association Educational Foundation (FRLAEF) Regional workshop at Johnson and Wales University (JWU)  in Miami, Florida. Students rotated through four sessions including: knife skills, trends in baking and pastry, Molecular Gastronomy, and trends in nutrition. Lunch was then served to everyone in the JWU cafe, and each student received a personal chef jacket for attending the event. An exciting and very educational day was had by all!

This exhibit showcases the work of the Creative Photography students from Fort Pierce Central High School. The school added photography courses four years ago, and in that time Heather Blackmon-Gordon’s students have grown in both skill and scope. With photography as their commonality, they search for their own creative style and vision. The students have spent the last few months documenting, critiquing and reflecting on physical and mental places in their lives. The photographs are of people and places, with a focus on utilizing lighting to portray moods. Many of the photos are pieces of seniors’ portfolios that they are … Read More

During the November 22nd Organizational Meeting of the School Board, School Board Attorney Daniel B. Harrell administered the Oath of Office to School Board Member Carol A. Hilson (residing in District No. 2) and School Board Member Kathryn Hensley (residing in District No. 4). Both were re-elected to four year terms and will continue to proudly serve the students, staff, and community of St. Lucie County.

The School Board of St. Lucie County held an Organizational Meeting on November 22, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. in the School Board Room. During this meeting, Mr. Troy Ingersoll was elected Chairman and Dr. Donna Mills was elected Vice Chairman.

The Fort Pierce Westwood High School JROTC recently competed in the Academic JLAB competition. JLAB (Junior Leadership and Academic Bowl) is a program within JROTC sponsored by the College Options Foundation. Cadets have the opportunity to improve their ACT/SAT scores, increase interest in college admission, gain leadership skills, and advance hands-on learning. During the JLab competition, the team completed an academic test composed of three sections: verbal, math, and science. The team consisted of Cadets Andrews, Loschin, Soto, Flores, and the alternative Cadet Rigsby. The team worked together on the clock. In the end, the team received a score of … Read More

Chester A. Moore teachers, staff, families, friends and community leaders came together for an evening of fun. Harvest Fest 2016 was put together to bring our families together, show our students a great time, and was 100% free to all.      

Don’t Miss Elf The Musical Jr. at Southport Middle School. Showtimes November 18th 7 pm (Doors Open at 6:30 pm) November 19th 2:30 pm (Doors Open at 2 pm)

St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) recently hosted the St. Lucie Soars Take-off Ceremony — an event held at the Treasure Coast International Airport in a BEDE AERO Southeast hanger.  The event, supported by community leaders, served to kick-off the kindergarten through third grade early literacy initiative and highlight the importance of reading. St. Lucie Soars is a SLPS literacy effort that includes a community initiative in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters to recruit volunteers and mentors to help close the gap on third grade literacy. The gift of reading opens the door to the world for students.  Consider becoming … Read More

The Speakers Bureau Special Guest at Dale Cassens Educational Complex was Mr. Octavius Robinson, a Teacher on Special Assignment (TSA) for St. Lucie County Public Schools.  Mr. Robinson told the students that DCEC was the first school he ever taught at when he became a teacher in 2007.  At the time he taught science and social studies and he was also the named the First Year Teacher of the Year at that school. In addition, Mrs. Harden, the students’ principal, was the principal who hired him at Dale Cassens. However, Mr. Robinson acknowledged that, as a student, he was disruptive … Read More