Author: Lydia Martin

Staff - (Changed 3/19/2025 5:02:35 PM)

Academic Team Competes In State Competition

May 4, 2016 By Lydia Martin

ST. LUCIE COUNTY – St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) Academic Challenge Team was quick on the buzzer and correct when answering questions that would stump most individuals.  With a strong showing in the preliminary rounds of the 31st Annual Commissioner’s Academic Challenge competition, SLPS’s team qualified for the semi-final rounds and finished fifth overall in their division.  Teams from across Florida gathered at the Grand Floridian Resort at Walt Disney World for this annual academic statewide event. Makeda Brome coached the five-member team that included Geoffrey Zheng (LPA), Mali Kaminaga (LPA), Carlos Arce (LPA), Jared Diago (Westwood), and Dominick Kehoe … Read More

Florida Prepaid College Foundation Launches Florida 529 Scholarship Program

May 4, 2016 By Lydia Martin

Florida Prepaid College Foundation Launches Florida 529 Scholarship Program Board Removes Minimum Contribution * The Florida 529 Savings Plan Scholarship Program will award 10 winners a $529 Scholarship deposited into a Florida 529 Savings Plan account. * The scholarships are part of the Florida Prepaid College Foundation’s ongoing commitment to increase awareness about the importance of saving for college through the Florida 529 Savings Plan. * For the first time ever, the Florida Prepaid College Board has removed the minimum contribution to open a Florida 529 Savings Plan, opening the door for more families to save for college. * Florida … Read More

Exploration, Encounter, Exchange in History

May 3, 2016 By Lydia Martin

St. Lucie Public Schools students participated at the Florida History Fair in Tallahassee. This year’s theme was Exploration, Encounter, Exchange in History. Next year’s theme is Taking a Stand in History. The students are already discussing possible topics on their bus ride home.

Cobras Compete at National Ocean Sciences Bowl

April 28, 2016 By Lydia Martin

ST. LUCIE COUNTY – Ft. Pierce Central High School’s (FPCHS) Cobra Pride came through in a respectable showing at the 19th Annual National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB) Competition in Morehead City, North Carolina. Team members Andrew Caputo, Cody Nichols, Victor Alterizio, Bryce Starr, and Riley Kicker represented the school and finished 12th in the national competition. Team Coach Steve Shotola said the road to NOSB was rigorous.  He explained that the field was wide as 369 teams competed in regional competitions for the right to advance. “The Cobra team won the Florida Manatee Regional Competition in February and joined an … Read More

FPWHS Speakers Bureau

April 27, 2016 By Lydia Martin

The Speakers Bureau Special Guest Speakers at Ft. Pierce Westwood High School this month were Mr. Randy Roundtree, Mr. Darcy McFolley, Mr. Thernell Mills, and Mrs. Shaniek Maynard.   All the speakers expressed to the students the importance of making the right choices as they journey through life. The central theme that was expressed by all the speakers was, “It’s okay to be different and not follow the crowd.”

SGA Speakers Bureau

April 27, 2016 By Lydia Martin

The Speakers Bureau Special Guest Speakers at Samuel S. Gaines Academy K-8 this month were Mr. E. Wayne Gent, Superintendent of St. Lucie Public Schools, and Mr. Lafayette Ashley, Graduating Senior of Ft. Pierce Central High School Class of 2016. Mr. Gent captured the attention of the students as he told them how he chose to never give up on his dream of becoming a superintendent of schools. Mr. Ashley inspired the students by sharing some of his personal challenges and expressed to the them that if you want something bad enough, you will work hard to get it. Mr. … Read More

Lawnwood Leopards on the Prowl Through Their Odyssey of the Mind

April 27, 2016 By Lydia Martin

On Saturday, February 27th, 2016, several students from Lawnwood Elementary participated and were well-represented during the Palms Region Odyssey of The Mind Regional Tournament at Suncoast Community High School in Riviera Beach. The 4th and 5th grade Gifted classes, under the guidance and supervision of their Odyssey coaches and teachers, Ms. Courtney Crooks and Mr. Robert Knapp, used their leadership skills, creative thinking, and problem-solving skills to produce several skits involving five various problems, as well as some spontaneous random-quick thinking to this event, The Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program that is able to provide creative … Read More

Drones Take Flight to Support Education Innovation

April 20, 2016 By Lydia Martin

FORT PIERCE, FL – An innovative partnership that has been in development for several months is literally taking off on Wednesday, May 11 at Adams Arena in Fort Pierce as middle school students compete for top honors by navigating drones through a maze.  In a joint venture with the Treasure Coast Research Park, AT&T, and St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS), 18 drones were donated to support inquiry programs at Dan McCarty Middle School, Samuel S. Gaines K – 8 Academy, and West Gate K – 8 School. Benefits of this skill development opportunity include students’ ability to write code, program, … Read More

ECET2 Conference Celebrates Quality Teachers

April 19, 2016 By Lydia Martin

ST. LUCIE COUNTY — A select group of teacher leaders have been invited to participate in a two-day conference event Elevating and Celebrating Effective Teaching and Teachers (ECET2).  This is the second annual ECET2 conference brought to educational professionals in St. Lucie County via a partnership with St. Lucie Public Schools and the Gates Foundation. Event organizers Didi Campbell, Allison Barajas, and Natasha Rodriguez explained that this year’s theme entitled Teachers Are Innovators: Grow, Collaborate, Lead blossomed from the positive feedback received from last year’s event in which participants were catapulted into deeper collaborative efforts through their opportunities to network … Read More

Perez to Lead Palm Pointe Educational Research School at Tradition

April 19, 2016 By Lydia Martin

PORT ST. LUCIE, FL -Currently an assistant principal at Palm Pointe Educational Research School at Tradition, Ms. Kathleen Perez will step into a new role as principal for the school as the new school year opens.  No stranger to education, this 24-year veteran is looking forward to leading this learning community and continuing its tradition of excellence. “Palm Pointe has been my home for the past six years.  I consider the staff and students my family, and I will continue to build and nurture the positive climate for student achievement.” St. Lucie Public Schools Superintendent E. Wayne Gent said, “There … Read More

Congratulations to West Gate K – 8

April 18, 2016 By Lydia Martin

Seventh graders in Mrs. Lauren Kappler’s West Gate K-8 Civics class won first place accolades in the St. Lucie Public Schools Project Citizen Showcase.  Their project entitled Don’t Panic will compete at the State level and is currently on display at the Capital where legislators will serve on judging panels for a final evaluation of all projects by late May.

Family Reading Festival This Saturday at Tradition Field

April 18, 2016 By Lydia Martin

PORT ST. LUCIE, FL – The 7th annual Family Reading Festival is slated for Saturday, April 23 from 9 AM – 1 PM at Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie.  Families are invited to bring their children to this free event and experience the many joys of literacy.  Meet Mother Goose, read with VIPs, receive free books, and enjoy interactive puppet shows.  And there is more. Bring your gently used books for a book trade, browse the Scholastic Book Fair, visit with authors, and try your hand at a variety of literacy-themed games and activities. “We look forward to bringing … Read More

West Gate K-8 Project on Display at the Capital

April 18, 2016 By Lydia Martin

PORT ST. LUCIE, FL – Seventh graders in Mrs. Lauren Kappler’s West Gate K-8 Civics class won first place accolades in the St. Lucie Public Schools Project Citizen Showcase.  Their project entitled Don’t Panic will compete at the State level and is currently on display at the Capital where legislators will serve on judging panels for a final evaluation of all projects by late May. We the People: Project Citizen is organized by Florida Law Related Education, Inc. which explains the annual project as “a curricular program for upper elementary and secondary students designed and published by the Center for … Read More

Agritechnology

April 18, 2016 By Lydia Martin

Technological and economic factors have changed the way people around the world perceive the importance of agriculture.  Agritechnology is the teaching of agricultural sciences, natural resources, land management, and the 21st Century tools and technologies used in the field.  The curriculum includes horticulture, livestock management, agricultural science, and more.   It is taught through hands-on experiences that prepare students for both entry-level jobs and/or higher-level education. Fort Pierce Westwood High School

Digital Media/Multimedia Design

April 18, 2016 By Lydia Martin

Digital media production is the study of media creation and display through media outlets such as the Internet. This includes audio and video streaming and hybrids of the two. Interactive media or rich media combines video, audio and user participation. Fort Pierce Central High School, Treasure Coast High School

Microsoft IT Academy

April 18, 2016 By Lydia Martin

The Microsoft IT Academy teaches students a greater mastery of Microsoft products such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook. Students increase personal productivity and technical skills by earning Industry Certification as Microsoft Office Specialists (MOS). Technology skills and certification taught lead students to be college and career ready for today’s technology-centered job market. Fort Pierce Central High School, Fort Pierce Westwood School, Port St. Lucie High School, St. Lucie West Centennial High School, Treasure Coast High School

Florida Science Olympiad

April 18, 2016 By Lydia Martin

Congratulations Fairlawn Force Team! A group of Fairlawn students competed in the Florida Science Olympiad at Florida Atlantic University.  Science Olympiad is a competition open to middle and high school students with a separate competition for elementary students. The team participated in various hands-on, interactive, inquiry-based activities.  The students had to do science during the competition, not just report on a topic.  The bridge building team placed second by designing and building the lightest bridge with the highest structural efficiency that can span a given opening meeting the requirements specified in the rules. Congratulations to the Fairlawn Force Science Olympiad Team!

Congratulations to Our Young Floridians

April 13, 2016 By Lydia Martin

Young Floridian Scholarship Program The 2016 Young Floridian Scholarship Awards Program is a joint commitment between the educational and business communities of SLC in recognition of outstanding high school seniors and their volunteer efforts. Academic Excellence: Natalia Cordeiro (LPA) Art: Rachael Howard (LPA) Athletics: Jeffrey Gerlica (LPA) Career and Technology: Anson Rivera (PSLHS) Computer Sci/Engineering and Architecture: Joshua Hulka (TCHS) Drama: Claudia Reyes (LPA) Foreign Language: Esther Artica (TCHS) Human Services: Bianca Espineira (TCHS) Journalism/Communication: Jaycie Wegner (PSLHS) Language Arts: Kendell Spurr (PSLHS) Mathematics: Valania Torres (FPCHS) Music: Deoctavius Evans (TCHS) Science: Koushal Rao (LPA) Social Studies: Alexandra Artiles (TCHS)