Author: LYNNE Gruszka

It is with great pleasure that Northport hosted Yvonne Meyerson, Philanthropic Advisor for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in the media center recently. Students have been learning all about Sickle Cell disease and how prevalent the disease is within our own community. The “Project Tough Kookie” program was initiated at Northport two years ago by Marie Solide, ESE instructor, who lost her daughter Kookie following a long battle with Sickle Cell Disease. Students have learned that one in every ten African Americans has a sickle cell trait and one in every one hundred Hispanics carry the trait. In the United … Read More

Northport K-8 School students have been working diligently this year with teachers, veterans, Gold Star Families and Mrs. Gruszka in the Media Center to educate each other, their families and the community about the Medal of Honor, Gold Star Families and World War II. The learning experiences included Gold Star mothers, Karen Zook and Linda Schuman interacting with kids from grades three through eight about service, sacrifice, integrity, commitment and then teaching others about these ideals. The zenith of the program occurred in the Northport Media Center with a visit from Hershel “Woody” Williams. Mr. Williams is the only living … Read More

Northport K-8 School held their annual Spelling Bee recently in the school media center. Students from grades four through eight who won their classroom spelling bees were able to move forward and participate in the school based spelling bee. Parent attendance was plentiful and each spelling bee participant was able to bring one student guest from their class. Students moved through six rounds with Americorp Tutor Azzam Abdur-Rahman calling the words and tutors Barbara Despinos and Tessa Falatovich serving as judges. Students showed an impressive knowledge of spelling this year as they used rules and strategies to make excellent spelling … Read More

Northport K-8 School presented a noteworthy performance at the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade held recently in Ft. Pierce. The weather was beautiful and the students, parents, and staff were thrilled to participate in such a wonderful and traditional event to help enhance community relations and mark the day with a flourish. Special thanks to the Northport MLK committee members for working so diligently to make sure that Northport was represented and Martin Luther King’s theme for 2016, “Dream Forward: Choose Peace, Equality, and Change” was uplifted in true Northport fashion. Thanks to Debra Allen, Diane Crumpton, Valerie Hill, … Read More

Northport K-8 School is pleased to present our 2016 Annual Science and Engineering Fair award recipients. Our students competed in numerous fields of science. All awarded scientists based their experimental research on trying to answer and solve real world problems. They showed creativity in scientific thinking and a desire to help mankind by providing solutions to real issues. First, second, and third place awards were given in each category of science. First place recipients are: Addison Searcy, rosette Garcia, Dana Barcomb, Alicia Morrow, Alexis Bowes, Joseph Jackson, Jaden Rosenberg, Chastine Maharaj, Riley Orr, Taygen Pannella, Estefany Medina, Matthew Pinto and … Read More

Northport is pleased to present our 2015-2016 middle grades Science Fair in the school media center. The Science Fair, under the direction of Dr. Laura Woodworth and a cadre of science instructors, are offering students an opportunity to stimulate out of the box problem solving. Students are encouraged and guided through the use of STEaM processes. Students moved about the media center reviewing projects and using check sheets to ensure that displays presented required data and followed correct procedures. Students asked and answered a variety of questions such as, “Is there a real world problem being addressed?” “Is the hypothesis … Read More

Wonderful job to the Northstar STEaM students, their instructor, Christine Nurse, and ESE Chairpersons Sherri Yacovino and De Green for their great work with our ESE students. The excitement was palpable as students learned new and exciting hands-on information. Northstars STEaM Team students provided a laser and photonics hands-on lab for our wonderful exceptional students. The students designed and created an authentic triangulated laser and photonics security system.

There was the most wonderful visit to the Northport Media Center with Mrs. Kemp and Ms. Lusardi’s 3rd graders recently. The students buddy read holiday books from the huge basket of book collections in the Northport Media Center, read holiday and Christmas stories by themselves and then listened to “Twas the Night Before Christmas” read by Mrs. Gruszka, Northport Media Specialist. and teachers sang “Jingle Bells,” “Silver Bells,” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”  Then the students  sang “Hot, Hot Chocolate,” a song that they sang together at the Holiday Christmas Concert held at Northport as a gift to … Read More

Northport Principal Glenn Rustay shook off his Santa suit one more time to bring joy and good wishes to the entire Northport community at the Annual Breakfast With Santa held recently in the school cafeteria. On a Saturday morning, Assistant Principal Lisa Cash and Assistant Principal Lorie Monroe suited up to play Mrs. Claus and an elf to bring joy to all as a pancake breakfast was served by Northport’s PTO. Besides Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elf, crafts, games and pictures were available to everyone. It was a wonderful, family-oriented morning with joy and good cheer abounding. Thanks to … Read More

Technology Education is alive and thriving at Northport! As part of the National Hour of Code celebrated worldwide each December, Kevin Fess and his technology classes are trying their hand at coding pictures, animations, and character movements. Students as young as first grade are engaging in coding enterprises at Northport this month. The National Hour of Code is an initiative by Code.org, which aims to get students of all ages interested in computer science. Pictured is 6th grade student Riley Orr from the Northstar Team. Great job Mr. Fess by sparking innovation within our student population.

Wonderful morning recently in the Northport Media Center as we work through our “Gold Star Family Education Week!” Two courageous Gold Star moms, Linda Schuman and Karen Zook who both lost sons in recent years visited the Media Center to help educate our students about key qualities that help our community and families instill attributes that make awesome citizens. The women gave solid examples of the words: integrity, sacrifice, empathy, service, commitment, honor and teach. Ian Zook, Karen Zook’s son, gave the “Ultimate Sacrifice” for our country in Iraq and Jordan Schuman, Linda Schuman’s son, gave the “Ultimate Sacrifice” in … Read More

Marine biologists, Mr. and Mrs. Mott from the Inwater Research Group, presented a stimulating enrichment program to the 6th-8th grade Northstar students about sea turtles. They showed specimens of turtle anatomy and related body structures to their function for survival in the ecosystem. Students considered characteristics of organisms as they identified the shared characteristics used for taxonomic classification of organisms. Students were encouraged to think about the impact humans have on the environment and share their ideas. Conservation and protection practices for threatened and endangered species were elicited from the students since we all share the responsibility of good stewardship … Read More

We are so proud of our Northport K-8 School First Year Teacher of the Year! First, we are so glad that she chose teaching as her profession. It takes a very special person to be a classroom teacher. It takes grit, integrity, honesty, compassion, respect, knowledge, trustworthiness and an abilty to make a real connection with the kids. Second, we are thrilled that she chose Northport! Our ESE kids are winners and they deserve an awesome teacher. Megan and her family moved here from the state of Washington. Big Change! Please congratulate Megan Hill and be as supportive as you … Read More

Since 2006, Northport K-8 School has proudly incorporated a thriving Veterans Partners in Education program throughout the school. Veterans are visible and can be recognized as part of the fabric of Northport. One of the founding partners in the school’s veteran program was Peter Popolizio. Peter was a corporal who served valiantly on Pork Chop Hill in the Korean War. Mr. Popolizio earned many medals on Pork Chop Hill including the Silver Star. Peter served as past Commander of the local Korean War Veterans Assoc., Chapter 106 and also was dubbed Saint Lucie County School District Volunteer of the Year … Read More

Northport Principal Glenn Rustay and Northport Media Specialist Lynne Gruszka proudly accept one of the most valuable gifts that a military hero can bestow, the Purple Heart. Dr. Miles J. Gill Jr., a local Vietnam Veteran and paratrooper has dedicated his father’s Purple Heart to the children of Northport K-8 School. The Purple Heart was earned by Sgt. Miles J. Gill Sr., 1 Company, 311 Infantry, 78 Division at the Field Hospital in Germany during World War II. The Purple Heart was pinned to Sgt. Gill’s chest in his hospital bed in January of 1945. Dr. Gill is one of … Read More

It is with distinct pleasure and pride that Northport K-8 School commemorate Veterans Day with a flourish. The morning of November 10 started with the Pledge of Allegiance and the Kids at Hope Pledge. Students then recited the “Northport American Children’s Pledge.” The media center filled up quickly with at least fifteen local veterans from all different branches of the military and students from the 6, 7 and 8 grade Northstars and the grades 7 and 8 Stingrays teams. Students from the Northport Choir under the direction of Thomas Conner sang the National Anthem with thrilling tones that had the … Read More

Northport K-8 School is vigorously promoting community connections and positive support from our local business partners, veterans, Children’s Services Council, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, AmeriCorps, parents, grandparents and families. We realize that for a total and well-rounded education for all students, No Exceptions, we need support and open doors. This is Fall Book Fair time at Northport and we invite the community to join us to encourage reading for pleasure for all our students. Thank you to the many, many parents and grandparents who have to come to shop with their children, but we also give a standing ovation to … Read More

Northport K-8 School administrators and teachers are over the moon with the news that the school has been “adopted” by the local Walmart Distribution Center. On a recent morning, teachers were called to the Media Center for a surprise visit from several representatives from the Distribution Center. The group expressed to teachers that several of the staff who work at the center have children who attend Northport and that they would like to partner with the school to enhance community relations and to extend a helping hand to give teachers added support. The Walmart representatives distributed twenty $50 gift cards … Read More

Every year for the last five years, Northport has united for a huge campaign to stamp out bullying. The students have listened to not only “Joe the Biker” speak, but dozens of other speakers whose message has been one of nonviolence, empowerment and anti-bullying. Students have made thousands of posters, worn orange for anti-bullying and red for drug awareness. Many times, we have found that drug and alcohol usage in and around the home make bullying and anger issues more prevalent for students. We dubbed the denouement Unity Day. Every year, students dress in orange or red and walk a … Read More

The lessons of patriotism, love of country and American flag and a healthy respect for our military are lessons that are taught over and over again at Northport VPK-8 School. Every morning, a different student signs up to recite the Pledge of Allegiance over the school intercom. Veteran Partners In Education are a strong component of the fabric of the school and local veterans are involved in many of the programs and activities that happen at the school. Students make posters that line the hallways of Northport and recite a special “American Children’s Pledge” on notable days such as POW/MIA … Read More