Author: LYNNE Gruszka

Northport K-8 School has a reputation for battling for causes of all kinds with our local community, our students, our families and the school staff. Whether it is teaching children respect for veterans and patriotism, teaching kindness for all living creatures through the “Paws For Claws Animal Kindness” club, teaching children to care for the environment by nurturing a campus that has been declared a natural habitat and a butterfly sanctuary, participating in the local Relay For Life to help find a cure for cancer, partnering with Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Saint Lucie County to help support students who … Read More

Northport K-8 School participated in the Saint Lucie County School Board initiative, “Million Father March” recently. Principal, Glenn Rustay and assistant principals, Lorie Monroe and Brooke Wigginton as well as many teachers and staff, welcomed the dads and their children at the parent drop off sites with many waves and smiles. Dads were welcomed with their children in the Media Center by the principal, PTO president, Marcy Waltz and center staff with coffee, juice and snacks. Dads happily filled out compacts with pledges to take their children to school as often as possible, to seek volunteer opportunities at the schools, … Read More

Northport K-8 School, several years ago, was designated a “Wildlife Sanctuary” after the diligent work of the school administration and several teachers. The school staff, known for its care and kindness towards local wildlife and their natural habitats, have developed a club that can be called on when wildlife emergencies occur or a rescue is needed on campus. The club, known as the “Northport Paws and Claws Kindness Club” is spearheaded by longtime Northport instructor, Mary Toto. The club including, Mrs. Toto, who has been a lifelong supporter of the care of animals, both in school and personally, Melanie Polascak, … Read More

Northport K-8 School administrators, teachers, students and parents came together recently to celebrate learning gains made by students on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, better known as the FCAT. Northport K-8 School moved up a complete letter grade and showed tremendous growth thanks to an all out effort by the entire school. Students who excelled in selected criteria in reading, math and science and actually “Navigated” the school to success were rewarded with a celebration including, snow cones, bounce houses, slides and games. The experience demonstrated to all students that hard work and achievement pay off. Pictured are PTO parents … Read More

Northport K-8 School gladly participates each year in the Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Saint Lucie County “Bowling For Kid’s Sake!” The school is so appreciative of the excellent work that the organization produces in the school to help raise the achievement level of selected students in kindergarten through third grade. The mentors and the AmeriCorps tutors visit the school on a daily basis to assist the teachers and students and help to raise the bar for student success. The “Bowling For Kid’s Sake” event this year was held at Superplay in Saint Lucie West recently. Northport administration and staff … Read More

Northport K-8 School Media Center has developed and initiated a brand new program at the school that teaches and promotes leadership skills and training through a program called “Northport Leadership Summit.”. The Northport “Leadership Summit” will be held monthly and will showcase and spotlight community leaders. The very first summit was planned by Media Specialist, Lynne Gruszka in collaboration with Linda Cox, Fort Pierce City Clerk and Karen Sweeney, District Aide to Florida State Representative, Gayle Harrell. The platform began with an opening review of program goals and expectations for students. The first summit guest was Representative Gayle Harrell from … Read More

Northport K-8 School honors and supports all who are fighting the courageous battle against Sickle Cell Disease this month. Awareness as a school community is being raised by instructor, Marie Solide whose daughter Kookie died of Sickle Cell Anemia very recently. On October 8, Northport community will wear red clothing and donate to the cause by purchasing bracelets in honor of the many lives lost. The proceeds of the purchase of the bracelet will be presented to Howard University Center for Sickle Cell Anemia in the name of Northport K-8 School and Kookie. According to the Center for Disease Control, … Read More

Northport K-8 kindergarten instructor, Tiffany Tredor, and her students have been putting the “sweet and sassy” into learning new vocabulary words this year much to the delight of the students and their very happy parents! Mrs. Tredor and her students read the book “Fancy Nancy” by Jane O’Connor and are now embracing “fancy words!” Kicking off the EOVocabulary unit, students very first new word is “glimmer,” so students dressed up in their very best clothes and even insisted that Mrs. Tredor dress up as a ballerina. One of the students brought in a tutu for Mrs. Tredor to wear, but … Read More

Northport fifth grade instructor, Melanie Polascak and her students learned about the Survivor’s tree at Ground Zero. Students learned that the pear tree was crushed as the towers collapsed but, like the human spirit, it was repaired, nourished and has regenerated. The tree is now in a precious spot at Ground Zero. Mrs. Polascak’s class made a wonderful analogy about the rebirth of that small pear tree and the healing of the millions of people affected by 9/11. The class constructed a quilt highlighting the healing that has taken place and placed it outside the doors of the school’s 9/11 … Read More

Northport K-8 School celebrated Grandparents Day recently with a grand flair and style! Hundreds of grandparents and extended family members celebrated their children and the community efforts of the school by visiting the cafeteria and courtyard and lunching, picnic style. Culinary Arts instructor, Rachel Ellsworth and her students prepared a wonderful salad bar and sweet treats for grandparents to enjoy. The camaraderie and joy was evident and the school was thrilled to host the magnificent opportunity to remember grandparents. Special thanks to Mrs. Ellsworth, the PTO, kitchen staff and all who helped make the day a joyful one! Northport, a … Read More

The privilege of educating students on vital issues in history, patriotism, the strength and power of music and respect for our military and our veterans is evident at Northport K-8 School. The Northport K-8 School Media Center presented a beautiful and timeless program educating our students on the very somber issues of 9/11. The program began with a welcome from principal, Glenn Rustay and media specialist, Lynne Gruszka. Veteran Partners, teacher veterans on campus and guests were given a hearty welcome to the school. The pledge of Allegiance was led by sixth grader, Bradley Venneau. Kindergarten instructor, Tiffany Tredor played … Read More

Northport K-8 School and Big Brothers, Big sisters of Saint Lucie County have formed an excellent working partnership to bring the very best services to the students. Not only are targeted students the recipient of a terrific mentoring program under the direction of Lauren Fowler, but the AmeriCorps tutoring branch of Big Brothers, Big Sisters of SLC supports our Kindergarten through second grade targeted learners with in depth and strategically intensive lesson plans. The plans are designed in collaboration with the classroom teacher to bring each student to grade level and beyond. The tutors plan and then meet with individual … Read More

Northport K-8 Teachers and staff exhibited strong support for the initiatives of the Saint Lucie County Reading Council with an excellent turnout at the collegiate groups very first function. The mission of the SLC Reading Council is ” to promote a district- wide passion for literacy!” Northport is proud to support the exchange of ideas and strategies among other educators from across the district and to help promote positive interactions with literacy leaders from other schools. The first event was a “Meet and Greet” held recently at Johnny V’s restaurant in Saint Lucie West. Other events and initiatives include a … Read More

Northport K-8 Media Service Center opened its doors to new and returning students on the very first day of school. Teachers sign up for class orientations for media center procedures to establish routines, review the Destiny library program, review the Dewey Decimal System and how to locate books and resources available. Students select books based on interest and review choices with the instructor and the Media Specialist, Lynne Gruszka. The Media Center at Northport is available every day for class visits to check out books, to work on research assignments utilizing technology and support materials, allows for interaction with the … Read More

Northport K-8 School principal, Glenn Rustay accepted the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge recently to not only donate much needed funds to help find a cure for ALS, but to also help educate his students on the horrible disease. Mr. Rustay accepted the challenge from Northport music instructor, Brian Hoce. Students were thrilled to watch as Principal Rustay first used a tiny bucket filled with ice then, at the behest of his students, dumped the big bucket over his head! Although all in fun, the seriousness of the cause filled the overwhelming picture at Northport K-8 School recently. Students learned that … Read More

Northport K-8 School welcomed students, parents and grandparents back to a wonderful kickoff for a fresh and positive new school year! Northport K-8 School is a Title I school nestled in a community of hardworking families who appreciate the welcoming nature of the school community including the administration, teachers, staff, custodians and cafeteria staff. The schools extended community came out in droves on the first day of school to welcome students with shouts of “Welcome Back,” signs with positive messages, American flags held by veterans, police officers, fire fighters, school board members, staff from Big Brothers, Big sisters and the … Read More

Northport K-8 School celebrated students, parents and teachers with a wonderful Fifth Grade Moving Up ceremony recently in the school gymnasium. The gym was packed with cheering parents, grandparents and friends as the students listened to principal, Glenn Rustay give words of advice for becoming successful students in the middle grades. Children’s Services Council Communications Director, Ashley Mock was the keynote speaker with more pearls of wisdom on success and becoming a great student. Ms. Mock is a graduate of University of South Florida. Northport was so pleased to host Ms. Mock. The school has a strong partnership with the … Read More

Northport K-8 School graduated their twenty-eighth group of eighth grade students in the gymnasium recently. Over two hundred students completed the school requirements and were able to march to Pomp and Circumstance to receive their diplomas. The gym was decorated in the school colors with banners flying! As the families arrived in the courtyard, Bagpiper Michael Hyde, a Merchant Marine, welcomed the community to gather together. A full Honor Guard of veterans from across St. Lucie County, including Jack Ivy Detachment 666, United Veterans, Sons of the American Revolution, Vietnam Chapters and many other Northport Veteran Partners were on hand … Read More

Northport K-8 Students in Tracey Healy’s fifth grade class were so excited to participate in a Mystery Literature Unit as an end of the school year promotion of an intriguing lesson. Students read the mystery book, The Power of the Scarab, the story of an Egyptologist and his daughter who uncover a mystery while working an Archeological dig. During the unit, students read a case summary, used an evidence organizer and built background knowledge of ancient Egypt to make those all important connections to the mystery. Students researched ancient Egyptian deities, used math to uncover information about the building of … Read More

Northport K-8 sixth grade students and teachers extended the learning experience of lessons on the Holocaust recently through “Living Voices.” Living Voices was presented in the school’s media center at the behest of Tim Norfleet, SLC District Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator and sixth grade social studies instructor, Georgia Stone. Actress and Living Voices presenter, Rachel McClinton from Seattle, Washington coaxed the audience of teachers, students and a few parents through tears, anger and frustration and finally the sorrow of the Holocaust. Ms. McClinton presented the story of Sara Vice, retelling the actual story of Anne Frank as a girl in … Read More