Author: LYNNE Gruszka

Seventh and eighth grade students on the Northport K-8 Clownfish team combined a great lesson on literacy with a powerful antibullying message in the school Media Center recently. Students read the book “Call Me Yubbie” written by Joe Wojcik, better known as Joe The Biker in their reading classes. Each student then wrote an essay putting themselves in the shoes of one of the characters in the book. Some students took on the persona of the bully and others took on characteristics of the victim as displayed in their very poignant writings. Joe Wojcik then visited with the students discussing his life story, … Read More

The Northport K8 School Northstar team has set high expectations for their students. The team set a theme for the year as “Go For The Gold!” Throughout the year, students have been achieving and experiencing the great feeling of meeting challenges set by themselves and their teachers. In Dr. Laura Woodworth’s science classes, the students earn prestigious science “gold medals” for high achievement. Students pictured have achieved a 90% or better on each of the quarters one and three science benchmark tests. Students proudly sporting their gold medals, from left, are Michael Gorbach, Sarah Abulathou, Brandt Wrench, Alaina Franklin, Joshua Benjamin, Cyara Davis … Read More

Northport K-8 Media Specialist Lynne Gruszka, with the collaboration of a network of Northport teachers, put together an authentic, student empowering program recently in honor of Women’s History Month. Students researched and paid tribute to women such as Condoleeza Rice, Susan B. Anthony, Mother Theresa, Joan of Arc, Rosie the Riveter, Margaret Thatcher and many more. Students sang a special selection of the National Anthem as a tribute to strong women in the military, a student rendition of Maya Angelou’s famous poem “Phenomenal Woman” with a dance routine, and a rousing rendition of “We Are Family” by Sister Sledge was sung by students in Juliette … Read More

Northport K-8 fifth grade instructor Judy Fowler and her students won accolades, money and ribbons of all colors at the St. Lucie County Fair for vegetables home grown in the class’ garden and for journals that students submitted. Students exhibited vegetables such as kohlrabi, cabbage, peppers, tomatoes, lettuce, basil, dill, mustards, collards, onions and strawberries. Two students, Trevor Walk and Kaitlyn Friedt, won ribbons for their gardening journals which detail daily gardening activities. Students in Mrs. Fowler’s class were provided clearly stated learning goals, scales and rubrics for the engaging project and the very special long range lesson provided for learning … Read More

Northport K-8 middle grades students excelled at the 2013 SLC School District History Fair. Three Northport students, Moriah Weir, Michael Gorbach and Casey McCowan,  were finalists in the second round of judging at the fair held on March 2, 2013. Michael Gorbach’s exhibit, The Russian Revolution of 1917 was chosen as a finalist for the top three slots. Michael will be presented with a second place award at the presentation ceremony on Wednesday, March 13 at Fort Pierce Central.  Northport History Fair coordinator is instructor Bob Burdge. Pictured, from left, are Bob Burdge, students Moriah Weir, Michael Gorbach, Casey McCowan and principal, Glenn … Read More

Northport K-8 School has achieved the school district’s Parent Involvement award for the middle/senior level. Northport K-8, a Title 1 school, submitted its “Take The Lead And Read” program for consideration. The program standards must apply a welcoming of all families into the school community, effective communication, support of students’ success, sharing power, speaking up for every child and collaborating with the community. The award highlights exemplary programs in Florida schools. The award also reflects innovative practices for recruiting, training and recognition of family and community members.  Northport’s programming includes strong PTO support, 21st Century before and after school program, veterans program, Waggin’ Tales … Read More

Northport kindergarteners in Megan Castiglia’s class, better known as Ms. MC and the “Little Hammers” invited parents and administrators to the Media Center to help celebrate the birthday of Dr. Seuss and the kickoff for the students’ Young Author’s program. Students built a main character using the Dr. Seuss model, wrote stories to share with all parents and performed several songs including the class pledge and motto! The parents and grandparents moved from student station to student station, enjoying the work and achievement of each child in the class. The enthusiasm was obvious as the students were provided the opportunity to celebrate their … Read More

Northport K-8 kindergartners in Melody Nieves’ classes completed an author study in the school’s Media Center recently as a culminating activity for their Dr. Seuss birthday celebration. Students listened to the story “There’s A Wocket In My Pocket” read by media specialist Lynne Gruszka, then participated in a rhyming word sentence structure activity.  Students then modeled their sentences for the very enthusiastic group of learners. Pictured are the students, along with, from left, assistant Tyna Richards, Ms. Nieves and assistant Mrs. Cleveland.

As part of Northport K-8 School’s response to the Florida Department of Education’s “Celebrate Literacy” initiative, students were given the opportunity to write an essay sponsored by local American Legion Post 318 Auxiliary and the Northport media center. The topic of the essay was “What Freedom Do I Enjoy The Most?” Over 40 students from grades three through eight responded with excellent, well formulated essays. Students reviewed what freedoms really are with parents and guardians as well as grandparents and then wrote thoughtful and meaningful essays in response to the topic. Three students’ essays were chosen to be sent to the Department of American … Read More

Northport K-8 Community Book Fair promotes positive interactions with students and teachers in an atmosphere filled with resources to fit the needs of every learner. Media specialist Lynne Gruszka and clerk Pam Crum are able to offer accessibilty to great books to encourage students to want to read. The book fair gives parents and grandparents an opportunity to shop with their children to select books directly with the teacher to fit students’ literary needs and likes and offers a great outlet for development of reading skills. The book fair has materials appropriate for all learners in the K-8 school. The fair offers … Read More

Northport K-8 Principal Glenn Rustay and Media Specialist and volunteer coordinator Lynne Gruszka, and the entire school community are proud to honor Senior Volunteer of the Year Kay Egan and Adult Volunteer of the Year Suzi Scott. The two women were honored at a reception at the St. Lucie County School Board recently along with many other volunteers who work diligently to support students, teachers and schools’ staff.  Mrs. Egan and Mrs. Scott assist teachers in any way possible, including cooking, mentoring students, running copies, purchasing supplies and goodies as well as assisting the PTO and the school administration. Special thanks and accolades … Read More

Northport K-8 School held a very memorable Black History Month celebration in the school gymnasium recently. The Northport middle grades band and chorus performed special numbers commemorating Black History and selected students honored important cultural role models such as President Obama, Michelle Obama and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Special guest who served as keynote speaker was former Northport principal, Gloria Johnson Scott. Mrs. Johnson Scott reminded students that each was important and as long as you believe in yourself and conceive an idea or plan that it could be achieved through hard work and dedication. The program was a wonderful celebration of the … Read More

Northport K-8 School lower school students recently participated in the traditional Jump Rope For Heart during physical education class. Students donated nickels, dimes and even dollars to assist in the fight against heart disease. The day was beautiful and very conducive to enjoying time outside jumping rope for an excellent cause. Each year, Northport coaches Linda Walker, Kim Kanada Graff, Kevin Fess, James Hebb, Ryan Carpenter and Daryn Ploeckelman promote the activity to benefit the American Heart Association. Pictured are Coach Linda Walker and Logan Sacchi from Diana Lankow’s third grade class.

Northport K-8 students spent an hour in the media center learning hands on lessons about our American flag and what the many folds symbolize. Students in Mala Woessner and Mary Ellsworth’s eighth grade classes as well as Amanda Sartain’s sixth grade classes participated in flag folding lessons instructed by the honor guard of the Port St. Lucie High School JROTC Jaguar Batallion. Also present was Rita Woodburn, representative of the Women’s Auxillary of the local American Legion Post 318.  Students participated in an essay writing lesson titled, “What Freedom Do I Enjoy the Most?” Every students was engaged in the lesson and each … Read More

In a great feat of reading, students in Northport K-8 second grade teacher Denise Fields’ class went above and beyond participating in the One Hundred Book Challenge program the last nine weeks of school. All students in Mrs. Fields’ class excelled and the entire class reached 100 steps in the program. Each step is a 15 minute reading increment. Students read 15 minutes in class, then another 15 minutes at home with parent partnership.  Parents must sign the reading log to verify reading time. The challenge books are leveled and specifically selected to meet the needs and interests of individual students. The … Read More

In an experience that the students will not soon forget, Northport K-8 School and Manatee Academy seventh and eighth grade students participated in the Young Adult Choices program, or YAC as it known by students, media specialists Lynne Gruszka and Debbie Remington and middle school grades teachers, using advanced technology. Students from both schools introduced themselves via the teleconference technology, gave both positive and negative book reviews on the special selections in the program, and hailed each other for taking the lead to read! The media specialists promoted positive interactions by guiding students through the teleconference and provided students with a voice … Read More

Northport K-8 Northstar team students and their instructors Mala Woessner, Laura oodworth, Mary Ellsworth, Kathy White, Mehgan Drost and Angel Bracero brought the excitement and history of Mardi Gras to the school recently. Students decorated hand made floats, wore Mardi Gras adornments and threw beads as the younger students cheered them on their parade route. Northstar team band and chorus students led the parade playing their instruments and singing the grand old tune, “When the Saints Go Marching In!” Students  participated in a Mardi Gras dance with a DJ. Mardi Gras is a great mix of parades, music, floats and beads. Students learned that the … Read More

Northport K-8 students in Pam Mishler’s first grade class and Lisa Cash’s sixth grade class made new friends all in the name of literacy recently when the students paired up to prepare for the school’s vocabulary parade.  Students used words from their reading text for the year to make vocabulary costumes and  hand made signs to wear in the parade to celebrate words. Teachers and students used the book “Miss Alaineus” by Debra Frasier to hone ideas and to prepare to model their costumes in the vocabulary parade.  The vocabulary parade is just one of the activities made available to … Read More

Northport K-8 School kindergarteners in Melody Nieves’ class shared with a room full of parents the many reading and writing skills that they have acquired throughout the school year. Students shared Gingerbread books that illustrated an excellent use of beginning, middle and ending for a story plot, good use of punctuation and started each sentence with a capital letter. Students also demonstrated a working knowledge of shapes by reading a sentence that each wrote using shapes such as circle, square, rectangle, triangle and rhombus. Parents and friends oohed and aahed over each student’s data books that were explained by the children demonstrating … Read More