Author: MARY ROTI

Students in Mrs. Barthell’s second-grade class had a blast practicing context clues today! Each group was given a word and its definition. They worked together to create sentences that included clues to help figure out each word’s meaning (spelling mistakes and all — it’s about the learning process!). Afterward, the class shared their sentences, discussed the clues, and discovered what each word meant. Students did an amazing job collaborating, thinking critically, and having fun while learning! Through this engaging exercise, students practiced critical thinking and teamwork while becoming more confident in understanding new words. The activity fostered a positive, supportive … Read More

The Shark Nation Trunk or Treat event was an incredibly joyful and delicious occasion, filled with delightful costumes ranging from spooky goblins to beloved characters like Peter Pan and figures from Star Wars. Our families thoroughly enjoyed the festivities, making it a memorable experience for all. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of our 2nd annual PTO Trunk or Treat. Special thanks to our PTO for their exceptional organization and to Bolero Bowling, Sky Zone, and Chuck-e-Cheese for generously sponsoring prizes for our costume contest. Your support made this event truly special and enjoyable … Read More

Shark Nation is thrilled to announce Mr. Evans as our Teacher of the Year! His dedication and passion for education have made a significant impact on our students and community. We also want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to our outstanding finalists, Ms. Jefferson and Mrs. Howard, who exemplify excellence in teaching. Their commitment to fostering a positive learning environment and inspiring students is truly commendable. We are fortunate to have such remarkable educators on our campus, each contributing to the growth and success of our students. Together, they embody the spirit of creativity and innovation that defines our educational … Read More

In St. Lucie West K-8 math world, Ms. Pepe’s 3rd-grade sharks put their area and perimeter skills to the test by designing blueprints for their very own haunted houses! Students were ecstatic to start! Using rectangles and squares for each room, students calculated the area and perimeter on their recording sheets to bring their spooky (or not-so-spooky!) homes to life. Our Sharks also had the option to design their house however they wanted. The focus was all on the math fun and putting their artistic skills to use. This activity brought mathematics and creativity to life. They thoroughly enjoyed it! … Read More

Third Grade Sharks engaged in a hands-on activity where they explored various informational texts, focusing on features such as headings, tables of contents, and glossaries. They collaborated to identify these features within different texts and discuss how each one helps locate key information efficiently. They put their skills into practice by using text features to find specific details quickly, enhancing their comprehension skills. To deepen their understanding, they compared how these features function across different texts and shared strategies for leveraging them during independent reading. This activity promotes active engagement with informational texts and develops critical thinking skills for our … Read More

SLWK8 Middle School STEAM students geared up for technology as they learned about robotics. Students learned about the history, the many different careers, salaries, and educational paths they can take. We explored top university robotic programs to see what each is producing. Students then took on the role of a designer to make a robot to fulfil different tasks. They exercised their creativity and dreamed up some very interesting robots. Next, they were tasked to design a robot with parts that had exact measurements. They used thumbnails to try their idea three different ways. Then they used rules and grid … Read More

Second-grade Sharks had an amazing time on our field trip to Texas Roadhouse! We kicked off our visit by using our writing skills to create heartfelt thank-you letters for our military—a wonderful way to show appreciation and practice kindness. Then the fun really began! Students participated in relay races carrying trays filled with cups and food baskets, practiced busing tables, took a behind-the-scenes kitchen tour, and even made their own bread rolls! Of course, the best part was enjoying their freshly baked rolls with a delicious chicken-finger basket. What an unforgettable day of learning, teamwork, and fun!   

SLWK8 celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with a weeklong spirit week! Culminating in a Zumba dance party for families.  Our PTO was able to coordinate with Moe’s, which graciously donated a coupon for all families attending to get a tasty snack after all the dancing! Monday students showed their Flag colors, Tuesday they dress for Hispanic art, music, and literature.  Wednesday was dress for your future success, and we had a Dean Talib doppelganger as well as many other well-dressed students.  Thursday, we showcased our favorite Hispanic athletics with sports jerseys and our family Zumba party.  We ended the week on … Read More

We are delighted to announce our nominees for the 2026 Employees of the Year for Shark Nation! With unwavering dedication, creativity, and compassion, these individuals inspire students every day to reach their full potential. Their commitment to excellence in education and positive impact on the school community make them truly deserving of this recognition. Congratulations! Outstanding First Year Teacher- Mr. Manning, 8th-grade American History Teacher. Distinguished Minority Educator of the Year- Mr. Adams, Elementary Music Resource Teacher. School Related Employee of the Year-Mrs. Thorpe, Dean’s Clerk. Teacher of the Year Nominees- Mrs. Jefferson, Elementary Computer Resource Teacher, Mrs. Howard, Middle … Read More

Shark Nation was full of energy and excitement during our PBIS Pep Rally! Each grade level showed their pride by wearing their designated colors and bringing incredible school spirit to the event. Our talented cheerleaders kicked things off with an outstanding performance that had the crowd fired up! A special shoutout to our amazing middle school teachers who joined in on the fun by participating in a spirited relay race, adding even more excitement to the day. It was a fantastic celebration of positivity, teamwork, and school pride—thank you to everyone who made this event such a huge success!

Our SLWK8 Shark Nation families came together to celebrate Hispanic Heritage at a lively Zumba Party! Fully embracing the festive spirit, participants donned their dancing shoes and showcased vibrant energy throughout the event. Led by the talented and enthusiastic Ms. Naty, a renowned Zumba instructor, the celebration highlighted the rich traditions and cultural heritage of the Hispanic community. The lively music, joyful dance moves, and spirited atmosphere fostered a sense of unity and pride among attendees. It was a wonderful and beautiful opportunity for families to connect, learn, and enjoy the rhythm of Hispanic culture while creating lasting memories at … Read More

Shark Nation Students in grades Kindergarten through fifth were treated to a special visit from Water Woman, the City of Port St. Lucie Utility Systems Department’s community superhero. With the indelible support of our incredible resource teachers, STEAM resource teacher Mr. Arias-Gutiérrez was able to coordinate this fun and engaging program, where students learned about the infinite water cycle, water sourcing and reclamation, and everyday conservation practices. The presentation tied directly into the current unit on water and weather systems, bringing science to life in a fun and memorable way. Cross-curricular collaboration among educators on our campus is key to … Read More

SLWK8 Middle School STEAM students in Mrs. Boham’s class created wind turbines to learn about technician and engineering careers in the natural and renewable energy sectors. All students were able to meet the design brief to lift one washer, which weighed 9 grams. Three teams created turbines that lifted 20 washers or 175 grams! They put the engineering design process through a workout by testing and improving numerous times to create an aerodynamic blade and support structure to lift such a heavy payload. They experimented with different blade shapes and amounts to harness the power of wind to execute their … Read More

Happy Custodian’s Day! At Shark Nation, we are incredibly grateful for our dedicated custodial staff. Their hard work and unwavering commitment keep our school clean, safe, and welcoming for all students and staff. Every day, they go above and beyond, often behind the scenes, ensuring our environment is conducive to learning and growth. Their efforts might often go unnoticed, but today we want to shine a spotlight on them and say thank you. We truly appreciate all they do to support our Sharks and uphold the spirit of our school community. Happy Custodian’s Day—you make Shark Nation a better place!

St. Lucie West K8 is proud and honored to have our School Resource Officer, Deputy Urbay! Deputy Urbay encourages students to treat others as they want to be treated. Each morning, he looks forward to greeting students with fist bumps and handshakes, helping start the school day with positivity and energy. He enjoys being a friendly and approachable presence at school, offering guidance, answering questions, supporting students as they navigate their day, and helping create a safe, welcoming environment where everyone feels valued. Deputy Urbay came and spent time in classrooms reading to second-grade students. The students were elated and … Read More

In Mrs. Harvey’s third-grade class at St. Lucie West K8, our excited sharks were preparing for their first English Language Arts unit assessment of the year through an engaging game called Zoink! Students were buzzing with excitement as they worked collaboratively in teams. They were elated to begin. Their central focus was to annotate various passages and identify textual evidence to effectively answer comprehension and vocabulary questions. This creative and interactive approach not only reinforces their understanding of the material but also fosters teamwork and critical thinking skills among our shark students at St. Lucie West K8. Zoink is a … Read More

Collaboration in education is key, especially for our third-grade Sharks at St. Lucie West K8! It plays a crucial role as students engage in a project that examines how two authors convey information through their unique perspectives. They can select from various formats, including essays, Venn diagrams, posters, or Canva presentations, to showcase their analyses. This initiative not only sharpens their critical thinking abilities but also promotes teamwork and encourages creative expression among peers. Through this process, students can deepen their understanding of diverse perspectives while enhancing their communication skills and fostering an environment of collaborative learning. Our Sharks thoroughly … Read More

St. Lucie West K8 students in Mrs. Howard’s 6th-grade ELA classes dove into plot structure by color-coding key elements within a text. This hands-on activity challenged them to identify and label exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. By visually mapping these components, students gained a deeper understanding of how narrative arcs develop and create engaging stories. Their dedication to dissecting the plot diagram was evident, showcasing excellent reading comprehension and analytical skills. The 6th-grade Sharks truly excelled in this engaging lesson while strengthening their critical thinking skills. At Shark Nation, we encourage students to keep reading and thriving! … Read More

SLWK8 Sharks were elated to explore their boundless curiosity. Ms. Paries’ third graders transformed into expert detectives on a mission to find relevant details that supported the central idea. Each page, a potential clue! The room buzzed with focused energy and collaboration as they hunted for textual evidence with colorful highlighters. Snippets of sentences, eye-catching images, and intriguing captions – all meticulously examined. While working together, students were able to compare findings and discuss text evidence. They also paid close attention to text features. At St. Lucie West K8, our Sharks continue to sharpen their critical thinking skills by utilizing … Read More

St. Lucie West K8 Sharks are Word Sleuths in training! Ms. Paries’ third-grade students transformed into Word Detectives during their reading classes today. Facing unfamiliar vocabulary head-on, they learned the power of context. Instead of being stumped, students actively searched for textual “footprints” surrounding the unknown words. These clues, embedded within sentences and paragraphs, provided vital insights. This newfound skill allows them to independently navigate complex texts, boosting both reading comprehension and overall confidence. The excitement of deciphering meaning transformed a potential challenge into an engaging and empowering learning experience. Not only are students strengthening their love of literacy, but … Read More