Author: MARY ROTI

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

St. Lucie West K8 fourth graders in Ms. Rivera’s ELA classes buzzed with excitement as they paired up for a collaborative back-to-school activity. Each student had a chosen book, ready to share its imagined connection to their personality. Students then explained their selections, revealing hidden facets of themselves through literary lenses. Afterward, students explored the classroom library, a vibrant haven of stories waiting to be discovered. Positive energy filled the air as they nestled in cozy corners, lost in shared narratives, forging connections beyond simple introductions, and building a community bound by the love of reading. At SLWK8 we strive … Read More

In Mrs. Hernandez’s class, St. Lucie West K8 third graders began their first math unit, focusing on related facts and the creation of equal groups. These sharks couldn’t wait to dive into their first lesson and embark on a new mathematical adventure. Addition lays the groundwork as they explore how repeated addition forms the basis of this new concept. Hands-on learning takes center stage as colorful math manipulatives become powerful tools. These tactile aids transform abstract ideas into concrete realities, fostering deeper understanding and igniting a passion for mathematical discovery. Through active engagement, students build a solid foundation, paving the … Read More

St. Lucie West K8 students in Mrs. Howard’s 6th-grade ELA classes had the opportunity to get to know their classmates by working collaboratively in groups. They competed to see which group could put together a 100-piece puzzle the fastest! They discussed which strategies they used, identifying what worked best and what didn’t! After the activity concluded, they completed a follow-up quick write activity and answered the question, “Do you think competition should be part of everyone’s childhood?” This activity engaged students and asked them to think critically. They utilized their problem-solving, collaborative, and reflective skillset. It was a wonderful way … Read More

At Shark Nation, they have heart, literally! Operation Math was an outstanding mathematical and collaborative success. It was time for fifth-grade Sharks to put their skills to the test! They scrubbed in and rotated through different surgical suites (classrooms) to answer and solve questions based on various math benchmark standards they learned throughout the school year. As they successfully solved problems, they repaired the patient’s organs. A huge special thank you to our incredibly dedicated and creative fifth-grade team, and shout out to the amazing parents who donated gowns to help almost one hundred students participate in this engaging activity!