Author: Melody Nieves

PPK8 kindergarten families had the opportunity to step into their child’s shoes by sitting in student seats and experiencing a little bit of what kindergarten is all about. Parents learned about our kindergarten curriculum, explored UFLI reading instruction, and gained a better understanding of kindergarten expectations. The best part? Families went home with new knowledge and a collection of books so their young readers can continue practicing and building their skills at home.  Thank you to our amazing kindergarten team for helping families feel informed, supported, and excited for a successful school year. We look forward to partnering with our … Read More

Palm Pointe’s fifth-grade teachers welcomed families into their classrooms for our Parent and Family Engagement event, “Coffee and Content.” Over coffee and conversation, families learned more about fifth-grade expectations, student goals, and the milestones ahead this year. Teachers also shared helpful resources and practical strategies families can use at home to support continued academic success. It was a wonderful morning of connection, collaboration, and shared purpose.  Students in attendance spent some time in the Content Cafe working on art and puzzles while their parents were engaged in learning.  Thank you to our fifth-grade team for hosting such a welcoming event, … Read More

Palm Pointe students and staff showed their Rocket pride as we kicked off football season with a fun-filled Jersey Day and a special Rocket Concession celebration for faculty and staff. Students and employees alike proudly wore their favorite team jerseys, bringing energy and school spirit to campus. To celebrate the season and recognize the incredible dedication of our team, faculty and staff enjoyed a Rocket Concession as a small token of appreciation for the work they do each day to support student success. The event provided an opportunity to connect, build community, and celebrate the amazing people who make Palm … Read More

Today we celebrated National Dot Day at Palm Pointe! National Dot Day, inspired by Peter Reynolds’ book entitled The Dot, is a day that reminds us to celebrate what makes each of us unique, while also highlighting the incredible things that can happen when we create, collaborate, and learn together!  What better way to truly live the lesson than to bring classrooms together?! Today, Mrs. Skursky and Mrs. Martinez’s 3rd grade class joined Mrs. Council’s K–2 class for a special afternoon of creating, collaborating, encouraging, and—of course—celebrating!  ONE school. ONE family. ONE Palm Pointe.  The students’ smiles speak for themselves! … Read More

Palm Pointe’s kindergarten students are digging into learning through their school garden! Thanks to the generous support of our community, new plants have been added to the garden, creating exciting opportunities for students to observe, explore, and learn firsthand. As part of their science studies, students discussed the needs of plants and animals and observed the changes taking place in their growing garden. They will continue to monitor plant growth, care for the garden, and record their observations throughout the year. This hands-on experience helps bring classroom lessons to life by connecting academic concepts to real-world experiences. The garden serves … Read More

Second graders in Mrs. Barrett’s and Mrs. McKeliver’s classes teamed up for an engaging reading and science experience centered on their first story, Emperor Penguins. Students created a penguin survival craft that showcased the central idea and supporting details from the text, strengthening their reading comprehension skills in a creative way. The learning continued with a hands-on science experiment where students explored how blubber helps penguins stay warm in Antarctica’s freezing temperatures. Through observation and discussion, they discovered how this important adaptation protects penguins from the cold. This exciting lesson helped students connect literacy and science while encouraging curiosity, collaboration, … Read More

Palm Pointe 6th graders participated in a quick bell ringer before diving into the day’s lesson, students chose a random motivational card, recorded the message, and reflected on what it meant to them. We then explored the meaning of motivation and discussed synonyms and descriptive adjectives such as determined, persistent, optimistic, and inspired.  This short activity strengthened students’ understanding of word relationships and precise word meanings. Building a richer vocabulary supports reading comprehension by helping students better understand tone, character motivation, and meaning, while also strengthening their writing with more specific and effective language. A positive, purposeful start to the … Read More

Mrs. Arana’s geometry class is building strong foundational skills as students learn how to construct copies and bisectors of lines and angles. Using rulers, compasses, and careful reasoning, students explored the precise steps needed to create accurate geometric constructions. This new concept challenges students to think critically, following sequential procedures, and applying their understanding of geometric relationships. As they practice these new skills, they are developing both confidence and mathematical precision. Constructions are a brand-new skill for many students, and they are rising to the challenge with enthusiasm and perseverance. We are excited to watch their growth as young mathematicians!

Palm Pointe’s first graders kicked off their first hands-on science investigation by exploring magnets around the classroom! Students eagerly asked questions, made predictions, tested their ideas, and discovered which objects were attracted to magnets. As they investigated, they practiced observation skills, shared their thinking with classmates, and learned through exploration and discovery. It was wonderful to see their curiosity, excitement, and scientific thinking on full display as they embraced the role of young scientists. These engaging experiences help to build a strong foundation for future learning while encouraging students to wonder, explore, and make connections to the world around them.

Palm Pointe K-8 8th-grade U.S. History students recently embarked on an engaging exploration of the Age of Exploration through a collaborative Gallery Walk activity. Working with partners, students visited explorer stations featuring notable historical figures and recorded key information about their journeys, motivations, and contributions. As they moved through the stations at their own pace, students analyzed evidence, compared explorers, and deepened their understanding of how European exploration shaped the Americas. This interactive lesson encouraged collaboration, critical thinking, and active learning while helping students make meaningful connections to the historical events and individuals that influenced the development of the New … Read More

Our Palm Pointe middle school OM team blasted off to an unforgettable adventure at the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals at Iowa State University. We are beyond proud to announce that our team placed 19th in the WORLD with a structure that held an outstanding 470 pounds! When it was time to take the stage, our Rockets soared as they delivered an outstanding long-term performance and absolutely crushed their spontaneous problem with confidence, creativity, and teamwork. Throughout the week, our Rockets explored a galaxy of creativity and collaboration. They met teams from across the world, traded pins and merch, … Read More

We are incredibly proud of our dedicated teachers and staff for successfully completing a professional growth study centered on “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do” By Amy Morin.  Through reflection, meaningful conversations, and a commitment to personal and professional growth, our team invested in strengthening the mindset and resilience needed to support both themselves and our students. This work directly aligns with our district’s goal of Enhancing Mental Health Supports for students and staff by expanding professional learning opportunities that build capacity, confidence, and connection across our school community. At Palm Pointe, we believe that when educators grow stronger, … Read More

Palm Pointe K–8 proudly hosted its annual Action Research Summit, a district tradition that highlights innovation, reflection, and continuous improvement in teaching and learning. The event showcased the impactful work of educators who explored meaningful research questions and used data to better understand and strengthen their impact on student achievement. Teacher presentations demonstrated a range of effective instructional practices, including the positive influence of hands-on science experiments on academic performance, the use of brief daily math talks to enhance mathematical understanding and student outcomes, and the role of reciprocal teaching in improving comprehension and student engagement. Palm Pointe’s commitment to … Read More

Our Palm Pointe Rocket Historians had an AMAZING time representing St. Lucie County at the Florida State History Day competition this weekend. Their hard work, creativity, and passion for history were showcased on a statewide stage, making our entire district proud. From 6th grader Violet Turner’s thoughtfully researched French Revolution exhibit to the powerful Council of Elders: Salem Witch Trials performance by 8th graders Erick Brusamarello and Enoch Hong, along with 6th grader Jakob Hong, each presentation reflected hours of dedication and academic excellence. The students demonstrated confidence, poise, and a deep understanding of historical inquiry. We are incredibly proud … Read More

Palm Pointe’s first-grade students wrapped up their intentional review unit with a fun and engaging Farm Day as they prepared for PM3 testing. The farm‑themed lessons brought learning to life as students created dirt cup desserts and designed animal pens, reinforcing key skills through hands‑on activities. The celebration was made even more memorable with a visit from real farm animals, giving students an authentic learning experience they won’t soon forget. A special thank you to Ms. Lassiter and the St. Lucie Farm Preserve for helping make this meaningful and exciting day possible. The joyful learning atmosphere supported both academic readiness … Read More

Palm Pointe Cafeteria Staff brought the energy, enthusiasm, and breakfast spirit to National School Breakfast Week! From creative cafeteria moments to spreading the word about the importance of starting the day strong, you made the week a real treat!  Our own Rocket, Jenna Powers, won a gift card, as a result of her daily participation and Palm Pointe achieved the highest increase in participation during National School Breakfast Week- earning our cafeteria team a well‑deserved catered lunch!  Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make National School Breakfast Week a huge success. You’re the reason our students start their … Read More

Third-graders had a ball bringing idioms to life today! Through creative costumes, props, and presentations, students showed they truly understood phrases that usually mean more than the words themselves. From “raining cats and dogs” to “piece of cake,” their interpretations were clever, colorful, and full of personality. They really knocked it out of the park with their enthusiasm and confidence as they explained the hidden meanings behind each idiom. Learning was anything but “plain as day” as students laughed, learned, and showcased their creativity. It was a fun-filled experience that proved our third graders are smart as a whip and … Read More

Our 8th Grade “Reading Wizards” experienced a day of learning magic during Palm Pointe’s Harry Potter-themed ELA intentional review. Students rotated through all four Hogwarts Houses, engaging in spellbinding activities that strengthened key literacy skills. At each stop, they practiced reading comprehension, explored figurative language, practiced math word problems using systems of equations, built vocabulary and morphology, and tackled decoding word problems… all while fully immersed in the wizarding world. The high energy, collaboration, and creativity on display made learning both meaningful and memorable. This enchanting review day proved that when imagination and instruction come together, students are truly empowered … Read More

Our Palm Pointe students’ talent and creativity truly shined at the Middle School Art Show. The gallery overflowed with imagination, skill, and student voice, reflecting weeks of hard work and artistic growth. We are grateful to our amazing band students for providing a wonderful musical performance that added to the evening’s celebration. A special thank-you goes to Ms. Susan Wessel, whose dedication, creativity, and passion for the arts were evident in every piece on display. Her commitment to nurturing student expression made this event a true success. Thank you to all who supported our artists and helped make the night … Read More

Palm Pointe K–5 students proudly showcased their writing skills at our Young Authors Celebration, sharing original books filled with imagination, effort, and a true love of writing. Each student author demonstrated perseverance and creativity, and it was inspiring to see their voices come alive on the page. We were honored to welcome a special guest speaker, our very own Carletta Lawrence, a second-grade teacher and published author, who inspired students with her journey as a writer—special congratulations to the students moving on to represent Palm Pointe at the District Young Authors Celebration. We are incredibly proud of all our authors! … Read More