Author: Melody Nieves

Mrs. Bednar’s 4th grade Palm Pointe students recently took their science learning beyond the classroom as they explored the phases of the Moon. Students became moon observers, capturing photos of the night sky, identifying lunar phases, and sharing their observations with classmates. The hands-on experience sparked curiosity and excitement as students tracked changes in the Moon and connected their learning to real-world observations. Families also joined in the fun, making it a meaningful opportunity for learning and discovery at home. This engaging activity brought science to life and helped students see the wonders of space through their own eyes. All … Read More

Palm Pointe K-8 proudly launched its new All Pro Dad Chapter, bringing students and their father figures together for a meaningful morning of connection, conversation, and leadership development. Participants engaged in guided discussions focused on character, responsibility, and what it means to be a positive role model. The event provided a welcoming space for families to strengthen relationships while building a supportive school community. Students enjoyed sharing their thoughts and learning from the experiences of the adults in their lives. Palm Pointe looks forward to hosting monthly All Pro Dad gatherings that continue to foster strong family partnerships and student … Read More

PPK8’s 6th Grade Bagels & Data event brought students, families, and teachers together for meaningful conversations about learning and achievement. Students proudly took the lead by sharing their data binders, reflecting on their academic progress, celebrating successes, and discussing goals for continued growth in ELA, Math, Science, and History. The event provided an opportunity for families to gain a deeper understanding of their child’s strengths, areas for growth, and next steps for success. It was inspiring to see students confidently discuss their learning journey and take ownership of their goals. When students, families, and educators work together, great things happen. … Read More

This week, Palm Pointe K-8 teachers came together in Deliberate Practice Plan (DPP) Learning Communities aligned to their individual professional growth goals. Led by dedicated teacher facilitators, these collaborative groups provide opportunities for educators to share ideas, reflect on their practices, and learn from one another. The strength of these learning communities lies in the expertise within our own school. Through meaningful discussions, the exploration of new strategies, and the celebration of successes, teachers are continuously growing and strengthening instruction for every student. We extend our sincere appreciation to our facilitators for volunteering their time and talents to lead these … Read More

Palm Pointe K-8 celebrated Open the Magic Day, a special event dedicated to inspiring a love of reading. As part of the celebration, Principal Ms. Markowitz shared a schoolwide read-aloud during morning announcements, bringing students together through the joy of storytelling. Guest readers visited classrooms and buddy readers shared the love of reading across campus! Reading opens doors to imagination, creativity, and endless possibilities, and our Rockets enthusiastically embraced the magic found within every book. The event highlighted how stories spark curiosity, build connections, and encourage lifelong learning. What a magical day discovering the excitement, wonder, and adventure that reading … Read More

Students at Palm Pointe K-8 recently demonstrated the power of peer learning as 4th graders from Mrs. Bednar’s class shared their science knowledge with 1st graders in Mrs. Migliore’s class. Through presentations of their science projects, students taught their younger peers about Earth’s rotation, revolution, and the phases of the moon. This cross-grade learning opportunity allowed our 4th graders to strengthen their communication skills, build confidence, and deepen their understanding of important science concepts. At the same time, our 1st graders were engaged and inspired by learning from fellow Rockets. Experiences like these highlight the collaborative learning culture at Palm … Read More

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