Author: REBECCA BENTON

This past week, the Department of Student Services collaborated with Feed the Children and Niagara Water to host a successful drive-thru food distribution event, serving 400 families in St. Lucie Public Schools. Families received non-perishable food items, personal hygiene supplies, a case of water, and a fun Squishmallow! Treasure Coast High School’s JROTC Cadets presented the colors, and Samuel S. Gaines Academy’s Pantry Club assisted with the event. We are so thankful to Feed the Children for this amazing opportunity to partner together to support families before the holidays. Thank you to our dedicated staff and School Security for making this event … Read More

Fairlawn Elementary hosted its Launch Meeting for All Pro Dad. All Pro Dad is a fatherhood program focused on building strong relationships, character development, and providing practical parenting tips to foster better father-child connections. We welcomed over 30 dads who came together to explore the power of consistency in parenting. The session focused on practical strategies for creating routines, setting clear expectations, and following through—key elements that help children feel secure and supported. Through open discussion between dads and their children, the dads reflected on how consistency strengthens trust and fosters positive family relationships. The dads ended the morning with a … Read More

At Samuel S. Gaines Academy of Emerging Technologies, student leaders who are members of the Pantry Club come together every other Friday to organize their school pantry and make weekend bags of non-perishable food items for families. The school pantry is sponsored by the Treasure Coast Food Bank. The students assigned each other roles such as inspector and pantry manager to increase the productivity and efficiency of their club days. Students were smiling and laughing as they collaborated. The Colt Pantry had received a special delivery of holiday food items such as green beans, apples, and corn for the upcoming … Read More

Northport K-8 kindergarten and first-grade families gathered under twinkling string lights and the warm glow of faux campfires for a night of literacy, laughter, and learning at our Camp UFLI. Hosted by our dedicated literacy coach, interventionist, and primary teachers, the event transformed our Student and Family Resource Center into a cozy campground where reading came alive in the most imaginative ways. Families learned about heart words, blendable sounds, and the importance of reading at home. They were also given take-home resources and tips on how to support reading at home using UFLI strategies. The goal was to empower families … Read More

Northport K-8 is thrilled to open the doors to our new Felicity Sagun Student & Family Resource Center—a space designed to support, connect, and empower our students and families. This room is a reflection of our shared commitment to building strong partnerships between home and school, and we hope it becomes a hub of collaboration, compassion, and community. As the Northport Navigators, we collaborate with our families as a compass to guide and navigate their academic journey. As a Northport family, we want this room to be more than a resource; it is a place for building strong partnerships between families, schools, and the community. When … Read More

St. Lucie Elementary and the Department of Student Services partnered with the Treasure Coast Food Bank to host a pop-up market. As a partner agency with the Treasure Coast Food Bank, SLPS’s Parent Educator, Rebecca Benton helped organize fresh produce, non-perishable goods, and hygiene items to be donated to St. Lucie Elementary.  Families and staff were able to pick from a wide variety of goods, such as oranges, sweet potatoes, cabbage, apples, carrots, canned beans, and vegetable soup; along with toothpaste and shampoo. Smiles were seen everywhere you looked at the market!  Thank you Treasure Coast Food Bank for these … Read More

Students in Mr. Norcia’s & Mrs. Cooper’s class competed in the Special Olympics! They utilized teamwork, sportsmanship and lots of effort. Teachers and students had a great time. Thank you to Mr. Norcia for organizing this wonderful event and the student volunteers who also participated!  

The FPWA JROTC Program worked with members from Fort Pierce VFW Post 8058 to place approximately 500 American Flags on the graves of past service members at Riverview Memorial Park in Fort Pierce. It was such an honor to be a part of this mission, in recognizing those who sacrificed so much in defense of our Nation. Huge praise goes out to the following Cadets for volunteering and getting out there in some nasty weather to complete this very worthwhile project: John Strong Kaitlin Simmons Cruz Cruz Tristan Brown Cesar Campos-Rodriguez

Congrats to the students in Ms. Cooper’s class for earning their certification of completion in their life skills class with Mrs. Elliassaint. We are so proud of their hard work!

Cadets from the FPWA JROTC program traveled to Lakewood Park Elementary to work with Ms. Witkamp’s 3rd grade class on another Skills Enhancement Activity. Our Cadets were put into teams with the students, then they participated in a 10-Station “Mental and Physical Scavenger Hunt” designed to promote teamwork and improve problem-solving skills by making it fun. Teams had to complete a physical exercise and mental activity at each station before advancing to the next event. These types of mentorship opportunities not only continue to strengthen our program’s bonds with other local schools, but more importantly they are giving our Cadets … Read More

Graduating seniors participated in our first Graduation Walks to our local elementary schools. We celebrated and shared their success of reaching this amazing achievement of receiving their high school diploma. We went to White City Elementary, St. Lucie Elementary, Lakewood Park Elementary, and Chester A. Moore Elementary. It was especially wonderful to revisit the schools that they went to when they were younger. Thank you to the students and staff for cheering on our Panthers as they reach this huge milestone! 🎓

Congrats to Mr. Wilks for being selected as an Applebee’s Above & “Bee-Yond” Teacher! Students wrote essays about the impact of his teaching. He was awarded a $500 check for his classroom. We are so proud of you!

The Marine and Oceanographic Academy held their annual Bon Voyage Senior Night at The Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute! The Senior class celebrated one another and all their accomplishments. They were awarded their graduation cords, superlatives, and shared a beautiful slide show. The students showed their gratitude to Deputy Pate by making her an honorary lifetime MOA member, complete with an autographed life jacket. The Senior class also continued their tradition by passing down the MOA Paddle to the rising seniors.  

Fort Pierce Westwood Academy CNA students completed their first day of clinicals at Port Saint Lucie Rehabilitation and Healthcare. We are so proud of them as they work to complete this certification!

Cadets from the Fort Pierce Westwood Academy JROTC Program participated in a charity fundraiser event in conjunction with the Fort Pierce Navy SEAL Museum and the Fort Pierce Chapter of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Club to assist with raising money for the Navy SEAL K9 Project. The initiative helps past and present Special Operations Service Members get specially-trained service dogs to assist them with PTSD, Combat-Related Anxiety, and other types of emotional stress related to military service. 80 participants rode over 200 miles across 4 counties, raising over $4000 for the charity. Our Cadets assisted at two separate locations … Read More

FFA hosted a beautiful banquet to celebrate a great year! Awards were given to students for their achievements, the new officer core was announced, and Superintendent Dr. Prince was inducted as a honorary member of the Westwood FFA chapter.

Students in Mr. McIntosh’s class completed a comparative anatomy dissection of a crayfish V. grasshopper dissection lab. This hands-on learning engaged students!

Students in Mrs. McCargo’s class worked towards earning their CPR certification exam. They worked hard to learn these skills, we are so proud of them!  

FFA members organized a spirit week filled with fun and festivities! Students sold ice cream treats during lunches to highlight the Florida Dairy Industry. FFA members also decked themselves out in blue & yellow to show their love for their club! They participated in “Ag-Olympics” to end the celebratory week!  

Cadets from the Westwood Army JROTC Raider Team travelled to the Florida Tech Challenge Course in Fellsmere, to compete in the annual “Battle of the Branches” Obstacle Course Run, which pits teams from all branches of the military against each other to see who can finish the 3.1 Mile/18-Obstacle Challenge Course the fastest. This year, the Westwood Team had the honor of winning the award for the Fastest JROTC Team. They received a team award of a hand-crafted wooden flag and trophy and a $1000 donation from the DYGAR organization. Huge praise to the following Cadets for toughing this course … Read More