Author: Tammy Feller

March is Music in Our Schools Month. At the March 10th board meeting the proclamation was read by John McGallagher, band director at Port St. Lucie High School. Music instructors were also recognized. Pictured are, Dr. Donna Mills, Christine Hill, Shelby Schutt, George Rahming, Melanie Justice, Josephine Cappelletti, Shakiya Drayton, Jason Albert, Kimberly Evans, Joann Kinder, John McGallagher, Michael Willett, and Genelle Yost.  

March is designated as Music in Our Schools Month. At the school board meeting on March 10th, Dr. Kevin Perry recognized the following students for their achievements: Austin Routten, LPA, Music Performance at Carnegie Hall, and All State Jazz Band Angelica Flores, LPA, All State Middle School Treble Choir Tiffani Kinnaman, LPA, All State Middle School Treble Choir Rebecca Napier, LPA, All State Middle School Treble Choir Bianca Palermo, LPA, All State MIddle School Treble Choir Lillian Boettcher, LPA, 7th/8th Grade All State Orchestra Karissa Brunelle, SLWCH, All State HIgh School Women’s Chorus Jared Willis, SPM, FBA Small Schools Honor Band Aimee Pezzino, SOM, 7th/8th Grade All State Honor Band Diego … Read More

Mr. Garry Athill, Plant Manager of Lakewood Park Elementary School, was presented the STAR (Special Thanks And Recognition) Award at the school board meeting on March 10, 2015. You know there is nothing like having someone you can depend on when you need them most. Someone that is able to show up, get the job done on time, and above expectations. As per Principal Dianne Young, this describes Mr. Garry Athill. Garry was nominated for his organization of school maintenance staff, as well as district maintenance, and contractors that has improved the overall appearance of the school. He has helped to … Read More

At the board meeting on March 10, 2015, Maryann Umile was presented the Outstanding School Volunteer Award for 2014-15 for the State of Florida Region III. Maryann Umile has volunteered over the past 15 years at Bayshore Elementary School with over 15,000 hours. Mrs. Umile volunteers with Mrs. Hawkins’ kindergarten class and helps the other kindergarten teachers as well. She represents all that a volunteer should be and has made a positive impact on students, staff members and the community. Her patience, dependability and dedication are evident in the 15,843 hours that she has willingly given to the students of … Read More

Martha Underwood, District Volunteer Coordinator, announced the Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award Recipients at the school board meeting on March 10, 2015. The Outstanding School Volunteer of the Year for the Youth category went to Sara Ramadan, a 12th grade student from St. Lucie West Centennial High School, who volunteers at Northport K-8 School with the band class. The total number of hours Sara has contributed is 850 hours as of now and more to come. The Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award for the Adult category went to Jessica Lind from Northport K-8 School. Miss Lind has volunteered in the Little Light House Library and also in the … Read More

The Fort Pierce Housing Authority was recognized at the School Board Meeting on February 10, 2015. Andrea Kochanowski, Executive Director for Fort Pierce Housing Authority, presented a check in the amount of $1,000 to Dale Cassens Education Complex to be used to support the Spring Fling, the school store, and future Positive Behavior Intervention support activities. Andrea is a SAC member at Dale Cassens. Her dedication and support of the students is evident through her participation in various events such as Fall Festival, Spring Fling, and Teacher Appreciation Week. This year Fort Pierce Housing Authority donated Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners to … Read More

Barbara Ricks, the Business Education teacher at St. Lucie West K-8, accepted the STAR (Special Thanks And Recognition) Award at the School Board Meeting on February 10, 2015. Mrs. Ricks is one dedicated teacher and employee. She is the Business Partner Coordinator, member of the School Advisory Council, member of the District Advisory Council, Step Team Coach, FBLA Advisor, Facilitator for Title I tutoring, STEM Rap Battle Coordinator, and the former MLK Committee Coordinator. Mrs. Ricks did all these activities while completing her MBA and ED Leadership degrees. She embodies what it means to be a lifelong learner. To say … Read More

Dr. Judi Miller, Big Brothers Big Sisters Executive Director, and Ms. Sabrina Seme, Volunteer Recruiter, presented the School Board with a Certificate of Appreciation for their continued support. January is National Mentoring Month and Big Brothers Big Sisters would like to observe the month by honoring its valued partners. Pictured are, Dr. Judi MIller, Board Chair Dr. Donna Mills, Superintendent Genelle Yost and Sabrina Seme.  

Pilot Club members presented a check to the School Board on January 13th for the 2014-2015 Pilot Club Grant. The check in the amount of $1,500 is to be used for the Best Buddies Program at Fort Pierce Central High School. Best Buddies International is a non-profit 501 organization. It consists of volunteers that create opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Best Buddies High Schools foster one-to-one friendships between students with and without IDD. The high school years are a time of heightened social and emotional development and can be difficult even for those without IDD. Best Buddies High Schools helps break through social barriers at an important time in a young person’s life. Pictured in the back row are, Kristi Pacocha, Megan Guyer, Joseph Lezeau … Read More

Claretha Robinson was recognized at the School Board Meeting on January 13th as a STAR (Special Thanks And Recognition) recipient. Ms. Robinson is the front office clerk for Fort Pierce Westwood High School. Because of the nature of what she does, many times she receives the brunt of those that come in and may be upset, however she always remains true to form. She listens to the needs of our students and parents and is slow to pass judgment. Ms. Robinson has taken on more tasks that have put her out of her comfort zone and she continues to stretch … Read More

Jamie Duplantis from PNC Bank volunteers weekly in the VPK classroom at Lakewood Park Elementary School. PNC Bank donated two books to each of the 40 VPK students for Christmas.

Richard and Sherry Kolleda presented a check of $500.00 from the Spherion Staffing Community Give Back Program to the St. Lucie County Education Foundation to provide scholarships and support to teachers. Pictured are, Dr. Kevin Perry, Carissa Zerga, Superintendent Genelle Yost, Board Chair Dr. Donna Mills, Richard Kolleda, Sherry Kolleda, and Vanessa Tillman.

The Education Foundation Board presented a plaque to Rich and Sherry Kolleda, owners of Spherion, for their dedication and continued support of the St. Lucie County Education Foundation on December 9, 2014. Pictured are, Board Chair Dr. Donna Mills, Education Foundation President Carissa Zerga, Rich and Sherry Kolleda, and Superintendent Genelle Yost.  

At the Board Meeting on December 9, 2014, Dr. Donna Mills, current Board Chair, presented Mrs. Debbie Hawley with two pictures as a “thank you” for her service as the Board Chair for the past two consecutive years. Pictured are, Debbie Hawley, and Board Chair Donna Mills.

Deborah Daly, Personnel Records Specialist, was presented the STAR (Special Thanks And Recognition) Award at the December 9th School Board Meeting. It is not everyday that our staff is recognized for the kind and thoughtful things they do on a daily basis. Debbie is a quiet and caring employee who works behind the scenes in Personnel. She is not one to draw attention to herself. She is a genuine caring and compassionate individual. Earlier in the school year, one morning before the district office opened for business, Debbie encountered a homeless man sleeping on the bench in the main entryway of the building. Prior to sending him on his … Read More

The Bluebird Educational Foundation has provided many educational musical trainings and performances to students over the years. In the most recent years, they have started a program called “Recycling in the Key of E.” Donations of old instruments are collected and the instruments are refurbished by a musical partner and then given to a student who is interested in playing in the band at middle school or high school. To date, Bluebird has donated some 50 instruments totaling approximately $20,000 to our students. Darryl Bey, Chairman of Bluebird Educational Foundation and Terry Davis, Principal of Forest Grove Middle School presented … Read More