District News – Page 12

SLPS Named ‘Best Places to Work’ for Seventh Straight Year

November 6, 2023 By LAUREN PECZKO

With over 5,000 employees, St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) was recognized as one of St. Lucie County’s Best Places to Work. This is the seventh year in a row that the School District has received this honor in the “Extra Large Employer” (over 500 employees) category. Winning the distinction of Best Places to Work for the District was determined by several factors including; a low employee turnover rate and a 96% teacher retention rate, salary increases which resulted in over 900 employees receiving an average raise of 16.1%, a 99% fill rate on the first day of school for teaching … Read More

SLPS Hosts MSAP Expo

November 6, 2023 By LAUREN PECZKO

St. Lucie Public Schools is hosting a MSAP Magnet Schools Expo on Wednesday, November 8. This event will be held at the SLPS District Office. Students with last names beginning with A-L | 5-6 PM Students with last names beginning with M-Z | 6-7 PM

Pathways to Becoming a Physician or Scientist

November 6, 2023 By LEINITIA ROBINSON

The Pathways to Becoming a Physician or Scientist event was held at Lincoln Park Academy and live-streamed for students at the other high schools. Students from high school CTE and science classes from all over St. Lucie Public Schools participated as either live or as virtual audience members for the event.  Additionally, middle school students within the Allied Health program at LPA also joined. This event was co-hosted by the Career & Technical Education (CTE) and the Science Curriculum departments.  This session focused on opportunities in the medical and science fields.  The purpose of this session was to have students learn … Read More

WLX Horizon Weekly Preview

November 3, 2023 By GRACE MORROW

WLX Horizon is the school district’s TV channel that provides St. Lucie County with instructional television programming, school board meetings, along with what’s happening in our district, and local shows about our schools. WLX Horizon can be streamed on-demand for free via the WLX Horizon app! WLX Horizon can also be found on Comcast channel 13 (Ft. Pierce), Comcast channel 19 (Port St. Lucie), Hometown channel 19, and AT&T TV Channel 99 (under St. Lucie County Community Channels), or check out the live feed. Join us for new programming this week, featuring The Giving Concert, Sunshine Kitchen Cook-off with St. … Read More

Free Heart Screening for Students

October 30, 2023 By LAUREN PECZKO

The Jessica Clinton MVP Foundation is hosting free heart screening for students ages 5 to 20 years, on Saturday, November 4th, 2023. Don’t miss out on this opportunity! Register today at https://www.jessicaclinton.org/!

Sunshine Kitchen Cook-off

October 30, 2023 By Dana Caputo

St. Lucie Public School Culinary Programs competed at the Sunshine Kitchen in Fort Pierce. Five outstanding high school culinary students along with an Indian River State Culinary Institute student formed teams and competed at the Sunshine Kitchen Cook-off. Judges included Chef Mike Febre, True Roots Catering, Guytano D’Anna, Bonefish Macs, Leslie Moyers, Sunshine Kitchen, Jacques Larson, Cathy Townsend, St. Lucie County Commissioner. The winning team was Aristhene Thelisnort, Fort Pierce Central High and Justin Stolaj, Indian River State Culinary Institute each winning a $1,500 scholarship. Big thanks to Gina McCants, St. Lucie County Tcerda Research Park, Chef Deb Midkiff, IRSC Culinary Institute, … Read More

Last Call-SLPS Wants to Hear from You!

October 23, 2023 By LAUREN PECZKO

The cutoff for our Family Survey is fast approaching! Parents, we would like to know what you think! Please take a few minutes to complete the Family Survey posted on the homepage of the district website, www.stlucieschools.org. We greatly appreciate your participation and feedback, which will assist us with growth and improvement. Thank you! *Survey runs Monday, October 9th through Wednesday, October 25th. Survey offered in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole. English – SY24 FALL FAMILY SURVEY – Assessment & Accountability (stlucie.k12.fl.us) Spanish – SY24 FALL Encuesta familiar de las escuelas públicas de St. Lucie – Assessment & Accountability (stlucie.k12.fl.us) Haitian Creole – SY24 FALL Saint … Read More

Manatee K8 Hosts Custodial Appreciation Luncheon

October 23, 2023 By LAUREN PECZKO

On October 16th, Manatee K8 was host to a luncheon for District custodial employees for Custodial Appreciation Day. A great time was had by all who attended. Events like these not only recognize the incredible work of our custodians but also foster a sense of belonging and appreciation within our school community. SLPS truly appreciates the hard work and dedication of its custodial staff. Thank you for all that you do!

Middle School Students Virtual Field Trip to Agriscience & Veterinarian Technician Programs at Fort Pierce Westwood Academy

October 23, 2023 By LEINITIA ROBINSON

The Career and Technical Education (CTE) department hosted virtual field trips as a platform to connect students to opportunities within SLPS high schools and increase awareness of college and career pathways. Middle school students within the district and their teachers went on a virtual field trip to Fort Pierce Westwood Academy: The WEST Prep Magnet. The students learned about the career opportunities and pathways available to them including Animal Science, Agriculture Mechanics, and Veterinarian Assistant. Each program engaged students with virtual demonstrations, classroom and lab tours, and a question-and-answer segment with students in the program. A special thank you to … Read More

Career & Technical Education Teachers Completed Professional Learning with Advisory Board, Business Alliances

October 23, 2023 By LEINITIA ROBINSON

Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers from multiple programs completed a day of learning with industry and post-secondary institutions for knowledge on industry and workforce updates. These CTE educators were able to tour the facilities, gain knowledge on the newest state-of-the-art technologies, and learn about what is needed for students to be both career and college ready. Professional learning took place at Indian River State College (hosted by Natalia Chekhovskaya, Executive Director of Advance Manufacturing) for applied robotics, engineering, manufacturing, industrial biotechnology, agriculture mechanics, outboard marine, and technical design educators from St. Lucie Public Schools. HCA Healthcare Physician Offices hosted … Read More

Justice Jam! Indian River State College and Criminal Justice Students

October 23, 2023 By LEINITIA ROBINSON

Indian River State College presented Justice Jam! for Criminal Justice students from Fort Pierce Central, Fort Pierce Westwood Academy, St. Lucie West Centennial, and Treasure Coast High Schools. The Career and Technical Education department assisted the Indian River State College Criminal Justice department in getting over 100 students to IRSC for this event. The Justice Jam was unique as the lead hosts were Mr. Dewey (Indian River State College and SLPS Criminal Justice Advisory Board Member) and Captain Milo Thornton (Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, IRSC Board of Directors appointed by Governor DeSantis, IRSC Alumni, Fort Pierce Westwood Alumni) and … Read More

SLPS Goes to FAU

October 23, 2023 By KAYLEIGH NEMO

SLPS took 33 of our shining seniors to Florida Atlantic University on Monday, October 16th. The students heard directly from admission representatives, received a comprehensive tour of campus, and ate lunch in the FAU Dining Hall. Go Owls! Our next college trip is October 25th and we are headed to Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers.

Free Heart Screening for Students

October 16, 2023 By LAUREN PECZKO

SLPS Wants to Hear from You!

October 9, 2023 By LAUREN PECZKO

Parents, we would like to know what you think! Please take a few minutes to complete the Family Survey posted on the homepage of the district website, www.stlucieschools.org. We greatly appreciate your participation and feedback, which will assist us with growth and improvement. Thank you! *Survey runs Monday, October 9th through Wednesday, October 25th. Survey offered in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole. English – SY24 FALL FAMILY SURVEY – Assessment & Accountability (stlucie.k12.fl.us) Spanish – SY24 FALL Encuesta familiar de las escuelas públicas de St. Lucie – Assessment & Accountability (stlucie.k12.fl.us) Haitian Creole – SY24 FALL Saint Lucie Public Schools Sondaj sou Fanmi – Assessment & … Read More

A Successful Peanut Butter Drive

October 9, 2023 By LAUREN PECZKO

Due to the generosity of SLPS District Office employees, 101 jars of peanut butter were collected for Grace Packs, an organization that provides nourishment to food-insecure children in St. Lucie County. Thank you to all who donated!

MSAP Magnet Schools Open Enrollment

October 2, 2023 By LAUREN PECZKO

SLPS is excited to announce, the MSAP Magnet schools Early Decision Application Window is now open through December 15. Is your child interested in coding, robotics, or engineering? Do they have an interest in the Arts? Do they love to design and create? Does your child have dreams of becoming a pharmacist, veterinarian, or robotics engineer? If so, St. Lucie Public Schools has an MSAP magnet school that will put your child on the path to achieving their dreams. The Early Decision window for MSAP Magnet School applications is October 1, 2023, through December 15, 2023. Applications for Creative Arts … Read More

Free Heart Screening for Students

September 26, 2023 By LAUREN PECZKO

St. Lucie Public Schools Named 2023 Cognia System of Distinction

September 18, 2023 By LAUREN PECZKO

Cognia® names St. Lucie Public Schools a 2023 Cognia® System of Distinction for excellence in education. This year Cognia, the global nonprofit school improvement organization, recognized eight school systems in the United States and in four other countries across the globe as Schools and Systems of Distinction – Cognia. “I am pleased to congratulate St. Lucie Public Schools for their designation as a 2023 Cognia System of Distinction, a program which recognizes public and non-public institutions that exemplify excellence in education and service to learners,” said Dr. Mark A. Elgart, President and CEO of Cognia. Cognia selected St. Lucie Public Schools as one of the eight … Read More

St. Lucie Public Schools Presents the SLPS College Fair

September 18, 2023 By LAUREN PECZKO

We are excited to host the St. Lucie Public Schools College Fair on Thursday, September 21st, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Havert L. Fenn Center. St. Lucie Public School students in grades 9 through 12 are welcome to attend and will have the opportunity to meet with over 80 organizations ranging from armed services to technical schools, colleges, and universities. They will provide information about admissions and college life. There will also be two financial aid sessions at the event. The college fair is located at the Havert L. Fenn Center, 2000 Virginia Avenue, in Ft. Pierce. … Read More

ESE Parent Advisory Learning Opportunity

September 18, 2023 By LAUREN PECZKO

Exceptional Student Education and Student Services presents the ESE Parent Advisory Learning Opportunity. Sessions available in person and online. NORTH COUNTY Wednesday, September 20th | 6 pm-7 pm | Samuel Gaines Academy SOUTH COUNTY Thursday, September 21st | 6 pm-7 pm | Southport Middle School Media Center We will discuss the establishment of an ESE parent advisory, parent’s rights, procedures, and improvements for students with disabilities. For more information/RSVP call 772.429.4577 or email jeffrey.bolbach@stlucieschools.org.