Category: District News

McKinney Vento Program Packs Holiday Bags for Students Experiencing Homelessness

December 18, 2023 By KYLEE FUHR

The McKinney Vento Program, with the help of countless donors, packed Holiday Bags brimming with love and essentials last week. These bags were sent out to the schools to go home with their students currently experiencing homelessness. From cozy Bombas socks to Barnes & Noble books sparking imaginations, handwritten cards, and hygiene items, each bag was a personalized treasure trove. This project is a labor of love, but hearing just one student’s gratitude makes every minute worthwhile. However, this project wasn’t just about gifts; it was about a community coming together to wrap homeless students in warmth and care. Want … Read More

WLX Horizon Weekly News

December 4, 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 this week for new episodes with Speakers Bureau, hosted by Donna Mills with guest … Read More

SLPS on Parade for the Holidays!

December 4, 2023 By LAUREN PECZKO

Superintendent Dr. Jon Prince and board members were thrilled to participate in the Port St. Lucie Festival of Lights Parade as well as the Fort Pierce Sights and Sounds Christmas Parade this past weekend. He was joined by Board Chairman Debbie Hawley, Board Vice Chairman Jack Kelly, and Board Members Troy Ingersoll, Dr. Donna Mills, and Jennifer Richardson. A special thanks to the drivers of the school bus (Mitch Miller) and convertibles (De’Aundrea Myles, Beral Toney, and Trenecia Scott), as well as the communications department for the festive parade decorations.  

November Board Meeting Recognitions

November 27, 2023 By LAUREN PECZKO

Congratulations to those who received recognition during the November 14th board meeting! The St. Lucie County Fire Department, the Fort Pierce Police Department, the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Department Athletic League,  and St. Lucie Public Schools received a share of $500,000 from the consortium of the Florida Education Foundations to improve student resiliency.   Keith Davis, Principal of Samuel S. Gaines Academy | Principal of the Year   Ayesha Boria, Assistant Principal of Southern Oaks Middle School | Assistant Principal of the Year   Amelia Sides, Palm Pointe, 7th Grade  | Art in the Capitol Contest Winner Morningside Elementary  | The … Read More

Creative Arts Academy Recruitment Night Wednesday, November 29th

November 27, 2023 By Jane Whitaker

Do have a student who wants to become a singer, dancer, musician, or artist? Then Creative Arts Academy is for you! As the only K-8 Fine Arts Magnet School in St. Lucie County, we hope you can join us on November 29th at 6:00 p.m. in our historic auditorium (1100 Delaware Avenue, Fort Pierce) for our Fine Arts Recruitment Night. Students and families will have an opportunity to hear from instructors and visit fine arts classrooms as well. Magnet School applications are now open for the 2024-25 school year. We hope to see you there!

SLPS November STAR Awards

November 27, 2023 By LAUREN PECZKO

Congratulations to these STAR Award recipients from the November 14th board meeting! Congratulations to our STAR (Special Thanks and Recognition) recipients for the month of November. This award is given to employees who go above and beyond their required duties in support of the District’s Mission and Vision. #bestplacestowork #slps_florida #wearestluciepublicschools #education

CTE High School Nursing Assistant Students Participate in Skills Lab and Tour at IRSC School of Nursing

November 13, 2023 By LEINITIA ROBINSON

CTE high school students from Fort Pierce Central High School, Fort Pierce Westwood Academy, Port St. Lucie High School, and St. Lucie West Centennial High School participated in a School of Nursing Day at Indian River State College.  The high school students are a part of their high school’s Nursing Assistant program at their respective school.  Students participated in a campus tour, simulated wound care lab, IRSC and School of Nursing informational session, and opportunity to view current nursing students in action in the new simulated hospital at the IRSC Pruitt Campus.  Thank you to IRSC’s staff and College of Nursing … Read More

Middle School CTE Students Connects With IRSC Health Science and Nursing Programs

November 13, 2023 By LEINITIA ROBINSON

CTE Middle School students from Dan McCarty Middle School and Northport K-8 were participants in a guest speaker presentation for IRSC’s Health Science and Nursing programs.  Thank you to IRSC Deans Dr. Anne Hubbard (Health Science) and Dr. Patricia Gagliano (Nursing) and their team for the presentation, Mr. Kevin Fess (Northport K-8) and Ms. Nadjhla Gracia (Dan McCarty Middle School) for opening their classroom for this opportunity.  Students in both sessions were able to get hands-on demonstrations and college information.  Hands-on demonstrations included the use of personal protective equipment, using a stethoscope, and a simulated phlebotomy arm for students to … Read More

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