Category: District News

We are excited to announce the launch of Kids Tag Art in St. Lucie Public Schools for the 2016 – 2017 school year! This program is no ordinary fundraiser, as it allows fifth grade students to apply thinking and creative skills to create their own personal license plate in their art class. The fun twist is that all proceeds from purchased plates will return to your student’s school. They may even win a county award and be recognized at the inaugural Kids Tag Art awards ceremony in the spring! Every plate will be available to purchase once the designs are … Read More

President of the Classified Teachers Association/Classified Unit (CTA/CU) Retirees Chapter Ms. Barbara Kaste presented a plaque to the Board Members and Superintendent E. Wayne Gent to express appreciation for the support that has been given to the Chapter, to New Teacher Orientation, and to the New Teacher Supply Depot.  

Mr. Luke Hall was the recipient of a STAR Award at the September Board Meeting based upon the recommendation of one of his students’ parents who lauded his efforts to support her son as well as the other members of the positive band program.  Mr. Hall’s high expectations for success with built-in factors for a safe and respectful environment were key attributes highlighted for this exceptional educator’s recognition.

Mrs. Cary Schott enthusiastically shares her love of the arts and her artistic talents with others.  When asked if she and her students could provide art for District Office visitors and staff to appreciate, she readily provided three beautiful pieces to adorn the walls in the Community Room for all to enjoy. Thank you for helping to keep the arts alive in St. Lucie!

STAR Recognition for Exceptional Service and Support to St. Lucie Elementary Principal Latricia Woulard commended members of the Retired School Volunteer Program for their mentor support at St. Lucie Elementary.  The dedicated team of individuals provided help and support to new teachers and retention efforts, beautification and establishment of a butterfly garden on campus, and fund raising efforts for supplies. Special recognition and thanks were given to the following at the September 13th Board Meeting: Barbara Kaste, Stephanie Sakowski, Arlene Hazelton, Ruthann Reuther, Marguerite Saady, Chuck Brothers, Vanessa Tillman, and Christine Rodic.

Superintendent E. Wayne Gent provided an educational update during the Economic Development Council’s Investors’ Lunch Meeting. With a focus on the School District’s escalating graduation rates as well as career and technical opportunities, he stressed how the need is greater than ever for the next generation to be prepared to deal with the demands of a complex world and economic realities.

  St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) invites fathers and male caregivers to come back to school!  On September 28, a movement across the state of Florida will be put into motion whereby fathers and male caregivers are encouraged to bring their child to school, sign a pledge of involvement, and demonstrate the value of being involved in their child’s education — Dads Take Your Child to School Day. Dr. Kevin Perry leads the effort for SLPS. He explained, “The movement in SLPS began two years ago and grew out of recognition of the power of male involvement in the education … Read More

Commissioner Kim Johnson welcomed 21st Century Program Managers Terrence Platt and Kimberly Roberts to his talk show — Coffee With The Chair. They discussed Lights on After School, an upcoming afterschool expo designed to spotlight activities available to children in St. Lucie County. Commissioner Johnson celebrated the effort to bring attention to the rich variety of programs available to children before school, after school, and during summer months. To learn more about opportunities local youth have to explore interests and discover talents, mark your calendar for October 17th (4:00 to 7:30) and stay tuned for more details.

Student artists from St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) channel their talents in a tribute to the heroes of 9/11.  Through a collaborative art project between SLPS and the City of Port St. Lucie, students are helping to beautify the city by painting murals that will be transferred to wraps for traffic utility cabinets throughout the city.  A special 9/11 tribute cabinet created by art students at Lincoln Park Academy will be unveiled at the upcoming remembrance ceremony for 9/11 victims and first responders.  The ceremony, which begins at 8:30 AM, will take place at the Port St. Lucie Civic Center, … Read More

For the latest news regarding Zika resources and updates, visit the website for the Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie County. http://www.floridahealth.gov/index.html  

September is Attendance Awareness Month – an opportunity to bring attention to and support building a habit of good attendance. St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) Superintendent E. Wayne Gent emphasized the importance for all students to attend school regularly.  “Regular attendance is vital for our students’ success. Chronic absenteeism negatively impacts student achievement and graduation rates. Our goal is to give every student the best opportunity for success in life, so let’s help create habits of positive attendance early in their academic careers.” Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic success starting in kindergarten and … Read More

Healthy Schools, in cooperation with St. Lucie Public Schools and the Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie County, are excited to kick off the “Teach Flu A Lesson” program in 2016! Every year thousands of children miss valuable time in the classroom because of the dreaded flu. If that isn’t bad enough they carry it home with them, infecting loved ones, and causing them to miss work and school. Based on data from other counties in Florida, as well as in other states, we know the in-school flu vaccination program works and STOPS the flu in its tracks. So … Read More

St. Lucie Soars is an early literacy effort launched by St. Lucie Public Schools that includes a community initiative in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters.  A component of the program involves the recruitment of volunteers/mentors to support reading efforts in kindergarten through grade three. Community members are asked to consider becoming volunteers for St. Lucie Soars by donating one hour each week to read with a child.  Information and registration are available through the St. Lucie Public Schools homepage at www.stlucieschools.org.  Interested volunteers will find registration information, a mentor guide, a training video, and more through this online portal. … Read More

SUPPORT YOUR CHILD’S SCHOOL AND CLASS Buy your Coupons for Classrooms book today and help raise money for your child’s school as well as for teacher grants and high school senior scholarships.  Each book costs $25.00 and just using it twice will save you the dollars you paid for the book. https://issuu.com/savearound/docs/st_lucie_county_fl?e=18348958/15118567 For ordering information, contact the St. Lucie Education Foundation at 429-5505 or click on this link:  https://www.educationfoundationstlucie.org/

  September is Attendance Awareness Month. Improving attendance and reducing chronic absence is not rocket science, but it does take commitment, collaboration and tailored approaches to the particular strengths and challenges of each school or community. Across the nation, schools, communities and advocates have successfully taken steps to ensure children are attending school more regularly. Help to ensure our children are in school each day.    

Florida’s educational leaders are providing opportunities for fathers to engage more fully in their children’s education and to strengthen the connections between fathers and schools through the celebration of Dads Take Your Child to School Day. Your child’s school will share specific information with you.  In the meantime, mark your calendar and plan to join in this statewide movement on September 28, 2016.

For accurate and up-to-date information and resources on the Zika virus, the following web links from the Florida Health Department in St. Lucie County are valuable resources: Zika Virus Updates http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/zika-virus/index.html Spill the Water Campaign http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/spill-the-water/   https://youtu.be/ayVop5Dx0YQ

Microsoft’s Student Advantage Program provides free downloads of the full version of Microsoft Office (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, Access, etc.) for all St. Lucie County students, in District operated schools, for use on their personal and mobile devices. District students can download the software on up to 5 devices. Download and activation requires a student network username and password which is provided to all actively enrolled students.   Click on this link for step-by-step directions: http://www.stlucie.k12.fl.us/its/microsoft-office-students/

St. Lucie Public Schools extends a special thank you to the civic groups, local businesses, and community agencies that supported back-to-school Tunnels of Hope for students and staff throughout St. Lucie County. We are a Kids at Hope community with a strong belief that All Students Are Capable of Success — No Exceptions!