Category: District News

February begins the annual observance of African American History Month, celebrating the past and present achievements of African Americans. In February, 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, proposed the establishment of Negro History Week to honor the history and contributions of African Americans to American life. In 1976, the week-long celebration was expanded to a month in honor of the nation’s bi-centennial. Mrs. Latricia Woulard, St. Lucie County 2016 Principal of the Year, read the Proclamation during the February School Board Meeting.

Career and Technical Education Director Kathie Schmidt presented highlights of the District’s programs. Students presented the Governor’s Annual Proclamation in recognition of February as National CTE Month at the February School Board Meeting.

The STAR award recognizes and honors employees each month for demonstration of exemplary customer service. The following employees were recognized by the Board in February: Nakysha Dennis (Dan McCarty Middle School), Michele Rubenstein (Mariposa Elementary – Volunteer), Joe Baio (Lakewood Park – Facilities/Maintenance), Renee Lang (Transportation Dept.- Bus Driver), and Pinkie Smith (Food Service Dept.).

The Grand Parade is the capstone event of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Celebration. Once again this year, all of our schools participated in the parade. Representatives from the Commemorative Celebration Committee honored the schools who won awards in the parade.

Ms. Barbara Kaste, President of the CTA/CU Retirees Chapter, presented two CTA/CU Mentor Grants to two F.K. Sweet Elementary educators: Barbara Bennett and Anastasia Johnson.

St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) Superintendent E. Wayne Gent accepted a rebate check from Florida Power and Light (FPL) in the amount of $97,440.00 during Tuesday’s School Board Meeting. The rebate resulted from the recent installation of a new Thermal Energy System (TES) at Lakewood Park Elementary.  The District has had a long-standing commitment to maximizing the efficiency of its facilities, and the installation of such systems in local schools has proven effective. Schools with systems such as these have demonstrated an average savings of approximately 50 percent in energy costs.  “Every dollar is important to education, and these savings … Read More

The Office of Teaching and Learning thank Walmart Distribution Center for awarding the Walmart Community Grant to the Early Childhood Department in order to support superior professional development. The $2000.00 award supports the Early Childhood Conference and on-going professional development in St. Lucie County.

CTE Month® is a public awareness campaign ACTE holds each February to celebrate Career and Technical Education and the achievements and accomplishments of CTE programs across the country.  “Opportunities for Career Success” is the theme for this year. https://acteonline.org/ctemonth/#.VrB81ubCBhY    

Black History Month honors our African American Heroes.  For interesting facts, inspirational leaders, suggested readings, and more, please visit: http://www.floridablackhistory.com/index.cfm

We congratulate Mariposa Elementary, Morningside Elementary, Oak Hammock K – 8, Palm Pointe Educational Research School, and Village Green Environmental Studies School for receiving Bronze Level status! The purpose of the Florida’s Positive Behavior Support (FLPBS) Project is to identify schools that exemplify best practices in the implementation of positive behavior support systems. Artifacts submitted through an online application showcase practices. The FLPBS Project recognizes Gold, Silver, and Bronze model schools. http://flpbs.fmhi.usf.edu/modelschools.cfm

We congratulate F.K. Sweet Elementary, Allapattah Flats K – 8, Lawnwood Elementary, and Manatee Academy K – 8 for receiving Silver Level status! The purpose of the Florida’s Positive Behavior Support (FLPBS) Project is to identify schools that exemplify best practices in the implementation of positive behavior support systems. Artifacts submitted through an online application showcase practices. The FLPBS Project recognizes Gold, Silver, and Bronze model schools. http://flpbs.fmhi.usf.edu/modelschools.cfm

We congratulate Bayshore Elementary, Southport Middle, West Gate K – 8, and Weatherbee Elementary for receiving Gold Level status! The purpose of the Florida’s Positive Behavior Support (FLPBS) Project is to identify schools that exemplify best practices in the implementation of positive behavior support systems. Artifacts submitted through an online application showcase practices. The FLPBS Project recognizes Gold, Silver, and Bronze model schools. http://flpbs.fmhi.usf.edu/modelschools.cfm    

Throughout the state of Florida, this week is celebrated as Student Services Week to laud the contributions of student services professionals. School counselors, school nurses, school psychologists and school social workers dedicate their efforts to supporting the academic, behavioral, social, physical, mental and emotional development of all students. In sync with this is National School Counseling Week, sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). Both are celebrated from Feb. 1–5, 2016, with the latter honing special public attention on the unique contribution of professional school counselors within U.S. school systems and how students are different as a result of … Read More

Early literacy is important! SLPS, in collaboration with many community sponsors, facilitated the annual early childhood conference which brought together nearly 200 public and private early childhood educators for the specific purpose of enhancing early childhood education. This year’s theme: Kaleidoscope of Movement Keynote Speaker: Jack Hartman

Congratulations to Lincoln Park Academy for their first-place finish at the SLPS Academic Challenge. TCHS came in second, and FPWHS came in third.

Students from across the District make up the SLPS Academic Team that will be going to the state level competition in April. Students are selected based on their content strengths to establish a well-rounded academic team. Congratulations to: D. Kehoe (TCHS), N. Gomez (SLWCHS), J. Diago (FPWHS), C. Acre (LPA), M. Kaminaga (LPA), and G. Zheng ( LPA).

St. Lucie Soars represents the county’s longstanding focus on early literacy through collaborative partnerships with St. Lucie Public Schools, Early Learning Coalition, ALPI, the Education Foundation, and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Enjoyment is an incredible energizer to the human spirit. John C. Maxwell Team members at the District Office enjoyed a healthy breakfast and a bit of fun to kick off a productive day.    

This year’s Project Citizen Showcase took place at IRSC’s Kight Center.  Teams of 7th graders from across the District came together to discuss their civic-minded projects with judges and vie for an opportunity to move on to the state-level competition. About Project Citizen: Project Citizen is a curricular program for middle, secondary, and post-secondary students, youth organizations, and adult groups that promotes competent and responsible participation in local and state government. The program helps participants learn how to monitor and influence public policy. In the process, they develop support for democratic values and principles, tolerance, and feelings of political efficacy. … Read More