Shelby Durden 2014-15 US Presidential Scholar

St. Lucie Public Schools is proud to announce our 2014-2015 US Presidential Scholar, Ms. Shelby Durden. Shelby is a senior at Fort Pierce Westwood High School. Each year, we recognize a senior that has displayed leadership and character, been involved in community service and reached high levels of academic achievement while overcoming obstacles. As a young child of 18 months, Shelby was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis.  She has been through periods of remission and also painful periods requiring hospital homebound services.  Early on, Shelby decided that she would not let this stop her.   She found selfless ways to connect with … Read More

Music in Our Schools Month

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 Music in Our Schools Month

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

Transportation Routing Dept Celebrates St Patrick’s Day

The Routing Staff in Transportation has initiated a Celebration Tree this year in honor of all holidays celebrated throughout the year. All School Board employees are welcome to stop in and see our tree, which continues to change throughout the seasons. Be on the lookout for our UPCOMING seasonal changes.

STAR Award Recipient for March

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

State Award for Outstanding School Volunteer

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

Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Awards

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

Village Green’s “Odyssey of the Mind” Team Lands a Win at Regional Competition

Situated between Marianne Futo and Christine Duane are students Dylan Rudd, Adrian Gallardo, Kayla Duane, Leah Murphy, Cody Cox, Matthew Futo, Leshal Ketwaroo A group of Village Green students traveled to Sun Coast Community High School in Riviera Beach, FL to compete in the Odyssey of the Mind Regional Competition. Village Green students in grades 3-5 won 2nd place in the Division I. They chose to participate in Problem 3: Pandora’s Box. Their final combined score consisted of the Long-Term Problem and the Spontaneous scores. In this “classics” problem, nine teams put a video spin on the story of Pandora’s … Read More

Fort Pierce Housing Authority Recognized for Donation To Dale Cassens

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

The Number of PBIS Model Schools Doubles in St. Lucie Public Schools

SLPS is pleased to announce the Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) Model Schools for the 2013-14 School Year. This week, notification of the PBIS Model Schools was provided from the University Of South Florida (USF). USF manages the PBIS project for the state of Florida, and PBIS Model School status is for the prior school year. The Model Schools have worked diligently with their outstanding staff, students, PBIS coaches and PBIS technical consultants to meet the criteria for Model School Status.  Congratulations is also extended to Robert O’Neill, PBIS coordinator for the district.   Congratulations to the following schools … Read More

Our STAR Recipient

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

Village Green Teacher Wins Third Award from Governor Rick Scott

Jacqueline was honored as the 2015 recipient of the Governor’s Excellence in Education Award for the elementary (K-5) category. This award was accompanied by a check for $1500. During his announcement of this year’s award program Governor Scott said, “This February, as we celebrate Black History Month, we are honoring African-American innovators who have helped make Florida a great place to work, live and visit…Ann and I are also looking forward to recognizing some of the many great African American educators who are helping prepare our students for future success.” Mrs. Harris is no stranger to Governor Scott’s commendations. In … Read More

SLPS Supports March of Dimes March for Babies

Students and teachers from St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) along with private pre-kindergarten partners rallied in the month of January to collect dimes in support of March of Dimes March for Babies. On Wednesday, students and teachers convened at Lawnwood Stadium to run the track in segments. Collectively, the segments represented the distance of the total number of dimes collected if they were to be placed side-by-side. 58,880 dimes were collected! In distance, that equates to approximately 2.5 miles; in dollars, that equates to $5,880.00. As children populated the track, they were greeted by Curious George and each participating school … Read More

New School Visitor System

In an effort to continually improve the safety and security of your children, St. Lucie Public Schools will be using a new visitor management system called Raptor beginning February 17th. All campus visitors, including parents and alumni, will need to have their driver’s license or military ID available. The Raptor system accesses a national database, preventing anyone who should not be on our campus from gaining access. No one will be allowed to be on campus without a picture ID badge printed up by the Raptor system. The first time you submit your ID, this sophisticated system takes about one … Read More

Teacher of the Year Finalists

St Lucie Public Schools is a venerable and grand institution, home to exemplary educators whose passion and commitment to the students they serve knows no bounds.  Each year the district has the privilege of recognizing teachers selected to represent their individual schools as Teacher of the Year. Given there are so many highly qualified educators found at each school, the selection process is arduous and this year is no exception.  Superintendent Genelle Yost and members of the Saint Lucie County School Board are honored to announce the finalists for Saint Lucie County Public Schools Teacher of the Year for 2016. … Read More

BBBS National Mentoring Month Recognition

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 Presentation

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

Ms. Robinson is a STAR!

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

St. Lucie Teacher Nardi Routten Surprised with $25,000 Milken Award for Educational Excellence

Ft. Pierce, Fla., January 9, 2015 – Film has the Oscar™, music has the Grammy™, science has the Nobel and sports has its gold medals, but what about the true unsung heroes on the frontlines of shaping our future? Where is the recognition for our nation’s educators? Enter Lowell Milken and the Milken Educator Awards. Nardi Routten, a fourth-grade teacher at St. Lucie County’s Frances K. Sweet Elementary School was surprised with this coveted $25,000 Milken Award this morning during a school-wide assembly in the cafeteria. Presenting the award was Dr. Jane Foley, Senior Vice President of the Milken Family … Read More

Books for the Holidays

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.