Category: District News

Every morning and at every school event, Northport K-8 students and teachers recite their “Kids at Hope” pledge. The meaning of the pledge is permeating the very fabric of the school in many ways. An example of student connection to the meaning of “Kids at Hope” can be found in Ann Barbare’s middle grades Intensive math class. Mrs. Barbare and her students worked diligently to make an engaging board with the theme of finding the students “Ace of Hearts” who is the parent or guardian and their “Ace of Clubs” who is any other caring adult who knows and understands … Read More

Transforming Teacher Practice and Student Learning in Florida  “Such a wonderful workshop: just enough talk, just enough collaboration, perfect atmosphere!” These words sum up the experience of nearly 50 educators from Florida, Texas, Tennessee, and Arkansas who gathered in Orlando last month for The LDC Workshop: Transforming Teacher Practice and Student Learning. Designed as an introduction to LDC, the three-day workshop gave teachers, administrators, and instructional leaders at the state and district levels the opportunity to learn about the LDC Framework, design their own modules, and collaborate with their colleagues around literacy instruction. Click to Read More!

Dan McCarty Middle School band student, Samuel Quinones, has been selected to take part in the 2015 Indian River State College’s Four Counties Honors Band. Selected middle school students will rehearse for two days with guest clinician, Mr. Dominick Eggan and perform alongside the High School Honors Concert Band and the Honors Jazz Band. Samuel was selected based on his musicianship level and the recommendation of his band director. He will be one of four trombonists from the four counties of St. Lucie, Indian River, Martin, and Okeechobee counties. The concert will be held on Saturday, January 24th at 6:00 … Read More

This celebration kicked-off at the school board meeting on November 4th with an official proclamation read by Treasure Hunter and St. Lucie County Teacher of the Year, Heather Bolitho. The theme this year was “We Connect- The Power of Aces.” One of the Kids at Hope leading principles states that children succeed when they have meaningful, sustainable relationships with caring adults. These caring adults are called Aces. Just like in a deck of cards, there is an Ace of Hearts, Clubs, Spades, and Diamonds. The Ace of Hearts is a child’s parent/guardian. The Ace of Clubs is any other caring adult … Read More

The Allapattah Flats family celebrated National Kids at Hope Day in conjunction with Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 12th. To honor all of our service personnel for our city, county, state, and country, Allapattah Flats proudly conducted a Tunnel of Honor. The entire school of over 1000 students and staff lined the school walkway, waving American flags and cheering for veterans, first responders, police, deputies, firefighters and Coast Guardsmen as they walked through the tunnel. These guests of honor were treated to a musical performance by the middle school band & chorus as well as our elementary chorus. Songs included … Read More

We at Forest Grove Middle School have implemented a stupendous initiative to foster a strong bond between the students and their Ace. Each month the students will vote on the Ace that inspires them to succeed academically and flourish positively socially. The students have been informed that the Ace with the most votes will attend a very special lunch with the administrative team at Forest Grove. The students have been participating in droves. This incentive reminds teachers that they are valued by their students and it gives the students a sense of responsibility in choosing and honoring the staff and … Read More

Bayshore Elementary had a night where the Aces shined. Parents and students were invited to school to play games against the teacher, and possibly win prizes if they were able to beat the teacher. Teachers and parents were recognized for being Aces to students, and every student was able to win a prize in the end. Parents also received information about PBIS, and Kids at Hope all while having fun at the same time.

Dale Cassens Educational Complex celebrated National Kids at Hope Day by creating a tunnel of hope made of various community members from Ft. Pierce and Port St. Lucie. These special caring adults cheered students on and held signs reading “You can Succeed,” as they as they arrived to school on November 25th. The students then participated in a Fall Festival which included “Minute to Win It” events and a giant blow-up obstacle course. Every child was able to acquire tickets throughout the day for drawings of prizes at the conclusion of the event.

To celebrate National Kids at Hope Day on Wednesday, November 12th, Village Green Environmental Studies School invited parents and students for a night of connecting. The event kicked off with our SAC meeting at 3:40.  We encouraged more parents to join our SAC so they can become even more involved with our school. Following the SAC meeting, dinner was provided for families with staff members serving pizza, salad, cookies and drinks.  Families also had the opportunity to shop at the Scholastic Book Fair that was held in our Media Center. After dinner, different break-out sessions were provided for parents, including one … Read More

During the week of December 1st-5th, Windmill Point celebrated “ACES in our Lives”! ACES were honored by inviting these special people to have lunch with a student. As part of the Kids at Hope philosophy, Windmill Point believes that all children are successful when they have meaningful and sustainable relationships with adults. A letter went home with students describing the four ACES that are typically found in children’s lives, as well as a schedule for each grade level. Lunch was brought in or purchased through the school cafeteria.

To celebrate Kids at Hope Day 2014, Oak Hammock K-8 School implemented an anti-bullying campaign from November through January that empowers all Treasure Hunters and students to find the treasures in all members of the school community. Our personal rendition of the 2014 Kids at Hope theme: “Everyone a Treasure Hunter: Be the ONE to Stand up to Bullying!” This campaign kicked off with a “Hats Off to You” fundraiser, where students and staff paid $1 to wear a hat on campus. Students were asked to identify their own talents, skills, and intelligence, as well as the treasures in their … Read More

Samuel S. Gaines Academy celebrated National Kids at Hope Day during the week of November 10th – 14th.  Staff and students proudly showed their Kids at Hope spirit by wearing Kids at Hope shirts or any blue and yellow shirts during the week. Each day, students discussed their Aces on the morning announcements. Students held up a poster-sized Ace card, described their Ace of Hearts, Clubs, Diamonds, Spades, and explained why they are important. A faculty member also gave a special “tip of the day,” focusing on the power of Aces in student’s lives. In addition, positive signs were posted … Read More

Northport K8 School celebrated National Kids at Hope Day by infusing a Power of Aces mini-lesson into morning (elementary) or 1st period (middle) on November 12th. The suggested activity included a class discussion on students’ Ace of Hearts and Ace of Clubs and why these adults are important, followed by writing thank-you cards to these Aces. Lessons also incorporated this year’s school theme, “Kids in Wonderland.” During drop-off and pick-up, parents received an Ace of Clubs card with an explanation about this special caring adult, as well as a copy of the Treasure Hunter’s Pledge.

Weatherbee Elementary School celebrated National Kids at Hope Day during student led conferences. Each student took a letter and sat with their parent(s) or other caring adult and wrote down why they are a Kid at Hope.  The letters were then posted outside of the individual teacher’s room spelling out “Kids at Hope, No Exceptions!” Teachers came out and took a picture with their classes, which were put together in one large poster to display on campus.

This celebration kicked-off at the school board meeting on November 4th with an official proclamation read by Treasure Hunter and St. Lucie County Teacher of the Year, Heather Bolitho. The theme this year was “We Connect- The Power of Aces.” One of the Kids at Hope leading principles states that children succeed when they have meaningful, sustainable relationships with caring adults. These caring adults are called Aces. Just like in a deck of cards, there is an Ace of Hearts, Clubs, Spades, and Diamonds. The Ace of Hearts is a child’s parent/guardian. The Ace of Clubs is any other caring … Read More

Richard and Sherry Kolleda presented a check of $500.00 from the Spherion Staffing Community Give Back Program to the St. Lucie County Education Foundation to provide scholarships and support to teachers. Pictured are, Dr. Kevin Perry, Carissa Zerga, Superintendent Genelle Yost, Board Chair Dr. Donna Mills, Richard Kolleda, Sherry Kolleda, and Vanessa Tillman.

The Education Foundation Board presented a plaque to Rich and Sherry Kolleda, owners of Spherion, for their dedication and continued support of the St. Lucie County Education Foundation on December 9, 2014. Pictured are, Board Chair Dr. Donna Mills, Education Foundation President Carissa Zerga, Rich and Sherry Kolleda, and Superintendent Genelle Yost.  

At the Board Meeting on December 9, 2014, Dr. Donna Mills, current Board Chair, presented Mrs. Debbie Hawley with two pictures as a “thank you” for her service as the Board Chair for the past two consecutive years. Pictured are, Debbie Hawley, and Board Chair Donna Mills.