Category: District News

October 7, 2014, was an awesome day for St. Lucie Public Schools as fathers/male care givers went back to school! Rather it was “Donuts with Dads,” “A Fathers’ Rally with a march around the school field” or “Game Night with Dad,” father figures pledged their support to the educational growth of students. The march grew out of recognition of the power of male involvement in the education of all students. A father who actively participates in the educational and social developmental life of a child is invaluable and irreplaceable. Statistics from the National Fatherhood Initiative support findings that show that when … Read More

The proclamation for the Million Father March was presented at the school board meeting on September 23, 2014. A father who actively participates in the educational and social-emotional developmental life of a child is invaluable and irreplaceable. Research shows that children whose fathers take active roles in their educational lives earn better grades, score higher on tests, enjoy school more and are more likely to graduate from high school and attend college. It is with this notion that the School Board of St. Lucie Public Schools, of Ft. Pierce, Fl., proclaims Tuesday, October 7, 2014, as Million Father March Day, … Read More

Twelve guitars were donated by the Port St. Lucie Police Department to St. Lucie Public Schools at the school board meeting on September 23, 2014. These instruments will benefit the music programs at Manatee Academy, Fort Pierce Central High School, and Southport Middle School. Pictured are, PSL Chief John Bolduc, City Attorney Milton Collins, Principal Nicole Telese, Music Teacher James LeBon, Principal Todd Smith, Principal Lillian Beauchamp, Board Chairman Debbie Hawley, Music Teacher Kelsey Chinn, Superintendent Genelle Yost, and Assistant to the Superintendent Dr. Kevin Perry.

At the September 9th School Board meeting Morningside Elementary was recognized as a winner of Odyssey of the Mind. Students took 2nd in World for Problem 2 Division 1. Odyssey of the Mind is a creating problem-solving competition for students of all ages. Teams of students select a problem, create a solution, then present their solution in a competition against other teams in the same problem and division. The teams of up to seven students work under the guidance of an adult coach. Pictured in the back row are, Chairman Debbie Hawley, Co-Coach Dr. Jayne Hartman, Spontaneous Coach Amy Spurr, … Read More

On September 11, 2014 in the Port St. Lucie High School Auditorium, Deputy Rosario gave a very powerful lecture on his personal experiences on that dreadful day in New York when the Twin Towers toppled to the ground.  The presentation began with a student who sang God Bless America and led in the Pledge of Allegience. The JROTC posted the colors. Deputy Rosario spoke about his personal experiences and how many of the first responders came to support the situation with disregard to their own safety, while helping others. He also shared a power point presentation. “This was the best presentation that I have ever … Read More

Lincoln Park Academy was recognized as a winner of Odyssey of the Mind. Students took 8th in World for Problem 2 Division 3. Pictured are, Baylie Cainas, Chairman Debbie Hawley, Coordinator Ms. Judi Hueter, William Clarizio, Rachael Howard, Hamza Razuman, Samreen Razuman, Superintendent Genelle Yost, and Brenden Rouse. Team member, Samantha Strong, was unable to attend this recognition. Congratulations to a job well done!

Cody Jennings and Alex Oravec, Lincoln Park Academy students, were recognized at the School Board Meeting as the Florida Junior Rookie of the Year for the NEED (National Energy Education Development) Project. Their project advisor was Marylou Jennings. Pictured are Chairman Debbie Hawley, Alex Oravec, Cody Jennings, and Superintendent Genelle Yost. Congratulations!

On September 9, 2014 Morningside Elementary students were also recognized as the Florida Elementary Finalist for NEED (National Energy Education Development) Project at the School Board Meeting. The project advisor was Mollie Mukhamedov. Pictured are Chairman Debbie Hawley and Superintendent Genelle Yost in the back row; Isabella Cruz and Grace Robinson in the front row. Team members not present are Paul Mukhamedov, Zoya Mukhamedov, and Emanuel Rueda. Congratulations!

At the School Board Meeting on September 9,  2014 Mariposa Elementary School fifth grade students (from 2013-14 school year) were recognized as the Florida Elementary Finalist for the NEED (National Energy Education Development) Project. The mission is to promote an energy conscious and educated society by creating effective networks of students, educators, business government and community leaders to design and deliver objective, multi-sided energy education programs. In this program, students at all grade levels learn about the forms of energy- heat, light, motion, sound, nuclear energy, and electrical energy- with age-appropriate, hands-on explorations that emphasize the scientific process and an … Read More

For the second year in a row, Southern Oaks Middle School hosted the Zero Robotics Middle School Summer Program, a five-week STEM program designed to engage students in learning and working in a 3D environment, applying forces and Newton’s laws, using conditionals for programming robotics SHERES which are Synchronized Position, Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites. This year’s team placed third in the Regional Competition. Our program facilitator Kevin McInerney, an instructor at Southern Oaks, supported students with hands-on experiences in programming their satellites to compete with other teams in Florida. Students learned to navigate obstacles and strategize for fuel conversation … Read More

Tony Boselli, former Jacksonville Jaguar football player #71, spoke to the St. Lucie County school principals on Thursday, September 11th at 8:00 am at the School Board District Office regarding his company, Healthy Schools and the FluMist Vaccination Program. Healthy Schools, in cooperation with the St. Lucie County Public Schools and the Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie County, is excited to kick off the “Teach Flu A Lesson” program in St. Lucie County. Every year thousands of children miss valuable school days because of the influenza virus. Offering flu vaccinations in the school setting has been proven to … Read More

St. Lucie Public Schools is working to increase participation in its partnership with South Florida Commuter Services (SFCS), which is a program of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).  SchoolPool is a software system that helps to connect interested parents who live near one another so that they can plan such activities as a “walking” school bus, bike pools, car pools, and the like.  The target audience for this program is parents in St. Lucie County who live within two miles of their student’s school; however, the program is open to any interested parents or guardians.  SFCS’s website includes a … Read More

Mrs. West’s First Grade Class had the privilege of another visit from Dr. Rendell, our Deputy Superintendent of Human Resources. This was his 3rd year coming into their classroom and reading to the boys and girls. Dr. Rendell brought in the book “Pete the Cat: Wheels on the Bus.” The students loved Dr. Rendell’s interactive method where he would read and the boys and girls would join and sing along. This school year, there were more than just these two fine educators in the classroom. Dr. Rendell got to meet Janice Aleixo, Mrs. West’s student teacher from Florida Atlantic University. … Read More

Lt. Izzo, Sheriff Mascara and Sgt Dobler join the Parkway staff to welcome students at their Tunnel of Hope.

Employees at the School Board Office brought in bags and boxes of school supplies to be given to United Way of St. Lucie. United Way has filled backpacks full of school supplies for our students who are eligible for free lunch. They have reached their goal of helping at least 4,500 children in all of the St. Lucie County schools. Thank you for your generosity in providing so many children with tools for success at the beginning of this school year. Pictured are, Dr. Mark Rendell, Kerry Padrick, Peg Warnke, Dr. Kevin Perry, Dr. Kathy McGInn and Genelle Yost.

The Social Studies Teachers of the Year were recognized at the School Board Meeting on June 10, 2014. Jean Emerson, Treasure Cost High School, was recognized for the high school category. Melanie Larsen, Palm Pointe Educational Research School, was presented a plaque for the elementary school category. Belkis Madera, Oak Hammock K-8, received a plaque for the middle school category.

Three St. Lucie Public Schools were represented in Washington, D.C. last month at the Youth Awards Program for Energy Achievement.  Mariposa Elementary, Morningside Elementary, and Lincoln Park Academy attended the N.E.E.D. (National Energy Education Development) Project festivities.  NEED students understand energy.  They are local experts and leaders in community discussions on energy use, energy efficiency, and new energy technologies.  Students learn how to design buildings better to maximum energy efficiency and to keep our buildings healthy.  NEED students are the future of the energy workforce.  Students interested in engineering, science, economics, environmental sciences, law, geology, and a host of other … Read More

St. Lucie County Schools hosted its annual Teacher Recruitment Fair on June 23, 2014 with over 150 applicants attending this event.  School leaders from 16 schools interviewed prospective teachers in preparation for the coming school year which begins August 18, 2014. Recognizing that the greatest impact on student success is high quality instruction one of the District’s Strategic Goals is to recruit and retain effective teachers for all classrooms.   As one of several recruitment strategies the Fair provided an opportunity to hire teachers before school starts. Recruitment activities to attract the “brightest and best” will continue throughout the school year.  … Read More

The Florida Department of Education (DOE) released the School Performance Grades for Elementary, K-8 and Middle Schools today. Taking pride in educating every student every day, St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) is celebrating a 25 percent gain in the number of schools that improved one letter grade or more (Floresta Elementary and Fort Pierce Magnet School of the Arts improved two letter grades) and 72 percent maintained or increased their school grades. Other highlights include: All grades tested in writing showed growth.  Twenty-nine out of 36 (or 81 percent) of SLPS increased their proficiency levels over last year’s performance.  Fourth … Read More