Category: District News

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.

Deborah Daly, Personnel Records Specialist, was presented the STAR (Special Thanks And Recognition) Award at the December 9th School Board Meeting. It is not everyday that our staff is recognized for the kind and thoughtful things they do on a daily basis. Debbie is a quiet and caring employee who works behind the scenes in Personnel. She is not one to draw attention to herself. She is a genuine caring and compassionate individual. Earlier in the school year, one morning before the district office opened for business, Debbie encountered a homeless man sleeping on the bench in the main entryway of the building. Prior to sending him on his … Read More

The Bluebird Educational Foundation has provided many educational musical trainings and performances to students over the years. In the most recent years, they have started a program called “Recycling in the Key of E.” Donations of old instruments are collected and the instruments are refurbished by a musical partner and then given to a student who is interested in playing in the band at middle school or high school. To date, Bluebird has donated some 50 instruments totaling approximately $20,000 to our students. Darryl Bey, Chairman of Bluebird Educational Foundation and Terry Davis, Principal of Forest Grove Middle School presented … Read More

At the November 18th School Board Meeting, Mr. Joseph Smith, St. Lucie County Clerk of Courts, presented the St. Lucie County Education Foundation a check for $1,500 for the Adopt-A-Class campaign. Their support has helped over 20 classrooms. Pictured are Joseph Abreu, Joann Baker, Board Chair Donna Mills, Joseph Smith, Superintendent Genelle Yost, Elizabeth Mallonee, James McKenzie, and Vanessa Tillman.  

St Lucie Public Schools was presented an award by Eric Stern from Action for Healthy Kids at the school board meeting on October 28th. The District earned a Silver level on the Coordinated School Health Assessment that includes the areas of Health Services, Food Services, Physical Education, Staff Wellness, Mental Health, and Community and Family Involvement. Pictured are, Debbie Hawley, Eric Stern, Carlye Fabrikant, and Genelle Yost.

At the School Board Meeting on October 14th Dr. Judi Miller, Big Brothers Big Sisters, recognized winners from the Bowl For Kids Sake event. 100 % of all monies collected go to Big Brothers Big Sisters Reading Mentor Program. In fifth place was St. Lucie West K-8, Susan Seal and John Keelor. In fourth place was Palm Pointe Educational Research School, Debra Snyder and Beth Wuycheck. In third place was Rivers Edge Elementary, Kerri Walukiewicz and Ashley Easom. In Second place was Frances K. Sweet Elementary, Juanita Wright and Barbara Bennett; and First Place went to Floresta Elementary, Bernadette Floyd and Linda Menikheim. Pictured are, Debbie Hawley, … Read More

St. Lucie Public Schools were recognized at the School Board Meeting on October 28th who achieved the Silver School Award for 2013-14. The Silver School Award is presented to recognize secondary schools that provide exemplary services to elementary and secondary schools that meet the following criteria: the sending school must have a school volunteer who provides coordination of the program, placement of students, orientation/training for the receiving staff, student/program evaluation, and student volunteer supervision; student volunteers and the receiving faculty must both receive orientation and training; the composite student volunteer hours must equal at least one half the total number … Read More

The Golden School Award for 2013-14 were presented to St. Lucie Public Schools at the School Board Meeting on October 28, 2014. The award went to all schools who had 80% of the school staff participate in training for a school volunteer; a volunteer coordinator designated for recruitment, placement, training and supervision of school volunteers; and, school volunteer hours that equal twice the number of students enrolled in the school. The schools that achieved this award were: Allapattah Flats K-8, Bayshore Elementary, Chester A. Moore Elementary, Fairlawn Elementary, Floresta Elementary, Forest Grove Middle, Frances K. Sweet Elementary, Lakewood Park Elementary, Lawnwood Elementary, Lincoln Park … Read More

Five Star School Awards for 2013-14 were presented to St. Lucie Public Schools at the Board meeting on October 28, 2014. In order for a school to qualify for this prestigious award they must have a grade of “C” or above for the school year; achieve 100% of the criteria in the categories of Business Partners, Family Involvement, Volunteers, Student Community Service and School advisory Councils; and have a portfolio that documents the achievements of each criteria. The awards were given to: Allapattah Flats K-8, Bayshore Elementary, Fairlawn Elementary, Forest Grove Middle, Frances K. Sweet Elementary, Lawnwood Elementary, Lincoln Park Academy, Mariposa Elementary, Morningside Elementary, Northport K-8, Palm Pointe Educational Research School, Parkway Elementary, Savanna Ridge Elementary, Southern … Read More

Elizabeth Pruitt, Math Supervisor K-12, was presented a S.T.A.R. Award (Special Thanks and Recognition) on October 14th at the School Board Meeting. Ms. Pruitt was nominated by a high school teacher Taleese Walsh, who wrote: I wanted to take a moment to speak about Liz Pruitt. I just learned that she is responsible for compiling math course “toolboxes.” These used to be accessible through the scope and sequence link, but were recently moved to Infinity. When I found they had been removed, I feared they were no longer available. I just wanted to break down and cry. Liz came to my rescue and had them emailed to … Read More

On October 14, 2014 the Loretta Adams and Sam Andrianoff Awards were presented in conjunction with the declaration of Disability History and Awareness Month. These two exceptional people left a great legacy. Loretta Adams was the forefront of the inclusion movement and was an advocate for students with disabilities. This years awards were presented to Megan Guyer, Assistant Principal at Fort Pierce Central High School and Kathy Nobel, Transportation Area Manager ESE. These ladies represent what it means to be an advocate for students with disabilities. They make a difference in the lives of the people they work with each and … Read More

Congratulations to Nicolas Suarez, a tenth grade student at Lincoln Park Academy, who was chosen to serve on the Florida Youth Advocacy Board of the Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT), a statewide youth-led movement. The Youth Advisory Board works in collaboration with the Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of Tobacco Free Florida to help plan the direction and goals of the SWAT organization and of the youth prevention component of the state’s tobacco control campaign. Students work with county grantees on a local level to support initiatives that educate others about tobacco use, help protect youth from tobacco, and strengthen … Read More

St. Lucie Public Schools recently hosted a unique and powerful event in the lives of our educators, ECET2 (Elevating and Celebrating Effective Teaching and Teachers). The event supported the four core messages of SLPS: academic achievement and excellence; high quality instruction; safe and caring schools; and recruitment and retention of high quality staff. This was an event planned by teachers for teachers to support and share their passion for education. The convening provided opportunities for great teachers to “tell their story” and provided opportunities for teachers to learn with each other, network, and collaborate.  The event was funded by grants from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as well as the St. Lucie Education … Read More