Category: District News

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

At the October 14th School Board Meeting, Hafsa Saeed, a student from Lincoln Park Academy, was recognized as being a 2014 finalist in the Broadcom MASTERS (Math, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering for Rising Stars) competition. She will represent LPA and SLPS at Washington DC where she will get an opportunity to meet President Obama. Pictured are, Board Chair Debbie Hawley, Hafsa Saeed, Superintendent Genelle Yost, and Assistant Superintendent Kerry Padrick.  

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!