Category: District News

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

The saying success breeds success holds true for Lydia Martin, principal of Southport Middle, and Debra Snyder, principal of Palm Pointe Research School, who are both recent graduates of the Florida Department of Education’s (FLDOE) Commissioner’s Leadership Academy. The principals were selected to participate in the Academy in recognition of their leadership skills and for being among Florida’s 50 highest performing principals. In partnership with the FLDOE, the Council for Educational Change has designed the prestigious Commissioner’s Leadership Academy to enhance participants’ strengths and leadership and continue their professional growth. The yearlong experience enabled the principals to build on their … Read More

At the May 13th School Board Meeting, Trane presented the St. Lucie County School Board with the “Energy Efficiency Leader Award” in recognition of the District’s commitment to energy and operational efficiency and sustainability. The District has been aggressive in reducing energy costs; electric utility cost has been reduced by almost 40 % in 4 years. Previously ranked 60th out of the 67 Florida school districts for electrical expenses per student, the District has reduced its ranking to 18th in the 2012-2013 school year. The District reduced annual utility costs from over $12 million to less than $7 million. Pictured … Read More

At the May 13th School Board Meeting, St. Lucie County high school students received plaques for placing 2nd in the State for the 29th Annual Commissioner’s Academic Challenge. The Commissioner’s Academic Challenge is a highly academic statewide high school tournament inaugurated in 1986 and designed to provide a prestigious academic arena in which Florida’s academically talented high school students are recognized. Each district team consisting of six high school students and one coach from around the state come together to compete in an inspiring demonstration of academic astuteness and teamwork. Players are challenged with questions from the areas of language … Read More

Students were presented with awards for the Samuel S. Gaines Essay Contest at the School Board Meeting on April 8, 2014. The winners in the elementary division were: 1st Place went to Danielle Rose Murray, Frances K. Sweet Elementary; 2nd Place went to Jonathan Edwards, Fairlawn Elementary; and 3rd place went to Daisy Ruiz, White City Elementary. Congratulations! Pictured in back row are, Chuck Kearns (Morganti Group), Genelle Yost (Superintendent), Patricia Gascoigne (FLE Assistant Principal), Jane Cox (FKS Assistant Principal), Jennifer Hedeen (FLE Principal), Roberto Bonsenor (WCE Principal), Debbie Hawley (Board Chairman), Dr. Samuel S. Gaines, and on the front … Read More

In April, West Gate K-8 sponsored the 2nd Annual Treasure Coast Community Walk for Autism Speaks. West Gate personnel was recognized at the School Board Meeting on May 13th for organizing and coordinating such a worthwhile and wonderful event for our community. The turnout of support for the community was phenomenal. “You have a fantastic staff at your school and the parents know that their children are in great hands each day and getting a quality educational program. My hat is off to the entire West Gate K-8 team. Congratulations on a job well done,” stated Bill Tomlinson, Assistant Superintendent … Read More