Category: District News

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

There are so many people in St. Lucie Public Schools that go great things every day for our students, teachers, staff and community. At the June 10th School Board Meeting, three individuals from our Information Technology Services (ITS) Department were presented the STAR Award with special thanks and recognition for all the tireless weekends they put in resolving problems and ensuring that students, parents, teachers, and staff can accomplish their daily tasks. Because of what they do in the background we are better able to serve. They are Carmen Kizmann-Programmer Analyst, Pedro Balderas-Data Base Analyst, and James Dunn-Data Processing Manager. … Read More

Participants and winners of the 2014 Project Citizen State Finals were recognized at the June 10th School Board Meeting. St. Lucie West K-8’s seventh grade team that was led by Ms. Stephanie Isaacs won 3rd Place in the State’s Project Citizen Showcase with their project entitled, Water Pollution Solution. Two other SLC teams that were in the top five were: West Gate K-8, with their project entitled, Residential Rehabilitation Center, and Palm Pointe with their project entitled, Puppy Mills Bite. The judges were very pleased with the portfolios, and were impressed with the depth of knowledge displayed and how all … Read More

Love’s makes a donation of $2,000 to a local school or nonprofit at the grand opening of each new store. The Fort Pierce location at 200 South Kings Highway just opened on May 8, 2014. At the June 10th School Board Meeting, General Manager Eric Wolf was recognized for the donation that will go to the St. Lucie County Public Schools by way of the Education Foundation. Through a grant matching funds, the St. Lucie Education Foundation will match this amount for a total of $4,000 for our public schools. We welcome Love’s Travel Stop as a new business partner. … Read More

SLPS teachers participated in STEMinar at FGMS on Saturday, June 7, 2014.  Conference sessions were devoted to all grade levels with a focus on Gearing Up with Interactive Notebooks!  Participants acquired best practices for advancing STEM instruction.

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 from … Read More

We are proud to announce that the Lincoln Park Academy Odyssey of the Mind Team’s performance at the 2014 World Finals ranked 8th in the world! The students are to be commended for their hard work and exceptional creativity. Congratulations to the team: S. Razuman, H. Razuman, R. Howard, B. Cainas, S. Strong, B. Rouse, W. Clarizio and their coach, Judith Hueter.

Assistant Principal, Deborah Iseman accepted the 2012-2013 PBIS Model School Bronze Award at the School Board Meeting on May 27, 2014. A  PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) Model School is characterized by their consistent methods of utilizing data to better serve students and staff, utilizing creative and engaging reward systems, teaching PBIS to new students, extending PBIS throughout the campus and partnering with the community and parents, and including PBIS into daily activities across all available teaching opportunities. Mrs. Iseman is pictured with Board Chairman Debbie Hawley and Deputy Superintendent Dr. Mark Rendell.

At the April 8th School Board Meeting, the Pilot Club of Fort Pierce donated $1,500.00 to the St. Lucie Public Schools Exceptional Education Department to work with students on a project with on-the-job training using technology. Pictured in the front row are, Board Chairman Debbie Hawley, President of the Pilot Club of Fort Pierce Jan Smith, Incoming President of the Pilot Club Tammy Wood, Pilot Club Member Joan Dodd, ESE Program Specialist Lesa Kitzmiller. Pictured on the back row are, Superintendent Genelle Yost, and Assistant Superintendent Bill Tomlinson.

At the April 8th School Board Meeting, James McKenzie, Executive Director of the St. Lucie County Education Foundation was presented the S.T.A.R. Award for his help with the Music In Our Schools Month. He has been a strong supporter of St. Lucie County Public Schools. Congratulations Jim! Pictured are, Director of Student Assignment Michelle Jerger, School Board Chairman Debbie Hawley, Executive Director of the SLC Education Foundation James McKenzie, and Superintendent Genelle Yost.

Oak Hammock K-8 School was recognized at the May 27th School Board Meeting as a 2012-2013 PBIS Model School. They were presented the Bronze Award by Mr. Robert O’Neill, PBIS District Coordinator. Some of the characteristics of a PBIS Model school are their consistent methods of utilizing data to better serve students and staff, utilizing creative and engaging reward systems, teaching PBIS to new students, extending PBIS throughout the campus and partnering with the community and parents, and including PBIS into daily activities across all available teaching opportunities. Pictured are School Board Chairman Debbie Hawley, Heather Bolitho, Assistant Principal Kimberly … Read More