Category: District News

The Fort Pierce Central video production class is in the middle of their most productive year to date. The nine member crew has been steady at work producing WFPC News, the school’s daily announcement show. Now in its third year, the news team is hitting its stride. The students are taking on the daily challenge of reporting the schools bevy of events and activities. Running the gamut from sports updates to fundraisers and upcoming events, their mission to keep fellow students “in-the-know” is a great success. Since the beginning of the school year, the class has produced nearly 70 shows, … Read More

Floresta Elementary School second grade student Jaime Rosenberg took to heart the spirit of giving this holiday season. As she wrote her yearly letter to Santa, she included some of her own money with a request for it to be sent to the victims of Hurricane Sandy. But her efforts didn’t stop there. With the help of her mom, she created a website to invite her family and friends to contribute to the American Red Cross directly. Her website has reached over $500 in online donations to date!  In an effort to assist her with her idea, Floresta Elementary students and staff … Read More

Marine Private First Class Austin Boatright, the brother of a student in Lois Peith’s second grade class, visited  White City Elementary recently. Private Boatright just graduated from Parris Island and spoke to the students about the importance of being respectful and responsible. In order to graduate, Private Boatright was required to do many things including shine his belt buckle and boots, iron his clothes, and make the bed. Students were inspired by the commitment and dedication of this leader and role model. Pictured is Private Boatright surrounded by White City students.

Fort Pierce Westwood High School culinary arts students prepared and served a holiday themed hot buffet lunch to school and district leaders recently at the district offices. The lunch was sponsored by St. Lucie Education Foundation executive director Jim McKenzie, who was pleased with the quality of the meal and service. Chef Maureen Greenberg assisted the students who cooked, baked, transported, plated, served, decorated, and cleared the lunch. Pictured, from left, are Ciara May, Alexis Lloyd, Blanca Morales, Joseph Noble, Joseph Gilmore, Eric Smith, Ken Adams, Jeron Evans, Jose Garcia and Jamal Laing. The students handled the crowd with efficiency … Read More

Students in Shirley Helton’s fifth grade class at Fairlawn Elementary School are corresponding with U.S. military troops stationed in Afghanistan. They write letters and send treats to the troops to boost morale, and also enjoy receiving news from the soldiers. The troops have sent books, pictures and other artifacts from Afghanistan. The students enjoy their community efforts to help our soldiers abroad.

Members of the St. Lucie County Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) team presented an update on their tobacco prevention efforts in local schools at the December 11, 2012, St. Lucie School Board meeting. Students also provided local data from the 2012 Florida Youth Tobacco Survey. Pictured at back, far left, is School Board chairman Debbie Hawley, and at back, far right, Superintendent Michael Lannon, with the students and their sponsors.

William Barr, a junior from Treasure Coast High School (TCHS), has been nominated to the Florida Department of Education as the Sunshine State Scholar for St. Lucie County. Students are nominated based on their success in high level math and science courses, and the intent to major in those subjects in college. William also scored the highest PSAT score in TCHS history! William and his parents were recognized at the December 11, 2012, St. Lucie County School Board meeting. Pictured, from left, are School Board chairman Debbie Hawley, TCHS assistant principal Nikki Poole, William and his parents Bill and Nancy, … Read More

Book retailer Barnes and Noble is donating over 4,000 children’s books divided between schools in St. Lucie, Martin and Okeechobee counties and Hibiscus Children’s Centers purchased by store customers. Linda Daly, Community Relations Manager, brought the first 1,125 books sorted by reading level to St. Lucie School District offices this week. The books will be distributed through the Title One department. Pictured with Daly, right, is Rod Natta, manager of Federal and Special Programs, accepting the first delivery.

Parkway Elementary School principal Ucola Barrett-Baxter and Fort Pierce Central High School assistant principal Susan Seal were recognized at the September 11, 2012, St. Lucie County School Board meeting for earning district designations for their respective administrative roles. Ms. Barrett-Baxter was named the 2012 Outstanding Principal and Ms. Seal Outstanding Assistant Principal for their exemplary contributions to our students, school and community. Pictured, from left, are St. Lucie School Board chairman Carol Hilson, Ms. Barrett-Baxter, Ms. Seal, and Superintendent Michael Lannon.

Some 120 students in Samantha Pullins’ Medical Academy at Fort Pierce Central High School received free composition books from the Kids In Need Foundation thanks to donations from the back to school supply drive held by local Walgreen drug stores. Ms. Pullins wrote and won a grant with the foundation to be the recipient of school supplies collected by Walgreen stores located in Indian River, Saint Lucie, Martin and Palm Beach counties. While at one of the stores collecting supplies, the store manager asked specifically what item her students were in need of, and Ms. Pullins responded they needed composition … Read More

Opening day for the 2012-2013 school year went smoothly, no major issues had arisen by mid-day. Students at 13 local schools were welcomed with Kids at Hope tunnels, where school staff and community members applauded and gave “high-five” greetings with encouraging messages to the returning students. Pictured, at left, are St. Lucie School Board members Kathryn Hensley and Debbie Hawley, and right, Superintendent Michael Lannon and Boys and Girls Club executive director Norm Penner welcoming students at Garden City Early Learning Academy.

To save money and printing resources, the annual St. Lucie School Board Student Code of Conduct booklet, which outlines expectations and consequences for students and parents, will be available electronically on the district website. An electronic copy of the Code can be located online at http://www.stlucie.k12.fl.us/pdf/codeofconduct.pdf. If parents require a paper copy of the Code, they can indicate in the online form, sign and return to the district office, and one will be provided to their child. Paper copies are also available upon request at the child’s school and at the District Administration Office located at 4204 Okeechobee Road, Ft. … Read More

Approximately 250 new teachers who will be in classrooms in St. Lucie County public schools on August 20 when students begin the 2012-2013 school year were welcomed with great celebration on Tuesday, August 7, by school board members, administrators, and a wide variety of community members, including local elected officials. A tunnel of well wishers ushered the teachers into the event, as pictured in the photo, to two days of orientation to district policies, procedures, to review curriculum, as well as network with new colleagues. Photo provided by Christine Epps, executive director of the Roundatable of St. Lucie, which will … Read More

Port St. Lucie High School (PSLHS) 2012 graduate Diamond Salazer was recognized at the July 31, 2012, St. Lucie County School Board meeting for her outstanding performance during the national SkillsUSA career and technical education competition this past school year. She was awarded by the Florida Masonry Apprentice and Educational Foundation. Pictured, from left, are mother Mrs. Lambert, Ms. Salazar, Director for Career and Technical Education Kathie Schmidt, School Board Chairman Carol Hilson, PSLHS career/technical teacher Bob Rossbury, and Superintendent Michael Lannon.

Shortly after school ended, St. Lucie West Centennial High School Navy Junior ROTC proudly sent seven cadets to Leadership Academy to learn how to become the future leaders of their unit. Pictured, rom left, Cadets Dane Tushinski, Devin Spellman Michael Battaglia, Johnna Moody,Luis Still and Ro-aine Graham, along with Chester Merrill who is not pictured, were selected to attend due to their achievement in academics, athletics, and military aptitude. Training at the academy began with chaos and yelling from retired Marine Corp Drill Instructors, as they instilled attention to detail and discipline in each cadet. Throughout the training sessions, the … Read More

Fort Pierce, FL — School grades for Florida’s public schools for the 2011-2012 school year are expected to be released in early July, according to the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE). The announcement of school grades was delayed this year from FLDOE compared to previous years’ release schedules due to the implementation of significant changes this year and the complexity of the new Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT 2.0), its higher scoring scale, new high school end-of-course core subject testing procedures, and higher cut scores for school grades. However, for months, public school leaders across the state have consistently cautioned … Read More

The Southeast Florida Council of the Girl Scouts of America, with financial support by the St. Lucie County Children’s Services Council, is sponsoring workshops during St. Lucie County Schools’ 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) summer programs at several school sites in St. Lucie County. These programs are supported by a federal grant with the school district, and are offered at no cost to students or families, and provide additional education opportunities in a safe and nurturing environment. One of two programs is an experiential workshop where girls learn what bullying really is, leaarn that it is not acceptable, … Read More

Students are busy learning at The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) summer programs at several school sites in St. Lucie County. These programs are supported by a federal grant with the school district, and are offered at no cost to students or families, and provide additional education opportunities in a safe and nurturing environment. Each summer, the 21st CCLC operates a unique range of services based on the needs of the community, with the same set of goals as its premise: Academic Enrichment in Reading and Language Arts, Academic Enrichment in Science and Mathematics, Personal Enrichment, and Educational … Read More

St. Lucie West Centennial High School’s Nursing Assistant students held their annual health fair recently in the school’s gym. Students in social studies classes, and all Freshman Academy students were invited and were very enthusiastic about attending this informative event. The nursing program students planned for several months to bring 26 community agencies on campus to impart their knowledge of teen health issues. Some of the agencies that participated included the Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation, IRSC nursing students from Indian River State College, Children’s Home Society, Care Net, SWAT and and school district nurses. Students were provided a bag in … Read More

All through this school year, students in Pam Pressley’s first grade classroom at Samuel S. Gaines Academy in Fort Pierce have been writing letters to the uncle of one of their fellow students who has been deployed in the Persian Gulf with the U.S. Navy. Joshua Shepherd, whose nephew Hunter is in the class, surprised Hunter and his classmates recently, as they did not expect Joshua to return until next month. Hunter’s face lit up with just the sight of a recognizable tie as part of Joshua’s uniform. Television and newspaper media were there to capture the exhilirating moment.