Category: Press Releases

ST. LUCIE COUNTY – St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) continues to bring opportunities to students for college and career success. On January 24, the school district hosted 18 historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) and Hispanic serving institutions (HSI) at the 3rd Annual HBCU/HSI College Fair. Students entered the fair prepared with resumes, test scores, and a mindset of moving on to the next level.  With over $5 million in scholarships offered that day, students were not disappointed. SLPS Superintendent E. Wayne Gent said, “Events such as this have the potential to change lives for our students, and we are … Read More

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FL — In a live broadcast from Lincoln Park Academy on Saturday, February 9, 2019, St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) and the Education Foundation of St. Lucie County announced this year’s line-up of educational superstars. Makeda-Ione Brome took top honors as St. Lucie County’s Teacher of the Year. She is an instructional mathematics coach at Fort Pierce Westwood High School.  Joining her on the stage during the Night of the Stars gala were School Related Employee of the Year Dorothy Hall from Chester A. Moore Elementary School, Distinguished Minority Educator of the Year Sabrina Faniel from West … Read More

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FL – Andrew Gekoskie, Instrumental Music Teacher at Creative Arts Academy of St. Lucie (CAST) was recently selected as a Conn-Selmer VIP by the Conn-Selmer Education Division as one of the leading music educators in the country.  The six music educators selected from throughout the country collaborated regarding methods and current music education practices.  In addition, the VIP’s were able to tour the factories of Conn-Selmer which make brass, percussion, and woodwind instruments, all still handmade to this day.  The artisans making the instruments shared their techniques and displayed their pride in making exceptional musical instruments for … Read More

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FL — In a competitive academic competition, local high school teams competed for top honors and individual team members vied for a seat on the prestigious Team St. Lucie – an elite six-member team representing the School District at the 34th Annual Commissioners Academic Challenge scheduled for April 11-13, 2019, at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn. Lincoln Park Academy, coached by Paige McMahon, won first place in this year’s local competition.   Maria Battaglino Hernandez (Lincoln Park Academy), Ryan Lu (Treasure Coast High School), Alan Senkus (St. Lucie West Centennial), Madeleine Sosa (Lincoln Park Academy), Callie Zheng (Lincoln Park … Read More

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FL – St. Lucie Public Schools announces its intent to participate in the Afterschool Meals Program, a subcomponent of the Child Care Food Program.  The Afterschool Meals Program is designed primarily to provide nutritious snacks and/or meals to children in participating afterschool programs.  Snacks and/or meals will be available at no separate charge to children attending the site listed below, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Site: Performance Based Preparatory Academy 2909 Delaware Avenue, Fort Pierce, FL 34947 About USDA In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) … Read More

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FL — Fashioned after a red-carpet celebration, the three St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) Teacher of the Year Finalists were announced today and supported with a backdrop of cheers from the surprised candidates’ students and colleagues. Makeda-Ione Brome (Fort Pierce Westwood High School), Cheri V. Maxon (Southern Oaks Middle School), and Jami Williams (St. Lucie West K-8 School) were overjoyed as a throng of delegates from St. Lucie’s Education Foundation, School Board, and MIDFLORIDA Credit Union showered them with congratulations. SLPS Superintendent E. Wayne Gent said, “This is a great honor.  Our teacher-of-the-year finalists represent a dedicated … Read More

PORT St. LUCIE, FL – Cierra Yuhas, a sophomore at Port St Lucie High School will be a Delegate to the Congress of Future Medical Leaders in Lowell, MA on June 23-25, 2019. The Congress is an honors-only program for high school students who want to become physicians or go into medical research fields. The purpose of this event is to honor, inspire, motivate and direct the top students in the country who aspire to be physicians or medical scientists, to stay true to their dream and, after the event, to provide a path, plan and resources to help them … Read More

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FL – St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) is proud to announce that the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) has awarded 32 schools with the Golden School Award and 13 schools with the Silver School Award. These awards are presented annually to both public elementary and secondary schools with exemplary volunteer programs that recruit, train, and place school volunteers. “We appreciate the community support we receive in our school centers.  Our District is experiencing growth because our students receive high quality instruction from their dedicated classroom teachers, a rigorous curriculum, and community support specific to the needs of … Read More

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FL – For the second year, St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) boasts a graduation rate above 90 percent with 1.7 percent growth this year landing the District at 91.8 percent – well above the State average. All comprehensive high schools in the District scored at or above 91.7 percent with an overall average of 96.5 percent. “This is a monumental accomplishment.  All demographic groups continue to perform at high levels as more and more students graduate each year.  This is vital to support college and career opportunities for our students and will continue to aid economic development … Read More

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FL – St. Lucie Public Schools announces its intent to participate in the Afterschool Meals Program, a subcomponent of the Child Care Food Program. The Afterschool Meals Program is designed primarily to provide nutritious snacks and/or meals to children in participating afterschool programs.  Snacks and/or meals will be available at no separate charge to children attending the site listed below, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Site: Dale Cassens Education Complex 1905 S 11th Street, Fort Pierce, FL 34950   About USDA In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of … Read More

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FL –  St. Lucie Public Schools announces its intent to participate in the Afterschool Meals Program, a subcomponent of the Child Care Food Program.  The Afterschool Meals Program is designed primarily to provide nutritious snacks and/or meals to children in participating afterschool programs.  Snacks and/or meals will be available at no separate charge to children attending the site listed below, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Site: Dale Cassens Education Complex 1905 S 11th Street, Fort Pierce, FL 34950 About USDA In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture … Read More

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FL — St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) is designated as a silver-level Florida Healthy School District for a second consecutive term. The Florida Partnership for Healthy Schools, Florida Action for Healthy Kids, Florida Association of District School Superintendents, and Florida Healthy Kids Corporation recognized the District’s honor during the December School Board Meeting. The criterion for recognition as a Florida Healthy School District is the Florida Healthy School District (FHSD) Self-Assessment Tool that focuses on district infrastructure, policy, programs and practices identified from national and state guidelines, best practices and Florida statutes.  Child Nutrition Services Director Deborah … Read More

FORT PIERCE, FL – Over 600 St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) students received food, clothing, and supplies from generous members of the Elks Lodge #1520 in Fort Pierce.  The December 12th delivery schedule started out promising to serve 3 schools, but as donations poured in, the number of schools quickly grew to 13. This growth mirrors the growth in the number of students who benefit from the Elks Backpack Program which supports students throughout the year.  According to Lenny Smallacombe, organizer of the Elks support program, “Who would have thought we would have the ability to support so many children.  … Read More

New Programs Bring First-Ever STEAM Learning Access to Three Magnet Schools

Today, Superintendent E. Wayne Gent accompanied by members of the School Board, Education Foundation, and others paid surprise visits to this year’s finalists for School Related Employee of the Year (SREY). Dorothy Hall, a paraprofessional at C. A. Moore Elementary (CAM), Susan Helms-Smith, a bookkeeper at St. Lucie West Centennial High School (SLWCHS), and Kim Neilson, a clerk at Port St. Lucie High School (PSLHS) are the finalists who have the distinction of representing the School District at this year’s Night of the Stars gala. “The SREY finalists represent the outstanding services our support staff provide to the District.  Their … Read More

The School Board of St. Lucie County and all bargaining units have reached agreements regarding salary compensation for the 2018-2019 school year. Returning CTA employees will receive an $850 retention supplement.  Their retro portion of this $850 (representing 7/1/18 through current) will be distributed by 12/19/18 and should equal approximately half of the negotiated supplement amount.  The remaining negotiated supplement balance will be paid in equal installments over the remaining paychecks for 2018-2019. All CU employees will receive a $250 bonus by 12/19/18.  In addition, returning employees will receive a supplement in the amount equivalent to their step within the … Read More

WHO:  St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) will launch new STEAM and emerging technology programs with LEGO® Education Solutions.   WHAT: You are invited to create and innovate in these unique Makerspaces.  Nearly 3,000 kindergarten through high school students will participate in the programs, bringing first-of-its-kind hands-on learning opportunities to students in St. Lucie Public Schools.   WHERE AND WHEN:  Creative Arts Academy of St. Lucie (CAST) December 13, 2018 9 AM to 10:30 AM 1100 Delaware Ave. Fort Pierce, FL 34950   Samuel S. Gaines Academy of Emerging Technologies December 12, 2018 1 PM to 3:30 PM 2250 S. Jenkins … Read More

I have a fun story opportunity that I thought you might be interested in. It’s happening this Thursday at Fort Pierce Westwood and Samuel S. Gaines Academy of Emerging Technologies and again on Friday at Oak Hammock K-8 and Windmill Point Elementary.   The zSpace virtual reality school bus will be parked outside of our scheduled schools so teachers, students, and members of our community can hop aboard and learn about the human heart or hold a 3D butterfly in their hands!   Date Time School Address November 29, 2018 8 AM – 10 AM Fort Pierce Westwood High School 1801 Panther … Read More

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FL – Carmen Ortiz, Risk Management Specialist for St. Lucie Public Schools, bears the distinction of this year’s Outstanding Risk Manager in the Employer category. The news came at the 7th annual IN TOUCH Excellence Awards Gala. The award recognizes outstanding performance in the workers’ compensation industry. “I’m just so honored,” said Ortiz. “I love what I do.  I work with a wonderful team, and I’m able to focus my energies on helping people.  When they come to me, they have questions and I want to instill confidence in them knowing that I’m there to help.” Ortiz … Read More

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FL – St. Lucie Public Schools welcomes the arrival of an innovative mobile classroom scheduled to stop by four school sites so students, teachers, and community members can discover how hundreds of K-12 school districts, universities and medical schools are effectively incorporating virtual reality into their lesson plans and curriculum. On Thursday, November 29 and Friday, November 30, the zSpace bus rolls into town with its virtual stations set up and ready for use.   Students and teachers are using zSpace to globally transform education with hundreds of thousands of students using the technology in their classrooms … Read More