Category: Press Releases

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

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FL — It is no secret that the Florida Legislature did not provide adequate funding this year for Florida’s public schools. The St. Lucie CTA/CU and the District have worked together to get the most out of exhausted funding options stretched thin by legislative shortfalls and unfunded mandates. Both parties agree that educator salaries fall short of where we’d like them to be and are committed to finding ways to increase compensation for all employees. For the 2018-2019 school year, all eligible teachers will receive a Retention Supplement of $850.00.  In addition, $500.00 will be added to … 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 sites listed below, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.   SCHOOL/SITE Address PALM POINTE 10680 Academic Way PSL 34987 WEATHERBEE 800 E Weatherbee Rd FP 34982 C A MOORE 827 N. 29th Street FP 34947 SLW … Read More

ST. LUCIE COUNTY — Wide smiles and tributes to the efforts of their school teams were the remarks that echoed from St. Lucie West Centennial High School Principal Andrea Popwell and Dan McCarty Middle School Assistant Principal Samantha Piscopo as they were surprised with the news that they are, respectively, this year’s Outstanding Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year for St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS). “Outstanding school leaders set the pace for positive student achievement,” said Superintendent E. Wayne Gent. “Both administrators have a proven track record for supporting collaborative school cultures and sustaining positive academic growth for their … Read More

With over 5,400 employees, St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) was recognized as one of St. Lucie County’s Best Places to Work.  This is the second year in a row the School District has received this honor in the “Large Employer” (over 200 employees) category.  The announcement was accompanied by cheers from staff members at the 17th Annual Best Places to Work St. Lucie County Awards Ceremony held on October 25th and hosted by the St. Lucie County Human Resources Association and Personnel Dynamics.   Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jon Prince accepted the award on behalf of the District and commended the … Read More

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FL – FortifyFL – a new safety app is LIVE. Any student, educator, parent or member of the public can report school safety concerns directly to law enforcement and school administrators anonymously and easily through the FortifyFL app or www.getfortifyfl.com. The Florida Legislature directed this tool’s development in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act. The app, which is available for download on Apple and Android mobile devices, is critical to ensuring all Florida schools are safe environments where students and educators can experience and share the joy of learning without fear. St. Lucie Public … Read More

FORT PIERCE, FL – “Student Perks: It’s More Than Coffee.”  This slogan, used to promote a student-run enterprise known as Student Perks, rings true for those who instituted a work skills opportunity that began percolating three years ago in the St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) Exceptional Student Education (ESE) program.   On Tuesday, October 16, Student Perks was recognized by the St. Lucie County Commission via a proclamation for Disability Employment Awareness Month, and they were also commended on the national award they received for this project — the National Association of Counties (NACO) Achievement Award in the Children and Youth Category.  … Read More

FORT PIERCE, FL – On Saturday November 3, test drive a new Buick and help Fort Pierce Westwood High School (FPWHS) located at 1801 Panther Lane in Fort Pierce, receive up to $10,000. Garber Buick GMC in Ft. Pierce will have new Buick vehicles at the school for this Test Drive Event from 8:00am-3:00pm. For each two-to-three minute test drive, Buick will donate $10.00.  When the event exceeds 100 test drives, Buick will double the donation to $20.00.  The goal is to reach the maximum donation of $10,000 for the day!   Participants will sign-in at the main entrance of FPWHS’s campus where … Read More

St. Lucie County, FL –   The seventh annual Giving Concert is planned for Thursday, October 25th at Lincoln Park Academy Auditorium located at 1806 Avenue I in Fort Pierce. The doors will open to the public at 6:30 p.m. and the concert boasting area choral groups will begin at 7:00 p.m.   The event, sponsored by St. Lucie Public Schools and organized by Choral Director Dr. Rolanda Jones, will benefit Grace Packs which is a weekly weekend back pack program that provides necessary food items to students in need.   Admission to the concert is a non-perishable food item (Chef Boyardee … Read More

FORT PIERCE, FL – Miami Dolphins Wide Receiver Albert Wilson (#15) continues to support Chester A. Moore Elementary School (CAM) in Fort Pierce, Florida. Wilson, a Port St. Lucie High School graduate, has deep ties to St. Lucie County and the elementary school located in Fort Pierce.  He is the foster son of Mrs. Sherri Brown, media specialist at CAM.   “Students are inspired to do their best knowing that one of their sports heroes could stop in their classroom or visit during lunch to check on progress or give a great-job high five,” said Principal Ucola Barrett-Baxter.   Wilson … Read More

St. Lucie County, FL – The 2nd Annual Marching Band Showcase is slated for October 20, 2018 at Lawnwood Stadium.  This year’s event promises to entertain all ages as middle and high school bands take the field to perform musical selections spanning Broadway hits to toe-tapping oldies. Performances will highlight the talents and skills of students and directors.  The gates open at 6 PM for fans who will enjoy an exciting evening of music.  As a grand finale, middle and high school marching bands will unite for a collaborative performance under the direction of special guest conductor St. Lucie Public Schools Superintendent … Read More

FORT PIERCE, FL –  U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) Teacher Nardi Routten as one of five leaders from around the country who has been appointed to the National Assessment Governing Board.  Routten, a veteran educator with more than twenty years of experience, will serve a four-year term during which time she will help set policy and assist in the identification of subject area content for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as the Nation’s Report Card. According to information released by the U.S. Department of Education, “NAEP offers to the public and … Read More

What: St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) will celebrate Dads Take Your Child to School Day. Dads Take Your Child to School Day is a statewide initiative of the Florida Department of Education to encourage fathers and male role models to become involved in the education of their children as a means for increasing student achievement.  Fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers, foster fathers and other male role models are invited to take their children to school on September 26. When: Wednesday, September 26, 2018.   Where:  The movement takes place on SLPS campuses.   Why: The Dads Take Your Child to … Read More

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FL – St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) invites fathers and male caregivers to come back to school! On Wednesday, September 26, a movement across the state of Florida will be put into motion whereby fathers and male caregivers are encouraged to bring their child to school, sign a pledge of involvement, and demonstrate the value of being involved in their child’s education — Dads Take Your Child to School Day.   Dr. Kevin Perry leads the effort for SLPS, and he explained, “The movement in SLPS has grown significantly over the last three years, and we look … Read More

Ahead of recently passed legislation, the district will implement state-approved reading instructional materials in all 26 of its elementary schools. (Port St. Lucie, FL) September 11, 2018 —  St. Lucie Public Schools in Florida has purchased Reading Horizons, a leading provider of literacy solutions, for all 26 of its elementary schools for this school year. The decision came after the Florida Senate passed a bill that requires instructional materials to incorporate evidence-based strategies, including a phonics-based approach to acquiring literacy skills, which improve reading performance for all students. Reading Horizons will be integrated into St. Lucie Public Schools’ curriculum of … Read More

St. Lucie County, FL –  In a letter addressed to St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) Superintendent E. Wayne Gent, the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) announced that a review of school grade data and supporting documentation for Oak Hammock K-8 School resulted in a grade recalculation.  The school, previously designated as a B, now bears the distinction of an A rated school.  In addition, Performance Based Preparatory Academy received a School Improvement Rating of Commendable – the highest benchmark ranking for schools not receiving a letter grade. Superintendent Gent explained the District closely monitors the process for calculating points earned for school … Read More

  PORT ST. LUCIE, FL – The U.S. Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board announced that Gretchan Davenport of St. Lucie West K-8 School (SLWK8) has been offered a Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms grant. She is one of approximately 76 U.S. citizens who will travel abroad through the program in 2018-2019. Ms. Davenport was selected by the program’s leaders on the basis of academic and professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential. We are so proud of her accomplishment and not at all surprised that others value her teaching and leadership qualities as … Read More

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FL – Superintendent E. Wayne Gent announced that St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) has been awarded accreditation by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC), and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI).  These three agencies provided the District and all of its schools with highly regarded accreditation as a quality school system.  As an accredited institution, SLPS is part of the AdvancED global network.   The accreditation process involves three ongoing components:  1) meeting high quality standards; 2) … Read More