Category: Press Releases

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

PORT ST. LUCIE – The Realtors of the Palm Beaches, Treasure Coast Office (RAPB) and their affiliates heard about a local need and answered the call in a big way! Kylee Fuhr, homeless liaison for St. Lucie Public Schools works with homeless students and networks with local businesses and organizations to garner support.  “They (RAPB) asked what we needed and came through in a big way,” said Fuhr.  Bookbags, pencils, paper, shirts, slacks, shorts, shoes and more poured in from all areas of the Treasure Coast.   RAPB Treasure Coast Manager of Programs Helen Dempsey said the realtors are involved … Read More

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FL – St. Lucie Pubic Schools (SLPS) today announced an amendment to its policy for serving meals to students under the National School Lunch / School Breakfast Programs for the 2018-2019 school year. All students at the following school sites will be served breakfast and lunch at no charge:   C.A. Moore Elementary School Creative Arts Academy of St. Lucie Dale Cassens Educational Complex Dan McCarty Middle School Forest Grove Middle School Fort Pierce Westwood High School Lakewood Park Elementary School Lawnwood Elementary School Northport K-8 Parkway Elementary School Performance Based Preparatory Academy Samuel Gaines Academy for … Read More

 Leah Scheible, a rising junior at Fort Pierce Central High School, made some waves – of the good kind — at this year’s Special Olympics 2018 USA Games held in Seattle, Washington.   As one of Florida’s 7-member swim team delegation, she took twin silvers in her individual 200 freestyle event and 4X50 freestyle relay, and she scooped a fourth-place finish in her individual 100 freestyle event. According to her swim coach, Heather Gray, Scheible is an outstanding athlete. “Leah participates in swim, track, basketball and cheerleading for Saint Lucie County’s Special Olympics.  She is equally active on our campus, participating … Read More

FORT PIERCE, FL – Ron Clark, 2000 Disney American Teacher of the Year, two-time New York Times Bestselling author, subject of a television movie, and founder of The Ron Clark Academy will take the stage at St. Lucie Public Schools’ (SLPS) Creative Arts Academy of St. Lucie (CAST) on July 30.  He will kick off the new academic year for the District’s newest magnet schools – Creative Arts Academy of St. Lucie (formerly Ft. Pierce Magnet School of the Arts) and Samuel S. Gaines Academy of Emerging Technologies (formerly Samuel S. Gaines Academy), and Fort Pierce Westwood High School (FPW).  … Read More

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FL –  St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) has continued the positive trends with today’s Department of Education release of school grades. SLPS strengthened its B rating, gaining 38 points to 664 and earning a top third district ranking in the state, now ranked 22nd among districts moving up from 32nd in 2017.  The district is only 1.5%  from an A.  When compared to other districts with more than 20,000 students,  St. Lucie Public Schools ranked 2nd in improvement between 2017 and 2018. Superintendent E. Wayne Gent attributes this continued upward trend to our students and staff.  “In … Read More

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FL – St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) need look no further. District officials found what they were looking for in Project SEARCH – a supportive and collaborative community-based program providing students with disabilities real world work experiences in high-turnover, entry-level positions with an end goal of securing employment after a year-long internship.   SLPS Director of Exceptional Student Education and Student Services Bill Tomlinson explained that his team was overjoyed to learn the Developmental Disabilities Council of Florida accepted SLPS’s application to cover start-up fees and licensing for the Program.  “Through an agreement with Martin Medical Center … Read More

DAYTONA BEACH, FL – St. Lucie Public Schools mechanics were among 106 who gathered from 34 of Florida’s school districts to successfully complete an intensive four-day training held in Daytona Beach last week. Training was provided by professional instructors from Cummins, Allison, Stemco, NAPA, Braun, Ricon, and the three major school bus suppliers in Florida. Trainers from IC, Blue Bird and Thomas Built Buses captivated the technicians and afforded them hours of hands on diagnostic and repair training in the latest techniques for maintaining and repairing school buses. A recent trend in many school districts is the addition of air … Read More

ST. LUCIE COUNTY — The Department of Education released a battery of scores today that reflects good news as more St. Lucie Public Schools’ (SLPS) students passed the State ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies exams at higher rates this year. Superintendent E. Wayne Gent attributes the growth to the individualized support students receive from their teachers, support staff, and school leaders.  “I commend our teachers, administrators, and staff.  Overall, the vast majority of our students are making gains, and we are continuing our positive trends which is a credit to our outstanding staff,” stated Gent. Early examination of SLPS … Read More

ST. LUCIE COUNTY — Morningside Elementary School students are charged for their trip to Washington, D.C. as the Florida Elementary School of the Year for Energy Achievement. The National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project selected Morningside Elementary as the Florida Elementary School of the Year and National Elementary School Runner-up.   NEED encourages and rewards student leadership and innovation by sponsoring a Youth Awards Program for Energy Achievement. Principal Kathleen Melrose beamed with pride stating, “Mrs. Mukhamedov’s 5th grade students conducted studies on energy using resources made available through the NEED project. They documented their hands-on experiences throughout the unit, and … Read More

ST. LUCIE COUNTY — Representatives from Imagine Nation recently visited Fairlawn Elementary School to bestow congratulations and present Principal Pam Holmes and staff with a special Beacon Award.   Each year, Imagine Nation recognizes top schools across the country that demonstrate stellar usage of Imagine Learning, one of the parent company’s digital language, literacy, and math programs. The company’s Customer Success Team makes recommendations for the Beacon Award based upon effective program implementation, fidelity of use, student growth, and progress with the program.  Fairlawn Elementary was selected as an Imagine Nation Beacon School for St. Lucie County. Imagine Learning’s Customer … Read More

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FL – Growing by leaps and bounds is the best way to describe St. Lucie Public Schools’ (SLPS) graduation rate and industry certification ascent over the last few years. Projections for this year’s graduating class indicate the upward trend will continue. This holds true for industry certification trends as well. The number of students passing industry certification tests through SLPS Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs is projected to surpass 2,300.  That’s an increase of 140 percent over a two-year spread. While the District currently has the fifth highest graduation rate in the state, this year’s projected … Read More

St. Lucie Public Schools Provides Nutritionally Balanced Meals During Summer Months ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FL — St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) is pleased to provide nutritionally balanced breakfast and lunch meals during the summer to children ages 18 and younger. According to SLPS Director of Child Nutrition Services Deborah Wuest, eighteen sites across St. Lucie County have been selected to serve students (see chart). “All children need good nutrition throughout the year,” said, Wuest.  “We would just like to remind the students to register with the front office before they come to the cafeteria when they are on a school … Read More

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FL — Record-breaking rainfall and predictions for even more rain coming necessitate a change in venue for the St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) graduations set for this Thursday and Friday. District officials made the call after closely monitoring the St. Lucie County Fair Grounds. Saturated grounds after days of rain deem the area unsafe for set-up and parking for the large crowds anticipated to celebrate 2018 graduates.   Changes to May 24 and May 25 St. Lucie Public Schools Graduation Ceremonies: Thursday, May 24, 2018 Fenn Center St. Lucie West Centennial High School Students with last name … Read More

ST. LUCIE COUNTY – For the second consecutive naming period, St. Lucie Public Schools received the distinction of being recognized as one of Florida’s Healthy School Districts. The Florida Partnership for Healthy Schools (FPHS), in collaboration with Florida Action for Healthy Kids (FLAFHK), Florida Association of District School Superintendents (FADSS) and Florida Healthy Kids Corporation announced the honorees for the period of May 2018 through April 2020. Florida Healthy School Districts have established a culture and climate that embraces the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) approach to reduce barriers to learning and support academic achievement.   Superintendent E. … Read More