News and Communications for St. Lucie Public Schools
SLPS welcomed the holidays this weekend as Superintendent Dr. Jon R. Prince, Board Members, and District staff participated in several holiday community parades, including the Port St. Lucie Parade of Lights and the Sights and Sounds on Second Parade in Fort Pierce.
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The 5th graders researched and reported on an impactful historical figure. To encourage their use of oral communication, the teachers helped students represent their historical figure in the form of a “Wax Museum” figure and they presented information to the attendees from their research while dressed as their historical figure. Parents were invited to attend this after-school activity.
On December 3rd the Port St. Lucie High School JROTC Jaguar Battalion Male Raider Team attended the Florida State Raider meet at Camp Flaming Arrow, after achieving 1st place in the Area 3 Raider meet in October. Our Jaguar Battalion competed against the best JROTC programs in Florida in 5 events. Our Jaguar Battalion finished in 4th on a 1.7-mile team run, 5th in a 1-mile Litter carry, 4th in the 30-pound kettlebell carry, 4th in Tire Flip, and 4th in constructing and crossing a rope bridge over a 30-foot distance. The Jaguar Battalion Male Raider Team captured 4th overall.
Parents of students at Palm Pointe came to talk to first-grade classes about how they are community helpers and good citizens just like in our book. It was a great way to make text-to-world connections and learn about all the different kinds of helpers in our community!
Students in Mrs. Hoots’ Drawing 1 & 2 classes painted murals in the hallways to help students know which direction to go and to beautify our campus. Thank you for all your artistic hard work!
On the 30th of November and the 1st of December 2022, the JROTC Jaguar Battalion held their monthly Cadet Promotion Board. During the Promotion Board, selected cadets throughout all companies are asked a series of questions that test their general knowledge on what they have learned in JROTC, their ability to recite our Cadet Creed, showing proper uniform wear, setting up a uniform, and conducting certain drill movements. They must meet these requirements to receive a promotion to a higher rank. The promotion board was an enormous success with a 73 percent promotion rate throughout all companies.
Palm Pointe Jazz Band recently hosted Ukrainian Sax Player Andre Chmut for a musical cultural exchange. During this event, he was able to share his experiences as a refugee and also how he became a professional musician. He also played live music from his new album. The students enjoyed asking questions and jamming with him on their jazz songs as well. Many thanks to Victory musical instruments for facilitating this awesome experience for the students.
Westwood football players spent the morning at Creative Arts Academy reading and helping kindergarteners and first graders with their sight words. Our student athletes showcased their dedication to our community through this service-learning opportunity while also sharing the Westwood legacy with future panthers. This event was extra special for several of our players because they went to CAST for elementary school. It was a sweet moment for them to return to their old classrooms to give back to where their success began.
Over Thanksgiving break, Cadets from the Port Saint Lucie High School Jaguar Battalion partnered with the Big Heart Brigade and prepared thousands of pounds of food for Thanksgiving Day. Our Cadets worked 2-hour shifts where they prepared food 3 days prior to Thanksgiving, then packaged food during a 3 hour shift on Thanksgiving morning. Thanks to the Cadets who volunteered and made the event a huge success.
On Friday, November 18th, The Port Saint Lucie High School Jaguar Battalion conducted our second Blood Drive of the year. With the help of our Cadets, we were given an opportunity to help serve the people of Port Saint Lucie. Thanks to our Cadets, members of One Blood, and teachers here at Port Saint Lucie High School, we were able to get enough blood to save over 200+ lives.
Cadets from the Fort Pierce Westwood Army JROTC Program volunteered their time to assist with the operations of the Treasure Coast Half and International Triathlon event held at Jaycee Park in Fort Pierce. Our Cadets staffed the water and food stations for the athletes as well as assisted with the teardown of the site. Triathletes that participated in the race had to complete a 1.2-mile swim in the Indian River Lagoon, followed by a 56-mile bicycle ride along A1A, and then ending the race with a 13.1-mile (half marathon) run on A1A. Many thanks to these students for stepping up … Read More
Parents, we would like to know what you think. The St. Lucie Public Schools Family Survey is now open.* We greatly appreciate your participation and feedback, which will assist us with growth and improvement. Thank you! Take the survey here: https://www.stlucie.k12.fl.us/blog/fall-family-survey/ *Survey closes on November 30th.
Students in AICE English II and Culinary Arts collaborated for a Friendsgiving luncheon. They wrote what Thanksgiving means to them, created a diverse menu then prepared the meal. Smiles and good food were shared by everyone!
Members of the Treasure Coast AFJROTC Color Guard, Drill, and Air Commando Teams recently competed at the Annual Sickles High School Drill Meet in Tampa. It was a very tough competition and the teams represented TCHS very well. The following awards were won: Air Commandos 3rd place Physical Fitness Team, Freshman Drill Team 3rd Place Regulation Drill, Regulation Drill Flight 3rd Place, Armed Squad Drill 2nd Place, Color Guard 2nd Place, and Freshman Drill Uniform Inspection 1st Place. TCHS AFJROTC’s own Cadet Kaylie Reichert was recognized as the top Female Physical Fitness competitor and was named “Iron Cadet.”
SLW Centennial’s HOSA students made cards for the Holiday season. They will be sent to a non-profit company called Cards For Kids where they distribute the cards to pediatric patients spending the holidays in the hospital.
Westwood students enjoyed a great spirit week! Each day was designated with a different theme. We had Costume Day, Twin Day, Anything but a Backpack Day, Throwback Day, and Celebrity Day. Everyone’s outfits were creative and went above & beyond! Thank you to Student Government for organizing a fun week!
MIDFLORIDA Credit Union came to see Palm Pointe Kindergarteners last week. Through MIDFLORIDA’s Gift of Reading program, the Kindergarten students were gifted a copy of the book “What If, Pig?” and listened to the story read by a special guest reader. Thank you MIDFLORIDA for helping to develop our love of reading!
The Treasure Coast AFJROTC was recently recognized by Chief Thomas Mateo, SSgt, USMC (Retired) a six-time Purple Heart Recipient and President of the Treasure Coast Chapter of the Purple Heart Association, for the Honor Guard POW/MIA presentation at the recent DDS4Vets Gala. Chief Mateo, who is also a retired Police Chief from the local area, was at one time the youngest U.S. Military member in Vietnam. Chief Mateo said of the team, “You were sharper than any group of Marines or other services that I have ever seen”, and he also was very touched and impressed with the impact the … Read More
Firefighters Daniel Torres and Sam Saxton had a presentation with Kindergarten and First Grade Students to talk about the many jobs of a firefighter and how kids can practice fire safety. They showed students what firefighters wear, the tools they use, and the different types of trucks they operate. They also went over fire safety and how students can practice being safety smart at home such as creating a fire exit plan with families. Students were excited to receive their little red fireman hats during the presentation.