Category: School News

A team of four students from Forest Grove Middle School, coached by science teacher Colleen Wilson, won the Title I Middle School Science Bowl held recently at the Stem Center at the Indian River State College campus in St Lucie West. Pictured, from left, are students Dustin Vanderpool, Vincent Rappa, Samantha Doohan, and Brandon Payen, with Wilson. The team will now compete at the state regional Middle School Science Bowl in Brevard County March 8.

Representatives from school districts in Florida and Georgia recently visited Savanna Ridge Elementary to see enthusiastic teachers implementing Document Based Questions (DBQs). The students were engaged as teachers walked them through the process of analyzing documents and making inferences to answer the question, “Jamestown: Why did so many colonists die?” The visitors participated in a debriefing session following their classroom observations, and were impressed by the level of engagement from teachers and students. Many of the representatives are currently using DBQs within their middle and high schools, so they were excited to see elementary students actively participating in higher level … Read More

Five Southport Middle students placed in the Top 10 from the seven participating St. Lucie County public schools in this year’s Sumdog.com math competition. Southport Middle finished third overall in the math competition among all participating schools. Sumdog.com is a website where the students can practice math skills while playing fun games! Pictured, from left, are Macy Nielander, first place; Faith Cook, third place; Alycia Hardie, second place; and Christian Oravec, fourth place. Moxa Raval (not pictured) placed ninth in the competition.

Students and staff at Samuel S. Gaines Academy are very proud of the newly formed Girl Scout Troop #40729. The young ladies who participate in troop acitivies learn about their special talents and how to be leaders in their community. The new troop is comprised of second through fifth graders who are Brownies and Junior Girl Scouts. Pictured are troop members with their sashes, who are ready to serve their community with a smile.

Fort Pierce Central High School senior Hunter Sciscente was recently presented with the Daughters of American Revolution (DAR) Good Citizen Award at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church Parish Hall for his outstanding contributions to the community. Being the regional winner, Hunter has since completed an essay on Personal Heritage, which is currently being submitted to the DAR statewide competition along with his well-earned credentials. Hunter, who was the FPCHS Homecoming King this year and was named to the All Area Defense team in football, will graduate with a 4.6 wighted GPA and intends to major in Biology and then attend medical … Read More

The Northport Northstar team that includes Gifted and Enrichment courses for targeted students has opened wide the doors on new technology at the school. The Northport K-8 School middle grades Northstar students, under the direction of instructor and “Project Lead The Way” specialist Christine Santos- Nurse compiled the school’s first ever STEaM Starbots team. The robotics team recently won an award and special competition in Bradenton, Fl at the VEX IQ Add It Up competitions. Parents and students were thrilled to make the encouraging and positive announcement and are thrilled with the implementation of this program to build the school’s … Read More

Northport K-8 students are very familiar with veterans and the US military because many have grown up seeing men and women in uniform at the school. Northport has built an excellent program called “Veterans In Education” partnership. Veterans visit Northport regularly imparting information and drawing respect from the students. When the opportunity was presented by Superintendent Genelle Yost for students to enter a writing contest offered by the Port St. Lucie Elks Lodge #2658, Northport teacher leaders jumped on the idea. The topic, “What Does Veterans Day Mean To Me?” fit right into the schema of Northport’s overarching themes of … Read More

Six and seventh grade students at Dan McCarty School decided to show their support of the eighth grade students on their quest to pass the upcoming FCAT Writing 2.0 test, so they reached out to the administrative team for assistance. The students asked the administrative team to purchase mints and other goodies to pack and distribute to all the eighth graders on Tuesday morning as kind gesture and show of support. The students also placed a positive note in the bag. Pictured are Kiara Diehl, left, and Patricia Vining packing the bags.

The Port St. Lucie High School Jaguar Battalion presented the colors for the opening ceremony for the Jaguar baseball game against Fort Pierce Westwood High School. The Color Guard was led by cadet Sergeant Major Robert Hopkins carrying the national flag. Cadet Captain Tyler Lynn carried the state flag while Cadet Captain Ashlee Seipel and Cadet Second Lieutenant Jaffrey Murankus posted as their guards. The Color Guard gave a great presentation for the opening ceremony. Pictured, from left, are Jaffrey Murankus, Robert Hopkins, Tyler Lynn and Ashlee Seipel. By Kaleb Dover.

The Port St. Lucie High School Jaguar Battalion Color Guard participated in the recent Northport K-8 School Black History Month ceremony. The Color Guard was led by Cadet Sergeant Major Robert Hopkins carrying the national flag. Cadet Second Lieutenant Cole Herndon carried the state flag, while cadet Second Lieutenant Taylor Chaney and Jaffrey Murankus posted as their guards. The school gave a wonderful welcome to the cadets, who gave a respectful presentation for the ceremony. The Jaguar Battalion thanks Northport for the special invitation to be a part of their ceremony. Pictured, from left, are Jaffrey Murankus, Robert Hopkins, Cole … Read More

The Port Saint Lucie High School Jaguar Battalion presented the colors for the season opener for Jaguar Softball, at their district game against Westwood.

Recently at Palm Pointe Educational Research School @ Tradition, an annual breakfast was hosted to recognize its Business Partners and Volunteers. Pictured, from left, are Karol Carvelli-Volunteer Coordinator, Diane Yeager-Senior Volunteer of the Year, Diana Hight-Adult Volunteer of the Year, Natisha Burch-Adult Volunteer of the Year, Stephen LePore-Male Youth Volunteer of the Year, Ariana Marie Ramos-Female Youth Volunteer of the Year, and Debra Snyder-Principal.

District champion Westwood High School Panthers girls varsity basketball team recently culminated its season with a hard fought, one-point loss in the regional semi-final game, 48 to 47. Pictured front row, from left, are Coach Tomonica Bell, Alexis Byrd, Jermecia Robinson, Reniaya Burr, Tonaijia Ganious, and Coach Thernell Mills. Second row, from left, are Trudy Walker, Antonnette Boothe, Principal Ucola Barrett-Baxter, Tiara Evans, and Dymond Mosley. Top row, from left, are Destiny Crandell, Bammetria Joseph, Erica Knight, and Kwynisha Rhodes.

Students in Kathleen Saunders’ first grade class at Fort Pierce Magnet School of the Arts recently were able to get their brand new library cards! As part of Literacy Week, elementary students took home forms for parents to fill out and return so that students could receive their very own cards. Heather Ricksecker, instructional coach, headed up the endeavor and was able to secure over 75 St. Lucie County library cards for students! Students were encouraged to visit local libraries often to build fluency and love of reading.

After rigorous, intensive work and deep critical thinking, Northport K-8 School students celebrated a third place win at the St. Lucie School District Project Citizen showcase. Students from Mary Ellsworth’s seventh grade Civics class prepared their project very competitively. The project is titled “What is the Cost of Ruining Your Child’s Education?” The topic centered around the issue of education and budget cuts and how the cuts have affected the purchase of textbooks for many classrooms. The students will have their board and binder displayed in Tallahassee at the Capitol Building! Students at Northport, a Title I school, hold true … Read More

Students in Hillary Cruz’s class at Palm Pointe Educational Research School @ Tradition recently won the first place award at the St. Lucie County School District’s Project Citizen Showcase! Project Citizen is a seventh grade county-wide competition in which students identify a problem within the community, brainstorm and research possible solutions, create a public policy to solve the problem, and develop a plan of action for implementation. Students selected the problem of puppy mills, or breeders who neglect and abuse mothers and puppies for the sake of profit, and the lack of legislation at the state level. Florida is one … Read More

Lakewood Park Elementary Cafeteria Manager Andrea Pierson and students from Loretta Humphrey’s second grade class help harvest cilantro from the student-grown garden. The cilantro will be used in a salad for the school’s lunches. Students have worked the garden all year around, yielding all types of vegetables such as tomatoes, tomatillo, and herbs. Pictured, from left, are students Jennifer Onofre, Kylee Corona and Kevon Blocker with cafeteria manager Andrea Pierson.

Lakewood Park Elementary School students and families recently enjoyed Student Led Conferences, where students can show, with examples, their learning to their parents who can then see and experience materials and activities that students engaged in during the school day. Awards are presented during the evening event, such as for perfect attendance, the Kids at Hope Award, and honor roll. Parents may also see PowerPoint presentations outlining their child’s future goals, while teachers enjoy observing the interaction among all active participants. Pictured is a group of students with Superintendent Genelle Yost in Lori Checchi’s kindergarten class, who have taken charge of their … Read More

Northport K-8 School recently celebrated Black History month with a wonderful program that included guest speaker Dr. Dwight Dawkins, who encouraged students to do their best and to have high aspirations. Port St. Lucie High School Jaguar Battalion led the program with an honor guard, and Northport choral students from all grade levels sang the “National Anthem,” “Elijah,” and “Tribute to Martin Luther King.” Students also listened to a Black History moment on the morning announcements showcasing contributions of Black Americans. The school cafeteria, along with culinary program students under the direction of instructor Rachel Ellsworth, offered a tempting Southern … Read More

A member of the Fort Pierce High School wrestling team placed fourth in recent regional competition and is advancing to state competition. Pictured, from left, is Jarvis Gamble, district champion in the 195-pound weight class who is now preparing for the statewide meet, Coach Michael Torres, and Errol Pottinger, district champion in the 120-pound weight class.