Category: School News

Northport K-8 eighth grade students were able to connect the dots and put real life knowledge behind the stories and rifts they learned during their recent trip to Washington, D.C.  The students and teachers, joined by several others from Manatee Academy, visited the International Spy Museum, the National Holocaust Museum, the United States Capital Building and the House of Representatives where they were able to witness an actual hearing.  Students also were guests of the White House where instructor Mala Woessner caught sight of Bo, the White House dog.  Students visited Embassy Row, Library of Congress, Martin Luther King Monument and … Read More

The Port St. Lucie High School Jaguar Battalion Drill Team recently participated with 15 other schools in the Area III Drill Meet at Fort Pierce Central High School for the opportunity to advance to state level competition, and four Jaguar teams were successful. The Male Armed Platoon, commanded by cadet Second Lieutenant Jeremy Dardon, and Male Armed Squad, commanded by cadet First Lieutenant Gerard Delgado, placed first in their respective categories. Male Unarmed Squad, commanded by cadet Second Lieutenant Andrew Miller, placed second. Female Armed Squad, commanded by cadet Corporal Ashlee Sepiel, also qualified. Every cadet performed remarkably, and congratulations to the teams … Read More

Weatherbee Elementary participated in the 2012 Circle of Hope, an event designed to raise awareness of various forms of cancer as well as to raise money for research.  As a part of this year’s event, several cancer survivors were interviewed and the program was broadcast live to all classrooms.  The school chose to wear red as a sign of unity in the fight against cancer, Weatherbee’s power color.  Pictured, from left, are cancer survivor Edmy Perez, a second grade student in Monica Adhin’s class, ESE teacher Roberta Weil, who interviewed the guests and coordinated the Circle of Hope event, principal Michael Hitsman, and cancer … Read More

Some of the favorite ceremonies for the Port St. Lucie High School Jaguar cadet color guard in which to participate are those that honor veterans. Recently, four Jaguar cadets conducted a color guard ceremony at the Ballantrae Yacht Club in Club Med honoring Staff Sergeant John Quincy Adams, a veteran injured in Iraq. The color guard, led by cadet Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Jacobson, consisted of cadet Captain Alex Seipel, cadet Captain Ryan Monday, and cadet Colonel Diamond Salazar. The cadets executed flawlessly and received numerous words of encouragement and appreciation from the spectators.

The drama club at F.K. Sweet Elementary is busy practicing for its upcoming musical comedy, The Kids of Camelot, which will be presented in late May. The club for fourth and fifth graders is under the direction of teachers Jodie Steele and Gary Bushby.

Third grade students in Laurie Boyer’s class at Palm Pointe Educational Research School @ Tradition used a cereal box to create an informative project about a president of their choice.  Pictured is Athresha Kalluri, who chose President Barack Obama and included a report about the early, middle and late years of his life.  In addition, she posted words and pictures that described the president on the cereal box.     

Weatherbee Elementary School faculty participated in a math routine training led by math coach Teresa Longar as a part of the monthly new teacher/mentor meetings.  Pictured, from left, are guidance counselor Nitza Roman, ESE teacher Christine Gawlak, Teresa Longar, second grade teacher Monica Adhin, fourth grade teachers Shannon Walsh and Jennifer Nelson, second grade teacher Tammie Pittsley, fifth grade teacher Kim Brennan-Lee, principal Michael Hitsman, ESE teacher Roberta Weil, and kindergarten teacher Christel Denson.   

F. K. Sweet Elementary fifth grade science Donald Logue gives students last minute tips and instructions before Joey Yannucci, left, and Ethan Yarberry launch their rocket. The highlight of the entire year for fifth grade students is always rocket launch day when they are given an opportunity to demonstrate the power of their self designed plastic bottle rockets.

Students at St. Lucie Elementary recently participated in a Jump Rope for Heart event. While exercising and having fun they also raised money for the American Heart Association.

St. Lucie Elementary School celebrated Dr. Seuss’ birthday beginning with a breakfast of green eggs, cupcakes at lunch and many activities throughout the day.  Pictured, from left, are food service staff members Tara Stoddard, Jackie Wince, Vickie Pryor, Shirley Lamb, Regina Beasley and Liz Folks, with second grade student Frankie Nichols.

Eighth grade Palm Pointe Educational Research School @ Tradition student Nicole Delano recently qualified for the State Science and Engineering Fair after her science project was one of five projects in middle school that was selected at the St. Lucie County Regional Science Fair.  Nicole won first place in the category of  zoology, and received an $8000.00 scholarship to Florida Atlantic University. Pictured, from left, are Nicole and her science teacher Peggy Radtke.

St. Lucie County School Board member Dr. Donna Mills recently visited Mariposa Elementary School and addressed third to fifth grade students in an assembly on Black History.  Dr. Mills discussed the importance of caring about yourself and gave a background on her life.

To show support for the local chapter of the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the great work being done, recently the staff and faculty at F.K. Sweet Elementary School dressed in purple, which symbolizes the hope and effort that a cure will soon be discovered for the disease. The entire school is highly involved with other fund-related activities supporting ACS.

 Thirty three students from Palm Pointe Educational Research School @ Tradition recently competed in the St. Lucie County History Fair after completing research projects using the National History Day theme, “Revolution, Reaction, & Reform in History”.  Students competed in the five categories, including exhibit, research paper, performance, documentary, and website. Of those 33 students,  the 17 students pictured placed either first or third at the district competition.  First place winners will attend the Florida State History Fair from April 29th-May 1st in Tallahassee, FL. where they will compete with students from around the state with hopes of attending the National History Day competition in Washington, D.C.  First … Read More

To celebrate the birthday of Dr. Seuss and Read Across America, community members visited F.K. Sweet Elementary to read to primary grades students.  Local attorney and former parent Steve Hoskins is having fun reading to students in Sandy Picano’s kindergarten class.

Former F. K. Sweet Elementary School parent, community leader, and cancer survivor Aileen Pruitt spoke to the annual Circle of Hope gathering recently. She empasized to the audience the importance of taking good care of one’s body and “listening” to it for any signs of trouble. Aileen’s inspirational talk preceded the release of white doves and songs by the school chorus and fifth graders.

To honor the legacy of Dr. Seuss, students in Lisa Green’s second grade class at Mariposa Elementary School invited parents to read stories created by the famous author. When the parents arrived , the students were very surprised to see one of the parents dressed as The Cat in the Hat.  His costume made the celebration come alive. The day turned out to be a great success as the students listened, read, and shared their projects on Dr. Seuss with their classmates and visitors. Parent Robert Harrod is pictured reading as The Cat in the Hat.

A team of middle grades students from Dan McCarty School recently competed in the Space Coast Science Education Alliance Regional Science Bowl in Melbourne, Florida. After practicing for weeks under the direction of science teacher Holly Kaas, the students made the trip on a Saturday to participate.  The team made it through two grueling rounds before defeat.  Pictured, from left, are Coach Kaas and team members Micoy O’Meally, Meshun Atkins, Colton Gillman, Jonathan Ordonez and Edmundo Moreno.  St. Lucie Public Schools’ K-12 Science Title 1 Curriculum Supervisor District Science Coordinator Steven Shotola, far right, was also on hand to support the team.     

Two teams from Fort Pierce Westwood High School Marine Oceanographic Academy took first and second place at the  15thannual  Florida Manatee Bowl, which  this year took place at the Johnson Education Center  at the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University in Fort Pierce, home of the MOA academy. Sixteen high school teams with four or five students on each team participated in this year’s Manatee Bowl.  The academic competion   consisted of buzzer-style, multiple-choice questions and open-ended, team-challenge questions.  The first place place  team included, pictured, from left,  Samantha Oxley, Shelby Busenbark, Danielle Gordon, Brooke Gaylord, Jeremy Johnson, and coach Scott Hurley.  They will … Read More

Students and staff of Dan McCarty School recently gathered around the school track  to create the Circle of Hope and show support for cancer victims, survivors and research.  Assistant Principal Luvenia Morgan welcomed and thanked everyone, and Annie Kate Jackson, cancer survivor and Secretary of the American Cancer Society, made brief remarks.  Dan McCarty School band director Richard Shaw sang to close the gathering.  Many students and staff wore purple or pink to show support as well.  Staff and students of Dan McCarty School were proud to participate in this moving and important event.