by Roberta Farrell | Feb 6, 2017 | School News
On February 1st the Jazz Program from Palm Pointe Educational Research School @ Tradition sent two middle school jazz bands to the District 13 Florida Bandmasters Association Jazz Music Performance Assessment. As the only groups from St. Lucie County, they were proud to participate and represented our county with pride. Congratulations to them on two outstanding performances. Pictured are students from the seventh and eighth grade jazz bands with Band Director Mr. Jason Hatfield in the center.
by Kerry Padrick | Feb 6, 2017 | School News
Congratulations to Malik Mosley and Keionte Blackwood on their signing acceptance to Albany State University. Fort Pierce Westwood is proud of its student athletes.
by Nancy Spooner | Feb 1, 2017 | School News
Gaines Academy Pre-K through 1st grade students had a great time celebrating 100 days of getting smarter.
by Kerry Padrick | Feb 1, 2017 | District News
Black History Month, or National African American History Month, is an annual celebration of achievements by black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in U.S. history. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating black history.
https://youtu.be/uBt3Kj-8no0
by ROLANDA JONES | Feb 1, 2017 | District News, School News
A private donor recently gifted the music students at Dan McCarty Middle School a Yamaha Baby Grand Piano. This generous donation will enrich the lives of many students and the music they make. The chorus is directed by Dr. Rolanda A. Jones.
by Kerry Padrick | Jan 31, 2017 | Press Releases
ST. LUCIE COUNTY – Literacy efforts continue to grow through collaborative support with community members. In classrooms throughout SLPS, business and civic leaders read to students and participated in literacy events as part of the Celebrate Literacy Week.
“Parents, business leaders, neighbors, and mentors play a crucial role in helping children learn to read and foster the lifelong love of reading,” said Mandy Rowland, literacy curriculum specialist for the District. “Schools welcomed volunteers to support as participants in literacy night events, read-a-thons, vocabulary parades, and guest readers. Beyond Celebrate Literacy Week, we invite our volunteers to stay connected throughout the entire year. Working together as a community, we can have a greater impact on helping every student read at or above grade level.”
As an example of Literacy Week activities, students at White City Elementary (WCE) participated in a “Read-a-Thon,” and community members poured into classrooms for “Guest Reader Day.” Special guests included: Mayor Linda Hudson, Sheriff Ken Mascara, Superintendent E. Wayne Gent, Port St. Lucie Police officers, and Fire Department officials. Each read a heartwarming book about showing kindness entitled, Have You Filled Your Bucket Today? To foster the love of reading, staff members distributed “I Was Caught Reading” coupons along with special books and prizes. Throughout the week, staff and students alike always had a book close at hand awaiting the surprise announcement for — DEAR (Drop Everything and Read), and the culminating event occurred for all of WCE families with Literacy Night. Attendees enjoyed an evening that included two Readers Theater plays: The Three Little Pigs and 12 Angry Pigs.
To find out how you can volunteer or mentor in SLPS, visit www.stlucieschools.org and click on the Volunteer link.
About St. Lucie Public Schools
The mission of St. Lucie Public Schools is to ensure all students graduate from safe and caring schools equipped with the knowledge, skills and desire to succeed. For more information visit, www.stlucieschools.org or contact Kerry Padrick at kerry.padrick@stlucieschools.org.
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by Kerry Padrick | Jan 31, 2017 | District News
Literacy efforts continue to grow through collaborative support with community members. In classrooms throughout SLPS, business and civic leaders read to students and participated in literacy events as part of the Celebrate Literacy Week.
“Parents, business leaders, neighbors, and mentors play a crucial role in helping children learn to read and foster the lifelong love of reading,” said Mandy Rowland, literacy curriculum specialist for the District. “Schools welcomed volunteers to support as participants in literacy night events, read-a-thons, vocabulary parades, and guest readers. Beyond Celebrate Literacy Week, we invite our volunteers to stay connected throughout the entire year. Working together as a community, we can have a greater impact on helping every student read at or above grade level.”
As an example of Literacy Week activities, students at White City Elementary (WCE) participated in a “Read-a-Thon,” and community members poured into classrooms for “Guest Reader Day.” Special guests included: Mayor Linda Hudson, Sheriff Ken Mascara, Superintendent E. Wayne Gent, Port St. Lucie Police officers, and Fire Department officials. Each read a heartwarming book about showing kindness entitled, Have You Filled Your Bucket Today? To foster the love of reading, staff members distributed “I Was Caught Reading” coupons along with special books and prizes. Throughout the week, staff and students alike always had a book close at hand awaiting the surprise announcement for — DEAR (Drop Everything and Read), and the culminating event occurred for all of WCE families with Literacy Night. Attendees enjoyed an evening that included two Readers Theater plays: The Three Little Pigs and 12 Angry Pigs.
To find out how you can volunteer or mentor in SLPS, visit www.stlucieschools.org and click on the Volunteer link.
by SHERRI VARN | Jan 31, 2017 | School News
Teachers at MSE dressed up in their favorite decade outfit and wonderful conversations with children happened. We had representatives from 1940’s through the 1990’s.
by Lori Beans | Jan 31, 2017 | School News
Bayshore Elementary School students participated in many events during Celebrate Literacy Week. Students had the opportunity to learn about folktales and then watch them come to life with the actors from Riverside Theatre. Students also celebrated their favorite books by dressing up as their favorite characters and vocabulary words and then participating in a school-wide parade. Pictured are some students from Ms. Budhram’s VPK class sharing their favorite books.
by Kerry Padrick | Jan 30, 2017 | Press Releases
ST. LUCIE COUNTY – St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) seniors are still buzzing with excitement about the college opportunities that are open to them as a result of the recent Historically Black College/University (HBCU) and Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) College Fair. To date, students have been awarded scholarships worth nearly six million dollars to pursue their goals and dreams. One proud recipient, Treasure Coast Senior Aaliyah Brown, said, “I am so happy this amazing opportunity was provided to us. Where else could you go and have all of these resources and all of these schools willing to invest in us and our education?”
Secondary Program Coordinator Lynda Octavi and Assistant to the Superintendent Dr. Kevin Perry united 18 college and university advisor groups from Florida, North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia; the Coast Guard and Army National Guard; SLPS’s A Promise Is a Promise Team; Greek Fraternities and Sororities; and financial coaches from the Department of Education and Wells Fargo. Over 600 public school seniors attended the College Fair at Samuel S. Gaines Academy dressed for success and prepared with college entrance documentation to discuss program options and career goals. Three hundred forty-three college admittances were offered and, in many cases, on-the-spot scholarship awards were granted to candidates brightening futures and sparking dreams.
“Twenty-two of our talented seniors signed A Promise Is a Promise contracts at the Fair which means that once they have earned their credentials in education, they are guaranteed jobs as instructors in St. Lucie Public Schools,” explained SLPS Director of Recruitment and Retention Patricia Galloway.
With such a positive launch for SLPS, college and university recruiters have already made commitments to return to next year’s event which promises to be even more beneficial as a gateway opportunity for students.
About St. Lucie Public Schools
The mission of St. Lucie Public Schools is to ensure all students graduate from safe and caring schools equipped with the knowledge, skills and desire to succeed. For more information visit, www.stlucieschools.org or contact Kerry Padrick at kerry.padrick@stlucieschools.org.
by Kerry Padrick | Jan 30, 2017 | District News
College Fair Results in Scholarships Worth Nearly 6 Million for St. Lucie High School Seniors
ST. LUCIE COUNTY – St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) seniors are still buzzing with excitement about the college opportunities that are open to them as a result of the recent Historically Black College/University (HBCU) and Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) College Fair. To date, students have been awarded scholarships worth nearly six million dollars to pursue their goals and dreams. One proud recipient, Treasure Coast Senior Aaliyah Brown, said, “I am so happy this amazing opportunity was provided to us. Where else could you go and have all of these resources and all of these schools willing to invest in us and our education?”
Secondary Program Coordinator Lynda Octavi and Assistant to the Superintendent Dr. Kevin Perry united 18 college and university advisor groups from Florida, North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia; the Coast Guard and Army National Guard; SLPS’s A Promise Is a Promise Team; Greek Fraternities and Sororities; and financial coaches from the Department of Education and Wells Fargo. Over 600 public school seniors attended the College Fair at Samuel S. Gaines Academy dressed for success and prepared with college entrance documentation to discuss program options and career goals. Three hundred forty-three college admittances were offered and, in many cases, on-the-spot scholarship awards were granted to candidates brightening futures and sparking dreams.
“Twenty-two of our talented seniors signed A Promise Is a Promise contracts at the Fair which means that once they have earned their credentials in education, they are guaranteed jobs as instructors in St. Lucie Public Schools,” explained SLPS Director of Recruitment and Retention Patricia Galloway.
With such a positive launch for SLPS, college and university recruiters have already made commitments to return to next year’s event which promises to be even more beneficial as a gateway opportunity for students.
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by Kerry Padrick | Jan 30, 2017 | School News
Tickets are only $5 for adults and $2 for kids up to 18 years of age!
Thursday, February 2
6:30 PM
St. Lucie West Centennial High School Auditorium
by Lori Beans | Jan 30, 2017 | School News
Bayshore Elementary hosted its annual Literacy Night during Celebrate Literacy Week. Students and families had a great time learning about literacy while participating in literacy games and activities. Second grade student, Tyler Jennings, and his mom, Karen Jennings, worked together to set a literacy goal for Tyler while learning about additional resources at the event.
by Kerry Padrick | Jan 30, 2017 | Press Releases
ST. LUCIE COUNTY – Do you have a keen sense of philosophy and humanities, knowledge of advanced mathematics and scientific theory, and a broad background in literature? If so, you may stand a chance against this year’s Academic Challenge Team. On Saturday, January 28, local high school teams competed for the overall St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) championship and placement on the six-member team moving to the State-level Commissioner’s Academic Challenge in April.
This year’s District championship title goes to Treasure Coast High School. Team members (Camilo Tamayo, Bailey Magers, Dominick Kehoe, Arthur Waddell, Macy Nielander, and Famyrah Lafortune) were well versed in the variety of academic questions posed in the two-round event held at St. Lucie West Centennial High School. Their coach, Steve Maxwell, will serve as the District Team Coach responsible for Dominick Kehoe (Treasure Coast), Camilo Tamayo (Treasure Coast), Jaeger Johnson (St. Lucie West Centennial), Quinn Tucker (Fort Pierce Central), Callie Zheng (Lincoln Park), Abilgal Wells (Port St. Lucie), and alternate team member Andrew Priest (Lincoln Park) who were selected based upon their individual scores to represent SLPS at the state competition.
Superintendent E. Wayne Gent expressed his appreciation for the dedication to excellence modeled by SLPS’s academic team. “Team members are to be commended for their academic skills and spirit of collaboration.”
by Kerry Padrick | Jan 30, 2017 | District News
Do you have a keen sense of philosophy and humanities, knowledge of advanced mathematics and scientific theory, and a broad background in literature? If so, you may stand a chance against this year’s Academic Challenge Team. On Saturday, January 28, local high school teams competed for the overall St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) championship and placement on the six-member team moving to the State-level Commissioner’s Academic Challenge in April.
This year’s District championship title goes to Treasure Coast High School. Team members (Camilo Tamayo, Bailey Magers, Dominick Kehoe, Arthur Waddell, Macy Nielander, and Famyrah Lafortune) were well versed in the variety of academic questions posed in the two-round event held at St. Lucie West Centennial High School. Their coach, Steve Maxwell, will serve as the District Team Coach responsible for Dominick Kehoe (Treasure Coast), Camilo Tamayo (Treasure Coast), Jaeger Johnson (St. Lucie West Centennial), Quinn Tucker (Fort Pierce Central), Callie Zheng (Lincoln Park), Abilgal Wells (Port St. Lucie), and alternate team member Andrew Priest (Lincoln Park) who were selected based upon their individual scores to represent SLPS at the state competition.
Superintendent E. Wayne Gent expressed his appreciation for the dedication to excellence modeled by SLPS’s academic team. “Team members are to be commended for their academic skills and spirit of collaboration.”
by Kerry Padrick | Jan 30, 2017 | School News
Volunteers and staff were busy on the campus of Lakewood Park Elementary School Saturday. Painting, repairing picnic tables, doing yard work, and sprucing up the reading garden was the welcomed work from the partnership with Christ Fellowship Church located in PSL.
by LYNNE Gruszka | Jan 30, 2017 | School News
What an absolute pleasure to host the Speakers Bureau recently at Northport. Northport is part of a coalition of St. Lucie County schools, spearheaded by SLPS Vice Chairman Dr. Donna Mills to bring talented and inspiring guest speakers to directly impact students and their achievement.
The most recent guest was a talented, refreshingly authentic and fascinating young man named Samuel McDuffie. Samuel, originally from Washington, D.C., moved to Florida nearly three years ago. He gave the story of his hard scrapping youth that many students could relate to, including his father’s murder when he was six. He intrigued the children by blindfolding one of the students, taking a brand new pair of Nike sneakers and placing them in a location in the school’s media center. He then told the student audience to shout directions at the blindfolded boy. The room was filled with chaos and the boy had trouble following the directions through all the voices. Finally, Samuel told the students to stop and be silent and to stop shouting different directions. He gave the blindfolded boy precise directions to the sneakers. The boy had no trouble following the directions and went right to the shoes. The moral or lesson to the students was that too much noise in life leads to indecision and chaos. Samuel told the students, “Find a goal, listen to one clear voice, keep distractions away and focus. Then, you will realize your dream. Never give up!” The young boy was given the brand new Nike’s to keep. Students were thrilled with the lessons and teachers reported back that the discussions about life, negative distractions, keeping away from chaos and setting goals continued back in the classrooms.
Many thanks to Dr. Donna Mills for bringing the Speakers Bureau Coalition to Northport and for extending to Northport students the wonderful opportunity to help change our students’ lives for the better and to help students buy into their own successes and their own educational and life paths. The program was kicked off with a salute to the Arts as second graders in Kristin Schrader and Jennifer Lusardi’s classes sang “America” and Sandra Tyndale, Northport reading teacher, sang a beautiful rendition of “You’ll Never Walk Alone!” that was dedicated to Dr. Mills and her love and affirmation of all children. Bravo, everyone!
by WENDY MUNAO | Jan 30, 2017 | School News
Mariposa Elementary first graders Jackson Smith, Trinity Andrews, Delsin Geliga, Tyler Rubenstein, and Alejandro Delatorre worked as a team to utilize their problem solving skills to create an amazing “moving” model using gears! They were able to figure out how to get a ball from one end to the other without having to touch it! The gears did all the work!
by SHERRI VARN | Jan 30, 2017 | School News
Parents and students met for student-led conferences. Students explained their work and progress, and parents praised and asked questions. A great time for all.
by LYNNE Gruszka | Jan 30, 2017 | School News
Great morning of learning at Northport K-8 School recently as WPTV Weatherman Steve Weagle visited and intrigued students.
Children in Kate Ploeckelman, Lorri Lamm, Kristin Schrader, Denise Fields and Jennifer Lusardi’s classes learned all about weather and weather calculations from the chief meteorologist. Students learned that to be a meteorologist, you need to love math, science and computer technology. Mr. Weagle spoke to students about weather forecasting and showed students how to make a homemade anemometer and how to study weather maps from satellites. He also discussed mini weather stations for hurricanes that take measurements of wind speed, temperature and humidity with a mini parachute called a dropsonde.
This was a great opportunity to hear and learn authentic information from a community professional and a television celebrity. Thanks to Steve Weagle and to all the second grade teachers for offering students a full complement of learning strategies and information.
