As part of Southern Oaks Middle Schools’ recent Holidays Around the World celebration, students in Todd Hibbard’s sixth grade Social Studies classes stepped into the holiday spirit (and the icing) by making 72 gingerbread houses to commemorate holiday traditions in Germany. Students in sixth, seventh and eighth grade all enjoyed the sample of gingerbread houses as part of the day long festivities. Other countries represented with facts and food were Italy, Africa, Mexico, Israel, Great Britian and, of course, the United States of America. Pictured are some of the gingerbread houses on display.

Sixth grade students at Southern Oaks Middle School have been coming to the media center for an orientation and a scavenger hunt using the Dewey Decimal System.  After a brief orientation, the students were instructed on how to use the Dewey Decimal System to find non-fiction books. Students were placed on teams of two and given three slips of paper with types of books written on them, such as basketball, poetry, or cooking. When media specialist Cathy Odom and clerk Kim Johnson gave the signal, the students moved through the library to find their books. When the students found a book, they … Read More

On Friday January 11, 2019, the Culinary Department at St. Lucie West Centennial High School hosted StratherDuPree II, the Director of Articulation and Partnerships at Indian River State College, and Rachel Rosiak, an IRSC Recruitment Specialist. Mr. DuPree and Ms. Rosiak received an overview of the program from the teacher, Christina Gedke-Balaschak, and interacted with students as they prepared to make five different soups. 

The beautiful voices of the F.K.Sweet Elementary School’s choral group Sweet Sounds rang loud clear during the recent Winter Holiday Concert. Pictured with the music teacher Jan Christensen are fourth and fifth graders that practice twice weekly for concerts and other vocal events.

On November 19, 2021, the Soroptimist of St. Lucie provided school supplies, gift cards and other incentives to 12 Chester A. Moore teachers and their classrooms. The local Soroptimists are a part of a global network of volunteers collaborating to provide economic empowerment to women and girls by providing access to education and training. The organization believes education is the key and selected CAM for their community project. The Soroptimists recognize that teachers work tirelessly and frequently spend their own money on supplies and incentives, so they wanted to pay it forward by ensuring both students and teachers receive nurturing … Read More

WestGate K8 School “Autism Speaks” walking team co-captains Jessica McLaughlin, right, and Valentina Whyte were recently presented with a $500 check from Nate Rivaldo representing the Port St. Lucie chapter of The Sons of Italy. Whyte, who is a behavior tech in one of WestGate’s autism units, said the donation will help reach the $2000 goal set for the year. The generosity of the members of The Sons of Italy is greatly appreciated.

The Southern Oaks Middle School’s Tri-M Music Honor Society has been busy with a road clean-up and sponsoring the band’s “Coin Wars.” Tri-M students walked 1/4 mile on St. James picking up trash, then carefully crossing the street and cleaning up our campus. We collected 7 bags of trash, everything from old broken pens and pencils, used batteries, to pieces of cars, broken bottles and unmentionables. It is a very rewarding, yet safe, experience for the students.   As for the “Coin Wars,” as of this writing, 3rd hour band is in the lead with negative $1.23. This will change. … Read More

  On July 30th, Southern Oaks Middle School held an annual 6th-grade orientation and parent training. Parents and new incoming 6th-grade students attended either a morning orientation or an evening orientation. The orientation began with an introduction by the principal, Henry Sanabria, followed by a training session by the school counselors. Parents were educated on the role of middle school counselors, grading requirements, and the many mental health supports offered by the school and districts. The attendees were then separated into three tour groups. Each group had roughly twelve to thirty families in either the day or evening sessions. Then, … Read More

Southern Oaks Middle School faculty and staff kicked off with a “Rock the Test” celebration to encourage our students as they begin the testing season. The SOMS family wore rock attire, wrote inspiring messages for our students located at the entrance of each building, and cheered our students throughout the entire day. We also had our SOMS band play the “HAWK chant” as students entered campus. It is a great day to be a HAWK! HAWKS SOAR!  

  Ribbon Week, the nation’s largest and longest-running drug-use prevention campaign ran the week of October 23rd to October 31st. Southern Oaks Middle School participated in the drug-free campaign activities every day of the week. Students were glad to leave the school’s dress code behind to don baseball caps, t-shirts, team jerseys, sunglasses, and just about anything neon. Each day had a different dress theme, and posters around campus reminded students of the purpose of Red Ribbon Week. Everyone had fun as a reminder that drug-free is the most fun way to be.

  On October 26th, Southern Oaks Middle School recognized students for the monthly Hawk Hall of Fame in furtherance of a positive culture and learning environment. Students were selected by their teachers and recognized for the theme of the month; empathy. Award recipients were honored in front of their peers during lunch. It’s evident at Southern Oaks, Hawks S.O.A.R.!

Southern Oaks Middle School Math Boot Camp was a success! We had 72 students attend on Saturday, April 29th. Our SOMS’s math experts provided our students with short and focused math workshops to help our students improve their F.A.S.T. math skills. In addition, our students enjoyed grilled hotdogs, compliments of administration, to end the day with a celebration of their efforts and success on the upcoming state assessments. Thank you to all of our SOMS math experts for supporting our students. Hawks Soar!

  Southern Oaks Middle School hosted its first Parent Night to SOAR. Parents were able to hear about the new FAST testing, GradVenture, graduation requirements, and other pertinent information that students and parents will need to know for a successful school year.

Southern Oaks Middle School PTO Parents, Principal Hargadine, and Mr. Gent Celebrate Crossing Guard Appreciation Day Southern Oaks Middle School PTO parents, Ms. Evans, Ms. Phillips, and Ms. Skinner happily pose with Principal Hargadine and Superintendent Gent as they await the arrival of Southern Oaks Middle School’s crossing guards: Dawn Weinkrantz, David Griffin, and Joyce Milligan for Crossing Guard Appreciation Day!

Southern Oaks Bowl for Kids Team.  “Making a Difference.”

Southern Oaks Middle School administrators, Principal Sanabria, and Assistant Principal Davis, treated teachers to a backyard-style cookout for teachers’ appreciation week. We really appreciate all our teachers at SOMS.

Have you heard the latest news chirping about our campus? Mrs. Eibl’s second-grade class has welcomed the newest student to their learning cottage—Chick 1! Mrs. Eibl’s class has been working with the 4H program to hatch chicks. The students were very excited to welcome baby chick #1 and can’t wait for the others to hatch.