SLWK8 Gifted Students Focus on Central Idea Through Travel

Students in Mrs. D’Andrea’s Gifted class are focusing on Central Idea. To start their lesson, Mrs. D’Andrea had a bag of three items: a globe, a plane ticket, and the Statue of Liberty. The students guessed that it described a trip to New York City! Students took the opportunity to create a quick “bumper sticker” of a place they picked. Students collaborated in pair shares and then partnered up when the music stopped to have their friends guess where they were describing. This connection helped students activate prior knowledge and show the importance of details building and describing the central … Read More

St. Lucie West K-8 Gets Sweet with Data

St. Lucie West K-8 third graders enjoyed sweet learning! Students worked with a partner using 30 jellybeans to collect and organize data. They sorted the jellybeans by color, counted each group, and then represented their data in two different ways—a bar graph and a pictograph. This hands‑on activity helped students practice counting, comparing quantities, and understanding how data can be shown in multiple representations. The engagement was high, teamwork was strong, and learning was sweet! Then each child was asked to explain which color had the most and how they showed it on their graphs, including why graphs help organize … Read More

SLWK8 Fraction Fun in Mrs. Quiles’s Class

In Topic 11, our Shark Nation mathematicians are diving into the world of fractions using hands-on manipulatives and a student-centered classroom approach. From fraction strips to number lines, students are exploring how fractions compare and how they can be equivalent—all while modeling and explaining their thinking with confidence! By using models and number sense, our learners are building a deep understanding of this foundational math concept in a way that’s engaging, interactive, and meaningful. It’s not just about getting the right answer—it’s about understanding the why behind it. Our Shark Nation Mathematicians are ready to put their skills to use on the upcoming FAST!  #MrsQuilesClass #FractionFun #HandsOnMath #StudentCenteredLearning #BuildingNumberSense

SLWK8 First Graders Learn all about Voting

Last week, St. Lucie West K-8 School’s awesome First Grade Team finished up their three-week Voting Unit! Through cross-collaboration, students virtually and in-person were able to learn about and participate in a real-life election for “Best Virtual Teacher” between Miss Merhi and Mrs. Genus. Students participated in campaign videos, a live debate, voter registration, and much more! On their election day, October 30th, each in-person class set up ballot boxes for students to cast their votes and they received “I Voted” stickers as well. The winner will be revealed this week and we’re sure this will be a race they … Read More

SLWK8 First Graders Learn About Force and Motion

Last week at St. Lucie West K-8 School, First grade students in Ms. Merhi’s MySchool Virtual class and Ms. Wicburg’s brick and mortar class, enjoyed learning about force and motion and applied that knowledge by creating a real-world, simple machine project and sharing with their peers. WAY TO GO SHARKS!    

SLWK8 Expresses Heartfelt Gratitude to Our Incredible Bus Drivers and Crossing Guards

St. Lucie West K8 wanted to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our bus drivers and crossing guards for their unwavering dedication and hard work. Every day, they ensure our children travel safely to and from school, braving all weather conditions with a smile. Their commitment to the safety and well-being does not go unnoticed. To honor their incredible efforts, we were delighted to host a special breakfast in their honor. This breakfast was just a small token of our appreciation for the big difference they make in our community. St. Lucie West K8 Shark Nation is honored to thank these … Read More

SLWK8 Explores the Exuberant Art of Romero Britto

In honor of Hispanic Hertiage Month, elementary art students in Ms. Nedrow’s class learned about Miami based Artist Romero Britto. Britto is a Brazilian artist, painter, and sculptor. He infused elements of cubism, pop art, serigraphy and graffiti. His patterns are filled with bold patterns that express hope, dreams and happiness! They chose from 3 different Britto templates and filled them with bright colors and fun patterns. Elementary also learned about texture by creating cute monsters using crayon rubbing techniques.

SLWK8 Entrepreneurs Compete in CTE Showcase

SLWK8 Entrepreneurs competed in the CTE Showcase on April 2, 2025, at the St. Lucie Public Schools District office. Students prepared business plans, PowerPoint presentations, posters, and a pitch for a panel of judges against other middle school students in the county.  Students from Ms. Tremblay and Mrs. Boham‘s classes polished their pitches to perfection to be ready for the showcase.  It was great to see them helping each other get their posters ready in the morning, encouraging each other, and cheering everyone on.  After the showcase, a student said she thought this helped her self-esteem, and another echoed that … Read More

SLWK8 Civics Class Gets Visit From Deputy Chief Woods

Students from Mr. Artiles’ 7th grade Civics class at St. Lucie West K-8 School received a visit from Mark Woods, Deputy Chief of Safety and Security for St. Lucie Public Schools. Students invited Mr. Woods to present to their class as part of their Project Citizen topic of School Violence Prevention. Deputy Chief Woods shared current school violence prevention measures already in place in the school district, including monthly Code Red drills, and perimeter security. He also stressed the importance of reporting suspicious behavior or threats immediately. Students also had an opportunity to hear his feedback on several public policy … Read More

SLWK8 Celebrates the 23-24 Yearbook Staff for Winning Leonard’s Rookie of the Year Award!

Shark Nation’s Yearbook Staff has worked tirelessly to create our stunning SLWK8 Yearbook. Throughout the school year under the guidance of their incredible advisors, Mr. ” Jessie” Steckler and Mrs. Quiles, they worked to set the creative tone through capturing incredible photos of our school events. This school year, they were awarded Leonard’s Rookie of the Year Award for their exquisite job done on the 23-24 yearbook. The Yearbook Staff is hard at work on the 24-25 yearbook. We are so excited to see the finished product. Thank you for all you do to encapsulate the spectacular things happening at … Read More

SLWK8 Celebrates National School Counselor Week

St. Lucie West K8’s School Counseling Department goes above and beyond to advocate and support our students. This past week we celebrated National School Counseling Week. Our School Counselors invited our staff to celebrate throughout the week in our Student Services hallway. We had the opportunity to learn more about the critical role our counselors play on our school campuses. Not only did we learn more about the pivotal role they play, but they spoiled us with sweet treats and games the entire week! Staff and students were able to dress up as superheroes, twin with friends, and show their … Read More

SLWK8 Brain Vs. Machine

Gifted students in Mrs. D’Andrea’s class read the difference of how the brain works versus machines. Groups made the connection to how we can solve a problem in different ways and get the same results! The groups were given 4 multiplication equations and needed to show 2 different methods to solve each problem. Before collaboration happened, students came up with examples independently. Students were able to refer back to their Interactive Notebooks and Class Anchor Charts to review previously taught methods. After, students came together to share, discuss, and create examples for each equation. Each group accurately demonstrated how to … Read More

SLWK8 Baby Sharks Show their Vocabulary Knowledge!

This year’s St. Lucie West K-8 School’s Vocabulary Parade was better than ever! Each student was given a word from the academic vocabulary list and created a Frayer Model in the classroom in which they were able to define and use the word in a sentence correctly. Then, each student taught their classmates all about the word! On Friday, October 30th, each student wore a creative costume that depicted each word turning our  Parent Pickup area into a “Living Dictionary.” AWESOME JOB SHARKS! (Kindergarten Teachers from L to R: Mrs. Vargas, Ms. White, Mrs. Yancy, Ms. Cisneros, Mrs. Richardson, and … Read More

SLWK8 Artist Spotlight

At St. Lucie West K-8 School, Mrs. Denise Eldridge’s Art classes have been focusing on Renaissance Art, Impressionism, Op Art, warm/cool movement, and the color wheel. Students have been emulating famous pictures and creating originals to learn the proper techniques. (Pictured below: 8th Grader Ava Van’s version of Renaissance “Creation of Adam.” 5th Grader Ella-Christina Artwell’s color wheel interpretation; 8th grader Kassie Lebel’s color wheel interpretation; and 5th grader Amber Williams warm/cool movement piece.)  

SLWK8 Annual Vocabulary Parade

Shark Nation’s Annual Vocabulary Parade was Jawsome! Kindergarten and First-grade students were given a vocabulary word and were thoroughly excited to dress up and embody their word!   

SLWK8 Announces Teachers and Staff of the Year

A BIG congratulations goes out to St. Lucie West K-8 School’s  2020-2021 Teacher of the Year Mr. Robert Suggs; Outstanding First Year Teacher, Ms. Kathryn Cisneros; Distinguished Minority Educator, Mrs. Kimberli Harrington; and School Related Employee of the Year Mr. Armando “Tito” Marcano! We are so proud of each of you and excited that you will represent Shark Nation at SLPS’s annual Night of the Stars! Our Shark Nominees are representatives of  our outstanding professional and support staff. These individuals foster and ensure great learning opportunities for our students.  SLWK8 is a great place with a  JAWSOME faculty and a … Read More

SLWK8 8th Grader Headed to State History Fair

A BIG SHARK CONGRATULATIONS goes to 8th grade student, Aiden Triana from St. Lucie West K-8 School for qualifying for his History Fair project. Only eleven students were chosen throughout the District, and Aiden’s documentary about the Bay of Pigs Invasion will now be in the running for a State History Fair Project award. JAWSOME JOB, AIDEN! WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!  

SLWK8 6th Graders Create Avatars while Learning Math

One of St. Lucie West K-8 School’s 6th grade classes, taught by Mrs. Dana Jeffries, made look-alike avatars using the very engaging online tools at www.Pixton.com and created comic strips showing mastery of their Math content. JAWSOME JOB SHARKS!  

SLWK8 3rd Graders Enjoy the Outdoors While Learning Math

Mrs. Schettini’s 3rd-grade class practiced their multiplication strategies outside with chalk. They drew arrays, made equal groups, skip counted and more! The weather was beautiful, and it was a perfect opportunity for some outside math fun! Engaging fun! Way to go Sharks!                                  

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