by Kerry Padrick | Jun 14, 2018 | Press Releases
ST. LUCIE COUNTY — The Department of Education released a battery of scores today that reflects good news as more St. Lucie Public Schools’ (SLPS) students passed the State ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies exams at higher rates this year.
Superintendent E. Wayne Gent attributes the growth to the individualized support students receive from their teachers, support staff, and school leaders. “I commend our teachers, administrators, and staff. Overall, the vast majority of our students are making gains, and we are continuing our positive trends which is a credit to our outstanding staff,” stated Gent.
Early examination of SLPS test results for our students revealed an increase in the majority of measurable areas. SLPS improved performance on FSA English Language Arts (ELA), FSA Mathematics, Science (including Biology), Civics, and US History.
- FSA ELA – SLPS students improved their performance over 2017 results in 5 out of 8 grade levels.
- FSA MATH – SLPS students improved their performance over 2017 results in 3 out of 6 grade levels.
- SCIENCE GRADES 5 and 8 – SLPS students improved by 7% and 2% respectively, outperforming the State by 3% in Grade 5.
- HIGH SCHOOL BIOLOGY – SLPS students increased their performance from 2017 by 4% and outperformed the State by 3%.
- NGSSS CIVICS AND US HISTORY – SLPS students increased by 2% in Civics proficiency and 1% in US History proficiency.
SLPS FSA ELA Performance for Grades 3-10 Compared to State Performance
For overall FSA ELA performance for Grades 3-10, SLPS gained one point in proficiency while the State remained the same. Grades 5, 7, 8, and 10 improved performance on the 2018 FSA ELA at a greater rate than the State. St. Lucie students in Grades 5, 8, and 10 increased their proficiency over 2017 levels by 4 percentage points in one year. Students in both grades 7 and 9 increased their performance over 2017 levels by 2% and 1% respectively as demonstrated in Table 1:
|
Table 1 – 2017 to 2018 FSA ELA Growth by Grade Level for SLPS and the State Based on Percentage of Students Scoring Level 3 or Higher |
| Year |
Grade 3 |
Grade 4 |
Grade 5 |
Grade 6 |
Grade 7 |
Grade 8 |
Grade 9 |
Grade 10 |
|
| SLPS |
FL |
SLPS |
FL |
SLPS |
FL |
SLPS |
FL |
SLPS |
FL |
SLPS |
FL |
SLPS |
FL |
SLPS |
FL |
|
| 2017 |
49 |
58 |
50 |
56 |
45 |
53 |
48 |
52 |
46 |
52 |
50 |
55 |
51 |
52 |
48 |
50 |
|
| 2018 |
46 |
57 |
50 |
56 |
49 |
55 |
47 |
52 |
48 |
51 |
54 |
58 |
52 |
53 |
52 |
53 |
|
| Difference |
-3 |
-1 |
0 |
0 |
+4 |
+2 |
-1 |
0 |
+2 |
-1 |
+4 |
+3 |
+1 |
+1 |
+4 |
+3 |
|
SLPS FSA Math Performance for Grades 3-8 Compared to State Performance
SLPS gained 2 points in FSA Math proficiency overall in Grades 3-8 moving from 52% of students at ‘Level 3 or Above’ to 54%. Grades 4, 5, and 7 improved performance over 2017 on the 2018 FSA Mathematics assessment at a greater rate than the State. Grades 4 and 7 proficiency increases outperformed the State by 3% for each grade level as shown in Table 2 below:
Table 2 – 2017 to 2018 FSA Math Growth by Grade Level for SLPS and the State Based on Percentage of Students Scoring Level 3 or Higher
| Year |
Grade 3 |
Grade 4 |
Grade 5 |
Grade 6 |
Grade 7 |
Grade 8 |
| SLPS |
FL |
SLPS |
FL |
SLPS |
FL |
SLPS |
FL |
SLPS |
FL |
SLPS |
FL |
| 2017 |
54 |
62 |
56 |
64 |
48 |
57 |
48 |
51 |
47 |
53 |
40 |
46 |
| 2018 |
54 |
62 |
57 |
62 |
55 |
61 |
46 |
52 |
49 |
54 |
35 |
45 |
| Difference |
0 |
0 |
+1 |
-2 |
+7 |
+4 |
-2 |
+1 |
+2 |
+1 |
-5 |
-1 |
Note: The FDOE does not administer an FSA Mathematics test at grades 9 and 10.
FSA ELA Performance for Grades 3-10
For overall FSA ELA performance for Grades 3-10, SLPS gained one point in proficiency. This exceeds the gains of most of the Comparable and Contiguous Districts in Florida in the Table 3 below:
Table 3
| |
Grade 3-10
FSA English Language Arts
% Level 3 or Above |
Grade 3-5
FSA English Language Arts
% Level 3 or Above |
Grade 6-8
FSA English Language Arts
% Level 3 or Above |
Grade 9-10
FSA English Language Arts
% Level 3 or Above |
| District Name |
2017 |
2018 |
2017 |
2018 |
2017 |
2018 |
2017 |
2018 |
| STATEWIDE |
54% |
54% |
56% |
56% |
53% |
53% |
51% |
53% |
| ST. LUCIE |
49% |
50% |
48% |
48% |
48% |
50% |
50% |
52% |
About St. Lucie Public Schools
St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) ranks fifth in Florida and proudly serves as the highest-ranking District on the Treasure Coast with a graduation rate of 90.1 percent. As a B rated District, there are no failing schools, and SLPS has the distinction of being recognized as one of St. Lucie County’s Best Places to Work. The mission of SLPS is to ensure all students graduate from safe and caring schools equipped with the knowledge, skills and desire to succeed. For more information, visit http://www.stlucieschools.org.
by Kerry Padrick | Jun 18, 2018 | District News
Jon Shainman from WPTV covered a new program supported by St. Lucie County’s Economic Development Council that helps education and business interests. Read more about it!
New program in SLC helps new grads get jobs
First Ready To Work boot camp
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. – Aaron Timblin just graduated from Lincoln Park Academy in Fort Pierce. He thought about college, but now wants to find a trade.
“Because I’m more hands on and capable of solving problems on my own.”
He’s one of 22 recent grads taking part in a Ready To Work manufacturing boot camp, a new partnership between the education and business communities.
Phoenix Metal Products is one of six places the group will tour this week. The 46 employees here manufacture airline ground equipment, like stairs and water trucks, that are used around the globe.
“We’re looking for that spark from some individual that says ‘I really like this’,” said Wilcox.
At the end of the week, the group will have its’ own “Signing Day”, where they can sign up for a full time job with one of the employers on the tour.
“We’re doers. We build things. We want people that that’s what they want to do,” said Wilcox.
The most recent state figures show there are 62-hundred manufacturing jobs in St. Lucie County with an average wage of $50,248. That’s about 25% higher than the average wage as a whole.
“I want to find a career that I enjoy that would benefit me in raising a family,” said recent grad Matthew Bowden.
These kids were recommended for the boot camp by their schools.
“Sounded like a really good opportunity for me to get a job and not have to fight going from business to business to business,” said Aaron Timblin.
https://www.wptv.com/news/region-st-lucie-county/new-program-in-slc-helps-new-grads-get-jobs
by Kerry Padrick | Jun 18, 2018 | School News
Principal Ucola Barrett-Baxter received the Children’s Hero Award of the Year Award for “Time” from the Eckerd Connects Mission. The third annual awards event recognized local heroes for their dedication to investing Time, Talent, and Treasure to youth and providing them with opportunities for a second chance at a successful life.
A very special congratulations to Mrs. Ucola Barrett- Baxter!
by Kerry Padrick | Jun 18, 2018 | School News
Congratulations to Mosaic Digital Academy’s Elizabeth Briglia and Trevor Gill who submitted applications to the Broadcom Masters national middle school science competition! Both were selected as Broadcom MASTERS nominees!
To be selected is a great honor—only the top 10% of science fair projects nationwide are selected for this opportunity. Elizabeth and Trevor will receive a t-shirt and bumper sticker, and could be named one of the Top 300 MASTERS (announced September 5th) or one of the 30 finalists (announced September 19th). The 30 finalists will gather in Washington, DC for a week of competition—including presentation of the research project and hands-on science and engineering challenges. Top prizes include $25,000, trips to STEM summer camps, and more. Schools of Broadcom MASTERS finalists each receive $1,000 from the Broadcom Foundation.
by Kerry Padrick | Jun 18, 2018 | District News
Peacock Dental in St. Lucie West donated 1,000 toothbrushes and tubes of toothpaste to support St. Lucie Public Schools’ students experiencing homelessness. The support came after the local business heard about the McKinney Vento program and wanted to be able to provide something for students in our area.
St. Lucie Public Schools appreciates this partnership!
by Kerry Padrick | Jun 18, 2018 | District News
“United Way of St. Lucie County is working to advance the common good by focusing on education, income, and health. These are the building blocks for a good life — a quality education that leads to a stable job, enough income to support a family through retirement, and good health.
Our goal is to create long-lasting changes that prevent problems from happening in the first place.
We invite you to be part of the change.
Together, united, we can inspire hope and create opportunities for a better tomorrow.”
https://www.unitedwayslc.org/
United Way Board Chair Andrew Treadwell of Indian River State College thanked members of St. Lucie Public Schools at the June School Board Meeting for their support. He expressed his appreciation, on behalf of the United Way, for the District’s on-going efforts for raise funds and participate in the organization’s annual campaign drives.
by Kerry Padrick | Jun 18, 2018 | District News
School turnaround leaders from Chester A. Moore Elementary and St. Lucie Elementary recently participated in a highly specialized leadership program at the Principals’ Center of Harvard University. Along with skill development and feedback from peers and faculty, this five-day institute is designed for highly charged teams to work together, translate data into action, and design an actionable school improvement plan geared for successful results.
by Kerry Padrick | Jun 18, 2018 | District News
“Miss Jackie” (Jacquelyn Occhiuzzo) was nominated as a STAR recipient for her outstanding service to students and parents as a member of the Transportation Department. Miss Jackie, as her students and parents fondly call her, was celebrated most recently because of her tremendous efforts to keep children safe and parents well-informed during a heavy thunderstorm when a mechanical issue necessitated a substitute bus during her regular route. With care and compassion, she escorted children from one bus to the other under an umbrella and notified parents of the delay with a personal call helping to calm everyone. She then safely finished transporting all children.
by Kerry Padrick | Jun 18, 2018 | District News
St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) thanks the 5,300 volunteers who served in our schools this year logging more than 17,000 hours as they helped students and staff.
With this level of dedication, it was most challenging, indeed, to select only three individuals to recognize as Senior, Adult, and Youth of the Year. Nevertheless, it is with great pride that the District announces the following as Volunteers of the Year:
Rita Banashek – Senior Volunteer of the Year from Parkway Elementary
Kimberly Anderson – Adult Volunteer of the Year from Port St. Lucie High School
Jessica Alles – Youth Volunteer of the Year from Manatee K-8 Academy
*Volunteers are selected based on the following criteria: (1) type of contribution, (2) character of service, (3) number of years, and (4) breadth of service.
by Kerry Padrick | Jun 18, 2018 | School News
Port St. Lucie High School Principal Adrian Ocampo graciously accepted a check for $4,820 at the June School Board meeting from Garber Buick GMC — a local partner in education. Mrs. Sheila Cash, Garber’s office administrator, presented the check as a result of the school participating in the dealership’s Drive for Education fundraising campaign.
For each 2-3 minute Test Drive, Buick donated $10.00. When the event exceeded 100 test drives, Buick doubled the donation to $20.00.
According to Mrs. Cash, Garber Buick GMC looks forward to continuing its support of St. Lucie Public Schools with similar fundraisers in the future.
by Kerry Padrick | Jun 18, 2018 | District News
Don’t miss this opportunity to join the CAST!
An exclusive Information Night on June 21st from 6 to 7 will provide students and parents the opportunity to hear about innovative experiences in the Arts at the all new Creative Arts Academy of St. Lucie (CAST).
As a prestigious Cambridge School, CAST also offers advanced pre-collegiate studies aiding college and career readiness!
CAST (Formerly Fort Pierce Magnet School of the Arts)
1100 Delaware Ave.
Fort Pierce, FL 34950
by Kerry Padrick | Jun 25, 2018 | District News
FORT PIERCE – If your children have time on their hands this summer, take them to the Zora Neale Hurston Branch Library for fun activities from movie matinees to interactive, hands-on programs.
Family activities for July include:
· Library Science Rocks continues on Wednesdays at 3 p.m. through July 14 (except for the week of July 4). Designed for students in kindergarten through 5th grade, this program provides students with the opportunity to take part in hands-on science experiments.
· Weekly Storytimes take place on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.
· Game Day gets competitive Thursday, July 5 at 3 p.m. Youth of all ages can challenge each other on the Nintendo Wii system or have fun with board games and more.
· “Sherlock Gnomes” cracks the case on Friday, July 6 at 3 p.m. Featuring the voices of Kelly Asbury, Mary J. Blige and Emily Blunt, garden gnomes, Gnomeo & Juliet, recruit renowned detective Sherlock Gnomes to investigate the mysterious disappearance of other garden ornaments. This film is rated PG with a running time of 86 minutes.
· Snap into “Legos at the Library” on Friday, July 7 at 3 p.m. for a chance to build, learn and play.
· S.T.E.A.M. Power heats up on Saturday, July 14 at 2 p.m. Ages 8 to 18 can participate in hands-on activities that focus on science, technology, engineering art and math.
· Fictionaries flutter in on Thursday, July 12 at 10 a.m. at Hurston.Don’t miss this fun, fast paced, game show-themed spectacular. We’ll test our participants’ knowledge in current and past kid’s fiction questions.
· Contraption Faction will be offered three times this month: Friday, July 13 and July 27 at 3 p.m. and Saturday, July 21 at 2 p.m. Suited for ages 10 and older, these programs will focus on building games, gadgets and robotics, including a session with Legos.
· Dewey and the Decibel Sisters dance into the libraries on Thursday, July 19 at 10 a.m. at Hurston. Come join us for some fun, music and laughs as Dewey and her sisters get ready for their big performance.
· “A Wrinkle in Time” checks into the movie matinee on Friday, July 20 at 3 p.m. Featuring Storm Reid, Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon, after the disappearance of Meg Murry’s scientist father, three celestials journey to Earth to help Meg search for him. This film is rated PG with a running time of 109 minutes.
· The Hobe Sound Nature Center gets wild with live animals on Thursday, July 26 at 10 a.m. at Hurston. Explore the world of Raptors, presented by Hobe Sound Nature Center Interpretive Naturalists.
· Welcome to the Jungle on Saturday, July 28 at 2 p.m. at the movie matinee presents “Jumanji” (2018). Featuring Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black and Kevin Hart,four teenagers are sucked into a magical video game, and the only way they can escape is to work together to finish the game. This film is rated PG-13 with a running time of 119 minutes. Anyone younger than 13, must have a permission slip signed by a parent or guardian. Permission slips will be available at the front desk.
These programs are free and open to the public.
The Zora Neale Hurston Branch of the St. Lucie County Library System is located at 3008 Avenue D, Fort Pierce. For more information about library programs visit: www.stlucieco.gov/library or call 772-462-2154 or email greshamg@stlucieco.org.
###
by Kerry Padrick | Jun 25, 2018 | District News
Make plans to attend a big event in Fort Pierce on July 11 — Unity In Our Community. There will be many vendors with information including St. Lucie Public Schools as well as bounce houses, face painting, slip and slides, and more. Don’t miss it. The event is scheduled from 10 AM to 2 PM at the Percy Peek Gymnasium (2909 Avenue D). See you there!
by Kerry Padrick | Jun 25, 2018 | District News
You can watch an all new episode of U of F IFAS Extension hosted by Ed Skavarch now, on YouTube. While you’re there subscribe to our channel, then head over to Facebook and like/follow our page – WLX-TV.
Weekly Programming Guide
IFAS Extension
Comcast Channel 13 (Ft. Pierce)
Channel 19 (Port St. Lucie)
Home Town Cable Channel 19 (Tradition)
Litestream Cable Channel 65 (St. James)
School District Wireless Channel 36 (In schools)
by Kerry Padrick | Jun 25, 2018 | District News
The June 21st open house was prime time for the new and innovative programs offered at the Creative Arts Academy of St. Lucie (CAST) to take center stage. Parents and students discovered how students will thrive academically and artistically at CAST through participation in visual and graphic arts, dance, vocal and instrumental music, drama, and musical theater.
This K-8 Magnet will feature a black box theater, new arts classrooms, upgraded facilities, and earlier school hours to better accommodate extracurricular and community-based activities. Academic excellence will include the new Cambridge Primary program to develop pre-collegiate skills. To find out more, visit St. Lucie Public Schools’ homepage at www.stlucieschools.org
Come join the CAST! We have a spot waiting for you!
#ArtsInEducation
#JoinTheCast
by Kerry Padrick | Jun 25, 2018 | District News
Parents, community members, and students,Are you in search of quality resources and activities to support academic studies this summer? Look no further! Don’t let the summer “slide” away when you have resources for Reading/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Arts and Technology, College and Career, and ELL at your fingertips.
Visit:
http://WWW.STLUCIE.K12.FL.US/SEASONAL/SUMMER-SLIDE/
by Kerry Padrick | Jun 26, 2018 | District News
United Way of St. Lucie County will be hosting our First Annual Day of Caring on September 29th!
It’s a single-day service event like no other! Day of Caring brings together teams of volunteers to help non-profit organizations across St. Lucie County. Our volunteers will take to the streets, offices, playgrounds and schools of our community. They spend their day painting, landscaping, cleaning and more. All to prove the amazing difference one day can make when we work together.
Do you have a project for which you need a group of volunteers? We need your projects to make Day of Caring a success. Help us create a list of potential projects which support one or more of United Way’s priority areas of Basic Needs, Education, Financial Stability and Health.
If you would like the opportunity to have United Way place volunteers for your project(s), please complete the attached Project Submission Form. You are welcomed, and encouraged, to submit more than one project. Some project ideas to get you thinking include: 1) Creation of a garden or existing garden clean up; 2) Sorting food in a pantry or clothing in a thrift store; 3) Repairs to a computer lab or volunteer room, etc.
Project Submission Forms are due by July 31st to be included in this year’s Day of Caring.
Join us for the Kickoff Breakfast Rally at the River Walk Center from 8-9AM the morning of the Day of Caring. Enjoy a fresh breakfast and plenty of coffee and music to help get our volunteers ready for the day. Don’t miss this opportunity to network with other teams/agencies while joining in all of the fun!
Tentative Timeline:
· July 31st – Project Submission Deadline
· August 31st – Team & Individual Volunteer Registration Deadline
· September 7th – Projects Assigned to Volunteer Teams
Feel free to reach out to me with any questions. Completed forms should be emailed to Crystal Barker at crystal.barker@unitedwayslc.org.
Thank you, and we look forward to working with you to build a more dynamic model for year-round volunteerism in our community!
Jessica Parrish
Director of Collaborative Impact
United Way of St. Lucie County, Inc.
4800 S. U.S. Highway 1, Fort Pierce, FL 34982 / tel: 772.464.5300 / fax: 772.464.7805
by Kerry Padrick | Jun 26, 2018 | District News
Parent Academy offers FREE workshops for parents on various topics throughout the year. Two workshops coming up are Parenting Wisely and How To Middle School. These valuable workshops are offered in July in August at convenient locations in St. Lucie County.
Don’t miss out! Register today!
by Kerry Padrick | Jun 26, 2018 | Press Releases
DAYTONA BEACH, FL – St. Lucie Public Schools mechanics were among 106 who gathered from 34 of Florida’s school districts to successfully complete an intensive four-day training held in Daytona Beach last week. Training was provided by professional instructors from Cummins, Allison, Stemco, NAPA, Braun, Ricon, and the three major school bus suppliers in Florida. Trainers from IC, Blue Bird and Thomas Built Buses captivated the technicians and afforded them hours of hands on diagnostic and repair training in the latest techniques for maintaining and repairing school buses.
A recent trend in many school districts is the addition of air conditioning on school buses. Trans/Air, RAC and MCC, major air condition manufacturers, all offered classes in these specialized systems.
In addition to attending the class, many technicians remained during after class hours to sit for on-line examinations to be certified as Vehicle Service Technicians or the coveted Master Repair Technician. Twenty-seven technicians are now FAPT Certified Master Repair Technicians and 11 are certified as Vehicle Service Technicians. One additional technician passed the examination to be certified as a Parts Service Technician.
Robert Manspeaker, the Director of Student Transportation Management Services (STMS) with the Florida Department of Education said, “The dedication to students, work ethic and sincere efforts to provide the highest-level safety possible is evident right here in this room with the commitment of you men and women.”
In its 29th year of being offered, this training continues to be the result of many hours of hard work by the Volusia District Transportation team and the Florida Association for Pupil Transportation Committee on Bus Qualifications and Standards. During this four-day workshop, an additional 60 plus technicians from around the state passed their School Bus Safety Inspector hands on test under Mr. Manspeaker and his staff who assisted in the testing. This will help alleviate the severe shortage of qualified bus safety inspectors required to certify every 30 days that the bus meets all safety requirements.
For additional information, please contact the Florida Association for Pupil Transportation at execdir@faptflorida.org
About St. Lucie Public Schools
St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) proudly serves students as the highest-ranking District on the Treasure Coast with a graduation rate of 90.1 percent. As a B rated District, there are no failing schools, and SLPS has the distinction of being recognized as one of St. Lucie County’s Best Places to Work. The mission of SLPS is to ensure all students graduate from safe and caring schools equipped with the knowledge, skills and desire to succeed. For more information, visit, http://www.stlucieschools.org.
by Kerry Padrick | Jun 26, 2018 | District News
St. Lucie Public Schools mechanics were among 106 who gathered from 34 of Florida’s school districts to successfully complete an intensive four-day training held in Daytona Beach last week. Training was provided by professional instructors from Cummins, Allison, Stemco, NAPA, Braun, Ricon, and the three major school bus suppliers in Florida. Trainers from IC, Blue Bird and Thomas Built Buses captivated the technicians and afforded them hours of hands on diagnostic and repair training in the latest techniques for maintaining and repairing school buses.
A recent trend in many school districts is the addition of air conditioning on school buses. Trans/Air, RAC and MCC, major air condition manufacturers, all offered classes in these specialized systems.
In addition to attending the class, many technicians remained during after class hours to sit for on-line examinations to be certified as Vehicle Service Technicians or the coveted Master Repair Technician. Twenty-seven technicians are now FAPT Certified Master Repair Technicians and 11 are certified as Vehicle Service Technicians. One additional technician passed the examination to be certified as a Parts Service Technician.
Robert Manspeaker, the Director of Student Transportation Management Services (STMS) with the Florida Department of Education said, “The dedication to students, work ethic and sincere efforts to provide the highest-level safety possible is evident right here in this room with the commitment of you men and women.”
In its 29th year of being offered, this training continues to be the result of many hours of hard work by the Volusia District Transportation team and the Florida Association for Pupil Transportation Committee on Bus Qualifications and Standards. During this four-day workshop, an additional 60 plus technicians from around the state passed their School Bus Safety Inspector hands on test under Mr. Manspeaker and his staff who assisted in the testing. This will help alleviate the severe shortage of qualified bus safety inspectors required to certify every 30 days that the bus meets all safety requirements.
