Northport K-8 fifth graders in Judy Fowler, Tracey Healy, Melanie Polascak, Carla Caldwell and Lisa Wiedrick’s classes hosted Mrs. Olga Drucker, a Holocaust survivor recently. Mrs. Drucker spoke to the students in the media center about her experiences living in Nazi Germany as a child and her experiences as part of a special group of children who were transported out of Germany into other countries called “Kindertransport!” Mrs. Drucker spoke to the children with a quivering voice of experience about real life history. Northport K-8 School was able to secure Mrs. Drucker as a speaker through a partnership with the … Read More

Northport fifth graders were excited to top off their unit on weather with a visit to the media center from Britley Ritz, ABC Channel 25 meteorologist. The students began the program with a water cycle Flocabulary review. The Flocab was titled, “I’m water, I make the planet blue!” Britley spoke about her fear of weather as a child, when she lived through a tornado. She went on to study meteorology and weather at Ball State University where she conquered those childhood fears. Students learned about warm fronts, cold fronts, dense air, friction, thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, water spouts, tropical systems, and … Read More

Northport fifth grade instructor, Melanie Polascak and her students learned about the Survivor’s tree at Ground Zero. Students learned that the pear tree was crushed as the towers collapsed but, like the human spirit, it was repaired, nourished and has regenerated. The tree is now in a precious spot at Ground Zero. Mrs. Polascak’s class made a wonderful analogy about the rebirth of that small pear tree and the healing of the millions of people affected by 9/11. The class constructed a quilt highlighting the healing that has taken place and placed it outside the doors of the school’s 9/11 … Read More

Students in the Northport K-8 fifth grade classroom of Melanie Polascak have reaped the rewards of a very generous benefactor recently. Mrs. Polascak’s class was adopted through the website Adoptaclassroom.org by Katie Gilliam from Virginia. Katie, better known as “Aunt Katie” visited the fifth grade class on Halloween. She and her friends dressed as characters from the children’s classic, “The Wizard of Oz!” Ms. Gilliam donated the money specifically for school and classroom supplies and books for students. The children made an acrostic poem to be put into book format and will send to Aunt Katie when it is completed. … Read More

Northport student wins Retired Educator’s Writing Award!

Northport K-8 student Finnegan Carey reaped the rewards of using the writing process effectively, adhering to the school rubric, correctly using dynamic illustrations and producing a relevant and substantial piece of writing. Finn and his parents, Jennifer and Nick Carey, pictured above, celebrated at the school district’s Young Author Showcase recently along with fellow Northport students Saige Searcy, Jazz Courtenay, Samantha Huynh, Paul Brinker, Joseph Ybarra, Giovanni Wright and Raena Davis. Over 175 student authors from across the district and their families were treated to a visit with author Donna Gephart, who wrote the book “How To Survive Middle School”, the district’s … Read More

This year, the third annual Northport Faith In Literacy Summer Reading Program is off to a great start. The First United Methodist Church of Port St. Lucie congregation collected 3,600 new and gently used books to provide students with enough books to start a stack of summer reading books in their homes. Students learned about the importance of summer reading and not letting their skills in reading slide back. They enjoyed selecting ten books each. Some selected books to read to their younger brothers and sisters. They also learned where to locate additional books over the summer at no cost … Read More

As part of Northport K-8 School’s response to the Florida Department of Education’s “Celebrate Literacy” initiative, students were given the opportunity to write an essay sponsored by local American Legion Post 318 Auxiliary and the Northport media center. The topic of the essay was “What Freedom Do I Enjoy The Most?” Over 40 students from grades three through eight responded with excellent, well formulated essays. Students reviewed what freedoms really are with parents and guardians as well as grandparents and then wrote thoughtful and meaningful essays in response to the topic. Three students’ essays were chosen to be sent to the Department of American … Read More

Northport K8 School sent a large contingency of instructors and staff to enjoy the Meet and Greet held at Chili’s in St. Lucie West recently for the St. Lucie County Reading Council. The council offers district staff a wonderful opportunity to inspire collegiality and promote positive interactions with literacy at the forefront. The Meet and Greet hosted author Henry Cole, who wrote the new One Book-One Community Read, “A Nest For Celeste”! The council, led by president Deb Remington, Manatee Academy media specialist, offers a variety of opportunities to share ideas, compare learning strategies and a chance to take part in … Read More

Northport VPK-8 School, using social media tools such as Facebook and Twitter, have brought a whole new level of “Parent and Community Involvement” to the school. Parents, extended families, community members, volunteers, business partners, teachers and students are kept up to date, on a daily basis about information and programs occurring at the school. Parents visit the site to catch a glimpse of their own child engaging in an activity or to learn about special programming that takes place at the school. Using social media, the school is better capable of building a culture of family that extends far into … Read More

Elaine Lawrence’s first graders proudly bring their Young Author books to the media center today. It was so difficult to pick the two best books to enter competition. ❤ Great job to children and teacher. At Northport, the entire school participates in the annual Young Authors program. The program brings joy to writing, a common language among teachers, students and parents and provides a time to have fun with words and illustrations. Each teacher turns in “Best Class Representatives,” and from those books, seven are selected to visit the District Young Authors Ceremony. At Northport, we share in the spirit … Read More

At Northport, kindness is contagious! We celebrated “Be A Buddy Week” in a few different ways. On Monday, many in our community wore blue shirts to honor “World Day of Bullying.” Recently, we celebrated “World Smile Day!” Smiling is a beautiful and delightful way to connect with others and to shine a positive light! Looking at others smiling is like looking at a work of art or a masterpiece because no two smiles are alike. Every smile, like every individual, is unique. Smiling spreads good feelings, and kids love to sport their grins. Even when it’s a bad day, smiling … Read More

Northport K-8 School community “walked the walk” and “talked the talk” recently at the school’s second annual Unity Day. Students made posters, banners, flags and signs and walked a route marked by the physical education instructors to offer support and to empower students against the harmful effects of bullying. Third grade teachers Melanie Polascak and Diana Lankow appeared on the morning announcements with important messages about bullying, teen girls painted their pinkie fingers blue in unity against girl bullies, classes watched clips about bullying and important lessons filtered the school classrooms about bullying. Several parents came to join their own children … Read More

Northport elementary students made cards, banners and posters to encourage eighth grade students as they take their FSA Writing tests. Students also offered lollipops, mints and treats. Northport students are uncommonly caring and loving. We are thankful that our administration and staff are so supportive and encourage a “family” atmosphere.

Northport eighth graders have been given a wonderful opportunity to tour Washington, D.C. next year. Instructor Thomas McDonald is organizing this enlightening and educational trip for our students. It truly will be the experience of a lifetime for many students. To visit the informational site, visit Northport K-8 Washington DC Trip on Facebook. Northport is well recognized as a school that nurtures and teaches civics, patriotism, free thought and love of country. This is a wonderful opportunity for any incoming eighth grader. Thank you, Mr. McDonald!

What a wonderful evening at Northport! Our 8th graders are leaving the nest and moving on to high school. They have done the work, achieved success and are moving on to the next chapter of their lives. The evening began with the SLW Centennial JROTC unit posting the colors in a spectacular showcase. Principal, Glenn Rustay and Assistant Principals Lisa Cash and Mehgan Drost welcomed hundreds of parents, grandparents and friends to the event. Fellow 8th grade student Emmalyne Lewis welcomed her fellow classmates to enjoy each moment and to look forward to the future and all the successes that … Read More

Northport K-8 eighth grade students received special guests in classrooms recently as two cadets from the Port St. Lucie High School Jaguar Battalion under the direction of Major U.S. (Retired) Richard Thompson, visited and imparted great information about available JROTC programs. Cadets Auger and Ryun talked about building leadership skills and the camaraderie that is attained when joining a JROTC Unit. Cadets spoke about after school teams including, drill, orienteering, raiders training and marksmanship teams and told the students that the after school and weekend activities are the best part of the program. The cadets encouraged the eighth graders to … Read More

Northport K-8 School has been selected as a World-Class School, the highest distinction that can be awarded by schools that utilize the Imagine Learning program to teach students whose first language is not English. The Imagine Learning Lab is fascilitated and directed by instructor, Mary Toto and paraprofessional Marian Morales. The achievement is the result of hard work, committment to the program and perseverance by instructors and administration. The ESOL lab at Northport opens 45 minutes before school begins to allow parents and their children to come into the lab to learn English together. The Imagine Lab is a learning environment filled … Read More

Northport eighth grade drama students are working and learning from IRSC drama students and having a good conversation with college president, Dr. Massey. Thanks Mrs. Barajas for getting our students involved! ❤