In the spirit of the season, students and staff made a joyful noise filling the hallways and classrooms of St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) as the Education Foundation of St. Lucie County and SLPS administrators surprised the three finalists for School Related Employee of the Year on Friday.  Juana Garcia (Mariposa Elementary), Dawn Parker (Dan McCarty Middle School), and Natasha Ramos (Oak Hammock K-8) will represent the District as this year’s finalists. Superintendent E. Wayne Gent stated that he is inspired by the commitment to service and volunteerism that each finalist represents.  “Our staff care deeply about our students and … Read More

Mariposa Elementary celebrated its PBIS by having a Pokemon Day. Students paid 20 Butterfly Bucks to participate in Pokemon Day where they created a unique Pokemon with special powers and a Poke-Ball and then played charades as they became a Pokemon. Maurice Johnson and Tristan Coe are working hard to create their Pokemon. Jha’keriah Galloway, Brianna Granja, and Beverly Garay are discussing their Pokemon with each other. Anaztajah Rodriguez is finishing up her Pokemon while Jovaughn Hall is just beginning to think about how his Pokemon will look and what special powers it will have.  Overall, it was a huge … Read More

On December 3, 2016, Palm Pointe Educational Research School @ Tradition celebrated its annual Breakfast with Santa.  The event was a huge success with families enjoying a delicious pancake breakfast, kids making holiday crafts, a face painting booth, raffles, pictures with Santa, and holiday songs performed by Mrs. Melanie Larsen and Mrs. Deborrah Estrada. It was a great time to relax with Palm Pointe families and staff at the beginning of the holiday season.  Pictured are Mrs. Luv Lima and her two sons, seventh grader Marcos Lima, fifth grader Rio Lima, and  many other families in the background.

National Beta is committed to recognizing high academic achievement, rewarding and nurturing worthy character, fostering leadership skills, and encouraging service to others. Last week students from Palm Pointe Educational Research School @ Tradition’s Beta Club were building on the school’s tradition of excellence by attending their first State Beta Convention in Orlando. Students went above and beyond by competing in eight different areas against other Florida Beta members. In Division I Robotics: Nico Tovar, Estaban Gomes Lopez, Ava Borgella, and Newman Crews received 1st Place. In Division I Advertising Design: Nachbi Pierre, Elizabeth Chavez-Munden, Gabriella Albritton, and Alexia Morgan received 1st … Read More

The Lions Club of Saint Lucie West visited Weatherbee Elementary School to provide all second graders with a beautiful dictionary.  Shown here with Lions Club members are second grade teachers Chloe Thrasher, Joan Goldson, Rebecca Perez, Lisa Wilkins, and Autumn Stone.

Mrs. Patrick’s 2nd grade class was visited by Superintendent E. Wayne Gent! He read them a wonderful Christmas story entitled Christmas City by Michael Garland. The students thanked him with a present of their own — new socks! Mr. Gent promptly put them on and wore them with pride! Thank you, Mr. Gent, for a wonderful visit!  

Each month Lakewood Park Elementary celebrates students with attendance awards.  These students are present every day of the month, arrive on time, and complete the school day.  They receive a special treat each month as well as a certificate of recognition. This month they walked away with a handmade bracelet to remind them of their dedication.  Way to go, Falcons!

Manatee Academy’s monthly SUNDAY BRUNCH had a special guest for December. The Big Guy himself Ho-Ho-Ho’ed his way into the library and children were treated to something better than candy canes from Santa — free, brand new books TO KEEP! Families also enjoyed Mrs. Remington’s world-famous chocolate-chip pancakes after snapping pictures with bigger-than-life holiday characters, singing Christmas carols, and checking out up to 10 books!

St. Lucie Public Schools Superintendent E. Wayne Gent and School Board Members enjoyed participating in the festive holiday parades in Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce.  The Festival of Lights and Sights and Sounds helped ring in the season with parade floats, bands, and characters to delight the crowds. The St. Lucie County School Board consists of a veteran team of ambassadors for education: Troy Ingersoll (chair), Dr. Donna Mills (vice-chair), Deborah Hawley, Kathryn Hensley, and Carol A. Hilson.

Students at SLW Centennial High School Freshman Academy were treated to an assembly sponsored by School Board Member Dr. Donna Mills. She introduced the guest speaker and gave a brief description of her responsibilities as a Board Member.  She entertained the freshmen with how she was elected and re-elected to serve on the School Board.  She also spoke about her continued efforts to support educators in St. Lucie County. The guest speaker of the day was the CEO of the Boys and Girls Club, Mr. William Armstead.  He opened up with his personal story of how he grew up in … Read More

St. Lucie Public Schools administrators collected toys for this year’s Toys for Tots campaign just in time for Santa’s train as it is scheduled to roll into town on Saturday, December 10th at 1:15 at Orange Avenue and US 1.  Don’t miss it!

Superintendent Gent and School Board Chair Ingersoll chat with Carol Wyatt during the recent WPSL Christmas Kids interview.  Students have performed in many locations throughout St. Lucie County as local businesses support the annual Toy Drive.

Students at Fort Pierce Westwood’s Marine and Oceanographic Academy are making a difference in the local community! The Leadership class at M.O.A. organized the food drive encouraging the campus to bring in food donations. The student body overwhelmingly responded with a grand total of 1,669 food items collected — all of which are being donated to the Treasure Coast Food Bank. Awesome job, Panthers, on the successful food drive!

Samuel S. Gaines Academy sixth graders had the honor of listening to guest speaker Mr. Joe Smith, Clerk of the Circuit Court of St. Lucie County, as he shared his life story during a recent Speakers Bureau event. Mr. Smith, a native of Fort Pierce and a product of the St. Lucie Public Schools, comes from immigrant grandparents who arrived in the United States in the early 1900s. He was raised by a family of educators who inspired him to follow their path in helping others. His career shifted in a similar direction of helping his community, and he became our very … Read More

On Tuesday November 22, 2016, Lincoln Park Academy Middle School students participated in the annual Pathway to Success ceremony.  Whether it’s the youngest Greyhounds in the class of 2024 or the voting-age seniors who graduate in May, all students deserve to know they inspire adults around them.  The students received a keepsake to commemorate the ceremony and signed a graduate silhouette ensuring their commitment to be successful at LPA which is displayed proudly on campus.  Great job, Greyhounds…and keep up the hard work!              

On November 9th, there was a celebration for three Lincoln Park Academy seniors.  Each of them have committed to the college or university of their choice to further their education and athletic excellence. Caleb Pottorff – Cross Country to Florida State University Joseph Stubbs – Baseball to Indian River State College Madison Walsh – Softball to Lander University in South Carolina

The families, faculty, and staff of Weatherbee Elementary recently collected and filled over 100 shoeboxes with much needed health care supplies for our neighbors in hurricane stricken Haiti and Bahamas.  Mrs. Guermithe Ogé and Mrs. Darlene Sydné coordinated the collection drive.

Fourth graders in Ms. Erica Morales’ class at Mariposa Elementary enjoyed playing the role of the math teacher. “Ms. Owens, and Mr. Orozco” guided their fellow classmates in multiplying two digit by two digit numbers using the Matrix Model. Classmates thoroughly enjoyed learning and helping their “teachers” solve each problem. Photographed as teachers: Adrian Orozco and Amorie Owens.

Recently at St. Lucie West Centennial High School, the 19th Judicial Circuit held Teen Court. Criminal Justice students from Fort Pierce Central, Fort Pierce Westwood, St. Lucie West Centennial, and Treasure Coast High Schools prepared and presented defense and prosecution cases. Students also served as jurors, bailiff, Clerk of the Court, and audience members for three cases involving teens.

Fort Pierce Central culinary students and their instructors joined over 40 Florida high schools at the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association Educational Foundation (FRLAEF) Regional workshop at Johnson and Wales University (JWU)  in Miami, Florida. Students rotated through four sessions including: knife skills, trends in baking and pastry, Molecular Gastronomy, and trends in nutrition. Lunch was then served to everyone in the JWU cafe, and each student received a personal chef jacket for attending the event. An exciting and very educational day was had by all!