United Way Highest Student Campaign Winners

At the School Board Meeting on April 8, 2014 Monte Kosoff and Roxanne Wells of the United Way of St. Lucie County presented awards to the schools with the highest student campaigns. Morningside Elementary students collected $1,092, Palm Pointe Educational Research School $832, Treasure Coast High School $500, and Southern Oaks Middle $450. Pictured are the Director of Communications & Work Place Giving Roxanne Wells, Assistant Principal of Treasure Coast High School Henry Sanabria, Principal of Palm Pointe Educational Research School Debra Snyder, School Board Chairman Debbie Hawley, Campaign Coordinator at Southern Oaks Middle School Brooke Martino, Superintendent Genelle Yost, … Read More

Westwood High school World Language Department visits Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

Ms. Denski’s along with Ms. Gaudreau’s Spanish and French classes had the opportunity to visit Vizcaya in Miami on March 21, 2014.  The extraordinary estate was built by James Deering.  The European- inspired estate includes a house filled with rare art and furnishings, ten acres of gardens on Biscayne Bay, and a historic village that is currently being restored for public enjoyment.  With its phenomenal man-made and natural resources, Vizcaya introduces visitors to America’s Gilded Age.  The foreign language students were able to experience first hand the historical sights where one of America’s wealthiest industrialist lived in breath-taking opulence inspired … Read More

Too Good for Drugs

Student Assistance Program successfully providing evidence-based prevention curricula in St. Lucie County schools The Student Assistance Program (SAP), which is a free, in-school prevention program, is in the process of completing another school year of successful substance abuse and violence prevention programming in St. Lucie County.  SAP, a program of New Horizons of the Treasure Coast, Inc., is funded by the Children’s Services Council of St. Lucie County and DCF’s Prevention Partnership Grant.  SAP’s Prevention Specialists are currently responsible for provided all 5th graders in St. Lucie County with the district-mandated Too Good for Drugs curriculum, which is a 10-week … Read More

Autism Speaks: Light It Up Blue Campaign

In support of World Autism Day acknowledged on April 2, a sea of school district employees arrived dressed in shades of blue to support the Autism Speaks: Light It Up Blue Campaign.  Pictured in this  photo with Superintendent Genelle Yost and School Board Chairwoman Debbie Hawley are a sampling of district employees showing off their  “dress blues!”

Northport Student Attends Leadership Conference in California

Northport K-8 School 8th grade Mariner student, Albert Morgan will be attending a very special three day conference in Anaheim, California this month. Albert will be representing the Chuck Hill Unit of the Port St. Lucie Boys and Girls Club on Marion Street. Ten other local students from the unit will be attending with Albert as well as Unit Director, London Reeves. Students raised the money to attend the leadership conference through fundraising. The Keystone Conference attendees are called Keystones. The Keystone Conference has three main goals for the students, community involvement, academic success and career exploration. Students will visit … Read More

Students benefit from summer internship program

While many might have enjoyed a summer “get-away” at the end of the 2013 school year, Cindy Hill, Fran Casner, and colleagues in the school district’s Facilities Department planned real-world, first job experiences for Career and Technical Education (CTE) summer interns. As in past years, the 2013 Summer Internship Program proved to be a great experience for 17 St Lucie Public Schools students. The program is a partnership between Facilities/Maintenance Department, CTE, and the Workforce Solutions/Hinkles and McCoy group, who create paid, real-world summer jobs for the students.  Team members from the Maintenance Department plan and host a golf tournament each … Read More

St. Lucie West K8 teacher surprised with honor

St. Lucie West K8 fourth grade teacher Shannon Tango was surprised recently when representatives of an area radio station visited her class as part of the station’s monthly teacher recognition program. Tango was nominated by a parent of one of her students, who credited Tango with inspiring her students to achieve in the classroom, and for making learning fun! Pictured from left are 93.7 radio host Hamp Elliott, Assistant Principal John Keelor, 93.7 Program Director Darrin Arriens, Parent Shannon Tango, 4th Grade Teacher Nikki DeMaio, Principal Susan Seal, and 93.7 radio host Geoff Moore.

Florida Department of Citrus Visits Gaines Academy

Captain Citrus, a program from the Florida Department of Citrus, came to Samuel Gaines Academy to speak with our second graders about Florida citrus.  The second graders were highly engaged, throughout the interactive and energizing presentation.  They learned more about how citrus trees grow, as well as, the nutritional benefits of Florida’s citrus fruits and juices.  Their new knowledge was treated with the opportunity to sample oranges, grapefruits, tangerines, and orange juice at the end of the presentation.

Gaines Academy students participate in local Special Olympics event

Students in Karen Madalena’s class at Samuel Gaines Academy participated in the recent St. Lucie County Special Olympics Track and Field event at Lawnwood Stadium. This event is part of the new Young Atheletes Program (YAP) that helps children with disabilities develop motor, social, and cognitive skills as well as giving the students the opportunity to learn and have fun! Pictured is Ezekiel Simmens jumping the hurdles as he completes the obstacle course.

Bayshore Elementary community night a great parent resource

Bayshore Elementary School held its third Annual Community Night recently, bringing together community groups, school staff, and families to learn about available resources. Families received valuable information from many community groups, such as Girl Scouts, Kids at Hope, Port St. Lucie Police Department, St. Lucie County Health Department, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Huntington Learning Center, and the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office. Pictured, from left, are Principal Lori Anne Reid, Port St. Lucie Mayor JoAnn Faiella, Assistant Principal Edwin Munoz and Janelle Palmer from Nancy Fallon’s second grade class.

Northport media center offers special empowerment program

The Northport K-8 School Media Center offered students an opportunity to showcase their multifaceted talents in a terrific Women’s History and Girl’s Empowerment Program recently. The program highlighted the accomplishments of women role models in history, Northport teachers and staff, mothers, daughters, and students. Students were empowered to shed poor role models like Miley Cyrus, Amanda Bynes, Britney Spears and Beyoncé and to look for strong women who have made important changes in the world. Women’s struggles and successes were highlighted in a PowerPoint presentation that included music, news clips and clips from actress Hilary Swank playing the role of … Read More

Northport middle grades students express thoughts in writing contest

Northport K-8 middle grades students participated in a writing contest themed, “What Does Being A Woman Really Mean?” Students from all across the spectrum of writing capabilities wrote beautiful and meaningful essays that were included in the school’s annual Women’s History Program held in the media center recently. The essay contest, spearheaded by New Horizons’ Prevention Specialist Maryanne Warren allowed students to think deeply about female characters in their lives and how each has proven influential. Third place winner is Andrew Moscuzza, second place is Emily Avery and first place winner is Misty Hall, all eighth grade Mariner team members. … Read More

Palm Pointe families enjoy CSI Night

Recently families at Palm Pointe Educational Research School @ Tradition participated in a CSI Family Mystery Night, “The Case of the Missing Pandas.”  Students and families became part of their very own CSI team by completing experiments to eliminate suspects. By using their superior science and deductive reasoning skills, the students would solve the case on who stole the missing pandas from the school. Families also enjoyed a free dinner while they waited for the final results.  Over 600 people came out to enjoy this yearly event! Pictured, from left, are fourth grade student Autumn Eichenlaub, health paraprofessional Michelle DeGarmo, and seconde grade … Read More

School district supports tobacco free activities

Employees of the St. Lucie County School District joined over 1,400 sites nationwide March 19, 2014, to recognize Kick Butts Day, a national day of activism that empowers youth to stand out, speak up and seize control against Big Tobacco. Teachers, youth leaders and health advocates organized events around the country and the world to raise awareness of the problem of tobacco use, encourage youth to reject the tobacco industry’s deceptive marketing and stay tobacco-free, and urge elected officials to take action to protect kids from tobacco. Kick Butts Day is organized nationally by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and … Read More

Weatherbee Elementary students participate in charity event

A recent picture-perfect day was a perfect setting for the “Jump Rope for Heart” event at Weatherbee Elementary. The annual event is part of the American Heart Association and their mission is to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. In the weeks preceeding the fundraising event at Weatherbee Elementary, each class raised money as a team by filling up a can in their classroom with their extra coins. Physical Education teacher Nuran Onal, who organized the event, rewarded classes raising the most money with pizza parties, certificates, and jump ropes. Pictured, from left, are Zarek Fernandez, Jefte Simplice, and Israel Bradley.

Lawnwood Elementary students host event to benefit PTO

The students of Lawnwood Elementary School hosted a Walk-A-Thon with students maneuvering an obstacle course to raise money for the PTO and their many school sponsored events. Pictured taking a break from the festivities and enjoying a snack are first row, from left, Mika Blakeman, Raul Pozniak, and Ethan Stabile; second row, from left, Sarah Jones, Rowan Crandall, John Donnelly, and Albert Han; back row, from left, Madison Talley, Audrey Kloeckner, and Keirra Holycross.

Lakewood Park Elementary celebrates with Tunnel of Hope

Lakewood Park Elementary School students and staff recently celebrated the FCAT Writes with a special Tunnel of Hope. The school body lined hallways holding posters and encouraging students as each of the fourth grade class passed by. Special visitors and volunteers also participated, including School Board chairman Debbie Hawley and instructional suppport for science technology specialist Teri Barenborg. After the fourth grade students passed through the Tunnel of Hope, they enjoyed a special assembly, where they had a chance to answer questions to go on stage for special creative activities to enhance writing skills needed for making the perfect 4.0 score. … Read More

Education Commissioner Stewart sends letter to parents on new assessment tool

Florida Department of Education Commissioner Pam Stewart this week announced the assessment tool selected to replace the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) as an annual standardized test for Florida public school students. The commissioner developed a letter for parents to understand the process. To view Commissioner Stewart’s letter to parents, copy the following link into your browser: http://www.fldoe.org/pdf/CommissionersMessageParents3-17-14.pdf

Lincoln Park Academy student project brings toys to hospitalized children

Three Lincoln Park Academy student athletes have delivered stuffed toys to children at Palm Beach Children’s Hospital Pediatric Unit as part of a Kare for Kids community service team project. Pictured, from left, are Erin Gerlica, Jeffrey Gerlica and Kayla Andrade on a recent toy delivery. The Kare for Kids team more than doubled its original goal of 75 by collecting more than 175 toys! Jeffrey plans to continue with the Kare for Kids program so he can help bring further joy to children in need.

Two Lincoln Park students take top honors in state science competition

Lincoln Park Academy senior Robert Bacchus, Jr., and eighth grade student Haniyah Shareef took the top prizes in their respective age groups at the recent Florida Junior Academy of Sciences (FJAS) speaker competition. Only 10 students were chosen in the state per research category for the competitive contest. Robert took first place in High School Medical Sciences, and received the FJAS Senior Scholarship; Haniyah took first place in Middle School Environmental Sciences. Robert was also named a semifinalist in the Intel® Science Talent Search (Intel STS) in 2014, the nation’s most prestigious pre-college science competition. –

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