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. –

St. Lucie West K8 students learn about cell structure in biology

Students in Lindsey Laury’s seventh grade science classes at St. Lucie West K8 School are kicking off the year’s fourth quarter learning about DNA and RNA, and how proteins play an important part in DNA development. Students created edible DNA models using Twizzlers and marshmallows to emphasize the physical components of such an important biological structure. Pictured are students Ethan Morris, left, and Andrew Pierro.

Treasure Coast High School girls hoops team honored at school board meeting

The Treasure Coast High School (TCHS) girls varsity Titans basketball team was recognized at the March 11, 2014, St. Lucie County School Board meeting for their being the first TCHS athletic team to participate in a state championship. Pictured, front kneeling, are Gabriel Bather, left, and Justine Kolb. Standing, from left, are Assistant Principal Eldrique Gardner, School Board chairman Debbie Hawley, Assistant Principal Henry Sanabria, Aly Kolb, TCHS Principal Denise Rodriguez, Alexa Sucato, Evelyn Sagner, Assistant Principal Nikki Poole, Rosemarie Julien, Jade Visser, Yasmine Queen, Alexis Romano, Coach Coach John Picchiarini, Asia Jones, Coach Roger Dorio, Superintendent Genelle Yost, Coach … Read More

Northport K8 kindergartners pilot phonemic awareness training

Northport K-8 kindergartners took part in a pilot study at the school called “Sounds For Intelligence!” The program consists of brain-strengthening sound exercises. The core techniques include a series of sounds vocalized while visualizing parts of the brain, eyes, ears and back of the neck. The exercise is less than five minutes when used correctly each morning, and helps to create balance in brain function. Phonemic Intelligence uses a small unit of sound called a phoneme. The phoneme also carries intelligence and knowing. Phonemic Intelligence was first introduced as “Mind Sound Technology” in the USA, Canada and India. It has … Read More

Parkway Elementary drummers present original rhythm at school board meeting

A group of student musicians representing Parkway Elementary School, with music teacher Beth Torresson, regaled the audience at the March 11, 2014, St. Lucie County School Board meeting with vocals and instrumental entertainment. Members of the drum ensemble, which consists of 12 members, grades 3-5, who auditioned to be in the group, have been working together since November, meeting every Monday and Thursday afternoon for 45 minutes in the music room to practice. Most of their rhythms are original compositions by the group members, one of which was presented during the school board meeting. Pictured, from left, are Owens Oscar, … Read More

Outstanding First Year Teacher winner recognized at school board meeting

Treasure Coast High School (TCHS) reading teacher and St. Lucie Public Schools’ 2014 Outstanding First Year Teacher of the Year Leilani Ankiel was recognized at the March 11, 2014, St. Lucie County School Board meeting for her honor. Ankiel was unable to attend the Night of the Stars gala employee recognition event February 22, 2014, where she was announced as the district winner, because as the team coach, Ankiel was accompanying the TCHS girls’ varsity basketball team at the state championship game in Lakeland the same day. The team was also honored at the school board meeting for their accomplishment … Read More

Employees honored at school board meeting

Two employees were honored at the March 11, 2014, St. Lucie County School Board meeting for the S.T.A.R. (Special Thanks and Recognition) program, which recognizes employees for their behaviors, skills and actions that correlate with the district vision, and exemplify the district’s core values. Pictured, from left, are Superintendent Genelle Yost, honorees Palm Point Research School at Tradition music director Christine Hill, and WestGate K8 School dean Narvelene Lucas, with School Board chairman Debbie Hawley and student assignment director Michelle Jerger who manages the recognition program.

Fairlawn Elementary students recognized for state contest win

A team of Fairlawn Elementary School fifth grade students, along with their teacher Shirley Helton, were recognized at the March 11, 2014, St. Lucie County School Board meeting for winning a 12-week competition throughout the state of Florida buying and selling stocks. They used math, reading, and writing skills to research, invest and calculate how to make profits in today’s stock market. They learned real life experiences as they bought and sold stocks with their $100,000.00 portfolio. The team of Jake Padrick and Val Magdaleno won first place, and in second place was the team of Colt Krischke and Connor … Read More

Youngest students delight superintendent with thoughts about school

Two of the youngest guests to attend the Superintendent’s Learning Lunches this month delighted the superintendent and fellow participants with accounts of their school experiences. Phoebe, left, a pre-kindergarten student at Weatherbee Elementary School, and Windmill Point Elementary School kindergartner Christopher, attended the monthly event in March that invites students, school staff and parents to meet the superintendent at the school district office for a brown bag lunch, and to communicate school activities and concerns.

Lakewood Park Elementary shows appreciation to food program sponsors

The staff at Lakewood Park Elementary School recently acknowledged Laura Klosterman, St. Lucie County coordinator for the Grace Pack Program, and Andrea Pierson, cafeteria manager, for their work for students in need. The Grace Pack’s mission is to provide weekly, weekend food packages for students whose families may be food insecure. To participate in the program, go to www.stlucieschools.org, click on the Schools tab, and go to the Lakewood Park Elementary School site, and click on Grace Pack for a complete list of food needs. Pictured, from left, are Principal Dianne Young, Andrea Pierson, Laura Klosterman, and Assistant Principal Tammy Smith.

St. Lucie West K8 team places in regional science bowl

A team of four students from St. Lucie West K8 School, coached by science teacher Dannette Rikard, placed fifth out of the 24 teams competing in the recent Florida Regional Space Coast Science Education Alliance Middle School Science Bowl at the Florida Solar Energy Center in Cocoa Beach. Pictured, from left, are Maikel House, Alexis Henke, Ms. Rikard, Asja Misner, and Kevin Le.

Mariposa Elementary N.E.E.D. group reaches out to teach more students

The fifth grade students on the N.E.E.D. (National Energy Education Development) project team at Mariposa Elementary School are busy focusing on learning and teaching energy sources to students in other grade levels within the school. Mariposa Elementary is the N.E.E.D. state elementary school of the year, and a national finalist. This year’s group is highly motivated and working towards attending the national awards ceremony in Washington D.C. this June. Pictured, from left, are team members Cathy Smith, Justin Locklar, Hannah Wright, Monica Kalina, Mary McCartney, Mikayla Sampson, Tnanazia Young, Johann Vianna, Allysha Lillard, Jan Feliciano, and Adam Archer.

Schools superintendent earns most donations to kiss the pig

St. Lucie Public Schools Superintendent Genelle Yost garnered the most donations in a month-long fundraising activity to benefit Kids at Hope, a mentoring initiative of the Roundtable of St. Lucie County, earning the right to kiss a pig at the St. Lucie County Fair. Yost exceeded the funds raised by the five other local women community leaders in the contest, and topped the winner of last year’s all-male team in contributions. “I truly wanted to be the one to get to kiss the pig,” Yost remarked, adding appreciation for all of the friends, colleagues and community members who supported her … Read More

Savanna Ridge Elementary students learn to be writing wizards

The “Writing Wizard” James Dean recently helped prepare students at Savanna Ridge Elementary School for the annual FCAT Writes standardized test. Dean, a representative from Thinking Maps, has been diligently working with the teachers and students in preparation for the writing test. The day consisted of students creating magic wands, wizard hats, and hearing a presentation to help reinforce the material they learned for the test. The students rotated through stations where they used their wands to “zap” out irrelevant information, became writing wizards on how to use clear and precise language, created thinking maps on helpful writing hints, and … Read More

Port St. Lucie Police Department and Kids at Hope to host family forum

The Port St. Lucie Police Department and Kids at Hope will present a free family forum on Wednesday, March 26, 2014, in the City of Port St. Lucie Municipal Complex, 121 SW Port St. Lucie Blvd., from 1 to 3 PM. This forum will address social, academic and career success in a child’s future. There is no cost to attend, but reservations are suggested. Refreshments will be provided. A variety of special guests will present information on how to plan for success for children. For additional information or to reserve a seat, contact Alice Kenyon at the Juvenile Restorative Justice … Read More

Northport K8 student ambassadors welcome visitors

Selected Northport K-8 middle grades students have been specially trained to serve as school ambassadors to help showcase the great events and opportunities that are available to the students, families and community members at the school. Northport has many, many community partners including military members, first responders, service therapy dog handlers and many guests who require movement within the school. The selected students have been trained to offer their guests specialized services within a cordial and warm atmosphere, and willingly offer their hand and polite conversation while transporting guests to any location on the campus grounds. The students consider being … Read More

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