Learning to write authentically and with focus is a key part of the performance mission at Northport K-8 School. Students have many opportunities to plan, organize, learn how to write supporting details, elaborate on ideas, use good conventions and learn how to turn off the fog lamps in their brains and write with laser-like focus, using dramatically intense and dynamic writing tools. Among the writing opportunities at Northport are the school-wide Young Author’s program, a generous amount of authentic essay writing assignments with focused feedback, journal writing, newsletter writing collaborations, learning to write research papers, using writing response techniques and … Read More

Students at Mariposa Elementary recently invited local veterans, firefighters and police officers to a Hero’s Breakfast in their honor. After the breakfast, students honored the local heroes through songs from the Mariposa chorus directed by Mary McCartney, a “Thank You” presentation from Michelle Smith’s first grade class, poem readings from second grade students and thank you cards from the entire school. The heroes were thrilled to receive the hugs and thank you cards from the students! Afterwards, the local police and fire department invited students outside to view the emergency vehicles and learn about safety. Pictured are Jonah McCrory, from … Read More

St. Lucie County Commissioner Kim Johnson helped kick off the Samuel S. Gaines Academy K8 School annual 100 Book Challenge recently. Johnson spoke to the middle school students about the importance of reading and its connection to one’s future success in life. Johnson is pictured, center, with Assistant Principal Mallissa Hamilton, left, and Principal Tracy Wilke.

Northport K-8 School instructor Rachel Ellsworth, along with a group of excited students and parents, took an educational jaunt to a local grocery store to price shop and to learn about the skills need to work in different areas of the store. Students learned about the butcher shop, the floral department and the bakery, as well as sanitation practices, cross-contamination and food safety. Students learned about careers and the application process and were thrilled to be able to participate in some of the skilled tasks at the store. Pictured is a member of the bakery staff with eighth grade culinary … Read More

Each year, Northport K-8 School participates in the St. Lucie County School District History Fair, which this year will be March 1 at Palm Pointe Educational Research School at Tradition. The history fair is a wonderful opportunity for students in grades six and eight to not only hone research skills and techniques, but is also an excellent opportunity for students to cultivate and frame their own interests. Researching topics in history can unlock interests and encourage students to become deeper, more authentic learners. The topic this year is broad and the scope allows students to explore and appreciate many different … Read More

Northport K-8 School fourth graders in Carissa Berkley’s RTI or Response To Intervention class are using their higher level thinking skills to compile articles researched online, compose questions and use talking and listening skills to interview campus administrators, teachers and staff, write book reviews, research and write directions on “how-to” projects such as “How To Build a Bird House,” write articles about clubs and activities that are occurring at Northport and to incorporate research into articles on bullying and cyberbullying, as well as making cartoons and puzzles for fourth graders to enjoy as an addition to the newsletter. The newsletter … Read More

After reading a fictional text of their choice, students at Fairlawn Elementary created a 3-D character model and an accompanying interview in class. Students composed questions for the main character, and then answered the questions from the character’s perspective. Next, they created a 3-D model of the main character out of either a pumpkin or a two-liter bottle of soda. The models and interviews were put on display for all to enjoy at the school-wide Harvest Festival. Pictured are Maddie Moynagh, left, and Ashlee Irizarry creating their pumpkin model.

Allapattah Flats K8 recently held its annual Hispanic Heritage Night. Guests who attended were treated to an authentic Hispanic dish, student performances from band and chorus, a student dance performance that crossed grade levels, and a student PowerPoint presentation on a notable Hispanic figure. Guests were also taught how to create a PowerPoint in 12 simple steps from technology instructor John Koch.  The event was very student-oriented, as behind the scenes students were video recording the performances and running the lights and sound. Pictured are students and families enjoy the musical performance.

Third grade students at Allapattah Flats K8 School continue to demonstrate their scientific minds. Recently, students had an opportunity to travel to other classrooms and participate in five different experiments related to matter. Students did experiments with oobleck to demonstrate the states of matter. Another experiment demonstrated the chemical change when a penny is dipped in a vinegar and salt solution. Students made connections relating the Statue of Liberty’s copper material to the copper in a penny. Pictured, from right, are Raul Andrews, Mea Quinones, and Miguel Sanchez.

The Port Saint Lucie High School Jaguar Battalion proudly supported the Port Saint Lucie Veterans Day Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park.

In celebration of Veteran’s Day, Fairlawn Elementary School students had a nice surprise when a Mystery Reader came to school and read to them about Moina Belle Michael, The Poppy Lady. Students learned about Moina Michael’s work to establish the red poppy as a symbol to honor and remember soldiers. After reading, the students created lapel pins of red poppies to wear in honor of our soldiers. Pictured, from left, are Abi Padon, Christina Wilson, Sabrina Pepito and Josh Boyd.

As October was International Walk to School Month, students from St. Lucie Public Schools participated October 24th for Walk and Bike Safety Day. Students received a fun worksheet reminding them of the rules to follow to make it home safely. Pictured are students from Lakewood Park Elementary leaving the school by walking or biking.

Alyceson Laidlaw, Ladies Auxiliary secretary, VFW Post 8058 presents Lawnwood Elementary students with their Buddy Poppies. These students have adopted U.S. ARMY Arcent G2, which is in its first deployment in Kuwait. The students are writing letters, sending pictures, and collecting personal supplies to be sent to Afghanistan over the holiday season. One student wrote, “I will think of you every time I say The Pledge of Allegiance, you are not forgotten!” Pictured, from left, are Raul Pozniak, Maddy Talley, Ms. Laidlaw, Kirstyn Macy, Tommy Wuchte, and Rowan Crandall.

Students from Oak Hammock K8 and Manatee Academy K8 recently had the opportunity to chat about favorite books via video conferencing. Both schools are participating in the Young Adult Choice (YAC) program, where students in grades 7-12 get to read and vote for their favorite new books. During the video conference, students from both schools shared their favorite new YAC books. Amazing book talks from students left the young readers anxious to read more! Pictured are Oak Hammock students Joshua Hawes, Chiara Castro, Ashley Ramsaran, Analyse Bell, and Marsha Chevalier video conferencing with students at Manatee K-8.

Students in Crystal Woodard’s marine science classes at Fort Pierce Central High School recently visited the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center in Stuart. They began their trip with a short lecture about oysters and their importance to our water quality. Next, they went hiking through the nature trail to the Indian River lagoon, where the students got to do actual water quality testing. In addition, they also got to see where they prep oyster shells to create oyster reefs. Students thoroughly enjoyed the stingray and invertebrate touch tank, watching the game fish feeding, and the aquarium exhibits inside. Overall it was … Read More