Kamryn Gardner and Morgan Busby show off their laurel wreaths while studying ancient Greece. Students in Stacey Johnson’s third grade RTI Enrichment group at F.K. Sweet Elementary are learning about the contributions of this ancient civilization to our modern society. Students discovered the roots of democracy and the Olympic Games. They enjoyed learning about the gods and goddesses and the myths that were told to explain the world around them, practiced writing letters of the Greek alphabet and learned where they are still in use today in our fraternal organizations.

The celebration began with teachers dressing up as pirates, and reading the second school wide read aloud of “Treasure Island”.  Book trailers were run on WSPM Channel 2 News. Students were given materials to make book marks which would include content from the read aloud.  The week ended with a book swap held in the Media Center.  Students were encouraged to bring in a new or gently used book and were able to pick from a variety of popular new titles in exchange. Pictured, from left are, Sharon Dudash, Kimberly Nicholas, Wanda Galey, Christine Richards, Lilias Demontegnac, Adrianne Mendoza, Andrea Levin and Dana Hochberg.

 A representative of the American Cancer Society expressed appreciation to the St. Lucie County Public Schools that were instrumental in the Society’s Relay for Life and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer fundraising events.  Community Representative Daniel Regis, right, presented a glass plaque to  Superintendent Michael Lannon, left, and School Board chairman Carol Hilson at the January 24, 2012, school board meeting.  

Northport K8 School is proud to have close affiliation with the St. Lucie County School District’s Hispanic Advisory Council.  Pictured are Gloria Arana, parent and member of Centro San Juan Diego, Linda Tapia, host of Que Pasa St. Lucie and recruiter for Federal Programs, Title I, III and Migrant Education and Benigna Montenegro, assistant principal at Northport K-8 School and FCAT parent trainer for the Hispanic Advisory Council.  The Council was proud to be represented at the launch of the Parent Academy of St. Lucie County recently celebrated by the School Board, Houghten Mifflin Harcourt, Parent Academy Board of Directors … Read More

Staff in the Media Center at Mariposa Elementary celebrated Literacy Week by creating posters from favorite childrens’ books.  Students visiting the center were asked to draw scenes depicting a character or event from the storybook.  Posters will be on display throughout the school. Pictured is student Andy Gonzalez.

Three teachers were surprised the morning of January 26, 2012, when an entourage led by Superintendent Michael Lannon, school board members, district administrators and representatives of the St. Lucie County Education Foundation visited their classrooms to announce their selection as finalists for the 2013 St. Lucie County Public Schools Teacher of the Year. The finalists are: Karen-Lee Crosby, pre-kindergarten teacher at Lawnwood Elementary School; Natasha Santoro, second grade teacher at Rivers Edge Elementary School; and Mary Jo Trubisky, Exceptional Student Education teacher at Windmill Point Elementary School. The difficult task of selecting the finalists was determined by a committee of former Teachers of … Read More

Bayshore Elementary School invited community and school district members to read to students during Celebrate Literacy Week.  Students in Annette Hawkins’ kindergarten classroom were excited to have St. Lucie County School Board vice chairman Debbie Hawley visit their classroom to read.

Bayshore Elementary School’s kindergarten classes visited the fire station to learn about places in the community and the importance of community helpers.  Pictured are Kristian Claudio (left) and Tianna Springston-Coyle (right) from Jennifer Archer’s kindergarten class learning what it is like to ride in a fire truck.  

Taylor Currie has been selected as the Youth Volunteer of the Year at Floresta Elementary. Taylor has served at Floresta Elementary for the last two years, helping in the office, assisting with clerical tasks as well as working with students and families.  Taylor provides a valuable resource to teachers and students in the classroom.  This year, Taylor began working with exceptional students, and has decided that she would like to pursue a career in exceptional student  education.

Northport K-8 School has declared a champion in the annual Spelling Bee!  Thirty students from grades four through eight participated in a 14- round spelling bee recently with seventh grade Northstar student, Jared Diago, spelling the word microphone correctly to win first place.  Second place winner was Kadisha D’Silva and third place was Koral Saarinen.  Students brought one student guest from their class to witness the exposition and many parents were present to urge on their students to spelling victory.  Jared Diago, pictured in the top row, last student on the right, will continue on to the district Spelling Bee next month.

Students have a wide choice of books to select from when using one of the five reading habits, Reading to Self. It is proven that a student will elect to read more, if they have an opportunity to make their own choices. Preston Zinter, in Traci Lott’s second grade class at F.K. Sweet Elementary, is enjoying his non-fiction selection on motorcycles.

Kindergarten students in Melanie Francisco’s class at F.K. Sweet Elementary enjoy circle directed reading time instruction each day. Children are afforded an opportunity to come up and show what they have learned and Giovanna Manigeri is anxiously awaiting her turn to impress her classmates.

Fort Pierce Central Army Junior Reserve Officers‘ Training Corps (JROTC) hosted its 27th Annual Military Ball recently. The evening began with a reception line. Student cadets in uniform or floor-length dresses greeted senior officers and guests before finding their assigned chairs. The Cadet Color Guard Posted the Colors, and ceremonies began,  including an address by Assistant Superintendent Kevin G. Perry, and the night ended with a traditional dance. JROTC cadets at Fort Pierce Central spend five hours of class time, plus homework and a test, learning etiquette to prepare for the ball, according to LCT Al Nevarez, the senior program instructor. This includes instruction … Read More

Northport K8 School Northstar seventh grade instructor Mala Woessner and third grade instructor Glenda Taylor combined forces to teach a common Learning Goal.  Seventh grade students taught basic research skills using selected websites to guide third grade partners and to complete a display board for the school’s Multicultural Festival.  Students used research techniques to organize, compile and summarize information using a common format and showcased information about Germany.  Students pictured, from left, are Okyiah Mclean, Jailene Ventura, James Mikovsky and Marissa Maffucci.

The second annual District Project Citizen Showcase was held recently at Samuel S. Gaines Academy. Middle and K-8 schools presented their best projects developed by students in their seventh grade civics classes. The projects highlight a solution to a school or community public policy problem. The projects demonstrate extensive research, writing, collaboration, and application of civic knowledge in a student-developed project. The top six entries (three from each St. Lucie County Congressional district), will be displayed in Tallahassee at the State Capitol and selected projects will then advance to the state showcase in Orlando later this spring. This year’s showcase was … Read More

On the January Professional Development Day, the staff at F.K. Sweet Elementary had a Marzano training on several of the design questions featured in his book. Teachers worked in groups to share activities that could be used as part of an effective classroom. Sharing their presentation, from left, are Jody Horton, Dorain Newbern, and Deanna Scotto.

Floresta Elementary School teachers and staff engaged in a CHAMPS training recenetly.  This professional development was interesting, relevant, and practical for teachers and anyone who works with children, especially in an educational setting.  At the core of the program’s success, is the philosophy that when teachers are clear in their expectations, students can and will make appropriate academic and behavior choices.  The CHAMPS program offers teachers the ability to create a thoughtful, clear set of expectations, tailored to each individual teacher’s classroom routines and expectations.  The program aligns with the Positive Behavior Support program already implemented, and Rti requirements.  The result … Read More

Floresta Elementary School fourth and fifth grade students competed in the 2011-2012 Scripps Spelling Bee.  First place winner was Anthony Martens from Valerie Doyle’s fifth grade class, and second place winner was Jacob Lucrezia, from Michael Bogin’s fourth grade class.  Congratulations to winners, and to all those who competed.

Floresta Elementary School participated in the annual Martin Luther King Parade.  Thanks go to committee chairman Danielle Eugene, advisor Cemera Clancy, members Raina Ingrum, Sandy Pagliughi, Sharon Koen, and volunteer Jinny Holler, for their contributions in designing the float.  Huge thanks also go to  Betty Carling, Sylvia Johnson, Sandy Pagliughi, Elish Mancuso and Linda Menikheim for their support of this event by marching alongside the float, to Doug Abbuhl, Celeste Hartsfield and Grace Duvelsdorf for support and guidance in the preparation of this event, and all the teachers and students who made or provided posters for our float.  Parent volunteer Carlos Fundora not only offered … Read More

Small group instruction is a daily part of the reading routine in Morgan Haupt’s kindergarten class at F.K. Sweet Elementary. Students have access to leveled readers that compliment the new reading series. Za’Niyah Taylor, Skylar Monroe, and Shinyla Williams think that learning to read is cool, and look forward to reading with their teacher.