by | Nov 15, 2012 | District News
Book retailer Barnes and Noble is donating over 4,000 children’s books divided between schools in St. Lucie, Martin and Okeechobee counties and Hibiscus Children’s Centers purchased by store customers. Linda Daly, Community Relations Manager, brought the first 1,125 books sorted by reading level to St. Lucie School District offices this week. The books will be distributed through the Title One department. Pictured with Daly, right, is Rod Natta, manager of Federal and Special Programs, accepting the first delivery.
by | Nov 15, 2012 | School News
The St. Lucie County School Board approved a resolution recognizing November as Florida Parental Involvement In Education Month. A proclmation from Governor Rick Scott’s office was read during the November 13, 2012, school board meeting. Pictured, from left, are School Board chairman Carol Hilson, coordinator of Title I programs Yvonne Johnson, parent Lilly Bowe who read the proclamation, and Superintendent Michael Lannon.
by RICHARD THOMPSON | Nov 16, 2012 | School News
The Port St. Lucie High School Jaguar Battalion recently participated in a Veterans Day ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park. The cadets stood along the side of the park in formation to show respect and support for this ceremony. Several of the cadets, led by c/LTC Amanda Mabry, performed TAPS, which is a silent armed drill. Two cadets also participated in the presenting the colors. It was an honor for the Jaguar Battalion to participate in this year’s ceremony.
by Kristin Hsu | Nov 16, 2012 | School News
Fifth grade students in Donald Logue’s science class at F. K. Sweet Elementary School recently completed an investigation to determine which objects would create the biggest impact crater when dropped from a height of one meter. Students used two different types of marbles and one piece of sandstone as their variables. Students first found the mass, then the volume, and finally the density of the objects to use as a basis for their hypothesis. Then students measured the width and depth of each crater and found the average size after three trials of each object. Pictured, from left, are Nate Baker, Justice Anderson, and Lance Fleschner.
by Jacqueline Boyle | Nov 16, 2012 | School News
St. Lucie West Centennial High School SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco) Club hosted the monthly meeting of the Tobacco Free Partnership of St. Lucie County recently. Students have been promoting prevention and cessation initiatives as well as all-around tobacco education at Centennial High School and have been asked to reach out to other district schools that may want to start their own SWAT club. If you are interested in getting SWAT started at your own school, please contact Marcella Bianco at 772-785-6135. Pictured, from left, are Leedy Boyle, Keegan Mafiore, and Christina Wilson.
by Laura Tidey | Nov 16, 2012 | School News
Kindergarten students from Rivers Edge Elementary recently imagined they were sailing on the Mayflower to America. They measured and blocked out 100 feet in their hallway and all climbed aboard for a more personal experience.
by Lori Beans | Nov 19, 2012 | School News
Bayshore Elementary School students and staff members were proud to participate in a recent Stand Up To Bullying day. Staff and students participated in this first annual event for St. Lucie County by wearing pink shirts to support this important cause. Pictured are Bayshore Elementary staff members showing their support.
by Lori Beans | Nov 20, 2012 | School News
Bayshore Elementary School’s kindergarten students and their families participated in a Thanksgiving feast recently. Students compared children of today with children in the past while learning about their culture. They also learned the importance of national holidays, such as Thanksgiving, as a way of recognizing our nation’s heritage. Winn Dixie sponsored the event and helped serve students and families. Pictured, from left, are Auralee Golden from Winn Dixie, Jacob Maypole, assistant principal Michael Reed, teacher Annette Hawkins, Bailey McGlynn and Freda Clair from Winn Dixie.
by LYNNE Gruszka | Nov 27, 2012 | School News
Northport K-8 kindergarten students in Melody Nieves class recently
participated in an impressive lesson using the story, “The Legend Of The Indian
Paintbrush!” The kindergarteners listened to the story and then talked about
describing words. Each student identified a list of words that described
characteristics about themselves and created a Native American name for
themselves using their describing characteristics. Each then made a special
headband with their Indian name enscribed on the band. Students proudly wore
the bands all day long and called each other by their Indian names. The lesson
engaged the kindergartners and provided each with an opportunity to share
information about themselves.
by RICHARD THOMPSON | Nov 27, 2012 | School News
The Port Saint Lucie High School Jaguar Battalion recently participated in a Dreamfest held by Discovery Church at the Port Saint Lucie Civic Center. As part of the ceremony, the church honored veterans by having the cadet Color Guard present the national flag while members of the church sang the National Anthem and America the Beautiful. The four cadets that presented the colors were Cadet First Sergeant Arlene Mabry pictured holding the national flag, Cadet Staff Sergeant Tyler Lynn holding the state flag, and Cadet Staff Sergeant Robert Hopkins and Cadet Sergeant First Class Jose Cumba standing as the guards. Pictured, from left, are Jose Cumba, Arlene Mabry, Tyler Lynn, and Robert Hopkins.
by LYNNE Gruszka | Nov 27, 2012 | School News
Northport K-8 students from all grade levels participated in a district wide initiative called “Movers For The Military” just in time for Thanksgiving! Students and their parents collected nine moving boxes filled with new items for the kitchen and bathroom, blankets, new pillows, new sheets, clothing, personal
care items and even a brand new prosthetic leg to fit a homeless veteran.
Northport K-8 School partnered with local moving company, Two Men and a Truck to
collect the items benefiting Big Hearts Homeless Shelter in Ft. Pierce. The
drive for the homeless veterans instilled in students the knowledge that they
have the power to help those in need that have served our country in a very real
and powerful way. The students were thrilled to be able to give back to the
community and to lift up our Veteran Partners In Education. Pictured, from left,
are Northport head custodian and Air Force veteran Dan Aaron, Northport
students, instructor Mala Woessner and two representatives from Two Men and a
Truck Moving Company.
by Roberta Farrell | Nov 29, 2012 | School News
The kindergarten students at Palm Pointe Educational Research School @ Tradition had an old fashioned Indian Pow- Wow. Students and teachers dressed in Indian attire and went outside to do many activities. They played their handmade drums, they learned an Indian dance and participated in other centers while outside. Pictured are students listening to an Indian story which was one of the centers.
by LYNNE Gruszka | Nov 29, 2012 | School News
Northport K-8 School middle grades instructors Amanda Sartain and Kalyn Nova received an innovative and exciting grant from Lowe’s Toolbox For Education called Gardening For Grades. The students and teachers are beginning the garden at the school using the Florida Ag program which provides a positive learning experience for students to develop leadership skills, responsibility and community pride through organized gardening activities. The program is designed to incorporate science, math, language arts, geography and a plethora of other subject area disciplines. Students will experience growth observation from seed, measurement of growth, design experimentation and growing plants found in historic novels. Research has proven that gardening in schools positively influences students environmental attitudes, nutritional attitudes, self esteem, test scores, school community attitudes, interpersonal skills and behavior. The Grades For Gardening program is a win/win experience for the entire school community.
by VIVIANA GROSS | Nov 29, 2012 | School News
Floresta Elementary School recently hosted its monthly Title I Family Learning Night. November’s focus was on FCAT testing, and how families can help support their child’s success on this important test. While parents spent time in the school’s Media Center, children were given opportunities to read and discuss literature, and answer a variety of questions relating to reading, math, and science. For each correct response, students earned a token, which they could use to compete against others in a friendly game of cards. Dealers at each card table kept track of the winnings, and provided each winner a gift bag containing learning supplies and tools for all subject areas. Students and families had a wonderful time challenging one another in a learning atmosphere, enjoying popcorn and other snacks provided by the school’s PTO. The event was so well received, that there is consideration being made to repeating it after the New Year. Thank you to Vickie Pease and Grace Duvelsdorf, all members of the school’s Title I Committee, and PTO for helping organize and facilitate this engaging family event.
by Roberta Farrell | Nov 29, 2012 | School News
Fourth grade students at Palm Pointe Educational Research School @ Tradition learn to write their own melodies and then play them on their recorders! Christine Hill, music director, helped her students create a rhythm and then put the melodic pitches to them. The last step was to put the whole melody on the musical staff. Pictured, from left, are Breana Lamothe, Noah James, Alexandra Sessa and Harlem Lilly.
by Eve Hilcken | Nov 29, 2012 | School News
Student-led conferences are family discussions where the student leads a discussion of his/her work. In this format, the teacher becomes the facilitator while students lead their families in conversations that require them to reflect on and evaluate their work. Students in first through fifth grades recently invited their parents in to share with them their academic progress from the first nine weeks. Pictured, at left, Principal Jonetha Maness conferences with a student while Erick Lopez conferences with his dad, Ray Lopez.
by Eve Hilcken | Nov 29, 2012 | School News
Students in Mandy Farrell’s third grade class at Windmill Point Elementary School were recently awarded a PBS game hour for their good behavior. Students paid $20 Wildcat Cash to spend one hour playing games with their friends.Pictured, from left, are Marshall Domond, Conner Henderson, and Daniel Etumnu.
by RICHARD THOMPSON | Nov 30, 2012 | School News
The Port St. Lucie High School Jaguar Battalion Color Guard performed a flag folding ceremony at Mariposa Elementary School recently. The Color Guard Team was led by Cadet Major Mason Propst presenting the U.S. flag with Cadet Byron Cruz presenting the state flag. Guarding the colors were Cadet Amanda Mabry and Cadet William Benagh. They presented and posted the colors, followed by a demonstration on the ceremonial folding of the national flag while explaining the meaning of each of the thirteen folds. The Jaguar Battalion concluded the ceremony with a question and answer session by the Color Guard Team for the students of Mariposa Elementary. All in all, the Jaguar Battalion was proud to teach the elementary students about the flag protocol and history of the flag. Pictured, from left, are cadets William Benagh, Mason Propst, and Byron Cruz.
by RICHARD THOMPSON | Nov 30, 2012 | School News
The Port St. Lucie High School Jaguar Battalion recently conducted a combined Color Guard with the Treasure Coast High School Air Force JROTC. The Color Guard was led by Port Saint Lucie High School’s Cadet Captain Rhodes who presented the U.S. flag. Bearing the state flag was Cadet Pollino. The guards to follow were Cadet Lynn and Cadet Hopkins. Treasure Coast High School’s cadets Gillman,
Shoemaker, Crewse and Love presented the POW/MIA flag and the service flags. The Port St. Lucie High School Color Guard and Treasure Coast High School Color Guard did a phenomenal presentation to
remember veterans.
by Eve Hilcken | Nov 30, 2012 | School News
Students and staff at Windmill Point Elementary School recently put on their hats and dressed in pink to show their support for two worthy causes. As part of the district-wide Stand Up to Stand Out anti-bullying campaign, everyone pulled out their pink attire and wore it proudly to proclaim that bullying is not tolerated on our campus. As a Community Outreach effort, students and staff made contributions to United Way and held their heads high with their favorite hats. Community Outreach is a school support committee which works to give back to the community and show outhe school’s compassion for others.
