Students and families recently visited many countries while traveling around the world at Gaines Academy. Pictured with passports in hand are second grade student Jason Jacques in Mikki Greer’s class, and his sister Jennifer, a kindergartner in Leigh Chesney’s class upon arriving in Egypt, where they encounter a camel created by eighth graders in Paul Small’s class. They also saw a pyramid with mummies inside and hieroglyphic prints.
Kudos for Sam Gaines Academy AVID students for volunteering to tutor struggling students during seventh period, two days per week, for three weeks prior FCAT Writes! The awesome student tutors are, from left, Jesus Gill, David
Osorio, Wayne Farmer, Allison Schiavi, Dana Bennett, Sherneice Robins, Bianca Castillo, and Shania Farmer. Without the
one-on-one tutorial ESE and ESOL student received by these outstanding and unselfish students, these struggling students would not achieve the writing scores they will achieve when test score come back. Pictured, Sherneice Robin and
Shania Farmer tutor Kenia Santizo Guerra, an ESOL student for the FCAT Writes test.
The recent county-wide Bowl for Kids Sake event was great fun for an important cause, as funds raised are used to help support such worthwhile programs as the AmeriCorps volunteer reading program. A big Gaines Academy K8 thank you to, from left pictured, Lisa Bollinger, Traci Wilke, Christen McCray, Mike Clarke and Duane Turner for their support.
Samuel Gaines primary teachers presented at the Florida Reading Association Conference on Oct. 17. Mission Possible: Helping Younger Readers Access Complex Text was well received by the audience of primary teachers from across the state. Participants learned about text complexity, interactive notebooks and close reading strategies during this engaging session.
Pictured from Left to Right: Tina Eaker, Jennifer McCluskey, Kimberly Mallard and Lenaiah Wood
Congratulations to third, fourth and fifth grade Math Bowl teams from Gaines Academy for their representation at the first ever St. Lucie Schools Math Bowl. The Math Bowl was a team academic competition in which four students worked collaboratively to solve math problems in less than 5 minutes. Gaines Academy’s third grade team placed third, the fourth grade team placed first, and the fifth grade team placed third. Pictured holding their trophy are Lopez Bourjolly, left, and Gabriela Armendariz, students in Kimberly Masters’ third grade class.
A special thank you to Jed Garbie from Samuel S. Gaines academy business partner Sonic restaurant for the 2011-2012 school year. Sonic has donated a variety of coupons for free or discounted items from their menu. The coupons were used for COLT of the month, honor roll, and perfect attendance. They also gave free slush coupons to the class that brought in the most box tops. The school thanks Sonic for all it does to benefit and encourage Gaines Academy students. Pictured is store manager Jed Barbie.
Awesome! Fantastic! Fun! Just some of the adjectives used to describe the Gaines Academy First Annual Turkey Bowl. Thursday evening’s night of family fun featured games, arts and crafts, face painting, cake walks, relay races, cheerleading instructions, and a Scholastic Book Fair. All of this took place while guests were serenaded by the impressive SGA Band.
The featured event of the evening was a chance to win a turkey. Thanks to the generous donations of the following individuals there were NINE turkeys to give away: Superintendent Gent donated two turkeys, Mrs. Ena Stewart donated one turkey, Ms. Yanet Garcia and family donated one turkey, Mr. Mike Mackenzie and family donated one turkey, Mrs. Robin Marmitt donated one turkey, Ms. Anna Maria Gomez donated one turkey, Mr. Zahid Stewart and family donated one turkey and Lakewood Park Winn Dixie donated one turkey.
THANK YOU to everyone who helped make the Turkey Bowl such a huge success!
On September 27th, SGA had a wonderful time celebrating fathers and caring adults who change the lives of our students everyday. The morning started with an instrumental interlude by SGA music teacher Mr. Pena and students along with photo booth opportunities. After a brief presentation and breakfast, the fathers and caring adults were eager to pledge to be more involved in their children’s education.
On Saturday, November 5th, Gaines Academy AVID students went to the Amway Center, where they spent the day hearing speakers who participated in the AVID program through high school and how AVID prepared them for college and their current roles with the Orlando Magic. In addition to these speakers, co-founder and Magic Executive Pat Williams took the time to speak and answer questions for the students. After which, they participated in a college fair in the arena, and were able to talk to and ask questions of representatives from 16 different Florida schools, including Steston, Full Sail, FAMU, UF and FSU. After a long day of college experience activities, the students attended the Magic v. Wizards game.
The winners of the fifth annual Dr. Samuel S. Gaines essay contest were recognized at the May 28, 2013, St. Lucie County School Board meeting. The contest, sponsored since its inception by The Morganti Group which provides cash prizes for the winning entries, is part of the district’s recognition and celebration of African American history month. Local students in grades three to 12 may write an essay describing an African American person in St. Lucie County who has made a difference in the student’s life, explaining what the person did to make such an impact. The contest is named for Dr. Gaines, who served on the St. Lucie County School Board for 34 years, five times as chairman. At Dr. Gaines’ retirement in 2006, Superintendent Michael Lannon instituted the essay contest to honor Gaines’ legacy. Pictured, front row, from left, Sara Aube from Manatee Academy K-8, first place in middle school division; Maxwell Martzolf, from Fort Pierce Magnet School of the Arts, first place in elementary school division; Randall Peterson, from Dan McCarty School, third place in elementary school division; and Animesh Saha, from F. K. Sweet Elementary, first place in elementary school division. Back row, from left, Shelby Young, from Manatee Academy K8, third place in middle school division; School Board chairman Debbie Hawley; Vanessa Crawford, from Fort Pierce Central High School, first place in high school division; Michael Buckland from The Morganti Group; Christian Excorcia, from St. Lucie West Centennial High School, second place in the high school division; Dr. Gaines; Anthony Scott, from Fort Pierce Central High School, third place in the high school division, and Superintendent Michael Lannon. Not pictured is middle school division second place winner Shaketia Sneed from Forest Grove Middle School.
Gaines Academy was recognized by the American Reading Company for their 100 Book Challenge Reading program. Students reading levels increased on average 1.47 years during the 2014-15 school year. Believe in GAINS at Gaines!
Gaines Academy Vice Principal Alex “Batman” Oge exciting the 5th grade students about the science expo and plans to make them Super Hero Scientists. For the next four weeks the students will have guest scientists conducting hands-on experiments and all fifth grade students will attend a science resource class each day.
Gaines Academy is Powered Up about science!
Windmill Point Elementary second graders in Caryol-Lynn Hallahan’s class created their own “gallon pals” to help them learn capacity and equivalents in math. Each student made their own pal beginning with a gallon body, accompanied by quart arms and legs, pint hands and feet, and cup fingers and toes to help them visualize how our customary system of measurement works. Pictured are Efrain Pellot and Christopher Skrabak.
Port St. Lucie High School Principal Adrian Ocampo graciously accepted a check for $4,820 at the June School Board meeting from Garber Buick GMC — a local partner in education. Mrs. Sheila Cash, Garber’s office administrator, presented the check as a result of the school participating in the dealership’s Drive for Education fundraising campaign.
For each 2-3 minute Test Drive, Buick donated $10.00. When the event exceeded 100 test drives, Buick doubled the donation to $20.00.
According to Mrs. Cash, Garber Buick GMC looks forward to continuing its support of St. Lucie Public Schools with similar fundraisers in the future.
St. Lucie Public Schools would like to thank Steve Ward, Executive General Manager, and Sheila Cash, Office Administrator for their support of our schools over the last few years. With the Garber Drive for Education Fundraiser, nearly $40,000 has been raised for our schools to support extracurricular programs, performing art competitions, and other academic endeavors.
Garber Buick GMC officials presented a $10,000.00 check to Superintendent E. Wayne Gent, Board Members, and Fort Pierce Central Principal Todd Smith as a result of a successful November Test Drive for Education fundraising event. The check will support extracurricular activities including athletics, the arts, drama and more.
Fort Pierce Central Cobras, Garber administrators, and District officials look forward to continuing a positive partnership.
On Saturday November 3, test drive a new Buick and help Fort Pierce Westwood High School (FPWHS) located at 1801 Panther Lane in Fort Pierce, receive up to $10,000. Garber Buick GMC in Ft. Pierce will have new Buick vehicles at the school for this Test Drive Event from 8:00am-3:00pm. For each two-to-three minute test drive, Buick will donate $10.00. When the event exceeds 100 test drives, Buick will double the donation to $20.00. The goal is to reach the maximum donation of $10,000 for the day!
Participants will sign-in at the main entrance of FPWHS’s campus where they will have easy access to the test drive range. Drivers must be 21 years of age or older and have a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance. There is a limit of two donations per household.
Visitors to the campus will also benefit from the services of other community organizations such as the Sheriff’s Office with fingerprinting services for children, the Humane Society with on-site adoption opportunities, and the Health Department with flu vaccinations (first come, first served).
Principal Joseph Lezeau is eager to host the drive event. “Garber Buick GMC is a remarkable community partner in education. This event will help our school raise funds for extracurricular activities and competitions for students who are active in productions and competitions that take place far beyond the regular school day. Fundraisers like this help us provide the means for our students to showcase their talents at high level competitions and events.”
About Garber Buick GMC
Garber Buick GMC is a full-service GM dealership at 5255 U. S Highway One in Ft. Pierce. The property features a new car showroom, state-of-the-art service department, business offices, parts department and a Quick Lane Oil Change. They have room to display hundreds of new Buicks, GMCs and GM Certified Pre-Owned vehicles. Garber Buick GMC also has a large Collision Center that is supported by all Insurance Companies. Consumers have rated Garber Buick GMC #1 in Customer Service on the Treasure Coast. The Garber family has been in the automobile business for over 100 years beginning with Garber Buick in Saginaw Michigan established in 1907. Garber Automotive Group has 15 dealerships representing 14 manufacturers. The company is known for their civic leadership in the communities where they do business. To that end, Garber Buick GMC has a Community Room free to use for group meetings and non-profit organizations. The Community Room can accommodate up to 40 people with tables, chairs and a 60” TV for presentations. Garber Buick GMC’s website is www.garberbuickgmc.com.
About St. Lucie Public Schools
St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) proudly serves students as the highest-ranking District on the Treasure Coast and fifth in Florida with a graduation rate of 90.1 percent. As a B rated District, there are no failing schools, and SLPS is ranked among the top one-third of Florida’s districts for student achievement. The District also has the distinction of being recognized as one of St. Lucie County’s Best Places to Work. The mission of SLPS is to ensure all students graduate from safe and caring schools equipped with the knowledge, skills and desire to succeed. For more information, visit http://www.stlucieschools.org.
On Saturday, November 19th at Fort Pierce Central High School, Garber Buick GMC will help donate dollars to education — up to $10,000. It is all part of the Test Drive Event that generates $10 for each 2 – 3 minute test drive. When the event exceeds 100 drives, Buick will double the donation to $20 per test drive.
Thanks to all the Garden City Early Learning Academy parents’, students’ and staff’s love of books and reading, the school’s book fair was a great success. The five day total combined in-school and on-line sales were just under $1,000. The school gets 40% in Scholastic dollars to purchase books and materials from Scholastic. The majority of the funds will go towards birthday books. The school also had $250 Scholastic dollars in the account, which purchased the 15 Golden Ticket prize books and another 30 birthday books, and should get another 150-200 books with the new Scholastic dollars! Now there will be enough books for each student’s birthday! Pictured, from left, are students Arianna Wilks and Nicoli Aguilar-Colchado, with volunteer Letisia Colchado.