Take Note Of Westwood’s Marching Band
Summer band rehearsals are vital to a productive marching band season. Fort Pierce Westwood High School is in tune with all high schools in St. Lucie Public Schools as they prepare before the start of school.
Jaguar Musicians Find Harmony
Student musicians in St. Lucie Public Schools returned early to begin practicing and refining their craft in preparation for musical performances for audiences throughout the District this fall.
Port St. Lucie High School’s Jaguar Band found a beautiful day to harmonize with Mother Nature and rehearse on the field under beautiful blue skies.
The Sounds Of Cobra Pride Echo Through The Campus
Fort Pierce Central’s Cobra Pride makes its way onto the set as students rehearse prior to the start of school.
Cobra drummers and percussionists rehearse for game day.
Titan Born Titan Bred Musicians
Rain or shine, indoor practice or outdoor practice, student musicians will meet the challenges to rehearse, because…the show must go on!
Arts In Education
SLWCHS students, under the direction of Mr. Brian Hoce, work to perfect their performance in preparation for the upcoming marching band season.
St. Lucie Public Schools supports The Arts In Education.
Wuest Recognized as SNA Recruiter of the Year
ST. LUCIE COUNTY – St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) Director of Child Nutrition Services Deborah Wuest was recognized at the annual School Nutrition Association’s (SNA) red carpet ceremony in Atlanta as this year’s Recruiter of the Year. Recognizing the important connection between healthy nutrition and positive academic achievement, Wuest is a consummate advocate for education and professional development among her peers in the nutrition profession and leads her District team to ensure the availability of high-quality, low-cost meals for all students across the country.
“When SNA’s membership manager shared the news of Wuest’s accomplishment, I was not a bit surprised,” said Tim Bargeron, Wuest’s supervisor. “She truly pours herself into making certain that our students are served quality meals – healthy and nutritionally balanced. She always advocates for what is best for kids and supports widening the circle for others to do the same.”
According to Wuest, she sees the award for bringing additional nutrition professionals into the SNA as a positive way to strengthen child nutrition programs across the nation as the organization provides a collaborative network of positive practices and bonds together to advocate for enhancements in school meal programs.
About St. Lucie Public Schools
St. Lucie Public Schools is a B-rated District with no failing schools proudly serving the students as the second highest rated School District on the Treasure Coast. 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
Wuest Recognized as SNA Recruiter of the Year
ST. LUCIE COUNTY – St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) Director of Child Nutrition Services Deborah Wuest was recognized at the annual School Nutrition Association’s (SNA) red carpet ceremony in Atlanta as this year’s Recruiter of the Year. Recognizing the important connection between healthy nutrition and positive academic achievement, Wuest is a consummate advocate for education and professional development among her peers in the nutrition profession and leads her District team to ensure the availability of high-quality, low-cost meals for all students across the country.
“When SNA’s membership manager shared the news of Wuest’s accomplishment, I was not a bit surprised,” said Tim Bargeron, Wuest’s supervisor. “She truly pours herself into making certain that our students are served quality meals – healthy and nutritionally balanced. She always advocates for what is best for kids and supports widening the circle for others to do the same.”
According to Wuest, she sees the award for bringing additional nutrition professionals into the SNA as a positive way to strengthen child nutrition programs across the nation as the organization provides a collaborative network of positive practices and bonds together to advocate for enhancements in school meal programs.
About St. Lucie Public Schools
St. Lucie Public Schools is a B-rated District with no failing schools proudly serving the students as the second highest rated School District on the Treasure Coast. 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
Recognizing Excellence in Achievement
Staff members from Lakewood Park Elementary surprised third, fourth, and fifth grade students who earned a Level 4 or Level 5 on Florida Standards Assessments in the areas of ELA, Math, and Science. Students were excited to see their school’s staff members honoring them with signs and celebrating their accomplishments! Lakewood Park Elementary has received numerous phone calls from neighbors, grandparents, and community friends who were just as excited as the students for this type of recognition.
Two teams from the school canvassed the area for two days visiting the homes of nearly seventy students. This epic celebration of 2017 serves to set a powerful and positive tone for the 2017-2018 school year.
Go Falcons!
Bus Rider Safety
Florida school buses carry precious cargo – our children. Motorists should always be alert and drive with caution around school buses and in school zones where children may be present like schools, bus stops, school buses and school parking lots. Parents should also go over safety tips with their children to make sure they are safe on and around school buses and school zones.
School Bus Safety Tips for Motorists
- Be alert and watch for children especially near schools, bus stops, school buses and in school parking lots.
- Children on bicycles can be unpredictable and can make sudden changes in direction. Be especially careful when children are present in school zones and residential areas.
- Pay extra attention to lower speed limits in school zones.
- Watch for and obey signals from school crossing guards.
- Only drive or park in authorized areas to drop off or pick up children at school.
- Motorists are required to stop when approaching a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing and STOP arms extended. (See the different situations in the diagram below)
- All drivers moving in either direction on a two-way street must stop for a school bus displaying a stop signal, and must remain stopped until the road is clear of children AND the school bus stop arm is withdrawn. (see diagram, TWO-LANE)
- On a highway divided by a paved median, all drivers moving in either direction must stop for a school bus displaying a stop signal, and must remain stopped until the road is clear of children AND the school bus stop arm is withdrawn. (see diagram, MULTI-LANE)
- The only time traffic approaching an oncoming school bus does not need to stop, is if there is a raised barrier such as a concrete divider or at least five feet of unpaved space separating the lanes of traffic. (see diagram, DIVIDED HIGHWAY)
- On a highway divided by a raised barrier or an unpaved median at least 5 feet wide, drivers moving in the opposite direction do not have to stop for the bus (painted lines or pavement markings are not considered barriers). However, these motorists should slow down and watch for students loading or unloading from the bus. (see diagram, DIVIDED HIGHWAY)
Penalties for passing stopped school bus include:
- Moving violation subject to citation;
- Requirement to complete a basic Driver Improvement Course upon conviction;
- Four points on your driver license; and
- Minimum fine of $165, if you pass on the side where children enter and exit, you will receive a minimum fine of $265.
On July 1, 2017, the Cameron Mayhew Act took effect in Florida, which increases the minimum penalty for drivers who illegally pass a stopped school bus, resulting in the injury or death of another person. Cameron Mayhew was killed by a motorist that failed to stop as he was walking to his stopped school bus in 2016.
Penalties for passing a stopped school bus that causes or results in the serious bodily injury or the death of another person include:
- Serving 120 community service hours in a trauma center or hospital;
- Participating in a victim’s impact panel session, or if such a panel does not exist, attending a DHSMV approved driver improvement course;
- Six points on your driver license;
- Suspension of license for a minimum of one year; and
- $1,500 fine.
School Bus Safety Tips for Parents and Children
- Arrive at the bus stop with about five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
- At bus stops, children should wait in a safe place away from the road. Never sit on the roadway or curb while waiting for your bus.
- Make sure your children know their bus driver’s name and bus number.
- Tell children to never speak to strangers at the bus stop or get into the car with a stranger. Children should tell parents, the bus driver and a teacher at school if a stranger tries to talk to them or pick them up.
- Children should never walk behind a bus and should stay away from bus wheels at all times. When the bus stops, children should wait for the driver’s signal that it is safe to cross the road or board the bus.
- Children should look both ways before crossing the street- look left, right and left again. Tell them to make eye contact to make sure the bus driver can see them as they cross the street.
- On the bus, children should remain seated at all times and keep the aisle clear. Tell children not to put their head, hands or arms out the window.
- Remind children to stop talking and remain silent when the bus comes to a railroad crossing so the driver can hear if a train is approaching.
- Children should avoid any loud or disruptive behavior that could distract the bus driver from safely operating the bus.
Resources
School Bus Safety – Parent Printable Handout
School Bus Safety – Kids Printable Activity Handout
Florida Department of Education – School Transportation Information
For more information, visit
http://www.fldoe.org/s…/safe-healthy-schools/transportation/
Bus Rider Registration and Call Center
School Bus Rider Registration
School begins on Monday, August 14th for students in St. Lucie Public Schools.
If your child has not ridden the bus or is attending a new school and you would like school transportation, click on the link below to register for a bus.
http://www.stlucie.k12.fl.us/departments/transportation/school-bus-rider-registration/
A Rockin’ Good Time
St. Lucie Public Schools employees and students had a rockin’ good time at the First Data Field in Port St. Luce on Friday, August 4th for the Pep Rally! With the support of Larry Lee Jr. State Farm Agency, Big Apple Pizza, The Van Duzer Foundation, Peter W. Busch, St. Lucie County, and the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County, the community came together to celebrate the accomplishments of St. Lucie Public Schools and kick off the start to another banner year.
- B-Rated School District
- No Failing Schools
- 2nd Highest Ranking District On the Treasure Coast
- Soared To 13th From 45th In State Graduation Ranking
- 6th Highest District Improvement Ranking in Florida
- Grew To 626 Points From 573 Points (+53)
- Improved In 10 Of 11 School Grade Components
School Meals
Parents are encouraged to make payments online through their Family Access Account. This will allow your child to maximize his or her time for eating a meal. If you believe your household qualifies for a meal benefit please complete a meal application. To help students develop/maintain a healthy lifestyle, the Child Nutrition Services Program offers sessions to students throughout the school day.
https://www.stlucie.k12.fl.us/dep…/child-nutrition-services/
Easy Access To School Resources – SLPS APP
Search for St. Lucie Public Schools in your favorite app store for access to parent resources, school calendars, news, updates and much more.
Flapjack Breakfast
Applebee’s invites you to attend their first ever Welcome Back to School Flapjack Breakfast. At the breakfast, Applebee’s will discuss their Fundraising opportunities, youth incentive programs, sponsorships, and more.
If interested in attending, please RSVP at http://rsvpback2schoolbrkfst20177.questionpro.com/.
***You must RSVP to attend.
St. Lucie Public Schools Open House Dates
ST. LUCIE COUNTY – Mark your calendar for St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) open house dates. Wednesday, August 9 is slated for high schools, middle schools, and Lincoln Park Academy. Thursday, August 10 is earmarked for elementary schools and K-8 schools with one exception. C.A. Moore Elementary’s Open House and Family Fun Day is scheduled from 11 AM – 2 PM on Saturday, August 12.
Individual open house dates and times are included in the chart below and are published on the SLPS home page as well as the District’s social media outlets. In addition, parents and students can expect to begin receiving bus stop information through personalized School Messenger calls during the weekend of August 5,, and the online registration meal application portal is available now at www.stlucieschools.org. For additional information, please utilize the online resources available on the District’s homepage or call your child’s school for assistance prior to the first day of school on August 14.
About St. Lucie Public Schools
St. Lucie Public Schools is a B-rated District with no failing schools proudly serving the students as the second highest rated School District on the Treasure Coast. 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.
###
For Third Year in a Row, Agreement Is Reached with St. Lucie Public Schools and Classroom…
ST. LUCIE COUNTY – For the third year in a row, prior to the start of school, St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) reached a positive agreement with its Classroom Teachers Association (CTA) and Classified Unit (CU) partners on Monday, July 31, despite challenging financial constraints from the State. Superintendent E. Wayne Gent stated, “This is a testament to what true collaboration can produce. I congratulate our bargaining teams and our School Board for having the spirit of trust and good will to work together for the benefit of our employees to reach an agreement before we mark the beginning of another school year.” CTA/CU President Vicki Rodriguez said, “We are pleased to bring our members an agreement prior to the start of the school year. We appreciate our District’s willingness to commit to making employee salaries a priority, despite the legislature’s challenging budget.”
The package includes an average increase of 2.14% for both CTA and CU employees and represents a commitment by the District to increase compensation beyond the 1.49% increase in State funds received this year. Teachers will see a raise of $1,000 for those on the grandfathered salary schedule and those on the pay-for-performance salary schedule rated “Effective.”
Non-instructional employees (CU bargaining unit) will each receive a step increase. In addition, each step in the salary schedule will be increased by $70. A 23rd step will also be added to all CU salary schedules providing raises to those currently on the top step.
In addition to the 2.14% salary increase, the package also includes the continued Board contribution of $750 to a Health Savings Account (HSA) for employees enrolled in high-deductible H.S.A. eligible plans and a contribution of $6,010 to insurance premiums.
In addition, the District and the Union have agreed to increase the supplement base amount from $24,000 to $25,500 for all academic and athletic supplements representing a commitment to fulfill the promise to restore cuts to the supplement base dating back to 2009.
After the November FTE count, the District and the CTA/CU agreed to return to negotiations and increase employee compensation further if funds are available.
About St. Lucie Public Schools
St. Lucie Public Schools is a B-rated District with no failing schools proudly serving the students as the second highest rated School District on the Treasure Coast. 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.
###
Ed Foundation Welcomes Back SLPS Employees
Friday, Aug 11, 2017
5:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Welcome Back Celebration Summer Crush Vineyard & Winery
4200 Johnston Road, Ft.Pierce.
4200 Johnston Road, Ft.Pierce.
Dinner buffet, live music, games, prizes, classroom adoptions, and more!
FREE for all District Employees
$10 per guest
For more information, please visit the Education Foundation website at https://www.educationfoundationstlucie.org/
Everyone planning to attend must RSVP online as well as pay online for all guests. Thank you!
https://www.educationfoundationstlucie.org/event/detail/pid/2/id/59/instance/20170811#.WXyHFumQySQ
Tuning Up For The Season
With the beginning of school just around the corner, students and band directors are tuning up for the season! Rehearsals are underway as students prepare to perform the musical selections fans will hear and appreciate in stadiums across the District. Treasure Coast Titans, under the direction of Luke Hall, began meeting this week.
Back to School Health Fair
Back to School Bash and Health Fair
Saturday, August 12, 2017
10 AM to 1 PM
Percy Peek Gymnasium
(Corner of N. 29th Street and Avenue D)
Surprise Visits
In true prize patrol fashion, Principal Michelle Herrington and her team from St. Lucie Elementary visited homes of students to celebrate their accomplishments and extend congratulations for achieving the highest score (5) on the Florida Standards Assessment!
The team left balloons, signs, and high expectations for another positive year at each home they visited.
