Tag: #BuildAFuture

CTE High School Nursing Assistant Students Participate in Skills Lab and Tour at IRSC School of Nursing

November 13, 2023 By LEINITIA ROBINSON

CTE high school students from Fort Pierce Central High School, Fort Pierce Westwood Academy, Port St. Lucie High School, and St. Lucie West Centennial High School participated in a School of Nursing Day at Indian River State College.  The high school students are a part of their high school’s Nursing Assistant program at their respective school.  Students participated in a campus tour, simulated wound care lab, IRSC and School of Nursing informational session, and opportunity to view current nursing students in action in the new simulated hospital at the IRSC Pruitt Campus.  Thank you to IRSC’s staff and College of Nursing … Read More

Middle School CTE Students Connects With IRSC Health Science and Nursing Programs

November 13, 2023 By LEINITIA ROBINSON

CTE Middle School students from Dan McCarty Middle School and Northport K-8 were participants in a guest speaker presentation for IRSC’s Health Science and Nursing programs.  Thank you to IRSC Deans Dr. Anne Hubbard (Health Science) and Dr. Patricia Gagliano (Nursing) and their team for the presentation, Mr. Kevin Fess (Northport K-8) and Ms. Nadjhla Gracia (Dan McCarty Middle School) for opening their classroom for this opportunity.  Students in both sessions were able to get hands-on demonstrations and college information.  Hands-on demonstrations included the use of personal protective equipment, using a stethoscope, and a simulated phlebotomy arm for students to … Read More

Pathways to Becoming a Physician or Scientist

November 6, 2023 By LEINITIA ROBINSON

The Pathways to Becoming a Physician or Scientist event was held at Lincoln Park Academy and live-streamed for students at the other high schools. Students from high school CTE and science classes from all over St. Lucie Public Schools participated as either live or as virtual audience members for the event.  Additionally, middle school students within the Allied Health program at LPA also joined. This event was co-hosted by the Career & Technical Education (CTE) and the Science Curriculum departments.  This session focused on opportunities in the medical and science fields.  The purpose of this session was to have students learn … Read More

Sunshine Kitchen Cook-off

October 30, 2023 By Dana Caputo

St. Lucie Public School Culinary Programs competed at the Sunshine Kitchen in Fort Pierce.  Five outstanding high school culinary students along with an Indian River State Culinary Institute student formed teams and competed at the Sunshine Kitchen Cook-off. Judges included Chef Mike Febre, True Roots Catering, Guytano D’Anna, Bonefish Macs, Leslie Moyers, Sunshine Kitchen, Jacques Larson, Cathy Townsend, St. Lucie County Commissioner.  The winning team was Aristhene Thelisnort, Fort Pierce Central High and Justin Stolaj, Indian River State Culinary Institute each winning a $1,500 scholarship.  Big thanks to Gina McCants, St. Lucie County Tcerda Research Park, Chef Deb Midkiff, IRSC Culinary Institute, … Read More

Middle School Students Virtual Field Trip to Agriscience & Veterinarian Technician Programs at Fort Pierce Westwood Academy

October 23, 2023 By LEINITIA ROBINSON

The Career and Technical Education (CTE) department hosted virtual field trips as a platform to connect students to opportunities within SLPS high schools and increase awareness of college and career pathways.  Middle school students within the district and their teachers went on a virtual field trip to Fort Pierce Westwood Academy: The WEST Prep Magnet.  The students learned about the career opportunities and pathways available to them including Animal Science, Agriculture Mechanics, and Veterinarian Assistant.  Each program engaged students with virtual demonstrations, classroom and lab tours, and a question-and-answer segment with students in the program.   A special thank you to … Read More

Career & Technical Education Teachers Completed Professional Learning with Advisory Board, Business Alliances

October 23, 2023 By LEINITIA ROBINSON

Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers from multiple programs completed a day of learning with industry and post-secondary institutions for knowledge on industry and workforce updates.  These CTE educators were able to tour the facilities, gain knowledge on the newest state-of-the-art technologies, and learn about what is needed for students to be both career and college ready.  Professional learning took place at Indian River State College (hosted by Natalia Chekhovskaya, Executive Director of Advance Manufacturing) for applied robotics, engineering, manufacturing, industrial biotechnology, agriculture mechanics, outboard marine, and technical design educators from St. Lucie Public Schools. HCA Healthcare Physician Offices hosted … Read More

Port St. Lucie High School’s Technical Design Students Meet Architects

October 23, 2023 By Dana Caputo

Students in Mr. Picchiarini’s Technical Design class met Guest Speaker, Carlos Luis Flores Blancaneaux RA, Project Manager at Spiezle Architectural Group, Inc. The students were engaged in seeing designs turn into buildings. Aline Mar, Architectural Designer at Spiezle Architectural Group, Inc. is an alumnus of Treasure Coast High School and spoke about courses to take, the challenges of the job, studying overseas, and loving architecture.    

Justice Jam! Indian River State College and Criminal Justice Students

October 23, 2023 By LEINITIA ROBINSON

Indian River State College presented Justice Jam! for Criminal Justice students from Fort Pierce Central, Fort Pierce Westwood Academy, St. Lucie West Centennial, and Treasure Coast High Schools.  The Career and Technical Education department assisted the Indian River State College Criminal Justice department in getting over 100 students to IRSC for this event.  The Justice Jam was unique as the lead hosts were Mr. Dewey (Indian River State College and SLPS Criminal Justice Advisory Board Member) and Captain Milo Thornton (Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, IRSC Board of Directors appointed by Governor DeSantis, IRSC Alumni, Fort Pierce Westwood Alumni) and … Read More

Culinary Cooks at Cinco de Mayo

May 15, 2023 By Dana Caputo

Culinary students from St Lucie West Centennial, Port St Lucie High, Fort Pierce Westwood Academy, and Northport K8 cooked up a storm at the Cinco de Mayo event hosted by Monarch Country Club. Students researched the recipes, created the ingredient lists, prepped, cooked and worked with Monarch’s Chef James and Sous Chef Don to create a delicious Mexican dinner. Recipes included: from Centennial, Mexican Fruit Skewers, Fish Taco with a variety of toppings and freshly made salsas, Mexican Hot Chocolate Trifle topped with whipped dulce de leche; from Port St Lucie High, Carne Asada Skewers, with Pico de Gallo, and Cilantro Crema, Seared Shrimp … Read More

Treasure Coast High Students Visit Local Manufacturers

May 1, 2023 By Dana Caputo

Mr. Phil Depuy and his Treasure Coast High School Manufacturing and Engineering students visited Bill Wilcox at Phoenix Metal Products Inc, and Tim Fischer at Southeast Elevator in Fort Pierce. At the first stop, the students were welding to get a hands-on taste of the job. At the second stop students saw what goes on behind the scenes of building an elevator. The business partners shared the skills needed for entry-level jobs and the students were making plans for what comes next after graduation.

2023 Career Connect Conference

April 17, 2023 By LEINITIA ROBINSON

The 2023 Career Connect Conference was a success with 295 St. Lucie Public School students registered for this event.  This conference included high schools from all over the Treasure Coast.  The Career Connect Conference was an event offering exposure to young adults preparing to enter the workforce or post-secondary educational institutions.  The goal was to create awareness and spark students’ interests through hands-on, interactive, and engaging sessions.  The industry sectors included entrepreneurship, hospitality, healthcare, construction & skilled trade, technology, and manufacturing.

Florida FFA Selects Westwood Students as Proficiency Finalists

April 10, 2023 By Dana Caputo

Congratulations to Fort Pierce Westwood’s Agriscience Program Instructor Jenna Blankenbaker and her students, Paige Cruse and Reed Blankenbaker on being selected as Florida FFA Proficiency Finalists! The Agricultural Proficiency Award program recognizes and rewards FFA members for exceptional accomplishments and excellence in a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program. These supervised programs are planned, practical activities conducted outside of class time that help students develop and apply agricultural knowledge and skills in a real-world environment. Anna Paige Cruse’s award was in Agricultural Communications while Laurence Reed Blankenbaker’s award was in Agricultural Services! Way to go, Panthers! Good luck at FFA State … Read More

Economic Development Council Hosts High School Counselors Bus Tour

March 27, 2023 By Dana Caputo

The St. Lucie County Economic Development Council (EDC) took high school counselors and teachers on a tour of three employer sites.  Stops included Twin Vee PowerCats boat manufacturing facility, Amazon distribution center, GHO Homes building site, and Courtyard by Marriott where Superintendent Prince and Pete Tesch spoke to the group while they were served lunch prepared by the Recovery Sports Grill. It was a great day of seeing current career opportunities available for St. Lucie Public Schools high school graduates.  Big thanks to the EDC’s Jen Dubey, Rachel Savela, Pete Tesch, and the Porch Factory’s Jim Brann.

CTE Month, February 2023

March 20, 2023 By Dana Caputo

Thank you Career and Technical Education Teachers, Coolest Teachers Ever! CTE Month is observed to recognize the accomplishments of students and educators and highlight the collaboration among local leaders, businesses, and industry partners that contribute to the success of CTE programs across Florida.   Florida has nearly 800,000 K-12 CTE students – the highest in the state’s history – more than 380,000 postsecondary CTE students, and over 17,000 registered apprentices.

Culinary Students Serve the Community at Port St. Lucie Citizen Summit

March 20, 2023 By Dana Caputo

Culinary students from Port St. Lucie High School and Northport K8 made the community smile with their chef jackets and conversation.  The food was delicious and many came back for seconds of the ham pickle roll-ups, Key Lime cheesecake dip, banana bread, coconut rice crispy treats, Caprese skewers, and Port St. Lucie High’s signature wontons with ginger dipping sauce, and Caribbean shrimp with fruit salsa.

Allapattah Flats Ag Students Prepare for Fair 2023

March 6, 2023 By Dana Caputo

After school is a busy time for Allapattah Flats’ middle school students in Mrs. Dru Thompson’s Agriscience class.  Students are raising cattle, swine (pigs), goats, and chickens to show at the St. Lucie County Fair.  Good luck Gators!

Northport Culinary Students Make Treats

March 6, 2023 By Dana Caputo

Culinary Arts students at Northport K-8 are following kitchen safety protocols by creating rice crispy treats.  Some chose to drizzle melted chocolate or add mini M&Ms while others formed shapes such as hearts and snowmen.  The delicious treats were sold at the Northport K-8 Winter Band Concert!

St. Lucie Public Schools at Chart Your Course!

February 27, 2023 By Dana Caputo

St. Lucie Public Schools middle and high school students participated in the Chart Your Course, Marine and Maritime Career Expo hosted at the Fort Pierce Yacht Club.  Local marine businesses demonstrated equipment and spoke about skills needed in the field.  Students were able to plan for their future and make connections to local career opportunities in the marine industry!

Fort Pierce Central’s Allied Health HOSA Chapter Visits Assisted Living Facility for Valentine’s Day Celebration, CTE Month

February 21, 2023 By LEINITIA ROBINSON

Fort Pierce Central’s Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) chapter celebrated Career & Technical Education (CTE) month and shared joy and smiles on Valentine’s day.  HOSA members along with their chapter advisor, Mrs. Lorraine Young, did a presentation and gave each resident flowers and gifts.  Thank you to our business partner, Lake Forest Park Assisted Living Facility, for their collaboration to make this event happen. Thank you to our CTE month sponsors: Porch Factory, MidFlorida Credit Union, Certiport, Texas Roadhouse, Treasure Coast Builders Association, Howling Rooster, Carpets Etc., and NuSkin.