News and Communications for St. Lucie Public Schools
Culinary Arts students in Chef Roland Foerster’s classes cook and serve tasty Jamaica-Me-Crazy lunches. Students learned Jamaican cuisine recipes and cooked up entrée choices such as Stewed Oxtail, Curry Goat, Jerk Chicken, Jerk Pulled Pork served with Pigeon Peas, Butterbeans, Rice, and Johnnycakes. Delicious!
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 Culinary Arts students hosted a virtual field trip for middle school students. Students from Dan McCarty Middle, St. Lucie West K8, Southern Oaks Middle, and Oak Hammock K8 stayed in their classrooms and via Microsoft Teams were able to meet Chef Foerster and his Culinary Arts students. The students saw and heard about the culinary program, met students, toured their commercial kitchen, and saw them in action as they prepared and served a Latin Lunch, pizzas, and expresso, plus asked questions about the program! Big thanks to Mr. Frost and his students in the Port … Read More
Students from St. Lucie Public Schools’ (SLPS) Career & Technical Education programs showcased their business ideas during the Entrepreneurship Showcase held at the district office. During this event, students presented their entrepreneurship business plans, food truck business concepts, and more to our panel of judges. This event is a direct connection to the grant awarded to SLPS’ Career & Technical Education (CTE) department. The CTE team applied for a grant from the Florida Department of Education and was awarded funds to support CTE teachers and students in the classroom to promote entrepreneurship. Students are now connected with industry partners, Junior … Read More
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.
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.
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!
As part of Junior Achievement’s Global Entrepreneurship Week, St. Lucie West Centennial High School Culinary Arts students, along with Chef Chris Gedke and Chef Evan Fraum, hosted Mr. Kyle Greene of Kyle G’s restaurants. Mr. Greene shared his entrepreneurship story and the hard work that goes into owning successful restaurants. The students were professional, polite, and engaged. After the presentation, one of the students shared the following thank you message for Mr. Greene- “Thank you for coming to our school. We learned a lot from the visit that will help us in the future. I learned that for entrepreneurship we need … Read More
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!
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.
Port St. Lucie High School Culinary Arts students competed at the SkillsUSA Culinary Competition in Kissimmee. Good luck to participants; Vasilios Koumoundouros, Mikalah Christman, Calvin Diebold, and volunteer Kelvin Gonzales. Go Jaguars!
Culinary Arts students at Northport K-8 were visited by Chef Damiano, a professionally trained Pizza Chef from Fresh Market. The students were wrapping up their studies on pizza and used Chef Damiano’s dough. The students made sauce with the Chef’s tomatoes imported from Italy and made pizza with fresh ingredients. Delizioso!
Culinary Arts students at Northport K-8 are learning how to be safe while cooking, and how to make better nutritional choices. Students competed in a salsa challenge where each added a secret ingredient that was then judged by the school staff! The winning salsas were served at their school-wide Hispanic Heritage month event.
Medical Detective Students at St. Lucie West K8 use microscopes for their protozoan classification lesson. Students also participated in the St. Lucie County Regional STEM Fair!
Students from all over the county work with One Blood for their blood drive donation. The majority of the schools utilize their Allied Health programs to host this voluntary event for their campus. Just one blood donation can save up to three lives. Thank you to our CTE Month Sponsors: James Brann (Porch Factory), Sharita Walker (MidFlorida Credit Union), Certiport, Texas Roadhouse, Maddie Williams & the Treasure Coast Builders Association, Chris Russo (Howling Rooster), Robert Sharot (Carpets Etc.), and Jeannette Smith (NuSkin).
Indian River State College Culinary Institute and Hospitality and Tourism Program hosted an educational tour for FPC’s Culinary students. During the visit, the students were able to participate in the youtube simulcast of the No Vacancy Live podcast with Glenn Haussman and Anthony Melchiorri; and the guest was Greg Juceam, the President and CEO of Extended Stay America. It was an interesting day where students continued to build rapport with IRSC Professors, toured the IRSC Culinary Institute, met current IRSC students and FPC alumni, were served a delicious lunch, and were exposed to exciting aspects of the Hospitality industry. More … Read More
Congratulations to Chef Chris Balachak, St. Lucie West Centennial High Culinary Arts Instructor, and her students who received a Rachel Ray $5,000 Grow Grant to purchase new equipment shelving, hand tool bins, and temperature/moisture resistant shelving. In addition, the St. Lucie Education Foundation matched the $5,000 awarded by Rachel Ray so they have another $5,000 to spend on upgrades to their catering facility. Go Eagles!
St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office Drone Team presented to criminal justice students at St. Lucie West Centennial High School. Students also learned about the law enforcement vehicle and law enforcement related procedures. #CTEMonth, #CareerSourceResearchCoast, #EDC – Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County, #SLCSO CTE Month Sponsors: James Brann-Porch Factory, Sharita Walker-MidFlorida Credit Union, Certiport, Texas Roadhouse, Maddie Williams (Treasure Coast Builders Association), Howling Rooster, Carpets Etc., and NuSkin.
The Economic Development Council (EDC) in collaboration with St. Lucie Public Schools’ Career and Technical Education (CTE) department hosted a live session for school counselors, graduation coaches, CTE educators, and school and district administrators. Participants gained insight into the industry, growth, and employment opportunities within St. Lucie County. The presenters were Two Way Radio Gear, Indian River Select, and The Porch Factory. The presentation highlighted the upcoming Ready to Work Manufacturing and Distribution Boot Camp.