Students hopped on buses, strolled down sidewalks, and popped out of vehicles all in an effort to get to school for the first time this 2018-19 school year. Overseeing that quintessential transition from summer vacation to fall schooling was Superintendent Wayne Gent.
“We’ve had tremendous success the last three years,” he said, adding that he expects this school year to continue that trend.
What is different this year is the increased security presence on all public school campuses. The School District hired the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office to provide at least one school resource deputy at each school.
Over the last year, the District has also worked to “harden” the schools by installing fencing and ensuring a single point of entry.
Visitors must be buzzed into the front office – one at a time. “We’re tightening security protocols,” Gent said.
Still, he believes this will be a banner year for the School District, perhaps seeing its state rankings continue to improve.
Not long ago, the District was 43rd in the state for graduations. Last year, it rose to fifth, the highest along the Treasure Coast. Gent said he expects that the graduation rate will remain in the 90th percentile.
While much work has been done in recent years to improve graduation rates, Gent said the District is refocusing its efforts on the youngest of its students – those in kindergarten through second grade.
He said they are renewing the emphasis on literacy and phonics to better ensure students are reading at grade level by the time the reach the third grade. “These are such important years,” Gent said of the first couple of years students are in school.
To that end, he encourages parents to carve out 20 to 30 minutes a day – every day – to read and even sing with young students.
“I know parents are tired at the end of the day,” Gent said, but the “remarkable achievement” the students can make when time is invested early is worth it.
Gent said the first few days can be stressful when transitioning back into the school routine and he continues to ask for patience, especially from drivers passing by the schools.
“It all works itself out,” he said, adding that those with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact the school’s principal directly or his office.
To contact St. Lucie Public Schools, call 772-429-3600 or visit www.stlucie.k12.fl.us.
