Fertilizer freeze
SLC bans wet season fertilizers
A6
Jersey meets Italy
Joe Piscopo plays at Taste of Italy
A15
S-p-e-l-l-i-n-g Bee
IRSC’s song and dance from Putnam
B1
ST. LUCIE WEST • TRADITION
YourVoiceWeekly.com VOL. 2/ISSUE 11
YOUR INDEPENDENT LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
Mayor sets rigid resolutions Nicole Rodriguez
FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 2014
District surprises stellar school employees Nicole Rodriguez Staff writer
nrodriguez@YourVoiceWeekly.com
Staff writer
nrodriguez@YourVoiceWeekly.com
PORT ST. LUCIE — Mayor JoAnn Faiella has several New Year’s resolutions. “I expect 2014 to be another exciting year for our city and I believe there are several things we must do to keep our city moving forward to build on the progress we have made in the last couple of years,” Faiella said. Keeping official business in the limeMayor JoAnn Faiella light is priority No. 1. “First, we need to continue thinking about what is best for our city in the long run and not get caught up in the personality issues that steal attention from the good things that are happening,” Faiella said. There’s no denying scandal in 2013 often overshadowed positive strides the council has made to improve the city. Faiella hopes the tide will turn this year. “Did you know that the city council votes unanimously on issues about 95 percent of the time? Our city council is generally united on what the city should be doing to ensure our
See MAYOR page A20
ST. LUCIE WEST — St. Lucie County Employee of the Year finalists had tear-stained cheeks upon learning they were up for the top honor. District administrators and representatives from the St. Lucie County Education Foundation surprised each of the three candidates at their schools last week, bringing with them balloons, big smiles and even larger hugs. “Without support staff, our teachers would have a more challenging job,” newly appointed Superintendent Genelle Yost said. “It really takes all of us to assume individual responsibility, working collaboratively in the best we can for our students.” “The three finalists today are representative of some extremely qualified staff members that we have throughout the district,” Yost said. The Jan. 8 surprise visits were the superintendent’s first as the head of all schools. “It’s fabulous. I love extending recognition to those who deserve it. Each and every day so many of our educators, instructional and non-instructional, do such a phenomenal job,” she said. “It’s great to come out and do special occasions.” Among the shocked finalists was Adela Della Croce, an office clerk at Allapattah Flats K-8 in St. Lucie West. Della Croce joked she thought the big commotion in the front office was district staff preparing to fire her.
Mitch Kloorfain/chief photographer Adela Della Croce, office clerk at Allapattah Flats K-8 in St. Lucie West reacts to being surprised by Genelle Yost, St. Lucie County School superintendent and a team of school district administrators who surprised her at her school to share that sheis one of the top three chosen in the School Related Employee of the Year category. Awards will be presented at the annual Night of the Stars at Lincoln Park Academy on Saturday, Feb. 22. “This is amazing. Everything I’ve done to help the children and to make a difference in the world ... It’s nice to be recognized,” Della Croce said. Della Croce has held her position for two years. She served as a substitute teacher for seven years prior. Before joining the district, Della Croce was principal of academics at a local faith-based school, where she headed business and educational priorities for four years. She is a Kids at Hope Treasure Hunter and has been trained in serving
English language learners and students with disabilities. The hard-working Della Croce said she got involved in the career path to spend more time with her two children, who are 22 and 15. “Ten years ago, I became a single mom and the best place to work is in the school district,” she said. “This way I’m off with them, I’m home with my children.”
See SCHOOLS page A12
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