Good Morning and Happy Monday!

Wake up, Wake up, Wake up it’s the first day of school! Which means a few things:

First, buses. There will be buses. So, be sure to leave the house a little earlier to account for them.

Let’s wish both the teachers and students a great start to the school year. (I’m pretty sure both are already counting down to Christmas break! 😂)

Now, let’s get to the news. (Also, big welcome to all of our new readers 👏)

— Ja'Min

What to Expect:

1. 🌐 SL Public Schools provides free/lower-cost internet services: Free or lower-cost internet services to qualifying students

2. 🏫 Slate’s 12th Annual Back to School Giveaway

3. 🎉 Week Events: Crabby's Dockside School Employee Appreciation Event

📚 Read Time: 5.97 Minutes

☁️ Weather Forecast

Weather TL;DR: Okay, it’s hot, but not as hot as it’s been. There will be rain, but who didn’t expect that? Oh, and some scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon—stay cool and be prepared!

🌤️ Day: High 89°F
🌙 Night: Low 77°F
🌅 Sunrise: 6:50 AM
🌇 Sunset: 8:01 PM

🌧️ Rain: 50% chance of scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon

NEWS

🏫 Guess Who’s Back, Back Again

School is officially back in session across the Treasure Coast, with nearly 91,000 students filling classrooms in Indian River, Martin, and St. Lucie counties. As the new school year kicks off, it’s important to establish routines that will help students excel both academically and personally. Also, here’s a little secret: the tips for school success can make adult life better, too. So, whether you’re a student or just someone trying to get through the daily grind, these three essentials will help you excel.

Here are three key tips to ensure a successful year:

1. Prioritize Sleep: A solid night's sleep is crucial for learning and memory. Aim for 8-10 hours to help students stay sharp, focused, and ready to take on the day.

2. Stay Focused: With the school year in full swing, staying focused is essential. Encourage students to set clear daily goals and create a distraction-free study environment. Short, concentrated study sessions can often be more effective than marathon studying. [Read the research on this]

3. Don’t Forget to Play: All work and no play isn’t just dull; it’s counterproductive. Make sure students balance their studies with regular breaks, physical activity, and social time. A healthy mind thrives when it’s given time to recharge.

By focusing on these three areas—sleep, focus, and play—students can set themselves up for a year of growth, learning, and success. Let’s make this school year one for the books. (Get it? Bo… Nevermind)

🔔 Sunland Bulletin

🦀 Humane Society Needs Your Help: The Humane Society of St. Lucie County urgently seeks volunteers to foster dogs and cats after the shelter's AC unit broke. [Foster Care Applications]

🚌 Area Regional Transit (ART) Bus Stop Changes: Starting Monday, Aug. 12, ART is relocating the bus stop at U.S. 1 and SE Jennings Road to U.S. 1 and S. Port St Lucie Boulevard. The transfer point for Routes 1 and 4 will also move to SE Lyngate Road, behind CVS. This new location offers a safer spot for passengers to transfer buses. Be sure to update your travel plans accordingly!

🎒 Watch the Board of County Commissioners Meeting: So much was going on last week, we didn’t mention the fact that there was a board meeting. Catch up on what’s going on and watch it here. [Watch Here]

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📰Other News

🚤 TREASURE COAST AT LARGE

🥽 Inspection found several condo buildings unsafe for residents to live in: Residents of Villa del Sol condos in Jensen Beach were evacuated after an inspection. [More Info]

🍊 FLORIDA AT LARGE

🥽 Jupiter mom, astronaut heading back to space: Kellie Gerardi was born and raised in Jupiter. Last year, she went on her first mission to space, and now she is preparing for her next mission. [More Info]

🌍 WORLD AT LARGE

🥇🥈🥉 The Olympics is over 😢: Here's the most important news in case you missed it.

🏀 USA Women's Basketball Team Wins Gold in Thrilling Fashion

The U.S. women’s basketball team secured their eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal, narrowly defeating France 67-66 in a tense final. [More Info]

🏀 USA Men's Basketball Team Wins Fifth Straight Olympic Gold

The U.S. men’s basketball team secured their fifth consecutive Olympic gold by defeating France 98-87 in Paris. Steph Curry, making his Olympic debut, was pivotal with 24 points, including four crucial 3-pointers in the final minutes. [More Info]

🤸‍♀️ Jordan Chiles Medal Controversy
Jordan Chiles, who initially earned a bronze medal, is now facing a setback as reports indicate she may have to return the medal. The issue arose after an appeal regarding her difficulty score was allegedly filed four seconds too late. USA Gymnastics contests this, claiming the appeal was within the allowed one-minute window. The situation remains uncertain as the IOC's decision has cast doubt on Chiles' podium finish. [Read More]

🪮Sunland Picks

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📸This Is Saint Lucie

🏫 Slate’s 12th Annual Back to School Giveaway

So, I'm going to try to do something really challenging—sum up an event, explain why I started Sunland News, and pay immense homage to my late, great Uncle Darin Slater.

What you're seeing here are images from the 12th Annual Slate Back to School Giveaway. On the surface, it might seem like just another back-to-school event: handing out supplies like backpacks, pens, and pencils, and sending kids home with a plate of food. But this giveaway was different. It was started by my uncle, Darin Slater, 12 years ago. The biggest difference this year? He wasn’t there—at least not physically. My uncle passed away earlier this year, but friends and family were determined to continue the tradition he began.

Now, about my uncle. The idea for something like Sunland News could only exist because of who my uncle was, who my uncle is. It didn't hit me until his passing that many of the most influential people in the world are influential because they go wide. By that, I mean they reach a vast audience—people know them but they don’t know those same people. These people become symbols, vital to movements and innovations. But there’s another kind of influence, one we don’t talk about as much but that we all recognize: the kind that goes deep. My uncle embodied this. He went deep. His name was like a verb—a phrase that could open doors and get you out of some tight spots, haha. If I ever needed to, and still to this day, I could pull out the, “You know Slate? The DJ? The guy who cuts everyone’s hair? Yeah, that’s my uncle.” It was always followed by, “Ohhh, man I know him! Man, I know you! You’re family!” It literally works every time 😂. It worked because of who he was, what he embodied.

So, the idea of a giving back isn’t new, and it certainly wasn’t new to my uncle. He was someone I would call a "go-giver." He gave, constantly. Whenever I was around him, he was giving—whether it was game, music, art, free haircuts—he was always giving something. And that spirit was on full display when he passed, and even now. He left behind something powerful—something that people still show up for in his name. It’s really special.

I hope to fill those shoes in some way. I know it’s impossible, but I’ll try. And that’s the point of all of this. I’ll leave you with this: I don’t usually like unsolicited advice, but I invite you to ask yourself some questions. What does going deep look like for you? What will change about you and your community if you do?

Those are the questions we all should be asking.

This is SUNLAND. This is Saint Lucie! Long Live Slate ROCKKKKKKKKKK!

🗓️ Things To Do

🎤 Pippin Live
🗓️ Monday, August 12, 2024
🕕 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 Cobb's Landing
Enjoy a relaxing evening with live music by Pippin at Cobb’s Landing. Whether you’re winding down after a busy day or just looking for some good vibes, this event is perfect for music lovers looking to enjoy local talent in a waterfront setting.

💼 Motivated Premier Business Networking
🗓️ Monday, August 12, 2024
🕓 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM
📍 Golden Corral Buffet & Grill, 651 NW St. Lucie West Blvd, Port St. Lucie, FL 34986
Start your week off right by connecting with like-minded professionals at this networking event. Enjoy a fresh cooked breakfast while hearing from featured speaker Daniel Weisberger, and take advantage of the opportunity to grow your business with the local community.

🧘 Restorative Yoga at The Gardens
🗓️ Monday, August 12, 2024
🕖 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens, 2410 SE Westmoreland Blvd, Port St. Lucie, FL 34952
Unwind and recharge with a restorative yoga session in the serene surroundings of the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens. Led by licensed psychologist and yoga instructor Gina L. Buse, this session is designed to help you relax, refresh, and reset for the week ahead.

📚 Silent Book Club Fort Pierce
🗓️ Tuesday, August 13, 2024
🕠 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
📍 Marina Square, 1 Avenue A, Fort Pierce, FL 34950
Join fellow book lovers for a quiet and cozy evening at the Silent Book Club in Fort Pierce. Bring your current read and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere as you dive into your book alongside others who share your passion for reading. No pressure, just good books and good company.

🕹️ Sunland Games