🌅 🧭 What’s Next for Fort Pierce Schools?

Good Afternoon, Sunland

It’s Tuesday! I read a stat this week that social media just passed TV as the most common way people get their news. It’s one of the reasons I’ve been putting more energy into growing our presence on Instagram and Facebook as new ways to get important info in front of more people. We’re almost at 500 followers on Instagram. If you haven’t yet, follow us here: @sunlandnews. And also, just thank you for continuing to read and support the newsletter, as it allows us to build on top of what we already have.Alright…

🍊 Big Shoutout: to Karen Cartwright, our newest People Pass member. Your support truly helps keep this going and growing. Want to join the People Pass and support the newsletter? Become a member here

Sponsored: 🍗 Stoney’s Summer Specials Start Today

Starting Today, Stoney is you giving you a $5 Snack Pack on Tuesday and Wednesday. And the usual $10 Wednesday deal slides to Thursday instead.

That means three days of full meals for under $10… in 2025. I know. Unheard of.

📍 912 N 25th St, Fort Pierce
📞 772-595-2406
🍴 Check the menu here

🍋🧠 The Main Squeeze: One Story, Three Schools, and a Lot of Questions

TL;DR: Thousands of people read, watched, and shared our recent story about the potential merger of three Fort Pierce schools. With land, funding, and neighborhood impact all in play, this story has sparked questions about how decisions are made and what they’ll mean for families and the future of the city.

📈 Why it matters: St. Lucie Public Schools is the largest employer in the county, with more than 45,000 students enrolled across 52 schools. The three schools in question serve nearly 2,000 students combined. A decision like this doesn’t just affect families. It touches land use, neighborhood growth, healthcare, and the economy. If Lawnwood Elementary is sold, one possible buyer could be the hospital right next door.

🎥 In case you missed it: Here’s the original article we published on the topic read the full story here. We also made a short video recap that’s been making the rounds watch it on Instagram.

📅 What’s next: The next public school board meeting is coming up on Tuesday, July 9. That’s the place where updates might surface or the plan could begin moving forward. These meetings happen on the second Tuesday of each month and are open to the public.

🧭 Want to make your voice heard? Start by getting familiar with the St. Lucie County School Board. These are the people who vote on plans like this. Whether you’re in support, have concerns, or just want more clarity, you can reach out to them directly. Their contact info is public and they were elected to represent you.

🥳 What’s Happening: 5 Out of Town Events

🧷 Thursday–Saturday, June 20–22

• Palm Beach Tattoo & Oddities Expo 300+ tattoo artists, piercers, psychics, and vendors at the Palm Beach Convention Center. ⏰ Starts Thursday at 1 PM | 💵 Ticketed | Details

🎶 Saturday, June 21

• Free Jimmy Buffett Tribute Concert The Caribbean Chillers bring Parrothead energy to Abacoa Amphitheater in Jupiter. ⏰ 7:30–10 PM | 💵 Free | Details

• June Sidewalk Pop-up Market Local vendors, vintage treasures, and furniture finds in front of Antiques & Uniques in Melbourne. ⏰ 10 AM–3 PM | 💵 Free | Details

✊🏾 Sunday, June 22

• 5th Annual Juneteenth Unity x Black Excellence Festival A vibrant, HBCU-themed waterfront celebration hosted by Juneteenth of Palm Beach County. ⏰ 5–10 PM | 💵 Free | Details

🎭 Tuesday, June 24

• Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations – Broadway musical at the Kravis Center. ⏰ 7:30 PM (opening night) | 💵 Ticketed | Details

If you have an event, send it to me here

🍹The Refill: 🖤 A Bookstore, A Beacon

Before Sunland Bookstore was even a plan, I found Black English Bookstore. It came up in a search for Black-owned bookstores in Florida and something about it pulled me in.

When I finally visited, it felt like stepping into something sacred. It was warm. Thoughtful. Intentional. You could feel the care in every corner of the room.

And behind it all? Gwen Henderson. A FAMU grad, retired teacher, councilwoman, and founder who didn’t just build a bookstore… She built a space for freedom and for comfort.

We never met in person, but I reached out just to say thank you. For the vision. The energy. The blueprint.

She was kind, open, generous. I offered to volunteer just to learn. She didn’t owe me anything, but she gave back anyway.

💬 Why It Matters: Gwen passed away last week at 60. But what she created was a bookstore where nothing was banned, where stories were emancipated and could live on.

🎥 Watch Gwen talk about Black English Bookstore

📰 I just wanted to hold some space for this story. It’s not a St. Lucie County story. It’s not a Treasure Coast story. But it is a story about home. And any story about home is one we can all feel. Read about her legacy

🥛 Last Drop: Florida Heat Check

1. ⚽ World Cup Kickoff

   The FIFA Club World Cup starts today at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. Matches run through July 1. Find your match here

2. 🥶 Banana Prices Are Slipping Up

   The fruit inflation forgot is finally catching up. Tariffs and spoilage are pushing banana prices higher, but they’re still pretty cheap. Get the scoop

3. 🏒 The Panthers Want the First Punch

   Florida’s Stanley Cup push continues tonight. They’re 3–2 in the series and leading the league in first-period goals this postseason. Read the preview

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📱 Keep up with the Sunland News on Instagram. Send comments & suggestions to [email protected]

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