Student Spotlights – ‘May 22

The fifth grade Project Based Learning was a huge success! Students worked in groups to create their very own restaurant to be displayed in East Hill’s “Food Court.” They designed the menus, floor plans, dining room playlist, commercials and much more. Fifth grade did an incredible job serving their guests and preparing food while learning valuable skills on how to work as a team. We want to thank the third and fourth graders for being amazing customers.

During Read Across America Week, East Hill Christian Students had the privilege of hosting a New York Times Bestselling author, Dion Leonard, and his little furry pal, Gobi. Mr. Leonard shared with students the inspiration for his book, “Finding Gobi,” and students were able to purchase autographed copies. This event was a hit with students and teachers alike!

Creative Learning Academy students are involved in a number of civic and community improvement efforts as part of CLA’s service learning initiative. Understanding the value of contributing time and energy in an effort to help others is an important part of our student’s social and emotional development. Service learning is different from community service in that students take time to learn about the causes they are promoting and learn through the experiences of service. School-wide Dragon Days have been created to set aside time to serve in our community and to provide opportunities  for  students  to  engage with members of the community to experience  the  benefits of volunteerism. Students from every grade level, Preprimary through Eighth grade, apply their academic skills to contribute to real-life challenges in our community. CLA students learn the value of civic participation and learn about personal and community responsibility, social skill development, and valuable decision making skills.

Our most recent Dragon Day took place on Friday, April 8th, 2022. Students from all grade levels participated in service learning initiatives at these locations throughout Escambia County: Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Florida, The Waterford at Carpenter’s Creek, Trash Free Waters Project, Valerie’s House, Hope 4 Hearts Animal Rescue, Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital, St. John’s Historic Cemetery, Jones Creek for Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program. We believe that service learning connects classroom studies with the natural caring and concern young people have for our world. Service learning at CLA allows students to contribute to solving problems by helping others in our community and our neighborhoods. When students apply what they are learning in ways that help others, the results are incredibly impactful and memorable. It is so rewarding to see our young learners gain lessons that last a lifetime.

Global Learning Academy hosted their first family night back in the building on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Four rotation stations to “learn around the world” allowed families to gain information about topics such as the following:  Behavior Battles or Right Relationships,  Make Learning fun at Home, Helping Students do their Best on Tests and Visiting Grade Level Pods for casual teacher visits. Approximately 200 grown ups and students came and enjoyed learning sessions and a pizza dinner, courtesy of Pensacola Subwest Rotary.

“It was great to have families in our school tonight. It has been a long two years,” stated Resource Teacher Dian Isert. “I love the continuity with the faculty and staff at Global, and as a parent appreciate the extension of offering parent participation to volunteer their gifts and services for the greater good of the school,” remarked one parent in attendance. Global Learning Academy is proud of the school-home partnerships we have, and looks forward to continued collaboration with our families.

The Escambia County Public Schools Foundation has named Jo McArthur as the Foundation’s new Executive Director.  A native of Pensacola, Ms. McArthur is eager to give back to her hometown as Executive Director of the Foundation and brings many qualifications to the role. Extensive experience with community outreach and a commitment to education will enable Ms. McArthur to contribute to the Foundation’s continued growth.  “Jo will be a wonderful addition to the Foundation,” said former Executive Director Kristie Kelley. “I’m excited to see her pick up where I left off and take the Foundation to the next level.” Ms. McArthur served as the Business and Industry Outreach Coordinator at Pensacola State College and Escambia County School District’s Community Involvement Coordinator.  She has experience working closely with both the military and faith-based organizations, in addition to her extensive involvement with local industry and education.  Prior to moving back to Pensacola in 2013, Ms. McArthur lived in Atlanta for many years ,where she was extremely active in her community and Education Advisory Councils. Ms. McArthur is excited to carry on her family legacy with Escambia County Schools.  “I am honored to be coming back to the Escambia County School District,” she said. “As the Executive Director of the Public Schools Foundation, I will be able to utilize my community connections and experience to support my passion for education.  My family history in the School District, beginning with my grandfather, L.D. McArthur, includes almost 100 years of experience and dedication to the children of Escambia County.  I am proud and excited to be granted the opportunity to continue that legacy and take the Foundation to the next level.”

Last Friday during lunch at Beulah Middle School, a BMS teacher potentially saved the life of a choking student.

In the words of Assistant Principal Sandra Reynolds, “As I was talking with a teacher and scanning the lunch room, I noticed a student who appeared to be choking.  The teacher and I immediately ran to the student and indeed, he was choking.  “The teacher I was with, Mr. Patrick Cornelius, began administering the Heimlich maneuver as I held the student’s hand and tried calming him down.  The object finally came up and the student was whisked away to the clinic where his parents were called.  He is doing well.” ECSD would like to recognize the heroic efforts of Mr. Cornelius.  His quick action saved this student’s life.  Thank you, Mr. Cornelius!

FFA week was celebrated at L.E.A.D. Academy. There was a can drive to support those in the community. Over one thousand pounds of food was collected at L.E.A.D.’s Berryhill Campus, and donated to community food banks! The students celebrated by having an ice cream.

Potato planting was also on the agenda during FFA week. Each child was given several pieces of potato to plant. The students learned about potatoes having “eyes” and how to position them in the ground before covering them with dirt. Each student will be able to harvest their potatoes in May.

What a fun night of hands-on learning and fellowship with our EHCS family! We had almost 300 people come and check out our students’ elementary and middle school science fair projects.  A big thank you to the Pensacola Mess Hall for setting up exciting science stations.  Kids and adults both enjoyed playing and learning together.  A great addition to this year’s science night was the I:55 Book Fair.  Overall, it was a wonderful night at East Hill Christian, and we look forward to next year’s event!

Tuesday night, the Escambia County School Board recognized the Tate High School cheerleaders for winning 2022 FHSAA Small Varsity competitive cheerleading championship. At regionals, the Aggies scored high enough to skip semi finals and proceed straight to finals at the FHSAA state competition. Competing against the 17 top teams from across Florida, the Tate High School varsity cheerleaders brought home the state title.

On Feb 15, 2022 L.E.A.D. students observed the Association of Christian School’s Day of Prayer, which is an annual event that advances Christ-centered education by advocating through prayer. Students gathered at the flagpole and participated in praying for the school, our nation and others around the world.

Seventh and eighth graders from Montessori School of Pensacola took a week trip to Ferncliff Farms in Little Rock, Arkansas.  Students got to work with livestock and weed gardens.  Additionally, students prepared hygiene kits and school supply bags to be used for disaster assistance.  They learned about the importance of the “Three Rs” (reduce, reuse, recycle), as well as the importance of taking care of the Earth, ourselves, and each other.

Read week was lots of fun at L.E.A.D. Academy. With students’ help, teachers all decorated their doors. Many dressed up as classic characters from their favorite fairy tale. Crazy sock day was very colorful. The kids dressed as pirates and hunted for treasures (books) another day. Awards were given out to each class for best dressed and most books found.

A book fair was also held at L.E.A.D. Academy during read week with the highlight of the week happening on “Grandparents Day!” The students enjoyed lunch at school with their grandparents and then headed to the book fair.

Anatomy & Physiology Teacher, Nick Lupton, was beyond excited to accept the recent donation of a full-sized skeleton and other anatomical models.  He has already written an updated second-semester lab practicum using the new models!  In addition to the Anatomy & Physiology I and II classes, these models will also be used in the Catholic High School Biology classes as well as the Pre-Med and Forensics Clubs.  Many thanks to Tom & Eileen DeMoully for their generous donation!

Once a month, Montessori School of Pensacola celebrates an early dismissal day with a themed “Fun Day”.  In March, the students were invited to dress up as their favorite book characters.  The Fun Days are linked to charitable donations.  In conjunction with dressing up as book characters, students could bring in book donations for Ready Kids Florida. For more information: Ready Kids FL: https://readykidsfl.org/.

Students from the Montessori School of Pensacola 12th Avenue campus took a walking field trip to the nearby Escambia County Fire Station #1.  Students, parents, and teachers walk to the station where they get to tour the station, see inside a fire truck, and take turns spraying the hose.  The children absolutely love exploring the fire station, meeting the firefighters, and seeing their gear.

Global Learning Academy has recently launched a chapter of a new parental involvement group, All Pro Dads.

All Pro Dads is a monthly gathering at school where dads and kids engage in meaningful conversations and activities centered around a character-based curriculum. Global Learning Academy invited dads, granddads, uncles, father figures, or any Global grownup interested in strengthening their relationships to attend.

On Thursday, March 24, 2022, over 150 students and grownups came to the school  at 6:30 a.m. for the first meeting. The gathering was led by Reverend Powell and Mr. Mark Taylor, and the topic was friendship. Grownups also shared a “PRIDE” moment, where they spoke of how they were proud of their student. Global Learning Academy would like to thank Reverend Powell, Mark Taylor, Bayou Boulevard Chick-Fil-A, and members of SubWest Rotary for their leadership of this event. For more information, please contact Lalla T. Pierce, Global Learning Academy Assistant Principal at (850) 516-0214.

What a perfect Spring day to enjoy some outside time at Brentwood Elementary School. Kids and teachers enjoyed some fun field day activities and some tasty treats!

The “Tennis 4 Everyone” complex was dedicated yesterday at Oakcrest Elementary School.  This ribbon cutting represented the culmination of a years-long process, bringing together ECSD and Escambia County agencies, as well as local civic and sports organizations. Stakeholders heard from Oakcrest Principal Linda Bonifay, ECSD Superintendent Dr. Tim Smith, County Commissioner Lumon May, District 3 School Board Representative Dr. Laura Edler, and several other representatives from area organizations. This tennis complex will be open to the public each weekday from 3:00-6:00 pm.  Rackets and balls will be provided for use for those who don’t have their own equipment. A shining example of unity in Escambia County!