June 2023 Student Spotlights

A piece of Montessori work in the Cultural area are map puzzles. They are some of the most loved and used materials. Beautifully and colorfully painted and carefully crafted out of wood, they can be found in both Primary and Lower Elementary classrooms. While they are used differently in the two environments, teachers give developmentally appropriate lessons using these beautiful geography materials.
During the Elementary years, children use an atlas alongside their work with the Puzzle Maps. Students trace the different continents and countries and then watercolor them accordingly. As students progress through the years, they outline their paintings and label the different locations.

Creative Learning Academy celebrated its 50th anniversary with a weekend full of activity! The school hosted a Friday night reception on campus for alumni and retired faculty, followed by this year’s Golden Jubilee. The highlight of the weekend was the fundraising auction, which featured both silent and live auctions. The silent auction was a tremendous success, with participants bidding on a wide range of items, including vacation packages, jewelry, art, and so much more.
The live auction was equally thrilling, hosted by Brent Lane, with enthusiastic bidding on unique experiences. From a private chef’s dinner to a weekend getaway in Key West, there was something for everyone. Brent kept the crowd engaged, and the excitement in the room was palpable. Thanks to the generosity of the school’s community, this year’s Golden Jubilee was a resounding success, raising money to help fund portable classrooms for next year and to help support the school’s educational programs and resources, ensuring that students continue to receive an exceptional education at Creative Learning Academy.
The most amazing aspect of the 50th Golden Jubilee was the attendance of CLA’s first graduating class from 1981. (Pictured). These individuals came from far and wide, scattered throughout the United States, to celebrate Creative Learning Center (as it used to be called) and to reconnect with one another after all of these years. Having this class in attendance made the evening incredibly memorable.
As the Golden Jubilee came to a close, everyone left feeling grateful for the opportunity to support CLA and inspired by the dedication of the school’s faithful graduates. The success of this year’s event is a testament to the incredible commitment of CLA’s school community. Congratulations on 50 years of excellence, and here’s to 50 more!

A Primary classroom at Montessori School of Pensacola was visited by a special reptile visitor. Students got an up-close look at a turtle. The class has studied the parts of the turtle in their Zoology lessons, including drawing and labeling the parts of the turtle. As children sat around the line, a teacher brought the turtle around to “meet them and say hello.” Montessori Cultural curriculum includes Botany and Zoology topics, such as the study of animals and their habitats and habits.

The Tate High School Strike Out Cancer game raised at least $28,000 Friday night with funds raised by both Tate and West Florida high schools, and other including the umpire’s association.
During the game, the Lady Jaguars defeated the Lady Aggies 6-1.

Looking to grow your skills out on the diamond this summer? Join the East Hill Eagles for one of our Baseball Skills Camps! These camps, offered in the months June, July, and August, offer in depth baseball instruction to develop all players, from beginners to advanced. These camps will help your player prepare for competitive level baseball while fostering a Christ-centered approach to the game and sportsmanship. Learn more and register today at www.easthill-bc.org.

WSRE recently hosted the Shining Star Awards, honoring outstanding fifth grade students who have demonstrated exemplary citizenship and leadership, as well as demonstrating the core values of the Escambia County School District.
This is the 26th year that WSRE has hosted this awards ceremony, previously with the Greater Escambia Community Foundation and now in partnership with the Escambia County Principals Association which raised the funds to purchase the bicycles and also coordinated the event.
The 2023 Shining Stars are:
Jim Allen Elementary — Bella Jenkins
Bellview Elementary — Chloe Syverson
Beulah Elementary — Mikayla Gill
Blue Angels Elementary — Javier Perez
Bratt Elementary — Jonah Carter
Brentwood Elementary — Ashley Harrigan
Hellen Caro Elementary — Annina Lathrop
N B Cook Elementary — Ava Westley
Cordova Park Elementary — Elijah Chaston
Ensley Elementary — Mia Figueroa
Ferry Pass Elementary — Kacey Hadley-Coble
Global Elementary — Princena Saint Fleur
Holm Elementary — Brandon Lester
Kingsfield Elementary — Harper Hamilton
Lincoln Park Elementary — Delcie Pasaska
Lipscomb Elementary — Emery Truitt
Longleaf Elementary — Braylen Fenelon
McArthur Elementary — Amiir Thomas
Molino Park Elementary — Lola Chavers
Montclair Elementary — Kamari Pettiway
Myrtle Grove Elementary — Jesse Stripling
Navy Point Elementary — Jada Bush
Oakcrest Elementary — Sophia Gibson
Pensacola Beach Elementary — Anna McPherson
Pine Meadow Elementary — Levi Mccranie
Pleasant Grove Elementary — Dylan Roy
Scenic Heights Elementary — Chloe Currie
OJ Semmes Elementary — Amaya Scott
Sherwood Elementary — Madeline Shank
Suter Elementary — Joslynn Robins
Warrington Elementary — Lianna Reed
Weis Elementary — Terriona Fountain
West Pensacola Elementary — Dumarian Hawkins

Local nonprofit ReadyKids! celebrates the award of a $30,086 grant from The Sunstone Project.
This one-time grant supports ReadyKids! programming related to ReadingPals and family engagement – including but not limited to expansion to two additional ReadingPals sites and creation of a fourth Born Learning Trail – all with a focus on increasing kindergarten readiness in Escambia County.
ReadingPals is a Pre-K mentoring program that activates and equips community volunteers to get hands-on in helping our youngest learners with academic and social-emotional success. The ReadingPals program is designed to impact students with the highest need as early as possible with the goal of increasing kindergarten readiness. Last year, only 42% of Escambia County students came to kindergarten “ready” to learn as assessed by the Florida Department of Education.
ReadingPals is currently in 10 Escambia County Public School prekindergarten classrooms and three early childhood classrooms through Community Action Head Start.
Sunshine Specialist Gray Triandiflou shares, “The Sunstone Project is excited to partner with ReadyKids! in support of their mission to help children in the Pensacola community reach their full potential. ReadyKids! stood out to us because they care about meeting each child where they are and finding ways to make learning fun and exciting again, a sentiment that The Sunstone Project supports and shares.”
For more information about ReadyKids! programming or family engagement resources, please visit ReadyKidsFL.org or contact Kristy Craig at Kristy@ReadyKidsFL.org or 850-380-3652.

New members were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society during a candlelight ceremony at Ernest Ward Middle School.The NJHS is the nation’s premier organization established to recognize outstanding middle school students. More than just an honor roll, NJHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service, citizenship and character.

About 600 elementary school students learned about agriculture first hand Friday morning during the Northview High School FFA “Fresh From Florida” program in Bratt. The program gave students a chance to make and enjoy eating their own fresh butter, get up close to farm animals and farm equipment, and learn more about how food gets from the farm to their table.
Previous Northview Fresh From Florida programs have been named the best in the state by the Florida FFA and the chapter has been recognized nationally for their efforts.

Montessori School of Pensacola Upper Elementary students went on a field trip went Winn Dixie grocery store where students were put into groups with money to budget, so that they could buy items for Manna Food’s wish list. Winn Dixie had some of their top reps there to answer any questions. They also gifted each of the students a bag to take home. The students then took their donations to Manna Food Pantries. Manna is a local grassroots organization fighting hunger in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. They provide groceries directly to individuals and families in need. The MSP class purchased 195lbs of food, which will create 220 meals for those in need. Part of Montessori education is finding ways to give back with community service.
After dropping off their goods at Manna, they went to Mess Hall and practiced some of the science skills they have been studying this year. Pensacola Mess Hall offers hands on science experiences to inspire curiosity and creative problem solving through exploring math, engineering, and science.