Submitted by Gloria Garrett via Island Sun
Excitement was in the air at The Sanibel School PTA Welcome Back Party as students celebrated the end of the first week and parents reveled over top performance scores. “Our Florida State Assessment test scores are number one in the Lee County School District in almost every category,” said Jamie Reid assistant principal. “Both elementary and middle school rank in the top five percent of the state,” she said. “School total points earned exceeded our goal and we are top in the district.”
“I am very proud of the faculty, staff and students for all they accomplished last year,” said Principal Chuck Vilardi. “We couldn’t do what we do without the community support, our PTA and the Sanibel School Fund. We are excited to have so many business partners who contribute to elevating student success.”
“Involvement from parents and the community is critical,” said PTA President Alicia Clark. “Academic programming benefits from events like the welcome back party, provide an opportunity to get parents together and engage local sponsors.”
“An innovative STEM program has been put in place this year,” said Kelly Johnson, new STEM teacher for first through eighth grades. “We plan to build and launch a remote control under water submersible at Sanibel Rec, along with many other exciting projects.”
“Sanibel’s Best Homemade Ice Cream is continuing as a year-long sponsor,” said Clark. “Sanibel’s Best team is serving sundaes at welcome back, supporting the Box Tops for Education program and will participate in our popular annual Dueling Piano Night at The Community House on November 2.”
“The PTA also extends their gratitude to the generous Fort Myers food donors supporting our back to school event lineup,” added Clark. “Thanks to Sonny’s Barbeque on Winkler, Pollo Tropical and Buffalo Wings & Rings on 41, Jersey Mike’s at the Shoppes at Plantation, Fuzzy’s Tacos on Gladiolus, Perkins on San Carlos, Costco on Cypress Lake, Moe’s Southwest Grill, and Tropical Smoothie Cafe and Publix on Summerlin. Carrabba’s on 41, donated our car tags with attached kids free meal coupons.”
Students gathered with friends and family to celebrate the new school year.
Phil Hilton joined in the fun at the Welcome Back Party playing the oldies on accordion to an appreciative crowd.
“We are looking forward to a great year ahead,” said Reid. “We achieved
all of our 2018-19 school improvement goals and school enrollment has increased dramatically this year.”
“Last but not least,” said Vilardi, “We offer a huge thank you to the parents who share their children with the school each today. I strongly believe it takes a village, and that is what makes The Sanibel School so very special.”
