Blue Ribbon
Pensacola Beach Elementary wins prestigious designation
BY FRANKLIN HAYES Gulf Breeze News franklin@gulfbreezenews.com

ABOVE: Fourth grade teacher Susan McLeod with students Colin Adams, Chad Moorman and Justin Fruitticher. McLeod helped write the application for the Blue Ribbon Award and designed a standardized writing program for each class at the school to improve efficiency.

Teachers, staff and students at Pensacola Beach Elementary School (PBES) have joined elite company. PBES is one of 287 schools nationwide to be recognized as a Blue Ribbon School in 2007.

Principal Jeff Castleberry and fourth grade teacher Susan McLeod will visit Washington, D.C. to take part in an awards ceremony in November.

"This award is a testament of the Pensacola Beach Community," Castleberry wrote in an email. "PBES continues to set high standards and our students continue to rise to the occasion. Our teachers and staff, our parents and volunteers, our partners in education, local civic organizations and the overall community has also played a vital role on the success of our school… As the principal of Pensacola Beach Elementary School, I am extremely pleased and honored to be associated with such a great group of children, a great staff, parents and volunteers. Thank you all."

The No Child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private schools of all levels that are either academically superior or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement. Castleberry said PBES was chosen because students scored in the top 10 percent of the Florida's Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT).

McLeod helped write the application for the award and is a part of a tight team of teachers who work hard to ensure their kids are ready for the next level.

Because PBES is a charter school, the faculty can modify the curriculum to meet the specific needs of their students.

As a fourth grade teacher, McLeod spends time each week teaching students currently in third grade how to write expository essays.

"We team-teach," McLeod said. "These kids start rotating between classes in third grade and it makes the transition to middle school much easier."

McLeod also designed a writing supplement used by every teacher at the school. She said that by keeping the system standardized, it saves teachers time and increases their efficiency.

"We meet the needs of those who are not yet at grade level and challenge the ones who are above grade level," McLeod said. "There's a lot of personal instruction."

For more information on the Blue Ribbon Schools Program and a list of 2007 winners visit www.ed.gov/programs/ nclbbrs/awards.html.