ABlue Ribbon celebration at PBES

PTA President Monette Hodges holds up a car magnet given to PBES teachers to represent their accomplishments as Principal Jeff Castleberry looks on.

Pensacola Beach Elementary School (PBES) parents, teachers, students and faculty members took time last week to celebrate their accomplishments and status as a 2007 Blue Ribbon School. Hundreds gathered on the outside deck of the school to commend the students and faculty on their success Dec. 6.

"These ladies right here are what's most important," said PBES Principal Jeff Castleberry, recognizing the 16 teachers that handle the school's 126 students. "I know you parents may have one, two or three at home, these folks have 18 or sometimes 26 that they take care of in their class. These people right here are the key to the success of this school."

U.S. Department of Education (DOE) representative Lavin Gartland praised the hard work of students, parents and school faculty.

"Pensacola Beach Elementary School is one of the best," said Gartland, who works for a DOE regional office in Atlanta, before presenting the blue ribbon plaque to Castleberry.

PBES teachers and faculty were honored at the school's Blue Ribbon Award celebration on Dec. 6.

In addition to Castleberry, Gartland and hundreds of onlookers, Thomas Campanella with the Santa Rosa Island Authority (SRIA), former PBES Board of Directors President Dan Green, and Florida State Representative Dave Murzin also attended the event.

Fourth grade teacher Susan McLeod traveled with Castleberry to Washington, D.C. in mid-November to accept the award and attend education workshops. McLeod said there were 285 other 2007 Blue Ribbon schools represented in the ceremony that took place during Veteran's Day.

McLeod said it was an honor to be in the nation's capital, but the most significant thing she took from the experience was knowledge she gained from interacting with the other school representatives.

"We were able to bring back what other states are doing," McLeod said. "It was interesting to hear what's being effective and what's working."

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).

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