By Ellie Spivey, Principal
Last year we celebrated the Silver Anniversary for Patronis Elementary School. This 25-year milestone marks a time to highlight our Patronis Panther Pride and our tradition of excellence!
Patronis is not just an elementary school. It is a family-oriented environment where our students love learning and our dedicated staff love teaching. Patronis has always had strong parent and community involvement and is happy to serve our Navy Base and neighborhood families. Our Patronis PTO is the heartbeat of our school and continuously assists our students, teachers, and staff with fundraising and volunteerism. Patronis business partners support our school endeavors each year. Our School Advisory Council helps us monitor and meet our school improvement goals. Our support staff contributes immensely to our academic excellence. Many are parents, former parents, or grandparents of PES students. Elevate Bay Mentors provide additional support in many Patronis classrooms.
Patronis has been designated as a Florida Department of Education School of Excellence and a Best and Brightest School due to its top scores on state testing. As an “A” elementary school, Patronis is proud to continue achieving high standards even after two years of upheavals due to Hurricane Michael and the COVID-19 pandemic. Our Panthers have persevered! Patronis has been in the top 100 elementary schools in the state and its teachers have been in the Top 5 for Teacher of the Year (and have won Teacher of the Year!) and Top 5 Support Employee of the year many times. Our school has been awarded the State Reading Leadership Team of the Year by FLDOE Just Read Florida! and our Principal has been FLDOE Just Read Florida! State Reading Leader of the Year. Our Assistant Principal has placed in the Top 3 for State Assistant Principal of the Year. Charter members of 25 years help remind our faculty and staff of all of the rich traditions our school has. Our teachers are a talented group—many with advanced degrees, Reading certification, National Board certification, ESOL endorsement, Gifted certification, Milken Educator, and the list goes on and on.
Patronis’ multiple innovations are reasons why there is excitement every day around the school.
The Patronis STEAM lab is a place for our elementary students to engage in hands-on learning connected to science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics. Our lab immerses students in problem-based learning where students learn to solve problems, investigate, measure, and report their discoveries. Each investigation encourages and develops the ability for students to become innovators, creators, and critical thinkers.
Patronis has a strong belief that children do not magically become “gifted” when they reach third grade. Our Talented and Gifted (TAG) program serves kindergarten through fifth grade. Acceleration and enrichment are just the beginning in these classes. Teachers recognize the need for differentiated practice and instruction. Many student goals reflect incorporating research and technology as they enhance their knowledge as 21st century citizens.
Music, Art and PE special areas all boast award winning programs. Grade level concerts, PES Chorus, Art shows and exhibitions, and Junior Olympics keep all of our students involved, excited, and well-rounded.
Our fluid MTSS and Exceptional Student Education program provides various settings and tools for students depending on exactly what they need to excel. Many of our instructors are dual certified in ESE and Elementary Education.
PES Lego League, ITV crew, Girls on the Run, Safety Patrol and Bay Base give other opportunities for extended learning.
Student Council for grades 3-5 leads our school in service projects such as raising money for cancer research, Sims State Veterans home visits, canned food drive, and school improvements.
Our Professional Learning Community (PLC) leaders and PLC members disaggregate data daily and constantly research best practices. The tradition of Research and Design continues. Even during such challenging times, our Panther Family pulls together to make every day a Panther Perfect day…..every student, every day at Patronis Elementary.
