Island school students, staff mark last day of year
The Sanibel School held its final day of school on June 3 as classes let out for the summer.
“They have been magical,” Principal Jennifer Lusk said of the last few days.
Students took part in the Annual Talent Show, with the closing act provided by the faculty.
“It was heartwarming to see our kids in kindergarten all the way up to 8th grade perform,” she said, adding that they were excited to kick off their summer, but still excited to come back next year.
Also on the last day, the eighth graders moving on to high school participated in the traditional parade through the hallways, cheered on by students and staffers holding signs and offering warm wishes.
“It’s a cheerful send-off as they head to high school,” Lusk said, noting that the parade is led by the facility members who are retiring.
The school year began with 228 students enrolled and ended with 215.
She explained that the hurricanes early on in the year did have some impact.
“But we’re going to continue to grow back,” Lusk said. “We have new families that are moving to the island every day.”
As for academics, the school continued with its curriculum, like the STEAM — Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math — program. A big focus was environmental education and sustainably.
The Sanctuary Golf Club Foundation and Harry Chapin sponsored a community build to install hydroponic towers and raised garden beds at the school, which the students then tended to.
“Our home ec (economics) and gifted students partnered with our STEAM teacher and had a working student garden,” she said, adding that the produce the students harvested was used in the classroom.
The school hopes to expand the program next year and donate to FISH of Sanibel-Captiva.
Elementary and middle school students partnered up with Coastal Watch and On Island to help restore oyster beds. Guided by their art teacher, students also safety decorated some shells put in the water.
The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) cleaned up beaches and more.
“This year, they also did a biking and kayaking trip to Tarpon Bay,” Lusk said.
The Seahorse Chorale performed at Walt Disney World in Orlando and the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. Also, middle schoolers earned Certificates of Excellence in the Aspiring Authors contest with the Lee County Library System’s 26th annual Southwest Florida Reading Festival.
“We had students that made it to the top status,” she said.
Some of this year’s achievements included:
– The middle school team placed third districtwide in the Book Battle.
– Elementary and middle school students were finalists in the annual Lee County Student Film and Television Awards.
– Two middle schoolers participated in the Spelling Bee finals.
– Elementary students took home awards at the regional inventors fair.
– Fourth through six grade students biked to the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium and the sixth graders served as instructors for museum visitors.
– The sixth graders grew mangrove propagules and replanted them around the island in partnership with the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation.
Lusk explained that while the students’ test results were not back yet as of the end of the year, the preliminary data did look positive. The school is a nationally-recognized Blue Ribbon School.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that we’ll maintain that A,” she said.
As the faculty bid farewell to students on the last day, it did the same for some co-workers.
Staff members not returning next year include third grade teacher Vanessa Clarke, who is leaving the area, and Global Perspectives teacher Rachel Stokes, who is joining Cambridge. In addition, ESE teacher Robin Lear, building supervisor Carlos Lorenzo and STEAM teacher Paul Warren are retiring.
“Unfortunately, with the hurricanes early in the year, we had some challenges,” Lusk said. “But I’m incredibly grateful because our students have a beautiful way of collaborating and working with each other but also with the community. Our students, our staff, they truly built community relationships.”
She noted the ongoing support of The Sanibel School PTA and Sanibel School Fund.
“We’re grateful for the community because the community has played a big part in making sure our students and staff have everything that they need to be successful,” Lusk added. “Our students continue to thrive.”
The school has openings in all grade levels for the 2025-26 school year.
“We are open to on-island families,” she said, noting that off-island families are also welcome, but they have to provide transportation. “We absolutely would love to show them why we are worth the drive.”
Families can schedule a tour of the school.
“We’d love to show them around,” Lusk said. “We want to show them what makes us so special.”
For more information about the school, visit https://sbl.leeschools.net/.
The Sanibel School is at 3840 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel.