Spotlight on Pierson Elementary

Left to right First Row: Pierson students Tyler Bradley, Mauro Rubio, Kaylee Cowart and Lya Cortes’ Second Row left to right: Danny Gainin (Education Committee/Chamber Board Member), Kathryn Godbee (Principal, Pierson Elementary), Kris Sternberg (Education Committee, Daytona Beach News- Journal), Joyce DeLoach (Education Chair, Stetson University) and William Brown (Education Committee, Primerica Financial Services).

The Education Committee was proud to present the February “School of the Month” Award to Pierson Elementary. Congratulations to School Principal, Kathryn Godbee, faculty and staff of Pierson Elementary! “Pierson Elementary is proud to be chosen as the DeLand Area Chamber of Commerce School of the Month. Although our school is proud to be a part of one of the largest and most progressive school districts in Florida, we are just as proud of our close-knit, small town environment. Our staff and students are warm, friendly and represent a rich, multicultural mix. At this time we are serving 502 students. We use research based curriculums to meet the needs of each student. Pierson Elementary is a “B” school as measured by Florida’s A+ Plan. We are a Plus One school which means our students attend one additional hour of school each day. Plus One allows more time for the teacher to teach the existing curriculum. We offer the following activities for our students: Reading Counts, 100 Book Challenge, Pride Assemblies to celebrate academic achievement, PREP Rallies to share expectations, Spanish as a special area, Kiwanis K Kids, Marathon Club, Sports Club, Spanish Club, Math & Technology Club, Los Fantasticos Dance Group, Tutoring Groups, FCAT Camp, Saturday Science Fair Project Workshop, A Day in May Young Authors, Dr. Seuss Birthday, and Science Night. PES maintains a parent center to support families and children. The Larissa Gerstel Parent Center was established in memory of a young educator and parent advocate who unexpectedly lost her life to liver disease. The Larissa Gerstel Parent Center provides materials and books for at home use so that parents have an opportunity to support the homeschool connection. Every child who enters the center with a parent receives a free book to encourage participation. Pierson Elementary is lucky to serve a dedicated group of students, parents and community members. Our PTO offers a variety of activities to support our school. The entire community looks forward to our Fall Festival, visit from Santa, monetary donations for school supplies, student recognition, FCAT Camp, BOXTOPS drive, Leap Year Celebration, Student Art Show, donations of books to students and many other festivities.”