{"id":300190,"date":"2026-06-08T17:49:13","date_gmt":"2026-06-08T17:49:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/300190\/"},"modified":"2026-06-08T17:49:13","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T17:49:13","slug":"island-school-students-staff-mark-last-day-of-year-sanibel-captiva","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/300190\/","title":{"rendered":"Island school students, staff mark last day of year – SANIBEL-CAPTIVA"},"content":{"rendered":"


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THE SANIBEL SCHOOL
\nEighth graders at The Sanibel School take part in the traditional parade through the hallways on the final day of the school year on June 1, cheered on by faculty members and their fellow students.<\/p>\n

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THE SANIBEL SCHOOL
\nThe Sanibel School held its Annual Talent Show on June 1, the last day of the school year.<\/p>\n

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THE SANIBEL SCHOOL
\nThe Sanibel School’s eighth graders at their 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony.<\/p>\n

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THE SANIBEL SCHOOL
\nThe Sanibel School faculty performs its closing act for the Annual Talent Show on June 1, which marked the last day of the school year for the School District of Lee County.<\/p>\n

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THE SANIBEL SCHOOL
\nCupcakes of The Sanibel School’s eighth graders for their 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony.<\/p>\n

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The Sanibel School held its final day of school on June 1 as classes let out for the summer.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a great celebration of a lot of learning and a lot of fun,\u201d interim Administrator Jill Gurgal.<\/p>\n

Students took part in the Annual Talent Show, with the closing act provided by the faculty.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe talent show was great,\u201d she said. \u201cWe had some students that were singing, some students performing gymnastics, some students dancing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Staff prepared a very islandy performance \u2014 the song \u201cKokomo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs always, our middle school team performs a song, which is our final act that everyone looks forward to because you never know what they\u2019ll have up their sleeve,\u201d Gurgal said.<\/p>\n

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 faculty holding posters and offering warm wishes.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome of the younger students make signs wishing them well,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just one final way for the class to be together,\u201d Gurgal said. \u201cTo say goodbye.\u201d<\/p>\n

The day concluded with the 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony.<\/p>\n

The school year began with 210 students enrolled and it ended with 206.<\/p>\n

As for programs, it continued with its Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS), themed \u201cSEAS the Day\u201d \u2014 Showing respect, Engaging in learning, Acting responsibly, and Safety first.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt really incentivizes students to do the right thing and have positive behavior,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Gurgal noted that the school families and community support the program by providing donations. When a student turns in a filled out SEAS card, they get to visit the prize cart to pick something.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had almost 3,000 SEAS cards turned in,\u201d she said. \u201cThat was an increase from last year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Middle school students grew mangroves throughout the year as part of a project and then planted them toward the end of the year. The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) held its annual kayaking trip.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe continued our partnerships with \u2018Ding\u2019 Darling, SCCF (Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation) and CROW (Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife) to support our environmental education in K-5 and also our STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) for grades 6-8,\u201d Gurgal said.<\/p>\n

They visited the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium, Pick Preserve and more.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe did lots of walking field trips and biking field trips,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Some of this year\u2019s achievements included:<\/p>\n

\u2013 Students competed in the School District of Lee County\u2019s math competition, with one student taking second place in the fifth grade division.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Two students participated in the district\u2019s Spelling Bee.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Nineteen students were recognized as Million Word Readers.<\/p>\n

\u2013 NJHS students attended the LEAD Conference in Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n

\u2013 The Seahorse Chorale traveled on a field trip to Boston and New York City to perform.<\/p>\n

Gurgal explained that while the students\u2019 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe still do expect to be a solid A school,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Gurgal noted that based on the early information, the school is above the averages for the district and state. The students also showed gains in the areas of proficiency and learning, according to the data.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had three students who achieved perfect scores on end-of-year assessments,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

In addition, several students took high school classes this year.<\/p>\n

As the faculty bid farewell to students on the last day, it did the same for some co-workers.<\/p>\n

Kindergarten teacher Gina Brancatella will not be returning next year as she is relocating out of the area. Recent Principal Jennifer Lusk resigned in early May for an opportunity outside the district.<\/p>\n

Gurgal was promoted from assistant principal to serve through the year\u2019s end.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo continue the stability and consistency within the school,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

As a result of recent budget cuts, the assistant principal job has been eliminated for 2026-27.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have chosen not to apply for the principal position. It was a very difficult decision for me,\u201d Gurgal said, explaining that she has a child under age 2 and the position requires a high level of responsibility and dedication. \u201cI have to chosen to put my family first. I can\u2019t give up that much time with my son.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pending the school board\u2019s approval, she will transfer to Cape Elementary School on June 30.<\/p>\n

Gurgal voiced her thanks and gratitude to the island families and community.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just grateful for the time that I spent here and for all of the support that I received,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s been an honor to serve the students and the community for the last three years.\u201d<\/p>\n

Also pending board approval, Dr. Thomas Millins will serve as the new principal next year.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe is a fantastic, well respected, experienced administer,\u201d Gurgal said.<\/p>\n

With the district for 25 years, Millins is the principal at Edgewood Academy in Fort Myers. He has also served as principal at Pine Island Elementary School and the North Fort Myers Academy for The Arts.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe really values community and a student-centered mindset,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

According to Edgewood\u2019s website, Millins has been a school-based administrator at elementary and middle schools for the past 20 years. He has worked on district committees, including the Code of Conduct, District Advisory Council, Sterling Quality, and Safety Committees. Millins has worked as staff development site coordinator and crisis prevention instructor and on district grant committees.<\/p>\n

As for the year\u2019s end, Gurgal pointed to The Sanibel School PTA and Sanibel School Fund.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur PTA and Sanibel School Fund are a huge integral part of our school community,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Gurgal reported that the Sanibel School Fund supports STEAM and enrichment opportunities for other programs, and it has expanded to extracurricular activities, like athletics, performing arts and music.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re just really grateful for all of that support,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Gurgal continued that the PTA spoils the teachers and staff, coordinates volunteers for teachers in their classroom and in the lunchroom, plans events to bring the school and community together, and more.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are so grateful for everything they do,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

The school has openings for the 2026-27 school year.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re still accepting enrollment for all grades, K-8,\u201d Gurgal said.<\/p>\n

Interested families can schedule a tour of the school.<\/p>\n

For more information, contact Donna Marks as donnamm@leeschools.net.<\/p>\n

For more about the school, visit https:\/\/sbl.leeschools.net\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Sanibel School is at 3840 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel.<\/p>\n


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