The Royal Palm Beach Educational Advisory Board heard from students and staff of Royal Palm Beach Elementary School at the board’s meeting on Monday, Dec. 9. Principal Tracy Ghettie, Assistant Principal Cristina Fong and nine student leaders from the school made presentations at the meeting.
Ghettie said that the Royal Palm Beach Elementary School community thinks of itself as the happiest place on earth, and it is very easy to see why. The school has maintained its A grade since opening in 2002. The teaching staff is among the most loyal in the school district, with only a two percent turnover rate. It’s a Green School of Excellence, and U.S. News and World Report ranks it in the top tenth of all elementary schools in Florida.
Ghettie exuded pride as she spoke of her staff.
“Four out of five members of our instructional staff have more than seven years of teaching experience,” she noted, pointing out how deep the school’s roots are in the Royal Palm Beach community. “An incredible 88 percent of the school’s faculty and staff either have their children enrolled at RPBES, or their children have already graduated.”
There are currently 675 Bobcats. The student body is quite diverse at 29 percent Black, 34 percent Hispanic, 28 percent White and 9 percent other. About 39 percent qualify for free or reduced lunch.
Parents seem to appreciate the school and turned out in large numbers to the council chambers for the meeting.
“Our family is in love with the teachers. They provide a wonderful and fostering environment,” parent Freddy Lazo said. “It feels like we are leaving them with family.”
His son Joshua, a member of the school’s Student Voice, was one of the student presenters. “I love this school,” he said, adding that he wants to be a pro football player when he grows up.
Student Council President McKayla Zucchini ran on a platform of kindness.
When asked what she hoped to accomplish during her tenure, she thought for a moment, and replied, “I want to work hard and just do everything I can, not only for the safety of students, but for their emotional and mental welfare as well.”
When not at school, McKayla enjoys ice skating.
While sometimes schools presenting at the Education Advisory Board provide musical entertainment, this meeting featured nine students standing up at the podium and presenting to the board. Each student briefly described a facet of life at the school. The presentations were warmly received by the board and the public.
The following members of Student Council made presentations: McKayla Zucchini, Ziya Mohamed, Graham Miller, Serhan Alam and Samantha Alverado.
The following members of Student Voice made presentations: Joshua Lazo, Piper Cambarare, Robert Henry and Bennet Ferry.
A third grader and member of Student Voice, Robert Henry is a force of nature. He boldly presented at the podium in a way that belied his years. He said before the meeting, “When I grow up, I want to be a member of SWAT. I want to make the world a better place. A happy place.”
Palm Beach County School Board Vice Chair Marcia Andrews was impressed by the student speakers.
“Wise words coming from such young members of the Bobcat community,” she said, applauding the young presenters and pointed to the leadership of Ghettie and Fong. “What a track record. Straight As since the beginning. I’m proud of this school, its leadership and of the wonderful job these students did tonight.”
The next meeting of the Royal Palm Beach Education Advisory Board is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 10 and will feature Western Academy Charter School.
