- March 13, 2025
Beachside Elementary Assistant Principal Melissa Cleveland, Principal Leigh Prokop, fifth grade teacher Debbie Treur, Teacher of the Year Melissa Heller and Coach Jamie Frye. Courtesy photo
Beachside Elementary Teacher of the Year Melissa Heller is turned into an ice cream sundae. Courtesy photo
Beachside Elementary kindergarten teachers Julie Via and Melissa Heller. Courtesy photo
Beachside Elementary kindergarten teacher Julie Via is retiring after 37 years of teaching. Courtesy photo
High school grads that attended Osceola or Ortona Elementary visited Beachside Elementary for a clap out. Courtesy photo
Beachside Elementary celebrated the last day of school on Friday, May 31, by turning two school administrators and three teachers into ice cream sundaes.
To celebrate students who scored a level 3, 4 or 5 on its latest state standardized assessment, the school allowed them the chance to select a sundae ingredient to pour on Principal Leigh Prokop, Assistant Principal Melissa Cleveland, Coach Jamie Frye, Teacher of the Year Melissa Heller and fifth grade teacher Debbie Treur.
"Their choices were ice cream, chocolate syrup or sprinkles," a statement to the Observer read. "As you can see, our students thoroughly enjoyed turning these individuals into human sundaes!"
The school also held a clap-out for high school grads who attended Osceola or Ortona Elementary, the former schools that were merged to create Beachside. Additionally, Kindergarten teacher Julie Via was recognized as she is retiring. Via taught kindergarten for 37 years.
