A Note from Your Principal

Todd Widergren

Welcome to Eastside Elementary School.  Eastside serves approximately 610 students, Pre-K through Fifth grade with approximately 68 faculty and staff.  Eastside has a long history of academic excellence.  The curriculum is based on the Sunshine State Standards.  Students that need remediation are provided opportunities for help via small group instruction or individual tutors.  All students participate in Art, Music, P.E. and Computer Lab each week. Eastside has a very active PTO and Parent Involvement Program.

Based on the 2007-2008 FCAT scores, Eastside received a grade of  "A".  This is the sixth consecutive year that Eastside has received an  "A" under the Governor's A+ plan.  Congratulations to all the students, parents, teachers and staff for your dedication and pursuit of academic excellence.

Students at Eastside are exposed to a challenging curriculum based on the Sunshine State Standards.  The curriculum is supplemented with various learning activities based on student need, seasonal activities, historic events and critical thinking strategies.

Eastside is a "Reading First School".  All students, K-5, participate in a 90 minute reading block.  Initial instruction begins in the whole group setting and then students are grouped and participate in various learning centers.  Differentiated instruction is provided to those students needing additional help.  Eastside was recognized as one of the Top 10 Reading First schools in the state of Florida during the 2004-2005 School year.

Here are some facts about Eastside's history that I hope you find interesting.  Eastside Elementary School opened its doors in the fall of 1959.  The school facilities consisted of twelve classrooms and twelve teachers for grades one through six.  In the next few years the school staff increased and the curriculum expanded with a traveling art teacher, guidance counselor and classroom aides.

Another new wing was completed in 1978.  Over the past 42 years the facilities, as well as faculty and staff, have steadily increased.