Gulfport Elementary Students Get the Gift of Art

Artist and Gulfport snowbird Peter Salmon donated a painting of Mrs. Elaine Harris’ Pre-K classroom to Gulfport Elementary and Principal Suzanne Hestor this past Friday. Salmon and his wife Linda live near the Poconos in Pennsylvania, but come to Gulfport every spring. His daughter Jennifer Salmon is a City Councilwoman and volunteer at the school and his grandson Michael Latshaw is a student at Gulfport Elementary.

Last year, while visiting, Salmon sat in on Mrs. Harris' classroom Voluntary Pre-K whose curriculum was specifically geared toward students who needed a little more attention scholastically. His sketches resulted in the donated painting.

Many of the students in the painting, including grandson Michael, are now in the Voluntary Pre-K program run by teachers Mrs. Stephanie Collins, Pre-K Group Leader, Mrs. Lori Westlund, Exceptional Student Educator and Ms. Janice Watkins, Exceptional Student Associate. 

“These classes have made a huge difference to my son Michael,” Jennifer Salmon said. “He’s now ready for Kindergarten and it’s because of these dedicated and creative teachers.”

According to Coordinated Child Care of Pinellas, Inc, Gulfport Elementary School’s VPK program achieved the maximum level of school readiness for its students

Peter Salmon has been an artist for over 50 years and has spent many winters sketching and painting in his wife Linda’s classroom where she taught first-grade.