Charter School Principal: ‘People in my Profession Do What We Do to Help Kids’

by Guest Contributor March 20, 2020

by Guest Contributor March 20, 2020 2 minutes read

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Principal Gustavo Prats works the car line in front of Summit Academy Charter School at 11421 NW 56th Drive. {courtesy}

By: Jen Russon

The principal at a new charter school in Coral Springs is doing his part to ensure continued learning during school closures, which have affected the entire state of Florida as it battles the spread of COVID-19.

Principal Gustavo Prats — who insists everyone call him “Gus,” began working at Summit Academy Charter School when it opened a location in Coral Springs in this school year.

Parents have been commending Prats for his creativity and great attitude during a time when the exact date of students’ return to the school is unknown.

Principal Gustavo Prats.

Clad in a surgical mask, gloves, and cheerful Lion King I.D. lanyard, Principal Prats spent three hours on Friday handing out the books and laptops, critical to finishing out a school year, when much of the world go into lock-down mode.

“People in my profession are here for the kids. As long as we can keep them calm and engaged in continued learning, I think we can work our way through this,” said Prats.

Danielle Farina, parent and Coral Springs resident, is someone who agrees with her children’s upbeat principal.

“Principal Gustavo has been delivering school books to parents in an organized car-line. He is there in a mask and gloves delivering them himself while his staff is home preparing for our online curriculum,” said Farina.

The mother of three added Summit would use Scholastic’s Learn at Home website during their hiatus, and that her kids’ classrooms would be visible via Zoom, and Google classroom.

She said the amazing Principal Gustavo would be including music, art, and P.E. using Zoom, so kids don’t miss out on their specials.

Farina is also encouraging parents whose children attend Summit Academy to come out while supplies last to meet Gus and take advantage of the middle school books and laptops he has been distributing all week.

“He has gone above and beyond to make sure all the kids have what they need, so they can continue with their curriculum and complete their school year,” she said.