Digital subscriptions provided by the City of Gulfport THE GABBER.COM No. 2823
July 27, 2023- August 2, 2023
Permanently Planted By Elana Boses
ELANA BOSES
SunFlower School has a permanent home in the old Gulfport Presbyterian Church.
SunFlower School’s relationship and strength-based, child-centered, inclusive, hands-on education has endeared the school to Gulfportians as a community of learners for more than 50 years. A half century ago, Eckerd College students who believed in a different educational model created the private school. Co-Directors Bevin O’Brien and Nicole Riveros currently run the school. The school is considered a project-based, nature-infused,
and whole-child design education. For more than 40 years, the kindergarten through fifth grade school resided within the Gulfport Presbyterian Church at 5313 27th Ave. S. In April 2022, the 75-year-old church decided to close its doors. The school and church staff worked harmoniously together for decades. It was clear the legacy they built together had deep roots. O’Brien attended SunFlower as a child. She and Riveros are first and foremost educa-
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tors who stepped up together to run the school as directors. Although the real estate world was a foreign one, they embarked on a new mission to buy the church building as a permanent home for their school. Forever Home SunFlower closed on the property June 15, purchasing the entire parcel for $1.3 million. This is slightly less Planted continued on page 6