School needs PTO members
BY CAROL MOSLEY
Telegraph Staff Writer
Everyone agreed that the Brooker Community School’s first fall festival was a resounding success.
Board Chair Suzanne McRee said the school took in about $24,000. She raved about the legacy of the school and had some fascinating meeting minutes from the 1950s through 1964,when the festival was a part of the Brooker Elementary. At one event the school took in about $400.
There was a table at the event exhibiting photos of students and staff through the decades. To honor the legacy, there will be a Brooker Elementary School reunion in February for former students from 1943 through 2021, which is when the school closed.
After reveling in the success of the first festival, the board focused on the new business at hand. Security of the premises was a major concern. Principal Felecia Moss pointed out that the resource officer wants changes made to the current fencing. The most pressing need is for fencing that will block entrance to the playground and cafeteria/auditorium once inside the perimeter gate.
Other requirements are the removal of barbed wire from some areas and a need for 6-foot height instead of the current 5 feet. An estimate came in at $3,500, which the Board felt was excessive, so strides are being taken to accomplish the task at a better rate.
Establishing a volunteer policy was identified as an important task, and a draft was presented for the board to consider. Despite the enthusiasm of parents to volunteer for field trips and special events, what is most needed is a dedicated group to form a Parent Teacher Organization. To do so requires a board of directors and registering the organization as a nonprofit entity.
In addition to being an important bridge between parents and teachers, a PTO is eligible for certain grants not available to charter schools directly, making it an important part of raising funds. If you are the parent of a Brooker Community Charter school student, and you would like to be more involved, contact the school for more information about getting started.
Finally, it was acknowledged that the school is hoping to increase enrollment. The board will look into forming a recruitment committee to assure parents are made aware of the opportunity for their child to attend a small, community school. As a public charter school, there is no fee to attend and students do not need to live in Bradford County.
The next event being planned is Breakfast with Santa.
